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The Sin Eater’s Daughter #3
The Scarecrow Queen
The final battle is coming . . .
As the Sleeping Prince tightens his hold on Lormere and Tregellan, the net closes in on the ragged band of rebels trying desperately to defeat him. Twylla and Errin are separated, isolated, and running out of time. The final battle is coming, and Aurek will stop at nothing to keep the throne forever . . .
Explosive, rich and darkly addictive, this is the stunning conclusion to Mel Salisbury's internationally best-selling trilogy that began with The Sin Eater's Daughter.
As the Sleeping Prince tightens his hold on Lormere and Tregellan, the net closes in on the ragged band of rebels trying desperately to defeat him. Twylla and Errin are separated, isolated, and running out of time. The final battle is coming, and Aurek will stop at nothing to keep the throne forever . . .
Explosive, rich and darkly addictive, this is the stunning conclusion to Mel Salisbury's internationally best-selling trilogy that began with The Sin Eater's Daughter.
387 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 2, 2017
82 people are currently reading
4567 people want to read
About the author
Melinda Salisbury
23 books1,367 followersMelinda Salisbury lives by the sea, somewhere in the south of England. As a child she genuinely thought Roald Dahl’s Matilda was her biography, in part helped by her grandfather often mistakenly calling her Matilda, and the local library having a pretty cavalier attitude to the books she borrowed. Sadly she never manifested telekinetic powers. She likes to travel, and have adventures. She also likes medieval castles, non-medieval aquariums, Richard III, and all things Scandinavian The Sin Eater's Daughter is her first novel. She can be found on Twitter at @MESalisbury, though be warned, she tweets often.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 298 reviews
March 8, 2017
3.5
“I'm tired of taking people's sins on myself.
I'm tired of running away from everything.”
•I loved The Sin Eater's Daughter and crazily enjoyed The Sleeping Prince. I was dead sure The Scarecrow Queen was going to be a huge triumph. I had no precise expectations regarding what exactly was going to happen, only this general conviction that whatever it would be, it would be on point. Instead, funnily, what this book did was precisely to destroy my certainty: with every page I turned, it was like a bit of it was torn from me and turned in total, utter, shocked confusion.
Let's try to see why.
•I think the main problem was the first-person narration. It was perfect for the previous instalments, but not for this one. [Mild spoiler following.] The thing is that the main characters (I'm including in this definition also the male leads, Leif and Silas) most of the time are not with either Twylla or Errin, whose POVs alternate throughout the book. Consequently, their character development is basically non-existent and they turn into background characters. After following them both for two whole books, I think they deserved better.
•While this is absolutely true for Silas, Lief's character needs to be further discussed. His characterization is... non-existent doesn't nail it. I think it was meant to be there, and be complex at that, but I can't tell where it went.
Who's read The Sleeping Prince knows what Leif does in that book. The reasons why he acts like that were not explained in that book, and that was perfect, since I imagined the author was saving that revelation for the finale. The problem is, we still don't know why Leif does what he does. He basically goes from being the cutest cinnamon roll on earth to being the biggest asshole, and we are not given an iota of an explanation. You see what I mean when I say I don't honestly know where the characterization is?
After getting past the pain of the sinking of my ship (if you've read my review of The Sin Eater's Daughter, you know he and Twylla were everything to me) I started to appreciate the idea of (don't open if you haven't read The Sleeping Prince) . I liked where it could take the story. But the point is, it didn't take it anywhere if not towards a huge WTF. I can't judge Lief's character because I have no idea what happened in that messed brain of his. What am I supposed to say to that?
•The rest was okay. The plot intriguing and perfectly paced, the writing compelling, and the world building was already amazing, so no complaints on that front from me. I'm not fully convinced when it comes to the way Twylla raised her group of rebels and won their trust, if I'm being honest -drawing a sun on some wall didn't sound that revolutionary a gesture, even though probably the fault lies in the way it was written: if the author hadn't try to pass it off as some heroic endeavour, it probably would've felt right. Also, Twylla and the rebels hide away in a sort of castle near the city where the Sleeping Prince is (I'm sorry, I haven't the book close at hand at the moment and my memory rivals that of a goldfish), and they stay there for weeks, while the Sleeping Prince hunts the down. Later we find out that , but if he wanted to root them out so badly, why didn't he simply did that? Of what use was ?
➽ My love for both The Sin Eater's Daughter and The Sleeping Prince is untouched, but The Scarecrow Queen was a bitter disappointment for me. I think many thing could have been handled better and that more attention should have been paid the characters' development. These facts notwithstanding, I still wholeheartedly recommend this trilogy: it's not your typical YA story, and I think chances are it'll sweep you off your feet. My rating for the whole series is around 4- out of five stars, which, as you know, from me is a lot.
What are you waiting for? Go pick this up.
But let's not forget that through this sea of disappointment, this land of heartbreaking, this desert of suffering, one brave person always stood by my side... and who could that be if not the lovely Nastya? Click here to read her spot-on, vibrant, amazing review!
“I'm tired of taking people's sins on myself.
I'm tired of running away from everything.”
•I loved The Sin Eater's Daughter and crazily enjoyed The Sleeping Prince. I was dead sure The Scarecrow Queen was going to be a huge triumph. I had no precise expectations regarding what exactly was going to happen, only this general conviction that whatever it would be, it would be on point. Instead, funnily, what this book did was precisely to destroy my certainty: with every page I turned, it was like a bit of it was torn from me and turned in total, utter, shocked confusion.
Let's try to see why.
•I think the main problem was the first-person narration. It was perfect for the previous instalments, but not for this one. [Mild spoiler following.] The thing is that the main characters (I'm including in this definition also the male leads, Leif and Silas) most of the time are not with either Twylla or Errin, whose POVs alternate throughout the book. Consequently, their character development is basically non-existent and they turn into background characters. After following them both for two whole books, I think they deserved better.
•While this is absolutely true for Silas, Lief's character needs to be further discussed. His characterization is... non-existent doesn't nail it. I think it was meant to be there, and be complex at that, but I can't tell where it went.
