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. . .

"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