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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I'm probably at a 3.5 with this one. The beginning of this book was hard for me. Kelsea was untested and unsure of herself, yet everyone kept saying they saw potential in her. As she began to prove herself throughout the book, I started to buy into her a lot more and respect her character more. Things were kind of slow-moving in parts, too, and the chapters were very very long, so I took my sweet time with this one. The ending was more fast-paced and I'm eager to see where things go. This book really reminded me of The Girl of Fire and Thorns and that series really improved for me as it went on, so I am hoping this one does, too. I'll definitely keep an eye out for it- there's the female leader and political intrigue I really like in fantasy and I'm hoping the world building is a little less vague as things go on, too.
Okay - Reasoning for 3 stars....
So, I gave it three stars because it HAD promising qualities, and I did read it within a relatively short time-span. HOWEVER, three stars might be a little generous for the numerous reasons why I disliked ... and sometimes hated... this book.
I was recommended this book by a friend, and I understand why she liked it. But, for some reason I could not like the main character. I kept asking myself: why can I not like this girl/Queen?
My answer - I could not like her because the character development was forced. She went from this innocent 19 year old to a Queen, and then all of a sudden she's super sarcastic? The sarcasm is not funny, or amusing, but cringe-worthy. An author has to build a good rapport with the reader in order to slide sarcasm and humour into the mix. She just threw sarcasm and humour at me and it made me VERY aware that the author was writing this. Normally, I would not notice myself laughing, or even thinking about the author writing the book as I'm reading, so the fact that I could actually think about that, meh. I definitely didn't like it. She also became this insecure girl to this fantastically powerful person within very little time. She made no real mistakes, and there was really no "flaws" to this girl's character... which is pretty cool when you dream about yourself, but totally unrealistic in character development, and I think that's the reason why I couldn't like her.
She put too much description in thoughts, travelling, and dialogue.... painful dialogue. I hated all the characters; they seemed very flat and just there for Kelsea to think about. I also hated the plot and the villain! What an awful villain! I was like, man if I could write this? This lady would be terrifying. She made the villain way too weak for my liking.
She would also throw these terrible things at you, but then load them with sarcasm. Like slavery... and kids dying, and bloodshed... it was like she was trying to out-do her scenarios every time. They kept getting more gory and awful, and just stupid to read. Like? What is really your point lady.
I also disliked how Kelsea kept getting hurt. And then was okay. But then got hurt again. But she gets up. Oh, wait, she gets hurt again..... lol........ the repetitiveness was exhausting.
I liked the jewels, super cool and interesting idea - but again! no description! Frustrating. The dystopia was a little unconvincing from the lack of description and understanding of what happened - interesting, but very very very unbelievable. It needed a little more description and more thought behind it in order for me to actually like it.
Would I recommend this book? No... I don't think I would after reading it. It had promise, but after finishing it, definitely no. 3/5 stars is a little generous so my actual rating would probably be somewhere between 2/2.5 realistically. I am not going to read the sequel. So I guess that says something.
So, I gave it three stars because it HAD promising qualities, and I did read it within a relatively short time-span. HOWEVER, three stars might be a little generous for the numerous reasons why I disliked ... and sometimes hated... this book.
I was recommended this book by a friend, and I understand why she liked it. But, for some reason I could not like the main character. I kept asking myself: why can I not like this girl/Queen?
My answer - I could not like her because the character development was forced. She went from this innocent 19 year old to a Queen, and then all of a sudden she's super sarcastic? The sarcasm is not funny, or amusing, but cringe-worthy. An author has to build a good rapport with the reader in order to slide sarcasm and humour into the mix. She just threw sarcasm and humour at me and it made me VERY aware that the author was writing this. Normally, I would not notice myself laughing, or even thinking about the author writing the book as I'm reading, so the fact that I could actually think about that, meh. I definitely didn't like it. She also became this insecure girl to this fantastically powerful person within very little time. She made no real mistakes, and there was really no "flaws" to this girl's character... which is pretty cool when you dream about yourself, but totally unrealistic in character development, and I think that's the reason why I couldn't like her.
She put too much description in thoughts, travelling, and dialogue.... painful dialogue. I hated all the characters; they seemed very flat and just there for Kelsea to think about. I also hated the plot and the villain! What an awful villain! I was like, man if I could write this? This lady would be terrifying. She made the villain way too weak for my liking.