Who's read The Sleeping Prince knows what Leif does in that book. The reasons why he acts like that were not explained in that book, and that was perfect, since I imagined the author was saving that revelation for the finale. The problem is, we still don't know why Leif does what he does. He basically goes from being the cutest cinnamon roll on earth to being the biggest asshole, and we are not given an iota of an explanation. You see what I mean when I say I don't honestly know where the characterization is?
After getting past the pain of the sinking of my ship (if you've read my review of The Sin Eater's Daughter, you know he and Twylla were everything to me) I started to appreciate the idea of (don't open if you haven't read The Sleeping Prince) . I liked where it could take the story. But the point is, it didn't take it anywhere if not towards a huge WTF. I can't judge Lief's character because I have no idea what happened in that messed brain of his. What am I supposed to say to that?
•The rest was okay. The plot intriguing and perfectly paced, the writing compelling, and the world building was already amazing, so no complaints on that front from me. I'm not fully convinced when it comes to the way Twylla raised her group of rebels and won their trust, if I'm being honest -drawing a sun on some wall didn't sound that revolutionary a gesture, even though probably the fault lies in the way it was written: if the author hadn't try to pass it off as some heroic endeavour, it probably would've felt right. Also, Twylla and the rebels hide away in a sort of castle near the city where the Sleeping Prince is (I'm sorry, I haven't the book close at hand at the moment and my memory rivals that of a goldfish), and they stay there for weeks, while the Sleeping Prince hunts the down. Later we find out that , but if he wanted to root them out so badly, why didn't he simply did that? Of what use was ?
➽ My love for both The Sin Eater's Daughter and The Sleeping Prince is untouched, but The Scarecrow Queen was a bitter disappointment for me. I think many thing could have been handled better and that more attention should have been paid the characters' development. These facts notwithstanding, I still wholeheartedly recommend this trilogy: it's not your typical YA story, and I think chances are it'll sweep you off your feet. My rating for the whole series is around 4- out of five stars, which, as you know, from me is a lot.
What are you waiting for? Go pick this up.
But let's not forget that through this sea of disappointment, this land of heartbreaking, this desert of suffering, one brave person always stood by my side... and who could that be if not the lovely Nastya? Click here to read her spot-on, vibrant, amazing review!
March 8, 2017
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
What is it about the anticipated last books of the series that let me down lately: first A Conjuring of Light, then The Ship Beyond Time, and now this one. Sure, I gave all three high ratings (though this one is rounded to 3 after much consideration), but I was faaaar from being satisfied with them.
The Sin eater's daughter was an unexpected surprise for me back in October; maybe because I didn't wait anything at all from the book, I was so pleasantly surprised by it. The next installment was even more gripping: I was shocked to my bones how dark and alluring and hope-free that book was, and the ending, gosh, one of the best endings in the history of YA fantasy! How can one not expect something even more, or at least, as epic from the last installment? So yes, my expectations were high, my fate in author's ability to deliver another mind-blowing adventure was deep... How do they sing in a song? Alas, alas, my love, you abandoned me, you left me...
Now, for the people who haven't started The Sin Eater's Daughter series yet - I highly recommend these books! Don't look at my sour face: the more we love something, the more we are demanding about it. And, maybe, in a few days or months I'll be more agreeable with the way things turned out... Just don't let my personal doubts discourage you from reading this series, especially if you are already considering it.
Further I will proceed with the spoilery part of my review, because, duh, feelings need to be laid bare and rantings need to retaliate for disappointments. Sorry in advance for a lot of swearing. So here goes THE SPOILER PART OF MY REVIEW. BEWARE!
"In every fairy tale there is a kernel of truth, and that is the truth of this one. For him, I am poison. I am his death. And I will deliver.”
The beginning was deliciously creepy. Aurek and his sick games he played with Errin... I want to say I am terribly sorry Errin had to endure those things and, I sincerely am, but, gosh, I love me some evil villains that make me shudder with fear and admiration... and it doesn't hurt he's good-looking (yes, I am shallow like that)
“Sometimes he has me climb into his lap and sit there while he strokes my hair and tells me about the old days in Tallith. The seven towers of Tallith castle and the walkways between them, his life with his sister and his father. That sometimes he sounds so wistful and lonely that I forget for an instant that he’s a monster, lulled by his soft voice and his hands in my hair. Until he turns my face to his and I see him, and I recall exactly what he is, and the look in my eyes reminds him that he might control my body, but he can’t control my mind. Then he throws me to the ground and leaves me there for hours, unable to move until he wills it.”
All the twisted things he's made Errin do - the voodoo stuff - I don't know how one could survive it and stay sane. When I was reading Errin's chapters my heart hurt for her and her family, even for Lief for whom I hoped for a deserving of his character plotline. I understand that, maybe, like in real life we don't get the answers to everything, and people do things because they feel like doing them, not because they believe in good or evil. And after everything I expected to see Errin's struggles to be normal again after she escaped Aurek, to have nightmares, to hurt - to be a fucking wreck, because it is what happens to a person who's gone through physical and mental violence. But Errin just stayed Errin? She was robbed of her character development, of everything she gained. I don't understand why give her POV in this book at all if the author wasn't going to continue with that? And Lief, don't get me start there, a potentially gray-morale character who isn't good nor evil either. Where had it lead him to? Meaningless death, because someone had to die and he had to be the sacrificial lamb, because of the redemption card. I hate it, seriously, why authors are doing it time and again. We don't need your fucking redemption, give us someone human with flaws and sins and let them be, don't fucking kill them, because it's logical. After all the unexpected Melinda Salisbury's done in the previous books this is how predictable she became.
And The Sleeping prince - Aurek - what did he get in the end? Anticlimactic death. Where was the fight? Where was his wickedness, how did he turn into a frightened rabbit when he was savage - mad even - and fearless before? Yes, of course, he was afraid of death, every reasonable living being is, but the fuck kill him without really giving him a chance to fight? Because we know he's good with sword, he wouldn't be afraid of Twylla alone, but he covered in the corner? That goes against everything we saw him doing before. Where's logic in that? Fucking Twylla, I am coming to judge you soon!
Silas, my precious baby Silas, where were you the whole fucking time? You don't know either? Poor baby. That was so unfair to spend your potential for naught. I cry for you, my dear.
