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Angel Sworn #1
Queen Mother
Wall Street Journal bestselling author Jeff Wheeler weaves a mesmerizing spell of wonder and peril in this eagerly awaited epic fantasy series…
Deep in the mountains lies a valley with a secret to immortality—Clairvaux—where the Queen Mother reigns supreme. Hidden within the cliffs and rocky paths and shrouded by waterfalls, the Gallows Tree grows immortal fruit, but only the loyal angel sworn can partake and live forever, weaving magic with grafting wands and bonding to animals in order to borrow their powers while balancing the good in all living things.
But the idyllic hymns of angelic choirs shatter when death comes to Clairvaux. Bodies, strewn and ravaged by claws, whisper of a nameless evil threatening the angel sworn and all earthborn. Might Cimree, a young healer in training, hold the key to unraveling the mystery that menaces Clairvaux and the distant bastions it protects? And could a fallen angel held captive deep in the dungeons of Montheron have the answers Cimree seeks? Or will a new magic that transforms animals into monsters force an exodus to a safe haven before all is lost?
Praise for Jeff Wheeler
“Wheeler loads his tale with magic, intrigue, and believably conflicted characters. Readers will be impatient to know what happens next.” ―Publishers Weekly
“Action and intrigue are Wheeler’s bread and butter, as are stories with the core value of virtue without ambiguity and gratuitous violence, all on display here.” ―Booklist
“Jeff Wheeler has always been one of our more dependable storytellers.” ―Terry Brooks, New York Times bestselling author
“The sheer readability and suspense works so well that readers will race through those pages to see what will happen next!” —TJ Mackay, Founder/Publisher, InD'tale Magazine
“Full of surprise, heartbreak, intrigue and knightliness…a great start to what feels like a solid series!” —The Nerd Daily
“Acclaimed fantasy author Jeff Wheeler brings us a valiant and dauntless new fantasy adventure and the first in a new series.” —Medium
Deep in the mountains lies a valley with a secret to immortality—Clairvaux—where the Queen Mother reigns supreme. Hidden within the cliffs and rocky paths and shrouded by waterfalls, the Gallows Tree grows immortal fruit, but only the loyal angel sworn can partake and live forever, weaving magic with grafting wands and bonding to animals in order to borrow their powers while balancing the good in all living things.
But the idyllic hymns of angelic choirs shatter when death comes to Clairvaux. Bodies, strewn and ravaged by claws, whisper of a nameless evil threatening the angel sworn and all earthborn. Might Cimree, a young healer in training, hold the key to unraveling the mystery that menaces Clairvaux and the distant bastions it protects? And could a fallen angel held captive deep in the dungeons of Montheron have the answers Cimree seeks? Or will a new magic that transforms animals into monsters force an exodus to a safe haven before all is lost?
Praise for Jeff Wheeler
“Wheeler loads his tale with magic, intrigue, and believably conflicted characters. Readers will be impatient to know what happens next.” ―Publishers Weekly
“Action and intrigue are Wheeler’s bread and butter, as are stories with the core value of virtue without ambiguity and gratuitous violence, all on display here.” ―Booklist
“Jeff Wheeler has always been one of our more dependable storytellers.” ―Terry Brooks, New York Times bestselling author
“The sheer readability and suspense works so well that readers will race through those pages to see what will happen next!” —TJ Mackay, Founder/Publisher, InD'tale Magazine
“Full of surprise, heartbreak, intrigue and knightliness…a great start to what feels like a solid series!” —The Nerd Daily
“Acclaimed fantasy author Jeff Wheeler brings us a valiant and dauntless new fantasy adventure and the first in a new series.” —Medium
340 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 10, 2025
753 people are currently reading
1666 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Wheeler
126 books5,224 followersWall Street Journal bestselling author Jeff Wheeler took an early retirement from his career at Intel in 2014 to write full-time. He is a husband, father of five, and a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Jeff lives in the Rocky Mountains.
Learn about Jeff’s many worlds at www.jeff-wheeler.com, or participate in one of his online writing classes through Writer’s Block (www.writersblock.biz).
Learn about Jeff’s many worlds at www.jeff-wheeler.com, or participate in one of his online writing classes through Writer’s Block (www.writersblock.biz).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
June 9, 2025
This new book and series comes out tomorrow. I think readers of Muirwood and Mirrowen will especially like this series. It has those vibes and you’ll see some connections which will be explained in future books in this series.
June 8, 2025
I like Jeff Wheeler. I think he’s incredibly creative and has good worldbuilding skills. That said, this first novel in a new trilogy just reads a bit juvenile.
In this world, the author examines what life would be like if Adam had eaten the forbidden fruit and only he had been cast out. The Queen Mother thus rules over novices and angel-sworn in an idyllic valley surrounded by mountains, while the descendants of Adam toil for their daily bread, almost completely barred from entering the valley. The magic system is pretty intriguing, consisting of wands used to “graft” with animals and gain their advantages for a short time. There is also a tree which grants eternal life, as long as you partake of its fruit again once you get to an older age, and it then reverses your aging. So, lots of references to the Garden of Eden., but in a twisted manner.
As for the main character, I found Cimree to be very one-dimensional, only “rebellious” when the plot called for it—when it’s supposed to be an integral part of her character. Also, I was so angry at Trinati’s haughtiness and superiority complex regarding the mortals. The angel-sworn are supposed to PROTECT the others, not be disdainful and petty. Aren’t angels supposed to be held to a higher standard? It just left a bad taste in my mouth.
I am interested to see where Wheeler takes the story, but the climax of the story was so bizarre and confusing that I’m more than a little repulsed, to be frank. I’ll give book two a shot, though. In the meantime, this gets a 3.5 from me.
Thanks to NetGalley and Oliver Heber Books for an advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion!
In this world, the author examines what life would be like if Adam had eaten the forbidden fruit and only he had been cast out. The Queen Mother thus rules over novices and angel-sworn in an idyllic valley surrounded by mountains, while the descendants of Adam toil for their daily bread, almost completely barred from entering the valley. The magic system is pretty intriguing, consisting of wands used to “graft” with animals and gain their advantages for a short time. There is also a tree which grants eternal life, as long as you partake of its fruit again once you get to an older age, and it then reverses your aging. So, lots of references to the Garden of Eden., but in a twisted manner.
As for the main character, I found Cimree to be very one-dimensional, only “rebellious” when the plot called for it—when it’s supposed to be an integral part of her character. Also, I was so angry at Trinati’s haughtiness and superiority complex regarding the mortals. The angel-sworn are supposed to PROTECT the others, not be disdainful and petty. Aren’t angels supposed to be held to a higher standard? It just left a bad taste in my mouth.
I am interested to see where Wheeler takes the story, but the climax of the story was so bizarre and confusing that I’m more than a little repulsed, to be frank. I’ll give book two a shot, though. In the meantime, this gets a 3.5 from me.
Thanks to NetGalley and Oliver Heber Books for an advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2025
This is a very low-tech fantasy inspired by the Bible’s account of the Garden of Eden and related stories. Nothing about this felt offensive or blasphemous to me.
It did take me a while (25 percent) to get into the story. As the start of a series, it’s got a rather slow buildup. It has a pretty somber tone; there is not really any levity here, and I think that’s what made it harder to read for me. This is more of an issue with me as a reader and has nothing to do with the book’s quality.
Characterization was quite good overall. Several major characters were pretty annoying, which I think was the point. The prose was very good. Sometimes you forget what good prose looks like when you don’t encounter it for a while.
The book explores a lot of really interesting themes: blind obedience, sacrifice, and individuality, among others. It contains Easter eggs for other books, but I haven’t read enough of them to notice.
Language: Clean
Sexual Content: None
Violence/Gore: Monster violence, war violence
Harm to Animals:
Harm to Children:
Other (Triggers):
June 2, 2025
Queen Mother starts out strong with an idyllic world and a simple, yet unique, magic system. There is a heavy influence of the Adam and Eve creationism story complete with religious texts and a faith system. Immediately we meet our rebellious main character, Cimree, as she defies the rules and finds herself face-to-face with death. Such an explosive start was captivating and I felt the tension as I turned each page.
Unfortunately the book fell flat very fast. The characters fill obvious archetypes, almost to the point of caricaturization, and I found it difficult to like any of them. It didn't seem like they had voices, they were merely vessels to carry out the intended story. The plot itself was relatively weak, with miraculous near-misses and convenient last-minute saves. The suspense garnered at the beginning no longer carried any weight because I could tell everyone was well protected in their plot armor.
That doesn't mean there aren't things to like. I loved the descriptions of the environment, the concept of the angel sworn, and the grafting magic. Wheeler can craft a nice sentence and it was an easy fantasy read. While I didn't particularly enjoy this story, I would love to revisit this world in another book. I would recommend Queen Mother to people who are looking to graduate out of YA or romantasy, or perhaps just want to try something different, without having to let go of all the comforts of their preferred genre.
