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The Queen of the Tearling: A Novel Audiobook
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Publisher Description
A #1 Indie Next Pick and LibraryReads Selection
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.
This book will be a beautifully designed package with illustrated endpapers, a map of the Tearling, and a ribbon marker.
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“As Kelsea strives to save herkingdom and discover her true destiny, many lives hang in the balance. Thisdebut novel is divided into three books, and book one (approximately the first140 pages) is particularly engaging, detailing Kelsea’s life with her fosterparents and her journey to reclaim her late mother’s throne…The coarse languageand sexual situations featuring the Red Queen do clarify her character, butthey are sometimes jarring…This is book one in a series and, as befits a seriesstarter, there are a great many unanswered questions looming despite the momentof triumph upon which the book concludes.”
— VOYA
Quotes
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“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, New York Times bestselling author of The Pagan Lord -
“Erika Johansen bursts onto the fantasy scene with a page-turner full of adventure, sorcery, swords, and politics—not to mention a clever heroine with guts and conviction to spare. The Queen of the Tearling kept me up way past my bedtime, and left me wanting more!”
— Helene Wecker, New York Times bestselling author of The Golem and the Jinni -
“Johansen’s intrigues and plots are pitch perfect. This enjoyable tale centers on Kelsea, who is such an authentic heroine…One thing’s for certain: I can’t wait to see what Kelsea will do next.”
— RT Book Reviews -
“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.”
— Booklist (starred review) -
“An epic series sure to enthrall adult and teenage readers alike. [Johansen’s] hybrid world blends dystopia with high fantasy for an unforgettable adventure.”
— Shelf Awareness -
“Johansen makes an impressive debut with this ambitious fantasy adventure, which takes place several centuries from now following the collapse of civilization and mass migration to a newly discovered continent…Johansen starts strongly, with a forceful, memorable heroine immediately thrust into a series of intense situations…An engaging page-turner.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Johansen's debut is a solid fantasy that doesn't stray very far from the traditional playbook…Libraries will want to purchase, as the movie is already in the works with Emma Watson set to star.”
— Library Journal -
“Chick lit meets swords and sorcery in the perfect commodity for a hot demographic…Johansen adds value to the tale with well-crafted sentences that sometimes build into exuberant paragraphs…On the plus side, too, is Johansen’s wise choice to make the heroine a plain-ish Jane who learns on the go, discovering her inner resources as she emerges from adolescence into adulthood. And applause, too, for some nicely gory closing moments.”
— Kirkus Reviews -
“The Queen of the Tearling is destined to be a fantasy classic. Johansen’s writing is assured, confident, and thrilling. I can’t wait for the next book.”
— Amy McCulloch, author of The Oathbreaker’s Shadow
Awards
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A July 2014 LibraryReads Pick
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On the Indie Next List for July 2014
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Selected for the 2015 ALA Listen List for Outstanding Audiobook Narration
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Nominated for the 2015 Audie Award for Fantasy
The Queen of the Tearling Listener Reviews
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Vickie Elkins, 5/25/2015
About Erika Johansen
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.
About Katherine Kellgren
Katherine Kellgren (1969–2018), narrator and actress, appeared onstage in London, New York, and Frankfurt, including in the role of Laura in a regional production of The Glass Menagerie and appearances on Comedy Central. In recognition of her mastery of audiobook narration, she received many honors, including the prestigious Audie Awards, with four for best female narrator; the Odyssey Award; Publishers Weekly Listen Up Award; dozens of AudioFile magazine Earphones Awards; an AudioFile Golden Voice Award; Booklist Voice of Choice award; and acclaim from press and listener reviews.