Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

Series: The Queen of the Tearling

Genre: Fantasy

Age Group: Adult

Published: June 2016 (Harper)

Hardcover - 515 pages

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Rating: 4/5 

Trigger Warnings: Abusive relationships (physical & sexual)

Kelsea Glynn is the Queen of the Tearling. Despite her youth, she has quickly asserted herself as a fair, just and powerful ruler.

However, power is a double-edged sword, and small actions can have grave consequences. In trying to do what is right - stopping a vile trade in humankind - Kelsea has crossed the Red Queen, a ruthless monarch whose rule is bound with dark magic and the spilling of blood. The Red Queen's armies are poised to invade the Tearling, and it seems nothing can stop them.

Though I've knocked a star off of my rating, I don't want it to appear as if I didn't enjoy this book. I still love this series. I adore the characters and I'm anxious to read the final book. However, I didn't wholeheartedly love this book the way I did book one. There were just a few issues I want to point out.

In the first book I thought Kelsea made some rash decisions, but none of them were outrageous and I believed them. In this second book a few of her decisions seemed wild even after Kelsea was established as a risk taker. It pulled me out of the story to question her actions and how daring (and sometimes stupid) I believed her to be.

Johansen took a really interesting approach to the history of this world and I really appreciated how we learned about the past. I was skeptical at first, but the new perspective that was introduced really grew on me. When I was reading Kelsea's chapters I was just as, if not more, anxious to get back to the other perspective because Johansen left on a lot of cliff-hangers in those chapters.  Also I found these sections especially chilling because of the recent political climate.

Overall I really enjoyed this installment. It was a strong second book and, though the plot moved forward slowly, it didn't suffer from second book syndrome. These was a lot of world building and essential plot points I had questioned in the first book. I am anxious to see how this will wrap up because I still feel like we have a long way to go.

My Last Review ----> Stray by Rachel Vincent

Review - Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

Series: Queen of the Tearling #1

Genre: High Fantasy

Age Group: Young Adult

Source: Overdrive Borrow

Published: July 2014

Audiobook 

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Rating 5/5 

Young Kelsea Raleigh was raised in hiding after the death of her mother, Queen Elyssa, far from the intrigues of the royal Keep and in the care of two devoted servants who pledged their lives to protect her. Growing up in a cottage deep in the woods, Kelsea knows little of her kingdom's haunted past . . . or that its fate will soon rest in her hands.

Long ago, Kelsea's forefathers sailed away from a decaying world to establish a new land free of modern technology. Three hundred years later, this feudal society has divided into three fearful nations who pay duties to a fourth: the powerful Mortmesne, ruled by the cunning Red Queen. Now, on Kelsea's nineteenth birthday, the tattered remnants of the Queen's Guard—loyal soldiers who protect the throne—have appeared to escort the princess on a perilous journey to the capital to ascend to her rightful place as the new Queen of the Tearling.


Though born of royal blood and in possession of the Tear sapphire, a jewel of immense power and magic, Kelsea has never felt more uncertain of her ability to rule. But the shocking evil she discovers in the heart of her realm will precipitate an act of immense daring, throwing the entire kingdom into turmoil—and unleashing the Red Queen's vengeance.

This story was incredible. It totally took me by surprise since I had started this book several times but failed to read beyond 50 pages. This time I borrowed the audiobook from my local library and fell into the story. The narrator was one of the most dynamic and engaging readers I've come across. She made the story come alive and had my heart racing at many intense points.

Throughout the novel the story was a delightful mix of action and political strategy. Kelsea grew on me throughout the book and I am very very attached to her. She made tough decisions. She was impulsive at times and made mistakes. However, she acted and ruled like a sheltered nineteen-year-old which was exactly what she was. I loved it. Her story felt authentic and realistic. I was glued to this audiobook.

Mace and the other side characters were also very interesting and I can't wait to find out more of the background of this kingdom. Of course, I am very interested to see who Kelsea's father is and more about the history of the other kingdoms. Johansen built a very interesting world and I am dying with curiosity to discover more of its secrets.

Overall, this was well written and well read. I have already borrowed book two and am glad all three books are available for me to devour.

Happy Reading