Unfortunately the book fell flat very fast. The characters fill obvious archetypes, almost to the point of caricaturization, and I found it difficult to like any of them. It didn't seem like they had voices, they were merely vessels to carry out the intended story. The plot itself was relatively weak, with miraculous near-misses and convenient last-minute saves. The suspense garnered at the beginning no longer carried any weight because I could tell everyone was well protected in their plot armor.
That doesn't mean there aren't things to like. I loved the descriptions of the environment, the concept of the angel sworn, and the grafting magic. Wheeler can craft a nice sentence and it was an easy fantasy read. While I didn't particularly enjoy this story, I would love to revisit this world in another book. I would recommend Queen Mother to people who are looking to graduate out of YA or romantasy, or perhaps just want to try something different, without having to let go of all the comforts of their preferred genre.
May 29, 2025
Review: What can you say about Wheeler that has not been said? His stories are riveting, period. The dialogue, movement, characters and world building all mesh together to create an embedded experience.
Initially Cimree is a little shjt that cannot stand to be around people and you like her for it. There is a sublime snake connection that is pointed in regard as it leads the reader to assume that something so benign has pivotal ramifications. Later, Cimree just "CARES SO MUCH FOR EVERYONE" and is seen hugging, cwying and yapping. Fug. The last third of this novel is bogged down with Cimree becoming a love addeled ass-hat with Azra always clenching teeth / fists / mounth / ears.
The next installment hints at a larger evil and more movement in the form of quests. This may be good for the story line as it needs to move off the inner ruminative emotional blah and budding love story. We really do not need to constantly overhear Cimree's EMOTIONS on everything.
I received this ARC for an honest review.
2.5/5
Initially Cimree is a little shjt that cannot stand to be around people and you like her for it. There is a sublime snake connection that is pointed in regard as it leads the reader to assume that something so benign has pivotal ramifications. Later, Cimree just "CARES SO MUCH FOR EVERYONE" and is seen hugging, cwying and yapping. Fug. The last third of this novel is bogged down with Cimree becoming a love addeled ass-hat with Azra always clenching teeth / fists / mounth / ears.
The next installment hints at a larger evil and more movement in the form of quests. This may be good for the story line as it needs to move off the inner ruminative emotional blah and budding love story. We really do not need to constantly overhear Cimree's EMOTIONS on everything.
I received this ARC for an honest review.
2.5/5
June 8, 2025
Book Review: Queen Mother by Jeff Wheeler
Jeff Wheeler’s books really need to come with a warning label: *May cause emotional attachment to fictional characters and sudden urges to re-read entire back catalogue*. *Queen Mother* is another classic case of “Wheeler strikes again”—clever, heartfelt, and sneakily brilliant in a way that makes you wonder if he’s got a secret map where all his books are slowly converging like some epic fantasy GPS. I came for the story, stayed for the heartbreak, and now I’m suspicious of every meaningful object he describes.
Cimree’s growth in *Queen Mother* is the quiet kind that sneaks up on you—no grand speeches or flashy power moves, just steady grit and heart. She doesn’t strut into leadership; she kind of stumbles, questions everything, keeps her head down—and somehow still ends up doing exactly what needs to be done. By the end, she’s not some idealised version of a hero—she’s *real*. Grounded. Still a little awkward, still overthinking things, but standing taller anyway. It’s not a “look at me” kind of arc—it’s a “I’ll carry this because I have to, and because I care” kind of strength. And that’s what makes her unforgettable.
And don’t even get me started on all the sly nods to Wheeler’s other works. It’s not about obvious callbacks—it’s the atmosphere. The quiet threads. The way certain objects hold weight, or how a place feels like a half-remembered dream from another story. That signature *Wheeler atmosphere*—layered, nostalgic, and just a little mysterious—is alive and well. And if you've read his other books, it's like catching whispers from past lives across different timelines.
This isn’t just a great book—it’s a bridge, a breadcrumb trail, a wink from Jeff that says, “Pay attention. It’s all connected.”
So thank you, Jeff Wheeler, for writing characters who feel like people, for the worldbuilding that makes my nerdy heart sing, and for making me want to go back and re-read *everything* with fresh eyes.
Wheeler fans: The Wheeler Effect: Read One Book, Re-read Fifteen… am I right?!?
Jeff Wheeler’s books really need to come with a warning label: *May cause emotional attachment to fictional characters and sudden urges to re-read entire back catalogue*. *Queen Mother* is another classic case of “Wheeler strikes again”—clever, heartfelt, and sneakily brilliant in a way that makes you wonder if he’s got a secret map where all his books are slowly converging like some epic fantasy GPS. I came for the story, stayed for the heartbreak, and now I’m suspicious of every meaningful object he describes.
Cimree’s growth in *Queen Mother* is the quiet kind that sneaks up on you—no grand speeches or flashy power moves, just steady grit and heart. She doesn’t strut into leadership; she kind of stumbles, questions everything, keeps her head down—and somehow still ends up doing exactly what needs to be done. By the end, she’s not some idealised version of a hero—she’s *real*. Grounded. Still a little awkward, still overthinking things, but standing taller anyway. It’s not a “look at me” kind of arc—it’s a “I’ll carry this because I have to, and because I care” kind of strength. And that’s what makes her unforgettable.
And don’t even get me started on all the sly nods to Wheeler’s other works. It’s not about obvious callbacks—it’s the atmosphere. The quiet threads. The way certain objects hold weight, or how a place feels like a half-remembered dream from another story. That signature *Wheeler atmosphere*—layered, nostalgic, and just a little mysterious—is alive and well. And if you've read his other books, it's like catching whispers from past lives across different timelines.
This isn’t just a great book—it’s a bridge, a breadcrumb trail, a wink from Jeff that says, “Pay attention. It’s all connected.”
So thank you, Jeff Wheeler, for writing characters who feel like people, for the worldbuilding that makes my nerdy heart sing, and for making me want to go back and re-read *everything* with fresh eyes.
Wheeler fans: The Wheeler Effect: Read One Book, Re-read Fifteen… am I right?!?
June 10, 2025
If you've read Jeff Wheeler's books then you'll love this newest edition to his universe. 😍
If you haven't read them yet then read this and then go binge his backlist. No seriously! You'll want to read them or reread everything he's ever written after this book.
Why? Pull up a chair and let me tell you about this awesomeness that was Queen Mother.
As always there are prominent Christian themes and allegories and this book is no different. It delves into the creation and makes you ask yourself... what if?
I loved the nuance of justice and mercy explored in this story.
Which leads to the awesome magic of grafting, where someone grafts a connection with an animal and takes on those strengths and skills.
How. Epic. Is. That?!?
Soooo cool.
This entire time Cimree is learning and discovering there is more to her world as we discover it right along side her and what a beautiful way to incorporate the world building, the magic, the theology.
It's action packed, there's tragedies, there's thought provoking moments, there's magic, there are tie-ins to his other worlds and it's so beautifully done.
I have to admit I'm downright obsessed. The care that went into this story is beautiful. Every sentence is beautiful, nuanced, and it felt like there was meaning behind every word chosen and you're waiting to discover it.
We get some answers, but are left craving even more by the end of the story... seriously when does book two come out?!?
Jeff Wheeler has truly put the epic in epic fantasy.
💋no romance in this first book (which is forgiven because the epicness is epic enough to make me forget I want someone to fall in love
⚠️lots of evil creatures and death, minimally described.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
If you haven't read them yet then read this and then go binge his backlist. No seriously! You'll want to read them or reread everything he's ever written after this book.
Why? Pull up a chair and let me tell you about this awesomeness that was Queen Mother.
As always there are prominent Christian themes and allegories and this book is no different. It delves into the creation and makes you ask yourself... what if?
I loved the nuance of justice and mercy explored in this story.
Which leads to the awesome magic of grafting, where someone grafts a connection with an animal and takes on those strengths and skills.
How. Epic. Is. That?!?
Soooo cool.
This entire time Cimree is learning and discovering there is more to her world as we discover it right along side her and what a beautiful way to incorporate the world building, the magic, the theology.
It's action packed, there's tragedies, there's thought provoking moments, there's magic, there are tie-ins to his other worlds and it's so beautifully done.
I have to admit I'm downright obsessed. The care that went into this story is beautiful. Every sentence is beautiful, nuanced, and it felt like there was meaning behind every word chosen and you're waiting to discover it.
We get some answers, but are left craving even more by the end of the story... seriously when does book two come out?!?
Jeff Wheeler has truly put the epic in epic fantasy.
💋no romance in this first book (which is forgiven because the epicness is epic enough to make me forget I want someone to fall in love
⚠️lots of evil creatures and death, minimally described.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 10, 2025
Story: 5/5
Writing/Editing: 4.5/5
Jeff Wheeler is one of my favorite authors, so of course, I pre-ordered Queen Mother, though I had the opportunity to read an ARC copy ahead of time as part of Wheeler's Street Team. Wheeler's books are fairly short--and I read quickly--so I finished it in one day and was left wanting more! While it does come to a satisfying conclusion, it seems to end on more of a cliffhanger than some of his other books (though that may have more to do with the fact that many of his trilogies were already complete when I started them).
