Sarah Beth Durst

When twelve-year-old Zoe rescues a small kitten, she never expects it to rapidly grow into a giant, talking feline with… When twelve-year-old Zoe rescues a small kitten, she never expects it to rapidly grow into a giant, talking feline with an insatiable appetite for mischief. Suddenly plunged into a secret world she never knew existed, Zoe and her best friend Harrison must hide her extraordinary pet, not only from her parents but from the growing number of strange creatures appearing in their quiet town. As more fantastic beings emerge from the shadows, Zoe realizes her beloved cat is a catalyst for something much bigger, forcing her to decide if she can become the reluctant hero her unusual companion needs. The fate of her feline friend, and perhaps the hidden world itself, rests on her young shoulders. read more

Mina has always been quiet, but her stormbeast companion, Pixit, connects her to the volatile power that shapes Alorria'… Mina has always been quiet, but her stormbeast companion, Pixit, connects her to the volatile power that shapes Alorria's perfect weather. While the land enjoys endless sunshine and gentle rains, Mina discovers a devastating truth: this idyllic climate is achieved by exploiting creatures like Pixit, draining them of their life force. Forced to choose between the safety of silence and the dangerous path of rebellion, Mina must rally others who suffer in the shadows to expose the kingdom's cruel secret before the cost becomes too great for them all. read more

The battle between vicious spirits and strong-willed queens that started in the award-winning The Queen of Blood and con… The battle between vicious spirits and strong-willed queens that started in the award-winning The Queen of Blood and continued in the powerful The Reluctant Queen comes to a stunning conclusion in The Queen of Sorrow, the final volume of Sarah Beth Durst’s Queens of Renthia trilogy. Queen Daleina has yearned to bring peace and prosperity to her beloved forest home—a hope that seemed doomed when neighboring forces invaded Aratay. Now, with the powerful Queen Naelin ruling by her side, Daleina believes that her dream of ushering in a new era can be realized, even in a land plagued by malevolent nature spirits who thirst for the end of human life. And then Naelin’s children are kidnapped by spirits. Nothing is more important to her than her family, and Naelin would rather watch the world burn than see her children harmed. Blaming the defeated Queen Merecot of Semo for the kidnapping, Naelin is ready to start a war—and has the power to do it. But Merecot has grander plans than a bloody battle with her southern neighbors. Taking the children is merely one step in a plot to change the future of all Renthia, either by ending the threat of spirits once and for all . . . or plunging the world into chaos. read more

The natural magic of the classic Island of the Blue Dolphins meets the danger and courage of The Hunger Games in this da… The natural magic of the classic Island of the Blue Dolphins meets the danger and courage of The Hunger Games in this dazzling, intricate stand-alone fantasy novel set in award-winning author Sarah Beth Durst's beloved world of Renthia Life is precious and precarious on the islands of Belene. Besieged by a capricious ocean full of malicious spirits, the people of the islands seek joy where they can. Mayara, one of the fearless oyster divers of Belene, has found happiness in love. But on the day of her wedding to the artist Kelo, a spirit-driven storm hits the island with deadly force. To save her loved ones, Mayara reveals a dangerous secret: she has the power to control the spirits. When the storm ends, she is taken into custody by the queen's soldiers and imprisoned with other women like her. They vary in age and social status, but to many, they are heroes who will aid the country or witches who will sacrifice themselves trying. No matter who they are, the women are sent to the same terrifying place--an island filled with bloodthirsty nature spirits. There, they are left without food, water, shelter, or any tools, except their own instincts and magic. Those who survive the Island of Testing will be declared heirs to the queen. But no matter if Mayara wins or loses, she knows the life she had dreamed of is now gone forever. read more

