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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
LOVED this book. Absolutely loved it. It is perhaps one of the few books I have come across that I actually love almost as much as the Harry Potter books. The plot line is beautifully written, the characters are deep, and it just pulls you right in from the first page.
I'm a bit torn over this one. I love the premise--that being a princess isn't fun, it's a death sentence--and loved the gritty atmosphere, the writing, and the way Kelsea's introspection is paired with violence in a way that kept me gripping the covers for dear life in the first two thirds. In the back of my mind, this book was getting four solid stars for being such a great beach read. But then I started to notice little things I'd given a pass earlier start grate on me. There are two main issues I had with this book that made me drop a star in the final pages: the inexplicable post-apocalyptic backstory that is never explained, and the ending, where
solves her problems for her.
First, I know this book has sequels in which the backstory of how the world came to be is explained. Fine. But if it's important to the series, why is the worldbuilding incomplete in book one? When an author withholds important information, I feel like I'm either being manipulated, or that the author didn't actually think the world-building through. Based on the first book alone, the supposed pre-Crossing era (actual Earth history? Or an alternate Earth where magic exists?) is our own, something happened, and an American/British flotilla recolonized a new continent or planet, it's unclear. This is all terribly confusing because the story would have worked perfectly well set in some other second-world fantasy medieval setting. Instead, we have a basically medieval setting in which Harry Potter books still exist, along with contraception, morphine syringes and (in passing) indoor plumbing, but not the printing press, gunpowder, schools, trains, or modern medicine. It didn't bother me at first, but every time something non-medieval popped up, it pulled me out of the story. And why oh why does magic also exist? And demon summoning? Please don't dangle real-world future in front of me, include magic, and then explain nothing in the first book, which should be creating a believable world that makes sense.
Second, though I loved the first two thirds of the book in which Kelsea suffers believably as a naive and powerless girl thrust onto a precarious throne, and has to learn to stand up to her bullying guards, I hated how all agency is suddenly stripped for her when
her necklace will kill them for her. She doesn't have to research and gather intelligence, her necklace will show her what is happening via dreams, and then guide her to the place she is needed,
and then kill the bad guys for her. It even seems to put words in her mouth when she debates generals and priests. She overcomes the climactic confrontation without acting on her own free will--the necklace compels her every move, does her thinking for her, and renders her swordsmanship classes useless. I found this so incredibly frustrating because I was enjoying the story and the writing immensely up to this point. The necklace's power only works for her ONLY because she is the Chosen One, and yet the first part of the novel is so great because Kelsea is played up as ordinary and unfit for her role. Apparently all you need to be a good queen as a bit of empathy, and a super-powerful necklace to guide your every move and kill your enemies. Where can I get one?
Spoiler
Kelsea's necklace, not Kelsea herself,solves her problems for her
First, I know this book has sequels in which the backstory of how the world came to be is explained. Fine. But if it's important to the series, why is the worldbuilding incomplete in book one? When an author withholds important information, I feel like I'm either being manipulated, or that the author didn't actually think the world-building through. Based on the first book alone, the supposed pre-Crossing era (actual Earth history? Or an alternate Earth where magic exists?) is our own, something happened, and an American/British flotilla recolonized a new continent or planet, it's unclear. This is all terribly confusing because the story would have worked perfectly well set in some other second-world fantasy medieval setting. Instead, we have a basically medieval setting in which Harry Potter books still exist, along with contraception, morphine syringes and (in passing) indoor plumbing, but not the printing press, gunpowder, schools, trains, or modern medicine. It didn't bother me at first, but every time something non-medieval popped up, it pulled me out of the story. And why oh why does magic also exist? And demon summoning? Please don't dangle real-world future in front of me, include magic, and then explain nothing in the first book, which should be creating a believable world that makes sense.
Second, though I loved the first two thirds of the book in which Kelsea suffers believably as a naive and powerless girl thrust onto a precarious throne, and has to learn to stand up to her bullying guards, I hated how all agency is suddenly stripped for her when
Spoiler
her sapphire necklace suddenly begins to solve all her problems for her. She no longer has to defend against assassins,her necklace will kill them for her. She doesn't have to research and gather intelligence, her necklace will show her what is happening via dreams, and then guide her to the place she is needed,
and then kill the bad guys for her. It even seems to put words in her mouth when she debates generals and priests. She overcomes the climactic confrontation without acting on her own free will--the necklace compels her every move, does her thinking for her, and renders her swordsmanship classes useless. I found this so incredibly frustrating because I was enjoying the story and the writing immensely up to this point. The necklace's power only works for her ONLY because she is the Chosen One, and yet the first part of the novel is so great because Kelsea is played up as ordinary and unfit for her role. Apparently all you need to be a good queen as a bit of empathy, and a super-powerful necklace to guide your every move and kill your enemies. Where can I get one?
