Mina Fears earned her BA and MFA in Fiction from Columbia University. Originally from Michigan, she remains in New York City to support corporate communications for tech and finance brands. The Scorpion Queen is her first novel.
The Scorpion Queen is a sweeping fantasy novel imbued with darkness but full of heart. Mina Fears breathes life into a sprawling and treacherous world in this compelling debut. You’ll find yourself fiercely rooting for Amie, a valiant protagonist torn between her first love and the alluring princess fighting to end her father's brutal marriage trials. I loved this story. -- Alexis Henderson, author of <i>The Year of the Witching </i>and <i>An Academy for Liars</i> Brimming with court intrigue, spellbinding magic, and a world as beguiling as it is deadly, Fears delivers a compelling story that lures you in from the very first page, along with an unforgettable heroine who will stop at nothing to carve out her own destiny and fight for the life she deserves. An atmospheric and utterly transportive debut. -- Deborah Falaye, award-winning author of <i>Blood Scion</i> Fears’ sparkling debut The Scorpion Queen is a fascinating insight into courage, sacrifice, and survival. Aminata is a fearless heroine we deserve. -- Roselle Lim, author of <i>Night for </i><i>Day</i> and <i>Sophie Go's Lonely Hearts Club</i> 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 *