Sarah Kozloff

I read 3/4 of this book, at a painstakingly sluggish pace, before I finally decided to stop forcing myself to continue. Reasons why? 1) The pacing is completely wonky, and from skimming the rest of the book, it doesn't appear to improve. 2) So. Many. Characters. Even the "cheat sheet" at the back of the book didn't do much to clear up my confusion, especially when the perspective is constantly shifting. (It reminded me of Russian literature, with all of its endless characters and their countless nicknames. *shudders*) 3) It seems unnecessarily long, especially considering it's the first book of a QUARTET. I'm going to give the author a break on this one though, as an editor could have helped with this. 4) It's very much a politics-themed book. In all fairness, this is something I have to be in the mood to read even in fantasy books, so it's more of a personal issue rather than a fault of the book. 5) Inconsistencies abound... Why does Cerulia first get called Chickadee, and then Wren? Wouldn't it have been easier just to pick one and use it in both scenarios? Why does Cerulia have an insta-bond/friendship with Percia but Percia is constantly just part of the background without much dialogue or purpose? (Maybe she's more important in the other books...?) I could go on, but it's just too frustrating.

Needless to say, I will not be continuing to read this series, but I hope that the rest is enjoyable for those who like this first installment.… (plus d'informations)

The Queen of Raiders (The Nine Realms,#2)
Sarah Kozloff

4.5 Stars

The Queen of Raiders, book #2 in the Nine Realms epic fantasy series by Sarah Kozloff, directly follows where A Queen in Hiding ends. Multiple storylines following our characters unfold simultaneously but weave their way together detailing an epic fantasy that is vivid, enthralling, and invigorating.

The princella, Cérulia of Weirandale is still on the run from the Lord Regent Matwyck. After leaving her home she makes her way to Slagos, in The Green Isles where the spirit of life force, Vertia, calls home. As she sheds her identity as Wren, Cérulia begins to make friends, strengthen her Talent, and develop her plans to reclaim the throne. Her stop is only temporary, as her path is destined to cross with others.

Across the sea, the Oromondo continue to occupy the Free States. The resistance group of raiders led by Thalen continue to have minor successes against the “Oros”, but they are still losing the war. While Thalen might not have been born a natural fighter or leader, his love of learning prepared him as a well-equipped strategist, and paired with his desperate desire to rescue his country, he plots a grand plan to remove the Oros from the Free States for good.

The Queen of Raiders is filled with action, intrigue, humor, and heartbreak. Kozloff’s characters are slowly developing and growing more and more each novel. Our original investment in their destinies that we gained in book #1 is rewarded in The Queen of Raiders. By watching their success and failures, questioning their choices, and following their paths as the suffer and rejoice together we watch them grow and only become more entranced in their stories.

It is not often that book #2 in a series can match the strength of it predecessor; however, Kozloff delivers everything and more in book #2. All the things that makes a fantasy series truly epic, were touched upon in this book. From the conflicts, the world building, the mistakes, the budding romances, the action, the victories and losses, the emotions, the pacing, the intertwining storylines, and the character development. Every box was checked for me making this book a fantastic read. Looking forward to book #3.

-Valerie Smith
@baseball_val… (plus d'informations)

A Queen in Hiding is the first book in the Nine Realms tetralogy. Queen Cressa learns of a plot against her and secrets her daughter, Princella Cerúlia with a humble family, a peacekeeper and a weaver. enchanting them so they have no idea she is anyone but a foundling he found while doing his peacekeeper work. Meanwhile, Cressa leads a naval war against a pirate kingdom in order to be able to come back in triumph and reclaim her throne from usurpers.

Those usurpers are determined to find the queen and the princella. They also are working in coordination with the enemy. Meanwhile, other characters’ stories develop. There is the Oro general who over time becomes more and more inured to the violence and depracity of war, all justified by the suffering of his people. There is a student who explores why the Oros are sickening, what plague affects them, their plants, and their animals. He also studies history and strategy. There are the loyal servants of the Queen and Princella who keep faith back in the castle. Then, of course, there are the conspirators. This could be a mess of complexity, but it is not. People are introduced organically and slowly so there is not of the confusion that can mar sagas of this scale.

I loved A Queen in Hiding and eagerly anticipate the rest of the tetralogy. I also love their decision to publish all four books over four months, so the wait for Book Two, “The Queen of Raiders” will be short and sweet. There is magic in the book, but it does not answer every need. It is specialized and people must learn to use it. The book addresses modern social problems, but not with emphatic dogmatism. There is some prejudice about hair color and environmental degradation has a damaging effect on civilization, leading to war.

I can’t wait for the rest.

I received an ARC of A Queen in Hiding from the publisher through Shelf Awareness

A Queen in Hiding at Tor Books | Macmillan
Sarah Kozloff author site
The Nine Realms series

https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpress.com/2020/01/30/9781250168542/… (plus d'informations)