Book Review for: The Queen of the Tearling
Written by: Erika Johansen
Harper Colllins
ISBN: 978 0062290373
Avail: ebook, paperback, hardback
5 Stars
Long Live Queen Kelsea and the Tearling!
Johansen's writing shines as brilliant as an intricately cut
sapphire with her first novel, "The Queen of the Tearling." Set in a
futuristic society, the reader discovers a time and place uncharacteristically
backward, a feudal society lacking electricity, formal education, and comforts
including medical care. Tearling is a country under Mortmesne control, forced
to send shipments of slaves to keep the peace between the two countries.
It is into the world Kelsea Raleigh is born, heir to the
Tearling throne. She's marked by a brilliant sapphire that hangs around her
neck and a deep scar burned into her arm. She's raised by foster parents, each
given a certain responsibility to impress upon her. The novel opens with the
old Queen's guard finding nineteen-year-old Kelsea hidden away. They must
escort her to the capital so she can finally assume the position for which
she's been so carefully groomed – ruler of the Tearling.
The journey is filled with danger despite the loyalty of
Kelsea's companions, Mace, Pen, Carroll, and Mhurn. Kelsea confronts several
emotions: courage, bravery, hope, fear, loyalty, and the stirrings of love. Her
emotions and moods infuse the stone around her neck with a power she has not
experienced before. When she arrives in the capital, her first act is to stop
the shipment of Tearling slaves to Mortmesne. Now, can Kelsea despite her youth
and inexperience, keep her people safe?
Johansen effortlessly blends action, adventure and
characterization. Her writing style is easy to read and understand, especially
in light of the fantasy setting. There's magic, heroes, and villains
accompanied by despair, hope, and courage. I simply couldn't put this book
down. I needed to know what would happen next to Kelsea. There are a lot of
unexpected turns and surprising layers to this wonderfully nuanced story.
Consider me on the hunt for the sequel. I would recommend this story for
13-year-old readers and up. This book is thrilling from the first page to the last!
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