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    The Queens of Innis Lear
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    The Queens of Innis Lear
    Unavailable
    The Queens of Innis Lear
    Audiobook24 hours

    The Queens of Innis Lear

    Written by Tessa Gratton

    Narrated by Cassandra Harwood

    3.5/5

    ()

    Unavailable in your country

    Unavailable in your country

    About this audiobook

    A KINGDOM AT RISK, A CROWN DIVIDED, A FAMILY DRENCHED IN BLOOD.

    Tessa Gratton's debut epic adult fantasy, The Queens of Innis Lear, brings to life a world that hums with ancient magic, and characters as ruthless as the tides.

    The erratic decisions of a prophecy-obsessed king have drained Innis Lear of its wild magic, leaving behind a trail of barren crops and despondent subjects. Enemy nations circle the once-bountiful isle, sensing its growing vulnerability, hungry to control the ideal port for all trade routes.

    The king’s three daughters – battle-hungry Gaela, master manipulator Reagan, and restrained, starblessed Elia – know the realm’s only chance of resurrection is to crown a new sovereign, proving a strong hand can resurrect magic and defend itself. But their father will not choose an heir until the longest night of the year, when prophecies align and a poison ritual can be enacted.

    Refusing to leave their future in the hands of blind faith, the daughters of Innis Lear prepare for war – but regardless of who wins the crown, the shores of Innis will weep the blood of a house divided.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperCollins
    Release dateMay 17, 2018
    ISBN9780008281908
    Unavailable
    The Queens of Innis Lear
    Author

    Tessa Gratton

    Tessa Gratton is genderfluid and hangry. She is the author of The Queens of Innis Lear and Lady Hotspur, as well as several YA series and short stories which have been translated into twenty-two languages. Her most recent YA novels are Strange Grace, Night Shine, and Moon Dark Smile. Though she has traveled all over the world, she currently lives alongside the Kansas prairie with her wife. Visit her at TessaGratton.com.

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    Reviews for The Queens of Innis Lear

    3.5/5

    63 ratings4 reviews

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 3/5
      Approximate re-telling of Shakespeare’s King Lear in the form of an adult fantasy with women in many of the central and supporting roles. The writing was elegant, with lush descriptions creating an atmospheric setting for this fantasy world. I could picture the jagged cliffs of this island country, the ships from faraway lands docking at port, and the majestic castles. It seemed like a story set in medieval times, with no invented creatures, where the island, trees, and wind are sentient. The magical elements were complex and fascinating. The characters were well-developed. The world and the plot were built very slowly, with most of the action saved until late in the book.

      Many back stories were interspersed throughout, flashing back various numbers of years into the past. These flashbacks, I felt, were unnecessary, as most of these topics had already been explained in the narrative. It was also a bit repetitive. For example, I didn’t need to be reminded many times over that one of the characters is a bastard or one of the sisters envisions herself a man. These inclusions made the book a bit lengthy, at just under 600 pages. The ending appears to setup a sequel, which may or may not appeal to you depending on whether you like series. I tend to enjoy stand-alone stories more.

      Themes include the value of balance in life, the dangers of obsession, the desire to be accepted for oneself, and the many facets of love. Key components of the plot involve madness, treachery, romance, political intrigue, power, control, and forgiveness. Overall, I enjoyed it, and I don’t think it is essential to know Shakespeare’s King Lear story to appreciate it. I would definitely read another book by this author. Recommended to readers of fantasy that don’t mind a non-linear timeline and a gradual build-up without a great deal of action. Contains language, not-overly-graphic sex, and violence.

      I received a complete version of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for a candid review. I hope the final version includes a map.

      Memorable quotes:
      "Ban had learned not to put off unpleasant tasks, for they tended to only become more unpleasant with the stall."

      "She was ready, if not to forgive, then to understand. And that was ever the first step."

      "For what was kindness, but offering comfort where none was owed?"

      "If it makes your world smaller, it isn't love."
    • 4/5
      Loved the world, its history, its magic, the characters and the plot.

      Didn't like the pacing. The book was too long, there were too many flashbacks that didn't contribute to the story and because of the different POVs plus flashbacks, I couldn't really get a feel for the characters and relate to them, so at the end, I was pretty much not interested in anyone anymore.
      I feel this could have benefited from being separated into two books - one containing the main story and a second one with all the background story.
    • 4/5
      Taking some inspiration from the Shakespearian play King Lear this is a fantasy reimagining of the story. This is a big fat fantasy novel that isn't for the faint of heart nor, is it a light read. i have some vague knowledge of the play but it's not necessary for the story. The king is a reluctant ruler and there are two strands of magic on his island. He's neglected the root-magic in favour of star magic or astrology; a practice that he sometimes follows with fanatical precision. His wife died at a predicted time, his eldest two daughters are at odds and his youngest is trying to be perfect for him. Root magic can be ignored but it comes back and causes problems that can't be ignored. WIth Lear losing his mind things start to come to a head. The magic will make demands and the family will have to pay.It's quite dense and it needed concentration,, but I found it a compelling read.
    • 4/5
      Fascinating loose retelling of Shakespeare's King Lear set in the world of a fantasy medieval Britain and France. The island of Innis Lear is almost a character itself, with its own emotion and feelings. There is also a religion: a type of astrology and worship of the stars, which drives much of the motivation. Trees or the wind can communicate with people. The mad King Lear wishes to divide his land among his three daughters: Gaia/Goneril, Regan, and [Cord]elia. Who loves him best? The older two speak extravagantly of their love and the youngest, Elia, is honest in her expression of love and is exiled by her father for not playing the same game as her sisters. Who will become queen? Lear is deposed. There is another plot: that of a nobleman's illegitimate son, Ban the Fox [Shakespeare's Edmund], who spies for King Marimaros [Earl of Gloster in the play] of Aremoria [a part of France?]. Ban and Elia are romantically involved here; they have loved each other since they were children. Marimoros hopes to marry her but the novel follows the tradition of Shakespearean tragedies with magic introduced. I thought it interesting and gave me a taste of King Lear, which I've never understood; I enjoyed comparing the two versions: the original and this one. I regret the lack of a map or diagram of the author's fantasy world. I tried to concoct one in my head. Several place names or descriptions which I tried to correlate in my head with real places and georgraphy were included. This novel reminded me somewhat of Gavriel Guy Kay's fantasy novels: a thinly disguised real place. I enjoyed the author's writing style; she made her scenes vivid. I like the author's flashbacks of the characters' backstories.Recommended.