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“The Queen’s Rising” by Rebecca Ross Book Review

Book: The Queen’s Rising

Author: Rebecca Ross

Series: Book #1 of The Queen’s Rising 

First published February 6, 2018

The Queen’s Rising

When her seventeenth summer solstice arrives, Brienna desires only two things: to master her passion and to be chosen by a patron.

Growing up in the southern kingdom of Valenia at the renowned Magnalia House should have prepared her. While some are born with a talent for one of the five passions—art, music, dramatics, wit, and knowledge—Brienna struggled to find hers until she chose knowledge. However, despite all her preparations, Brienna’s greatest fear comes true: she is left without a patron.

Months later, her life takes an unexpected turn when a disgraced lord offers her patronage. Suspicious of his intent, she reluctantly accepts. But there is much more to his story, for there is a dangerous plot to overthrow the king of Maevana—the rival kingdom of Valenia—and restore the rightful queen, and her magic, to the northern throne. And others are involved, some closer to Brienna than she realizes.

With war brewing, Brienna must choose whose side she will remain loyal to—passion or blood. Because a queen is destined to rise and lead the battle to reclaim the crown. Who will be that queen?

With gorgeous description and detailed rendering of a world where not everything is what it seems, debut author Rebecca Ross weaves an intricate tale of revenge, loyalty, and, ultimately, self-discovery.

Brienna in Valenia

The story begins in the land of Valenia, which is not at all like a fairy tale. No magic and no elves, no mythical creatures and no superpowers. It is a land ruled by a king, where good manners and decency are writ large. In Valenia, all girls who show an innate talent for one of the five inclinations “Music”, “Art”, “Drama”, “Spirituality” and “Science” are sent to a specialized school to master it and become adepts. Being a “master” in their field is also the goal of our protagonist Brienna.

She is the illegitimate daughter of a Valencian noblewoman and grew up in an orphanage. Her origins are a mystery and the author increases our curiosity with the heroine’s failed attempts to unravel the mystery. And here she is, Brienna, our heroine, who finds herself in the school for the gifted and must find her place among her gifted “sisters.” The story of an insecure girl seeking the approval of her only remaining relatives. Brienna is afraid of betraying the trust of her teacher and the principal who takes her in, although it is more than clear that she does not have the necessary data to become adept. Fortunately for us, the worst happens… Brienna is left without a patron and cannot be accepted into the Adeptship of Science. So much for the drama in Valenia.

Maevana

Brienna is adopted by a mysterious nobleman who offers to become her patron. But the stranger pursues his own goals and our heroine is only the cannon. The action takes place in a land called Maevana. And here the plot takes a turn in a direction I like. Maevana is a brutal, harsh land. There are warrior women, there is magic, there is a cruel king and a tortured people. A land with a fabulous past that was once ruled by a queen with magical powers, but is now a place where if you lift your eyes you will be beheaded.

I love the story of Maevana and the things the author has included. In this harsh land, even our Brienna changes. The insecure maiden is left behind and a heroine who can make plans and play the cruel game for the throne comes to the fore. Brienna plays a very important role in Maevana’s story. Once again, magic must return and the rightful heiress must take the throne. Maevana must be ruled by a queen.

I found things in the plot that I appreciate in a fantasy. There was a light dose of romance, but it was not the love story that was prominent. As the title suggests, the story revolves around “The Queen’s Rising”. There were also many expected twists and not so pleasant surprises. I do not want to give too much away so you can feel and experience the story for yourself. The book is easy to read and I would say a light read. “The Queen’s Rising” was a pleasant surprise for me, as I was expecting it to be another “shenanigan”. I had a lot of fun reading it and would advise you to give it time.

Dora

Hello, my name is Todora, but now also known as Dochka or Docheto. I have two wonderful dragons at home (boys ages 5 and 7) that I am trying to raise in the love of books. I was quite a chatterbox as a kid when I had required reading in school, and now I am trying to make up for it. I love reading fantasy, sweet endings are not my "thing". I love it when there are struggles, intrigue, and surprises in a book that shake you to your core. If I fell into paranoia that all the characters were traitors, my rating would be 5 stars. In short, I love to read and if one day I find a way to make this my sole occupation and get paid for it :D, I will have stumbled into heaven.

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