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The Risen Queen #1
Squire of War
Eager to live life on her own terms, Jess has made a name for herself Highrock Academy, where the most dedicated students are forged into elite warriors for the battles to come. Jess embraces her new life with fierce joy, valued for her skills alone.
Until she makes a fateful choice that costs her everything, all prestige and honor stripped away, mocked and shamed by the entire school.
It is only then that her enemies strike, determined to see her fall. But her fall alone is not enough.
A vicious trap is sprung, endangering Highrock and everyone within. Jessica's bitter exile then becomes a desperate mission to rescue her friends from hideous creatures of darkest shadow. Yet to save them she'll have to risk her very soul, embracing powers dark and terrible as she confronts the horrors of living dream, determined to give her foes a nightmare they'll never forget.
Until she makes a fateful choice that costs her everything, all prestige and honor stripped away, mocked and shamed by the entire school.
It is only then that her enemies strike, determined to see her fall. But her fall alone is not enough.
A vicious trap is sprung, endangering Highrock and everyone within. Jessica's bitter exile then becomes a desperate mission to rescue her friends from hideous creatures of darkest shadow. Yet to save them she'll have to risk her very soul, embracing powers dark and terrible as she confronts the horrors of living dream, determined to give her foes a nightmare they'll never forget.
- GenresFantasy
569 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 16, 2018
210 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 16, 2018
The author has implemented a fading-memory mechanic that's pretty frustrating.
EDIT: Unfortunately I have to drop this to 2/5 because the amnesia mechanic is so problematic.
The world is set up so that the heroine, Jess, (and everyone else, save the villains) forgets most of her important confrontations. Why this could possibly have seemed like a good idea to the author, I cannot imagine.
In effect, it becomes a perpetual outrage engine, because the Jess's violated memories permit her enemies to torment her at will, even though she seems to be the more powerful person. She is betrayed, and she forgets. Another character reveals themselves to be a dark-magician, and she forgets. She is unjustly punished, and she forgets. On and on and on.
The (much better) prequel is forgotten and may as well never have happened. I actually suspect that it is the artifact of a previous draft that didn't include the amnesia mechanic.
There are other problems that I would have forgiven but for the forgetting.
The dialogue is pretty awful: people don't actually speak in crazy compound sentences with passive subordinate clauses, as substantially all characters here do.
And Jess is too often frozen at the sight of horrors, resulting in choppy action sequences where she alternates between participant and shocked observer. She'll enter a room where someone is about to be sacrificed, e.g., and spend a few pages narrating the drawing of the knife, the screaming of the offering, the ranting of the evil priest, etc., before deigning to interfere. This occurs repeatedly, and it's something that I would be inclined to see as a learning experience, except that she inevitably forgets the experience!
EDIT: Unfortunately I have to drop this to 2/5 because the amnesia mechanic is so problematic.
The world is set up so that the heroine, Jess, (and everyone else, save the villains) forgets most of her important confrontations. Why this could possibly have seemed like a good idea to the author, I cannot imagine.
In effect, it becomes a perpetual outrage engine, because the Jess's violated memories permit her enemies to torment her at will, even though she seems to be the more powerful person. She is betrayed, and she forgets. Another character reveals themselves to be a dark-magician, and she forgets. She is unjustly punished, and she forgets. On and on and on.
The (much better) prequel is forgotten and may as well never have happened. I actually suspect that it is the artifact of a previous draft that didn't include the amnesia mechanic.
There are other problems that I would have forgiven but for the forgetting.
The dialogue is pretty awful: people don't actually speak in crazy compound sentences with passive subordinate clauses, as substantially all characters here do.
And Jess is too often frozen at the sight of horrors, resulting in choppy action sequences where she alternates between participant and shocked observer. She'll enter a room where someone is about to be sacrificed, e.g., and spend a few pages narrating the drawing of the knife, the screaming of the offering, the ranting of the evil priest, etc., before deigning to interfere. This occurs repeatedly, and it's something that I would be inclined to see as a learning experience, except that she inevitably forgets the experience!
June 2, 2020
Dark and intriguing
Despite having loved all of M.H. Johnson’s previous books, I was sceptical about this series after reading reviews that it was confusing, disorganized and all in all not a great read. However, though it is true that this story isn’t one I would recommend reading while distracted or overly tired, I must admit in the end that my reservations were misplaced. The plot follows a through logically, though it takes an admittedly convoluted path which nonetheless fits the theme of memory, dream and nightmare that the book revels in. I also found myself desperately wanting to know about Jess’ past. Her main companion Twilight constantly drops incongruent hints and knowledge about the heroine that Jess almost always brushes off with a strange nonchalance from near the very beginning of the book. My only issue and the reason I gave 4/5 stars was the fact that the book needs another proofread, as there are many minor spelling and grammar errors as well as some repetitions. The most glaring of these being the passage from Alex on Delving and the metaphor he uses about a castle, which is repeated almost piecemeal in two separate instances of the story. But at the end of the day, the book was great, with a dark and intriguing story reminiscent of tales of the fey tinged with a hint of Lovecraft.
Despite having loved all of M.H. Johnson’s previous books, I was sceptical about this series after reading reviews that it was confusing, disorganized and all in all not a great read. However, though it is true that this story isn’t one I would recommend reading while distracted or overly tired, I must admit in the end that my reservations were misplaced. The plot follows a through logically, though it takes an admittedly convoluted path which nonetheless fits the theme of memory, dream and nightmare that the book revels in. I also found myself desperately wanting to know about Jess’ past. Her main companion Twilight constantly drops incongruent hints and knowledge about the heroine that Jess almost always brushes off with a strange nonchalance from near the very beginning of the book. My only issue and the reason I gave 4/5 stars was the fact that the book needs another proofread, as there are many minor spelling and grammar errors as well as some repetitions. The most glaring of these being the passage from Alex on Delving and the metaphor he uses about a castle, which is repeated almost piecemeal in two separate instances of the story. But at the end of the day, the book was great, with a dark and intriguing story reminiscent of tales of the fey tinged with a hint of Lovecraft.
March 10, 2020
This story of forgotten memories seems more written to excuse the lost author. I am sure there was an idea at one point, but it was so poorly implemented that a start from scratch would have been the best choice.
In any story where the world is unsure there needs to be an anchor for the reader and the writer. Without any anchor the story will ramble about like a toddler making up a new tale of nonsense. The fact that names are mixed up by the author reinforces the failings of this story. In short none of the actions and events actually add up.
When I review a story I try to look at the growth of characters and the world they live in. With the way this is written there is no growth. There is something dishonest about a story that continuously wipes out memories in such a way as to remove all character growth. This allows the author free reign to meet deal with internal consequences. However without these consequences, what point is there to the story?
This book is a disappointment and I recommend avoiding it.
In any story where the world is unsure there needs to be an anchor for the reader and the writer. Without any anchor the story will ramble about like a toddler making up a new tale of nonsense. The fact that names are mixed up by the author reinforces the failings of this story. In short none of the actions and events actually add up.
When I review a story I try to look at the growth of characters and the world they live in. With the way this is written there is no growth. There is something dishonest about a story that continuously wipes out memories in such a way as to remove all character growth. This allows the author free reign to meet deal with internal consequences. However without these consequences, what point is there to the story?
This book is a disappointment and I recommend avoiding it.
September 13, 2021
Whole New Worlds To Explore! What Are Your Dreams Telling You?
I really enjoyed a whole new approach to fantasy. Don’t hesitate purchasing this series. It is well worth the money. You too will come to love Jess, the MC and her band of friends as they mature in their studies and martial skills. Just who is the General leading the HIGH HUNT? Boy, did this book have a lot of action, twists and turns.
I really enjoyed a whole new approach to fantasy. Don’t hesitate purchasing this series. It is well worth the money. You too will come to love Jess, the MC and her band of friends as they mature in their studies and martial skills. Just who is the General leading the HIGH HUNT? Boy, did this book have a lot of action, twists and turns.
March 19, 2025
Good start
Likable MC. She's coming of age at school, part of the Squires fighting bad guys. Lots of drama, great friends, and plenty of evil villains.
The one thing I don't like is the same sex relationships being portrayed in such idyllic perfection, it just doesn't work out that way.
Likable MC. She's coming of age at school, part of the Squires fighting bad guys. Lots of drama, great friends, and plenty of evil villains.
The one thing I don't like is the same sex relationships being portrayed in such idyllic perfection, it just doesn't work out that way.
July 25, 2023
Most importantly, a tale of people
This tale has a unique twist on magic and the world, it is at its core, a tale of people. You care about the characters and you care about what happens to them. That is what storytelling is for.
This tale has a unique twist on magic and the world, it is at its core, a tale of people. You care about the characters and you care about what happens to them. That is what storytelling is for.
May 15, 2018
Continuity errors and an extended flashback in the first chapter. Too much for me handle.
July 8, 2018
Another masterpiece by M.H. Johnson
If you like novels that grab you and Cary you away then you will enjoy this one. It's like crashing through twists and turns on a raging river
If you like novels that grab you and Cary you away then you will enjoy this one. It's like crashing through twists and turns on a raging river
September 3, 2021
An emotional roller coaster.
This book is captivating in its ability to dive from heights of awe to pits of horror. Wonderfully fleshed out characters, both heroes and villains.
This book is captivating in its ability to dive from heights of awe to pits of horror. Wonderfully fleshed out characters, both heroes and villains.
June 2, 2019
Loved this book! and the entire series so far
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews