Links: GoodReads, Amazon
Genre: Young adult, Dystopia, Science Fiction Fantasy
Pages: 515 pages
Synopsis:
In this riveting sequel to the national bestseller The Queen of the Tearling, the evil kingdom of Mortmesne invades the Tearling, with dire consequences for Kelsea and her realm.
With each passing day, Kelsea Glynn is growing into her new responsibilities as Queen of the Tearling. By stopping the shipments of slaves to the neighboring kingdom of Mortmesne, she crossed the Red Queen, a brutal ruler whose power derives from dark magic, who is sending her fearsome army into the Tearling to take what is hers. And nothing can stop the invasion.
But as the Mort army draws ever closer, Kelsea develops a mysterious connection to a time before the Crossing, and she finds herself relying on a strange and possibly dangerous ally: a woman named Lily, fighting for her life in a world where being female can feel like a crime. The fate of the Tearling —and that of Kelsea’s own soul—may rest with Lily and her story, but Kelsea may not have enough time to find out.
In this dazzling sequel, Erika Johansen brings back favorite characters, including the Mace and the Red Queen, and introduces unforgettable new players, adding exciting layers to her multidimensional tale of magic, mystery, and a fierce young heroine.
Review:
I am not sure what happened here. Maybe it was a combination of simply waiting so long for the next book that i just expected mind-blowing amazingness and sheer genius. I was a little disappointed with this book BUT i will say that once i was done throwing my temper tantrum from lack of awesomeness the story itself started to sink in and grow hooks.
This is one of those stories that shifts back and forth between present and the past. We learn SO MUCH in this installment. It makes sense that it was so information laden vs story rich. No doubt in my mind that the next book will be as mind blowing as i had hoped this one to be because the last book HAS to bridge that gap between past present and future.
In this one we learn:
– how much Kelsea’s powers have grown.
– who the red queen is
– The mace’s back story
– VITAL information about the Fetch’s past
– I start seeing Kelsea’s power struggle within herself
– about pre crossing times
– about Jonathan Tear and his vision
– more about the magical necklaces
– MOSTLY every question I had in the first book (and chose to overlook) was answered!
– enter more delicious bad guys that also include snippets from the past
SURPRISE! This book NEEDED the flip flopping, which i don’t particularly like usually. I actually recall putting this down and wondering how i was ever going to finish it since it felt like the storyline couldn’t stay focused. I pretty much grumbled and complained about Lily and her story for about 3/4 of the book and was convinced the whole book was going to suck ass….and then i finished it and it was ALMOST perfect. *sighs* -Insert Romantic frustrated Sigh Here-
I found myself running through a gamut of emotions with this novel it wasn’t ONLY suspenseful but it was rather emotional and lovely on top of all the intrigue, mystery, deceit and evil.
Baby Got Stacks 