The Bloodless Queen by Joshua Phillip Johnson

What is a Fae? As the Wikipedia page for Mythos and Legends states, a Fae, often mistakenly known as a fairy (a species apart from the Fae), is an entity that belongs to the realm of mythical beings in European folklore. Joshua Phillip Johnson provides a haunting take on the darker side of what a Fae can be. Dripping with horrific goodness, the world has entered a new era.

The Equinox provides a vessel upon which a vortex of humanity and death combine. On this singular day, those who perish are fortunate enough to be chosen by the queen and rise again as a Fae, to the glory of a rising religious movement followed by the Sylvans. Merciless in their destruction, the queen’s disciples ravage innocent civilians with no apparent weakness.

This issue does have a solution, though it is more of a band-aid solution. A group of individuals awakens to new abilities. Inscribed upon the lucky recipient's skin are mysterious prime numbers, providing the source of strength. Our story looks in depth at Calidore and Evangeline, two such Fencers, as they are known, whose special abilities make them more immune to the dangerous creatures. Their lifelong job, if it can be called that, is to protect the boundaries around the evil spirits they are herding. However, as the story unfolds, tiny cracks within the government agencies start to show, revealing treacherous acts in play.

Blanketed by a small flurry of ash, I trudged on. Moving ever so slowly, methodically, I trudged to catch a glimpse of the dark, heinous beings. Obscured by their shield, a fence, I felt empathy and sadness. These weren’t monsters; well, of course, they were, but these people whose untimely deaths fell on the wrong day. Slowly, backing away in contemplation, a wry smile appeared. Joshua Phillip Johnson sparks emotional outbursts within my beating heart. Each pumping of the iron-red liquid sped up into anticipation. This novel conjures a devilishly clever use of horror elements against a backdrop of family drama. Superheroes, ghoulies, and government corruption are nothing new. How do we meld these together and make it work? Interestingly, I felt Johnson was successful. The pacing was taut, and the tender moments helped give the reader multiple perspectives, resulting in a deeper connection to the main characters. Mysterious, clever, and atmospheric could be wonderful descriptions of this book.

Let us discuss the conclusion and my one point of contention. Not what I had anticipated. Perhaps I got overzealous in my preparation to be dazzled, and my own buildup had reached its inner crescendo. I was in the tree of darkness, and yet…. The conclusion certainly had a legitimate reason as to the how and why, and yet maybe I wanted something darker, ala Stephen King. I must repeat this was my only setback in this book, and future devourers of the book might 100% enjoy the ending, but as for myself, I was entertained, but nothing hit the wow factor.

As the leaves fell, dark and crinkled, I walked back to my car along a desolate path. Relaxed, I felt a calm sense that things were under control. Our fencers had my back, and for that I am grateful. As usual, thoughts turned to the corrupt religious factions and agencies whose singular mission is to control the meek, ever-consuming. These systemic themes run rampant through fictional stories in modern times and fill me with sadness. Yet here we are. Choking back on emotional sentiment, I digress. It’s dark, it’s dreary… and worthy of your time. I am giving this 4 out of 5 stars! Recommended.

Many thanks to DAW for the ARC through NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion.

I struggled a bit to connect with this story but may need to return to it another time! Thank you NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

I was super hopeful for this book but it didn’t live up to my expectations. I feel like it tried to do too much and did not succeed at it. There’s a lot of basic worldbuilding questions we don’t get answered and a lot of random things we’re told that we didn’t need to know about the world building.

It took til 44% for anything to actually happen and then it was still weird and slow. I think it would’ve done better as a novella.

This book is a bit fantasy, a bit horror and a bit political thriller. The beginning is pretty slow and there is a lot information to absorb that ties in beautifully in the story later. These aren’t the cute happy fae, they’re murdery. It’s a really interesting premise and my eyes misted a couple of times. If you like Mira Grant you’ll prob like this too

Wow-- this was a journey, and I loved every second of it. The Bloodless Queen takes place in a world where the fae are blessed (created) one day a year, and flee to the Harbors. Cal and Evangeline, are two fencers, protectors tasked with shepherding the fae into the harbors where they progress to their queen (allegedly). The Fencers start their lives as normal people until they are marked with prime numbers and develop powers. These powers peak towards the equinox and allow them to fight against the fae who are causing chaos. The Sylvans are a religious group who worship the fairy queen and hope for the day they may become fae and can join their queen. There are really so many things going on in this story, but they all work together so well. I find this to be a very unique story and offers a lot of action with a lot of feeling. Cal, Evangeline and Winnie show the reader what love is and just how crazy things can get.