I'll start by mentioning that, as with all Wheeler's books, this tale is clean, suitable for middle-grade readers and up. Strong, yet flawed, protagonists often struggle with faith/disillusionment in his stories, emerging on the other side with a clearer understanding and unshaking connection with their faith.
Queen Mother is a delightful read, introducing readers to a new world--though I have my suspicions, given all the Easter eggs hinting at connections to other worlds in Wheeler's rich universe (and the Author's Note). As always, however, this world has its own unique spin on magic, stories of creation, and faith. Spoilers/summaries aren't my style, but I will divulge a few tidbits Wheeler reveals at the get-go.
The binding system of magic involves--you guessed it--"binding" with various creatures to gain their abilities and/or cooperation. Each "angel sworn" has an affinity for a certain animal/insect/etc.; they can bind with other creatures, but experience discomfort and even pain when doing so.
Cimree, our main character, is a healer in training, with that delicious rebellious streak Wheeler's heroines are known for. One thing I love about Wheeler's protagonists is that, while they're strong, they aren't even close to perfect. Cimree hasn't discovered her affinity yet, and has trouble performing bindings. Her nonconformist attitude and tendency to question have caused her (and her lofty superiors) grief in the past--and of course, right off the bat, this inclination is demonstrated.
Wheeler is a master of character development, with an excellent "show, don't tell" way of revealing his characters' personalities and physical descriptions naturally. As an editor, I do get a little antsy at the use of passive voice in setting descriptions, which is the main reason I've given this four stars instead of five. They also go on a bit longer than I'd like, but nowhere near Tolkien levels.
Overall, Queen Mother's rich story and characters trump any writing/editing issues to a large degree. I can't recommend Wheeler's books enough, so if you enjoy this one, you'll have many, many others to go read next! (I recommend starting with "The Wretched of Muirwood" and going from there.) In fact, I may go back and re-read them all again ;)
Writing/Editing: 4.5/5
Jeff Wheeler is one of my favorite authors, so of course, I pre-ordered Queen Mother, though I had the opportunity to read an ARC copy ahead of time as part of Wheeler's Street Team. Wheeler's books are fairly short--and I read quickly--so I finished it in one day and was left wanting more! While it does come to a satisfying conclusion, it seems to end on more of a cliffhanger than some of his other books (though that may have more to do with the fact that many of his trilogies were already complete when I started them).
I'll start by mentioning that, as with all Wheeler's books, this tale is clean, suitable for middle-grade readers and up. Strong, yet flawed, protagonists often struggle with faith/disillusionment in his stories, emerging on the other side with a clearer understanding and unshaking connection with their faith.
Queen Mother is a delightful read, introducing readers to a new world--though I have my suspicions, given all the Easter eggs hinting at connections to other worlds in Wheeler's rich universe (and the Author's Note). As always, however, this world has its own unique spin on magic, stories of creation, and faith. Spoilers/summaries aren't my style, but I will divulge a few tidbits Wheeler reveals at the get-go.
The binding system of magic involves--you guessed it--"binding" with various creatures to gain their abilities and/or cooperation. Each "angel sworn" has an affinity for a certain animal/insect/etc.; they can bind with other creatures, but experience discomfort and even pain when doing so.
Cimree, our main character, is a healer in training, with that delicious rebellious streak Wheeler's heroines are known for. One thing I love about Wheeler's protagonists is that, while they're strong, they aren't even close to perfect. Cimree hasn't discovered her affinity yet, and has trouble performing bindings. Her nonconformist attitude and tendency to question have caused her (and her lofty superiors) grief in the past--and of course, right off the bat, this inclination is demonstrated.
Wheeler is a master of character development, with an excellent "show, don't tell" way of revealing his characters' personalities and physical descriptions naturally. As an editor, I do get a little antsy at the use of passive voice in setting descriptions, which is the main reason I've given this four stars instead of five. They also go on a bit longer than I'd like, but nowhere near Tolkien levels.
Overall, Queen Mother's rich story and characters trump any writing/editing issues to a large degree. I can't recommend Wheeler's books enough, so if you enjoy this one, you'll have many, many others to go read next! (I recommend starting with "The Wretched of Muirwood" and going from there.) In fact, I may go back and re-read them all again ;)
May 31, 2025
2.5⭐️. I really enjoyed the first third of this book, then it sort of went downhill. I really liked the animal magic, the gender-bent garden of Eden origin story where women are the ones in power, and the magic-fruit-reversing-aging aspects.
The main character, Cimree, confused me a lot. The way she thinks and talks and is written about makes me think she is around 15 or 16 years old (we aren’t given a specific age for her). I would have been more ok with all of this if her age was mentioned as 18 or 19, but I kept imagining her as much younger in my head. She moves on from certain traumas wayyyy too quickly to be realistic, and felt pretty flat as a character. The plot point of Cimree having to “graft” via magical amulet to a man who supposedly betrayed the Queen Mother (leader) made me really uncomfortable, as I didn’t know whether it would be made into a sexual relationship. It’s revealed later that Cimree was chosen to graft to him because she is similar to his dead wife, which gave me the ick.
The plot of the second half of the book felt rushed, and I was confused about the actions of some characters. The final thing I will mention is I’m confused whether this book is an adult fantasy or YA fantasy. On NetGalley it’s listed as adult, but the writing style and character voices seem more YA (with the exception of mild gore).
I’m sad to rate this book lower, as I read Wheeler’s Queen’s Poisoner series when I was a teen and enjoyed it, but was disappointed by this book. This would be a good choice for younger readers who are comfortable reading fantasy books with death and mild gore, but unfortunately didn’t work for me.
My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with the eARC via NetGalley!
The main character, Cimree, confused me a lot. The way she thinks and talks and is written about makes me think she is around 15 or 16 years old (we aren’t given a specific age for her). I would have been more ok with all of this if her age was mentioned as 18 or 19, but I kept imagining her as much younger in my head. She moves on from certain traumas wayyyy too quickly to be realistic, and felt pretty flat as a character. The plot point of Cimree having to “graft” via magical amulet to a man who supposedly betrayed the Queen Mother (leader) made me really uncomfortable, as I didn’t know whether it would be made into a sexual relationship. It’s revealed later that Cimree was chosen to graft to him because she is similar to his dead wife, which gave me the ick.
The plot of the second half of the book felt rushed, and I was confused about the actions of some characters. The final thing I will mention is I’m confused whether this book is an adult fantasy or YA fantasy. On NetGalley it’s listed as adult, but the writing style and character voices seem more YA (with the exception of mild gore).
I’m sad to rate this book lower, as I read Wheeler’s Queen’s Poisoner series when I was a teen and enjoyed it, but was disappointed by this book. This would be a good choice for younger readers who are comfortable reading fantasy books with death and mild gore, but unfortunately didn’t work for me.
My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with the eARC via NetGalley!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2025
The world-building was very good, and there are a lot of fun hints back to Wheeler's other series. The characters were interesting, and the plot twist at the end was well done. I didn't enjoy this book as much as I have the others I've read from Wheeler, but I do look forward to reading book two.
3.5 Stars.
3.5 Stars.
June 10, 2025
Jeff Wheeler's The Queen Mother presents an intriguing fantasy world centered around the immortal Angel Sworn and their hidden valley of Clairvaux. While the book delivers on action and character development, it also challenges readers with a complex mythology.
What Works Well
The action sequences and battle scenes are tense and showcase Wheeler's ability to write engaging, fast-paced scenes that keep you turning pages. These sequences keep the story moving and demonstrate the author's skill in writing action sequences.
The real strength of this book lies in Cimree's character arc. As a young healer in training, she serves as both protagonist and our window into this mysterious world. Cimree feels remarkably human and accessible—her growth, doubts, and discoveries make her a compelling guide through Wheeler's mythology. The decision to tell the story through her perspective works, allowing readers to understand the Queen Mother alongside her.
The Challenge of Perspective
This narrative choice, however, creates the book's most frustrating element. The nature of the world is unfolded through Cimree's limited understanding. As a reader, you'll likely find yourself several steps ahead of the protagonist. This creates a tension that can be both engaging and frustrating.
Final Thoughts
The Queen Mother succeeds as a character-driven fantasy with solid action sequences and an interesting premise involving immortality and hidden societies. Wheeler has created a rich world with the valley of Clairvaux and its Gallows Tree, complete with magic systems involving grafting wands and animal bonding.
The book works best when you embrace the unreliable narrator aspect. The creation mythology was perplexing and it hard to figure out what was really going on. Wheeler is clearly building toward revelations that will likely pay off in future installments. While this approach can be frustrating in the moment, it serves the larger narrative purpose of exploring themes about truth, faith, and the stories we tell ourselves.
