The Unwilling: A Novel (The Barrier Lands)

Name: The Unwilling: A Novel (The Barrier Lands)
Price: 1.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.3 (576 reviews)
Author: Kelly Braffet

by Kelly Braffet

Literary Fiction Fantasy

4.3 (576)

4.3 stars from 576 reviews. Top 94% of Literary Fiction books we track.

Published by MiraPublished 2020-01-01

$1.99Deal90% off peak

Last checked: Jun 8, 2026

Price history: $1.99 – $18.99

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Price range: $1.99 – $18.99

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Perfect for you if...

You love grimdark fantasy with a female protagonist who refuses to stay victimised, even when the odds are stacked against her.
You're drawn to intricate power dynamics and atmospheric worldbuilding where magic feels dangerous and personal rather than flashy.
You appreciate character-driven epics that balance intimate relationships with sweeping political stakes, like the best of Sanderson or Novik.

Maybe not for you if...

You prefer your fantasy with clear-cut heroes and villains, because Elban and the magus are both morally complicated and neither is simply good or evil.
You want a fast-paced plot with constant action, as this novel prioritises psychological tension and slow-burn character development over spectacle.
You're looking for a standalone, since this is the first book in The Barrier Lands series and ends with threads left deliberately unresolved.

About this book

Judah is an orphaned girl born at the gates of Highfall castle with a secret gift. Raised alongside Gavin, the heir to Lord Elban's empire, the two share an extrasensory bond that is key to Judah's survival and her possible undoing. Lord Elban, cruel and powerful, plans to use Judah as a pawn to increase his control, willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals. Beyond the castle walls, a magus and healer from the provinces arrives with his own ambitions for the realm. He, too, has plans centered on Judah. The girl who began life with no name and no history will discover her own strength and learn that she does not need to be given power—she can take it herself. This fantasy coming-of-age novel explores themes of suffering, cruelty, and determination.

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Price History

Kindle price over time. Green zones = periods when the book was free.

$1.99 – $18.99

Currently on sale at $1.99 — 90% off peak. Price has dropped 22 times over the last 6 years. Goes on sale roughly every 77 days.

Sales Rank

Amazon sales rank: lower number = better selling book. #1 is the bestseller.

Currently around #508K in the Kindle store — a niche title. Sales have softened 22% recently.

Rating & Reviews

Purple line = star rating over time. Blue area = total review count growth.

Currently 4.3★ from 576 reviews

Gaining approximately 4 new reviews per month. Rating has remained stable at 4.3 over the tracking period.

Sale Prediction

Actual Predicted

This book is currently discounted at $1.99. It typically returns to around $18.99.

Prices shown in USD from Amazon US. We continuously pull new data to improve tracking. If dates look old, it usually means there has been no significant change since the last data point.