I highly, highly recommend this to anyone looking for an intense urban fantasy story. It has fun history, intense action, and so much to care about.

The Bloodless Queen by Joshua Phillip Johnson: 3/5 stars ⭐️
🩸👑🧚🏻🧟🍁🍂⚔️✨💫
“Agent Dawnlove is reporting and I have no riddle other than my love and fear for tomorrow.”

This ecological fantasy/thriller and Orpheus/Eurydice retelling recounts the heartbreaking story of two parents who will stop at nothing to save their young daughter, Winnie, when she turns fae after her sudden death.

Each year, on the Autumnal Equinox, people who die can turn into fae, who wreak havoc upon human communities. Imagine zombies, but somewhat intelligent, capable of speech, and with inhuman abilities. It’s the job of “fencers” — people who, one day, mysteriously had prime numbers appear on their skin, along with any sort of imaginable powers — to shepherd the fae into the “Harbors” where they disappear forever, and away from humans. “The Bloodless Queen” follows fencers Calidore and Evangeline, parents to Winnie, as the Autumn Equinox approaches, and as they become increasingly entrenched in a conspiracy involving more than just the fae, the fencers, and the Harbors — but one encompassing religious factions and governments.

What I liked:
- The author’s vivid descriptions of the primes (powers) in action, particularly Cal and Evangeline’s. And the timing in which both characters’ primes were revealed was absolutely perfect. I won’t say too much because of spoilers, but the time and place where readers find out what Cal and Evangeline’s powers are was very strategically and well done; chefs kiss.
- Johnson writes emotions exceptionally and viscerally well - grief, sadness, shock, anger, contempt, love, companionship, and more. I wasn’t sure if I would feel that attached to the characters when I first started this book, but by the end I was shedding tears with and for them.
- The fantasy elements were written really well; powers, settings (e.g. the Harbors), experiences, and transformations. I had no difficulty imagining the Harbors, or the fae transformations, or the Equinox in my mind.

What I thought could’ve been improved:
- Pacing was my biggest complaint. The book is mostly world building and character development at first, but the readers don’t really see any action until about 50% through the book. There is a good pay off — once I got to around 80% there was so much action I couldn’t put it down —but I think less patient readers may be tempted to DNF given the lack of action in the first half.
- At times feels as though it is trying to take on too much: religious zealotry/ infiltrating government, family dynamics, a fae queen, zombie-like fae, large scale political scheming, academic articles explaining the world, AND an Orpheus/Eurydice retelling. While I will say that the author did pull everything together in the end, at times it felt like multiple stories going on that should have been dissected out because there was just too much happening at once.
- Lack of historical development. I wanted to know more about Grothedieck and his connection to the Queen, and the creation of the Harbors!

I absolutely loved The Bloodless Queen. This story is so difficult to describe; think Annihilation meets Under the Pendulum Sun by way of World War Z and the X-Men, and you might be getting close.

This book is wild, beautiful, horrifying, and deeply emotional. Truly genre-defying, it will not work for some readers; but if you enjoy unique stories, more literary pacing, and plots that lean towards the weird side and stretch the boundaries of fantasy, sci-fi, and horror, I think you will love The Bloodless Queen.

Anyone who dies on the autumn equinox becomes fae: wild, strange, and deadly. This has been a fact of life since the world opened the Harbors, large areas of land fenced off and given back to nature. The fae flee to the Harbors after their transformations, making those areas dangerous and unknowable, and the government hires Fencers-humans enhanced with magical abilities- to protect the boundaries and dispose of any fae on the human side. Evangeline and Calidore are powerful Fencers, but at home, they are just a normal, happy family with a beautiful daughter named Winnifred. When the autumn equinox brings tragedy and Winnifred turns fae, her parents defy their government and take her deep into the Harbors in search of a cure that will bring their baby girl back to them. As they travel deeper into the strange and deadly wilds, they begin to suspect that the worst encounter lies ahead; deep within the Harbors, something waits for them.