She would also throw these terrible things at you, but then load them with sarcasm. Like slavery... and kids dying, and bloodshed... it was like she was trying to out-do her scenarios every time. They kept getting more gory and awful, and just stupid to read. Like? What is really your point lady.
I also disliked how Kelsea kept getting hurt. And then was okay. But then got hurt again. But she gets up. Oh, wait, she gets hurt again..... lol........ the repetitiveness was exhausting.
I liked the jewels, super cool and interesting idea - but again! no description! Frustrating. The dystopia was a little unconvincing from the lack of description and understanding of what happened - interesting, but very very very unbelievable. It needed a little more description and more thought behind it in order for me to actually like it.
Would I recommend this book? No... I don't think I would after reading it. It had promise, but after finishing it, definitely no. 3/5 stars is a little generous so my actual rating would probably be somewhere between 2/2.5 realistically. I am not going to read the sequel. So I guess that says something.
Not not not young adult fiction. Language and disturbing subject matter. I thought this was a pretty good story. I probably would have given it a 3 star just based on the literary quality of the book. However, I was very very, and I can't emphasize enough, very turned off by the political propaganda and the anti christian sentiment.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
For me, the book was like going on a blind date on a whim and falling in love. Can't wait to read the next one.
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Grief, Religious bigotry
It can get quite dark, but I felt like the potentially triggering issues were dealt with respectfully. Well worth it if you're in a good headspace.
Loved the plot of this one, can't wait to read the next one. The only issue I had with this was that the language went back and forth between YA and general fiction, and the constant swapping back and forth kinda threw me. Other than that, I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a new series that will suck them right in.
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, Slavery, Violence, Trafficking, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Genocide, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment
Minor: Incest, Xenophobia, Abortion, Pregnancy
I received a physical copy from the author in exchange for an honest review and participation in a blog tour.
As a rule, set forth by myself, I normally don't venture too far out of my comfort zone with my reading material. Normally every story has to have some sort of romance in it to keep me locked into the story. The Queen of the Tearling was my first real delve into epic fantasy. I was a bit unnerved and skeptical that I was going to like it, but as I usually am with books I receive for review from TLC Book Tours. I was so wrong.
The story opens on a nineteen-year-old girl reluctantly being taken from her beloved foster parents to take her place as the Queen's heir. Kelsea has been taught all her life what she needed to know about her kingdom and their policies, but it's quite different for her actually have to follow them and make decisions that can totally rock the known state of things within her kingdom. She learns that once things are set for decades, not many are willing to change even if it's for the better. She thought she was going to take the throne and govern over existing laws and keep order within her kingdom. Instead she finds discord and suffering among her people. Never the kind of person to sit idly by, Kelsea sets out to change her kingdom and free her people from pain and torment.
As with any great change, there are always people who rebel against it. One of those people is Kelsea's uncle, the Regent. He wants to keep his place on the throne and keep his kingdom how it was. He didn't care about the shipments of slaves he sends to the Red Queen every month or the evil deeds running rampant in his streets. All he cares about is his women and his wine. Kelsea threatens his happy life and so he sets assassins to sniff her out and dispose of her accordingly. But he's not the only one plotting against her. She has no one she can trust. Not the dashing King of Thieves who causes her cheeks to brighten every time she thinks about him and not her Queen's Guard Captain who seems to always have her best interests at heart.
Can Kelsea overcome the enemies surrounding her and learn to rule her kingdom in the best interests of her people or will she lead her kingdom right into ruin?
I could not get enough of this story. The writing flowed so well and the language used wasn't too complicated or too simplistic. It was not a story riddled with tough subject matter and it wasn't a fluff piece that was too busy avoiding hard issues to get to the root of the story. The characters were realistic and relateable. I found Kelsea to be much the same as me: bookish, hungry for knowledge, sympathetic, plain, and strong willed. I noted a bit of a love triangle possibly forming (fingers crossed!) and I am dying to read the next book in the series. Erika Johansen did spectacular in her debut book and she has made it onto the prestigious list of my top 10 favorite authors.
If you like adventure, suspicion, political maneuvering, and tales of survival set in a fantastical world of magic, The Queen of the Tearling is the book for you!
Review Posted on: http://www.ladybugliterature.blogspot.com
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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:
No