Reign the Earth (The Elementae) - Hardcover

A. C. Gaughen is the author of Scarlet, Lady Thief, and Lion Heart. She serves on the board of directors for the non-profit Boston GLOW to make sure young women have the support they need to become powerful leaders in their communities. She has a Masters in Creative Writing from St. Andrews University in Scotland and a Masters in Education from Harvard University.

www.acgaughen.com
@acgaughen

"A series opener with depth. . . .Gaughen delivers an emotionally resonant tale full of magic so powerful it can move the earth; rich writing and worldbuilding will appeal to readers seeking complex characters, palace intrigue, and weighty questions of power and loyalty." - Publishers Weekly

"A tale of staggering magic, cutthroat royalty, and lethal intrigue. . . . Gaughen weaves a compelling feminist fantasy. Shalia is a refreshingly strong heroine with a voice that leaps off the page. Her story will both break readers’ hearts and urge them onward, anxious to know how Shalia grapples with her destiny." - Booklist

"Another fantasy romance in the vein of books by Sabaa Tahir, Renee Ahdieh, and Sarah Maas, this volume will have teens clamoring for a sequel. Shaila matures from a frightened girl in a foreign land to a woman unwilling to allow her destiny or desires to be controlled by the men around her." - School Library Journal

"Shalia’s story unfolds slowly, smoldering before it rages into an enormous fire. It builds in a powerful way, drawing the reader into a larger plot than they ever expected. . . . Reign the Earth is sure to inspire a dedicated fan base eager for the next tale." - Foreword Reviews

"The romance between Shalia and Galen is absolutely swoonworthy, but it’s a relationship of equals with Shalia demanding a partner rather than a protector. Fans of Chokshi’s The Star-Touched Queen . . . will appreciate Shalia’s confidence, sense of agency, and ultimate defiance of Calix and his reign." - BCCB

"With a clever, strong-willed heroine, a downright terrifying villain, and complex relationships that leap off the page, Reign the Earth is the feminist fantasy I didn't know I needed. I will be thinking about Shalia's strength and fearlessness (and swooning over the slow-burn romance) as I anxiously await book two!" - Erin Bowman, author of VENGEANCE ROAD

"Following in the tradition of Tamora Pierce's stories of feisty, kickass heroines and drawing on some factual underpinnings. . . Gaughen's tale will satisfy teen readers seeking action-packed romantic adventure set alluringly in another age." - Kirkus Reviews on LION HEART

"Scarlet is a worthy protagonist for adolescent female readers, and [the] nonstop action that peppers the plot will entice male teens with a penchant for semihistorical fiction." - VOYA on LION HEART

"Filled with action, suspense, and a healthy dash of passionate but controlled romance." - School Library Journal on LADY THIEF

"Debut novelist Gaughen does more than offer a rip-roaring tale, though it is that. The story, told in Scar's distinctive first-person voice, captivates and gets readers as deeply into the heart of a troubled girl. . . has plenty for both the romantic and the adventure lover." - starred review, Booklist on SCARLET

"Plenty of swashbuckling adventure and a hearty dose of romance power this re-imagining of the legend of Robin Hood." - School Library Journal on SCARLET