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Contest of Queens
by
They say a Queendom divided is destined to fail, but for almost fifty years, the citizens of the Upper and Lower Realms have prospered. Separated by the Cliff with one remaining (and thoroughly guarded) bridge to connect the two Realms, Lower-born Jacs, the inventor’s apprentice, can only dream of what the land among the clouds holds. That is until she finds a letter from
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ebook, 219 pages
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This novel was one of the best fantasy stories I've read in years.
Jacs Tabart is a relatable lower-class girl who refuses to allow her potential to be defined by society's perceptions- a heroine worthy of a 21st century reader. Watching the character develop from a powerless victim to someone who is willing to stand up in the face of injustice felt incredibly relevant considering the state of the real world at present, and Jacs reminds us all of the power we have to make a difference.
As the sto ...more
Jacs Tabart is a relatable lower-class girl who refuses to allow her potential to be defined by society's perceptions- a heroine worthy of a 21st century reader. Watching the character develop from a powerless victim to someone who is willing to stand up in the face of injustice felt incredibly relevant considering the state of the real world at present, and Jacs reminds us all of the power we have to make a difference.
As the sto ...more

Want to read a book about a powerful queen? Looking to experience a rich fantasy world that answers the question; what if Disney's Belle inherited her father’s drive for invention and lived in a world that encouraged her to challenge herself and create?
Cue the Contest of Queens!
Jordan Bartlett’s debut novel flips tired fantasy tropes on their head by challenging gendered expectations to allow readers to immerse themselves in a matriarchal world full of adventure. The characters are dynamic and ...more
Cue the Contest of Queens!
Jordan Bartlett’s debut novel flips tired fantasy tropes on their head by challenging gendered expectations to allow readers to immerse themselves in a matriarchal world full of adventure. The characters are dynamic and ...more

Bartlett’s debut novel is a riveting story with a twist. What if women ruled the world? What would that world look like? Her imagery and ability to bring the reader into her masterfully crafted world is wonderful. I enjoyed both the inner worlds of Jacs and Connor. I retold the story to my 7 year old son as I read and he couldn’t get enough. He loved the balloon ride, the griffins and the cliff. At the end of the book he immediately asked me “Is she writing another?” and “When will the movie com
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Really captures that sense of whimsy and youthful ambition! The setting Bartlett has created is interesting, and is unraveled at a very digestible scale: you're never thrown off by the world being too convoluted, or the characters being innumerable - which are both common pitfalls of this genre.
Overall, great lighthearted read, burned through it in three days. I would have loved to read a full series like this when I was younger! ...more
Overall, great lighthearted read, burned through it in three days. I would have loved to read a full series like this when I was younger! ...more

A thoughtful twist on a classic theme, Bartlett's debut sets the stage for a brilliant fantasy world. Contest of Queens beautifully juxtaposes a charming, playful tone with moments of raw emotion and harsh reality.
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