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tachyondecay's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
Epic fantasy heist. Those three words in the subject line of an email were all it took for me to windmill slam “yes” on getting an eARC of The Queen of Days from NetGalley and publisher HarperVoyager. Some marketing person knew the magic words that would pique my interest instantly. I was excited to dive in, and thankfully, the book lived up to the hype! This is a delightful, powerful adventure that left me wanting more in all the right ways.
Balthazar, aka Bal, is a scion of a noble family that has fallen on hard times. He now makes a living as a thief in the city that his family once ruled, and his latest heist sees him reluctantly partnering up with the mythical and mysterious Queen of Days. The heist, as heists often do, goes pear-shaped. On the run and outgunned, Bal and his crew and the Queen of Days find themselves as unlikely allies on a quest to kill a god, save their city (and possibly the world), and keep their skins intact.
The book opens with Bal meeting the Queen of Days, whose name we soon learn is Tassiel, or Tass. From there, we quickly move into meeting the supporting cast and the heist itself. I appreciate this pacing—I don’t mind when a heist book builds up to the heist-as-climax, but I also like when they do what Kelly does here. The heist, you see, is actually an appetizer before the real plot takes off. After a brief diversion into a mysterious Archive for some exposition and raising of stakes, Bal and Tass and the crew are back out into the city, on the run, trying to figure out what to do next.
The found family vibes are strong here. Kelly alternates chapters between Bal and Tass’s perspectives. Something I really liked is how the chapter titles for Tass evolve. At the start of the book, they provide her full name and title; as the story continues, they shorten to “Tassiel” and then eventually “Tass,” signifying her acceptance of this identity and her connection to Bal and his crew.
The mystery of Tass’s identity—who she is, where her magic comes from, where she herself comes from—is one of the earliest and most central mysteries in this book, and it’s fun. The way that Kelly teases out the mystery, not giving us everything at once yet also never lingering too long before dropping another clue, is tantalizing and kept me reading. I needed to know more about Tass, more about the magic in this world—and the others. Kelly artfully combines several standard tropes in a way that breathes new life into them.
Similarly, Bal’s own character arc, though less dramatic, is no less important in this story. At the beginning, he is fixated on revenge and protecting his kid sister. That second desire never changes, of course. Yet Bal must confront what “revenge” means against the backdrop of bigger, more existential threats, and it’s in this crucible that he demonstrates his ability to be heroic. I really like how his friendship with Tass develops. There is a kindness to the core of his character that often feels lacking in male protagonists of his mould. He isn’t quite a lovable rogue, and he also isn’t a blustering blowhard of a fighter. Kelly has carved out an unique and interesting man who, despite numerous flaws, brings people together in a way that is its own kind of magic.
Though I praised the pacing earlier, if I were to critique anything about this book, it would actually be how too much happens. This is a book with a lot of side quests. Not all of them held my interest. I’m thinking of one in particular, a foray finally into Tass’s home—I can see why Kelly includes this, but at the same time, I kept thinking, “I just want us to get back to the main conflict here.” This is the problem when you try to write an epic fantasy story that also wants to be a cozy, family-centric heist story: the two genres are difficult to mash together since they have diametrically opposed atmospheres. That Kelly manages to make them work as well as she does is, in and of itself, quite impressive.
If one of those two genres wins out, it’s the latter. The Queen of Days is indeed epic on paper; there is no denying that. There are gods. An entire city trembles. The stakes are real. Yet we don’t really care about that. The readers are here for Bal and Tass and the lovable crew that surrounds them.
The Queen of Days raised me from a reading slump. It elevated my resting, reading heart rate. If you could hook me up to a faucet of hot-and-cold running fantasy in this style, I would be a happy woman. As it is, I am left wanting more—in a good way—and I can’t recommend this book enough to people who want epic fantasy with cozy characters.
Originally posted at Kara.Reviews.
Balthazar, aka Bal, is a scion of a noble family that has fallen on hard times. He now makes a living as a thief in the city that his family once ruled, and his latest heist sees him reluctantly partnering up with the mythical and mysterious Queen of Days. The heist, as heists often do, goes pear-shaped. On the run and outgunned, Bal and his crew and the Queen of Days find themselves as unlikely allies on a quest to kill a god, save their city (and possibly the world), and keep their skins intact.
