DEBUT NOVEL | AWARD-WINNING
The First
She-StallioN
What does it mean to belong If you’re
the First of your kind?
A half-female, half-male centaur battles ancient prejudices and her own inner turmoil
beneath the shadow of a coming war. But the power to save the centaurian race lives in a
part of Alexis she's been forced to erase.
Fantasy ✦ Greek Mythology ✦ Queer
Award Winning
Mythological Fantasy Novel
Olive Woolley Burt Awards: First Chapter
What Kind of Book This Is
If you’re craving
Greek Mythology with a twist
A centaur protagonist who’s both female and male… this is for you.
If you loved…
You’ll feel right at home
Synopsis
As the only she-stallion in her centaur clan, Alexis is no stranger to defending herself for being half-female, half-male. After a fight goes deathly wrong and she’s stripped of the safety of her homeland, Alex is captured by a ruthless tribe of feral centaurs.
Yet these strange stallions and mares are not what they seem, and she’s forced to question everything she knows in the shadow of a coming war. The softfoot humans will stop at nothing to destroy her race, and their very survival may hinge on Alex’s mysterious heritage.
But can she trust this new tribe and the charming warrior she’s falling for?
As histories collide and truths are revealed, Alex must overcome ancient prejudices while confronting her own inner turmoil to uncover who she truly is and decide, once and for all, what she stands for.
Meet the Characters
Alexis
HEIR. OUTCAST. SHE-STALLION.
Stripped of her title, her family's love, her home. Strong-willed yet insecure, driven by a hunger for acceptance. The power to save her race lives in the part of herself she's spent years trying to bury.
Bianor
WARRIOR. LEADER. RUTHLESS.
Ruler of the warrior guild.
Merciless fighter, ever-devoted to his queen. Willing to do anything to protect his tribe and the ones he loves.
Praise
-
“Sheena Blankenagel has woven a story as potent and riveting as the Greek mythology she draws from. She tackles moral complexities and questions of identity with such propulsive energy that I couldn't stop turning the pages. What does it mean to belong when you are the first of your kind, caught between two worlds?
Alexis is a bold, vulnerable protagonist who will resonate with anyone who yearns to feel whole without losing the most important part of themselves.
Fresh and thought-provoking, this high-concept fantasy blends the queer longing of Madeline Miller with the historical deftness of Pat Barker. Ultimately, though, with THE FIRST SHE-STALLION, Blankenagel isn't just reworking a myth: she is forging a true original.”
-Sara Flannery Murphy, author of Girl One, The Wonder State and The Possessions
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"A gripping and tense narrative. The First She-Stallion has the perfect balance of romance, intrigue, and action. A mythological fantasy novel worth picking up."
Amanda Empey · author of White Crown Academy and Sleepless
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"As a trans woman, so many components of the novel are deeply relatable, the struggles very familiar. I loved seeing Alex challenge the binary system."
Natalie Cooper · Beta reader
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"Well-written, full of suspense, and exciting. I love the nuances of themes: self-dividedness vs. self-acceptance, mercy vs. justice, the desire for power vs. the damage it can do."
Ryan Lowe · English teacher and Beta reader
Inside the pages
-
Mood
Thought-provoking.
Intense. Satisfying. -
Pace
Gripping. Unpredictable.
Tight battle action. -
World
The mountain forests of
ancient Greece. -
Pull
Dauntless, dual-gender protagonist on
a mythical quest.
Series
This is Book #1 in the She-Stallion series, a story about Alexis, a half-female, half-male centaur racing against the clock of an impending war to save the centaurian race.
The next book, She-Stallion Rising, is a companion novel set 500 years later, featuring the protagonist’s descendent, Vas, as she battles not only her monstrous enemies, but the darkness in her own heart.
Each novel in the forthcoming five-book series speak to each other like letters across time.
Why This Book, Now
In a world that often feels divided, we seek stories that remind us that there’s more connecting us than separating us.
This book meets the moment by highlighting that we’re not alone in our search for connection.
The same heart, full of dreams and desires as countless and individual as the stars, beats within all of us.
Ultimately, we all share the same need to identify with something larger than ourselves.
-Sheena
✺ Frequently asked questions ✺
What is the status of this book?
The First She-Stallion is a completed manuscript at 117,000 words. It is a standalone novel with series potential.
What is the genre and tone?
Mythological Fantasy with intimate, character-driven stakes.
What is the hook?
Racing against an imminent war, a half-female, half-male centaur battles ancient prejudices and inner demons to uncover ancestral powers that will save the race of centaurs.
Who is the intended audience?
Adult readers who enjoy fantasy with romantic undertones, and those who appreciate queer literature. Mythology enthusiasts who enjoy reimagined legends.
Who are your comps?
For readers of Madeline Miller and Danielle Jensen, with a protagonist who is equal parts male and female.
Do you have a synopsis or sample chapters?
YES - Please contact me directly for more information.
Has the manuscript been edited?
Yes, it has been through multiple revisions, six beta readers, and 12+ months of weekly critique groups. It is submission-ready.
Is there potential for a series?
Yes, and a companion novel within the series has been completed and is submission-ready.
Do you include content notes?
Yes, please contact me directly for more information.
How soon are materials available?
The full manuscript is available immediately upon request.
Are rights available?
Yes, all rights are available, including film and foreign rights.
Request manuscript
Available for interviews, articles on writing, book fairs, and personal appearances.