Twylla... you and your fucking snow-flake ass. I liked you in book 2, I loved you in the first half of this one, but what the actual fuck happened to you after? You usurped the whole book for yourself, and believed yourself a God and judge suddenly? What the fuck with being jealous of Merek? What the fuck with stomping your feet because people didn't listen to you or did not follow your advice? This is what I call character degradation: too much fame turned her into a egotistical schmoe. And what with the fucking love-triangle? I didn't feel any Twylla/Merek dynamic. Yes, they are friends, yes, Merek is in love with her, but Twylla never was in love with him and all that fluttering in stomach, hands holding... Pleeease, this is so cliche, I can't even. And why the fuck she needs another love interest when she chose herself in the end of book 1? And what of her relationship with Lief? How meaningless this all ended... I seriously can't get over his stupid death, and Twylla, self-righteous bitch, blaming him for being a villain. No one will know the truth, she says, and he will stay the villain forever. He fucking saved you all: he saved you in the conclave, he didn't kill you when he could, he gave you the formula for potion to kill the sleeping prince... at least acknowledge that to your people, and make him if not a hero, but someone who did right by you. Though it's hard to make my mind about the whole Lief thing, because a lot of stuff was underdeveloped and underwhelming.
And Merek, who was fantastic in Errin's chapters turned into a puppy who's ready to do anything fro Twylla, and suddenly lost his backbone when it comes to decisions. When she was angry at him, because he didn't ask her permission before acting on his own volition, what the fuck was that: he didn't even defend himself, just stood there humbled like a dog. Agh, just nope, I can't take.
This book seriously lacks character-development, and the one we had was stomped by the herd of wild unicorns Twylla was ridding astride. She fucking destroyed the book from 60-100% for me.
And what about Twylla's curse: other alchemists loose something vital like bodies turning into black or gold which eventually leads to death, but her curse is hair and eye color changing? Are you fucking kidding me! I'd like to change my colors from time to time without actually using the dye. It's not a fucking curse - it's a gift. Twylla made it most unscathed in the end.
Oh, and don't get me started on the ending. Apart from hating how Aurek and Lief died, I don't get the sappy ending? This is it: for three books we observed how desperate and hopeless characters were, how no one was save, how twist upon twist came and destroyed our building trust, and now you are telling me, after setting such a dark mood, you just made everyone alive and whole in the end - except for villains, of course, they always die in the end *eye roll*. I am happy Silas is okay, but curing him miraculously.. and Errin jumping his bones... and all we are left with is the knowledge of them fucking behind the wall, while Twylla stomps around the castle victoriously. That is so inferior to treat your charters like that!
Errin, Silas, Lief, Aurek, Merek deserved better than Twylla.
>> Oh my god, I can go on and on rambling forever, but I think I need to stop now and take a breath... the more I think about it, the more I feel let down by the author. Maybe I am harsh and with time I'll rethink some of my declarations above, but honestly, I am so angry right now I don't even want to consider reconsidering.
My final thoughts:
- The Scarecrow Queen is Twylla's book more than anyone else's.
- I loved the first 60% or so: dark, gripping, full of twists - they were in the best tradition of books 1 and 2.
- Errin is still my favorite character.
- The Sleeping prince is still my favorite villain.
- Melinda Salisbury's writing is still beautiful and flowing - absolutely impossible not to fall in love with.
- The last 40% or so were mostly slow and boring and predictable. Character development vanished and there was even some character degradation.
- The finale was highly sappy and disappointing.
Adding my sister's in grieve review: Simona's review. We had zero doubts in this book and now look at us: bitter and sad..
February 7, 2017
Genuinely just love everything about this whole series. It's so underrated!!
July 11, 2017
This wasn't the best last book in a series I have ever read but neither was it the worst.
We pick right off where the last book ended. Errin got abducted by the Sleeping Prince who had help from her brother Lief. Silas was abducted too and only Twylla, Nia and Sister Hope are left to find a way to kill Aurek once and for all.
In the entire book we are preparing ourselves for the upcoming battle only to have it last about 5 minutes.
We get a few chapters about Errin and her abuse in the Palace and how she finally escaped, but mostly the entire book is about Twylla.
We read about how Twylla finds an army and how she struggles to earn their respect. We read about her strategizing and see her become a strong leader.
And when everything is going great and the potion that will kill The Sleeping Prince is ready; Lief comes in, destroys all the flasks with the potion and abducts Twylla.
Well, the "battle" that follows after is really dissapointing since it's over before it even starts.
But like I said... this wasn't the worst last book of a series I've read.
It ties everything nicely together at the end, I just wish we would get more of Errin's POV while she was at the Palace.
We pick right off where the last book ended. Errin got abducted by the Sleeping Prince who had help from her brother Lief. Silas was abducted too and only Twylla, Nia and Sister Hope are left to find a way to kill Aurek once and for all.
In the entire book we are preparing ourselves for the upcoming battle only to have it last about 5 minutes.
We get a few chapters about Errin and her abuse in the Palace and how she finally escaped, but mostly the entire book is about Twylla.
We read about how Twylla finds an army and how she struggles to earn their respect. We read about her strategizing and see her become a strong leader.
And when everything is going great and the potion that will kill The Sleeping Prince is ready; Lief comes in, destroys all the flasks with the potion and abducts Twylla.
Well, the "battle" that follows after is really dissapointing since it's over before it even starts.
But like I said... this wasn't the worst last book of a series I've read.
It ties everything nicely together at the end, I just wish we would get more of Errin's POV while she was at the Palace.
Overall a solid 3 Star Series. I had alot of fun reading it and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in a more "laid back" Fantasy Series.
May 20, 2018
Melinda Salisbury, thank you for not destroying this with a shitty ending!
I liked how it ended especially what happened to Leif. Not to mention the very last page which just made me love this series so much more.
This is probably the only series where switching between characters every other chapter or so wasn´t annoying. Mostly because she didn´t have a cliff hanger every chapter, which was great!
I liked how it ended especially what happened to Leif. Not to mention the very last page which just made me love this series so much more.
This is probably the only series where switching between characters every other chapter or so wasn´t annoying. Mostly because she didn´t have a cliff hanger every chapter, which was great!
December 19, 2017
Hello. I am a hot mess of emotions.
I have no idea what to say. Everything is spoilery. But I'll say this : THE SCARECROW QUEEN was kickass and awful and wonderful and I cried over things I didn't expect would hurt me and I'm really happy about the ending.
