dragonwriter 's review for:

The Scorpion Queen by Mina Fears

5.0

adventurous challenging medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Mood: 😠😘🧐😱😒

Aime’s life was ruined when her sister blamed her for her own affair. Now, Aime has lost everything. Her wedding was canceled, she was disinherited, and she was sent to work for the princess, as an unmarriageable woman. Her betrothed, Kader, however, believes that she is innocent and tries to convince her to run away and elope, but Aime wants to make sure they can afford to escape his father and hers. She works hard in the employment of Princess Mariama, learning more of the trials her suitors face, and the high body count that the princess is indirectly acquiring. When Aime discovers her wages are being withheld, she begins to despair--until she finds a map leading to the treasure of an old god. Aime also discovers a legend of the god’s hammer that could make a man as impervious as stone, which would allow Mariama’s next suitor to survive the trials. Desperate to end the deadly trials, Mariama sends her two servants to find the treasure, but Aime ignores her order to stay behind and goes with them, determined to get enough money to live happily ever after with Kader.

My favorite part of this book was that it was set in medieval Timbuktu. It was such a unique and amazing setting! I loved reading about this period with this fashion and customs, even as it is spiced up with fantastical elements, like magic mirrors, sorcery, and “pagan” gods. Aime was interesting, having come from a middle class, commoner family who was trying to marry into royalty, then having to adjust to having nothing. Her superior attitude did cause trouble with the other servants, but she did befriend the girls. Her mentality wasn’t as quick to adjust as the rest of the world, and I genuinely did not like her parents for dropping her like hot garbage. Kader remaining faithful to her was utterly sweet; I really liked his dynamic with Aime--at least at first.

Aime and Mariama grow really close, and it’s obvious that they’re attracted to each other, though Aime is completely faithful and devoted to Kader. When they go on the quest to retrieve the hammer, Kader wants to elope with Aime, then she convinces him not to abandon the others, and he reluctantly agrees. All throughout the book, Kader is supportive of Aime and trusts her, but then he succumbs easily to the Empress’s spell, and at the end of the book, he basically breaks up with Aime so he can become Emperor--after expressly refusing it earlier in the book. I’m hopeful that he gets over it in book two, because I was REALLY disappointed this didn’t end in a poly.

Here’s hoping book two brings Kader, Aime, and Mariama together!