The Queen of the Tearling (The Queen of the Tearling, #1) in Freckles and Books

Dec 02, 2014 Kelsey rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy

I actually quite enjoyed this book despite the negative reviews that have been popping up. Many people have found the setting confusing and unrealistic but I thought it was ingenious and rich and different than anything I have ever read before. Johansen creates a world in which we can see a little of ourselves woven into the past but a brilliant look at a future in which we regress. Unlike most dystopian societies we see that have risen to an almost unthinkable level of technology, The Queen of I actually quite enjoyed this book despite the negative reviews that have been popping up. Many people have found the setting confusing and unrealistic but I thought it was ingenious and rich and different than anything I have ever read before. Johansen creates a world in which we can see a little of ourselves woven into the past but a brilliant look at a future in which we regress. Unlike most dystopian societies we see that have risen to an almost unthinkable level of technology, The Queen of the Tearling explores the idea of our society actually returning to the life style of the medieval era. Not only does it have that dystopian aspect to it but it also has a fantasy facet to it that creates and even deeper backdrop for this book.
The story follows our main character Kelsea (maybe I am biased because of the name) in her endeavor to retake her kingdom. I loved the political aspect of this book and discovering the inner court workings of The Tearling. While many people found it too slow, I enjoyed the slower pace, the relationships built between the queen and her guards, the magic and confidence that Kelsea slowly came to find within her self. I loved that Kelsea was so insecure and unsure of her ruling abilities and her outward appearance. While I love a strong female character, there is something to be said for the character development of a girl discovering who she is. And in Kelsea’s case, it wasn’t in a boy, but the power she found within herself. Not all of us are extremely confident in ourselves and no girl should ever find acceptance within herself because of a boy alone.
I absolutely loved the guards. They are such an interesting and dynamic cast of characters and the Mace is probably one of my new favorite characters ever. His strength and absolute loyalty is almost unmatched. Seeing how the other guards warmed up to Kelsea and to see their loyalty slowly change from her mother to her was so rewarding. I also thought the Red Queen was a great villain. She had a very inhuman quality to her that made her easy to hate but dynamic enough for you to question how and why she had become that way.
There were a few aspects of the book that didn’t quite agree with me which is why I bumped it down to a 4 stars. First, I had a problem with how Kelsea grew up. She lived in a cottage in the woods with Carlin and Barty who had been at her mother’s court. And they taught her virtually nothing. Throughout the whole book you see how inept her education was and yet many of the decisions she makes are usually as if she has had years of experience. There just seemed to be a disconnect between what we were told that she knew and what she actually knew.
Much of this book was also driven by the mystery surrounding pretty much anything and everything that had to do with the past. Every person has been sworn to secrecy and you learn practically nothing throughout the book. This made it hard to follow and slightly confusing at times. I hope in the next book more light is shed on how the setting and everything came to be.

...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Jan 21, 2018 Amy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

I still have quite a few questions & a couple issues w/the book, however I did enjoy it. I guess the flaws weren't so overwhelming that they outweighed my like for the book. I do have many questions that I had hoped would be answered by the end of the book. They weren't. My guess is that this is purposeful so that I will read the next one. It worked & I will. ...more

Like · see review