Set in the magical world of Renthia, The Queen of Blood is Sarah Beth Durst’s ambitious entry into adult epic fantasy. W… Set in the magical world of Renthia, The Queen of Blood is Sarah Beth Durst’s ambitious entry into adult epic fantasy. With the danger of Peter Brett’s The Warded Man, heart of Naomi Novik’s Uprooted, and lyricism of Patrick Rothfuss’ The Name of the Wind, this is the first chapter in a series destined to be a classic. Everything has a spirit: the willow tree with leaves that kiss the pond, the stream that feeds the river, the wind that exhales fresh snow . . . But the spirits that reside within this land want to rid it of all humans. One woman stands between these malevolent spirits and the end of humankind: the queen. She alone has the magical power to prevent the spirits from destroying every man, woman, and child. But queens are still just human, and no matter how strong or good, the threat of danger always looms. With the position so precarious, young women are chosen to train as heirs. Daleina, a seemingly quiet academy student, is under no illusions as to her claim to the throne, but simply wants to right the wrongs that have befallen the land. Ven, a disgraced champion, has spent his exile secretly fighting against the growing number of spirit attacks. Joining forces, these daring partners embark on a treacherous quest to find the source of the spirits’ restlessness—a journey that will test their courage and trust, and force them to stand against both enemies and friends to save their land . . . before it’s bathed in blood. read more

A group of magical misfit animals learns to appreciate their seemingly useless powers--and themselves--when they work to… A group of magical misfit animals learns to appreciate their seemingly useless powers--and themselves--when they work together to thwart a villain's attempt to steal their magic. Holly, a grey squirrel, and her animal friends have accepted that they will never be wizards' familiars. Though they are each magical, their powers are so offbeat--Holly herself can conjure pastries (and only pastries)--that no professional magic-worker would choose any of them as a companion for noble quests. So instead of going on adventures, they languish at the Shelter for Rejected Familiars, where they are known as "shelterlings." When an old friend appears with a plan for curing the shelterlings' defective magic, everyone is on board to help him locate and retrieve the ingredients for a powerful spell. But when they learn that his offer is not what it seems, Holly and the shelterlings must fight to defend their magic, discovering in the process that their unorthodox skills may just be what is needed to save the day. read more

Filled with political intrigue, violent magic, and malevolent spirits, the mesmerizing second book in Sarah Beth Durst’s… Filled with political intrigue, violent magic, and malevolent spirits, the mesmerizing second book in Sarah Beth Durst’s Queens of Renthia epic fantasy trilogy that started with the award-winning The Queen of Blood. Everything has a spirit: the willow tree with leaves that kiss the pond, the stream that feeds the river, the wind that exhales fresh snow . . . And those spirits want to kill you. It’s the first lesson that every Renthian learns. Not long ago, Daleina used her strength and skill to survive those spirits and assume the royal throne. Since then, the new queen has kept the peace and protected the humans of her land. But now for all her power, she is hiding a terrible secret: she is dying. And if she leaves the world before a new heir is ready, the spirits that inhabit her beloved realm will run wild, destroying her cities and slaughtering her people. Naelin is one such person, and she couldn’t be further removed from the Queen—and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Her world is her two children, her husband, and the remote village tucked deep in the forest that is her home, and that’s all she needs. But when Ven, the Queens champion, passes through the village, Naelin’s ambitious husband proudly tells him of his wife’s ability to control spirits—magic that Naelin fervently denies. She knows that if the truth of her abilities is known, it will bring only death and separation from those she loves. But Ven has a single task: to find the best possible candidate to protect the people of Aratay. He did it once when he discovered Daleina, and he’s certain he’s done it again. Yet for all his appeals to duty, Naelin is a mother, and she knows her duty is to her children first and foremost. Only as the Queen’s power begins to wane and the spirits become emboldened—even as ominous rumors trickle down from the north—does she realize that the best way to keep her son and daughter safe is to risk everything. Sarah Beth Durst established a place of dark wonder in The Qu read more

“National Velvet with monsters and a big helping of palace intrigue, Race the Sands is monstrous (literally), heartwarmi… “National Velvet with monsters and a big helping of palace intrigue, Race the Sands is monstrous (literally), heartwarming, and empowering in equal measure. An incredibly fun and inspiring read.” – Katherine Arden, New York Times bestselling author of The Bear and the Nightingale In this epic standalone fantasy, the acclaimed author of the Queens of Renthia series introduces an imaginative new world in which a pair of strong and determined women risk their lives battling injustice, corruption, and deadly enemies in their quest to become monster racing champions. Life, death, and rebirth—in Becar, who you are in this life will determine your next life. Yet there is hope—you can change your destiny with the choices you make. But for the darkest individuals, there is no redemption: you come back as a kehok, a monster, and are doomed to be a kehok for the rest of time. Unless you can win the Races. After a celebrated career as an elite kehok rider, Tamra became a professional trainer. Then a tragic accident shattered her confidence, damaged her reputation, and left her nearly broke. Now, she needs the prize money to prevent the local temple from taking her daughter away from her, and that means she must once again find a winning kehok . . . and a rider willing to trust her. Raia is desperate to get away from her domineering family and cruel fiancé. As a kehok rider, she could earn enough to buy her freedom. But she needs a first-rate trainer. Impressed by the inexperienced young woman’s determination, Tamra hires Raia and pairs her with a strange new kehok with the potential to win—if he can be tamed. But in this sport, if you forget you’re riding on the back of a monster, you die. Tamra and Raia will work harder than they ever thought possible to win the deadly Becaran Races—and in the process, discover what makes this particular kehok so special. read more

Sisters Even and Odd believed their lives were perfectly normal, until a hidden portal suddenly whisks them away to a fa… Sisters Even and Odd believed their lives were perfectly normal, until a hidden portal suddenly whisks them away to a fantastical world teeming with impossible magic. Trapped and unable to return home, they discover a powerful wizard determined to reshape this vibrant land, unleashing an ecological catastrophe that threatens to unravel reality itself. With the unexpected assistance of a jaded unicorn named Jeremy, the girls must embark on a perilous quest across a world they never knew existed. Their only hope of returning to their mundane lives hinges on stopping the wizard before both dimensions are irrevocably destroyed. read more

Sixteen-year-old Kayla was born with the ability to move things with her mind-things like credit cards and buttons on ca… Sixteen-year-old Kayla was born with the ability to move things with her mind-things like credit cards and buttons on cash registers-and she has become a master shoplifter. She steals to build up enough money for her and her mom to be able to flee if her dad finds them again . . . which would mean grave danger for them both. When she's caught stealing by a boy named Daniel-a boy with the ability to teleport-he needs her help and is willing to blackmail her to get it. Together, they embark on a quest to find and steal an ancient incantation, written on three indestructible stones and hidden millennia ago, all to rescue Daniel's kidnapped mother. But Kayla has no idea that this rescue mission will lead back to her own family-and to betrayals that she may not be able to forgive...or survive. read more

When Cassie was little her grandmother would tell her stories about the Arctic… stories about snow and ice, about a beau… When Cassie was little her grandmother would tell her stories about the Arctic… stories about snow and ice, about a beautiful castle made of ice, and about her mother, who made a deal with the Polar Bear King and was swept away to the ends of the earth to become a prisoner of the trolls. Cassie is older now and has no time for fairytales and talking animals, or lies about her dead mother. Living with her father at the Arctic research centre, she is determined to become a leading scientist and researcher. But when Cassie comes face to face with a mysterious polar bear, one that defies all scientific fact or knowledge, she begins realise that the fairytales could actually be true. Armed with the knowledge that her mother might be alive, Cassie makes a deal with the Polar Bear King, and embarks on a dangerous journey against time to save her. But her agreement with the Polar Bear King comes with consequences she never bargained for, and before her journey's end Cassie will discover the true meaning of love and family, and loss. A compelling romantic fantasy set in the beautiful frozen Arctic. read more

Lauren awakens stranded in a dusty, enigmatic town bordering a vast, ancient desert, with no memory of how she arrived.… Lauren awakens stranded in a dusty, enigmatic town bordering a vast, ancient desert, with no memory of how she arrived. A powerful magical compulsion binds her to the strange place, preventing departure until she uncovers the crucial piece missing from her life. As peculiar events unfold and the town's eccentric inhabitants offer cryptic clues, Lauren must embark on a desperate quest to understand her past and the nature of her curse. Her only hope for freedom and a future lies in unraveling a profound mystery that challenges her very identity and the desert's hidden truths. read more