Recommended for fantasy readers who enjoy character-driven narratives and don't mind working through complex mythologies that don't reveal all their secrets immediately. Just be prepared for some narrative frustration as you wait for Cimree to catch up to what you've likely already figured out.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
What Works Well
The action sequences and battle scenes are tense and showcase Wheeler's ability to write engaging, fast-paced scenes that keep you turning pages. These sequences keep the story moving and demonstrate the author's skill in writing action sequences.
The real strength of this book lies in Cimree's character arc. As a young healer in training, she serves as both protagonist and our window into this mysterious world. Cimree feels remarkably human and accessible—her growth, doubts, and discoveries make her a compelling guide through Wheeler's mythology. The decision to tell the story through her perspective works, allowing readers to understand the Queen Mother alongside her.
The Challenge of Perspective
This narrative choice, however, creates the book's most frustrating element. The nature of the world is unfolded through Cimree's limited understanding. As a reader, you'll likely find yourself several steps ahead of the protagonist. This creates a tension that can be both engaging and frustrating.
Final Thoughts
The Queen Mother succeeds as a character-driven fantasy with solid action sequences and an interesting premise involving immortality and hidden societies. Wheeler has created a rich world with the valley of Clairvaux and its Gallows Tree, complete with magic systems involving grafting wands and animal bonding.
The book works best when you embrace the unreliable narrator aspect. The creation mythology was perplexing and it hard to figure out what was really going on. Wheeler is clearly building toward revelations that will likely pay off in future installments. While this approach can be frustrating in the moment, it serves the larger narrative purpose of exploring themes about truth, faith, and the stories we tell ourselves.
Recommended for fantasy readers who enjoy character-driven narratives and don't mind working through complex mythologies that don't reveal all their secrets immediately. Just be prepared for some narrative frustration as you wait for Cimree to catch up to what you've likely already figured out.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 27, 2025
Language 🤐: Clean
Romance💋: Like none yet but it's the first book
⚠️Death and violence, Some evil creatures too I'd put it in like the PG-13ish realm nothing overly descriptive.⚠️
This book guys! Jeff just does such an amazing job with his worlds and just drawing you in with his amazing story telling and creating this amazing worlds that just suck you in! I like can not get over this book and need the next one so fast! Like it can not come out soon enough!
This store drew me in from the begging and I could not put it down basically! I was intrigued from the beginning when I realized it was a take on the Creation story of the world but so different. That was such an interesting thing to contemplate. I went into this book blind not know what to expect so that made it all the more interesting.
Cimree was such an amazing character to follow. Her grown and struggles with what she was happing to face and not knowing what to do was so amazing! I seriously just do not have words for the journey this took me on! I could relate and feel the emotions and the struggles that Cimree was having to work through. The choices she was being presented with and the expectations placed upon her with little explanation. Goodness Jeff you really put your characters through a lot but I love the growth and development and the realness of these characters. All of Jeff characters have great depth that it's just hard to explain!
All the characters besides Cimree are so thought out and feel so real! They feel like people you know. You are right there with Cimree feeling the frustration, admiration and conflict along with her. This is the start of a series that is going to be an epic journey that I know is just going to be a roller coaster of emotions. I'm here for this adventure and emotional roller coaster we are going to be taken on!
I've not read all of Jeff's books but the tie in to his others were so great! It makes me want to go and read as many of his books as I can so that I can continue to tie into this book but even if you haven't read his other books and just pick up this one you will be introduced into an amazing world! This book truly takes you through the whole gambit of emotions and leaves you ready to set out on an amazing journey that awaits these wonderful characters at the end of this book!
There is lots happening throughout but I was getting to the build up when I decided to just read for 30 more minutes before calling it a night and chaos then ensued and I could not put the book down until there was not imminent danger (which I had to finally put the book down at 2am when the danger was less imminent 😅) I then finished it the next day! So be forewarned you will not want to put this story down!
Thanks so much to Jeff for sending me this ARC through Booksprout. All thoughts shared are my own! I can't wait for you all to get to read this amazing story! Hopefully this muddle of a review will convince you the amazingness of this book!
Romance💋: Like none yet but it's the first book
⚠️Death and violence, Some evil creatures too I'd put it in like the PG-13ish realm nothing overly descriptive.⚠️
This book guys! Jeff just does such an amazing job with his worlds and just drawing you in with his amazing story telling and creating this amazing worlds that just suck you in! I like can not get over this book and need the next one so fast! Like it can not come out soon enough!
This store drew me in from the begging and I could not put it down basically! I was intrigued from the beginning when I realized it was a take on the Creation story of the world but so different. That was such an interesting thing to contemplate. I went into this book blind not know what to expect so that made it all the more interesting.
Cimree was such an amazing character to follow. Her grown and struggles with what she was happing to face and not knowing what to do was so amazing! I seriously just do not have words for the journey this took me on! I could relate and feel the emotions and the struggles that Cimree was having to work through. The choices she was being presented with and the expectations placed upon her with little explanation. Goodness Jeff you really put your characters through a lot but I love the growth and development and the realness of these characters. All of Jeff characters have great depth that it's just hard to explain!
All the characters besides Cimree are so thought out and feel so real! They feel like people you know. You are right there with Cimree feeling the frustration, admiration and conflict along with her. This is the start of a series that is going to be an epic journey that I know is just going to be a roller coaster of emotions. I'm here for this adventure and emotional roller coaster we are going to be taken on!
I've not read all of Jeff's books but the tie in to his others were so great! It makes me want to go and read as many of his books as I can so that I can continue to tie into this book but even if you haven't read his other books and just pick up this one you will be introduced into an amazing world! This book truly takes you through the whole gambit of emotions and leaves you ready to set out on an amazing journey that awaits these wonderful characters at the end of this book!
There is lots happening throughout but I was getting to the build up when I decided to just read for 30 more minutes before calling it a night and chaos then ensued and I could not put the book down until there was not imminent danger (which I had to finally put the book down at 2am when the danger was less imminent 😅) I then finished it the next day! So be forewarned you will not want to put this story down!
Thanks so much to Jeff for sending me this ARC through Booksprout. All thoughts shared are my own! I can't wait for you all to get to read this amazing story! Hopefully this muddle of a review will convince you the amazingness of this book!
June 10, 2025
I love the works of Jeff Wheeler and this book is no exception. This doesn’t
mean it is without flaws, but it is a fun read.
Some of the things that I liked about the book. First, it is nonstop from the beginning and doesn’t let up until the end. The protagonist never gets a break and she must fight battles with those that are supposed to be her friends and enemies that want to kill her. Second, it has several twists that make it fun. There were many times that I thought it would go in certain direction, only to have the rug pulled out from under me. Third, the main character is flawed and imperfect. In fact, she has no business being part of the action. Lastly, Jeff Wheeler takes a well known story and twists it in a fun way that totally changes the tone of the original.
Some things I didn’t like. First, the antagonism from those who are supposed to support her became weary at times. It felt like what they were doing was out of character and forced. At times the way they reacted to a situation didn’t feel like how a real person would react. Second, when characters are placed in danger or mortally wounded there is always a deus ex machina to save them. One character gets infected and is then miraculously healed before we find out what would’ve happened to him. It would have been interesting to see the results of the illness and then cure him.
It is not a perfect book, but it is a fun read and I can’t wait to read the sequels.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
mean it is without flaws, but it is a fun read.
Some of the things that I liked about the book. First, it is nonstop from the beginning and doesn’t let up until the end. The protagonist never gets a break and she must fight battles with those that are supposed to be her friends and enemies that want to kill her. Second, it has several twists that make it fun. There were many times that I thought it would go in certain direction, only to have the rug pulled out from under me. Third, the main character is flawed and imperfect. In fact, she has no business being part of the action. Lastly, Jeff Wheeler takes a well known story and twists it in a fun way that totally changes the tone of the original.
Some things I didn’t like. First, the antagonism from those who are supposed to support her became weary at times. It felt like what they were doing was out of character and forced. At times the way they reacted to a situation didn’t feel like how a real person would react. Second, when characters are placed in danger or mortally wounded there is always a deus ex machina to save them. One character gets infected and is then miraculously healed before we find out what would’ve happened to him. It would have been interesting to see the results of the illness and then cure him.
It is not a perfect book, but it is a fun read and I can’t wait to read the sequels.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 10, 2025
In Jeff Wheeler style he brings us a story that ties in our real world mythology with a world of magic and wonder. Mixing in history and religion in away that is like filtering light through a prism.
I have to say that I am not as fond of the main characters as I usually am by this point in the story. I am keeping my faith that Jeff will grow their depth and purpose as the adventure continues.
The magic system in this world is unique and there are many possibilities to expand into. I do love the binding with animals. I'm hoping to see much more in the coming books.
We shall see what the future holds.
I received an ARC from booksprout for an honest review.
I have to say that I am not as fond of the main characters as I usually am by this point in the story. I am keeping my faith that Jeff will grow their depth and purpose as the adventure continues.
The magic system in this world is unique and there are many possibilities to expand into. I do love the binding with animals. I'm hoping to see much more in the coming books.
We shall see what the future holds.
I received an ARC from booksprout for an honest review.
June 8, 2025
This book is so good!!!!
Entering this new world was so fun and interesting. I loved how Jeff Wheeler set up the world and the plot for this book and how it kept you on the edge of your seat with what was going to happen next.
I found the Christian/Adam and Eve themes in this book so fascinating! I love to see an author actually use religion in there books instead of shying away from it.
I also loved the range in characters and character personalities!
Definitely recommend and can’t wait to read what happens next!
Entering this new world was so fun and interesting. I loved how Jeff Wheeler set up the world and the plot for this book and how it kept you on the edge of your seat with what was going to happen next.
I found the Christian/Adam and Eve themes in this book so fascinating! I love to see an author actually use religion in there books instead of shying away from it.
I also loved the range in characters and character personalities!
Definitely recommend and can’t wait to read what happens next!
June 10, 2025
This was an unexpected page turner. The way Jeff Wheeler wove the narrative together. Left me looking for the next Easter egg at every turn of the page. Having been a fan of Jeff's for some years this book brought in many elements of his other books, knowing his other work is not a prerequisite to enjoying this book. This book stands alone and is well worth the time to read and delve into the worlds of Jeff Wheeler.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 20, 2025
ahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!
I LOVED THIS BOOK! It was so much classic Jeff Wheeler and I was so wrapped up in the world! It was so fun! I loved the characters and all the little sneaky hints and things going on throughout the book! It’s really hard to write this review without spoilers because there were SO MANY cool things, but I won’t tell you anything because then you can go read them for yourself! Just ahhhh!!!!
I LOVED THIS BOOK! It was so much classic Jeff Wheeler and I was so wrapped up in the world! It was so fun! I loved the characters and all the little sneaky hints and things going on throughout the book! It’s really hard to write this review without spoilers because there were SO MANY cool things, but I won’t tell you anything because then you can go read them for yourself! Just ahhhh!!!!
June 9, 2025
Jeff Wheeler has done it again! I likened this novel to the creation story, be it in most histories. He has built a new world of magic, redemption and revolution that will continue to entertain for some time. I am thrilled and excited for the next book in the saga!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 13, 2025
What you need to know:
-Queen Mother is bold, super fast-paced, and thought-provoking.
-This book is suitable for new readers to the Jeff Wheeler world as well as long-term fans.
-By design, some of the magic systems and thematic elements appear in similar forms in other series in the Jeff Wheeler canon. Some of the hints and devices in Queen Mother may take on additional meaning for longer-term readers.
-This book is a very solid introduction to the Angel Sworn series. It is not a stand-alone book. You will want the next book in the series! Fortunately, Mr. Wheeler is kind to his readers and keeps his books coming fast- there won't be a huge wait.
Bold:
Mr. Wheeler is famous for taking both real-life historical and legendary accounts and changing up the outcome. He then places compelling fictional (and in some cases, not so fictional) characters from that history or legend into a world similar to our own. Last, he works his magic, seemingly standing back to let us see what unfolds.
Mr. Wheeler's historical/legendary choice in Queen Mother is bold. Very bold!
Fast paced:
I naively thought as I began this book that my life was my own. I read a little, went about my life a little, and read a little more, all the while Mr. Wheeler was carefully and deliberately building the framework for Angel Sworn during each of my reading sessions.
And then, wham. Suddenly, part way in, I got snagged. Dinner was late, I didn't go to bed on time, and chores were haphazard because I absolutely had to know what was coming next. What started as an occasional thought about Cimree's world became something that I had to tear myself away from.
Thought provoking:
Because Jeff Wheeler's writing style is fluid and accessible, it's easy to forget that he's teaching something to his readers. And it's always good stuff.
His heroes have integrity and balance and are just flawed enough to be real.
His villains have depth. Except for the monsters. The monsters are good old-fashioned, terrifying monsters. And there are a lot of them in this book!
Then there's the world of Queen Mother.
The bold choice that Mr. Wheeler is making puts him in a position to explore some pretty complex ideas about authority, misplaced loyalty, maintaining self-control, compassion, and what our duty is when we find a leader taking the wrong path.
If that sounds heavy, rest assured, it's not. Mr. Wheeler's ability to weave an engrossing tale doesn't desert him here. The story races by while giving your brain and heart a gentle workout.
Try this one. It will keep you wanting to know what comes next!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
-Queen Mother is bold, super fast-paced, and thought-provoking.
-This book is suitable for new readers to the Jeff Wheeler world as well as long-term fans.
-By design, some of the magic systems and thematic elements appear in similar forms in other series in the Jeff Wheeler canon. Some of the hints and devices in Queen Mother may take on additional meaning for longer-term readers.
-This book is a very solid introduction to the Angel Sworn series. It is not a stand-alone book. You will want the next book in the series! Fortunately, Mr. Wheeler is kind to his readers and keeps his books coming fast- there won't be a huge wait.
Bold:
Mr. Wheeler is famous for taking both real-life historical and legendary accounts and changing up the outcome. He then places compelling fictional (and in some cases, not so fictional) characters from that history or legend into a world similar to our own. Last, he works his magic, seemingly standing back to let us see what unfolds.
Mr. Wheeler's historical/legendary choice in Queen Mother is bold. Very bold!
Fast paced:
I naively thought as I began this book that my life was my own. I read a little, went about my life a little, and read a little more, all the while Mr. Wheeler was carefully and deliberately building the framework for Angel Sworn during each of my reading sessions.
And then, wham. Suddenly, part way in, I got snagged. Dinner was late, I didn't go to bed on time, and chores were haphazard because I absolutely had to know what was coming next. What started as an occasional thought about Cimree's world became something that I had to tear myself away from.
Thought provoking:
Because Jeff Wheeler's writing style is fluid and accessible, it's easy to forget that he's teaching something to his readers. And it's always good stuff.
His heroes have integrity and balance and are just flawed enough to be real.
His villains have depth. Except for the monsters. The monsters are good old-fashioned, terrifying monsters. And there are a lot of them in this book!
Then there's the world of Queen Mother.
The bold choice that Mr. Wheeler is making puts him in a position to explore some pretty complex ideas about authority, misplaced loyalty, maintaining self-control, compassion, and what our duty is when we find a leader taking the wrong path.
If that sounds heavy, rest assured, it's not. Mr. Wheeler's ability to weave an engrossing tale doesn't desert him here. The story races by while giving your brain and heart a gentle workout.
Try this one. It will keep you wanting to know what comes next!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 10, 2025
As a reader, I was completely captivated by the enchanting world of Clairvaux in this book. Nestled deep in the mountains, the valley is home to the Gallows Tree, bearing fruit that grants immortality to the angel sworn, who wield incredible powers by bonding with animals and using their grafting wands to maintain harmony in the natural world.
But the peace is fleeting. A sinister force descends upon Clairvaux, leaving behind a trail of devastation. The young healer Cimree quickly becomes one of my favorite characters as her journey to uncover the truth takes unexpected turns. From seeking answers in the depths of dungeons to facing the horrors of a new magic that transforms animals into monsters, the stakes just keep rising.
With some authors, it is common to discern the plot and ending by the time one has read through a quarter of the book. Their writing style tends to remain consistent throughout their career. This is not the case with Jeff Wheeler. His writing keeps the reader engaged, continuously speculating about the story's direction, only to be surprised by the frequent twists and turns. The narrative compels readers to discover what happens next, how characters will develop, and how they will respond to the ongoing crisis. “Queen Mother” is a new world that touches upon the creation story like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, but with the man eating the fruit this time. Yet it expands to something completely different with new twists on the Christian creation story. Moreover, Wheeler skillfully leaves a sprinkling of easter eggs from his other worlds to tie some of his fantasy worlds together. Big fans of Jeff Wheeler’s books will see the faint whispers from across the different worlds and timelines weaving them all together.
What really stood out to me was how the narrative also delves into questions of morality, loyalty, and survival. The pacing is excellent, and the twists kept me turning the pages late into the night. This book left me in awe and eagerly anticipating the release of the second book in the series to see how Cimree’s journey unfolds and whether Clairvaux can be saved. I highly recommend “Queen Mother” to anyone who loves fantasy with heart and depth!
I received a complimentary copy of this book via Booksprout and am providing an independent review.
But the peace is fleeting. A sinister force descends upon Clairvaux, leaving behind a trail of devastation. The young healer Cimree quickly becomes one of my favorite characters as her journey to uncover the truth takes unexpected turns. From seeking answers in the depths of dungeons to facing the horrors of a new magic that transforms animals into monsters, the stakes just keep rising.