The book opens with Bal meeting the Queen of Days, whose name we soon learn is Tassiel, or Tass. From there, we quickly move into meeting the supporting cast and the heist itself. I appreciate this pacing—I don’t mind when a heist book builds up to the heist-as-climax, but I also like when they do what Kelly does here. The heist, you see, is actually an appetizer before the real plot takes off. After a brief diversion into a mysterious Archive for some exposition and raising of stakes, Bal and Tass and the crew are back out into the city, on the run, trying to figure out what to do next.
The found family vibes are strong here. Kelly alternates chapters between Bal and Tass’s perspectives. Something I really liked is how the chapter titles for Tass evolve. At the start of the book, they provide her full name and title; as the story continues, they shorten to “Tassiel” and then eventually “Tass,” signifying her acceptance of this identity and her connection to Bal and his crew.
The mystery of Tass’s identity—who she is, where her magic comes from, where she herself comes from—is one of the earliest and most central mysteries in this book, and it’s fun. The way that Kelly teases out the mystery, not giving us everything at once yet also never lingering too long before dropping another clue, is tantalizing and kept me reading. I needed to know more about Tass, more about the magic in this world—and the others. Kelly artfully combines several standard tropes in a way that breathes new life into them.
Similarly, Bal’s own character arc, though less dramatic, is no less important in this story. At the beginning, he is fixated on revenge and protecting his kid sister. That second desire never changes, of course. Yet Bal must confront what “revenge” means against the backdrop of bigger, more existential threats, and it’s in this crucible that he demonstrates his ability to be heroic. I really like how his friendship with Tass develops. There is a kindness to the core of his character that often feels lacking in male protagonists of his mould. He isn’t quite a lovable rogue, and he also isn’t a blustering blowhard of a fighter. Kelly has carved out an unique and interesting man who, despite numerous flaws, brings people together in a way that is its own kind of magic.
Though I praised the pacing earlier, if I were to critique anything about this book, it would actually be how too much happens. This is a book with a lot of side quests. Not all of them held my interest. I’m thinking of one in particular, a foray finally into Tass’s home—I can see why Kelly includes this, but at the same time, I kept thinking, “I just want us to get back to the main conflict here.” This is the problem when you try to write an epic fantasy story that also wants to be a cozy, family-centric heist story: the two genres are difficult to mash together since they have diametrically opposed atmospheres. That Kelly manages to make them work as well as she does is, in and of itself, quite impressive.
If one of those two genres wins out, it’s the latter. The Queen of Days is indeed epic on paper; there is no denying that. There are gods. An entire city trembles. The stakes are real. Yet we don’t really care about that. The readers are here for Bal and Tass and the lovable crew that surrounds them.
The Queen of Days raised me from a reading slump. It elevated my resting, reading heart rate. If you could hook me up to a faucet of hot-and-cold running fantasy in this style, I would be a happy woman. As it is, I am left wanting more—in a good way—and I can’t recommend this book enough to people who want epic fantasy with cozy characters.
Originally posted at Kara.Reviews.
utopiastateofmind's review against another edition
3.75
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
So I'm kind of smitten with the Queen of Days. Yes I do mean the book, but I also mean the elusive character we know of as the Queen of Days. I love a good shrouded character dripping in mystery and when you add time magic to the mix, I will lay my sword down for her. Not only that, but her character development really blooms throughout as the history, past, and mystery are revealed. That being said, I also enjoyed the ragtag found family group crew dynamic even if we didn't get as much of some of the side characters as I'd have liked.
So I'm kind of smitten with the Queen of Days. Yes I do mean the book, but I also mean the elusive character we know of as the Queen of Days. I love a good shrouded character dripping in mystery and when you add time magic to the mix, I will lay my sword down for her. Not only that, but her character development really blooms throughout as the history, past, and mystery are revealed. That being said, I also enjoyed the ragtag found family group crew dynamic even if we didn't get as much of some of the side characters as I'd have liked.
hollanddavis's review against another edition
Why is Bal’s POV written in first person and Tass’s written in third? I’m sure there’s a reason Greta Kelly made this creative choice (considering who and what each character is) , but, as a reader, I thought it was distracting and it pulled me out of the story every time they switched.
Honestly, the plot’s was good up to this point, but Kelly ultimately lost me with long conceptual conversations about Time as a construct between Bal and Tass. It all started to feel very Interstellar (2014) where Matthew McConaughey talks to young daughter through the space/time continuum to save humanity and then is later reunited with his daughter as an old woman but he’s stayed the same age. Like does it make sense if I sit down and really think about it? Yeah. Sure. I guess. But is that what I want, or was I signing up for a heist book that quickly took a much more complex turn?
