The Queen of the Tearling Series by Erika Johansen - Reading from 'The Queen of the Tearling (The Queen of the Tearling #1)' from July 10th 2019

[Shae]

Chapter 12 (view spoiler)[ Wow that was intense!! The cages being burnt! Kelsea’s necklaces being almost like they are magic. Then the red queens POV!! Who is that man that came from the fire. It’s almost like the red queen isn’t actually evil. She is just controlled by this man! (hide spoiler)]

[Shae]

Chapter 13 (view spoiler)[ I can’t believe Carlin and barty killed themselves :( (hide spoiler)]

[Shae]

Chapter 13 (view spoiler)[ oh Carlin! The comment to barty about kelsea having to hate one of them so she can walk out the door and not look back. Ahhh this is breaking my heart! (hide spoiler)]

[✨Skye✨]

Up to chapter 8 (view spoiler)[ I really like the way this story is told. I love Kelsea, she's very realistic and has such good intentions for the kingdom. I loved the moment when she freed the slaves and made her debut! Thorne is definitely the real adversary in this. The Queen's drugging of the slaves to sleep with them is so disgusting. Javel and the priest are interesting characters and I'm very intrigued to see what role they'll play. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

I know it's so interesting Skye! Normally I hate defiant rebellious MCs but Kelsea's just amazing.

[Shae]

Skye wrote: "Up to chapter 8 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ the drugging is sooo disgusting! I love Kelsea as well, I felt I loved her more and more as the story went on (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

So I still haven't finished... I'll finish tomorrow I promise, as I'm home at 7 so I have a few hours to finish the pages I don't get done at work. And then 2 days to read another book.... Hopefully that turns out okay.

[Maddie]

I've only got like 60pg to go, and have had that much for like 3 days now. But work's getting in the way.

[✨Skye✨]

Up to chapter 11 (view spoiler)[ I love how readable this is. It's quite slow, but I'm got getting bored. I think something must have happened to Carlin and Barty. I really don't know who the traitor could be out of the Queen's Guard, though I hope it isn't Mace or Pen, I like them! Thomas' death scene (presumably anyway!) is actually kind of sad seeing how he wanted to be good as a child and slowly became the horrible man he is now. I wonder just who the Fetch is. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

I wonder all of those things too Skye XD And I love the pacing of it. Maybe it's just all of the good character interactions that keep it going. I remember a lot of people saying the first book is really confusing, the questions get answered in the second one, while the third one's the best conclusion to a trilogy XD So I've got totally good vibes for the rest of the series!

Might be reading #2 next month. Possibly XD Don't quote me on that. I've got lots to read.

[✨Skye✨]

That's encouraging as I'd heard some very bad things about the last book! I've been putting this one off for a while because of that, I hate when a great series is ruined by a bad conclusion. I hope you're right because this could be a new favourite! :)

[Maddie]

Haha mine too!

Off to work a 10hr shift today :/

[Maddie]

Shae wrote: "Chapter 11 so I am suss on andalie. I just think it’s so odd how she was the one to not allow her husband to get in trouble when he was sexually abusing (well that’s what I assume) their daughter...."

I know! I'm so glad she did it anyway! Normally I would hate it when the MC disobeys her protectors, but this time I just loved her for it :D

[Maddie]

Shae wrote: "Chapter 12 [spoilers removed]"

Seriously reminds me of Melisande from Game of Thrones :p That was such a horrible chapter though!

[Maddie]

Shae wrote: "Chapter 13 [spoilers removed]"

I love them even more for it.

[Maddie]

Shae wrote: "Chapter 13 [spoilers removed]"

I know! It's so beautiful. Must have been really hard for her though!

[Maddie]

I FINALLY FINISHED!

Review: This book was just wow. I wish I could do emojis right now because I'd be putting so many hearts in here. It was incredible. I have no regrets at all about buying this one a month ago. It was beautiful, moving, gripping, suspenseful, both horrifying and sick, but all wrapped up it was one bundle of incredible. Absolutely nothing wrong with this book. The multiple POV just definitely added to the story, and the chapter with (view spoiler)[Kelsea dreaming about being William and Jeffrey's mother (hide spoiler)] made her so much more relatable when she returned at the end. The multiple POV just added that little bit extra that was needed to make the story that much more unputdownable.
Kelsea could be my most favourite MC yet! Normally I really dislike MC that think they're the best, that know everything, and that need their own way; ones that are rebellious and need people to listen to them. But with Kelsea, it was as if she had earned it. She just filled the role perfectly. She took everything in stride, things had consequences, and I really loved how she didn't abandon her roots.
The writing was superb. The world-building, the way things clicked and connected together, the relationships, the interactions. All of it was perfect.
The delving into other characters' minds was seriously worth deviating from Kelsea's POV for a bit.
I really cannot wait to see what Kelsea will do (view spoiler)[with Javel! And I can't wait for Thorne to get what's coming to him. Kelsea will deal so much shit to him! It will be fantastic. (hide spoiler)] I am super curious about (view spoiler)[the Red Queen and this black smoke dude? Wonder what's the deal there. (hide spoiler)] And I actually kind of feel like I need to go back and (view spoiler)[read more about what happened between her and the Fetch. (hide spoiler)] I'm seriously pleased I'm not sensing a (view spoiler)[triangle anymore between Mace, Fetch and her. Mace has fallen to the background just as a guardian, and I really appreciate it. (hide spoiler)] I actually felt happy inside when (view spoiler)[Kelsea was racing towards the cages and the Fetch's men joined her. I felt at peace XD (hide spoiler)]
This was much longer than I expected, just because I have too much to say! So pleased I bought the rest of the series. No stopping me when I eventually get to them! I have to say I really didn't think that (view spoiler)[her destruction of the cages at the start would be the focus of the story. I thought it would just be one of the many things she reformed. But I'm so pleased that she didn't just manage to change everything at once. It's realistic. (hide spoiler)] Review done :p Amazing. 5 stars without a doubt.