That's probably as good as it's going to get here.
I have no idea what to say. Everything is spoilery. But I'll say this : THE SCARECROW QUEEN was kickass and awful and wonderful and I cried over things I didn't expect would hurt me and I'm really happy about the ending.
That's probably as good as it's going to get here.
March 30, 2017
I don't know what I'll do without the awesomeness this series is...
March 19, 2017
This was one hell of an ending. I loved everything about it, especially the last couple of chapters.
Perhaps I'll write a better review once I've had time to digest it.
Perhaps I'll write a better review once I've had time to digest it.
March 8, 2018
Argh. I don't even know where to start. This wasn't for me.
I feel like the story deserved a bit more. It felt rushed and without a meaning, the characters were talking all the time about things that had nothing to do with the main plot and they were wasting time day dreaming. Also, it was really annoying to see how Twylla was getting all her ideas and fantastic plans just starring into the distance. No brainstorming, to talking with her peers, nothing. Just thinking in her own head for a few paragraphs and BOOM, the idea!
This is the final book in a trilogy. A final book means development, explanations, and epic scenes. Nop.
Also,
Overall, I wasn't happy with this. I wanted more and maybe it was because I couldn't bond with the characters and the story... Who knows? I also feel it wasn't edited enough.
I don't quite know what I expected to happen, but nothing does.
- Twylla
I feel like the story deserved a bit more. It felt rushed and without a meaning, the characters were talking all the time about things that had nothing to do with the main plot and they were wasting time day dreaming. Also, it was really annoying to see how Twylla was getting all her ideas and fantastic plans just starring into the distance. No brainstorming, to talking with her peers, nothing. Just thinking in her own head for a few paragraphs and BOOM, the idea!
This is the final book in a trilogy. A final book means development, explanations, and epic scenes. Nop.
Also,
Overall, I wasn't happy with this. I wanted more and maybe it was because I couldn't bond with the characters and the story... Who knows? I also feel it wasn't edited enough.
June 2, 2017
"In every fairy tale there is a kernel of truth, and that is the truth of this one. For him, I am poison. I am his death. And I will deliver."
Actual rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
I am so happy with this ending! Seriously, the ending of this book was probably the best YA series ending I've read in a long, long time.
In truth this whole book was enjoyable. It truly portrays the way the land (the whole of it) is under siege from Aurek, how cruel he is and how far he is willing to go to stay in power. There's terror and blood and grime everywhere. And a rebellion.
Twylla is back as the character telling the story - for two thirds of it - and as I was reading things from her POV I found I had forgotten a lot from the first book. Which was kind of frustrating, especially since I listened to that as an audio book and the book has been removed from by audio book app so I can't go back and re-check bits and pieces like I would when reading series otherwise. But I have to say that her POV was a lot less enjoyable than Errin's - who only told one third of this story.
However, Twylla definitely grew throughout this book, from runaway princess to rebellion leader. As did Merek; I did not like his character at all in the first book, but now I suddenly found myself in love with him because, hey, I love a guy who likes to learn new things! And these things, combined with the vividness of this world's terrors under Aurek's reign, are what makes me push the rating up to 4.5 stars.
September 23, 2018
This was TONS better than The Sleeping Prince!
Switching between the POV's we got to know - Twylla and Errin - you're immersed in the story entirely. The moment you start wondering what the other party's up to, POV's are switched and your questions answered.
The pace felt better to me as well. There were some slow parts, but all in all this novel had the pace I was missing desperately in the previous book.
No regrets reading this series!
4 / 5
Switching between the POV's we got to know - Twylla and Errin - you're immersed in the story entirely. The moment you start wondering what the other party's up to, POV's are switched and your questions answered.
The pace felt better to me as well. There were some slow parts, but all in all this novel had the pace I was missing desperately in the previous book.
No regrets reading this series!
4 / 5
November 30, 2018
“In every fairy tale there is a kernel of truth, and that is the truth of this one. For him, I am poison. I am his death. And I will deliver.”
I enjoyed this final book way more than Sin Eater's Daughter, but less than The Sleeping Prince.
There was also way more Twylla than Errin. And to my great sadness, Silas was only in two shortest scenes ever.
While Twylla will never be among my favourite characters, she did get better in the last part of this book (though the Rising Dawn thing felt a bit ridiculous ). So much so that I was even cheering for her a bit, and also Merek whom I surprisingly started to (quite) like here, unlike in book one.
I wasn't underwhelmed by the lack of Lief in this one, since I pretty much disliked his character in The Sin Eater's Daughter already.
The Sleeping Prince / King is cruel and twisted as ever. Pretty great villain. Though after reading about the Darkling in Grisha, every other villain pales in comparison.
“And that, my girl, is the secret. Quake all you must on the inside. But on the outside you must be stone. And you never know; with enough practice it might become the truth.”
The best part about this series is without doubt the creative world-building, its mythology and customes. I also really enjoyed the writing style - especially the short chapters in third person named after each tower of Tallith, the long gone kingdom of the Sleeping Prince. I liked these short chapters so much so that I actually craved the whole book in third person.
Sadly, I never really connected to any of the characters. The first part of this book dragged for me. I also really needed more Errin and Silas moments.
But otherwise: this makes for a satisfying ending to imaginative fantasy trilogy.
“Scarecrow queen. Nothing but a dupe, alone in a field, hoping to keep the crows at bay.”
-----------------------------------------
My rating of The Sin Eater’s Daughter series:
The Sin Eater’s Daughter ★★★☆☆ (2.75/5 stars)
The King of Rats (short story) ★★★★☆ (4/5 stars)
The Sleeping Prince ★★★★☆ (3.75/5 stars)
The Scarecrow Queen ★★★☆☆ (3/5 stars)
I enjoyed this final book way more than Sin Eater's Daughter, but less than The Sleeping Prince.
There was also way more Twylla than Errin. And to my great sadness, Silas was only in two shortest scenes ever.
While Twylla will never be among my favourite characters, she did get better in the last part of this book (though the Rising Dawn thing felt a bit ridiculous ). So much so that I was even cheering for her a bit, and also Merek whom I surprisingly started to (quite) like here, unlike in book one.
