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The Woman King #1
Fortissima
Born to rule. Destined to die. Saved by love.
In Raven Araroa's kingdom, firstborn royal daughters were destined to rule, the Woman Kings of Nadir. A thousand years before she was born, a malevolent regime decreed there would be no more Woman Kings, by ordering firstborn daughters to immediately be put to death.
But one of the daughters has survived. Born to the Queen in secret, Raven has been raised in a treevillage far from the royal palace. She is sixteen when her existence is discovered by the King.
Pursued by the King's Hunters, and knowing she'll be killed if she's caught, Raven must flee. With two friends, she sets off, bound for the safety of a neighboring island nation. When she meets a charming boy along the way, her destiny becomes clear ... but can she trust him?
In Raven Araroa's kingdom, firstborn royal daughters were destined to rule, the Woman Kings of Nadir. A thousand years before she was born, a malevolent regime decreed there would be no more Woman Kings, by ordering firstborn daughters to immediately be put to death.
But one of the daughters has survived. Born to the Queen in secret, Raven has been raised in a treevillage far from the royal palace. She is sixteen when her existence is discovered by the King.
Pursued by the King's Hunters, and knowing she'll be killed if she's caught, Raven must flee. With two friends, she sets off, bound for the safety of a neighboring island nation. When she meets a charming boy along the way, her destiny becomes clear ... but can she trust him?
270 pages, Paperback
First published August 29, 2017
29 people are currently reading
1271 people want to read
About the author
Sara Kingsley
3 books23 followersSara Kingsley writes books for young adults. She was born in Seattle and is currently making Wellington, New Zealand her home. She lives with her husband, two daughters, and a cat named Mouse.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 9, 2020
This was alright. The writing was good but the story itself felt too bland. It was stagnant while they were on the run, no real sense of danger or anxiety at being caught.
Raven was incredibly trusting of strangers, despite running for her life.
The romance is quick and felt forced.
Even so, the writing is good. Clear and easy to read.
Raven was incredibly trusting of strangers, despite running for her life.
The romance is quick and felt forced.
Even so, the writing is good. Clear and easy to read.
October 6, 2017
I am so glad I got the chance to read and review this book. This story took me a while to get into, but once I was in I was totally hooked. This whole book exceeded my expectations. Fortissima is a classic adventure fantasy story about a lost woman king on the run from her father’s hunters with her best friend and two new friends they meet along the way. Although there were some more predictable parts for the most part it kept me guessing. I completely fell in love with the characters and was rooting for them the whole book. At its core this is about friendship and destiny. Overall Fortissima is a fantastic start to a new series and I can’t wait to read more.
January 3, 2020
I don't know if I want to read more about this character. The book seemed to be for very young readers and I wasn't impressed with the easy way she was behaving with another young man, especially if she were going to rule.
I did like the lack of foul language and carnage.
I did like the lack of foul language and carnage.
October 12, 2017
This was good for a first book. The editing was just about perfect and the story line is easy to follow. The main problem I had with the story was that it felt a little like it was trying to be both a middle grade and a YA book and it didn't quite work for me in that way. The death of one character was a little rough. Also, I didn't love the idea of two characters crawling into bed together regularly, even if they weren't actually having sex. It didn't feel fitting for this type of book.
In general the world-building was good. I'm not sure how I feel about the idea that female rulers would inherently do a better job than male rulers. If that were reversed it might not sound so good. I'm curious to see where the series goes with this idea. I liked that the author paid attention to the more mundane details. Unlike in some books, these characters actually eat, sleep, and even get sick on occasion. I do wish there had been a little more backstory. For example, though Catriona was one of the most interesting characters to me, it felt as though she came out of nowhere. Also, with the exception of Raven, most of the characters seemed a little one-sided. Raven was not. I really liked that she wasn't immediately ready to take on the world. She was humble, kind, and likeable.
I really do believe it was a good first book and given the potential evident in the author's writing I expect the series to become stronger and stronger as it continues. Hopefully the rest of the series will clarify what the rules are in the world of Fortissima. I'm still not sure whether the series will take on some fantasy elements. The talking creatures suggest fantasy, but otherwise the world seemed more realistic. I look forward to seeing where the story goes from here.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy.
In general the world-building was good. I'm not sure how I feel about the idea that female rulers would inherently do a better job than male rulers. If that were reversed it might not sound so good. I'm curious to see where the series goes with this idea. I liked that the author paid attention to the more mundane details. Unlike in some books, these characters actually eat, sleep, and even get sick on occasion. I do wish there had been a little more backstory. For example, though Catriona was one of the most interesting characters to me, it felt as though she came out of nowhere. Also, with the exception of Raven, most of the characters seemed a little one-sided. Raven was not. I really liked that she wasn't immediately ready to take on the world. She was humble, kind, and likeable.
I really do believe it was a good first book and given the potential evident in the author's writing I expect the series to become stronger and stronger as it continues. Hopefully the rest of the series will clarify what the rules are in the world of Fortissima. I'm still not sure whether the series will take on some fantasy elements. The talking creatures suggest fantasy, but otherwise the world seemed more realistic. I look forward to seeing where the story goes from here.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy.
