The Scorpion Queen

The Scorpion Queen is the first novel from Mina Fears, a thrilling epic fantasy adventure with an unforgettable romance, inspired by a Malian fairy tale. Perfect for fans of Girl, Goddess, Queen and The Gilded Ones.

At first glance, Princess Mariama lives a charmed life at the imperial palace in Timbuktu with servants catering for her every need. But deep within the palace walls, a terrible trial takes place for the princess’s hand in marriage. Ninety-nine suitors have died and the princess is determined to end the carnage before another life is lost.

Framed for a crime she didn’t commit, Amie has lost everything. Her family, her status, her love. Forced into service for the emperor’s daughter she dreams of nothing but escape and a chance to be reunited with her childhood sweetheart.

But all is not as it seems at court, and the more Amie learns about the princess's circumstances, the closer the girls become. Increasingly drawn to the princess in ways she doesn’t understand, Amie must make a choice between running away with the boy she loves or helping the princess to end the trials forever. . .

Review

The Scorpion Queen is a sweeping fantasy novel imbued with darkness but full of heart. Mina Fears breathes life into a sprawling and treacherous world in this compelling debut. You’ll find yourself fiercely rooting for Amie, a valiant protagonist torn between her first love and the alluring princess fighting to end her father's brutal marriage trials. I loved this story. -- Alexis Henderson, author of The Year of the Witching and An Academy for Liars

Brimming with court intrigue, spellbinding magic, and a world as beguiling as it is deadly, Fears delivers a compelling story that lures you in from the very first page, along with an unforgettable heroine who will stop at nothing to carve out her own destiny and fight for the life she deserves. An atmospheric and utterly transportive debut. -- Deborah Falaye, award-winning author of Blood Scion

Fears’ sparkling debut The Scorpion Queen is a fascinating insight into courage, sacrifice, and survival. Aminata is a fearless heroine we deserve. -- Roselle Lim, author of Night for Day and Sophie Go's Lonely Hearts Club

The pace is thoughtful, with slow and detailed world-building giving way to a headlong dive into a desert quest to find a magical hammer that can potentially end the trials Mariama’s father has created. ― The Bulletin for the Center of Children's Books, December 2024 issue

About the Author

Mina Fears earned her BA and MFA from Columbia University. Originally from Michigan, she remains in New York City to build public relations strategies for tech and finance brands. The Scorpion Queen is her first novel.