The Queen of the Tearling

"I was looking for a story that would sweep me away, and this is it. A young and courageous queen and a fantastical country that needs her. I like the characters, and I am eager to read book 2"

"This had become a very interesting seires. A dystopian world sent into regression by its own making. I got a few fairytale retelling vibes while reading. None that I was able to pin down exactly. I will say though that I agree with most other reviewers. The story isn't perfect but I could not tear my eyes away. Unfortunately a lot of things are kept secret from the reader. Yet I found the writing to be very gritting and enthralling nonetheless. There was also much political intrigue and not a hint of romance that people so often believe to be included because of a woman writer.<br/><br/>My admiration for the Tear Queen seem to grow the more I watched her. She did the right thing no matter the consequences. Yet people still seemed to damn her for it. I didn't understand this. Also her guardians kept her as ignorant as possible. How can you be expected to run a kingdom and not know its history? Also the religion of the story was so well displayed that it made me angry to see people use God's name to do their bidding. Goes to show with the absence of knowledge history shall repeat itself.<br/><br/>The sapphires were an enigma. Still even now I have finished the second book there is little known about them. The regression is further remarked upon later in the series but in this book you won't gain much understanding of it. I noticed that some reviewers hated the travel and adventure. It seems most of the time authors skip over the hard part of getting one place to another. To me it is interesting. The journey is more often important than the destination.<br/><br/>The story starts to open up with more povs as you progress. At first these extra glimpses into other lives annoys me, then of course I start to get attached. Although I was disappointed the author didn't differentiate most of the Guards. Except for maybe three of them the rest had nothing but names and appearances. No backgrounds or significant characteristics that stood out. Even finishing the second book this is still the case. I did enjoy the mysterious Fetch. And wow towards the end of the book he legit scarred me. Their are a few more characters I hope we get to understand more intimately. Like I said this is by no means a perfect story but there is something about it and I need to know what happens next.<br/><br/>Update: Since I didn't head anyone's warning I will pass it on to you. The end of this seires will be unfulfilling and will negate everything you read up to the that point."

"One of my absolute favorite book series! Could not put these books down! "

"Amazing strong female lead and storyline!!"

"I am pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this book. I'd been asking my mom to let me borrow her copy of the book for a few years in high school, and she kept saying no. Turns out she hadn't even read it yet. Well she finally let me borrow it, and I was so worried that it was gonna let me down after my hyping up of it in my mind with Emma Watson connected to this book and having waited actual years for the chance to read it and actually devote my attention to it. Well, it ended up being even better than I imagined. Right when I've been aching for some darker adult high fantasy, (the only true adult fantasy I've read has been Ninth House before this and that's an urban fantasy), this book ends up being way more graphic and mature and topic heavy than I anticipated, and I'm glad I had to wait til my 20s to read it. It felt like the perfect timing for me personally. <br/><br/>With the darker tone, I was also surprised to find some lines I laughed at, and while it took me a minute or two to sink into the book fully, once I finished the "book I" portion of the novel, I just kept reading. Also, I wish more books had those fictional fantasy historical text quotes at the beginnings of their chapters, it made me feel like the world wasn't just an alternate earth type of setting, but real, and like I was really a part of it. I also am so glad I got to read this edition, with its GORGEOUS cover and bookmark ribbon. Yes a book cover can absolutely completely change how I enjoy a book, and this one being so pretty just made me want to have it with me at all times. I'm quite sad to have to part with it this weekend when I see my mom, but I will be ordering my own copy and the last two books with it (and yes in these fancy gorgeous editions)."

"4/5 love it"

"This reads like fantasy but with references to our literature and culture, is apparently post-apocalyptic. How that results in our world becoming medieval, not sure. There's no explanation as to what happened, just continued mention of the Crossing. Perhaps that's explained more in a future book? They do say all the doctors died in a shipwreck which explains their lack of medical knowledge, although seems odd you would have them all on one boat and also poor planning that only fiction books seemed to have survived. And what happened to any technology? There was a lot that wasn't explained and again, maybe it's in a future book, but for now I just wonder why not have this take place in some fantasy medieval world? I mean there is magic. <br/><br/>I also am not sure where to place the book as far as audience--it's written very much like typical YA fantasy, but there's mention of pedophilia fairly regularly that makes it adult in my mind. <br/><br/>I did enjoy it, and liked several of the character, so perhaps will try the next book in the trilogy."

"It’s such a good book you should read it "

"I enjoyed this book. Plan to read the next one. It's the only one of hers I've read. "

"I read this book for the first time 2 and a half years ago. I remembered thinking that this was a magnificent series and I couldn't wait to read more. I wanted to revisit the first book again since the final installment has been released, and I must say it was just as wonderful as I remembered it"