I wasn't underwhelmed by the lack of Lief in this one, since I pretty much disliked his character in The Sin Eater's Daughter already.
The Sleeping Prince / King is cruel and twisted as ever. Pretty great villain. Though after reading about the Darkling in Grisha, every other villain pales in comparison.
“And that, my girl, is the secret. Quake all you must on the inside. But on the outside you must be stone. And you never know; with enough practice it might become the truth.”
The best part about this series is without doubt the creative world-building, its mythology and customes. I also really enjoyed the writing style - especially the short chapters in third person named after each tower of Tallith, the long gone kingdom of the Sleeping Prince. I liked these short chapters so much so that I actually craved the whole book in third person.
Sadly, I never really connected to any of the characters. The first part of this book dragged for me. I also really needed more Errin and Silas moments.
But otherwise: this makes for a satisfying ending to imaginative fantasy trilogy.
“Scarecrow queen. Nothing but a dupe, alone in a field, hoping to keep the crows at bay.”
-----------------------------------------
My rating of The Sin Eater’s Daughter series:
The Sin Eater’s Daughter ★★★☆☆ (2.75/5 stars)
The King of Rats (short story) ★★★★☆ (4/5 stars)
The Sleeping Prince ★★★★☆ (3.75/5 stars)
The Scarecrow Queen ★★★☆☆ (3/5 stars)
June 12, 2023
#1.) The Sin Eater's Daughter: ★★★
#2.) The Sleeping Prince: ★★★
#3.) The Scarecrow Queen: ★★★
I mean sure...but I mainly skimmed this for Errin's narratives. And where was Silas at?
THE GOOD
1) Plot twists up to the end...somewhat.
2) Lief. You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.
3) Aurek. Convincing villain.
THE BAD
1) Couldn't care less for Twylla or her Rising Dawn Rebellion, which was what most of the book focused on.
2) Not enough Errin, Silas, or Merek.
3) Terrible treatment of Silas's character. Do we basically not get more than ten words from him?
FINAL THOUGHTS
Meh. It's done.
#2.) The Sleeping Prince: ★★★
#3.) The Scarecrow Queen: ★★★
I mean sure...but I mainly skimmed this for Errin's narratives. And where was Silas at?
THE GOOD
1) Plot twists up to the end...somewhat.
2) Lief. You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.
3) Aurek. Convincing villain.
THE BAD
1) Couldn't care less for Twylla or her Rising Dawn Rebellion, which was what most of the book focused on.
2) Not enough Errin, Silas, or Merek.
3) Terrible treatment of Silas's character. Do we basically not get more than ten words from him?
FINAL THOUGHTS
Meh. It's done.
May 13, 2017
2.5 stars
I really could not stand Twylla. She was so annoying and childish. Even when she
-out of nowhere-become this great leader. And I hate how selfish she is. All she wants is the glory of victory, not what the victory holds. Merek was only slightly better. He was stupid for a person raised to be king. Honestly, Leif was the only character I 100% enjoyed to read. Errin and Salis, I felt, were insignificant. The series stared with Twylla and I felt the author wanted to end with her story. But I don't care for her. Seriously. I've come to hate her. The finale of the novel wasn't worth the buildup either. I'm disappointed with the characters and the ending of the series.
I really could not stand Twylla. She was so annoying and childish. Even when she
-out of nowhere-become this great leader. And I hate how selfish she is. All she wants is the glory of victory, not what the victory holds. Merek was only slightly better. He was stupid for a person raised to be king. Honestly, Leif was the only character I 100% enjoyed to read. Errin and Salis, I felt, were insignificant. The series stared with Twylla and I felt the author wanted to end with her story. But I don't care for her. Seriously. I've come to hate her. The finale of the novel wasn't worth the buildup either. I'm disappointed with the characters and the ending of the series.
March 26, 2017
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
Best book of the series! Loved seeing all the characters come together and fight evil, and I was really pleased at the trajectories of character relationships.
Best book of the series! Loved seeing all the characters come together and fight evil, and I was really pleased at the trajectories of character relationships.
December 28, 2019
8.5 out of 10
It could be 10-star-read, but fucking Twylla screwed it all. Why only a few chapters from Errin's POV and tones of Twyllas ugly thoughts. I grew on her a little in the Sleeping Prince, I was wrong. She such an annoying brat, I can't even! I said, I want, I need, I rule, if not you all betray me! Go die. I also rolled my eyes at the attempt to .
The writing was brilliant as always, I liked the plot with all cliches and creative details, the ending though is WTF. There was a big deus ex machina regarding a serious problem, plus only Twylla's destiny is somehow shaped. What about
All in all, 4/5 stars for awesome Errin, Silas, Merek, Hope and everyone except but Twylla and Lief, and unexplained twists.
March 18, 2018
3.5/5
This was okay. Some parts were better than others, but a lot of this was boring and depressing. Especially watching Errin being manipulated and manhandled by the Sleeping Prince. The ending had a bunch of action thrown together really quickly that it felt a bit out of place. And I still have questions about some of the characters after the end. I wish there had been an epilogue. This one didn't surprise me as much as the first two, it felt like the world was not as incredible it had been the first time and for a good part the book felt so hopeless.
This was okay. Some parts were better than others, but a lot of this was boring and depressing. Especially watching Errin being manipulated and manhandled by the Sleeping Prince. The ending had a bunch of action thrown together really quickly that it felt a bit out of place. And I still have questions about some of the characters after the end. I wish there had been an epilogue. This one didn't surprise me as much as the first two, it felt like the world was not as incredible it had been the first time and for a good part the book felt so hopeless.
July 18, 2017
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
I did enjoy this series but I didn't love it. I never really felt connected to any of the characters, and although I enjoyed the plot, it was a bit predictable. . Overall a good series but I don't think I would read it again.
I did enjoy this series but I didn't love it. I never really felt connected to any of the characters, and although I enjoyed the plot, it was a bit predictable. . Overall a good series but I don't think I would read it again.
August 11, 2017
Review originally posted on The Bibliophile Chronicles.
When you find a series you really love, you become incredibly attached to the characters. You root for them, you hope they succeed, that everything will work out for them. When the conclusion for that series gets announced, a certain amount of trepidation comes along with it. What if the ending doesn’t do the series justice? What if all those questions you have aren’t answered? What if you’re left feeling unsatisfied?
Well, let me dispel your fears. The Scarecrow Queen is perfect.
Picking up after the events at the end of The Sleeping Prince, this epic conclusion heads straight back into the thick of the story. I must admit it was quite a while ago that I read The Sleeping Prince, but it certainly didn’t take me long to get back into the nitty-gritty of the story. The book is well paced, and changes in point of view from Twylla’s to Errin’s. The characters have grown so much since book one and two, and it was wonderful to watch them continue to evolve and adapt to the threat of Aurek.
The Scarecrow Queen, much like the previous two books, has an absolutely fantastic plot, that keeps you hooked right from the very beginning. I completely blame Melinda Salisbury for the fact that I got zero coursework done during the days it took me to devour the book. I couldn’t stop reading the book, and if I absolutely had to put the book down I kept developing theories on what was going to happen next, which were for the most part always wrong. Let me tell you – there are plenty of surprises in store.
The Sleeping Prince was one of my favourite books of 2016, and The Scarecrow Queen will definitely be up there for 2017. Sometimes you find in a book that there’s one or two characters that stand out more than the rest, but for me, that isn’t the case. I love all the characters in this series. Aurek is the perfect villain, Twylla and Errin the most wonderful heroines. If you love gripping fantasy, you will adore this series. I don’t want to say much about the ending, as I definitely don’t want to spoil it for anyone. I will say that it is a satisfying one, and one that I think really works with the overall feel of the book. I loved every second of reading this series, and am eagerly awaiting to see what Mel can destroy my emotions with next.
When you find a series you really love, you become incredibly attached to the characters. You root for them, you hope they succeed, that everything will work out for them. When the conclusion for that series gets announced, a certain amount of trepidation comes along with it. What if the ending doesn’t do the series justice? What if all those questions you have aren’t answered? What if you’re left feeling unsatisfied?
Well, let me dispel your fears. The Scarecrow Queen is perfect.
Picking up after the events at the end of The Sleeping Prince, this epic conclusion heads straight back into the thick of the story. I must admit it was quite a while ago that I read The Sleeping Prince, but it certainly didn’t take me long to get back into the nitty-gritty of the story. The book is well paced, and changes in point of view from Twylla’s to Errin’s. The characters have grown so much since book one and two, and it was wonderful to watch them continue to evolve and adapt to the threat of Aurek.
The Scarecrow Queen, much like the previous two books, has an absolutely fantastic plot, that keeps you hooked right from the very beginning. I completely blame Melinda Salisbury for the fact that I got zero coursework done during the days it took me to devour the book. I couldn’t stop reading the book, and if I absolutely had to put the book down I kept developing theories on what was going to happen next, which were for the most part always wrong. Let me tell you – there are plenty of surprises in store.
The Sleeping Prince was one of my favourite books of 2016, and The Scarecrow Queen will definitely be up there for 2017. Sometimes you find in a book that there’s one or two characters that stand out more than the rest, but for me, that isn’t the case. I love all the characters in this series. Aurek is the perfect villain, Twylla and Errin the most wonderful heroines. If you love gripping fantasy, you will adore this series. I don’t want to say much about the ending, as I definitely don’t want to spoil it for anyone. I will say that it is a satisfying one, and one that I think really works with the overall feel of the book. I loved every second of reading this series, and am eagerly awaiting to see what Mel can destroy my emotions with next.
December 14, 2018
"Woede over mijn eigen machteloosheid golft over me heen, en in elk deel van mijn lichaam voel ik de laatste wilde slagen van mijn hart als de duisternis begint te vallen." ~ p58.
Wat een geweldig slotdeel. Echt een trilogie waarin per deel het verhaal groeit, tot een finale knal!
"Hij zal hiervoor boeten, dat zweer ik jullie, ík zal hem hoogstpersoonlijk laten boeten hiervoor." ~ p68.
De laatste slag is het derde en laatste deel van de trilogie: De dochter van de Zondeneter. De Slapende Prins heeft heel Lormere en Tregellië inmiddels in zijn ban. Mensen worden genadeloos vermoord als ze niet doen wat hij wenst, en niemand durft hem meer tegen te spreken. Errin zit gevangen in het kasteel, samen met Silas en de alchemisten. Twylla is nog vrij en doet wat zij kan, zoekt steun waar zij kan, in haar strijd tegen Aurek. Dit wordt de laatste slag... Wie zal hem winnen, en ook niet geheel onbelangrijk: wie zal het overleven?
Het verhaal wordt verteld vanuit 2 perspectieven, die van Errin en vanuit Twilla, waardoor je aan beide zijden goed inzicht hebt op het verhaal. Het is heerlijk om een verhaal te lezen waarin 2 vrouwen op hun eigen manier een strijd weten te leveren tegen het kwaad., en daarin ook de nodige tegen slagen kennen. In dit laatste deel wordt de spanning goed opgevoerd, en is het een heuse strijd met bloederige details. Ik heb echt genoten van dit deel, misschien zelfs nog wel meer dan van de vorige delen!
"Prins met een lief smoeltje of niet. Als je de Slapende Prins zijn graf in helpt, zal ik voor je knielen en je voeten kussen. Dan heb je het verdiend." ~ p206.
Het geduld van de lezer wordt echt beloond in deze trilogie, en alleen daarom al een dikke 5 sterren! Het is gewoon jammer dat het verhaal ten einde, maar alles heeft zijn plek. En wie weet, misschien worden we ooit beloond met een spin-off? Ik stem voor!
www.facebook.com/thebookbabecisz
Wat een geweldig slotdeel. Echt een trilogie waarin per deel het verhaal groeit, tot een finale knal!
"Hij zal hiervoor boeten, dat zweer ik jullie, ík zal hem hoogstpersoonlijk laten boeten hiervoor." ~ p68.
De laatste slag is het derde en laatste deel van de trilogie: De dochter van de Zondeneter. De Slapende Prins heeft heel Lormere en Tregellië inmiddels in zijn ban. Mensen worden genadeloos vermoord als ze niet doen wat hij wenst, en niemand durft hem meer tegen te spreken. Errin zit gevangen in het kasteel, samen met Silas en de alchemisten. Twylla is nog vrij en doet wat zij kan, zoekt steun waar zij kan, in haar strijd tegen Aurek. Dit wordt de laatste slag... Wie zal hem winnen, en ook niet geheel onbelangrijk: wie zal het overleven?
