Have you read some good books lately? Or even great books? Well, I am pleased to be able to say that I have read some really interesting and absorbing books over the last week.

In my last Reading Roundup post, I wrote about how much I had enjoyed the first book from a series: Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen, #01 The Queen of the Tearling. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I simply had to read the rest of the series straight away. Usually, I read other books in between parts of a series, but this time I couldn’t restrain myself. I just had to find out what happened! 

I started to read the second book as soon as I finished the first – one of the advantages of reading ebooks. Anyway, here is the blurb for The Invasion of the Tearling:

“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 neighbouring 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.”

I found this second book as absorbing as the first! This is my response on Goodreads:

The Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Yet again this is a kind of fantasy and science fiction mix, with more of the latter this time around. It is difficult to write about these books without giving too much away! So, apologies if this is very short.

I liked the way that the plot revealed a lot more of the back story to the events in the “Present” timeline. We also found out a lot more about some of the main characters’ histories. Parts of the book seemed to move very slowly (the reason for the loss of one star), but most of it was interesting and often really gripping.

Our heroine is growing up and changing in intriguing ways and a lot of loose ends and developments have been clearly left for the third book. I was intending to read something different first, but now I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds!

Finally, I did also enjoy the feminist slant at times!

View all my reviews

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So, after that I had to move on to the third book in the series: 

Here is the blurb for The Fate of the Tearling:

“In less than a year, Kelsea Glynn has transformed from a gawky teenager into a powerful monarch.

As she has come into her own as the Queen of the Tearling, the headstrong, visionary leader has also transformed her realm. In her quest to end corruption and restore justice, she has made many enemies – including the evil Red Queen, her fiercest rival, who has set her armies against the Tear.

To protect her people from a devastating invasion, Kelsea did the unthinkable – she surrendered herself and her magical sapphires to her enemy, and named the Mace, the trusted head of her personal guards, Regent in her place. But the Mace will not rest until he and his men rescue their sovereign from her prison in Mortmesne.

Now the endgame begins and the fate of Queen Kelsea – and the Tearling itself – will finally be revealed . . .”

I had to discover how the author would draw it all to a conclusion! This is my response:

The Fate of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well, this book is definitely difficult to write about without spoilers! It is certainly a polarising ending to an interesting and unusual series.

I absolutely loved the whole thing, with its mix of fantasy and science fiction elements. These did jar a little at first, but by the time I arrived at this final book, I had become used to the whole idea. I don’t think I have read anything like these books before and am definitely waiting to see what the author comes up with next.

Now, I will have a rest and a long think about the impact this series had on me!

View all my reviews

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If you are considering reading the series, it would definitely be worth your time to read reviews from a range of sites. The books are “marmite” for many. There also appears to be a prequel available from the author, Beneath the Keep, so I may try that later on. I am going to return to a different book that I abandoned halfway through to read this series (something that I never, ever do!!!).

I do hope that you have a great week of reading!

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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