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Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte is the kind of unputdownable book I had been waiting to review. This fantasy-thriller fusion is enthralling, and the plot is unpredictable. I especially enjoyed the multiple narrations and the extensive setting. If you are looking for an exciting read, I would suggest picking this one up.
Title: Four Dead QueensAuthor: Astrid Scholte
Also by this author: League of Liars
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Genres: Fantasy, Thriller, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: February 26, 2019
Rating:
Seventeen-year-old Keralie Corrington may seem harmless, but she's, in fact, one of Quadara's most skilled thieves and a liar. Varin, on the other hand, is an honest, upstanding citizen of Quadara's most enlightened region, Eonia. He runs afoul of Keralie when she steals a package from him, putting his life in danger. When Varin attempts to retrieve the package, he and Keralie both find themselves entangled in a conspiracy that leaves all four of Quadara's queens dead.
With no other choices and on the run from Keralie's former employer, the two decide to join forces, endeavoring to discover who has killed the queens and save their own lives in the process. When their reluctant partnership blooms into a tenuous romance, they must overcome their own dark secrets in hopes of a future together that seemed impossible just days before. But first they have to stay alive and untangle the secrets behind the nation's four dead queens.
An enthralling fast-paced murder mystery where competing agendas collide with deadly consequences, Four Dead Queens heralds the arrival of an exciting new YA talent.
❃ 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. ❃
Review: Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte
This book tells the story of a girl who steals a package only to discover that the contents contain the vivid details of a conspiracy to kill the four ruling queens of the nation. Now she must find the culprit before the public finds out the queens are dead, all while on the run from an employer. I loved the blend of fantasy and murder mystery present in the novel. This book is quite fast-paced because of this, and I found it difficult to put down. The ending was also a shock to me, which I haven’t experienced in a while. Four Dead Queens is so gripping, and it will keep readers hooked from start to finish.
❀ Clever Main Character
I adored Keralie, and I couldn’t get enough of her narration. She is a thief who is clever and cunning, and her sarcasm brings humour to a dark story. While she is the main character, she is not the only narrator. I very much enjoyed reading chapters from each of the queens knowing that they are destined to die, and I was on the edge of my seat wondering when the killer would strike. The queens’ perspectives add a lot of detail into the story, especially the world, and it is nice to get to know each of them as characters before they meet their inevitable fate.
❀ Amazing world-building
One remarkable element of the book is the well-developed setting. The nation of Quadara is split into four quadrants each ruled by one of the queens, and the divisions each have a specific focus such as technology and arts. Of course, this system raises several issues, some localized inside a quadrant and others on a wider scale. The author does a fantastic job addressing these and clearly explaining the politics of the setting. I found the four queens concept interesting, and it is executed in a believable manner.
❀ Blend of Fantasy and Thriller
Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte is an engaging blend of fantasy and thriller, and the plot is surprising. I enjoyed the variety of narration and the developed setting. I would definitely recommend this one, to fantasy fans and thriller fans alike.
About Astrid Scholte
Raised on a diet of Spielberg, Lucas and Disney, Astrid knew she wanted to be surrounded by all things fantastical from a young age. She’s spent the last 10 years working in film, animation and television as both an artist and manager. Career highlights include working on James Cameron's AVATAR, Steven Spielberg's THE ADVENTURES OF TIN TIN and HAPPY FEET 2 by George Miller. She’s a visual writer and aims to capture the vivid stories that play like movies in her head. When she’s not writing, she’s painting her favorite fictional characters and obliging her furry overlords, Lilo and Mickey.
FOUR DEAD QUEENS (Putnam, Spring 2019) is her debut novel.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ Canadian YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, & professional bibliophile.
I love the cover.
Same! It is perfect for the theme! 🙂
Definitely sounds like my type of read.
I hope that you enjoy it if you decide to give it a try! 🙂
It seems that you had a great time reading this one! I love fast paced stories even better if the ending is unexpected!
It is fantastic! 🙂
You had me at fast-paced and fantasy-thriller! I’ll be adding this to my TBR. Is this part of a series or standalone?
Genesis @ Whispering Chapters recently posted…“My Reviews Aren’t Good Enough”
It is a standalone! I hope that you enjoy it! 🙂
Wonderful review and you’ve convinced me to try this one:) I’m curious about the ending now too:)
Laura Thomas recently posted…Spotlight and Giveaway ~ Sifting Through Clues by Daryl Wood Gerber
Yay!! I hope that you love it as much as I do! 🙂
Awesome review on this book. Might have to get it and read it. Thanks
Thanks! I hope that you love it! 🙂
I pre-ordered this but still haven’t read it! Need to fix that. Glad to read that you enjoyed it so much!
I do the same thing all the time! I hope that you enjoy it when you do get the chance to read it! 🙂
I’m on the fence about reading this book because I’ve heard mixed reviews about it. I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed it! I’ll add it on my TBR list! Great review btw! 🙂
Raven @ Dreamy Addictions recently posted…To Best the Boys By Mary Weber [Review]
I hope that you love it as much as I do! 🙂
The cover is stunning.
I agree! 🙂
Great review! I’ll be checking this one out!
This sounds really good! the cover looks nice
Looks like an ok book, good review