[✨Skye✨]

Finished! I LOVED this! I loved the characters, the setting, I loved how it ended with the prospect of danger in the 2nd book. There's so much that could be done with this world!

[Maddie]

I knoooow! I really want to read the second one in Feb if you're keen? Just not sure if I have time XD

[✨Skye✨]

Maddison wrote: "I knoooow! I really want to read the second one in Feb if you're keen? Just not sure if I have time XD"

We could do a slow read like this month and just read it across the whole month if you like?

[Maddie]

Haha I did the same with book 1 this month. I just have no free time next month sorry XD

[Shae]

I am keen Skye! I need to keep my head in this world!

[Maddie]

Yeah! Just no time :/

[Maddie]

So I don't have time for Invasion this month, but might have time to squish it in next month?

[✨Skye✨]

I'm definitely up for it :)

[Maddie]

Maybe xD

[Shae]

Ok awesome! I am finding it hard with time too and don’t want to do it as an audio! I want to savour it. Next month your on

[Maddie]

Next month or the month after :p

[Maddie]

And yeah couldn't do it as an audio, it definitely wouldn't stick enough. Audios don't stick with me.

[Maddie]

Also what date you want for Invasion of the Tearling next month? I'm getting full but it's fine XD We have a bunch of challenges we can fill with Uno.

[Maddie]

Starting Invasion in a little bit :)

[Maddie]

Actually never mind, changed my mind.

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date Changed. Restarting April 19th 2018. Happy Reading ☺

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[Andrea]

Queen of the Tearling (#1)
Chapter 1 - (view spoiler)[Very intriguing so far! I like Kelsea and I can't wait to find out more about this world, about what happened to her mother, what everyone is keeping from her, how she will survive.
I'm sure they have nothing else in common, but the way she grew up in isolation in a cottage in the forest, not meeting anyone until she was of age made me think a little of Sleeping Beauty, haha! (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Is that for Book 1 Andreea?

[Andrea]

Maddison wrote: "Is that for Book 1 Andreea?"
Oh, sorry - yes :) Editing now.

[Maddie]

No worries XD

[Maddie]

Just that we think we're reading Book 2 next month.

[Andrea]

Maddison wrote: "Just that we think we're reading Book 2 next month."
Hmmm, so wasn't the series restarting on 19th? That's what I thought from the April planned BRs.

[Maddie]

Maybe haha I don't really follow that

[Andrea]

Queen of the Tearling (#1)
Chapter 5 - (view spoiler)[Interesting how 'real' terms are used - Europe, London, America, Christianity - haven't read fantasy like this before.
I like it, so far. I like Kelsea and the plot is beginning to get interesting - let's see what the repercussions will be after she freed the 'shipment'. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

I love reading your spoilers! It's the little reminders I need before I read #2 XD

[Andrea]

Maddison wrote: "I love reading your spoilers! It's the little reminders I need before I read #2 XD"
Haha, I'll make the next one longer :D

[Maddie]

Yay XD More plot-points :p

[Shae]

Yes it’s making me excited for book 2! And I need refreshers for this world

[Maddie]

Yeah me too :p Pressure Andreea!

[Andrea]

Queen of the Tearling (#1)
Chapter 6 - (view spoiler)[This world is getting more and more intriguing! Is it actually based on our world, some sort of post-apocalyptic setting? There was a mention of electronic books affecting the publishing industry, but they are apparently back to medieval tools and life-styles after this mysterious 'crossing'. What happened?!
I love how fierce and righteous Kelsea is! I can see how she will make a great queen - her strength after being stabbed at her own coronation was impressive. She's also very human - I like how she almost hates herself for being drawn to the Fetch (but really, what sort of a title is that?!), how she's so disappointed in her mother, how she's still nervous and shy.
I'm very curious about the magic in this world (and her necklace) - not a lot revealed so far! (hide spoiler)]

[Andrea]

Queen of the Tearling (#1)
Chapter 9 - (view spoiler)[Ok, so this is definitely happening in some future fantasy version of our own world - they have Tolkien and Shakespeare books! I wonder if we'll find out what happened in the world to get to this point.
Can't wait to find out more about the necklace's power! It spoke to her (& killed someone...) and I guess allowed her to see through the eyes of a hawk?
I get the feeling this is not the sort of book where all the good guys survive and all their plans work out, so I'm a little bit nervous about the upcoming war! (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

I know it's an interesting mix haha.

I love the unexpected!

[Andrea]

Queen of the Tearling (#1)
Chapter 11 - (view spoiler)[Haha, Father Tyler - seduced by the Queen via books! I have a feeling he will be very valuable to her and he loves books - how can I not like him?
And I suppose Andalie is (was?) the Red Queen's seer? I really hope she's not some sort of double agent...but I have a bad feeling about her seeing the Fetch's face in Kelsea's thoughts.
Also, how can Thorne be so despicable? It's amazing what people will do for power and spite.
I hope I'm just being paranoid, but the fact that Kelsea saw the Red Queen's image in her pendant makes me think that this vision is a trap :( (hide spoiler)]