"Durst consistently defies expectations."—Publishers Weekly (starred review) From award-winning author Sarah Beth Durst,… "Durst consistently defies expectations."—Publishers Weekly (starred review) From award-winning author Sarah Beth Durst, a standalone epic fantasy set in a brand-new world of towering mountains and sparkling cities, in which a band of aging warriors have a second chance to defeat dark magic and avenge a haunting loss. Twenty-five years ago, five heroes risked their lives to defeat the bone maker Eklor—a corrupt magician who created an inhuman army using animal bones. But victory came at a tragic price. Only four of the heroes survived. Since then, Kreya, the group’s leader, has exiled herself to a remote tower and devoted herself to one purpose: resurrecting her dead husband. But such a task requires both a cache of human bones and a sacrifice—for each day he lives, she will live one less. She’d rather live one year with her husband than a hundred without him, but using human bones for magic is illegal in Vos. The dead are burned—as are any bone workers who violate the law. Yet Kreya knows where she can find the bones she needs: the battlefield where her husband and countless others lost their lives. But defying the laws of the land exposes a terrible possibility. Maybe the dead don’t rest in peace after all. Five warriors—one broken, one gone soft, one pursuing a simple life, one stuck in the past, and one who should be dead. Their story should have been finished. But evil doesn’t stop just because someone once said, “the end.” read more

Vampire romance takes a snarky turn in this humorous novel, coming soon to TV screens as a Lifetime Original Movie! Pear… Vampire romance takes a snarky turn in this humorous novel, coming soon to TV screens as a Lifetime Original Movie! Pearl is a sixteen-year-old vampire…fond of blood, allergic to sunlight, and mostly evil…until the night a sparkly unicorn stabs her through the heart with his horn. Oops. Her family thinks she was attacked by a vampire hunter (because, obviously, unicorns don’t exist), and they’re shocked she survived. They’re even more shocked when Pearl discovers she can now withstand the sun. But they quickly find a way to make use of her new talent. The Vampire King of New England has chosen Pearl’s family to host his feast. If Pearl enrolls in high school, she can make lots of human friends and lure them to the King’s feast—as the entrées. The only problem? Pearl’s starting to feel the twinges of a conscience. How can she serve up her new friends—especially the cute guy who makes her fangs ache—to be slaughtered? Then again, she’s definitely dead if she lets down her family. What’s a sunlight-loving vamp to do? read more

Eve has a new home, a new face, and a new name-but no memories of her past. She's been told that she's in a witness prot… Eve has a new home, a new face, and a new name-but no memories of her past. She's been told that she's in a witness protection program. That she escaped a dangerous magic-wielding serial killer who still hunts her. The only thing she knows for sure is that there is something horrifying in her memories the people hiding her want to access-and there is nothing they won't say-or do-to her to get her to remember. At night she dreams of a tattered carnival tent and buttons being sewn into her skin. But during the day, she shelves books at the local library, trying to not let anyone know that she can do things-things like change the color of her eyes or walk through walls. When she does use her strange powers, she blacks out and is drawn into terrifying visions, returning to find that days or weeks have passed-and she's lost all short-term memories. Eve must find out who and what she really is before the killer finds her-but the truth may be more dangerous than anyone could have ever imagined. read more

Fans of Cassandra Clare and Julie Kagawa will devour this contemporary fantasy about a teen were-dragon who must steal h… Fans of Cassandra Clare and Julie Kagawa will devour this contemporary fantasy about a teen were-dragon who must steal her first treasure. But a dark discovery during her heist could put her family in incredible danger. In Sky Hawkins's family, leading your first heist is a major milestone--even more so than learning to talk, walk, or do long division. It's a chance to gain power and acceptance within your family, and within society. But stealing your first treasure can be complicated, especially when you're a wyvern--a human capable of turning into a dragon. Embarking on a life of crime is never easy, and Sky discovers secrets about her mother, who recently went missing, the real reason her boyfriend broke up with her, and a valuable jewel that could restore her family's wealth and rank in their community. With a handpicked crew by her side, Sky knows she has everything she needs to complete her first heist, and get her boyfriend and mother back in the process. But then she uncovers a dark truth about were-dragon society--a truth more valuable and dangerous than gold or jewels could ever be. read more

