The Impostor Queen (1)
Sixteen-year-old Elli was a small child when the Elders of Kupari chose her to succeed the Valtia, the queen who wields infinitely powerful ice and fire magic. Since then, Elli has lived in the temple, surrounded by luxury and tutored by priests, as she prepares for the day when the Valtia perishes and the magic finds a new home in her. Elli is destined to be the most powerful Valtia to ever rule.
But when the queen dies defending the kingdom from invading warriors, the magic doesn't enter Elli. It's nowhere to be found.
Disgraced, Elli flees to the outlands, the home of banished criminals--some who would love to see the temple burn with all its priests inside. As she finds her footing in this new world, Elli uncovers devastating new information about the Kupari magic, those who wield it, and the prophecy that foretold her destiny. Torn between the love she has for her people and her growing loyalty to the banished, Elli struggles to understand the true role she was meant to play. But as war looms, she must align with the right side--before the kingdom and its magic are completely destroyed.
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Community Reviews
The Impostor Queen is by far one of the best fantasy's I have read.
Honestly, I don't know how Sarah does it. She is a master at creating unique, interesting worlds that are so vividly descriptive it's easy to visualize and SEE yourself in it. It's pieced together slowly, and builds up as the novel progresses. I was fascinated by their magic - and loved how balance was the key element. Her characters are always so different, likable and easy to connect to and hello, she writes the best love interests ever.
I love that she isn’t wholly loyal to her characters either – bad things happen to good people. It’s realistic, yet sad, but watching as they grow from this is the best thing. Elli especially.
When we meet Elli, she comes off has weak, but she is far from it. She is naive and isolated, sure, but the things she goes through in the beginning alone could break anyone. Everything she always thought would happen, trained to do, crumples around her. Her journey of self discovery, love and loss is one of the best written ones out there.
As far as the romance goes - I adored it. I loved that while it plays a significant part, it's not the sole focus. And Oskar is a good guy. He's kind and gentle yet, tough and not to be messed with. Their interactions are hilariously sweet. Bonus, no love triangle! Even though I was anticipating it at one point in the book - with her first love and handmaiden, Mim.
Elli and Oskar aside, I loved all the secondary characters as well. Especially Oskar's family. They took Elli in, cared for her, helped her and gave her not only the love that she deserved, but a family.
While it did take awhile for things to really get going, plot wise, I wouldn't have had it any other way. I love falling in love with the characters first, learning about the world, the magic and the like. Once things did pick up, it's a whirlwind of revelations, action and plot twists. We aren't left on a cliffhanger, per se, but there are some things that happen that set up the next book perfectly, increasing my anticipation for the next book even more.
Overall - I loved it. The Impostor Queen is a master piece. One that needs to be in the hands of every fantasy lover out there, hell, even if you aren't a big fantasy lover, I highly recommend it!
I received this book for free from The Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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