The tale of a tyrant king, a princess, and a young man whose dormant powers may change the course of history.

Kirkus Reviews

When a strange, amber-eyed girl braves a forbidden forest and encounters a borlan, Kor has a choice: run, or face the spined demon-beast to help her.

His decision sparks a chain of events that sends him to rot in the salt mines of Perabon and pits him against a ruthless mercenary. His path awakens his gift, recalls his past, and unveils a murderous intrigue.

The Princess Bride meets Shadow of the Fox in this fast-paced, cinematic fantasy of resilience and intrigue.

S.C. Monson’s Badgerblood: Awakening, is the tale of a spirited princess discovering a hidden gift and a headstrong forester as he unveils the truth about his forgotten past and the ancient secret lying dormant in his blood.

The first in a new YA fantasy series, Badgerblood combines page-turning action, witty dialogue, and a sprinkle of magic for an adventure you won’t want to put down.

Badgerblood: Awakening.

Editorial Reviews

“…An utterly immersive reading experience. Monson’s world building is flawless, and she delivers characters that readers will care deeply about.”
BlueInk Review (starred review)

“…Tense adventure scenes, close escapes, and dynamic sensory details…”
Foreword Clarion Reviews

“Excellent writing keeps readers engaged in the narrative… As each new truth comes to light, the story fits together even more completely…”
Mary Lanni, Reedsy Discovery

“The tale of a tyrant king, a princess, and a young man whose dormant powers may change the course of history.”
Kirkus Reviews

Reader Reviews

“Badgerblood is full of intrigue, magic, and adventure. I found it difficult to put down and could hardly wait to see what new pursuits befell Kor. If you enjoyed reading books like John Flanagan’s Ranger’s Apprentice or Brandon Mull’s Fablehaven you’ll enjoy Badgerblood. S.C. Monson’s writing style captivates the reader from the beginning, leaving the reader wanting more. I look forward to reading future Badgerblood books.”

—Coreen H.

“Badgerblood was a fun read from start to finish. S.C. Monson has done a great job crafting an original fantasy novel with rich descriptions and a gripping plot. With Badgerblood’s plot woven around an original fairytale, S.C. Monson’s writing style reminds me of Megan Whalen Turner. Shannon’s writing flows well and is full of witty dialogue.”

—Michelle R.

“Badgerblood is full of intrigue, magic, and adventure. I found it difficult to put down and could hardly wait to see what new pursuits befell Kor. If you enjoyed reading books like John Flanagan’s Ranger’s Apprentice or Brandon Mull’s Fablehaven you’ll enjoy Badgerblood. S.C. Monson’s writing style captivates the reader from the beginning, leaving the reader wanting more. I look forward to reading future Badgerblood books.”

—Coreen H.

This book surpassed my expectations. S.C. does a phenomenal job building the Badgerblood world and characters. Each person of importance is fleshed out and has an intriguing back story and arc. I didn’t want to set the book down. Each chapter ended with a draw to continue reading. The book, though part of a series of unknown length, is complete on its own. This book is very enjoyable for an adult, and would be for a young adult as well. This book is much better written than other young adult novels I have read.

—David C.

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