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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
Okej, to było inne.
Zupełnie się nie spodziewałam tego, co się zadziało w tej książce po przeczytaniu pierwszej części.
Ciekawe co się wydarzy w kolejnej.
Zupełnie się nie spodziewałam tego, co się zadziało w tej książce po przeczytaniu pierwszej części.
Ciekawe co się wydarzy w kolejnej.
I absolutely adored Queen of the Tearling and spent month anxiously anticipating this book. As soon as I had my hands on it I eagerly dove into it. Only to be disappointed. Harshly. What had formerly been unique, intriguing and mesmerizing was now dry, boring and all I wanted to do was put the book down. Of course, since I had loved the first book so much, I refused to give into the urge and hoped that it would pick up.
It did, marginally. However, what really ended up captivating me was Lily's story. The tale of the abused woman is heart wrenching and awe-inspiring, all while making you question the future of our society. It also gives incredibly unexpected insight as to the setting of the novel and just where it's placed in time.
There's also a great deal of speculation about the Fetch that is suddenly revealed. Unfortunately, this comes with a dark all seeing being that, of course, is trying to deduce Kelsea. All the while I was screaming, "STAY AWAY FROM SHADY MEN WHO PROMISE YOU CANDY!"
It was incredibly gratifying to learn about the Red Queen and I'm happy that she didn't just remain an anonymous villainess with no back story. However, the author could have done a better job at expounding upon her dedication to evil. Fortunately, all of this does provide a gigantic opportunity for character growth for Kelsea. As I watched her continually second guess herself, I was smacking my forehead. Thankfully, by the end the forehead smacking was done and I was pleased by the person Kelsea was shaped into.
Of course the gigantic cliffhanger means that I will be picking up the third book, but I'm slightly leery due to the dryness of this book. Overall though, the plot was good, it just seemed that all of the good things happened within the last 80 pages or so. Also, my main issue with the novel was the way that nothing seemed engaging, it wasn't entertaining at all, although that may be just me. Risk it if you like, the Queen of the Tearling was amazing, but it's sequel just doesn't compare.
It did, marginally. However, what really ended up captivating me was Lily's story. The tale of the abused woman is heart wrenching and awe-inspiring, all while making you question the future of our society. It also gives incredibly unexpected insight as to the setting of the novel and just where it's placed in time.
There's also a great deal of speculation about the Fetch that is suddenly revealed. Unfortunately, this comes with a dark all seeing being that, of course, is trying to deduce Kelsea. All the while I was screaming, "STAY AWAY FROM SHADY MEN WHO PROMISE YOU CANDY!"
It was incredibly gratifying to learn about the Red Queen and I'm happy that she didn't just remain an anonymous villainess with no back story. However, the author could have done a better job at expounding upon her dedication to evil. Fortunately, all of this does provide a gigantic opportunity for character growth for Kelsea. As I watched her continually second guess herself, I was smacking my forehead. Thankfully, by the end the forehead smacking was done and I was pleased by the person Kelsea was shaped into.
Of course the gigantic cliffhanger means that I will be picking up the third book, but I'm slightly leery due to the dryness of this book. Overall though, the plot was good, it just seemed that all of the good things happened within the last 80 pages or so. Also, my main issue with the novel was the way that nothing seemed engaging, it wasn't entertaining at all, although that may be just me. Risk it if you like, the Queen of the Tearling was amazing, but it's sequel just doesn't compare.
I decided to listen to The Invasion of the Tearling because it had been some time since I read a fantasy, and it was available from my library as an Overdrive choice. I was surprised, but not disappointed that it was not what I expected, that is, no fairies or gnomes.
Instead it was two interwoven tales in different time periods. One was essentially modern, although about a hundred years past our own date. The actual date was mentioned, but I just don't recall it. (I am writing this in June of 2017 and it is easy to see such an abhorrent government rushing upon us.) This time line was characterized by a self righteous tyrant of a president. There were two classes, rich and powerful, and destitute. The rich were known as "wall people" as they lived in a walled area keeping the poor out of sight and out of mind. Everyone was tagged so their location could be monitored at all times. Women were reduced to virtual slaves with no rights. Contraception of any sort was strictly forbidden, unless you were rich and/or could use the black market.
The other timeline was much later, although I have no idea how much, perhaps a few hundred years or more. It really doesn't make a lot of difference in my mind. At any rate, this future period is inhabited by two queendoms barely tolerating one another. One, the Mork, is a more or less modern society with modern weaponry such as cannons.
