Book Review: The Fate of the Tearling by Erika Johansen #bookreview #fateofthetearling

Book Review for: The Fate of the Tearling

Written by: Erika Johansen

Harper Collins Publishers

ISBN: 978-0-06-229042-7

I read: the hardback

5 Stars

Epic!!

Johansen pens a stunning conclusion to the Tearling series

with “The Fate of the Tearling.” Set in a dystopian future, the

Tearling is being attacked from all sides. Mortmesne threatens

 invasion, the Arvath has hired mercenaries, and the Orphan

sets his vampiric children on an unsuspecting populace.

Kelsea Glynn, The Queen of the Tearling, finds herself in a

Mortmesne dungeon unable to protect her people from danger.

The Mace, her regent, is torn between saving her and protecting

the Tearling. A surprise alley, Evenly Raleigh, seeks out

Kelsea to bring peace to the Tearling and Mortmesne as the

Orphan grows in power.

As in “Invasion of the Tearling,” Kelsea continues to have

fugues due to the influence of her sapphires. This time she

discovers Katie Rice’s story and learns how Katie’s past has

helped to shape Kelsea’s Tearling. Secret after secret unravels

 leaving Kelsea to reconcile past, present, and future. Can

Kelsea save the Tearling, or will her future crumble between

her fingers?

Johansen pens a thrilling end to the Tearling series. Her

writing style is easy to read. Plot, pacing, and

characterization are well balanced. Johansen’s ability to

make the Queen of Mortmesne a sympathetic character, and

the Orphan deliciously evil, deliver an excellent read. The

ending was hopeful, despite Kelsea’s personal losses, and I

thought the story came full circle as Carlin, who was such

an influential and haunting presence in Kelsea’s life, reached out 

to Kelsea in the end.

 I simply couldn’t put this book down. “The Fate of the

Tearling” will leave the reader breathless with every chapter

that is devoured.

Book Review: The Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen #bookreview #queenofthetearling

Book Review for: The Invasion of the Tearling

Written by: Erika Johansen

Harper Collins

ISBN: 978-0-06-229039-7

I read: the hardback

5 Stars

Riveting storytelling!

Johansen pens an enthralling sequel with "The Invasion of the Tearling." Kelsea's kingdom is invaded by the Mort, and she must master her power and secrets or the Tear will die.

Picking up where book one leaves off, Kelsea is preparing for invasion. While this is heavy on her mind so are other matters - the Arvath and their greed, her emotional growing pains, and her struggles to teach herself the power of her sapphires. Secrets, too, threaten to undermine her. Who really is the red queen? What is the Fetch trying to atone for, and why does Row Finn need forgiveness?

Johansen's writing is easy to read and she's a master at dropping clues. It's the reader's job to put them together. The plot pushes forward like a locomotive, unable to hold back.

The characterization is spot on, depicting Kelsea's triumphs, and emotional struggles with the darkness from the stones that threatens to engulf her. The supporting cast each have stories that tug on the reader's heartstrings.

Invasion of the Tearling is a fictional fantasy novel that I would recommend for 18 years old and up for strong language, drug use, and sexual situations. It's a fantastic read, completely riveting, and will leave the reader breathless. I couldn't stop turning the pages!

Long Live Queen Kelsea! Book Review for Queen of the Tearling #bookreview #queenofthetearling

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!

Question: What was the most recent book you read that you gave a 5 Star Review to?