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A review by justabookishreader
The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I am pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this book. I'd been asking my mom to let me borrow her copy of the book for a few years in high school, and she kept saying no. Turns out she hadn't even read it yet. Well she finally let me borrow it, and I was so worried that it was gonna let me down after my hyping up of it in my mind with Emma Watson connected to this book and having waited actual years for the chance to read it and actually devote my attention to it. Well, it ended up being even better than I imagined. Right when I've been aching for some darker adult high fantasy, (the only true adult fantasy I've read has been Ninth House before this and that's an urban fantasy), this book ends up being way more graphic and mature and topic heavy than I anticipated, and I'm glad I had to wait til my 20s to read it. It felt like the perfect timing for me personally.
With the darker tone, I was also surprised to find some lines I laughed at, and while it took me a minute or two to sink into the book fully, once I finished the "book I" portion of the novel, I just kept reading. Also, I wish more books had those fictional fantasy historical text quotes at the beginnings of their chapters, it made me feel like the world wasn't just an alternate earth type of setting, but real, and like I was really a part of it. I also am so glad I got to read this edition, with its GORGEOUS cover and bookmark ribbon. Yes a book cover can absolutely completely change how I enjoy a book, and this one being so pretty just made me want to have it with me at all times. I'm quite sad to have to part with it this weekend when I see my mom, but I will be ordering my own copy and the last two books with it (and yes in these fancy gorgeous editions).
With the darker tone, I was also surprised to find some lines I laughed at, and while it took me a minute or two to sink into the book fully, once I finished the "book I" portion of the novel, I just kept reading. Also, I wish more books had those fictional fantasy historical text quotes at the beginnings of their chapters, it made me feel like the world wasn't just an alternate earth type of setting, but real, and like I was really a part of it. I also am so glad I got to read this edition, with its GORGEOUS cover and bookmark ribbon. Yes a book cover can absolutely completely change how I enjoy a book, and this one being so pretty just made me want to have it with me at all times. I'm quite sad to have to part with it this weekend when I see my mom, but I will be ordering my own copy and the last two books with it (and yes in these fancy gorgeous editions).