Will I eventually pick this book up to finish it? Probably not, which is sad because the world building was intriguing and I’d like to know how it ends, but I guess not enough to get past these road blocks.
Memorable quotes:
“I gestured upward, giving her an eloquent look of “What the fuck?””
“She bowed her head, allowing herself two heartbeats to lament her family’s betrayal and a third to come to terms with a past she could not change. When she lifted her head again, she was ready to move on.
And if her heart did not believe her, her head was willing to pretend.”
Honestly, the plot’s was good up to this point, but Kelly ultimately lost me with long conceptual conversations about Time as a construct between Bal and Tass. It all started to feel very Interstellar (2014) where Matthew McConaughey talks to young daughter through the space/time continuum to save humanity and then is later reunited with his daughter as an old woman but he’s stayed the same age. Like does it make sense if I sit down and really think about it? Yeah. Sure. I guess. But is that what I want, or was I signing up for a heist book that quickly took a much more complex turn?
Will I eventually pick this book up to finish it? Probably not, which is sad because the world building was intriguing and I’d like to know how it ends, but I guess not enough to get past these road blocks.
Memorable quotes:
“I gestured upward, giving her an eloquent look of “What the fuck?””
“She bowed her head, allowing herself two heartbeats to lament her family’s betrayal and a third to come to terms with a past she could not change. When she lifted her head again, she was ready to move on.
And if her heart did not believe her, her head was willing to pretend.”
readsbylindsey's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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? No
4.0
A great, fun, lift read perfect for fans of DnD and people looking for a found family hesit novel.
barcodeborrower's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
*Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Voyager for an ARC in return for my honest opinion.*
I really just did not vibe with this one. It definitely was so so. The main characters all have to use nicknames?? Like really? All of them? I feel like I was supposed to feel the emotional ties between the characters but they all felt 2d.
I really just did not vibe with this one. It definitely was so so. The main characters all have to use nicknames?? Like really? All of them? I feel like I was supposed to feel the emotional ties between the characters but they all felt 2d.
alicesbookrecs's review against another edition
3.0
- Heist
- Time magic
- First and third person POVs
- Good writing
- Multiple povs
- Gods
- Good word building
Bal and his crew take on a new heist, with the addition of one new member ,- the Queen Of Days - one of the best thieves around. However, things start to go terribly wrong and although their were rumours that the Queen of Days wasn’t human nobody expected them to be true.
I loved the premise of this book when I first started it - an epic heist and a stranger that has time magic - but around the 30% mark I just couldn’t get into it anymore.
The plot wasn’t anything that special and my attention fizzled out pretty quickly. In terms of characters, I personally couldn’t get attached to them, my favourite was probably Tass and that’s only because she had cool powers. You just don’t really get attached to them or learn too much about certain others. I would have loved the see more of the crew being developed, Kai in particular.
But let’s talk about Bals character for a second. Bal has the worst leadership skills I’ve ever seen but he’s still somehow the leader of a team that his family follows despite it risking their lives? His obsession with his ex fiancé is also questionable as again, he puts his teams lives on the line for her despite her being indifferent to him. I just felt like these needed a bit more exploration.
The writing though was amazing throughout, with the world building being done really well throughout the book. However, the switch from first person in Bals pov to third person in Tass’ was initially a bit confusing; it would have made more sense if the world book was in first person or vice versa.
Thank you so much to Wunderkind PR for an arc of this - All opinions are my own
- Time magic
- First and third person POVs
- Good writing
- Multiple povs
- Gods
- Good word building
Bal and his crew take on a new heist, with the addition of one new member ,- the Queen Of Days - one of the best thieves around. However, things start to go terribly wrong and although their were rumours that the Queen of Days wasn’t human nobody expected them to be true.
I loved the premise of this book when I first started it - an epic heist and a stranger that has time magic - but around the 30% mark I just couldn’t get into it anymore.
The plot wasn’t anything that special and my attention fizzled out pretty quickly. In terms of characters, I personally couldn’t get attached to them, my favourite was probably Tass and that’s only because she had cool powers. You just don’t really get attached to them or learn too much about certain others. I would have loved the see more of the crew being developed, Kai in particular.
But let’s talk about Bals character for a second. Bal has the worst leadership skills I’ve ever seen but he’s still somehow the leader of a team that his family follows despite it risking their lives? His obsession with his ex fiancé is also questionable as again, he puts his teams lives on the line for her despite her being indifferent to him. I just felt like these needed a bit more exploration.
