An engrossing tale of colonialism, conquest and revenge, Queen of the Conquered starts a fantasy series perfect for readers of S. A. Chakraborty, Ken Liu, and Tasha Suri.On the islands of Hans Lollik, Sigourney Rose was the only survivor when her family was massacred by the colonizers. When the childless king of the islands declares he will choose his successor from amongst eligible noble … from amongst eligible noble families, Sigourney is ready to exact her revenge.
But someone is killing off the ruling families to clear a path to the throne. And as the bodies pile up and all eyes regard her with suspicion, Sigourney must find allies among her prey and the murderer among her peers… lest she become the next victim.
Praise for Queen of the Conquered:
“A storm of a novel as epic as Alexandre Dumas’s The Count of Monte Cristo.” –Tochi Onyebuchi, author of Beasts Made Wild
“The book’s absorbing setting, captivating lead, and relevant themes of race and class complement each other with alternating delicacy and savagery.” —NPR Books
“Callender’s first adult novel draws race relations, conquest, magic, and politics into an imaginative, layered story that will keep readers twisting until the end.” —Library Journal
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This book is insane. I’ve been on a kick of reading YA epic fantasy lately, especially with really hard female protagonists, and this was right up my alley. It’s also got a very layered, nuanced take on the slaves in the story, but it’s very reminiscent of historical slavery, even though there’s magic. So, it’s uncomfortable and edgy and raw in all the right ways. The way the mystery unraveled was pretty cool, too. First book in a series. I highly suggest giving it a look.
Callender’s heart-wrenching work is a story that refuses easy answers, trope saviors, or all-is-well endings. Lofty as it seems, if you imagine Hamlet and Agatha Christie’s Ten Little Soldiers fused in a narrative that finds its soul from the pain of our cruelest histories, you’ll have captured a piece of the powerful fantasy Callender has wrought in Queen of the Conquered.
A brilliant analysis of power and privilege set against an alternately beautiful and brutal background, you will root for Sigourney even as you question both her actions and motives. Searing and painful, Kacen Callender has managed to create a book that will stick with you long after the last page.
From the very first paragraph, Callender’s adult debut stuns. A complex and furious examination of colonialism, Queen of the Conquered is a storm of a novel as epic as Alexandre Dumas’s The Count of Monte Cristo. I’ve been looking for this book half my life.
Wanted more, was disappointed
Whoooo!!!!! That book took me way longer than I expected. I have mixed to positive thoughts and feelings about this book, which I will discuss them below. I give this book a solid 3.5 star rating and I am looking forward to the next book (I don’t know if it’s a duology or more though).
I love the tropical description of the setting of the story. I felt as if I were in the locations of the book which I still cannot spell all of them but the majority of the book takes place in Hans Lollik Helle (I think that’s how you spell it).
The main character is not a heroine her people look up to but she is also not a villain (I can’t really say she’s an antihero either). She is definitely a gray character that you either will like or hate but I am in the like side. Although she makes questionable decisions, I can understand where she is coming from, giving her traumatic past.
I love the magic (called Kraft) that is played out in the story. Our main character has the ability to enter the minds of people and read their thoughts and feelings which is scary but also fascinating to explore. We get to see flashbacks on many people’s pasts and know the hatred they have to our main character (my poor baby).
This book was very fast paced which I think is the right decision for that type of story but at the same time, I really wanted it to slow down for a bit so I can immerse myself more into the world and get to know more about the characters. The only characters whom I got to know and have a lot of time is our main lead (which I still cannot spell her name) and Loren, her bodyguard (no there is no romance in this book). I really wished we could have more time with the other characters as well but oh well.
This book deals with colonialism, racism, class, and slavery and although it is a fantasy (given the fictional setting and magic), it feels KIND of historical which the author did a great job in showing the harsh, raw, and brutal reality of the topics I mentioned above.
There were many twists and turns that I have not expected the story to go, especially towards the end of the book and it is the main reason that I am excited to continue on with the story.
The only down side of the book is that there were many word repetitions going on in the book (which I get but still) that annoyed the hell out of me. Like okay, mention it once, twice, at the maximum three times but not ten million times!!!!!!
Also, there were some parts of the book where it dragged and I got bored BUT this story is by no means boring. I was on the edge of my seat whenever I have the time to read it.
Overall, totally recommend this book if you want to read a book that tackles these hard hitting issues splendidly and also if you need a quick read to pass the time in thrill. I am so excited for book two to come out (the author replied to me in twitter that they are planning to publish it in December 2020 eeeeeeek)!!!!!!!!
No doubt this cover is intriguing but prepare yourself for a thought-provoking story that stays with you long after you’ve read the last sentence. Sigourney Rose, a free-born islander with power and privilege, and the only living descendant of the Rose family. Now, heir of Rose Helle, she rises to the occasion and it’s with her “Kraft”, a magical trait that allows her to read the thoughts of others, that she uses to lead the island.
After the tragic massacre of her family as well as wiping out the island’s entire population, she is lead to safe passage and enlist the help of her cousin, head of Lund Helle and part of what I called the royal families. Once she is accepted and assumes the Lund name, she begins to plot out her revenge attack. With the Lund name acceptance in the prominent societies is eminent, but it is the union with the Jannik name that secures her position for a seat at the table as a potential candidate as the king’s successor. That done, it’s time to finish the mission…the battle begins for the seat of the Throne.
Sigourney underestimates the price for this revenge mission as well as her own survival. She is met with prejudices from the royal families and her fellow islanders. As the plot thickens, the story takes unforeseen twist and turns. Are your enemies the only ones that can’t be trusted?
The author gives a vivid picture of what can happen when one has too much power and privilege. Forces us to evaluate the difference colonialism vs imperialism. Determine if the heroine is an oppressor or oppressed.
This read is rich in history, suspense, racism, betrayal and deception, making this a great title for a book discussion. Note to readers: don’t be in a hurray with this one, you will want to savor this one.
An utterly compelling look at slavery, power, and complicity. Uncomfortable, heart rending, and utterly necessary.
Kacen Callender depicts colonialism, rage and the terrible price of power with haunting, unflinching eloquence. Queen of the Conquered is a heart-stopping masterpiece.
An ambitious, courageous, and unflinching novel that uncovers the rotten core of our colonial heritage and yet also celebrates the fierce resistance and heroic endurance of the most abused and exploited.
Queen of the Conquered is intricate, powerful, and brilliant, with vivid worldbuilding, compellingly flawed characters, and a plot full of exciting action and creepy twists!