I thought I would hate this book. Yeah, thought but I was pleasantly surprised. Okay, it wasn't too impressed but there were some interesting parts in this book as well as intriguing characters. As many other people have said, it was a little too wordy. Okay, it was overly descriptive. Like it would go into detail about one thing and take up about seven paragraphs. Like I said before, there were some interesting scenes but in between those interesting scenes were wordy, boring pieces. The only thing to get me through those pieces were the interesting characters, and waiting for the next interesting part (as dreading there wouldn't be one). Seriously, the beginning of the story was so boring and I just wanted it to be over. The biggest reason why I am so impressed with the story was because I started it out thinking I'd hate it and ended up being almost interested. When you start out a book with negative feelings, it's hard to actually enjoy it. But I kinda did.
You may be wondering why I started it with such negative feelings. I heard it was romance free. Not that I need romance to enjoy a book, it's just most books I've read without romance or with little romance I found quite boring. (*cough* *cough* Maze Runner)
And yet I unwillingly found myself becoming slightly interested with the plot and characters. Well, more the characters than the plot but there's a little bit about the plot that I'm curious about. The two characters I found the most intriguing and dare I say, liked the most? Were Mace and Fetcher. I'm a little confused on the ages though, how old is Mace? Thirty something? and Fetcher must reallyy be old and who the heck is Fetcher?
I really appreciated the loyalty of the Queen's Guard. I found it very impressive. It was very... touching and cute how devoted they were to the Queen.
Kelsea was an interesting main character. She acted a bit childish at times but mostly she seemed like a good, strong queen. I appreciated how much she actually stepped up to her crown and how strong she was. Like during the coronation (if you read the book you'd know what I'm talking about)
I'm going to give this book 6/10 stars. It had an interesting plot that seems like it would get more interesting in the next book (as well as more of a romance in the second book?) I plan on continuing the series.
Synopsis:
An untested young princess must claim her throne, learn to become a queen, and combat a malevolent sorceress in an epic battle between light and darkness in this spectacular debut—the first novel in a trilogy.
Young Kelsea Raleigh was raised in hiding after the death of her mother, Queen Elyssa, far from the intrigues of the royal Keep and in the care of two devoted servants who pledged their lives to protect her. Growing up in a cottage deep in the woods, Kelsea knows little of her kingdom's haunted past . . . or that its fate will soon rest in her hands.
Long ago, Kelsea's forefathers sailed away from a decaying world to establish a new land free of modern technology. Three hundred years later, this feudal society has divided into three fearful nations who pay duties to a fourth: the powerful Mortmesne, ruled by the cunning Red Queen. Now, on Kelsea's nineteenth birthday, the tattered remnants of the Queen's Guard—loyal soldiers who protect the throne—have appeared to escort the princess on a perilous journey to the capital to ascend to her rightful place as the new Queen of the Tearling.
Though born of royal blood and in possession of the Tear sapphire, a jewel of immense power and magic, Kelsea has never felt more uncertain of her ability to rule. But the shocking evil she discovers in the heart of her realm will precipitate an act of immense daring, throwing the entire kingdom into turmoil—and unleashing the Red Queen's vengeance. A cabal of enemies with an array of deadly weapons, from crimson-caped assassins to the darkest blood magic, plots to destroy her. But Kelsea is growing in strength and stealth, her steely resolve earning her loyal allies, including the Queen's Guard, led by the enigmatic Lazarus, and the intriguing outlaw known simply as "the Fetch."
Kelsea's quest to save her kingdom and meet her destiny has only just begun. Riddled with mysteries, betrayals, and treacherous battles, Kelsea's journey is a trial by fire that will either forge a legend . . . or destroy her.