With some authors, it is common to discern the plot and ending by the time one has read through a quarter of the book. Their writing style tends to remain consistent throughout their career. This is not the case with Jeff Wheeler. His writing keeps the reader engaged, continuously speculating about the story's direction, only to be surprised by the frequent twists and turns. The narrative compels readers to discover what happens next, how characters will develop, and how they will respond to the ongoing crisis. “Queen Mother” is a new world that touches upon the creation story like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, but with the man eating the fruit this time. Yet it expands to something completely different with new twists on the Christian creation story. Moreover, Wheeler skillfully leaves a sprinkling of easter eggs from his other worlds to tie some of his fantasy worlds together. Big fans of Jeff Wheeler’s books will see the faint whispers from across the different worlds and timelines weaving them all together.
What really stood out to me was how the narrative also delves into questions of morality, loyalty, and survival. The pacing is excellent, and the twists kept me turning the pages late into the night. This book left me in awe and eagerly anticipating the release of the second book in the series to see how Cimree’s journey unfolds and whether Clairvaux can be saved. I highly recommend “Queen Mother” to anyone who loves fantasy with heart and depth!
I received a complimentary copy of this book via Booksprout and am providing an independent review.
June 19, 2025
Jeff Wheeler delivers another imaginative, action-packed tale for fans of epic high fantasy—and for anyone drawn to deeper philosophical questions about morality, justice, and the nature of truth. This thrilling adventure invites readers to wrestle with what it means to be good and right, how mercy and grace inform our beliefs, and the courage it takes to challenge long-held assumptions. Set in a richly imagined new world, the story follows Cimree, a young woman thrust into a perilous quest to save herself, the people of Clairvaux, and possibly her entire world from mysterious and deadly magical beasts. Along the way, Cimree confronts the injustices inflicted on the earthborn by the Queen Mother, forcing her to evaluate everything she once believed. As she navigates these challenges, she must learn whom to trust, where to place her faith, and how to reconcile the growing moral dilemmas before her.
Wheeler crafts a brilliant new fantasy world with immersive detail and nuanced character development. His portrayals of valleys, mountains, waterfalls, lakes, and wildlife are so vivid they evoked memories of my own time in the Alps and years exploring the Rocky Mountains. I held my breath during the harrowing battle scenes between magical creatures and angel sworn warriors, wondering who would survive. The characters evolve as real friendships do—gradually and authentically—through conversations, shared trials, and moments that reveal their trustworthiness.
Much of the relational tension arises from the world's genesis—a bold reimagining of Biblical creation that reverses roles, reassigns guilt, and reshapes consequences, among other provocative shifts. Wheeler excels at building suspense, weaving in twists and revelations that heighten the intrigue and make the book nearly impossible to set down. Readers are often a step ahead of Cimree, creating a compelling tension as we anticipate when and how she will uncover the truths still hidden from her. Yet even as the pieces fall into place, new surprises continue to emerge.
While longtime fans will appreciate the familiar elements drawn from Wheeler’s wider mythos, Queen Mother Angel Sworn stands confidently on its own. Newcomers will find it accessible and engaging, with no prior knowledge required to enjoy the story. With all the hallmarks of epic fantasy—high stakes, magical creatures and artifacts, a richly imagined world, and timeless themes—Wheeler once again delivers a powerful and thought-provoking adventure. At its heart, this novel explores the resilience of the human spirit, the cost of truth, and the enduring strength of hope.
August 15, 2025
I've gotten to the point where I read pretty much everything Jeff Wheeler puts out, as soon as it's released! This was no exception... and while all of his books feel quite similar to me, it's the world-building and the magical details that keep me coming back. They're atmospheric, and the characters are noble.
There was something very unusual about this one, in that it began with a retelling of the story in Genesis of the Garden of Eden and the fall of man--sort of. There was an apple, and a serpent, a man and a woman, but they weren't named Adam and Eve. There was no one called "God," nor anyone who might have been that character. The Queen Mother was there, but I'm unclear what role she played... it seems as if she was neither of them, but rather, Adam's first wife? I'm waiting for her to be called Judith in a later book, though I can't quite recall the details of that story either. I feel like it might be from an apocryphal book, though I'm not sure.
The story follows the Angel Sworn, whom I gather are somewhere between angels the way we think of them today, and humans--in this book, humans can choose to take a vow and become, essentially, angels. The Angel Sworn are mostly immortal, and (as Jesus said) they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but they can still die. They also have a subtle type of magic that involves identification with a particular animal. If they merge with that animal, they can share its heightened senses, while still indwelling their own bodies.
Cimree is a young girl who is among the Angel Sworn, an apprentice, but she has yet to actually take the oath. She's recruited by the Queen Mother (who seems like she might turn out to be an evil character, though all the Angel Sworn reverence her) to persuade a fallen Angel Sworn to undertake a quest, in order to help root out a predator invading their lands. The fallen angel, it turns out, was once the angel of death--but he forsook his vows, and took a human woman as a wife (which sounds an awful lot like the Nephilim in Genesis 6)...
I'm really quite amazed that Wheeler managed to take such an incredibly well-known story, central to the faiths of so many, and make something new and creative out of it, without even a hint of irreverence. That takes prodigious skill! Looking forward to the next installment.
There was something very unusual about this one, in that it began with a retelling of the story in Genesis of the Garden of Eden and the fall of man--sort of. There was an apple, and a serpent, a man and a woman, but they weren't named Adam and Eve. There was no one called "God," nor anyone who might have been that character. The Queen Mother was there, but I'm unclear what role she played... it seems as if she was neither of them, but rather, Adam's first wife? I'm waiting for her to be called Judith in a later book, though I can't quite recall the details of that story either. I feel like it might be from an apocryphal book, though I'm not sure.
The story follows the Angel Sworn, whom I gather are somewhere between angels the way we think of them today, and humans--in this book, humans can choose to take a vow and become, essentially, angels. The Angel Sworn are mostly immortal, and (as Jesus said) they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but they can still die. They also have a subtle type of magic that involves identification with a particular animal. If they merge with that animal, they can share its heightened senses, while still indwelling their own bodies.
Cimree is a young girl who is among the Angel Sworn, an apprentice, but she has yet to actually take the oath. She's recruited by the Queen Mother (who seems like she might turn out to be an evil character, though all the Angel Sworn reverence her) to persuade a fallen Angel Sworn to undertake a quest, in order to help root out a predator invading their lands. The fallen angel, it turns out, was once the angel of death--but he forsook his vows, and took a human woman as a wife (which sounds an awful lot like the Nephilim in Genesis 6)...
I'm really quite amazed that Wheeler managed to take such an incredibly well-known story, central to the faiths of so many, and make something new and creative out of it, without even a hint of irreverence. That takes prodigious skill! Looking forward to the next installment.
June 5, 2025
As a Jeff Wheeler fan, I have grown accustomed to reading books that have well developed characters; that present a swiftly moving plot line; and, make use of as much excitement, mystery, magic, and surprises as possible.
The Queen Mother is no exception. Wheeler provides writing that just jumps off the page for the reader. He creates entire worlds and belief systems: something in which he is so gifted. This story finds its roots in the Creation story of the Bible; however, the female resists the serpent’s temptation, while the weaker male gives in and is cast out of “the garden.“
What I especially enjoy is Jeff Wheeler‘s ability to think outside the box. A small idea that he tucks away somewhere in the past can become a full-fledged series in time. There are some references in the story to creatures and skills, etc., found in other series by Wheeler. Wheeler‘s author’s note tells the reader that this is the origin story for one of his series, but he does not yet disclose which series it is.
If I experienced any disappointment, it was that Cimree’s character was not fully developed. In my mind, I could not imagine what she looked like or how old she was, though it is stated her age later in the novel… Perhaps I missed the first reference. At first, it occurred to me that this might be the result of a rushed manuscript; **however, the reader discovers towards the end that this lack of development and description for her character is in keeping with an unexpected plot twist that Wheeler seamlessly and organically slips in in the last pages of the book. It’s also in keeping with Azra’s comment that things are not always as they appear to be. And this plot twist introduces a completely new and unexpected mystery!
This is not a book that moves slowly in the least. I had a hard time putting it down; and when I did, I was anxious to get back to it at my first opportunity. With all of this said, I anxiously await the next book, The Tyrant Queen. I would definitely recommend reading this and all of Wheeler’s books!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The Queen Mother is no exception. Wheeler provides writing that just jumps off the page for the reader. He creates entire worlds and belief systems: something in which he is so gifted. This story finds its roots in the Creation story of the Bible; however, the female resists the serpent’s temptation, while the weaker male gives in and is cast out of “the garden.“
What I especially enjoy is Jeff Wheeler‘s ability to think outside the box. A small idea that he tucks away somewhere in the past can become a full-fledged series in time. There are some references in the story to creatures and skills, etc., found in other series by Wheeler. Wheeler‘s author’s note tells the reader that this is the origin story for one of his series, but he does not yet disclose which series it is.