I loved everything about this book, but I think my favorite part was the fae. I am always ready to read a story about the fae, but I’ve never read a book that described them like this before. These fae feel new, and exciting, while also drawing enough parallels to the old folklore and fairytales to keep the “dots” connected between the two. Johnson’s fae seem like an extension of nature, her wildness and whimsy and danger all rolled into one. The world building around the appearance of the fae and humanities’ response to them created a setting that is dark fantasy and sci-fi dystopia rolled into one.

I also loved that in this alien and unique story setting, the main plot thread is as old as time: a parent’s sacrificial love for their child. I was rooting so hard for Evangeline and Calidore throughout this story as they fought to save their daughter; in a book that could have focused on the world-wide peril the fae and the Harbors represent, the author instead chose to focus on one family, and I thought that made the story so relatable and powerful. This book does get devastatingly emotional, so please be aware of that if you don’t like emotionally heavy-hitting stories.

At once an adventure story, a dark fairytale, a sci-fi horror, and a thoughtful exploration of human relationships and our impact on the natural world, there is a lot going on in The Bloodless Queen. At times, it did feel that there was possibly too much going on; I think this could easily have been a duology. However, I did not find it confusing, and the numerous story elements and themes are part of what make this book so unique and wonderful. I have seen some reviewers state that the pacing was too slow for them; I did not find this to be the case, but I enjoy books that take their time. I felt that there was plenty of action throughout the book, and that the extra descriptions / etc. helped me care more deeply for the characters and understand the world better.

The Bloodless Queen is definitely going to be one of my favorite reads of 2025, and I have preordered a hard copy for my personal library. I can’t wait to see what this author writes moving forward!

I would recommend The Bloodless Queen to fans of The Southern Reach Series, genre-stretching books, and emotionally resonant stories.

Thank you to NetGalley and DAW Publishers for the arc! All thoughts & opinions in the review are my own.

I love this book. It's, in some ways, an absolute mess of pacing and way too many ideas, but it's so joyous and weird and excessive that I can't help but remain enchanted. It's overtly about evil zombie-style fae, with bits of Edmund Spenser's Faerie Queen overtly sprinkled in (justified in-text because one of the MCs is an ex-English grad student), but it's also got healthy doses of X-Men/My Hero Academia superpowers, A Wrinkle in Time, the Southern Reach series, and a variety of other influences sprinkled in. At the core, it's about a family, but the world-building is telescoped out far, far beyond that. I do think the pacing is horrible toward the end--things wrap up WAY too quickly to feel satisfying, and I wish this had been a duology or trilogy, given how slowly things start, but it is what it is, and I still am enamored.

The Bloodless Queen by Joshua Phillip Johnson is a really unique blend of genres—part eco-fantasy, part horror, part sci-fi. The worldbuilding is rich and atmospheric, especially the Harbors, which are these eerie nature preserves where the dead turn into fae-like creatures. It’s haunting and weird in the best way, and the idea of grief literally transforming people was such a powerful metaphor.

The story follows Evangeline and Calidore, two government agents who lose their daughter and then venture into the Harbors to try to get her back. That emotional core—two parents willing to risk everything for their child—kept me invested, even when the pacing lagged in some places. There were moments that felt a little slow or overly dense, and I found myself wishing for more consistent momentum.

What really stood out, though, was how unsettling and original the fae are. This isn’t your typical whimsical fairy tale. The fae here are creepy, violent, and totally alien—like nature itself reclaiming what’s been lost.

Overall, I liked it, but didn’t love it. The writing is beautiful and the concept is fascinating, but I think it’ll resonate more with readers who enjoy slower, more literary speculative fiction. If you’re looking for something emotionally heavy, imaginative, and a little dark, it’s worth checking out.

This fantasy novel swept me away with its rich world-building, compelling characters, and a plot that was both adventurous and emotional. The author’s imagination shines through every page, and the story felt both epic and personal. Perfect for fans of immersive, character-driven fantasy.

