The Queen of the Tearling

Let me start with, I thought this was a YA book, but after reading, I would change that opinion. The heroine is a 19 year old girl, but the story is definitely for an adult audience in enough places for me to issue that warning. That being said- I loved this story. It was heralded as a more serious Hunger Games, but this story is all it's own. Kelsea is the daughter of the fallen Queen. Her uncle has been acting Regent of the Tear. He has run the kingdom to the ground. Kelsea has been in hiding for 18 years. If found, many factions want her dead. As she comes of age, the Queen's Guard comes to fetch her from her guardians. It is a treacherous journey back to the kingdom and not all make it back. On the way she meets the Fetch- think of Robin Hood- and she strikes a bargain about the kind of queen she wants to be. As she finally makes it back to the Tear- with a lot of help from the Mace- she finds her citizens loaded into wagons to be sent as tribute to the Red Queen of Mort. Kelsea won't stand for this and released the tributes. This of course will start a war with the Mort, but Kelsea doesn't want to be weak like her mother or corrupt like her uncle. People try to kill her at every turn and Kelsea must figure out who can be trusted. The people of the Tear, however, feel like she is the True Queen, and pin their hopes on her. With forces working against her, Kelsea must make decisions that could cause her death. She must take charge and be the queen her guardians knew she could be. This book is filled with interesting characters and premise. The time period is the future with enough references to a past I certainly recognize. Kelsea thinks books are the greatest need in society, so she and I would be BFFs. Luckily for me, the sequel is out on Tuesday and will accompany me to New Orleans. Now, about a YA reader- just be warned of several adult themes and language. It is for a more advanced and mature reader. Happy reading my friends!