I had promised not to start a new book series until I finished the Chronicles of Elantra, and with only one left in the series for me to read (I still haven't gotten a copy of Cast in Honor) I really shouldn't have. But I just had to give in the more I looked at the cover of The Queen of the Tearling. Such are the perils when your reading app displays book covers every time you open it.
Kelsea Raleigh was born to become a queen of the Tearling, but when her mother Queen Elyssa feared for her life, she was sent away to be fostered by former Queen's Guard Barty Glynn and his wife Carlin. She lived her life in isolation under the strict tutoring of Carlin and the more affectionate guidance of Barty, where she learned about history and ruling a nation, but absent on information regarding her mother and what she could face when she leaves the forest they call home. On her nineteenth birthday, the Queen's Guards, including Lazarus of the Mace, arrives to return her to the castle. She learns of and encounters assassination attempts spearheaded by her uncle, the Regent Thomas Raleigh, and the unnamed Red Queen of neighboring kingdom Mortmesne. But surviving the journey to New London is merely a prelude to the challenges that she faces as the new Tearling Queen.
The Queen of the Tearling is aptly titled, with Kelsea and her struggles to become queen (and in keeping the title) covering most of the first volume of the trilogy by author Erika Johansen. Kelsea is an interesting narrator... one who dreads the day that her birthright would come to pass, but can't stop the undercurrent of hopefulness seeping out at the idea of making a difference, especially after years of not being able to do anything for herself aside from staying hidden and heeding the teachings of her foster parents. She's stubborn and quick to anger, but she tempers that with sympathy and the compassion that Barty instilled in her. She dwells on her insecurities in her plain looks and lack of experience or knowledge, but refuses to drown in them, given what's at stake for the people she is now responsible for. She's flawed, but a lead character you can easily empathize with and root for.
While Kelsea is a great central character, she isn't the only one to draw the interest of readers. Mace is a formidable creature, with his mysterious background and near legendary reputation not just in Tearling. His new role as the leader of the Queen's Guards is a boon to Kelsea, ensuring that she is surrounded by trustworthy people and dishing out less than lawful means to dispense justice when there are attempts on Kelsea's life. He is menacing, but earnest, in his service. The mysterious Fetch, a renowned thief who enjoys the suffering of Thomas, is keenly interested in how Kelsea fares as Queen, and one can't help but be intrigued in the few pages that he does appear in. Father Tyler is the unfortunate priest who ends up aiding in Kelsea's coronation, and is drawn into the politics between crown and church, even if he only wishes to read his books, a rare commodity in their world. Gate guard Javel has a small part in the book, but is given his own chapters as narrator, giving readers the viewpoint of an individual who has suffered because of the monthly tribute to Mortmesne and in feeling that he is a witness to history being made by the new Queen.
And the road to the literal and figurative throne is littered with adversities and threats. Her uncle wishes to remove her from the picture, hoping to be King and continuing the lavish lifestyle he believes himself to be entitled to, which leads to becoming political bedfellows with the Red Queen. But he is merely one of the political players of their kingdom, not even its best at that, with the Church reaping more physical rewards than spiritual at the plight of the Tearling citizenry and Arlen Thorne, head of the Census, profiting from his black market dealings and in heading the monthly tribute to Mortmesne.
Then, there's the Red Queen herself, who is introduced to readers in the few chapters she narrates. Her reputation is a terrifying specter for those who wish to oppose her or have suffered during her reign. Having ruled for over a century, there's much speculation as to how she is able to extend her lifespan. But she is prone to human frailties, mainly fear of Kelsea and her potential, and in coveting the twin sapphire jewels that Kelsea possesses. It was interesting to see the parallels in Kelsea and the Red Queen, however much readers are prone to hate her for her villainous role. Both women who rule over their respective kingdoms and subjected to overt or subvert discrimination, and both beset by their respective insecurities.
While the bulk of The Queen of the Tearling is Kelsea's story of becoming Queen and establishing her role as her people's savior, the novel doesn't forget to touch on its fantasy elements. The King's Jewel and the Heir's Jewel are artifacts of interest, lending Kelsea truthful visions and power that she must learn to use against her enemies. A dark figure aids the Red Queen, hinting at her lifespan's longevity and the power she uses to maintain her rule. And then, there's the history of their continent, a puzzle for readers to piece together as the characters discuss how their people came to establish the different kingdoms that now populate their world.
There is a fluidity to author Erika Johansen's writing that makes it easy to get lost in Kelsea's journey. She effectively utilizes the trilogy's length to establish compelling mysteries that would be explored or answered (hopefully) in the later volumes, giving readers much to look forward to as she further expands this strange continent that has knowledge (or a general idea) of modern marvels, but little resources to actually create them or enjoy their benefits. Many characters are easy to empathize with, and even those who feature villainous roles have stories that you will want to know more about the further you read.
There is a sense of foreboding in the series, as Kelsea's decisions are sure to bring war to the very gates of New London. Beyond that, however, is the sense that there are darker powers at play, and that they would heavily influence the outcome of the series and Kelsea's fate as Queen of the Tearling. And, as a reader, it's the best kind of foreboding to experience.
Happy reading!!Labels: Book Series, Books, Drama, Erika Johansen, Fantasy, Fiction, Reading List, The Queen of the Tearling, The Queen of the Tearling trilogy
