Book Review - A QUEEN IN HIDING by Sarah Kozloff

(Title: A Queen in Hiding / Author: Sarah Kozloff / Publisher: Tor / Publication Date: January 21, 2020)


A little over 10 years ago, Brent Weeks released his acclaimed Night Angel trilogy.  I remember thinking at the time how awesome it was that each book in that trilogy was being released in three successive months from October to December.  Fast forward and The Nine Realms series by Sarah Kozloff is using that same marketing strategy, as each of the books in this four book fantasy series will be released from January 2020 to April 2020.  So I'm already really excited that I can read this entire series in just four months!  As a serious fantasy reader, this is my best-case scenario and I wish that every series was like this (not realistic I know but I can dream right?).  Putting that aside though, let's get on with my review of A QUEEN IN HIDING.

Betrayal has forced Queen Cressa of Wierandale into exile.  Constantly trying to stay one step ahead of regent Matwyck and his men in their attempt to eliminate any possibility of Cressa trying to reclaim her throne, she also must concern herself with protecting her daughter, Princess Cerulia.  Previously next in line for the throne, now Cerulia must be spirited away and sent to live with an unsuspecting peasant family under her newly assumed identity as the commoner Wren.  For the sake of not confusing anyone in this review, I will continue to refer to her as Cerulia however.

Cerulia gradually realizes that she has a unique talent that enables her to communicate with animals.  Following in the tradition of those princesses who came before her, each heir to the throne is born with some form of magical "talent" that manifests itself as the princess matures into a young lady.  Cerulia's talent has shown itself a little later than most but it's ultimately that talent that makes her aware of a potential invasion from a neighboring country. 

Now, not only is Cerulia faced with trying to reclaim the throne for her and her mother, but she must also contend with this brewing menace.  If she hopes to survive she must do so by realizing the full potential of what she has been gifted, but also use all of her cunning and intelligence to outwit her would-be assassins.  Meanwhile, time may be running out for the former Queen Cressa as those who are hot on her heels may be closer than even she herself believes.

A QUEEN IN HIDING is a 500 page book that I devoured in a snap.  A big reason why is that each chapter brings you deeper and deeper into a compelling tale of deception and court politics that make the pages rocket by.  Do not be intimidated in the least by its length because the story is one that rarely lags for any considerable stretch.  Even when the action does slow down, the descriptions of the rich setting and history of the Nine Realms is just as interesting and impressive and will ultimately keep you in rapt attention.

This is a variation of the classic coming of age story, but to pigeonhole it as that and only that would be to do it a disservice in my opinion.  It's a realistic fantasy that almost ventures into the realm of historical fiction at times.  Yes there is magic, but it is not an overpowering element of the story.  There were moments where it felt to me like the fantastical historical books of say Mary Stewart or Bernard Cornwell.  

Having said that, the magical parts are brilliantly handled and there are enough of these moments to make you feel satisfied should you prefer a more spellbinding tome. This is a real treat of a read that I recommend to anyone who desires a deep and engaging story to sink their teeth into.  I really have a hard time believing that this is Sarah Kozloff's first foray into writing fantasy novels.  She displays a talent that is rarely seen in brand new novelists and I am even more excited than ever to read the next three books in The Nine Realms.

I would recommend A QUEEN IN HIDING to anyone who enjoys epic fantasy and also historical fiction with a touch of fantasy.  There's a nice mixture of both in this book that gives this series a realistic foundation with hints of the supernatural just waiting to possibly explode and take center stage.  Maybe we will see that come to fruition in the forthcoming releases.  But even if not, this is still quite the remarkable beginning to what I believe will be one heck of a series when all is said and done.  Now where's book 2?  Oh that's right I don't have too long to wait, now do I?

(My Rating: 8.5/10)

Comments

  1. Releasing them in quick succession! That's an exciting marketing strategy for sure. Wish I could do it, but alas I don't have enough of a backlog (or a quick enough writing pace) to make that happen.

    I'm a bit wary of royalty fantasy as I feel that they can all fall into very similar plotlines which I'm quite fatigued by at this point. That you like it is convincing though, and the talking to animals element is definitely appealing. Does that play a big part in the story, or is it just to set off the plot/make her aware of the coming danger?

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    Replies
    1. Hi Victoria! It's actually a somewhat significant part of the story. It doesn't only appear as the way to introduce the impending conflict. Thanks for the comment and I hope you get a chance to read it!

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