The Queen of the Tearling is written by Erika Johansen and narrated by Katherine Kellgren and is the first book of the series of the same name.
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 the 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 kingdom's haunted past . . . or that its fate will soon rest in her hands.
Long ago, Kelsea's forefathers sailed away from a decaying world to establish a new land free of modern technology. Three hundred years later, this feudal society has divided into three fearful nations who pay duties to a fourth: the powerful Mortmesne, ruled by the cunning Red Queen. Now, on Kelsea's nineteenth birthday, the tattered remnants of the Queen's Guard—loyal soldiers who protect the throne—have appeared to escort the princess on a perilous journey to the capital to ascend to her rightful place as the new Queen of the Tearling.
Though born of royal blood and in possession of the Tear sapphire, a jewel of immense power and magic, Kelsea has never felt more uncertain of her ability to rule. But the shocking evil she discovers in the heart of her realm will precipitate an act of immense daring, throwing the entire kingdom into turmoil—and unleashing the Red Queen's vengeance. A cabal of enemies with an array of deadly weapons, from crimson-caped assassins to the darkest blood magic, plots to destroy her. But Kelsea is growing in strength and stealth, her steely resolve earning her loyal allies, including the Queen's Guard, led by the enigmatic Lazarus, and the intriguing outlaw known simply as "the Fetch."
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.
The Breakdown:
1. Johansen writes a fantastic adventure in this book. I adored most everything about it. From her world building to her characters, all were so well written and so well thought out. The world was especially intriguing to me. It seems to be set somewhere in the future, where people have made "The Crossing" from the old world, i.e. USA, Britain, and other European countries, to this new land. But in "The Crossing" much of technology and medical advances where lost to the Tearling, and they are essentially living in a pre-industrial revolution country.
2. Kellgren was an amazing narrator for this story. Her voices for each character were great, and she did an absolute perfect job reading the action scenes. During those scenes her inflections with the increasing drama of the scene really made the listener drawn into the action.
3. The character of Kelsea was wonderful. I like that she is described as rather plain, and that her stand out feature is her mind. She is smart and cunning, and tries to rule with a fair hand, even when it would just be easy to continue with previously set up convention. Plus the interactions between her and Lazarus were so well written. The characters obviously had great chemistry in a relationship that was almost like an older brother mentoring to his sister.
4. I like the fact that Johansen follows supporting characters stories when needed. They really add a lot to the story, especially the glimpses of the Red Queen. Her supporting characters are just as well fleshed out as her main characters.
5. I cannot wait to start the next book in the series. (Side note, I have to wait until April when I get my next Audible credit.) There are some many things I need to know still. Like who are the Fetch, and the Red Queen, exactly? Why are the Tear sapphires so powerful? Among many other things.
To Read or Not to Read:
Must Read
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