Reviews with content warning for Murder - The Blacksmith Queen

It was something. Almost a direct opposite to the last book I finished. The Old King dies, and all hell breaks loose (page one, folks). You would think the kingdom would fall to the eldest son, or child, as it does in most modern monarchical societies. This is a last man standing deal. The victor takes the crown. So the now deceased king's three eldest sons (the rest have been...taken care of, shall we say) begin their war for power, only to find out that about a 'prophecy' that none of them will rule. A woman will.

Enter Keeley Smythe and her family. Made up almost entirely of farmers and blacksmiths. No one is particularly surprised when the soft-spoken middle child is named future Queen of the Hill Lands.

The book is quite well written, though I would not suggest it for a younger audience. There is a lot of violence, profanity, and at least mentions of sex. Nothing someone under say, 14-15 should be reading.

I am intrigued by the blossoming romance between two of the characters who by all accounts, should not end up together.

This is different from the last book in that the roles seem almost reversed. A band of what I assume are elite mercenaries are expecting to find helpless farmers and peasant women, only to be soundly destroyed by a family of smithing women. That isn't even considering what the father, uncle, and sons do. The Farmerson/Smythe family is not one to be trifled with.

We leave off before the final battle, and that was a bit disappointing. I want to know how Keeley, Gemma, Keran and co. handle Beatrix and her grab for power.

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adventurous dark funny lighthearted sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

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