Kingdom of Souls Reading Order
| Title | Published | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom of Souls | 2019 | Buy |
| Reaper of Souls | 2021 | Buy |
| Master of Souls | 2023 | Buy |
Maya and the Rising Dark Reading Order
| Title | Published | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Maya and the Rising Dark | 2020 | Buy |
| Maya and the Return of the Godlings | 2021 | Buy |
| Maya and the Lord of Shadows | 2022 | Buy |
Rena Barron writes fantasy fiction that draws on West African mythology, particularly Yoruba traditions and orisha folklore. Her debut novel, Kingdom of Souls (2019), launched a trilogy set in a world where magic is woven into daily life. The story follows Arrah, a young woman born without magic in a family of powerful witchdoctors, as she makes a desperate bargain to save her people. Reaper of Souls (2021) and Master of Souls (2023) continue her journey with higher stakes and darker consequences.
Barron also writes for younger readers. Her Maya and the Rising Dark trilogy (2020-2022) follows Maya, a girl from the South Side of Chicago who discovers her father is an orisha god and that she has inherited powers she never knew about. It is a middle grade series, lighter in tone than Kingdom of Souls but built on similar mythological foundations. Between the two series, Barron offers entry points for both adult fantasy readers and younger audiences interested in stories grounded in African spiritual traditions.