July 28, 2019
This was an adorable story! Yes I know I gave it two stars but first let me tell you what I enjoyed about it.
The characters were all so enjoyable and you want to root for all of them!
Our heroine Raven is kind, trusting, and at home in nature.
Her best friend Tui is amazing! Spunky and loyal and an amazing friend.
I also loved the premise of “the Woman King” and the historical world building! It was so new and interesting.
So why the two stars you ask?
Personally the writing level seemed to be aimed to a lower reading level. It was well written and I think in middle school I would have been utterly enchanted! However, the level of writing left me wanting more. I wanted to know more about Raven’s emotions - more show less tell. I wanted to know more about the world building and see more chemistry between Raven and her love interest. For me, the romance felt too rushed.
However it was such a fun concept and has so much potential, I’m sure Raven will truly grow into an amazing Woman King.
The characters were all so enjoyable and you want to root for all of them!
Our heroine Raven is kind, trusting, and at home in nature.
Her best friend Tui is amazing! Spunky and loyal and an amazing friend.
I also loved the premise of “the Woman King” and the historical world building! It was so new and interesting.
So why the two stars you ask?
Personally the writing level seemed to be aimed to a lower reading level. It was well written and I think in middle school I would have been utterly enchanted! However, the level of writing left me wanting more. I wanted to know more about Raven’s emotions - more show less tell. I wanted to know more about the world building and see more chemistry between Raven and her love interest. For me, the romance felt too rushed.
However it was such a fun concept and has so much potential, I’m sure Raven will truly grow into an amazing Woman King.
February 20, 2018
I finished this book last week. From the start Fortissima is well written in a way that makes it easy for my mind to fill out the elaborate forest settings that Raven, the young protaganist, grows up in. Maybe it is because I live in the pacific NW rain forest and love it so much that I was hooked right then and there.
I got sucked in right quick and it was difficult to put down. The pace was exciting and filled with adventure all while leaving room for pauses and character development.
By the end of the story I am liking some characters and unsure about the intentions of others, which is a good thing. I look forward to more.
I got sucked in right quick and it was difficult to put down. The pace was exciting and filled with adventure all while leaving room for pauses and character development.
By the end of the story I am liking some characters and unsure about the intentions of others, which is a good thing. I look forward to more.
November 2, 2017
This was rather okay, about a girl who was a princess in hiding. It does have some unique aspects, but unfortunately I found the main character to not be just bland but absolutely uninteresting, I couldn’t even be bothered to pay attention to any of the side characters.
Although it does have her being a royal which is classic, but towards the end it is a dangerous position for her to be, sadly it just took too long to move there. If it had been her taken into captivity earlier, it will prove much more interesting as her mother will and should have done something about that.
But naturally, it is mostly travelling without really much about allies or even knowing why she is the princess and how come she was born in a cave. When the answers does come, it is just too way back for me to really care too much.
However, there are rare moments where I did feel something for her, such as the talk with the king. Where she was given two choices, and eventually when she saw what happened. I do see potential, but just that it lost focus in the first book. Pity.
So, overall I may continue with this to see how it goes. As it does have promise, a little bit of intrigue. However, like I said, it just needs to work on the execution to be perfect and me liking the main character and able to connect with her better. Other than that this was pretty decent.
Although it does have her being a royal which is classic, but towards the end it is a dangerous position for her to be, sadly it just took too long to move there. If it had been her taken into captivity earlier, it will prove much more interesting as her mother will and should have done something about that.
But naturally, it is mostly travelling without really much about allies or even knowing why she is the princess and how come she was born in a cave. When the answers does come, it is just too way back for me to really care too much.
However, there are rare moments where I did feel something for her, such as the talk with the king. Where she was given two choices, and eventually when she saw what happened. I do see potential, but just that it lost focus in the first book. Pity.
So, overall I may continue with this to see how it goes. As it does have promise, a little bit of intrigue. However, like I said, it just needs to work on the execution to be perfect and me liking the main character and able to connect with her better. Other than that this was pretty decent.
December 14, 2019
Young Adult? I don't think so. It was more like a children's book with lots of camps that reminded me of Scouts, which is fine BTW.
The plot was simple. it was funny how instead of coming face to face with the issues and the problems, the characters ran for it. The whole book was about a bunch of characters running with their tails between their legs. Yup.
The plot was simple. it was funny how instead of coming face to face with the issues and the problems, the characters ran for it. The whole book was about a bunch of characters running with their tails between their legs. Yup.
September 13, 2017
Decent story-3.5 Stars
I liked the story, but didn't care for a few parts near the end. Also this story is more about the journey of escaping and less of learning about being a king or training or anything.
Overall an enjoyable read, but the pacing is slow.
I liked the story, but didn't care for a few parts near the end. Also this story is more about the journey of escaping and less of learning about being a king or training or anything.
Overall an enjoyable read, but the pacing is slow.
May 25, 2021
Enjoyable
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews