"I was there was the war began. And when it ended."
--Jodi Meadows, The Orphan Queen
Genre: YA Fantasy
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: Katherine Tegen
Pages: 400
Publication Date: March 10th, 2015
Source: Borrowed ARC from Alexa! Thanks girl!
Previous Books in Series: First in a duology
Goodreads Description
She is a princess. When the Indigo Kingdom conquered her homeland, Wilhelmina and other orphaned children of nobility were taken to Skyvale, the Indigo Kingdom’s capital. Ten years later, they are the Ospreys, experts at stealth and theft. With them, Wilhelmina means to take back her throne.
She is a spy. Wil and her best friend, Melanie, infiltrate Skyvale Palace to study their foes. They assume the identities of nobles from a wraith-fallen kingdom, but enemies fill the palace, and Melanie’s behavior grows suspicious. With Osprey missions becoming increasingly dangerous and their leader more unstable, Wil can’t trust anyone.
She is a threat. Wraith is the toxic by-product of magic, and for a century using magic has been forbidden. Still the wraith pours across the continent, reshaping the land and animals into fresh horrors. Soon it will reach the Indigo Kingdom. Wilhelmina’s magic might be the key to stopping the wraith, but if the vigilante Black Knife discovers Wil’s magic, she will vanish like all the others
Jodi Meadows introduces a vivid new fantasy full of intrigue, romance, dangerous magic, and one girl’s battle to reclaim her place in the world.
She is a princess. When the Indigo Kingdom conquered her homeland, Wilhelmina and other orphaned children of nobility were taken to Skyvale, the Indigo Kingdom’s capital. Ten years later, they are the Ospreys, experts at stealth and theft. With them, Wilhelmina means to take back her throne.
She is a spy. Wil and her best friend, Melanie, infiltrate Skyvale Palace to study their foes. They assume the identities of nobles from a wraith-fallen kingdom, but enemies fill the palace, and Melanie’s behavior grows suspicious. With Osprey missions becoming increasingly dangerous and their leader more unstable, Wil can’t trust anyone.
She is a threat. Wraith is the toxic by-product of magic, and for a century using magic has been forbidden. Still the wraith pours across the continent, reshaping the land and animals into fresh horrors. Soon it will reach the Indigo Kingdom. Wilhelmina’s magic might be the key to stopping the wraith, but if the vigilante Black Knife discovers Wil’s magic, she will vanish like all the others
Jodi Meadows introduces a vivid new fantasy full of intrigue, romance, dangerous magic, and one girl’s battle to reclaim her place in the world.
The Name
This is completely superficial but I LOVE a good heroine name. Love love love. Wilhemina is an AMAZING name. This made me like her before even starting the book...and then I met her and liked her even more. She has all the makings of a fantastic heroine. Strength, courage, conviction to do the right thing by her people. She has heart and desire to do what is right the right way, not the easy way.
The Rebellion
I don't know about ya'll but even the hint of rebellion and fighting off an oppressive 'man' has my heart racing. I love the heart behind it, the dedication, the strength of will, the loyalty to what is right, I love it all. Wilhemina should be ruling Aecor as Queen, or in a perfect world as a Princess because her parents would still be alive, and she fights alongside her other survivors to try and take back their land. I love this so hard because it is all about the greater good and doing what is right. What IS right?...that's still up in the air...see below...
The Reveals
All is not as it seems in Wilhemena's world. The wraith is approaching more quickly, everywhere is being destroyed, and she's learning the truth of what really happened all those years ago. She's looking at things differently. She allows herself to be open-minded to the idea that there are things she doesn't know and that there are things she can learn to better her future kingdom. This isn't a reveal per say, but I loved how Meadows characterized the king in this fantasy land. I won't say more than that but I will say his representation and how he is was a pleasant unexpected part of the plot.
The Magic
Magic is forbidden in this world. The wraith is a taking over this kingdom and everyone believes it is due to the use of magic. This wraith is magic that has been warped and attack kingdoms and destroys every living thing inside of it. I liked the take on how magic is seen as evil and the source of what is destroying the kingdom. The mystery of the wraith and how to stop it is what drives the plot and I really liked how this was explored, I can't wait to see what happens and how this plays out in the next book!
The Duology
There's only two books, people. The next book we know how everything ends. Love live the duology!
I won't lie, I did find the plot a little predictable. And reading it like I "knew" what the secret was I enjoyed it and was able to laugh to myself a little. I mean, I didn't know know until the secret was revealed but I was right and read it as such. While I was emotionally invested in the characters and I care about what happens next, there wasn't anything super unique about the plot or this world, but still worth reading.
The Secrets
Reserved Seating
If you love a strong heroine, a good mystery, and a great fantasy world...this book's for you.
If you love a strong heroine, a good mystery, and a great fantasy world...this book's for you.
I'm so happy that you enjoyed The Orphan Queen, K! I just love this world and characters and story SO much, and I'm so excited to have the next one in my hands. WHY IS NEXT YEAR SO FAR AWAY?
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