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A review by the_chaotic_witch
The Vanished Queen by Lisbeth Campbell
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
by Lisbeth Campbell; 496 pages; 2020; 4/5 stars; 8.71 CAWPILE; spoiler-free
My, my, this book. Oh, this book. Now, this is the first high fantasy I have read in a while that I thoroughly enjoyed. This might even be considered epic fantasy, and from what I have read, this also counts as adult fantasy? Though, I'd say it feels like on the border between Young and Adult Fantasy.
This book is about a country ruled by a terrible tyrant and the rebellion that formed in answer to that, and I honestly, I never needed a book more. This had everything from strategic thinking to actually being driven by characters who had their own minds and personalities without just acting on the ~whimps of love and hate~.
We follow the points of view of three integral and very different characters who are all wonderfully fleshed out. Their personalities, as well as the world-building, are done in such a simple and yet effective way and are all incredibly atmospheric.
As to the writing, I might be a bit biased here because the audiobook has different narrators for the other points of view, but I honestly believe that each character had their own specific writing style and recognizability within that.
As I said, this storyline came to me at the right time and that I wanted in this particular execution for months now, so of course, the intrigue for me was high. Still, I think, even if you only read it out of curiosity, that the singular plot points would make you keep turning pages without thinking about it.
Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed my experience reading this, and I highly recommend it who wants a story about intriguing characters and a reasonable world while still being emotionally invested in the plot and the world!
(PS. there is queer rep in here!)
My, my, this book. Oh, this book. Now, this is the first high fantasy I have read in a while that I thoroughly enjoyed. This might even be considered epic fantasy, and from what I have read, this also counts as adult fantasy? Though, I'd say it feels like on the border between Young and Adult Fantasy.
This book is about a country ruled by a terrible tyrant and the rebellion that formed in answer to that, and I honestly, I never needed a book more. This had everything from strategic thinking to actually being driven by characters who had their own minds and personalities without just acting on the ~whimps of love and hate~.
We follow the points of view of three integral and very different characters who are all wonderfully fleshed out. Their personalities, as well as the world-building, are done in such a simple and yet effective way and are all incredibly atmospheric.
As to the writing, I might be a bit biased here because the audiobook has different narrators for the other points of view, but I honestly believe that each character had their own specific writing style and recognizability within that.
As I said, this storyline came to me at the right time and that I wanted in this particular execution for months now, so of course, the intrigue for me was high. Still, I think, even if you only read it out of curiosity, that the singular plot points would make you keep turning pages without thinking about it.
Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed my experience reading this, and I highly recommend it who wants a story about intriguing characters and a reasonable world while still being emotionally invested in the plot and the world!
(PS. there is queer rep in here!)