When the book mentioned the powerful and magical Tear jewel that Kelsea possessed, I had thought this was going to be a nice fantasy. With reference to A Games of Thrones, the similarities are in the setting, with the Queen’s Royal Guard, the Keep and also the language used in the book. My first impression of this book is that it is like a weak version of A Game of Thrones series and other similar novels set in feudal times. Let’s start with the worst parts of the book! I had some issues with The Queen of the Tearling, however I did like some parts of it too. Kelsea is aided by a few loyal allies and the Tear sapphire, a jewel that has power and magic, in her quest to save her kingdom. She discovers the evil that is going on in her kingdom and is determined to eradicate it even at the cost of war with the cunning evil Red Queen, ruler of Mortmesne. Kelsea’s journey to the capital of Tear to get crowned is met with various attempts on her life. The land of the Tear, together with two other nations, pay duties to Mortmesne, a more powerful and fearful nation. Long ago, Kelsea’s predecessor’s sailed away from a dying world to start a new one without modern technology.

Now at the age of 19 years old, The Queen’s Guard- loyal soldiers that protect the throne, have come to take Kelsea to the capital to be crowned as the new Queen of the Tearling. Raised by loyal servants, in a cottage deep in the woods, Kelsea Raleigh has been in hiding since the death of her mother, Queen Elyssa. The Queen of the Tearling: Book Review by Dinh.

The tearling