I'm not even sure there's a way for me to explain the plot to this book in under 10 minutes just because there is so much going on. It's very densely written there's both fantasy elements, science and math going at once for different reasons. It leans a little more on the science fiction side for me.

The entire book is clearly based off of Tennyson's poem The Faerie Queen. Notably the Fencer Calidore. Who in many ways finds himself paralleling the character he named himself for. And suffering and sacrificing himself to save the ones he loves.

It's examining human nature, looking inward at yourself and the terrible things you have to do to protect others. Looking at what it might take to protect the planet from those who would harm it.

If you have a hard time with very sad heart crushing endings this one may not be for you. It's been a while since an ending made me cry this hard.

𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝐉𝐨𝐬𝐡𝐮𝐚 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐩 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐧—𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐲, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐲 𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐬. 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐲 𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬. 𝐈 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐬 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐝, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐬 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝. 𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐭. 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥, 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐟𝐟—𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲.

Gabe Henry's "Enough is Enuf" is a delightful and surprisingly informative romp through the centuries-long, often comical, and ultimately persistent quest for simplified English spelling. Don't let the academic-sounding premise fool you; this isn't a dry linguistic treatise. Instead, Henry delivers a brisk and witty 500-year tour of the Simplified Spelling Movement, populated by a fascinating cast of characters – from the pragmatic Benjamin Franklin to the literary giants Mark Twain and C.S. Lewis, and even the opinionated George Bernard Shaw.

The book cleverly frames the inherent absurdity of English orthography – the silent 'g' in 'gnome,' the unpredictable vowels, the sheer illogicality that has plagued generations of writers. Henry uses these inconsistencies not as a source of frustration, but as a springboard for a humorous exploration of the many attempts to rectify them. We learn about the passionate, sometimes eccentric, individuals who dared to declare "Enough is enuf!" and proposed radical (and often hilariously impractical) changes to our written language.

Henry skillfully weaves together historical anecdotes, biographical snippets, and linguistic explanations without ever becoming bogged down in jargon. He paints vivid pictures of these "rebel wordsmiths," highlighting their motivations, their proposed reforms (think "thru" for "through" and "laf" for "laugh"), and the often-fierce resistance they encountered. The book is peppered with amusing examples of simplified spellings and the sometimes-outlandish arguments for and against them, making it an engaging read even for those who haven't given much thought to the vagaries of English spelling.

What makes "Enough is Enuf" particularly engaging is its lighthearted tone. Henry approaches the subject with a playful curiosity, never mocking the reformers but rather highlighting the inherent humor in their ambitious endeavors and the stubborn resilience of traditional spelling. The book acknowledges the well-intentioned efforts and the logical arguments behind simplification while also recognizing the deeply ingrained nature of our current system.

The narrative seamlessly transitions from historical figures and their pamphlets to the modern digital age. Henry astutely observes how technology – from the character limits of early texts to the informal language of Twitter and the visual shorthand of emojis – is, in its own way, contributing to a natural simplification of English. This contemporary perspective adds a satisfying layer to the historical overview, suggesting that perhaps the long-fought battle for easier spelling is subtly being won in the digital realm.

In conclusion, "Enough is Enuf" is a surprisingly captivating and genuinely funny exploration of a topic that might initially seem dry. Gabe Henry has crafted a concise and entertaining history of a persistent linguistic dream, populated by memorable personalities and filled with insightful observations about the ever-evolving nature of language. It's a perfect read for anyone who has ever cursed a silent letter or wondered why English spelling seems designed to trip us up. You'll likely finish the book with a newfound appreciation for the quirks of our language and a chuckle at the enduring human desire for a little more linguistic logic.






Write a review of The Bloodless Queen by Joshua Phillip Johnson. Summary: Part ecological Orpheus and Eurydice myth and part gothic thriller, discover this atmospheric near-future sci-fi novel about fae mysteries deep within strange nature preserves



Perfect for readers of Jeff VanderMeer, Chuck Wendig, and Sunyi Dean • “Richly imagined and beautifully written, with a highly original and very creepy magic system.” —R. F. Kuang (on Johnson's The Forever Sea)



On the autumnal equinox of 1987, after fencing off half of the Earth’s land for huge nature reserves called Harbors, the leaders of the world called on their peoples to celebrate. Then began the horror and the magic.



