The Quarter Queen

“An edgy, intoxicating novel pulsing with the dark heartbeat of 1840s New Orleans and a fiery mother-daughter dynamic I won’t soon forget . . . Readers will devour this!”—Sarah Penner, New York Times bestselling author of The Lost Apothecary

“A riveting read that does not shy away from both the light and the dark aspects of the supernatural, while highlighting aspects of New Orleans’ history.”—Essence

“The perfect historical fantasy with a supernatural flair. Full of political intrigue, Voodoo, betrayals and alliances, and a complex mother-daughter dynamic, Kayla Hardy has written a tale for the ages.”—Ms. Magazine

“Kayla Hardy’s meditation on maternal legacy and political intrigue, flavored with a heaping spoonful of Creole Voodoo, is truly something special.”—Todd Harris, creator of Eyes of Wakanda

“A mesmerizing tale of a Voodoo queen and her daughter, secret magic orders, religious persecution, political intrigue, and a slave rebellion in the making—a fantastic read that left me wanting more!”—P. Djèlí Clark, Nebula Award–winning author of A Master of Djinn

“Fans of Anne Rice’s vampire novels will love this eventful imagining of the coming-of-age of Marie (‘Ree’) Laveau II, the heir to the spiritual legacy of the famous Marie Laveau, the ‘Voodoo Queen of New Orleans.’”—Historical Novel Society

“A vibrant and dazzling historical fantasy, this rich and absorbing novel captivated me from the first page to the last.”—Jennifer Saint, bestselling author of Ariadne

“The Quarter Queen is a delight. It is the sort of book I read slowly because such novels are few and far between these days. Kayla Hardy is an incredible talent—a gifted storyteller with rich, generous, bold prose—and utterly fearless.”—Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi, author of A Girl Is a Body of Water

“This incredibly lush tale brings new life to an iconic figure from American history. . . . A beautiful, atmospheric debut.”—O. O. Sangoyomi, author of Masquerade

“Hardy’s debut historical fantasy is steeped in the magic of Black folklore, featuring several Voodoo spirits and competing forms of magic. The book builds suspense with several moving parts, two different perspectives, and plenty of revelations to keep readers turning pages. Perfect for fans of Nalo Hopkinson and Leslye Penelope.”—Booklist