Review first published on my blog The Fictional Reader
I probably should have written my review on this book after I actually read it. Now, it’s been months already -I read this in July. I know, I’m trying to get it all done! Although I think it’s a good sign that even though it’s been quite a while since I read it, I still remember a lot. If a book didn’t wow me, I often forget huge parts of it.
WORLD/SETTING
When I started this book, I was prepared for a fantasy book with little to no worldbuilding. That’s what I had read in all the reviews: that people were baffled at the lack of worldbuilding, which made it hard for them to understand the setting.
This book was definitely unique in its worldbuilding and setting. The reviews weren’t wrong. You’re not told or shown much about the world. In fact, you have to piece it together yourself. I thought I would hate that, but I actually ended up really enjoying it.
Here’s how I would explain the setting of this book. This world is a mix of dystopian and fantasy -I think. It’s set in our future, and some big disaster happened that cut these kingdoms off from the rest of the world. With that, they lost so much knowledge of science, literature, medicine, etc. so we’ve kind of reverted back to a Middle Ages-type world? Once in a while, there are references to our world. For example, when Kelsea describes her favorite books, the ones she grew up with, I believe she mentioned Tolkien.
I genuinely liked this blend of a Middle Ages-fantasy setting and a dystopian futuristic one. I also quite liked figuring that out myself. I think the second/third book will delve deeper into the history of the world, as Kelsea perhaps tries to figure it all out.
My point being, I was fascinated by the lack of worldbuilding. For once, it wasn’t a downside for me.
PLOT
We start this story when Kelsea has turned 19, and the Queen’s Guard is coming to pick her up. Kelsea is the Queen of the kingdom (duh, Queen of the Tearling?) but she has been raised in a remote house in the woods. She has only ever known 2 people: her mentors/teachers/adoptive parents. The Queens of the Tearling have a sad habit of dying very young, which is why Kelsea was sent away until she was old enough and ready to be crowned.
But there are many people who don’t want Kelsea to wear that crown. Some come from other kingdoms -and some are her family. The first book basically follows Kelsea’s desperate journey to the capital and her claim to the throne.
I really enjoyed this story line. I was intrigued from the first moment -at least where the story is concerned. I thought it was a nice mix between calmer scenes that allowed you to get to know the characters better, and captivating action-packed scenes. There were definitely a few moments in which I held my breath, wondering how she would get out of this situation alive.
Like I said, a story I would definitely recommend. I’m so intrigued as to what will happen in the second book! I need to read it soon. Maybe it’ll be one of my first 2017 reads? (Or maybe I will read this review again in December 2017 and kick myself for not having read it yet).
CHARACTERS
Aaah, characters. To me, the most important aspect of a story.
I have to admit that I was fairly annoyed with Kelsea at the start of this book. And for the first 20% or so. Why? She kept referring to how plain she looked. Comparing herself to others, saying that her features are much less attractive and just more plain. I got SO ANNOYED WITH IT. I get it, Kelsea. You’re not Miss Universe. On the one hand, I really like that she isn’t the most-beautiful-woman-ever-who-also-happens-to-be-able-to-do-everything-right type because that gets really boring in YA novels too. So I’m glad Erika Johansen went a different way, and let Kelsea be just a normal woman. Beautiful, but maybe not jaw-droppingly so. On the other hand though, I got so annoyed with her persistence in making me understand that Kelsea wasn’t that type. You don’t have to tell me 100 times in 20 pages.
After the first 20% or so, that happened less/not at all anymore. I can’t tell you how relieved I was, because that’s when I figured out I actually liked and admired Kelsea. I think she’s an incredibly strong woman. She’s not fearless -as nobody should be. But she tries to do what she believes is right, even though it’s the scarier and deadlier option. She calls people out on their sexist bullshit. She makes them respect her. There were several instances in which a guard didn’t believe her, or a general didn’t address her but her male guard. That kind of stuff makes me so mad, just because that also happens here. But she addressed it immediately. I absolutely adored that.
There were several other important characters in this book obviously, but I’ve already written so much I feel like I should end my review as soon as possible. Here’s what I’ll say about them:
To the Queen’s Guard: yes, please. I respect you. You are honorable people.
To the thief lord: I’ve got my eye on you. I don’t trust you, you charming-thief-type.
