Step into the enchanting world of The Nine Realms, where a young princess battles treachery, magic, and destiny to reclaim her throne! Sarah Kozloff’s epic fantasy quartet, set in the vibrant land of Ennea Món, follows Cerulia, Princess of Weirandale, on a breathtaking journey from exile to queenship. With its blend of political intrigue, magical adventure, and a fierce female lead, this series offers a fresh spin on classic fantasy tropes.
Unlike sprawling sagas that demand years of waiting, The Nine Realms delivers its four books—A Queen in Hiding, The Queen of Raiders, A Broken Queen, and The Cerulean Queen—in a binge-worthy format, all released in 2020. Perfect for fans craving immersive worldbuilding and heartfelt character arcs, this series is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.
How The Nine Realms Began
Sarah Kozloff, a film studies professor at Vassar College, never imagined herself as a fantasy novelist until a spark of inspiration struck in 2013. While teaching a seminar, she noticed that The Lord of the Rings films failed the Bechdel Test, prompting her to craft an epic fantasy with strong female representation. What began as a creative leap became The Nine Realms, a quartet published by Tor Books in a rapid four-month schedule, designed for readers to dive into Cerulia’s saga without the usual wait between installments.
The Heart of The Nine Realms
The series kicks off with A Queen in Hiding, where young Cerulia flees an assassination attempt and grows up in hiding, mastering her magical gift of speaking to animals. In The Queen of Raiders, she joins a guerrilla band to fight invaders, learning the harsh realities of war. A Broken Queen finds her healing from trauma in a sanctuary, grappling with her identity, while The Cerulean Queen delivers a triumphant yet bittersweet finale as Cerulia reclaims her throne.
Kozloff weaves themes of resilience, leadership, and compassion into a richly detailed world where each of the nine realms is governed by a unique elemental spirit, like Nargis, the water spirit of Weirandale. The series balances magic and realism, exploring war’s toll, cultural diversity through language and hair color, and the power of community. Its feminist lens and focus on Cerulia’s growth make it stand out, though some readers note a slightly rushed conclusion.
The pacing is cinematic, with no recaps between books, creating a seamless 2,000-page epic that feels like one grand novel. Kozloff’s background in film shines through in vivid settings and emotional depth, making Ennea Món a world readers can practically taste and smell.
Why The Nine Realms Resonates
The Nine Realms has carved a niche among epic fantasy fans for its bold female protagonist and bingeable format. Praised as “feminist as f***” by Nerdette’s Greta Johnsen, it offers a complete saga that rivals Game of Thrones without the endless wait. Its blend of traditional tropes with innovative magic systems and diverse cultures appeals to readers of Robert Jordan or Samantha Shannon.
Though not a household name, the series has sparked passionate reviews for its worldbuilding and Cerulia’s relatable journey. Its rapid release strategy set a new standard for fantasy publishing, proving you don’t need decades to tell an epic tale. For those seeking a fresh, heartfelt fantasy, The Nine Realms is a must-read.
- Publication Year: 2020 (all four books)
- Number of Books: 4
- Publisher: Tor Books
- Notable Praise: Amazon Editors’ Pick for Best Science Fiction and Fantasy
Grab A Queen in Hiding and dive into The Nine Realms’s magical, rebellious world! Cerulia’s adventure awaits—will you join her quest?