This atmospheric fantasy is, “from the gripping first line, a fast-paced, thought-provoking, and stirring story of sacri… This atmospheric fantasy is, “from the gripping first line, a fast-paced, thought-provoking, and stirring story of sacrifice” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review). Liyana has trained her entire life to be the vessel of a goddess. The goddess will inhabit Liyana’s body and use magic to bring rain to the desert. But Liyana’s goddess never comes. Abandoned by her angry tribe, Liyana expects to die in the desert. Until a boy walks out of the dust in search of her. Korbyn is a god inside his vessel, and a trickster god at that. He tells Liyana that five other gods are missing, and they set off across the desert in search of the other vessels. For the desert tribes cannot survive without the magic of their gods. But the journey is dangerous, even with a god’s help. And not everyone is willing to believe the trickster god’s tale. The closer she grows to Korbyn, the less Liyana wants to disappear to make way for her goddess. But she has no choice: She must die for her tribe to live. Unless a trickster god can help her to trick fate—or a human girl can muster some magic of her own. read more

"A perfect combination of adventure, humor, and pure imagination!" —Jessica Day George, New York Times best-selling auth… "A perfect combination of adventure, humor, and pure imagination!" —Jessica Day George, New York Times best-selling author of Tuesdays at the Castle "Funny, scary, and endlessly inventive.” —Bruce Coville, author of Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher Sophie loves the hidden shop below her parents' bookstore, where dreams are secretly bought and sold. When the dream shop is robbed and her parents go missing, Sophie must unravel the truth to save them. Together with her best friend—a wisecracking and fanatically loyal monster named Monster—she must decide whom to trust with her family’s carefully guarded secrets. Who will help them, and who will betray them? read more

*Junior Library Guild Selection *YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults *A YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Read… *Junior Library Guild Selection *YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults *A YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers Yellowjackets meets One of Us Is Lying in this masterful survival thriller from New York Times bestselling author Sarah Beth Durst. "Formidably scary, Durst's survival/horror story is the stuff of late-night campfire legends. With three deftly drawn, powerful girls at the center, reading felt like I had found a crew of clever, loyal best friends, even as I stayed up long into the night, trembling with dread." —E. Lockhart, #1 New York Times bestselling author of We Were Liars Claire’s grown up triple-checking locks. Counting her steps. Second-guessing every decision. It’s just how she’s wired—her worst-case scenarios never actually come true. Until she arrives at an off-the-grid summer camp to find a blackened, burned husk instead of a lodge—and no survivors, except her and two other late arrivals: Reyva and Mariana. When the three girls find a dead body in the woods, they realize none of this is an accident. Someone, something, is hunting them. Something that hides in the shadows. Something that refuses to let them leave. read more

Perfect for fans of Travis Baldree and TJ Klune, The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst is a cosy fantasy tale full of stolen… Perfect for fans of Travis Baldree and TJ Klune, The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst is a cosy fantasy tale full of stolen spellbooks, unexpected friendships, sweet jams and even sweeter romance. ‘Reading this book was like sitting in the sun . . . A warm, peaceful delight of a novel’ – Katherine Arden, author of The Bear and the Nightingale Every home needs a little magic . . . Kiela has always had trouble dealing with people, and as librarian at the Great Library of Alyssium, she hasn’t had to. She and her assistant Caz, a sentient spider plant, have spent most of the last eleven years sequestered among the empire’s precious spellbooks, protecting the magic for the city’s elite. But a revolution is brewing, and when the library goes up in flames Kiela and Caz steal whatever books they can and flee to the faraway island where she grew up. But to her dismay, in addition to a nosy – and very handsome – neighbour, she finds the town in disarray. The empire has slowly been draining power from the island, and now Kiela is determined to make things right. But opening up her own spellshop comes with its own risks – the consequence of sharing magic with commoners is death. And as Kiela starts to make a place for herself among the townspeople, she realizes she must break down the walls she has kept so high . . . From award-winning author Sarah Beth Durst, The Spellshop is a cottagecore cosy fantasy following a woman’s unexpected journey through the low-stakes market of illegal spell-selling and the high-risk business of starting over. Readers are in their cottagecore era . . . ‘If you ever played one of those cosy magical farming games and always wished there was a book like it: look no further’ ‘I want whatever this is (a cute shop where I sell spells and make jam and a hot man builds me floor to ceiling bookshelves)’ ‘This was the most heartfelt, wholesome, cosiest and cutest book I’ve ever read’ read more

