The Queen of the Tearling
A Novel
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4.5 • 519 Ratings
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
“Call it The Hunger Games of Thrones. Erika Johansen’s debut novel is a genre mashup: medieval fantasy meets dystopian future. . . . The setting, combined with Johansen’s deft hand with character and plotting, really does work. . . . An addictive and enjoyable adventure. . . . The Tear is just as easy to get sucked into as Westeros or Hogwarts or Panem.” —USA Today
Magic, adventure, mystery, and romance combine in this epic debut in which a young princess must reclaim her dead mother’s throne, learn to be a ruler—and defeat the Red Queen, a powerful and malevolent sorceress determined to destroy her.
On her nineteenth birthday, Princess Kelsea Raleigh Glynn, raised in exile, sets out on a perilous journey back to the castle of her birth to ascend her rightful throne. Plain and serious, a girl who loves books and learning, Kelsea bears little resemblance to her mother, the vain and frivolous Queen Elyssa. But though she may be inexperienced and sheltered, Kelsea is not defenseless: Around her neck hangs the Tearling sapphire, a jewel of immense magical power; and accompanying her is the Queen’s Guard, a cadre of brave knights led by the enigmatic and dedicated Lazarus. Kelsea will need them all to survive a cabal of enemies who will use every weapon—from crimson-caped assassins to the darkest blood magic—to prevent her from wearing the crown.
Despite her royal blood, Kelsea feels like nothing so much as an insecure girl, a child called upon to lead a people and a kingdom about which she knows almost nothing. But what she discovers in the capital will change everything, confronting her with horrors she never imagined. An act of singular daring will throw Kelsea’s kingdom into tumult, unleashing the vengeance of the tyrannical ruler of neighboring Mortmesne: the Red Queen, a sorceress possessed of the darkest magic. Now Kelsea will begin to discover whom among the servants, aristocracy, and her own guard she can trust.
But the quest to save her kingdom and meet her destiny has only just begun—a wondrous journey of self-discovery and a trial by fire that will make her a legend . . . if she can survive.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Johansen makes an impressive debut with this ambitious fantasy adventure, which takes place several centuries from now following the collapse of civilization and mass migration to a newly discovered continent. The resultant society resembles medieval Europe, with modern technology all but forgotten, and magic is subtly present. Finally come of age, 19-year-old Kelsea Glynn must evade assassins and her uncle's nefarious plans in order to take her place as rightful queen of the nation known as the Tearling. Her first acts as ruler break a treaty with neighboring Mortmense and anger the unaging sorceress called the Red Queen; Kelsea rallies her allies and prepares for war. Johansen starts strongly, with a forceful, memorable heroine immediately thrust into a series of intense situations and forced to make dynamic, if overly idealistic, decisions. While the setting and backstory could stand further explanation and exploration, and many elements fall apart under closer scrutiny, this trilogy launch is still an engaging page-turner.
Customer Reviews
Great language of writing and just enough description for me
This book was one of the best I have read in a long time. The story truly made such an attachment between me and the characters, full of both love, anger, and emotion. I do have to give some negative points for the language, only young adults and up should read it if they are ready, it is the only reason why I had to give it four. But the reason I didn't give it three was because it is true that kind of language and violent behavior is used in today's world and we should stand against it like this protagonist does. I recommend this book for people who are mature enough to read it and I can't wait for the sequel
The Queen of the Tearling
I loved this book and hope the second and third books of this trilogy come out soon. It was great to have a normal looking heroin as opposed to the always beautiful one. I fell in love with Kelsea, and her complicated strength mixed with her insecurities and empathy. Loved her quick wit, and that she could "hang with the guys" comfortably. I couldn't put the book down. So much adventure at a fast gallop (pun intended.) All the characters were interesting, and many of the hard characters were also lovable, while some are downright nasty. And, Who is Kelsea's father?? We'll probably have to wait until the third book to get that information. I would recommend this book to both men and women as well as teens. Well done Johansen. SLN in VA
Interesting, Engaging, and mysterious
So much happens and the moments when you’re not holding your breath are few and far between; due to the amount of action. I enjoyed how she was able to create a new world using our current history with a Middle Ages Kung/Queen storyline. Everything about this book is engaging from the laws to the characters to the architecture and straight into the society…nothing is left untouched and Everything is still a mystery.