Everyone who died that day—all 132,329 of them—instead of going cold and still, turned odd and fae. They became mischievous and murderous, before disappearing into their nearest Harbor, never seen again. And each year after that on the autumnal equinox, the same terrible transformations would occur: the wretched dead not dying, but instead riddling and whispering of a faerie queen—bloodless and powerful—while fleeing into the wild confines of the Harbors. 



In the present day, Evangeline and Calidore are working as fencers, government-employed protectors whose magical powers come from mysterious tattoos of prime numbers. When they aren’t fixing the fences of the Midwest Harbor that separates the human world from Faerie or patrolling on the equinox, they are parents of an almost-seven-year-old daughter named Winnie. 



But as the new year’s autumnal equinox approaches, Evangeline and Calidore find themselves thrust into a vast conspiracy that stretches across governments, religions, and fencers worldwide.  As they race to untangle this web of power and intrigue, they will need to confront the questions that have haunted the world since the fences were built: 



What lies at the heart of the Harbors? Who waits there?



A Tangled Thicket of Myth and Dread: A Review of Joshua Phillip Johnson's "The Bloodless Queen"
Joshua Phillip Johnson’s "The Bloodless Queen" is a captivating and unsettling novel that successfully blends the haunting beauty of ecological disaster with the eerie allure of fae mythology, all wrapped in a compelling near-future gothic thriller. Fans of Jeff VanderMeer’s atmospheric dread, Chuck Wendig’s genre-bending narratives, and Sunyi Dean’s unsettling mysteries will find themselves drawn into the strange and dangerous world Johnson has crafted.

The premise itself is immediately arresting: on a supposed day of global celebration, a horrific event transforms the dead into a mischievous and murderous fae, who then vanish into vast, fenced-off nature preserves called Harbors. This annual, equinox-linked tragedy sets a chilling stage for the present-day narrative, where Evangeline and Calidore, magically empowered "fencers," patrol the borders between humanity and the increasingly mysterious and menacing Faerie within the Harbors.

Johnson masterfully builds atmosphere. The Harbors are not simply nature reserves; they are spaces imbued with an ancient, unsettling magic, places where the natural world has become intertwined with something otherworldly and potentially hostile. The descriptions of these wild confines are evocative, hinting at both breathtaking beauty and lurking danger, echoing the ecological anxieties that underpin the narrative. This creates a palpable sense of unease, a feeling that something ancient and powerful stirs just beyond the fences.

The Orpheus and Eurydice undertones are cleverly woven into the story through Evangeline and Calidore’s relationship and their connection to the Harbors. Their role as protectors, constantly guarding the boundary between worlds, carries the weight of that tragic myth, hinting at potential loss and the perilous allure of the forbidden. This mythological framework adds a layer of depth and resonance to the unfolding events.

Beyond the atmospheric setting and mythological echoes, "The Bloodless Queen" delivers a compelling thriller plot. The approaching autumnal equinox throws Evangeline and Calidore into a sprawling conspiracy that implicates powerful institutions and challenges the very foundations of their world. Their investigation is a race against time, filled with intriguing clues, dangerous encounters, and the constant threat of the fae. The mystery surrounding the "bloodless queen" and the true nature of the Harbors keeps the reader guessing, peeling back layers of intrigue with each revelation.

Evangeline and Calidore are well-developed protagonists, their relationship as both partners and parents adding an emotional core to the narrative. Their anxieties about their daughter, Winnie, living in a world perpetually shadowed by the equinox transformations, ground the fantastical elements in a relatable human experience. Their magical abilities, tied to prime number tattoos, are a unique and intriguing detail, adding another layer of mystery to the world-building.

Johnson’s writing is both lyrical and sharp. He paints vivid pictures of the Harbors and the unsettling transformations while maintaining a brisk pace that propels the plot forward. The creeping sense of dread is expertly managed, building tension without resorting to cheap scares. The "creepy magic system" praised by R.F. Kuang is subtly integrated, feeling both organic to the world and deeply unsettling in its implications.

