Title: The Fire Queen
Author: Emily R. King
First published September 26, 2017
277 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781611097498 (ISBN10: 1611097495)
Rating: 4.02
Overview
In Emily R. King’s thrilling sequel to The Hundredth Queen Series, The Fire Queen, readers are transported back to the captivating world of sorcery and forbidden powers.
Kalinda, a young warrior queen, thought her troubles were over after the death of her tyrant husband, the rajah. However, a warlord has invaded the imperial city, leaving Kalinda in exile with her beloved guard and ally, Captain Deven Naik.
But there may be a glimmer of hope for them yet. Prince Ashwin, the son of the late rajah, has promised to free Deven on the condition that Kalinda fights and defeats three fierce opponents.
As she battles for her freedom and the future of her people, Kalinda’s fire powers are tested once again, along with her relationship with Deven and newfound respect for Prince Ashwin. With the fate of the empire hanging in the balance, Kalinda must once again push herself to the limit, drawing upon her wisdom and strength to unite her people and save all that she holds dear.
About the Author
Meet Emily R. King, an avid reader and talented fantasy writer.
Though she was born in Canada and grew up in the USA, she seamlessly blends both cultures, using words like “eh” and “y’all” interchangeably. When she’s not writing, Emily is passionate about advocating for sharks and indulging in gummy bears.
However, her biggest passion is her four children. She’s an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and enjoys participating in her local writing community.
Emily currently resides in Northern Utah with her family and their feisty feline.
Editoral Review
In The Fire Queen, Emily R. King delves deeper into the fantastical world she created in her preceding novel, The Hundredth Queen.
Published on September 26, 2017, The Fire Queen follows the story of Kalinda, who has just become the Rajah Tarek’s most prized possession as the hundredth queen. While the first novel revolved around Kalinda’s struggles as an outsider in the palace, trying to protect herself, The Fire Queen brings out her true power and her fight to protect her kingdom.
King’s writing style is exquisite, and the book is a page-turner from start to finish. The second novel brings to light a political struggle between Kalinda and the council, who do not believe a woman can rule on her own.
I recommend reading the first book in the series, as it provides a lot of background information needed to understand the politics of the palace. The Fire Queen allows readers to witness Kalinda’s character development as she becomes the leader she was always meant to be.
King introduces more complex themes of power-play, gender biases, and religious conflict, making the reader invested in the story and its characters. However, The Fire Queen has its faults.
The pacing of the book, especially in the first half, could have been better. While the initial scene is action-packed, it takes a while for the story to gain momentum again.
Additionally, some of the dialogue feels repetitive, causing some of the scenes to drag. Despite this, King’s writing style still manages to keep the reader engaged.
Overall, The Fire Queen is a beautifully written book, full of action and intrigue, with a strong lead character. It explores relevant themes, which still resonate in today’s world.
This is a must-read for fans of the genre and anyone who wants a solid political fantasy novel that explores the complexities of power. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
