Title: The Queen of the Tearling
Author: Erika Johansen
Series: The Queen of the Tearling #1
Series: The Queen of the Tearling #1
Pages: 448
Published: Jul 8th 2014
Publisher: Harper, Bantam Press
This book was recommended as an audiobook by Sasha Alsberg on her YouTube channel Bookutopia and having struggled to find a good audiobook I quickly downloaded this one.
At first I didn't truly get into it but after an hour or so of listening I quickly became dependant on it. I brought it with me everywhere. First of all, the narrator of the audiobook is so good. She reads with such a soothing voice and puts on voices for all the characters so its really played out for you. I would fall asleep to this, listen to it when I did computer sketching on my course. All the time!
Kelsea is a truly strong female protagonist. She lives in a world which dominated by men, and the women who have ruled have either been vain and stupid, or sorceresses. But Kelsea is a nineteen year old girl who has been brought up alone by two servants, with a love for books and strong opinions. She will have her way, and although she will take advice from her right hand man the Maze, she will listen to her own voice. She is a good ruler because she questions her ability to rule. She is unsure and has to make hard choices but she is just and fair and has a love for her people. She reminds one of a certain Elizabeth Tudor.
Fantasy, I feel, is often set in a world inspired by medieval times, with a lack of technology and a love for royalties, knights, religion and a lack of technology. However, with the constant reference to 'the crossing' this book took fantasy to a new level. There were references to printing presses, cigarettes, authors that we know of today. In my struggle to place this book in a historical culture or society I decided to go with Victorian. Mainly because Victorian culture allows for romanticism, dresses and a historic influence. But it is also new to technology - hence a bit of steampunk. The sequel and the final book questioned my interpretation even more (everything is not as it seems) and I suggest you go into it with an open mind.
I am tempted to relisten to the book as it was so gripping and enjoyable. I also, of course, crave physical copies of the book, but this is truly an experience to listen to. Highly recommend. You will find that although this book is categorised as a YA book by many, it is actually in the Fantasy section on Waterstones and it is not for younger readers. It's quite graphic and blunt at places and covers some gruesome topics.
Plot Summary:
An untested young princess must claim her throne, learn to become a queen, and combat a malevolent sorceress in an epic battle between light and darkness in this spectacular debut - the first novel in a trilogy.
Young Kelsea Raleigh was raised in hiding after the death of her mother, Queen Elyssa, far from the intrigues of the royal Keep and in care of two devoted servants who pledged their lives to protect her. Growing up in a cottage deep in the woods, Kelsea knows little of her kingdoms haunted past... or that its fate will soon rest in her hands.
Kelsea's quest to save her kingdom and meet her destiny has only just begun. Riddled with mysteries, betrayals and treacherous battles, Kelsea's journey is a trial by fire that will either forge a legend... or destroy her.
My Rating:
9/10
Other Books in the Series:
The Queen of the Tearling (The Queen of the Tearling #1)
The Invasion of the Tearling (The Queen of the Tearling #2)
The Fate of the Tearling (The Queen of the Tearling #3)
The Boy (The Queen of the Tearling novella)
No comments:
Post a Comment