Picture a small-town Idaho dreamer spinning tales of poison-wielding heroines and magical worlds—meet Breeana Shields! This award-winning young adult fantasy author captured readers’ hearts with her debut novel, Poison’s Kiss, a thrilling tale rooted in Indian folklore. With a knack for blending danger, romance, and self-discovery, Shields crafts stories that linger long after the final page.
Now living near Washington, D.C., Shields balances her writing with family life, competitive board games, and a love for travel. Her journey from a childhood aspiration to a celebrated novelist is as enchanting as the worlds she creates, proving that dreams, like her heroines, can pack a powerful punch.
The Making of Breeana Shields
Born in a quiet Idaho town, Breeana Shields decided at age nine that writing was her destiny. Though she dabbled in ballet, she soon realized her true stage was the page. Shields honed her craft at Brigham Young University, earning a B.A. in English and taking her first steps toward becoming a young adult fantasy author. Her love for storytelling, sparked by a fascination with folklore and fueled by a vivid imagination, set the foundation for her career. Despite the demands of raising three children and caring for two spoiled dogs, Shields’s persistence turned her childhood dream into reality.
Breeana Shields’s Unforgettable Stories
Shields burst onto the literary scene in 2017 with Poison’s Kiss, a spellbinding novel inspired by the Indian folktale of the visha kanya, or poison maiden. The story follows Marinda, a teenage assassin who kills with a single kiss, until she’s ordered to target a boy she loves. This debut, praised for its addictive pacing and rich mythology, hooked fans of Sarah J. Maas and Victoria Aveyard. Its sequel, Poison’s Cage (2018), dives deeper into the treacherous world of the Snake King, delivering a heart-pounding conclusion with alternating perspectives from Marinda and her ally Iyla.
Beyond the Poison’s Kiss duology, Shields enchanted readers with The Bone Charmer (2019) and its sequel, exploring fate and magic through a bone-reading protagonist. Her 2021 novel, The Splendor, weaves a tale of memory and ambition, showcasing Shields’s signature blend of lush world-building and emotional depth. Her writing style—vivid, immersive, and layered with themes of identity and sacrifice—resonates with teens and adults alike, making her a standout in young adult fantasy.
Why Breeana Shields Matters
Breeana Shields’s impact lies in her ability to craft heroines who face impossible choices with courage and heart. Her stories, steeped in diverse mythologies like Indian folklore and Hindu cosmology, offer readers a window into vibrant, underrepresented cultures while tackling universal themes of love and betrayal. By creating complex characters like Marinda, who grapples with her role as a killer, Shields empowers young readers to explore their own identities and moral dilemmas. Her awards and glowing reviews, including starred nods from Bulletin, affirm her influence in the young adult genre.
Shields’s journey also inspires aspiring writers, showing that balancing family and ambition is possible with grit and passion. Her work continues to spark imaginations, inviting readers to lose themselves in worlds where a kiss can kill and secrets can save kingdoms.
- Key Works: Poison’s Kiss (2017), Poison’s Cage (2018), The Bone Charmer (2019), The Splendor (2021)
- Education: B.A. in English, Brigham Young University
- Hobbies: Reading, traveling, playing board games
- Residence: Near Washington, D.C.
Snag Poison’s Kiss and dive into Breeana Shields’s thrilling world of fantasy and folklore—you won’t be able to put it down!