To the enemies of Kelsea: beware. Enemies of the heir, beware. (see what I did there??)
I think it’s obvious that I’d highly recommend this book to you. I will definitely be continuing the trilogy. If you want to read an interesting fantasy-dystopian blend, with a female character who calls men out on their sexist bullshit, you’ve found the right book. And if the references to her plainness bother you, stick with it. I promise you it’s worth it.
I probably should have written my review on this book after I actually read it. Now, it’s been months already -I read this in July. I know, I’m trying to get it all done! Although I think it’s a good sign that even though it’s been quite a while since I read it, I still remember a lot. If a book didn’t wow me, I often forget huge parts of it.
WORLD/SETTING
When I started this book, I was prepared for a fantasy book with little to no worldbuilding. That’s what I had read in all the reviews: that people were baffled at the lack of worldbuilding, which made it hard for them to understand the setting.
This book was definitely unique in its worldbuilding and setting. The reviews weren’t wrong. You’re not told or shown much about the world. In fact, you have to piece it together yourself. I thought I would hate that, but I actually ended up really enjoying it.
Here’s how I would explain the setting of this book. This world is a mix of dystopian and fantasy -I think. It’s set in our future, and some big disaster happened that cut these kingdoms off from the rest of the world. With that, they lost so much knowledge of science, literature, medicine, etc. so we’ve kind of reverted back to a Middle Ages-type world? Once in a while, there are references to our world. For example, when Kelsea describes her favorite books, the ones she grew up with, I believe she mentioned Tolkien.
I genuinely liked this blend of a Middle Ages-fantasy setting and a dystopian futuristic one. I also quite liked figuring that out myself. I think the second/third book will delve deeper into the history of the world, as Kelsea perhaps tries to figure it all out.
My point being, I was fascinated by the lack of worldbuilding. For once, it wasn’t a downside for me.
PLOT
We start this story when Kelsea has turned 19, and the Queen’s Guard is coming to pick her up. Kelsea is the Queen of the kingdom (duh, Queen of the Tearling?) but she has been raised in a remote house in the woods. She has only ever known 2 people: her mentors/teachers/adoptive parents. The Queens of the Tearling have a sad habit of dying very young, which is why Kelsea was sent away until she was old enough and ready to be crowned.
But there are many people who don’t want Kelsea to wear that crown. Some come from other kingdoms -and some are her family. The first book basically follows Kelsea’s desperate journey to the capital and her claim to the throne.
I really enjoyed this story line. I was intrigued from the first moment -at least where the story is concerned. I thought it was a nice mix between calmer scenes that allowed you to get to know the characters better, and captivating action-packed scenes. There were definitely a few moments in which I held my breath, wondering how she would get out of this situation alive.
Like I said, a story I would definitely recommend. I’m so intrigued as to what will happen in the second book! I need to read it soon. Maybe it’ll be one of my first 2017 reads? (Or maybe I will read this review again in December 2017 and kick myself for not having read it yet).
CHARACTERS
Aaah, characters. To me, the most important aspect of a story.
I have to admit that I was fairly annoyed with Kelsea at the start of this book. And for the first 20% or so. Why? She kept referring to how plain she looked. Comparing herself to others, saying that her features are much less attractive and just more plain. I got SO ANNOYED WITH IT. I get it, Kelsea. You’re not Miss Universe. On the one hand, I really like that she isn’t the most-beautiful-woman-ever-who-also-happens-to-be-able-to-do-everything-right type because that gets really boring in YA novels too. So I’m glad Erika Johansen went a different way, and let Kelsea be just a normal woman. Beautiful, but maybe not jaw-droppingly so. On the other hand though, I got so annoyed with her persistence in making me understand that Kelsea wasn’t that type. You don’t have to tell me 100 times in 20 pages.
After the first 20% or so, that happened less/not at all anymore. I can’t tell you how relieved I was, because that’s when I figured out I actually liked and admired Kelsea. I think she’s an incredibly strong woman. She’s not fearless -as nobody should be. But she tries to do what she believes is right, even though it’s the scarier and deadlier option. She calls people out on their sexist bullshit. She makes them respect her. There were several instances in which a guard didn’t believe her, or a general didn’t address her but her male guard. That kind of stuff makes me so mad, just because that also happens here. But she addressed it immediately. I absolutely adored that.
There were several other important characters in this book obviously, but I’ve already written so much I feel like I should end my review as soon as possible. Here’s what I’ll say about them:
To the Queen’s Guard: yes, please. I respect you. You are honorable people.
To the thief lord: I’ve got my eye on you. I don’t trust you, you charming-thief-type.
