[QCrit] THE TAINTED BLOOD OF POLARIS | Romantasy | 100k/v12

THE TAINTED BLOOD OF POLARIS is a 100,000-word, dual-POV adult romantasy with series potential. It combines the chronic illness battle of Claire Legrand’s A Crown of Ivy and Glass with the multi-realm aesthetics and character snappiness of Kerri Maniscalco’s Throne of the Fallen. 

When Princess Aster Loukas’s friend raises their hand against an abusive family member, she enters a blood-bargain to stave off their execution, knowing her puppet king of a father is useless. Aster’s single task is to find the ring capable of dissolving the northland’s wards, which turn her soldiers to dust. Besides, how hard can it be compared to her blood disease and weekly herbal transfusions containing vervain? As it turns out – very, considering the northland’s dashing, but deadly lord just had to save her… twice.  

When an inexplicable draw leads a lonely Lord Drasil Cernach to rescue Aster, one goal enters his mind: court her before she leaves, and he gets his chance when she realizes she can’t shoot straight vervain. After offering his blood as an accord, Drasil surmises he doesn’t care why Aster needs the ring if the time is spent with her. Soon, and much to Aster’s chagrin, Drasil’s empathy during flare ups and recognition of her strength do wonders in breaking down the hard exterior she’s built for protection.  As their relationship teeters between one of passion and one of devotion, it becomes physical, complicating an already daunting task.  

With the deadline for her friend’s execution creeping closer, Aster risks losing the one promising the moon by opening Drasil's kingdom to invasion or herself to inconsolable guilt if she can’t save her friend. Meanwhile, Drasil must reconcile he may have doomed his entire kingdom by lending its secrets to a woman he’s infatuated with without knowing the true power behind the ring. 

As someone with a chronic disease that requires regular infusions and tons of daily medication, I feel my message will resonate to people with similar conditions and those with mental health issues. My environmental scientist by day, writer by night background also influences the elemental system in my novel. 

Thank you for your time and consideration. May I send you the full manuscript?