Much respect to cover artist Adeyemi Adegbesan. Your work is groundbreaking and exquisite. Keisha, you channeled all of Arrah’s fierceness.
Natasha Bardon, thank you for being a champion of this book at HarperVoyager UK. Where would I be without the fabulous marketing team—Rachel Quin, Fleur Clarke, and Hannah O’Brien, thank you for your dedication. Jaime Frost, thank you for spreading the word about the book. To the wonderful design team, you created a stunning cover full of so much magic for the UK market. Barbara Roby, your proofreading notes were invaluable.
This book would still be on my computer if not for my best friend, Mickey Mouse connoisseur Ronni Davis. I wouldn’t have entered Pitch Wars if not for your encouragement. It’s a joy to brainstorm ideas and stories with you. So happy we started talking about books in the middle of a random meeting at work that kicked off our friendship. Thank you for your energy, kindness, and friendship.
Speaking of Pitch Wars, thank you to Brenda Drake and the crew who worked endlessly to provide an avenue to help connect writers with mentors. Thank you to Jamie Pacton and M. K. England for taking me on as a mentee, which opened up wonderful doors for me. To Tomi Adeyemi for your generosity. I will always be grateful for your support and for helping pave the way for more fantastical novels that celebrate African and black culture.
To my ride-or-die friend and critique partner, Alexis Henderson. I don’t know if I would have gotten through Pitch Wars without our midnight pep talks, our virtual tears, and our sheer stubbornness. I’m such a stan for every single character you write—and I’m here for your books. Thank you for your unrivaled support, countless brainstorming sessions, and your friendship through the woes of writing.
Thanks to these fantastic authors who read early drafts of the book and said the kindest words: Samira Ahmed, Mindee Arnett, Elly Blake, Rebecca Ross, and Rebecca Schaeffer.
My #ChiYA fam, you ladies have been my stone and my inspiration. Samira, thank you for being a fierce advocate for justice. Gloria, your presence is a calming force. Lizzie, you are a joy. Anna, you are amazing, and I will never forget our epic writing retreat. Honorary member Kat Cho, I am so thankful for your generosity and friendship.
Reese, Mia, Jeff, Lane, and Rosaria, my Chicago writing tribe. I always look forward to our meetups. To the Speculators who adopted me into their family. David R. Slayton, your stories are epic, and your heart is big. Antra, I wish we lived closer so we could talk our days away. Nikki, Axie, David M, Nikki, Liz, Erin, Alex, Helen, Amanda, you are fabulous. Shout out to #SuperBlackGirlMagic and the Write Pack. To my very first critique partners, Dave and Denis. I look back on our work together fondly.
Thanks for the encouragement, Eric Francque, Kim Cavaliero-Keller, Troi Rutherford, and Kathleen Misovic. Kedest, our long-standing friendship means the world to me. Thank you for always giving me advice without filters. Alice Singleton, I’ve learned so much from you.
Jen (The Book Avid), you are fierce and never forget that. Rachel Strolle, super youth librarian and diversity supporter. The groups that have provided a wealth of information: Kidlit Alliance and Kidlit Author of Color. We Need Diverse Books for paving the way for more books by diverse authors.
To the writers who inspire me: N. K. Jemisin, Laini Taylor, Leigh Bardugo, Holly Black, Octavia E. Butler, Margaret Atwood, among many others, you are masters of your art.
The biggest thanks to the booksellers and librarians who are getting this book into the hands of readers. And to the readers who’ve taken a chance on my words, thank you for your support. Finally, to Mrs. Okeke, my high school AP English teacher. You left us too soon—and I will always remember your passion for Shakespeare and storytelling.
About the Author
Photo: aarongang.com
RENA BARRON grew up in small-town Alabama, where stories of magic and adventure sparked her imagination. After penning her first awful poem in middle school, she graduated to writing short stories and novels by high school. Rena loves all things science fiction and fantasy, ghosts, and superheroes. When she’s not writing, she can be found reading or brushing up on her French.
Visit her online at www.renabarron.com.
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Copyright
HarperTeen is an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
KINGDOM OF SOULS. Copyright © 2019 by Rena Barron. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
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Cover art © 2019 by Adeyemi Adegbesan, Kurit afshen / Shutterstock (snake), and Venus Kaewyoo / Shutterstock (vines)
Cover design by Jenna Stempel-Lobell
Library of Congress Control Number: 2019939328
Digital Edition SEPTEMBER 2019 ISBN: 978-0-06-287097-1
Print ISBN: 978-0-06-287095-7
FIRST EDITION
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