"The Bloodless Queen" is a thought-provoking novel that explores themes of ecological responsibility, the fear of the unknown, and the enduring power of myth. It’s a story that lingers in the mind long after the final page, leaving the reader to ponder the secrets hidden within the strange nature preserves and the true nature of the bloodless queen who reigns within. For those seeking a genre-bending tale that is both atmospheric and thrilling, "The Bloodless Queen" is a journey into a darkly enchanting world well worth taking.

Beautiful prose meets a quietly powerful narrative. It’s not flashy, but it resonates emotionally and rewards patient reading. A gentle, lingering story that stays with you.

Thank you to DAW for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Well that was one hell of an opening. Strange and ethereal fae and supernatural humans, hunting and the hunted, and a doorway through worlds set into a tree. Alright, you got me. Let’s go!

Aaaaand that’s unfortunately about as far as it goes. By a quarter of the way through I’m waiting for something, anything to happen. It’s not extensive in world building because it’s mostly dystopian modern day. We don’t get any idea of the fae or what’s driving them at this point. I’m desperately trying to connect with any of the characters and… I just can’t. I am afraid it’s a DNF for me. I need more. I need to feel like I’m there. It’s all so passive that I can’t get into the story. I love the premise. I just with the execution was an inventive as the concept.

Don’t call a fantasy book fantasy/sci fi if all the sci fi elements peter out and dry up. Also, I’m sorry, but I never cared about any of the characters. I’m bored. That’s all, folks

Many parts of this book I absolutely loved. Dystopian, dark, urban fantasy aspects. Immediately I was pulled in with the first few chapters. I think Joshua Phillip Johnson’s writing is clear cut and easy to follow through. Moreover the fencers powers were unique and an absolute joy to read about when in use. I will say however I struggled with the middle part of the book given that there was a lot of “telling” rather than “showing”. Overall a great fantasy with weird asf fae creatures, great action scenes, and a teary ending.


Thank you to NetGalley and DAW for this ARC!

I should have known when heard of this book that it wouldn't be for me. I did not end up finishing this one because I felt that the further I went the lower my rating would have dropped. This is no fault of the book itself, I just really do not like parent/child and other family dynamics in my stories. The parent/child and marriage relationships and themes in this were very heavy handed, and for good reason, but I was just not vibing with it at all. Thw writing and worldbuilding however, were great, hence the three star rating. Unfortunate that this isn't for me but I will keep an eye out for future stuff from Joshua Phillip Johnson.

While the concept was interesting, this just didn't grip me the way I wanted it to. It was difficult to care about any of the characters or the world created.

ARC Review: The Bloodless Queen by Joshua Philip Johnson

Thank you to Netgalley and DAW for providing me with an ARC of this book.

3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️

In The Bloodless Queen, creepy creatures known as fae roam swatches of land called Harbors. These are not your typical hot fae from romantasy books, but twisted inhuman entities. Every autumnal equinox, everyone that dies during that time will turn into one of them. In this story we follow two Fencers, Cal and Evangeline. People with the job and strange ‘magical’ abilities to fight the fae.

Let me start by saying that concept is so interesting. I was immediately intrigued by the creepy fae that play such a huge part in the daily lives of these fencers. Joshua Johnsons strengh lies in balancing ‘mundane’ daily activities, family relationships and the fantasy and horror of what’s going on in this world. I also liked the themes of corruption, religion and environmentalism playing a huge role in the story.

I liked the main characters, Cal and Evangeline. Their relationship and bond felt real and tight from the start. I really liked their interactions with their child and how they raised her despite all the horrors.

My main issues lie with the chaotic feel of the story and the pacing that didn’t always make sense to me. In the beginning there was just so much going on in terms of names, lore, history and crises. There was a bit too much going and I noticed myself not caring about all of the elements. Later the focus of the story shifted more to characters having personal issues, where I actually wanted a little bit more explanations. Even though there was so much information, I had several questions throughout the story that weren’t really answers. I felt myself a bit dissappointed in the end because I wanted to learn even more about the fae.

All in all a very interesting book whicj I would recommend checking out if you like a twist on some beloved themes and creatures.