Sean Gursky reviewed The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen (Queen of the tearling)
Review of 'The Queen of the Tearling' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
Nearly four years ago I added The Queen of the Tearling to my to read shelf. I have no memory of where the recommendation came from, be it r/fantasy, a promotional panel at Indigo, or through a Goodreads list. Whatever the source I'm pleased that a simple click of "want to read" finally resulted in me reading the book.
The first book in a trilogy has typical formulas and beats to make. Johansen doesn't do anything unique, you get dropped in to a similar but unfamiliar world as the protagonist is thrust forward in to a situation they are not yet ready to embrace. What makes the journey with Kelsea enjoyable is that she has compassion, a moral compass but also the willingness to murder when it's necessary.
The reviews on the book seem polarizing. There are a few critical reviews that I agree with and point out problems I didn't acknowledge or see (like this one). I feel that the criticism is warranted and won't disagree with them, but I enjoyed the book and will happily continue with the series.
I do have a few other thoughts on the story though...
This is low fantasy but it's not. There are references to historical literature (Shakespear, Rowling), America but the world of Tearling is not similar. There are location references to New Dover and New London but Fairwitch Sea, Tearling Gulf and Cadare are new.
It wasn't until the end of the book that I looked at the map and it didn't help, I don't know where this world is. There was a crossing from America...to somewhere? This isn't information necessary to follow the story but at what time did the crossing happen, 1900's, 2000's? There are references to methods and manufacturing that are lost but expected to be relearned.
Unless something from our current world has value or use in the story I'm not sure there is a benefit to setting the story in a semi-fictional universe. I found that I was trying to decipher clues and understand where the story took place instead of focusing on the story itself.
Those are my minor gripes but not enough to stop reading. Onward and upward to Invasion of the Tearing.