The Blacksmith Queen (The Scarred Earth Saga, #1) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Sep 17, 2019 Monadh rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, pnr, humor, adventure, action, series

Over the top crazy, yet achingly familiar

I am a great fan of G. A. Aiken’s Dragon Kin series, so I was quite sad when the author announced that she considered the series finished, especially as it didn’t feel that way. That’s why I am so delighted that The Blacksmith Queen, the first book in her new Scarred Earth Saga series, is set in the same world, but with all new characters.

The Old King of the realm is dead and his various sons scorch the country in the attempt to strengthen their position, Over the top crazy, yet achingly familiar

I am a great fan of G. A. Aiken’s Dragon Kin series, so I was quite sad when the author announced that she considered the series finished, especially as it didn’t feel that way. That’s why I am so delighted that The Blacksmith Queen, the first book in her new Scarred Earth Saga series, is set in the same world, but with all new characters.

The Old King of the realm is dead and his various sons scorch the country in the attempt to strengthen their position, each trying to gain supremacy. Meanwhile, Keeley is minding her own business, working in her forge, doing what she loves most. Although her father is a farmer, she has inherited her mother’s love and talent for working steel. So, she and her family could have continued to live a simple and happy life, if it weren’t for the prophecy that foretold that one of the sisters from the Smythe family would become Queen, a prophecy that puts her whole family in danger and upends their lives…

I love Aiken’s narrative voice, her storytelling is hilarious , and out there and often takes unexpected turns. Her characters are exceptional and ordinary at the same time. She can make the most outrageous circumstances and events appear normal. In think this partly due to her portrayal of family dynamics and sibling relationships that are at the same time over the top crazy, but also achingly familiar. Although most family members constantly bicker (and the closer they are the more they bicker), they always stand together as a family against any outside threat. There is the oddball sister, the crazy uncle, the strange cousin and Keeley herself, who is not exactly normal either, with her strange affinity for dangerous creatures, be they animal or something else.
Throw in a bunch of centaurs, elves, dwarves, witches and a cranky dragon, a lost treasure, spectacular fight scenes and hint of romance, and you have got the beginnings of a great fantasy adventure that will leave you wanting more.
Five crazily blinking stars, can’t wait for the next installment to hit my Kindle.

description

...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Oct 06, 2019 Marisa rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: part-of-a-series, first-in-series, biblioteca, romance-paranormal, romance, ebook, half-star, challenge-bingo_sos, 2019, 2020

★★★★☆

1 like · Like · see review

Dec 14, 2021 Michelle rated it liked it

2.5 stars. Story is okay, although a little contrived. The dialogue is really juvenile, especially given the fact that the MC is somewhere in her late 20s and she talks like a 16 year old. Her characterization doesn't match her behavior. It feels almost like fanfiction rather than a real, immersive world and story. Won't bother with the rest of the series. ...more

Like · see review