Maria Hernius
Maria Hernius, born in 1993, raised and living in Gothenburg. Maria is a trained elementary school teacher with a passion for the subjects of Swedish, English, and history. She has also studied marketing at Santa Barbara City College inCalifornia. When not devouring books, movies or video-games, she enjoys being outside, working out, or sipping on a hot beverage at her favorite café in Gothenburg with friends and family.
During her years as a student teacher, Maria wrote her debut novel DARK ARCADIA, the first part of a trilogy, which won "Debut of the Year" at Fantasykammaren in 2020. The first print sold out.
RUIN & HOPE is the second part of the trilogy. The final part, FIRESTORM, is to be published in autumn 2025.
Maria is passionate about writing entertaining and engaging novels in the genres of fantasy, young adult, and children's literature.
Maria’s Dark Arcadia trilogy has been sold to Denmark.
Instagram: mariahernius
Dark arcadia
In a dark version of the near future, the human world has collapsed. A new unknown species has taken over Europe, and the remaining humanity is kept captive on various farms. Two girls escape and flee into the big forest, only to find humans living in fear of the same creatures.
In an empowering story about friendship, justice and a will to be free, Dark Arcadia is a dystopian science fiction trilogy that addresses environmental issues and animal rights, blended with elements reminiscent of "Planet of the Apes" and "The Last of Us" in a decaying Europe.
Original title: Mörkt paradis: Bara den starkaste överlever
Publication: Storify Publishing September 2020
Pages: 381
Drak Arcadia - Ruin & Hope
» Hunted. Wild. Oppressed. «
Rewilded is the second installment in the thrilling, fast-paced dystopian trilogy Dark Paradise.
After grueling trials and fierce battles, Eld and the Moon Clan have accomplished the impossible. But the enemy is always hunting. The creatures’ activity is increasing, and not even the deepest wilderness offers shelter anymore.
In the hope of finding help to free other humans from the creatures’ farms — and to uncover the truth about her own origins — Eld sets out on a journey with her friends through humanity’s decayed Europe. Together, they must cross a landscape of ruins and treacherously beautiful yet deadly nature.
Is the search for answers worth the sacrifices demanded by the dark paradise? And who is the true enemy in a world where everyone will do whatever it takes to survive?
Rewilded takes you on an adrenaline-fueled journey through a terrifying and deeply immersive world.
Maria Hernius has crafted a masterful dystopian novel that will make your heart race and fill your mind with questions about our own present and future.
Original title: Mörkt paradis - Förvildad
Publication: Storify Publishing September 2023
Pages: 374
Rights sold: Danmark
Reading material: Full translation book 1
Praise for Dark Paradise:
A page-turner is too mild a word. Dark Paradise is a story that devours you, pulling you into its world and refusing to let you go.
— Kristoffer Eriksson, author of Those Who Remained
From the first page to the last, I was completely captivated by the dark paradise! It’s thrilling, gripping, horrific — and impossible to put down because I just had to know what would happen next. I loved it!
— Christina Öhman, author of the Under series
Hernius writes with skill and pace… Above all, this is an engaging, exciting, and brutal story. The character portrayals are strong, and the plot raises important questions about ethics and morality. A second book is hopefully in the works, as the story practically screams for a continuation. Dark Paradise is a promising debut.
— Published in BTJ-häftet No. 22, 2020
Original title: Mörkt paradis - Åskstorm
Publication: Storify Publishing coming autumn 2025
Pages:
Rights sold: Danmark
Reading material: Full translation book 1
More Dystopi Authors