To the enemies of Kelsea: beware. Enemies of the heir, beware. (see what I did there??)
I think it’s obvious that I’d highly recommend this book to you. I will definitely be continuing the trilogy. If you want to read an interesting fantasy-dystopian blend, with a female character who calls men out on their sexist bullshit, you’ve found the right book. And if the references to her plainness bother you, stick with it. I promise you it’s worth it.
I finished this book this morning and I just keep looking at it feeling sad that it's done. And even sadder that the next won't be out until June.
adventurous
slow-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:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
For me, this book ticked all the fantasy boxes that I need to enjoy it. I didn’t find the story slow the way some others seem to, and all the mysterious backstory intrigue has worked on me as intended. I want to know more! However, I do take issue with a few things:
There’s a petty disdain for beauty (particularly feminine beauty) that is hard to ignore. It seems NOT to be an important fixture of the actual story, but rather a personal hangup for the author. Beautiful women are either Very Evil (Red Queen) or Very Stupid (Elyssa) or Very Sad (Andalie and Marguerite). The only beautiful women who are “good” and earn any respect from Kelsea have been horribly punished by the world because of their beauty (either as beaten wives or beaten sex slaves). It’s an old fashioned, deeply flawed take on feminism that current thinking has outgrown, and having it at the forefront of this book leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It’s demonstrated in Kelsea’s disgust for fluffy throw pillows and gold vanity mirrors - “girlie things??? Not for me, I’m nOt LiKe tHe oThEr GiRLs.” And I don’t even know HOW to address the problematic way Kelsea treats that *old and ugly* noblewoman who dares to think of herself as beautiful.
For someone who was isolated for literally her entire life, Kelsea is surprisingly well adjusted and ready to just, like, take charge of a whole ass country. And as for the country, I certainly hope this whole Crossing thing is cleared up in the next two books, because currently there are some major holes. Where is this magically unoccupied landmass that modern America and England can run to and colonize? Was it a space voyage? Why are there only TWO doctors in the whole country?? They really couldn’t have figured any of that out in all those centuries? The gunpowder “went bad”(????) and they couldn’t figure out how to make more?
None of these things offend me enough to put me off the series entirely, of course. What I’m hoping is that a complicated groundwork has been laid, that will be expertly resolved within the next two books. Do I expect that? Well, not really. But I’ll happily give it a shot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Misogyny, Sexism, Slavery, Xenophobia, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, War
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Blood, Abortion, Death of parent
Me encantó este libro, pero admito que tenía mis dudas al momento de leerlo. Pensé que no me iba a gustar nada porque habia escuchado que era muy lento y que pasaba poco en la historia, pero fue una gran lectura. Aún no logro ubicar geográficamente el mundo en que está desarrollada la historia, pero para mi no fue problema, es un mundo que funciona como en la Edad Media, lo cual me encanta, pero también tiene aspectos modernos como la medicina, lo cual es bastante interesante. En cuanto al tema de la magia, es un aspecto que claramente tendrá más relevancia en los siguientes libros, pero por ahora es algo que no se explica demasiado, lo cual no me molesta, pero sí me intriga mucho.
Me encantó Kelsea como protagonista, es una chica tan inteligente, su crianza la hizo una gran persona y una excelente reina, es un personaje muy real desde mi punto de vista, sobre todo el aspecto de que ella no es como las princesas de los cuentos que ha leído, y ella lo sabe. Su apariencia sí le acompleja como a toda chica de 19 años, pero no es un gran problema para ella, le da mucha más importancia a su capacidad política, y es lo que más me gustó de su personalidad. Es una mujer muy fuerte, decidida y valiente. Su procedencia y qué fue lo que pasó con sus padres es algo de lo que tampoco se conoce lo suficiente, me estresa un poco la poca información que se nos da en este primer libro, y me hace preguntarme por qué es tan importante que Kelsea no lo sepa aún. Solo me queda confiar en que la autora sabe lo que hace.
En esta historia no hay romance, PARA NADA, y es algo que también me gustó mucho. Muy diferente de lo que he leído. Sí hay un "interés amoroso" en Kelsea, pero no es lo principal, y lo que me pareció genial, es que ese interés, ¡NO ES CORRESPONDIDO! Me atrae mucho cómo se irá desenvolviendo ese asunto, pero claramente es muy diferente a otras historias de este tipo.
