The Queen of the Tearling, Volume 1

Years ago, I saw this in an airport and made a note of its title, thinking it sounded intriguing (I wasn't about to pay airport shop price for it and likely already had at least one book with me) Years later, the full series has been written and I need things to read, so I order the first book. I was not too far into it before I ordered books 2 and 3. The writing was good - not tedious or too fanciful - and I was already invested in the characters and the story. I liked the fact that the author keeps you guessing and somewhat confused because Kelsea herself has such limited information. It isn't my favorite fantasy series, but I enjoyed reading the books

I was hooked after meeting Kelsea in the first pages! I didn't really set out to read this series. I simply grabbed it from a sale rack of paperbacks that were $.50. Once I started, putting this adventure down was simply not an option. I've actually read this book and the second, waiting on my copy of the final piece of the story. While I'm anxious, I know that I will be sad to be done with the trilogy! Kelsea is not your typical queen. She is not beautiful and delicate, rather boyish and harboring a dark anger that fuels her compassionate heart. She has inherited a kingdom in poverty and that is being taken advantage of by a shadowing, stronger territory. Kelsea is young and inexperienced, she only knows of the world what she has read from her books. Not one decision will be simple, all options come with their own set of terrifying consequences.

I absolutely fell in love with Kelsea because from the moment she took her crown she became the strongest Queen of the Tearling there had been. It's somewhat of a slow book, but you definitely get drawn in to the kingdom and it's written beautifully. The mix of politics with fantasy was one of my favorite things and there isn't an outright love interest so it just makes her an even stronger female. Definitely give this book a try!!