Peps' Reading List: The Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

The past couple of weeks have been crazy, with working on designs for the business, a family outing and everybody in the house getting sick. Which is why I'm about four books behind on the blog. I'm at least thankful that I'm not lagging on my reading, though I do have to admit that trying to write a book review when you have more than one pending can be challenging on the memory.

Kelsea Raleigh Glynn, Queen of the Tearling kingdom, is growing into her role as ruler. Aided by Lazarus of the Mace and closely guarded by Pen Alcott, Kelsea manages to survive her coronation and is widely accepted by the populace as their ruler. They even call her the True Queen. But there are those who are not as accepting of the new ruler... parties who do not wish to let go of their hold on influence or wish to gain a stronger foothold in the politics of Tearling. The King and Heir's jewels manifest even more power, even changing her in surprising ways, while giving her visions of a strange world and a woman whose story she experiences somehow. And even as she loses time to her visions, and her powers making her unpredictable, Kelsea still has an invasion to worry about. Her decisions to end the monthly tribute to Mortmesne and spurred by the Red Queen's wish to wield the powers of the sapphires for herself, war is finally coming for Kelsea and the Tearling.

When I finished reading The Queen of the Tearling, I could hardly wait to find out what's in store for Kelsea in the next book. The initial installment served to introduce us to Kelsea and the Red Queen, but only hinted at their shared continent's history and the strange nature of the jewels that Kelsea inherited along with the throne. It introduced a strange and dark presence who seemed responsible for the Red Queen's long and terrifying reign, and further solidified the mystery that is Fetch. It didn't serve to answer any of the bigger questions, only to ensure that we are on board with Kelsea wherever author Erika Johansen was going to take her.

Whatever I expected, it wasn't the mind trippy visions that Kelsea experienced for most of the book. In as much as The Invasion of the Tearling is centered on Kelsea and how she intends to lead her people in a war where they are massively outnumbered in fighting force and resources, she actually shares the book with Lily Mayhew, a woman from pre-Crossing whose life features in Kelsea's visions. Kelsea learns about the world that existed prior to the exodus that Tearling founder William Tear led his people on.

Lily's chapters describe a world where the stark difference between the rich and the poor is as wide as the division the inequality has caused. And a poorly chosen president has used the political unrest to not only maintain that divide and discriminate against those without means, but also return women to their 'rightful' place... as mere trophy wives who are only good for producing children, never mind if they obtained education or have opinions of their own. Being married to an influential man affords Lily plenty when it comes to material things, but in the world she lives in, it doesn't mean that it also affords her security from the abuse of her own husband. So, she rebels in her own way, taking measures not to bear her husband children and even helping out an individual who could very well be a part of the rebellion that their government is trying to quell.

There are times when The Invasion of the Tearling feels like a different narrative creature when the focus is on Lily's story, but Erika Johansen deftly brings Kelsea and her world into view time and again. Delving into Lily's memories provide a sense of urgency for the story, because Kelsea loses time while she wanders in fugue state as she witnesses Lily's life and one has to wonder if the payoff will be huge in the story given that it takes up so many pages. When she does return to herself, however, Kelsea comes back to readers vibrant and engaging.

Given the challenges that come with her crown, Kelsea has to grow up fast. While Kelsea's appearance has markedly changed due to the jewels, her insecurities are still prevalent, coloring much of her decisions, such as exploring a physical relationship and in dispensing judgement. Kelsea takes as many steps backwards as forwards, and it's interesting to see which individuals are able to reign her in or help propel her forward. You root for the great strides that she achieves, chastise her for her self-doubt and bad choices, and impatiently wait for a showdown with the Red Queen. God, I love this character.

With a war that's headed straight for New London, Kelsea has a lot on her plate. The Red Queen plots to further reiterate her dominance on the continent and obtain the Tearling sapphires in the process. The new leader of the church has a more extreme approach to dealing with Tearling's new ruler, placing Father Tyler in a position he doesn't want to be in. The dark one offers Kelsea power to help defeat the Red Queen, but the price might prove to be at the cost of Tearling lives. Kelsea in turn offers Pen a different sort of relationship. All the while, she wonders about the mysterious past Mace shares with Arlen Thorne. That's a lot, even if Kelsea has to share the book with Lily Mayhew.

The Invasion of the Tearling is markedly a bumpier narrative ride than The Queen of the Tearling, mostly because Lily and Kelsea's stories are different in tone and setting. When the story shifts back to Kelsea, however, readers get to enjoy the excellent pacing that the first volume of the book series offered. It built up to some exciting plot points that affect Tear both externally and internally. It got harder to put down as visions of Lily and Kelsea's realizations start to mesh together, and the buildup to the fateful meeting between Kelsea and the Red Queen made the feat of putting down the book impossible. I lost sleep because of those last few chapters... and that's huge when you love sleep as much as I do.

In the end, The Invasion of the Tearling accomplished what it set out to do... to make us look forward to how this amazing journey would come to its conclusion. And so, I wait in both anticipation and slight trepidation for the day I finally get my hands on a copy of The Fate of the Tearling. Here's to hoping that Erika Johansen gives Kelsea an ending that's worthy of a True Queen.

Happy reading!!

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