Lazarus es una parte muy importante para la historia y para mí. Es un hombre grandioso, muy protector, casi un padre para Kelsea. Pen y los demás guardias también me gustaron mucho, y lo que más me gustó, es cómo lentamente Kelsea se gana su lealtad. Nuevamente, no se sabe mucho sobre la antagonista, pero también tiene aspectos que son nuevos para mí. La Reina Roja sabe que Kelsea es una gran problema para ella y su reinado, es un temor que no he visto antes en otros personajes como ella.
Me alegra haber empezado esta trilogía, no sé si pueda leer los próximos libros pronto, pero no me preocupa porque es una historia que tendré en mi mente mucho tiempo.
Me encantó Kelsea como protagonista, es una chica tan inteligente, su crianza la hizo una gran persona y una excelente reina, es un personaje muy real desde mi punto de vista, sobre todo el aspecto de que ella no es como las princesas de los cuentos que ha leído, y ella lo sabe. Su apariencia sí le acompleja como a toda chica de 19 años, pero no es un gran problema para ella, le da mucha más importancia a su capacidad política, y es lo que más me gustó de su personalidad. Es una mujer muy fuerte, decidida y valiente. Su procedencia y qué fue lo que pasó con sus padres es algo de lo que tampoco se conoce lo suficiente, me estresa un poco la poca información que se nos da en este primer libro, y me hace preguntarme por qué es tan importante que Kelsea no lo sepa aún. Solo me queda confiar en que la autora sabe lo que hace.
En esta historia no hay romance, PARA NADA, y es algo que también me gustó mucho. Muy diferente de lo que he leído. Sí hay un "interés amoroso" en Kelsea, pero no es lo principal, y lo que me pareció genial, es que ese interés, ¡NO ES CORRESPONDIDO! Me atrae mucho cómo se irá desenvolviendo ese asunto, pero claramente es muy diferente a otras historias de este tipo.
Lazarus es una parte muy importante para la historia y para mí. Es un hombre grandioso, muy protector, casi un padre para Kelsea. Pen y los demás guardias también me gustaron mucho, y lo que más me gustó, es cómo lentamente Kelsea se gana su lealtad. Nuevamente, no se sabe mucho sobre la antagonista, pero también tiene aspectos que son nuevos para mí. La Reina Roja sabe que Kelsea es una gran problema para ella y su reinado, es un temor que no he visto antes en otros personajes como ella.
Me alegra haber empezado esta trilogía, no sé si pueda leer los próximos libros pronto, pero no me preocupa porque es una historia que tendré en mi mente mucho tiempo.
I am so unsure about how to rate this.
I do not do game of thrones, it doesn't appeal to me and never will do. So I made a slight mistake in buying this book I feel, I bought it on some booktuber's recommendation as they love this book and to be honest I don't love it. Am I sad I bought it? Not really. Its a good book just too much violence, hatred and dystopia in it for me to be really on board with it all.
This being said, there is some laughs hidden in this book. It is very well written and I felt completely into the world as if I was living it today. Did it leave me with a warm fuzzy feeling? Not really and that is sometimes why I struggle with adult fantasy as they can be pretty dark and twisted and I'm still the I need some romance and laughter stage of life...
I love the characters in this book, especially Mace and the Queen. Both characters are well written and the character progression of the Queen is so well done. She goes from almost scared girl to ok still slightly scared but brave. She is brave, stubborn, strong and smart in her actions and you sort of admire her for that. I love Mace because he is so protective and strong in his actions for knowing what is best for her before she does. I do hope there isn't a love interest between them because I like how they match each other and she doesn't need a man like him for a husband, she doesn't need a husband at all. Still I hope there isn't a potential love thing going on there.
I do not do game of thrones, it doesn't appeal to me and never will do. So I made a slight mistake in buying this book I feel, I bought it on some booktuber's recommendation as they love this book and to be honest I don't love it. Am I sad I bought it? Not really. Its a good book just too much violence, hatred and dystopia in it for me to be really on board with it all.
This being said, there is some laughs hidden in this book. It is very well written and I felt completely into the world as if I was living it today. Did it leave me with a warm fuzzy feeling? Not really and that is sometimes why I struggle with adult fantasy as they can be pretty dark and twisted and I'm still the I need some romance and laughter stage of life...
I love the characters in this book, especially Mace and the Queen. Both characters are well written and the character progression of the Queen is so well done. She goes from almost scared girl to ok still slightly scared but brave. She is brave, stubborn, strong and smart in her actions and you sort of admire her for that. I love Mace because he is so protective and strong in his actions for knowing what is best for her before she does. I do hope there isn't a love interest between them because I like how they match each other and she doesn't need a man like him for a husband, she doesn't need a husband at all. Still I hope there isn't a potential love thing going on there.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
Loveable characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide