The Queen of the Tearling

By: Erika Johansen

Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren

Length: 14 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's Summary

Her throne awaits ... if she can live long enough to take it.It was on her 19th birthday that the soldiers came for Kelsea Glynn. They'd come to escort her back to the place of her birth – and to ensure she survives long enough to be able to take possession of what is rightfully hers.

But like many 1-year-olds, Kelsea is unruly, has high principles and believes she knows better than her elders. Unlike many 19-year-olds, she is about to inherit a kingdom that is on its knees – corrupt, debauched and dangerous.

Kelsea will either become the most fearsome ruler the kingdom has ever known ... or be dead within the week.

©2014 Erika Johansen (P)2014 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Critic Reviews

"I had kind of said I would never do a franchise again, so I was desperate to hate it. Unfortunately, I didn't sleep for about a week because I couldn't put the bloody thing down. It would be fair to say I became obsessed with the role and the book." (Emma Watson)

"The Queen of the Tearling is a gripping read with an enchanting heroine. Erika Johansen has created a wonderful world and I can't wait to read more." (Bernard Cornwell)

"Destined to be a fantasy classic. Johansen's writing is assured, confident and thrilling. I can't wait for the next book." (Amy McCulloch)

"A fast-paced and original fantasy, written with a confident and accomplished style, with plenty of intrigue and mystery." (Adrian Tchaikovsky)

From mouse to tiger

Brilliantly written story of a young girl, starting off unsure, insecure and clueless and we watch as she develops into herself, into her strength and into the Queen the world requires. There were moments of grief, of intrigue and fall off your chair anticipation. A worthwhile experience!

A must listen/read

When I downloaded this book I hadn't heard that Emma Watson had bought the film rights, I had a few too many credits and wanted some books for holiday so thought I would give it a try. This first chapter is quite slow moving but then it really gets going and I couldn't stop listening. You really get to know the characters they are so well written.

The only reason not to read this book right now is after you have read this one and the sequel we have to wait until Jan17 for the third and the wait is torturous!

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Good read

Way to read book. I liked the narration for the most part and feel the voice talent was better toward the end.
Already brought the second book!

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Loved it

Had just finished graceling and stumbled upon The Queen of the Tearling. I really enjoyed it and found it was very clear to understand. Can't wait until the next book comes out.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Really good book for any fans of the fantasy genre

Very gripping story, I got through it very quickly. The narrator was excellent for the most part, though I did find her slightly excessively loud and urgent during the crescendo moments. Very good quality recording.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

fantastic!!! Can't wait to listen to the next book

extremely exciting, a world that really grips you and leaves you trying to guess how it came about. Very likable characters. Katherine kellgren's narration was excellent.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

A magical, historical fiction set in the future

The story takes a while to get going, but once it did I really enjoyed it and found myself quite absorbed. Kelsea is a good heroine, strong headed and brave, but reckless and petulant, as you might expect a teenage Queen to be. I love fantasy fiction so the magical elements were enjoyable to me, but the odd setting of a future world where all current 'modern' technology has been lost or abandoned was a bit difficult to get my head round. Like an extreme version of M. Night Shyamalan's The Village. I struggled with the narrator at first, partly because every other audio book I've listened to has been an American and this one is a very posh English lady (I am English, but not posh). It fit with the tone of the novel once I was over the initial strangeness, and I found the narrator's enthusiasm quite appropriate at moments of action and excitement in the story. Overall I enjoyed it and will listen to the sequel as I'm quite invested in the characters now, but it's one I can imagine enjoying more as a paperback than an audio book.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Queens don't live long in Tearling, Do they?

Many were plotting to stop the young girl who didn't even know who she was supposed to be.
They had thought she was weak and helpless like those who came before her but she was determined and resourceful drawing to her unlikely supporters but will she live to stop the Red Queen and her allies?
A riveting tale let down a little by the Narration but you soon get used to the limits of one person narrating.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Badly spoiled by performance

This is a fair enough fantasy story. Unfortunately it's spoiled by the narration. For a lot of the story the narrator sounds as though she is shouting for constant emphasis, which is a real shame. It detracts from the overall enjoyment.

It also ends up meaning that there is so little distinction between ordinary narrative, and what should be tense moments that the whole thing runs together. Plus, the only way the narrator can make that distinction is to shout even louder!

I also found it was seriously headache inducing, and not at all relaxing.

To be fair, the narrator herself isn't too bad, and it's difficult to know if this is how she was directed to speak, or if this was how she decided to narrate the story. The few times when the narrator tone lowers and softens, the story is far more enjoyable. It's a shame that those moments could almost be counted in seconds rather than minutes. It also means that any change in emphasis with character voices doesn't work, as there is no way of altering the tone to make decent distinctions.

As for the story. It's hard to review without giving the game away, but it focuses on a young woman who has bern hidden to protect her from being killed until she can return and make a claim to be queen.

There is the clichéd evil queen in the background looking to kill the young woman. Yet somehow it still works. If you can get past the headache all the shouting induces then it's not a bad way to wile away a few evenings.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Wonderful!

This book is super, an engrossing read with characters I cared about from just a few pages in. I would recommend it unreservedly and am only sorry that there is only a trilogy planned for Kelsea, Lazarus, Pen et al.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Fantastic

Unique and Interesting storyline told by fitting narrative. I will be getting book 2 ASAP. Strong female character with a emotional and gripping plot. LOVED IT. Thank you

1 of 1 people found this review helpful