The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

It was on her nineteenth birthday that the soldiers came for Kelsea Glynn. 

They came to escort her back to the place of her birth - to ensure she takes possession of what is rightfully hers.

But like many nineteen-year-olds, Kelsea is unruly, has high principles and believes she knows better than her elders. 

Unlike many nineteen-year-olds, she is about to inherit a kingdom that is on its knees - corrupt, debauched and dangerous.

Kelsea will either become the most fearsome ruler the kingdom has ever known . . . or be dead within the week.


If you look on Goodreads this book has had some major mixed reviews, but I will put my hand up and say…nay shout; I beyond loved this book! I now can’t wait to get my greedy hands on the next installment of the series; I need me some more Kelsea PRONTO!

The Queen of the Tearling is a book that can stand all on its own and is a compelling debut book that makes you want more and more.  The main character in the book is Kelsea Glynn i.e. the Queen of the Tearling. She is a fantastic main character, and is one of the better female characters I have come across in a while, considering that lately a lot of books I have read that have had female leads have annoyed me to no end with no self-realisation or character growth through fairly good story-lines. Kelsea is 19 years old and is being thrust into Queendom through fairly large adversity, I enjoy her strength of character, and I love the fact that she is portrayed as human; she is quick to anger, and she has doubts in herself and in her image, haven’t we all? Especially at that age! Can you imagine trying to become a ruler at 19 with a fractured and corrupt kingdom and people surrounding you that want you dead? What I find particularly great is that although Kelsea is shown to have flaws in her character (being human) she has self-realisation and doesn’t let her doubts affect her or the running of her kingdom; she sees, accepts and moves on with conviction.

In this story there is only the slightest hint of romance, the storyline is more focused on Kelsea trying to rebuild her kingdom, weed out the corrupt, and gain the trust of her guard and subjects. If romance is what you are after, I have the feel though that this romantic storyline may build a little in the next book. However, who needs romance when you have a book that has a detailed characters and history, a complex and intriguing storyline that encompasses fantasy, politics and religion. I could go on to give you more details, but I won’t… Stop reading me and go and read this wonderful book! If you want a page turner with a great female main character, a compelling storyline that involves mystery and intrigues, a fight for a kingdom, magic and a little hint of a romance then this is the book for you!      

The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen, Bantam Press ©2014, ISBN: 9780593072691


★★★★★