REVIEW: The Queen of the Tearling

A novel by Erika Johansen

Magic, adventure and mystery combine in this captivating tale about a young princess who must reclaim her dead mother’s throne, learn to be a ruler and defeat the Red Queen, a powerful and malevolent sorceress determined to destroy her.

On her nineteenth birthday, Princess Kelsea Raleigh Glynn, raised in exile, sets out on a dangerous journey back to the castle of her birth to ascend her rightful throne. Plain and thoughtful, Kelsea is a girl who loves books and learning. Though she is inexperienced and relatively sheltered, Kelsea is not defenseless, thanks to the accompaniment of the Queen’s guard and the powerful magic contained in the Tearling sapphire she wears around her neck. Kelsea needs all the help she can get to navigate kingdom politics and survive efforts by enemies who will use every weapon possible to prevent her from wearing the crown.

This book was a fun and well-paced read. Kelsea is a likeable character whose combination of insecurity and integrity in the face of huge challenges is refreshing when compared to some other tales of pretty princesses seeking romance or a palace lifestyle. The Queen of the Tearling is the first book in a trilogy, and the second book, The Invasion of the Tearling, was released June 9.

— Maggie Mohr, Main Library, Charleston, S.C.

Find this and similar titles from Charleston County Public Library. This item available as a book. To learn more or place a hold, visit www.ccpl.org or call 843-805-6930.