Królowa Mieczy

by Sara Sehdev, Gareth Moore, Iga Wiśniewska (Translator)

Wyrusz w podróż pełną uczuć… i łamigłówek.

Kiedy dwudziestoletnia Penryn Trickett przekracza rzekę dzielącą jej spokojne ludzkie miasteczko od tajemniczej krainy Arkanii, nie spodziewa się, że wkroczy prosto w wir magii, intryg i… zagadek. W świecie zamieszkałym przez nieznane jej dotąd istoty poznaje niebezpiecznie przystojnego, milczącego fae, który stanowi dla niej jednocześnie zagrożenie i jedyną nadzieję. Penryn nie powinna mu ufać. A jednak to właśnie on jako jedyny może przeprowadzić ją przez świat pełen piękna i śmiertelnych pułapek.
Dlaczego dziewczyna potrafi czytać starożytny język magicznych istot? Co oznacza symbol na naszyjniku, który dostała od matki? I jakim cudem w ogóle znalazła się w miejscu, gdzie ludzie nie mają prawa istnieć?

Królowa Mieczy to porywające romantasy, w którym wraz z Pen i Rafem wyruszysz w pełną napięcia podróż. W fabułę wpleciono 30 zagadek – od mistycznych labiryntów, przez kryptogramy i szyfry, po łamigłówki wymagające kreatywnego myślenia. Każda z nich stanowi klucz do odkrycia prawdy o przeszłości Penryn i jej przeznaczeniu w świecie fae.

240 pages, Paperback

Expected publication February 25, 2026

Reviews

[Lumie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Michael O’Mara Limited for the ARC.

Plot 3.5/5
Characters 3/5
Ending 3/5
Interest 3/5

Overall 3/5

-The idea of this book is truly amazing. Having a full story but also little puzzles and games to complete is such a good idea. As for the execution of it, it’s true that the puzzles are simple enough to easily complete them without issues. So depending on what complexity level one looks for, this one isn’t very high. AS for the story, it felt like it lacked quite a lot. Lots of tropes were used as a plot line and in the end it didn’t particularly make the story that deep. Furthermore, to be honest, the puzzles kind of took me out of the story and didn’t really fit in that well with the strut and didn’t end up being very necessary.

-Similarly, the characters kind of lacked depth. I couldn’t really connect with them and having them solve puzzles didn’t fit very well with the characters either. As for the relationship, I couldn’t really connect with that either. Again, it had a lot of tropes and seemed it was the only way to make the story and relationships progress.

-I always enjoy an open ending, but instead of it being simply open, it felt like a sort of cliffhanger that didn’t particularly bring any curiosity for more. I wouldn’t mind seeing more of these types of books mixing stories with puzzles, but there is still lots of room for improvement.

[Chrys · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not sure how to fairly review this but here goes….

The plot was pretty average, it was an easy read and I enjoyed it for the most part. But, it read like a teen book, apart from the spice which could have easily been a fade to black. And that’s where my confusion arises, I honestly don’t see many adults wanting to solve puzzles during a romantasy novel. I requested it because I thought it was a fun idea for a younger audience, and the puzzles really were what you’d expect for teenagers, but it decidedly wasn’t appropriate for that audience.

I love the idea of puzzle solving within a story, but it didn’t work here, at least not for me. Maybe if it had had more impact, 4 answer options, with three of them failing the quest. Almost like a choose your own adventure but with solvable elements. Again though, marketed for teenagers.

The low ⭐️ rating is not because of the story but rather the overall failure to deliver on concept.

[Rachelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this as it's a great idea but poorly executed.

The author really went, lets see how many tropes I can squeeze into 200 pages (to the detriment of the plot) - Winged Fae Daddy, Enemies-to-lovers, Grumpy Sunshine, Forbidden Love, Dragons, Furry companion, One bed, Touch her and die, Evil Stepmother, Lost princess, etc. It then ends not on a cliff hanger but a sort of 'to be continued' which I feel is not on point for this.

In regards to the puzzles, I was expecting some more in depth and difficult brain teasers that involve the use of the story to a bigger extent. They are very easy and childlike puzzles. I thought that this would be better aimed at young teens until I reached the final pages where a spicy scene comes up.

Overall, I felt that this was an insult to romantasy lovers intelligence. I've given this two stars still as I can see this being something you spot at a WHSmith in a station and entertaining for a few hours while on a flight or train ride.

[Nicola · Rating 3 out of 5]

I absolutely love the pacing of this book, you’re straight off your feet getting into the plot and the author wastes no time! It’s such a unique concept having actual puzzle pages throughout the book and I thoroughly enjoyed doing them to find out key clues to the plot.

I would’ve loved if the book was a little longer and a bit more character building and slow tension for the main love interests, but I’m super excited to see where this goes!

[Miss Andria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the book. I wish it was a little longer so I could spend more time with the characters and build out the world a bit more, but hopefully there’ll be a part 2! Intrigued to see where the story could go!
The puzzles were fun, easy enough to solve without taking you out of the story too much. Great way to spend and afternoon

[Sibil]

DNF