It is the queen’s eighteenth birthday, and all of Moccobatra is eagerly prepared to participate in a world-wide celebration. Mallawum ballgames; multicultural song and dance; bartering booths filled with books, trinkets, clothing, and other treasures; children’s games; delectable banquets—these are but a few things in store for the party. Within the year, the young queen of Harrowbeth will be married as tradition dictates. Her husband will then become the rightful king of Harrowbeth, and together they will rule the land as Shen and Sha.
With a sure promise of happiness for Eena predicted by Arden’s Vision, it seems nothing can go wrong. But not everyone is pleased with her choice of a suitor, especially when respectable men more fitted for the calling of king anxiously wait in line. Pressures mount and are added upon by disturbing dreams that seem beyond the average nightmare. Are these dreams merely a reflection of regrets? Or are they messages that require Queen Eena’s serious attention?
Over the past decade, author Richelle E. Goodrich has built an unusually diverse and steadily increasing body of work that spans fantasy, poetry, inspirational writing, and dark fiction. Her career began in 2012 with the launch of The Harrowbethian Saga, a six-book sci-fi fantasy series that occupied her creative efforts for seven years. By 2019, she completed the saga with Eena, The Companionship of the Dragon’s Soul, marking a major milestone and establishing her as a committed world-builder with an eye for myth, emotional depth, and imaginative adventure. Yet even as she constructed this sprawling fictional universe, Goodrich simultaneously pursued other avenues of storytelling, demonstrating a remarkable capacity for creative multitasking.
Alongside her fantasy novels, Goodrich became well known for her collections of poetry, motivational reflections, and quotable wisdom. Starting with Smile Anyway in 2014, she developed a signature style centered on daily inspiration—a format she revisited repeatedly with books like Making Wishes (2015), Slaying Dragons (2017), Being Bold (2020), and Hope Evermore (2024). These works blend short verse, reflective commentary, and encouraging thoughts that readers apply to everyday life. Many of her quotes have found their way into classrooms, anthologies, brand campaigns, and television, helping her reach an audience far larger than the average independent author typically enjoys.
In the late 2010s, Goodrich’s creative range widened even further. She released standalone works such as Dandelions: The Disappearance of Annabelle Fancher, a dramatic and emotionally charged novel, and Secrets of a Noble Keykeeper, a fantasy tale with a distinctly dreamlike atmosphere. These books showcase her ability to shift tone—from tender to suspenseful, from whimsical to intense—without sacrificing clarity or sincerity. They also emphasize a defining characteristic of her writing: the blending of emotional resonance with imaginative storytelling.
After concluding her major fantasy saga, Goodrich’s later work leaned increasingly toward introspection and lyrical expression. The 2020s saw the publication of The Tarishe Curse (2022), a dark, paranormal novel, followed by A Heart Made of Tissue Paper (2023), a collection of intimate poetry that explores emotional fragility, longing, and human vulnerability. In 2024 she released Hope Evermore, another daily-inspiration volume that weaves together spirituality, encouragement, and poetic insight. These recent works highlight her evolving voice—one that has grown more reflective, philosophical, and concentrated on universal human experiences.
Collectively, the past decade reflects a period of impressive productivity and artistic expansion. Goodrich has not only released a steady stream of books—across multiple genres and formats—but has grown a widespread presence through her well-circulated quotations and inspirational writing. Whether crafting epic fantasy, heartfelt poetry, or uplifting daily reflections, she demonstrates a persistent drive to create, express, and connect. Her work invites readers into worlds both fantastical and familiar, while her quotes inspire countless individuals in everyday life.
Richelle E. Goodrich delivers a rare blend of imagination, versatility, and personal authenticity. Her writing moves comfortably between the epic and the intimate, the adventurous and the contemplative. Few authors manage to cultivate such a diverse and consistent catalog within a single decade, and fewer still do so while also contributing art, poetry, and motivational writing that resonate far beyond their books.
This is the 5th book of the Harrowbethian Saga, which is a continuation of the story about Eena, the young girl who inherited the responsibilities of the Harrowbethian Queen Tashi, her mother, upon her death. This involved normal responsibilities of a queen as well as vitalizing the plant life on the planet and keeping it flourishing through the symbiotic necklace that attached itself to her and provided that ability. The book began with Queen Eena being awaken by a frightful nightmare occupied by an evil immortal sister threatening her. A vital and extremely interesting situation is revealed in this dream, that haunted Eena and Ian as they worked to discover the truth. The first part of the book dealt with the revelation of the nightmare, transition to life in Moccabatra as the new queen, dealing with the death and burial of Darian, and Eena's future marriage. The second half was when the adventure really took off and if you hadn't already read it, it will be an adventure that will keep you turning the pages to discover what happened. I enjoyed the book, even the second time around, because there was so much wrapped up in these pages and rediscovering the bits and pieces was just as tantalizing as the first time around. If you like a little sci-fi and fantasy, grounded in earthiness and relationships, then you will enjoy this. Arlene
This 5th book in the Harrowbethian Saga was very compelling to me. It may be my favorite in the series so far. I am a big fan of the Mishmorat, Kira, and she is an important character in this book, as she shares the cover with Eeana this time. As always, the book ends with a cliff hanger, leaving you wanting more. I am eager to read the final book, to see what happens in the end...but I am also worried, too. I guess maybe I am not ready for the series to end yet.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book which arranged things perfectly for an exciting final installment to the Harrowbethian Saga. There are certain facts I can’t talk about without spoiling the story for readers, so I won’t even touch on those happenings. My favorite plus was getting to know Kira the Mishmorat on a deeper level and delving into some unique Mishmorat customs. I love Kira’s brazen personality: her spunk and tenacity and brimming self-confidence. Not to mention physical and mental toughness far above average. This book also touches on a Viidun custom that is not for the squeamish. (One I do not recommend.) It was a pleasure getting to know Ian’s parents, especially his father. Their loyalty to Harrowbethian traditions came across strongly. There were some interesting new characters too—Ramsis, Dettigar, Odyx, Jepard, and others. I’m eager for the final book!
I read this once before and enjoyed it. As indicated, it is #5 of the Harrowbethian Saga. You can read #5 and not be totally lost, but you will miss a lot of pre-drama and the development of the story and creation of interesting and diverse characters. The drama continues to unfold throughout this book. It is a book of fantasy and science fiction only so far as dragons go, some advance technology and takes place in another universe. So you don't really have to be a "died in the wool" fantasy fan to enjoy it.