Het verhaal wordt verteld vanuit 2 perspectieven, die van Errin en vanuit Twilla, waardoor je aan beide zijden goed inzicht hebt op het verhaal. Het is heerlijk om een verhaal te lezen waarin 2 vrouwen op hun eigen manier een strijd weten te leveren tegen het kwaad., en daarin ook de nodige tegen slagen kennen. In dit laatste deel wordt de spanning goed opgevoerd, en is het een heuse strijd met bloederige details. Ik heb echt genoten van dit deel, misschien zelfs nog wel meer dan van de vorige delen!
"Prins met een lief smoeltje of niet. Als je de Slapende Prins zijn graf in helpt, zal ik voor je knielen en je voeten kussen. Dan heb je het verdiend." ~ p206.
Het geduld van de lezer wordt echt beloond in deze trilogie, en alleen daarom al een dikke 5 sterren! Het is gewoon jammer dat het verhaal ten einde, maar alles heeft zijn plek. En wie weet, misschien worden we ooit beloond met een spin-off? Ik stem voor!
www.facebook.com/thebookbabecisz
March 2, 2019
That was a let down ☹
Mild spoilers ahead!
Everything happened exactly as I expected it would, and not in a good way. Twylla was every bit as dull and infuriating as she was in the first book. The Errin I loved in Sleeping Prince was nowhere to be found. Silas was literally absent from the whole book until the last 10 pages. Merek's infatuation with Twylla was both unfathomable and annoying. At the end of Sleeping Prince I had hopes for Lief, but that final attempt at redemption complrtely ruined his character for me. Even my Prince, so complex and wonderfully evil in the previous book, was your typical cartoon of a villain here. An average (at best) end for a series that promised great things 😭
Mild spoilers ahead!
Everything happened exactly as I expected it would, and not in a good way. Twylla was every bit as dull and infuriating as she was in the first book. The Errin I loved in Sleeping Prince was nowhere to be found. Silas was literally absent from the whole book until the last 10 pages. Merek's infatuation with Twylla was both unfathomable and annoying. At the end of Sleeping Prince I had hopes for Lief, but that final attempt at redemption complrtely ruined his character for me. Even my Prince, so complex and wonderfully evil in the previous book, was your typical cartoon of a villain here. An average (at best) end for a series that promised great things 😭
September 12, 2017
Five stars aren't enough!
April 17, 2017
The Scarecrow Queen has been a book I have been desperate to read for what feels like forever. The wait to find out what happen for Twylla and Errin has to have been the longest wait in the world...but it was so worth it.
The Scarecrow Queen tells us a story in three parts, the first part we spend time with Twylla as she travels through villages, and countryside, looking for friends, looking for aid, and a way to stop Aurek once and for all. Her journey is a perilous one and she is met with the enemy, and people trying to get rich quick. But she persists in her quest, determined to fight to the end and die trying. She has little belief and faith in herself, and has no idea how she is meant to come up against Aurek and win.
We are also taken to Errin, who is being held captive by Aurek and under his control, forcing her to do anything he wants and demands. But she also has an ally who is doing all he can to keep Errin safe whilst trying to plan an escape. The third part sees the two stories combined and we follow the progress of the story towards the finale, the chance to finally kill Aurek, or die trying.
The Scarecrow Queen is the best of both worlds mixed together. I loved getting to see old faces as well as meeting some new ones and taking this journey with two resilient, strong women. Seeing them build any army, a resistance against Aurek, helping whomever they can, and willing to sacrifice thier future for a better future for all.
Melinda has done a fantastic job of creating this world and these characters and letting us to fall head over heels in love with it all, and even though it is the end, I'm sure we are all very unwilling to leave. There is nothing about this series that I dislike....even the bad guy is likable in his own twisted way.
Final Verdict
The Scarecrow Queen is a book to end it all. It takes this series out with a bang, and I know for a fact if we were lucky enough to have a possible future book, I would not hesitate to pick it up.
The Scarecrow Queen tells us a story in three parts, the first part we spend time with Twylla as she travels through villages, and countryside, looking for friends, looking for aid, and a way to stop Aurek once and for all. Her journey is a perilous one and she is met with the enemy, and people trying to get rich quick. But she persists in her quest, determined to fight to the end and die trying. She has little belief and faith in herself, and has no idea how she is meant to come up against Aurek and win.
We are also taken to Errin, who is being held captive by Aurek and under his control, forcing her to do anything he wants and demands. But she also has an ally who is doing all he can to keep Errin safe whilst trying to plan an escape. The third part sees the two stories combined and we follow the progress of the story towards the finale, the chance to finally kill Aurek, or die trying.
The Scarecrow Queen is the best of both worlds mixed together. I loved getting to see old faces as well as meeting some new ones and taking this journey with two resilient, strong women. Seeing them build any army, a resistance against Aurek, helping whomever they can, and willing to sacrifice thier future for a better future for all.
Melinda has done a fantastic job of creating this world and these characters and letting us to fall head over heels in love with it all, and even though it is the end, I'm sure we are all very unwilling to leave. There is nothing about this series that I dislike....even the bad guy is likable in his own twisted way.
Final Verdict
The Scarecrow Queen is a book to end it all. It takes this series out with a bang, and I know for a fact if we were lucky enough to have a possible future book, I would not hesitate to pick it up.
November 22, 2017
*Source* Library
*Genre* Young Adult, Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
The Scarecrow Queen is the third and final installment in author Melinda Salisbury's The Sin Eater's Daughter Trilogy. This story picks up right where The Sleeping Prince left off. This is a different sort of story. The author intermingles narratives between Twylla, and Errin. Twylla, who survived the brutal attack on the Conclave by the Sleeping Prince gets the first part of the story, while Errin, who finds herself at the mercy of the Sleeping Prince, gets the second part. The third part is mostly Twylla's.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
*Genre* Young Adult, Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
The Scarecrow Queen is the third and final installment in author Melinda Salisbury's The Sin Eater's Daughter Trilogy. This story picks up right where The Sleeping Prince left off. This is a different sort of story. The author intermingles narratives between Twylla, and Errin. Twylla, who survived the brutal attack on the Conclave by the Sleeping Prince gets the first part of the story, while Errin, who finds herself at the mercy of the Sleeping Prince, gets the second part. The third part is mostly Twylla's.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
November 14, 2018
3 of 3.5 ...