Set in a cosy, heartwarming world brimming with singing flowers, honey cakes and honeyed love, The Enchanted Greenhouse… Set in a cosy, heartwarming world brimming with singing flowers, honey cakes and honeyed love, The Enchanted Greenhouse is a story about giving second chances – to others and to yourself. From the New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop, Sarah Beth Durst. ‘Full of magic, wonder and gentle romance . . . The perfect comfort read’ – Stephanie Burgis, author of Wooing the Witch Queen Terlu Perna broke the law because she was lonely. She cast a spell and created a magically sentient spider plant. As punishment, she is turned into a wooden statue and tucked away into an alcove in the Great Library of Alyssium. When, years later, Terlu wakes up, she finds herself on a nearly deserted island full of hundreds of magical greenhouses. The only other human on the island is a grumpy – but surprisingly sweet – gardener. He offers Terlu a place to sleep, clean clothes and freshly baked honey cakes – at least until she’s ready to sail home. But Terlu can’t return, and doesn’t want to. And when she learns that the magic that sustains the greenhouses is failing – causing the death of everything within them – Terlu knows she must stay and help. Even if that means breaking the law again. Assisted by the gardener, a sentient rose, and a winged cat, Terlu must uncover the spell that will save the island – and possibly also find herself a fresh chance at love and happiness along the way. Funny, kind and forgiving, The Enchanted Greenhouse is the enchanting sequel to The Spellshop. *** ‘As warm as it is whimsical’ – Sangu Mandanna, bestselling author of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches ‘Kind, comforting and utterly delightful’ – Julie Leong, bestselling author of The Teller of Small Fortunes ‘Full of magic, wonder and gentle romance . . . The perfect comfort read’ – Stephanie Burgis, author of Wooing the Witch Queen ‘A charming cosy fantasy, perfect for the summer’ – The Express read more

A teen girl decides to spend her summer helping her eccentric great aunt manage her quaint Vermont inn—only to discover… A teen girl decides to spend her summer helping her eccentric great aunt manage her quaint Vermont inn—only to discover that the fixer-upper is hiding a magical secret—in this cozy and irresistible new young adult fantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop. This stunning first edition of The Faraway Inn features gorgeous designed edges! “Frosted with whimsy and sprinkled with joy, The Faraway Inn is a testament to why Sarah Beth Durst is the queen of cozy fantasy!”—Tricia Levenseller, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Darkness Within Us When sixteen-year-old Calisa arrives at her great-aunt’s B&B in rural Vermont for the summer, she’s shocked to find a rundown inn rather than the cozy bed-and-breakfast she was expecting. Grumpy and eccentric, Auntie Zee is determined to keep anyone from messing with her beloved inn . . . even though she clearly needs the help. To convince her great-aunt to keep her around, Calisa sets to work fixing up the inn, enlisting extra help from the groundskeeper’s (handsome) son. But the longer she stays, the surer she is that there’s something strange about the B&B—and its guests. Something almost . . . otherworldly. The inn is keeping a magical secret—but to protect the place she’s come to love, Calisa must unravel the truth before it’s too late. read more

Her boat. Her rules. His music. Their hearts . . . From the acclaimed author of The Spellshop, Sea of Charms is a deligh… Her boat. Her rules. His music. Their hearts . . . From the acclaimed author of The Spellshop, Sea of Charms is a delightful cosy fantasy romance about finding your crew, your family, and moreover, finding yourself. Marin has always belonged on the great blue sea. Betrayed by love, she lives and works as a supply runner, sailing from island to island, delivering an array of goods with Perri the sea serpent and Ree the sailor shrub as her crew. On one of her routine trips to the capital, Alyssium, Marin finds a revolution underway — and a friend in the line of fire. What starts as a rescue evolves into a deal: Marin will keep Dax on as a member of her crew if he pretends to be her boyfriend at the End-of-Harvest Festival back home. But against her better judgment, Marin finds herself intrigued by his stubbornness, his passion for stories, his charming smile — and realizes that perhaps she isn’t saving him. Maybe it’s the other way around. Set in the same beautiful, cosy world as The Spellshop and The Enchanted Greenhouse, this is the third standalone in Sarah Beth Durst's beloved fantasy series – perfect for both fans and newcomers. read more