The writing though was amazing throughout, with the world building being done really well throughout the book. However, the switch from first person in Bals pov to third person in Tass’ was initially a bit confusing; it would have made more sense if the world book was in first person or vice versa.
Thank you so much to Wunderkind PR for an arc of this - All opinions are my own
goodeyreads's review against another edition
fast-paced
4.25
Thank you to Bibliolifestyle and Harper Voyager for the gifted copy.
GREAT STANDALONE.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
I looooved how fast paced this was. It really added to the intensity of the heist and I had a hard time putting this down because I just wanted to know what would happen next. This is my first book by this author and I am very much intrigued to read more now!
What helped me too was knowing that there isn’t any romance. It’s focused on the found family and finding a way to survive when meddling gods start to cause chaos and threaten where the crew lives. I loved the push and pull and highs and lows this group went through to find a way to end things.
I loved that it was dual POV and we got to see Tass and Balthazar’s views. They both gave great insight into thoughts and maneuvers from opposite angles. I loved the growth in Tass and seeing her find a new place to land.
Overall audience notes:
- Fantasy
- Language: some strong
- Romance: one closed door
- Violence: moderate-high
GREAT STANDALONE.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
I looooved how fast paced this was. It really added to the intensity of the heist and I had a hard time putting this down because I just wanted to know what would happen next. This is my first book by this author and I am very much intrigued to read more now!
What helped me too was knowing that there isn’t any romance. It’s focused on the found family and finding a way to survive when meddling gods start to cause chaos and threaten where the crew lives. I loved the push and pull and highs and lows this group went through to find a way to end things.
I loved that it was dual POV and we got to see Tass and Balthazar’s views. They both gave great insight into thoughts and maneuvers from opposite angles. I loved the growth in Tass and seeing her find a new place to land.
Overall audience notes:
- Fantasy
- Language: some strong
- Romance: one closed door
- Violence: moderate-high
bookishwayfarer's review against another edition
fast-paced
2.5
For my full review: https://www.bookishwayfarer.com/blog/review-the-queen-of-days-by-greta-kelly
One-Sentence Synopsis: A band of thieves attempts a daring heist with the aid of the Queen of Days, a woman shrouded in mystery with a reputation for accomplishing seemingly impossible feats
Bite-Size Review: An uncaptivating story with underdeveloped characters and problematic pacing
Rating: 2.5/5.0
*Thank you to Wunderkind PR for providing me with an ARC of The Queen of Days.
One-Sentence Synopsis: A band of thieves attempts a daring heist with the aid of the Queen of Days, a woman shrouded in mystery with a reputation for accomplishing seemingly impossible feats
Bite-Size Review: An uncaptivating story with underdeveloped characters and problematic pacing
Rating: 2.5/5.0
*Thank you to Wunderkind PR for providing me with an ARC of The Queen of Days.
cakt1991's review against another edition
adventurous
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? Yes
4.0
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
I’ve never read Greta Kelly before, but I was drawn to The Queen of Days because the blurb mentioned “a flawed-but-lovable family of thieves,” and a comparison to The Lies of Locke Lamora. And this is one of those cases where the comp absolutely fits, while also doing its own thing.
The world is pretty interesting, and I liked the concept of time magic. But it definitely was more subtle, with the characters and the action taking precedence. And while I did wish the ARC included the map (the copy suggests there will be one in the final copy), I didn’t find it too jarring without it for that reason.
The characters are pretty fun. While I did think the crew’s relationships being pre-established made things a bit odd, as it felt like you should know them, I did like that there were those bonds to suggest a history between them. There’s a great balance between Bal, who is the leader, providing that sense of familiarity, and the newcomer, Tass, allows the reader to acquaint themselves with the crew from her perspective. I loved that Tass had this mysterious “Queen of Days” persona, and she never takes off her mask. I also was pleasantly surprised that the story didn’t try to push a romance for the two of them. While I obviously love romance, romantic subplots in fantasy are so frequently hit-or-miss, so to have one that focused on them as part of a larger crew of friends was nice.
The plot and pacing is another area it also shines. While the plot itself is fairly simple, it remains exciting throughout, and it’s fast-paced, keeping my attention consistently throughout.
If you’re looking for a fantasy heist book, a la Lies of Locke Lamora or Six of Crows, I’d recommend checking this out!
erinhawley's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0