The Queen of the Tearling series - Erika Johansen
This has to have been my favourite read(s) of 2018. Three books form part of the series, so beware, if you aren't looking to be miffed about a spoiler, then perhaps skips to another review The first book that caught me hook, line and sinker would be the series namesake, The Queen of the Tearling which introduces us to a headstrong Kelsea Glynn, under the care of an aunt and uncle who were sheltering and training her for the day that she would have to claim her birthright as heir to the Tearling throne. Not your average 19th birthday, especially when greeted by rather dismissive soldiers (Queens Guard thank you) who don't really have much faith in her abilities to rise to the occasion given the flibber gibberty her mum was and of course, the death defying high-speed and super violent physical path to the actual throne. I savoured each page of this book, seriously. I loved that Kelsea was 'thick', stubborn and brave when we are all so accustomed to irresistible waifs. We also meet her infatuation i.e the Fetch - super mysterious and deadly in equal measure- who also rather indelicately states that she is 'too plain' to be his type. Kelsea put an end to the human shipments to Mortmesne as commanded by the Red Queen, and this causes her seemingly insurmountable issues, however with the help of her mysterious sapphires which have suddenly sprang to life after being dormant on her chest, Kelsea slowly garners the respect of her Guard and her subjects.
Thrilling read, truly
The Invasion of the Tearling, book 2, is where the Tearling defends itself from the the onslaught of war brought about by an infuriated Red Queen due to the suddenly stopped human shipments. The sequel of the trilogy begins in a way that see's Kelsea and the Tearling in the perceived weaker stance. Weaker, because she has less control over the events that the magic sapphires bring about - trances or 'fugues', that give her glimpses into the past which, in their gem-like wisdom, the sapphires are actaully trying to help her we find, eventually. Past events most significantly focused on the life of Lily in the days before the Crossing. Lily, who later becomes the wife of of William Tear and who Kelsea creepily begins to physically resemble. We also get more involved with the Arvath which is basically the Church, and meet Row Finn, the mysterious and super scary handsome spirit who promises victory with and extended hand, and doom with the other.
Darker, deliciously so.
In conclusion, the Fate of the Tearling pretty much will blow your mind - definitely not the end I expected and I couldn't decide whether I was super impressed or just annoyed and disappointed.We learn much more about the Red Queen of Mortmesne after Kelsea had surrendered herself and her sapphires at the end of book 2. Jailed by the Red Queen, who, is haunted by 'the dark thing, we come to learn that the sapphires are loyal to the Tear line and only work for Kelsea - the true queen. We also find out that while the first sapphire belonged to William Tear, the second was the creation of Row, who, in his rather ghostly form, would rather much like his gem back. Commanding an army of zombie kids that he'd stolen, killed and somehow convinced he is their daddy, he becomes a formidable enemy to Kelsea as well. .Her trances continue all the way through William Tears death, Lily s death and the fall of the better world, the dream of Tear's Blue Horizon.
If I were to rate these books, it would 5 stars each for book 1 & 2 simply for being so addictive & engrossing, and 5 stars for the last book of the trilogy mainly because no one could see that coming...
