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izzys_internet_bookshelf's review
4.0
Thank you NetGalley and Astrahousebooks for accepting my request for an ARC of this book!
4/5
I loved this book! The character sand setting just made this plot so magical. Following Eva through her journey of discovering her families secrets were very entertaining to read. The mystery behind the world that she didn't know could exist was great. My only thing about the book was that I felt at times the pacing was rather slow, especially towards the end but all in all I would recommend this book to people who love fantasy and mysteries.
4/5
I loved this book! The character sand setting just made this plot so magical. Following Eva through her journey of discovering her families secrets were very entertaining to read. The mystery behind the world that she didn't know could exist was great. My only thing about the book was that I felt at times the pacing was rather slow, especially towards the end but all in all I would recommend this book to people who love fantasy and mysteries.
krystlethegreat's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
A fairytale this side of the fairytale lands. What happens when the worlds are cut-off, but the stories - and maybe some of the people - are in our world?
I would have loved to see more of the family healing, but this is told from a young perspective. And, as family, focused as she may be, the world still revolves around her.
Told in the tone of Narnia and The Secret Garden, but only touched on multiple concepts without fully developing them.
I would have loved to see more of the family healing, but this is told from a young perspective. And, as family, focused as she may be, the world still revolves around her.
Told in the tone of Narnia and The Secret Garden, but only touched on multiple concepts without fully developing them.
kleonard's review
3.0
What if your sad, confused granny once ruled a fantasy world, but had become trapped in the mundane world, with only a little bit of magic to sustain her? Wouldn't you follow her as she wandered around secret gardens in the middle of the night, talking to the sentient topiary? That's exactly what happens here, in a coming-of-age novel that also addresses the end of life, memory, and the complexities of family. While it's a little bit pat, and some story lines are picked up and dropped or go unfulfilled in promise, and the ending doesn't hold up to the rest of the book, it's an interesting thought exercise in speculative writing.
melmo2610's review
3.0
This was a cool story, I liked how it had a voice reminiscent of Narnia or those types of fairy tale/adventures/parallel worlds books. I enjoyed the book overall and the audio version is very well done. The characters fit the story perfectly and the story itself was entertaining. I will definitely be looking for the next book in the series.
plannerandpaper's review
3.0
I rated this book 3 - 3.5 stars because I enjoyed it and at times couldn't put it down. This story and the magical world were reminiscent of The Chronicles of Narnia, The Secret Garden, A Wrinkle in Time, and at times, Alice in Wonderland. I think that's the part I enjoyed the most. The magical creatures and the portal into another world(s) were all captivating and were some of my favorite parts of the story.
That being said, I do feel that there were elements that took away from the storyline - the use of old English, the passages at the ends of chapters that told the story from Mesterra - and seemed to leave out information, or jump around within the backstory and caused confusion more than it helped the story move along. I feel that there were things left out, or glossed over, in the storyline and I still have questions that were not answered with the conclusion of the book.
If there are plans for a continuation of the storyline or a prequel, I would be interested in reading those as I was quite taken with the "other world" aspect of this book. If you enjoyed any of the books I mentioned above, you might enjoy this one.
That being said, I do feel that there were elements that took away from the storyline - the use of old English, the passages at the ends of chapters that told the story from Mesterra - and seemed to leave out information, or jump around within the backstory and caused confusion more than it helped the story move along. I feel that there were things left out, or glossed over, in the storyline and I still have questions that were not answered with the conclusion of the book.
If there are plans for a continuation of the storyline or a prequel, I would be interested in reading those as I was quite taken with the "other world" aspect of this book. If you enjoyed any of the books I mentioned above, you might enjoy this one.
sherrahb's review
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
the_sassy_bookworm's review
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Book Review: "Once a Queen" by Sarah Arthur
Rating: 2 Stars
"Once a Queen" by Sarah Arthur tells the story of fourteen-year-old Eva Joyce who uncovers family secrets and hidden portals to other worlds during a summer at her English grandmother's mysterious manor house. The novel promises a blend of mystery, fantasy, and family intrigue.