Hmm. Niet de finale die ik hoopte. Wel tof, maar ook voorspelbaar en bah.
Recensie binnenkort op myperfectbooklife
Hmm. Niet de finale die ik hoopte. Wel tof, maar ook voorspelbaar en bah.
Recensie binnenkort op myperfectbooklife
October 22, 2017
WOW!! This book was one hell of a read and I loved every second. I absolutely devoured this in just a few hours; it’s definitely a book that is hard to put down. After speeding through the first two books in the trilogy I was super excited to get my hands on this book and it did not disappoint! It was an epic conclusion to a glorious trilogy!
The Scarecrow Queen picks up exactly just after where we left off in The Sleeping Prince. Are we eased into the story line? No. We are thrown straight into the thick of things and I loved that! From beginning to end this book is packed full of action and we are rarely given time to breathe. I truly felt that I was on this adventure with the characters. I felt all of their emotions, whether it be fear, happiness, sadness, longing or the other five hundred emotions that Melinda Salisbury manages to weave into her writing. I was there with them every step of the way. What I didn’t know until I reached the end was that I had been holding my breath for so much of this book. It is incredibly fast-paced and certainly had me on the edge of my seat.
This book is told from the POV of both Twylla and Errin and I completely loved that. Twylla and Errin have quickly become two of my favourite fictional females so to get the story from both of their POVs was perfect for me. Errin is being held captive by Aurek and what he has done to her is truly disturbing. In fact it absolutely terrified me. Twylla is in the midst of a rising rebellion but what will it cost her and those around her?
I am all about the characters when it comes to my reading. I love a strong plot but if I don’t feel a connection to your characters, it’ll be a no from me. The characters in this trilogy are absolutely fantastic and Melinda Salisbury writes them wonderfully. They all go on such incredible journeys throughout this trilogy but I have to give a huge nod to Twylla’s character development. The Twylla we see in The Scarecrow Queen is not the Twylla we first met back in book one. She has been on such a huge journey throughout this trilogy and I love how Salisbury has written her.
I don’t want to put anything in that could potentially spoil this book for those who haven’t read it yet so I will wrap up by saying this: If you love fantasy books that have strong plots, are full of action with exceptionally well written characters, fantastic mythology and world building, then this trilogy is for you! I certainly cannot wait to read what Melinda Salisbury will write next. She has herself a fan for life!
The Scarecrow Queen picks up exactly just after where we left off in The Sleeping Prince. Are we eased into the story line? No. We are thrown straight into the thick of things and I loved that! From beginning to end this book is packed full of action and we are rarely given time to breathe. I truly felt that I was on this adventure with the characters. I felt all of their emotions, whether it be fear, happiness, sadness, longing or the other five hundred emotions that Melinda Salisbury manages to weave into her writing. I was there with them every step of the way. What I didn’t know until I reached the end was that I had been holding my breath for so much of this book. It is incredibly fast-paced and certainly had me on the edge of my seat.
This book is told from the POV of both Twylla and Errin and I completely loved that. Twylla and Errin have quickly become two of my favourite fictional females so to get the story from both of their POVs was perfect for me. Errin is being held captive by Aurek and what he has done to her is truly disturbing. In fact it absolutely terrified me. Twylla is in the midst of a rising rebellion but what will it cost her and those around her?
I am all about the characters when it comes to my reading. I love a strong plot but if I don’t feel a connection to your characters, it’ll be a no from me. The characters in this trilogy are absolutely fantastic and Melinda Salisbury writes them wonderfully. They all go on such incredible journeys throughout this trilogy but I have to give a huge nod to Twylla’s character development. The Twylla we see in The Scarecrow Queen is not the Twylla we first met back in book one. She has been on such a huge journey throughout this trilogy and I love how Salisbury has written her.
I don’t want to put anything in that could potentially spoil this book for those who haven’t read it yet so I will wrap up by saying this: If you love fantasy books that have strong plots, are full of action with exceptionally well written characters, fantastic mythology and world building, then this trilogy is for you! I certainly cannot wait to read what Melinda Salisbury will write next. She has herself a fan for life!
August 31, 2018
This was a great ending to a great series and I HIGHLY recommend it!! I loved the story arc of all the characters and I think it had a really nice resolution. I also think that this series could have easily been 4 books. I just loved the world the author created in these books and wanted MORE! Also a plus, the "kind of love triangle" was easily and naturally resolved as well.
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The Sin Eater’s Daughter, #1 ★★★★★
The Sleeping Prince, #2 ★★★★☆
The Scarecrow Queen, #3 ★★★★☆
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The Sin Eater’s Daughter, #1 ★★★★★
The Sleeping Prince, #2 ★★★★☆
The Scarecrow Queen, #3 ★★★★☆
March 30, 2020
شاید چون مترجمش بودم این نمره رو بهش دادم، چون واقعا توقع زیادی از انتهای داستان داشتم، نمیگم بد بود، خیلی از خواننده ها با این ending حسابی خوشحال میشن.
اما من که حس پدرانه نسبت به این کتاب داشتم، انتظارم داشتم شاید یه چیز خیلی عجیب غریبی باشه پایانش!
روند داستان رو دوست داشتم، قلم نویسنده واقعا واقعا واقعا نسبت به دوجلد قبل پیشرفت کرده بود... اما من فقط بخاطر پایانش بهش این نمره رو دادم.
اگه پایانش یه چیز دیگه بود میتونست ۴.۵ باشه
اما من که حس پدرانه نسبت به این کتاب داشتم، انتظارم داشتم شاید یه چیز خیلی عجیب غریبی باشه پایانش!
روند داستان رو دوست داشتم، قلم نویسنده واقعا واقعا واقعا نسبت به دوجلد قبل پیشرفت کرده بود... اما من فقط بخاطر پایانش بهش این نمره رو دادم.
اگه پایانش یه چیز دیگه بود میتونست ۴.۵ باشه
September 16, 2017
4.5 stars
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