A River of Royal Blood

Chapter 1
 
The passage beneath my bedchamber was silent as a crypt, though as always, the Empress scorpions that nested in these forgotten tunnels started hissing disapproval the moment my feet touched the ground.
 
I crouched and checked the circle of cinnamon sticks and dried lavender I d laid to deter the wicked beasts, and then knotted the hem of my skirt. If left hanging, the chime and rattle of its beading would echo through the passages, and although I d never crossed paths with anyone here, I couldn t risk discovery.
 
I adjusted the belt knife in its soft leather holster at the small of my back. Whenever I shifted, nicks in the wooden handle scratched my skin, but it couldn t be helped. This knife was my only weapon plain enough to suit this disguise. In a floor-sweeping skirt and a top that bared my midriff but covered my arms and their tattoos, I could pass as a common human girl out for a night of revelry.
 
Flint struck stone inches from my face, sparks dancing through inky darkness. I jumped, a curse on my lips, but my hand fell from my knife. I d appreciate some warning next time.
 
Just keeping you sharp, said the young man standing mere feet away.
 
Falun, second-in-command of my guard and my closest friend, towered over me in the cramped passage. He was long-limbed and graceful, though still not quite grown into his wide shoulders. Like many of the fey, who originally came from the North, Falun was fair-skinned and fine-haired. Even in the scant torchlight, his skin gleamed like mother-of-pearl. All the fey had a certain sameness luminous skin, oversize eyes, pointed ears, and vibrant coloring but Falun was among the most beautiful. His hair was streaked with apple red and dark gold, and the sharp line of his jaw emphasized his full-lipped smile.
 
Two nights ago, Falun had gone to my room at dawn to propose a journey to the kitchens and found me missing, my bed pushed aside,

Amanda Joy has an MFA from The New School, and lives in Chicago with her dog Luna. You can find her on twitter and Instagram at @amandajoywrites.

Praise for A River of Royal Blood:

 "Joy's debut has all the trappings of a riveting fantasy novel: enviable world building, elements of magic, and scintillating glimpses of a powerful backstory...not to mention a slow-burning romance sure to get readers swooning...Gripping political intrigue and cinematic action."  Booklist, starred review

"A sibling rivalry like nothing you ve ever read before. Joy weaves a dark yet delicate treatise on race, heritage, and power whilst never losing that addictive just one more chapter allure. I devoured it in one sitting!" Natasha Ngan, New York Times bestselling author of Girls of Paper and Fire

"A dark and bloody delight of a debut, Amanda Joy's A River of Royal Blood is a seductive tapestry of extraordinary magick delving into the terrifying lengths we will go to claim our destiny." Dhonielle Clayton, New York Times bestselling author of The Belles

The world of this book is fascinating, the characters and their relationships are compelling, and that plot twist wow! Readers of fantasy will enjoy it immensely. VOYA

A surprising twist and multiple unsolved mysteries will leave readers looking forward to the next book. . . A compelling debut. Kirkus Reviews

[A] fast-paced magical adventure. . . Filled with mythical creatures, ancient traditions, sibling rivalries, political intrigue, and epic world-building, this book stands out as a masterful adventure. School Library Journal

Joy creates a complex, intriguing fantasy world. . . [Readers] will enjoy exciting fight scenes and a variety of abilities reminiscent of Kristin Cashore s Graceling trilogy. The Bulletin of the Center for Children s Books

[This] engrossing, North African inspired series opener draws effectively on real-world prejudices to inform [a]