Not only is Kingdom of Souls an amazing book, but it drew me in from the beginning. Well, I’m happy to say that for once, all the hype was worth it. I picked this book up with an open mind but low expectations, as with many readers, I’ve read highly rated books only to be disappointed upon reading it for myself. Jordan had optioned the film rights for it that I decided I should maybe read the book and see what all the hype was about. It wasn’t until I learned that Michael B. Although the cover is stunning and the book features a Black female protagonist, with a supporting cast of Black characters, it just wasn’t speaking to me and I didn’t feel the need to read it.

When talk about Kingdom of Souls first began circulating on Twitter and Bookstagram, I have to admit, it didn’t appeal to me. Finding herself in the midst of a battle that has long been brewing, Arrah must fight both for and against those she loves if she has any hope of saving the kingdom and neighboring tribes from total destruction. Having become a charlatan, Arrah is presented with something far more horrific than she could’ve ever imagined. It’s not until the children of the kingdom begin to disappear that Arrah decides she must do that which she has sworn never to do, trade years of her life for magic in order to find and hopefully safe the missing children.

Having accepted the fact that she will never have powers of her own and she will forever be a disappointment to her mother, Arrah resigns herself to her fate. The daughter and granddaughter of powerful witchdoctors, Arrah finds herself disappointed year after year as she continues to fail to be able to call upon the powers with which her family has been blessed with. Rena Barron’s debut novel tells the story of Arrah.

Rena barron kingdom of souls