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A review by abbitha1108
The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
5.0
I just finished The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen, which was so much better than anything I was expecting. It was fantastic, yet gritty and unapologetic; it certainly didn’t gloss over the politics of royalty, keeping a firm grip on your crown, and the struggle of pleasing your kingdom. Despite the fantasy setting, this story was surprisingly real.
Without spoiling anything, I cannot rave enough about our heroine, Kelsea. She is a girl who was raised to rule, all the while being hidden away from enemies on all fronts. On her nineteenth birthday, she is smuggled back to the Tear and is thrust into kingdom riddled with corruption. She sees the trouble in the Tear up close and personal, and immediately determines to right all the wrongs that have befallen her people.
The remarkable thing about Kelsea is how completely unremarkable she appears at first glance. Repeatedly described as plain, and weighing perhaps more than what the nobles deem “acceptable,” the only thing we find interesting about her is her love for books in a world where tomes have become obsolete.
On her journey, she refuses to succumb to any weakness, lest her Guard or her people deem her unworthy of the throne. Her first act upon being revealed causes high offense to neighboring countries, for the sake of her people’s well-being. She survives several attempts on her life, including one at her own coronation. Her bravery and determination crop up continuously throughout her story, more so after learning the weaknesses of those who came before her.
Kelsea’s a heroine you’ll cheer for, and find completely worthy of admiration. The best part of this book? It’s part of a trilogy. The second book, The Invasion of the Tearling, came out earlier this month. 5/5
Without spoiling anything, I cannot rave enough about our heroine, Kelsea. She is a girl who was raised to rule, all the while being hidden away from enemies on all fronts. On her nineteenth birthday, she is smuggled back to the Tear and is thrust into kingdom riddled with corruption. She sees the trouble in the Tear up close and personal, and immediately determines to right all the wrongs that have befallen her people.
The remarkable thing about Kelsea is how completely unremarkable she appears at first glance. Repeatedly described as plain, and weighing perhaps more than what the nobles deem “acceptable,” the only thing we find interesting about her is her love for books in a world where tomes have become obsolete.
On her journey, she refuses to succumb to any weakness, lest her Guard or her people deem her unworthy of the throne. Her first act upon being revealed causes high offense to neighboring countries, for the sake of her people’s well-being. She survives several attempts on her life, including one at her own coronation. Her bravery and determination crop up continuously throughout her story, more so after learning the weaknesses of those who came before her.
Kelsea’s a heroine you’ll cheer for, and find completely worthy of admiration. The best part of this book? It’s part of a trilogy. The second book, The Invasion of the Tearling, came out earlier this month. 5/5