If I experienced any disappointment, it was that Cimree’s character was not fully developed. In my mind, I could not imagine what she looked like or how old she was, though it is stated her age later in the novel… Perhaps I missed the first reference. At first, it occurred to me that this might be the result of a rushed manuscript; **however, the reader discovers towards the end that this lack of development and description for her character is in keeping with an unexpected plot twist that Wheeler seamlessly and organically slips in in the last pages of the book. It’s also in keeping with Azra’s comment that things are not always as they appear to be. And this plot twist introduces a completely new and unexpected mystery!
This is not a book that moves slowly in the least. I had a hard time putting it down; and when I did, I was anxious to get back to it at my first opportunity. With all of this said, I anxiously await the next book, The Tyrant Queen. I would definitely recommend reading this and all of Wheeler’s books!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 10, 2025
Author Jeff Wheeler turns the Christian origin story on its head in his latest novel, “Queen Mother,” book one of two in the Angel Sworn series. In this version of creation, it is the man who eats of the fruit and is driven out of the garden.
Or at least that’s the way it seems in the start of the latest series written by Wheeler. The prolific author introduces us to a new setting and protagonist, an idyllic valley called Clairvaux, where the angel sworn live, and Cimree, an apprentice healer who is both shy and slightly rebellious.
All seems perfect, until Cimree comes upon a murdered hunter-defender on the mountain where she is searching for a healing flower. Another murder follows, and Cimree is sent by the Queen Mother to an island called Montheron to seek out a prisoner, Azra, a former angel sworn and a cunning hunter, whose rebellion against the Queen Mother has landed him in prison. The hope is that Azra will help track down the killing beast.
Wheeler calls this latest series an origin story to one of his created worlds. So while longtime readers of his books will recognize certain elements of the tale from his past works, this apparently is the place it all started. We learn about a monster, the fear liath — something we’ve met before — and a familiar medallion, which we find out is called a “Tanaquil amulet” that controls emotions and leave a tattooed stain on the body of its wearer.
As the story unfolds, more monsters emerge and attack angel sworn and the nonmagical folk alike. We follow Cimree’s and Azra’s efforts, and their companions, as they battle the deadly creatures. Cimree also continues to learn new truths that force her to make choices. Not everything is as it seems. The twists and turns keep readers guessing.
I enjoyed “Queen Mother.” It’s always fun to plunge into a new world, while Wheeler weaves some old chestnuts from past books into the tale. I wonder if at least one of the main characters — Azra — is someone I’ve met in one or more of Wheeler’s other series. My guess is yes, but I guess I’ll have to wait until the second book comes out in November to find out.
Or at least that’s the way it seems in the start of the latest series written by Wheeler. The prolific author introduces us to a new setting and protagonist, an idyllic valley called Clairvaux, where the angel sworn live, and Cimree, an apprentice healer who is both shy and slightly rebellious.
All seems perfect, until Cimree comes upon a murdered hunter-defender on the mountain where she is searching for a healing flower. Another murder follows, and Cimree is sent by the Queen Mother to an island called Montheron to seek out a prisoner, Azra, a former angel sworn and a cunning hunter, whose rebellion against the Queen Mother has landed him in prison. The hope is that Azra will help track down the killing beast.
Wheeler calls this latest series an origin story to one of his created worlds. So while longtime readers of his books will recognize certain elements of the tale from his past works, this apparently is the place it all started. We learn about a monster, the fear liath — something we’ve met before — and a familiar medallion, which we find out is called a “Tanaquil amulet” that controls emotions and leave a tattooed stain on the body of its wearer.
As the story unfolds, more monsters emerge and attack angel sworn and the nonmagical folk alike. We follow Cimree’s and Azra’s efforts, and their companions, as they battle the deadly creatures. Cimree also continues to learn new truths that force her to make choices. Not everything is as it seems. The twists and turns keep readers guessing.
I enjoyed “Queen Mother.” It’s always fun to plunge into a new world, while Wheeler weaves some old chestnuts from past books into the tale. I wonder if at least one of the main characters — Azra — is someone I’ve met in one or more of Wheeler’s other series. My guess is yes, but I guess I’ll have to wait until the second book comes out in November to find out.
June 10, 2025
Queen mother is, without question, my favorite Jeff Wheeler book so far! I had a difficult time putting it down; I never wanted to leave the enchanting world he created!
The story is full of Christian themes and explores an intriguing version of the world’s creation. The character development is realistic and captivating, as are their relationships with one another and how they slowly evolve throughout the story.
The magic system Jeff created is fascinating and gives nods to his other book series, while not leaving you confused if you’re unfamiliar with his other novels.
I love the refreshing change in pace throughout the book; one chapter might be fast paced and filled with peril, the next we slow down a bit and are exploring the small details of the scene. This gave my anxiety for the characters a break while also pulling me in to the world. One of my favorite scenes from the book was a simple meal two characters shared. The small details of experiences like that really made me feel I was there right there with them!
I especially enjoyed how this book is full of the most beautiful scenes of idyllic villages and breathtaking mountains. Incredible waterfalls, mountain lakes, and an island fortresses; a vivid picture was painted in my mind as they were each described beautifully. The language Jeff uses is captivating and draws you into the world. He makes the setting so real that I now feel this is a place I have actually visited!
Throughout the book I was kept thoroughly engaged. I’m easily bored with predictability and too much foreshadowing, yet I don’t love shocking twists and turns. This book was neither. It kept me hooked by allowing me to make predictions but then slowly revealing more clues that would make me alter my theories of where the story would lead.
I was very pleased that this first book in the series didn’t end on too much of a cliff hanger. I feel it had a satisfying ending. It left many things answered though, so I’m looking forward in anticipation for the next book!.
The story is full of Christian themes and explores an intriguing version of the world’s creation. The character development is realistic and captivating, as are their relationships with one another and how they slowly evolve throughout the story.
The magic system Jeff created is fascinating and gives nods to his other book series, while not leaving you confused if you’re unfamiliar with his other novels.
I love the refreshing change in pace throughout the book; one chapter might be fast paced and filled with peril, the next we slow down a bit and are exploring the small details of the scene. This gave my anxiety for the characters a break while also pulling me in to the world. One of my favorite scenes from the book was a simple meal two characters shared. The small details of experiences like that really made me feel I was there right there with them!
I especially enjoyed how this book is full of the most beautiful scenes of idyllic villages and breathtaking mountains. Incredible waterfalls, mountain lakes, and an island fortresses; a vivid picture was painted in my mind as they were each described beautifully. The language Jeff uses is captivating and draws you into the world. He makes the setting so real that I now feel this is a place I have actually visited!
Throughout the book I was kept thoroughly engaged. I’m easily bored with predictability and too much foreshadowing, yet I don’t love shocking twists and turns. This book was neither. It kept me hooked by allowing me to make predictions but then slowly revealing more clues that would make me alter my theories of where the story would lead.
I was very pleased that this first book in the series didn’t end on too much of a cliff hanger. I feel it had a satisfying ending. It left many things answered though, so I’m looking forward in anticipation for the next book!.
May 4, 2025
Queen Mother is the beginning of a new series by Jeff Wheeler called "Angel Sworn". Cimree is a young novice training to be an Angel Sworn in the mountain village of Clairvaux. She's a headstrong young woman, who clashes with her superiors regularly. We meet the archangel, Trinati, who, seen through Cimree's lens, I disliked immediately. Then we have the Queen Mother, who takes the "Adam" figure from the creation story of the Bible. I didn't like her much either. There's a monster called a Fear Laith that Cimree discovers while she is breaking the rules. She reports on this terrifying creature to her teacher, Melina, who in turn brings her to report to Trinati and the council. This kicks off a series of events that cause Cimree to leave her home and discover parts of herself and her past that she never knew before. We meet some new characters along the way, Azrael, the Angel of Death being one of them. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The world building is fantastic as always. The "Easter Eggs" throughout, connecting this world to several of Jeff's other worlds are great teasers and will be fun to see how everything is connected. Jeff said in his author's note that this world will serve as the origin story for another world that we already know and love.
Jeff Wheeler always has a wonderful way of blending new fantasy with myths we already know, as well as religion and history. This one focuses on the Creation Story from the Bible, but it's different. As a Christian, this was a bit hard to wrap my head around, due to the characters changing genders, and a few other things. But it's really a good book, which I read in one sitting. The only problem is waiting for the next copy to come out!
Thank you to Jeff Wheeler and Booksprout for the ARC copy of this novel.
Jeff Wheeler always has a wonderful way of blending new fantasy with myths we already know, as well as religion and history. This one focuses on the Creation Story from the Bible, but it's different. As a Christian, this was a bit hard to wrap my head around, due to the characters changing genders, and a few other things. But it's really a good book, which I read in one sitting. The only problem is waiting for the next copy to come out!
Thank you to Jeff Wheeler and Booksprout for the ARC copy of this novel.
