Queen of the Tearling (Johansen)

The Queen of the Tearling  (Queen of the Tearling Series, 1)
Erika Johansen, 2014
HarperCollins
448 pp.
ISBN-13: 9780062290366


Summary
Magic, adventure, mystery, and romance combine in this epic debut in which a young princess 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 perilous journey back to the castle of her birth to ascend her rightful throne. Plain and serious, a girl who loves books and learning, Kelsea bears little resemblance to her mother, the vain and frivolous Queen Elyssa.

But though she may be inexperienced and sheltered, Kelsea is not defenseless: Around her neck hangs the Tearling sapphire, a jewel of immense magical power; and accompanying her is the Queen’s Guard, a cadre of brave knights led by the enigmatic and dedicated Lazarus. Kelsea will need them all to survive a cabal of enemies who will use every weapon—from crimson-caped assassins to the darkest blood magic—to prevent her from wearing the crown.

Despite her royal blood, Kelsea feels like nothing so much as an insecure girl, a child called upon to lead a people and a kingdom about which she knows almost nothing. But what she discovers in the capital will change everything, confronting her with horrors she never imagined.

An act of singular daring will throw Kelsea’s kingdom into tumult, unleashing the vengeance of the tyrannical ruler of neighboring Mortmesne: the Red Queen, a sorceress possessed of the darkest magic. Now Kelsea will begin to discover whom among the servants, aristocracy, and her own guard she can trust.

But the quest to save her kingdom and meet her destiny has only just begun—a wondrous journey of self-discovery and a trial by fire that will make her a legend . . . if she can survive. (From the publisher.)

This is the first book of the series. The second is The Invasion of the Tearling, and the third is The Fate of the Tearling is the third.

Author Bio
Erika Johansen grew up and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. She went to Swarthmore College, earned an MFA from the Iowa Writers' Workshop, and eventually became an attorney, but she never stopped writing. (From the publisher.)

Read Erika's Buzzfeed article: Why We Need "Ugly" Heroines

Book Reviews
[A]n addictive and enjoyable adventure. Once you accept that sword and sorcery will be intermingled with references to electronics and books from the 20th century, the Tear is just as easy to get sucked into as Westeros or Hogwarts or Panem. Johansen may have created a complex kingdom, but you'll never feel lost in it.
Kelly Lawler - USA Today


Johansen starts strongly, with a forceful, memorable heroine...forced to make dynamic, if overly idealistic, decisions. While the setting and backstory could stand further explanation..., and many elements fall apart under closer scrutiny, this trilogy launch is still an engaging page-turner.
Publishers Weekly


[A] solid fantasy that doesn't stray very far from the traditional playbook. Intriguing references to a "great crossing" that happened 2,000 years ago and led to the immigrants' civilization losing access to higher technology could.... The novel does have a strong heroine...[and a] movie is already in the works with Emma Watson set to star.
Library Journal


Following the death of her mother, the queen, when she was just a toddler, Princess Kelsea has been raised in exile by foster parents. On her nineteenth birthday, it is time for her to take her rightful place as ruler.... This is book one in a series and, as befits a series starter, there are a great many unanswered questions looming despite the moment of triumph upon which the book concludes (Ages 15 to 18). — Sherrie Williams
VOYA


(Starred review.) In an impressive start to a series, Johansen expertly incorporates magic necklaces, political intrigue, questions of honor, well-drawn characters, and a bit of mystery into a compelling and empowering story. As much is (understandably) left unexplained, it will be interesting to see where future installments take this series. —Kerri Price
Booklist


Chick lit meets swords and sorcery in the perfect commodity for a hot demographic. But is it art? Debut novelist Johansen turns in a fantasy novel that’s derivative of Tolkien, as so many books in the genre are—it’s got its merry band of warriors, its struggle for a throne that has a long and tangled history, its battle for good and evil.... A middling Middle Earth–ian yarn.
Kirkus Reviews

Discussion Questions
1. Often in mythic tales the hero is separated from his or her parents and raised by another. What is significant about this element of the story?

2. Consider Kelsea's foster parents, Carlin and Barty. What does each contribute to her development and character?

3. A number of times Kelsea laments her isolation growing up, her not having siblings or close friends. How might this affect her behavior once she returns to the Keep?

4. Mace is a complex and mysterious character. What essential qualities does he possess? What kind of life experience might have formed these?

5. Kelsea is clearly drawn to the Fetch, despite his criminal and even violent ways. What does she see in him? How can a person who does such morally questionable things still be likable?

6. Kelsea is often said to have an "ungovernable temper." What might be the source of this anger? How does it serve her throughout the novel?

7. For much of her life, Kelsea idealizes her estranged mother, Queen Elyssa, but then finds her to be a flawed person. How does this affect Kelsea’s character?

8. It is said that Queen Elyssa wasn't evil but was weak. How are these different?

9. What is the significance of Kelsea's dreams and nightmares?

10. An epigraph from THE ARVATH ARCHIVE suggests that often, true heroic deeds are done in secret. What does such secrecy add? How might this be important to contemporary times of social media?

11. Much is made throughout the novel of Kelsea's "plain" appearance. What various effects might this lack of physical beauty have on her as a person and as a queen?

12. Consider the term "fey," seeing one's own death and exalting in it. How is it important to an understanding of Kelsea?

13. Javel assists the brutal work of Arlen Thorne as a way to possibly be reunited with Allie, his love lost to the slave trade. Does this justify his involvement? How would you describe his character?

14. Kelsea admits that Andalie possesses the qualities of a queen perhaps more than she does. What might she mean?

15. What's important about Marguerite, Thomas' beautiful slave freed by Kelsea?

16. Why is Kelsea so enamored of books and the idea of creating a new library, building a new printing press?

17. Kelsea experiences three wounds throughout the story to add to her burn scar. What's significant about these marks?

18. What do you think is next for the Queen of the Tearling?
(Questions issued by the publisher.)

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