While the cover of the book is captivating and sets high expectations, the story itself falls short. The narrative unfolds slowly, lacking in significant events that keep readers engaged. The parallels drawn to "The Chronicles of Narnia" are evident, reflecting the author's admiration for C.S. Lewis, but they may feel too derivative for some readers.
The world-building in "Once a Queen" is decent, providing a backdrop for the unfolding secrets and discoveries. However, the execution of the plot leaves much to be desired, failing to deliver a truly immersive experience.
While some aspects of the story may hold promise, such as the concept of hidden portals and family mysteries, the execution falls short of creating a truly captivating narrative. Readers who enjoy slow-paced mysteries with a touch of fantasy may find some enjoyment in "Once a Queen," but those seeking a more dynamic and engaging read may be left wanting.
In conclusion, "Once a Queen" presents an intriguing premise but struggles to deliver a compelling story that resonates beyond its initial setup. While some may appreciate its nods to classic fantasy literature, overall, the book fails to leave a lasting impression that would compel readers to continue with the series.
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Rating: 2 Stars
"Once a Queen" by Sarah Arthur tells the story of fourteen-year-old Eva Joyce who uncovers family secrets and hidden portals to other worlds during a summer at her English grandmother's mysterious manor house. The novel promises a blend of mystery, fantasy, and family intrigue.
While the cover of the book is captivating and sets high expectations, the story itself falls short. The narrative unfolds slowly, lacking in significant events that keep readers engaged. The parallels drawn to "The Chronicles of Narnia" are evident, reflecting the author's admiration for C.S. Lewis, but they may feel too derivative for some readers.
The world-building in "Once a Queen" is decent, providing a backdrop for the unfolding secrets and discoveries. However, the execution of the plot leaves much to be desired, failing to deliver a truly immersive experience.
While some aspects of the story may hold promise, such as the concept of hidden portals and family mysteries, the execution falls short of creating a truly captivating narrative. Readers who enjoy slow-paced mysteries with a touch of fantasy may find some enjoyment in "Once a Queen," but those seeking a more dynamic and engaging read may be left wanting.
In conclusion, "Once a Queen" presents an intriguing premise but struggles to deliver a compelling story that resonates beyond its initial setup. While some may appreciate its nods to classic fantasy literature, overall, the book fails to leave a lasting impression that would compel readers to continue with the series.
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
evelyn_grace_83's review
4.0
Arc copy received through NetGalley, this review is my honest opinion.
I struggled to get through this book, that being said there were many parts that I did like, I enjoyed the beginning but around the middle I felt like the story started to get flat and it felt like there was a lot of moments that were just there a filler. The characters weren't very developed for the most part, I feel that we really only knew who Eva was and she wasn't very likable because she was just a spiteful teenager.
I also had so many questions, because it was in first person and in Eva's POV we knew as little as she did and it was frustrating to read not knowing what was going on, though it was a smart choice as I was more inclined to keep reading in order to find answers.
I did however very much enjoy the worldbuilding throughout and the descriptions were really well done. I could very easily picture the characters and places in my head. I also enjoyed the incorporation the fairytale from Eva's childhood, it gave the story a further sense of mystery of trying to determine what's real and what's fairytale.
I would definitely say that it's suitable for a younger audience, it would be a good introductory book into YA as a genre.
Overall, not a bad book - 3.5 stars
I struggled to get through this book, that being said there were many parts that I did like, I enjoyed the beginning but around the middle I felt like the story started to get flat and it felt like there was a lot of moments that were just there a filler. The characters weren't very developed for the most part, I feel that we really only knew who Eva was and she wasn't very likable because she was just a spiteful teenager.
I also had so many questions, because it was in first person and in Eva's POV we knew as little as she did and it was frustrating to read not knowing what was going on, though it was a smart choice as I was more inclined to keep reading in order to find answers.
I did however very much enjoy the worldbuilding throughout and the descriptions were really well done. I could very easily picture the characters and places in my head. I also enjoyed the incorporation the fairytale from Eva's childhood, it gave the story a further sense of mystery of trying to determine what's real and what's fairytale.
I would definitely say that it's suitable for a younger audience, it would be a good introductory book into YA as a genre.
Overall, not a bad book - 3.5 stars