The other, the Tearlings, are a peaceful agricultural society with very limited weapons, like bows and arrows, trebuchets, and cleverness. It is a forgone conclusion that the two will battle and the Tearlings will be massacred. Fairly early in the story, as the Morts are massing to attack, the Tearlings use trebuchet like things and cleverness to win an unexpected victory. Yea for the good guys.
Later in the book we find there is a close relationship between the two time lines and characters in each. This is when I found the book stepped up a notch. Erika Johansen did a marvelous job of weaving these two time periods and their stories into a fabric of compelling reading. I regret only that I didn't start with the first of this series. I should know better, perhaps I will learn some day.
Don't be reluctant to read this as a single book. It holds together well. I do plan, however, to read, or listen to The Queen of the Tearling; better late than never.
Instead it was two interwoven tales in different time periods. One was essentially modern, although about a hundred years past our own date. The actual date was mentioned, but I just don't recall it. (I am writing this in June of 2017 and it is easy to see such an abhorrent government rushing upon us.) This time line was characterized by a self righteous tyrant of a president. There were two classes, rich and powerful, and destitute. The rich were known as "wall people" as they lived in a walled area keeping the poor out of sight and out of mind. Everyone was tagged so their location could be monitored at all times. Women were reduced to virtual slaves with no rights. Contraception of any sort was strictly forbidden, unless you were rich and/or could use the black market.
The other timeline was much later, although I have no idea how much, perhaps a few hundred years or more. It really doesn't make a lot of difference in my mind. At any rate, this future period is inhabited by two queendoms barely tolerating one another. One, the Mork, is a more or less modern society with modern weaponry such as cannons.
The other, the Tearlings, are a peaceful agricultural society with very limited weapons, like bows and arrows, trebuchets, and cleverness. It is a forgone conclusion that the two will battle and the Tearlings will be massacred. Fairly early in the story, as the Morts are massing to attack, the Tearlings use trebuchet like things and cleverness to win an unexpected victory. Yea for the good guys.
Later in the book we find there is a close relationship between the two time lines and characters in each. This is when I found the book stepped up a notch. Erika Johansen did a marvelous job of weaving these two time periods and their stories into a fabric of compelling reading. I regret only that I didn't start with the first of this series. I should know better, perhaps I will learn some day.
Don't be reluctant to read this as a single book. It holds together well. I do plan, however, to read, or listen to The Queen of the Tearling; better late than never.
I am just utterly speechless. When I read the first book, I didn't realize the depth of complexity I'd be getting myself into. It almost seems redundant to list what I like about the characters or certain parts of the plot.
First off, my big questions at the end of the first book – about where the hell this world comes from anyway – were answered in this book, so anybody who is confused, be reassured.
This series brings front and center many corruptions and horrors that exist in the real world, such as corruptions within the Church, government (obviously), but also spousal abuse, rape, misogyny, self-harm, and more personal feelings of helplessness and what it means to empower oneself. This book deals with issues that are common, showing that in any world, new or old, some things are the same, but can we learn and do differently, not necessarily do the right thing?
Kelsea is a force of a character, and I'm certainly WAITING for the third book, for a myriad of reasons. Further plot lines to be uncovered, for characters to be revealed, for the meaning of all this.
A lot of books have endorsements that call them the next Game of Thrones. It annoys me often because the title is often not deserved (not that I've even read GoT). But there's no mistaking the complexity and sheer literary triumph that is this series. I'm in awe of Johansen.
First off, my big questions at the end of the first book – about where the hell this world comes from anyway – were answered in this book, so anybody who is confused, be reassured.
This series brings front and center many corruptions and horrors that exist in the real world, such as corruptions within the Church, government (obviously), but also spousal abuse, rape, misogyny, self-harm, and more personal feelings of helplessness and what it means to empower oneself. This book deals with issues that are common, showing that in any world, new or old, some things are the same, but can we learn and do differently, not necessarily do the right thing?
Kelsea is a force of a character, and I'm certainly WAITING for the third book, for a myriad of reasons. Further plot lines to be uncovered, for characters to be revealed, for the meaning of all this.
A lot of books have endorsements that call them the next Game of Thrones. It annoys me often because the title is often not deserved (not that I've even read GoT). But there's no mistaking the complexity and sheer literary triumph that is this series. I'm in awe of Johansen.
After reading Queen of the Tearling, I expected to enjoy a tale where the protagonist got her way in most issues and proved right in all important ones. Which, truth be told, I wanted to read - I was sick of things going wrong for stupid reasons.
But then all of a sudden, I couldn't be so sure of an happy ending any more. The heroine made cruel mistakes or had to choose between two evils with insufficient information. Things were going wrong indeed but the reasons weren't stupid at all, they were frustratingly realistic. And it was thrilling.
But then all of a sudden, I couldn't be so sure of an happy ending any more. The heroine made cruel mistakes or had to choose between two evils with insufficient information. Things were going wrong indeed but the reasons weren't stupid at all, they were frustratingly realistic. And it was thrilling.
Just awful. Abrupt transitions, horribly incompetent protagonist (there's a difference between a character balanced by her flaws and a character who's glorified for her ridiculousness), multiple odd deux ex machina moments with no lead-in, one-dimensional side characters (Brother Tyler being the only exception), not to mention the arduous buildup to the sad and floppy "ultimate showdown." This novel is saved only by its Old World arc which, although it didn't have the most original of plots, was actually delivered quite well.
4.5. Enjoyed the new perspective and character that was shown to us. Gave me a whole new outlook on the Tearling world.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Part medieval fantasy, part dystopian/speculative fiction, The Queen of the Tearling series reminds me a bit of [a:Heather Terrell|222429|Heather Terrell|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1343006328p2/222429.jpg]'s [b:Relic|17262735|Relic (Books of Eva, #1)|Heather Terrell|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1365804989s/17262735.jpg|23859541] or even [a:Rebecca Stead|175329|Rebecca Stead|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1212611033p2/175329.jpg]'s [b:First Light|304351|First Light|Rebecca Stead|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1432204179s/304351.jpg|295381]--although I would argue Johansen is more successful with her execution (possibly because tQotT is not YA fiction). In The Invasion of the Tearling, Johansen adds a dash of [b:The Handmaid's Tale|38447|The Handmaid's Tale|Margaret Atwood|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1294702760s/38447.jpg|1119185] for good measure, and the result is a story unlike one I've read before. It's interesting in how it jams together a dystopian future in a medieval-like world. That said, the series is a great example of how marketing really affects how readers may interpret a book. I think there were some missteps early on with the description of the story (as high fantasy), which led some readers (who perhaps think they're more clever than the authors and editors who publish high-profile novels?) to gripe about details that DIDN'T MAKE IMMEDIATE SENSE. Heaven forbid. (Also, this is exactly why I try to avoid reading descriptions of books past a two-sentence pitch.) What do I mean?
I've seen a lot of reviewers on Goodreads complaining about [b:The Queen of the Tearling|18712886|The Queen of the Tearling (The Queen of the Tearling, #1)|Erika Johansen|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1417685148s/18712886.jpg|24267689] being a bad book because "how is this medieval fantasy? It's stupid that the main character knows about recessive traits! It's stupid that a character has the Harry Potter books! It's stupid that the people know about e-books!" GOOD. LORD. Maybe the author is working up to something? Maybe she has story arc in mind that requires revealing details piecemeal? I'm glad Johansen decided to dive right in to answering some of the bigger questions from book 1 in book 2, but, honestly, I never found the slow revelation of the Tearling's history problematic. ...although I do really want to know the answers to some of the more burning questions!
I really like what Johansen is doing overall with this trilogy, even though that might not be reflected in my rating. I just can't get over the proportion of violence and assault represented in the story, and that knocks a star off for me. (I get what Johansen is trying to convey, but it's just too much for me to really enjoy the books...I keep needing to take breaks, and that takes me out of it). I'm very much looking forward to [b:The Fate of the Tearling|22698569|The Fate of the Tearling (The Queen of the Tearling, #3)|Erika Johansen|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1457023801s/22698569.jpg|42216233] this autumn.
I've seen a lot of reviewers on Goodreads complaining about [b:The Queen of the Tearling|18712886|The Queen of the Tearling (The Queen of the Tearling, #1)|Erika Johansen|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1417685148s/18712886.jpg|24267689] being a bad book because "how is this medieval fantasy? It's stupid that the main character knows about recessive traits! It's stupid that a character has the Harry Potter books! It's stupid that the people know about e-books!" GOOD. LORD. Maybe the author is working up to something? Maybe she has story arc in mind that requires revealing details piecemeal? I'm glad Johansen decided to dive right in to answering some of the bigger questions from book 1 in book 2, but, honestly, I never found the slow revelation of the Tearling's history problematic. ...although I do really want to know the answers to some of the more burning questions!
I really like what Johansen is doing overall with this trilogy, even though that might not be reflected in my rating. I just can't get over the proportion of violence and assault represented in the story, and that knocks a star off for me. (I get what Johansen is trying to convey, but it's just too much for me to really enjoy the books...I keep needing to take breaks, and that takes me out of it). I'm very much looking forward to [b:The Fate of the Tearling|22698569|The Fate of the Tearling (The Queen of the Tearling, #3)|Erika Johansen|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1457023801s/22698569.jpg|42216233] this autumn.