Queen of The Tearling Trilogy Review

The Queen of the Tearling
Erika Johansen
July 8,2014 HarperCollins
Young Adult <Magic <High Fantasy<Dystopia 


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.

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.





The Invasion of the Tearling
Erika Johansen
June 9th,2015 HarperCollins
Young Adult <High Fantasy<Magic<Science Fiction


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 neighboring 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.


This series has been a long time coming, i have had these two books sit in my TBR Pile since last year and i finally picked them up. It is slow building, built on firstly getting to know Kelsea and having her get to know her guard and subjects and yet this is where i normally flounce but i was entranced and i'm glad i stuck with it.

It was like watching a beloved character come into her own through many trials, you really feel for Kelsea when she cringes at the thought of becoming like her mother. all the traits in  a parent that aren't great i'm sure many found themselves saying " when i grow up i won't be like my mother/father"

There are many characters in here that i came to love and too many to mention but i loved Lazarus (mace) Captain of the queen's guard and i especially like ( or fancy) The Fetch.

This series kind of steps away from  what most Dystopian i read has, there is magic there but not over the top and many characters has a form of magic but the majority don't really believe in it. it's more of only if i see it, i will believe it.

I don't know what else to say but the tearling series subtlety made me fall in love slowly then all at once, it's not the type of book i would choose to read. There is not that much action and when there is it's not over the top, it reminds me of historic T.V Shows that are made in the modern Era.

What i really love about the series is the love that most her subjects have for her, especially the ones close. They have come t form a trust that goes beyond duty and it warmed me, especially in the second book you can see the Dynamics changing and they become a little family.  The last pages in the second book has many favorite moments by Kelsea's court that made me cheer, instead of their queen doing the rescuing they rise up and return the favor.

I would recommend this to all my friend knowing it's not many types and it will take a while to get into it but i want to say stick with it and you won't be disappointed!