June 10, 2025
Fascinating World
At the beginning of this book, I started to take in all the details of the surroundings of The Garden of Claivaux, so much beauty like a Paradise. All living there are angels sworn and guard the way to the Gallow tree that gives the fruit for a kind of eternal life. The process is like reincarnation but remembering all the past lives. Their social system is matriarchal for having power and authority.
The main character is Cimree of undetermined age who is learning to become an angel sworn. Arrived at Clairvaux at the age of 8. I just want to know the significance of age 8 that comes up in other characters. I guess I will know in the other books. One of the most important things in Clairvaux is obedience which Cimree is not good about following. Another characteristic of the place is the affinity they create with any animal and she can't determine which one is hers until later.
Throughout the story, it continues to describe the different levels of living. The structure and position of the people are classified by factors like wealth, income, education, occupation, and social network. From the top is Queen Mother, Archangel, Guards, Angel sworn, Humans in training to become angel sworn, humans and earthlings. Earthlings because there are other worlds with people. All of this makes me think of Dantes's levels of hell, India, Alice in Wonderland/Queen, and many other circumstances.
There are a lot of killings in the village and they have to figure out what or who is causing them. They engage someone to help Cimree determine the cause since she has been the only see the culprit in the fog. Azar knows what's coming and they have to decide to stay or leave.
At the beginning of this book, I started to take in all the details of the surroundings of The Garden of Claivaux, so much beauty like a Paradise. All living there are angels sworn and guard the way to the Gallow tree that gives the fruit for a kind of eternal life. The process is like reincarnation but remembering all the past lives. Their social system is matriarchal for having power and authority.
The main character is Cimree of undetermined age who is learning to become an angel sworn. Arrived at Clairvaux at the age of 8. I just want to know the significance of age 8 that comes up in other characters. I guess I will know in the other books. One of the most important things in Clairvaux is obedience which Cimree is not good about following. Another characteristic of the place is the affinity they create with any animal and she can't determine which one is hers until later.
Throughout the story, it continues to describe the different levels of living. The structure and position of the people are classified by factors like wealth, income, education, occupation, and social network. From the top is Queen Mother, Archangel, Guards, Angel sworn, Humans in training to become angel sworn, humans and earthlings. Earthlings because there are other worlds with people. All of this makes me think of Dantes's levels of hell, India, Alice in Wonderland/Queen, and many other circumstances.
There are a lot of killings in the village and they have to figure out what or who is causing them. They engage someone to help Cimree determine the cause since she has been the only see the culprit in the fog. Azar knows what's coming and they have to decide to stay or leave.
June 8, 2025
Do you have interest in magics that manifest in ways new to you? Do origin stories intrigue you? Connected worlds tease your curiosity? Grab Jeff Wheeler's new book, Queen Mother, Book 1 of his new Angel Sworn series! I have been a fan of his various series for some time, and his words are built so well, with such detail, and Queen Mother is no different. This book is a retelling of the origin story, with a realignment of the main characters, and a new interpretation of what it meant to leave the original garden, and what it meant to stay...
The characters are deftly drawn, and you feel an immediate draw to the main characters, Cimree and Azra, and Wheeler is equally adept at creating villains who aren't quite villains, and yet we can't quite like them, because they embody what we dislike in ourselves. Reincarnation is a theme in this book as well - both complete and partial. Two types of magic are introduced that have great impact on the characters and the story - grafting magic, whereby the wielders can temporarily take on attributes of animals, and the Tanaquil - a medallion which captures and stores emotions, can bind two people together, and has some other eyebrow-raising capabilities.
There is mystery here, and thrilling action, as well as a new take on a story that has been told and retold many ways, in many cultures. I can't wait for the second book in this series so I can follow Cimree and Azra on their journey of discovery and reclamation, while fighting a great evil. In the author's own words, this story connects to his other worlds, and I am so impatient to see how they are woven together! Add this to your TBR NOW!
The characters are deftly drawn, and you feel an immediate draw to the main characters, Cimree and Azra, and Wheeler is equally adept at creating villains who aren't quite villains, and yet we can't quite like them, because they embody what we dislike in ourselves. Reincarnation is a theme in this book as well - both complete and partial. Two types of magic are introduced that have great impact on the characters and the story - grafting magic, whereby the wielders can temporarily take on attributes of animals, and the Tanaquil - a medallion which captures and stores emotions, can bind two people together, and has some other eyebrow-raising capabilities.
There is mystery here, and thrilling action, as well as a new take on a story that has been told and retold many ways, in many cultures. I can't wait for the second book in this series so I can follow Cimree and Azra on their journey of discovery and reclamation, while fighting a great evil. In the author's own words, this story connects to his other worlds, and I am so impatient to see how they are woven together! Add this to your TBR NOW!
June 10, 2025
As all Jeff Wheeler books are this was a downright page turner... most of the way through.
I absolutely LOVED the first third of this book. This beautiful new world, all the new characters, the unearthly ideas, the links to our beliefs and a few Easter Eggs that I hope will lead to worlds we know very well from past Jeff Wheeler series. Cimree is so obviously a heroine in waiting and I couldn't wait to find out where she was going. I did have an inkling about how she might have been tied to the Queen Mother but I was completely and utterly wrong. I love it when I can't see something coming and this so often happens in JW's books.
The second third I merely loved, the story got deeper and more exciting and the adventure really got going and the characters grew. I fell totally in love with, who I see as, the two main characters.
Sadly the last third seemed hurried and full of the same fights but with different settings, antagonists and heroes (although the heroes were mostly the same even if one did keep changing sides). Each hurdle seemed so easily overcome and you knew who would win and why.
However, I'm really hoping that now most of the fighting is over Book 2 will be a completely different kettle of fish and give us some of what we love about Jeff Wheeler. His descriptions of lands, people and customs we could never have imagined are what we all come back for time and again and I don't think we will be disappointed. I cannot wait to get my teeth into Tyrant Queen. "Cim-reeee!".
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I absolutely LOVED the first third of this book. This beautiful new world, all the new characters, the unearthly ideas, the links to our beliefs and a few Easter Eggs that I hope will lead to worlds we know very well from past Jeff Wheeler series. Cimree is so obviously a heroine in waiting and I couldn't wait to find out where she was going. I did have an inkling about how she might have been tied to the Queen Mother but I was completely and utterly wrong. I love it when I can't see something coming and this so often happens in JW's books.
The second third I merely loved, the story got deeper and more exciting and the adventure really got going and the characters grew. I fell totally in love with, who I see as, the two main characters.
Sadly the last third seemed hurried and full of the same fights but with different settings, antagonists and heroes (although the heroes were mostly the same even if one did keep changing sides). Each hurdle seemed so easily overcome and you knew who would win and why.
However, I'm really hoping that now most of the fighting is over Book 2 will be a completely different kettle of fish and give us some of what we love about Jeff Wheeler. His descriptions of lands, people and customs we could never have imagined are what we all come back for time and again and I don't think we will be disappointed. I cannot wait to get my teeth into Tyrant Queen. "Cim-reeee!".
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 10, 2025
This is about the tenth novel I've read by Jeff Wheeler and I have to admit that it's my favorite one of them all. He's great at creating magical realms with complex characters, but the magic upon which this novel is based is a fascinating concept called "Grafting" and humans are able to graft into different animals to temporarily obtain certain characteristics of that animal. It reminded me of Avatar and a bit like Harry Potter in this regard, but Wheeler uses it to create some very interesting moments throughout the novel. While this magic is happening, there are two "humans" that are grafted together and there is emotion and thought sharing between them, and this made their interactions extremely unique.
The beautiful "locus amoenus" setting is perfection at the beginning of the novel but by the end, heaven has turned into hell and it very much feels like Tolkien's scouring of the Shire at the end of The Return of the King. The Biblical creation story serves as a well-known myth to most readers but the reader will quickly learn that this myth is quickly turned inside out, upside down and presented sideways to barely become recognizable. It's all extremely interesting. The difference between this novel and others I've read by this author is that this novel is perfectly paced and while there are compelling pauses in the action of the novel in which Wheeler's mythology is presented, these don't last all that long and the novel really races forward with excitement. Reading through this novel was a speed trial for me. I just had to keep going! This is highly- recommended reading. And I hope I get an advanced copy of Book 2!
The beautiful "locus amoenus" setting is perfection at the beginning of the novel but by the end, heaven has turned into hell and it very much feels like Tolkien's scouring of the Shire at the end of The Return of the King. The Biblical creation story serves as a well-known myth to most readers but the reader will quickly learn that this myth is quickly turned inside out, upside down and presented sideways to barely become recognizable. It's all extremely interesting. The difference between this novel and others I've read by this author is that this novel is perfectly paced and while there are compelling pauses in the action of the novel in which Wheeler's mythology is presented, these don't last all that long and the novel really races forward with excitement. Reading through this novel was a speed trial for me. I just had to keep going! This is highly- recommended reading. And I hope I get an advanced copy of Book 2!
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