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The Rodasia Chronicles #1
The Hidden Queen
Secrets and betrayal. Fear and courage. Can one woman keep her nation from destruction?
Gwyneth Blacksman was content to live comfortably on her farm, but a long-held secret changed her life forever. Thrust into a role she didn't want or ask for, Gwen must face the facts. Will she step up and be who her people need her to be? Or will she wilt under the pressure of politics, schemes, and a looming war? The Emperor of Devin offers her a way to avoid the bloodshed that is sure to come, but his offer is disingenuous at best, a lie at worst.
With her countrymen's lives on the line, Gwen must make a hard choice. Give into the Emperor's demand, or stand against him and take Rodasia into a war they can't win? As the problems keep mounting, she turns to the only two people who have stayed by her side through it all. Charles, the conflicted soldier who stirs up all sorts of feelings she would rather ignore, and Jakob, the excommunicated priest who challenges her assumptions about God.
Step into the Rodasia Chronicles, where plots, betrayal, love, and faith are only the beginning for Gwen as she struggles to become the person she was meant to be.
Other books by Janelle Garrett:
Epic fantasy series The Steward Saga:
Part 1 - Rift in the Deep
Part 2 - Rise of the Warlock King
Part 3 - The Last Steward
Part 4 - coming late summer of 2019
The Tale of Briton's Fury - prequel novella
Justice: A Steward Saga Short Story Collection
Nonfiction:
The Survival Guide for Nursing Students
Gwyneth Blacksman was content to live comfortably on her farm, but a long-held secret changed her life forever. Thrust into a role she didn't want or ask for, Gwen must face the facts. Will she step up and be who her people need her to be? Or will she wilt under the pressure of politics, schemes, and a looming war? The Emperor of Devin offers her a way to avoid the bloodshed that is sure to come, but his offer is disingenuous at best, a lie at worst.
With her countrymen's lives on the line, Gwen must make a hard choice. Give into the Emperor's demand, or stand against him and take Rodasia into a war they can't win? As the problems keep mounting, she turns to the only two people who have stayed by her side through it all. Charles, the conflicted soldier who stirs up all sorts of feelings she would rather ignore, and Jakob, the excommunicated priest who challenges her assumptions about God.
Step into the Rodasia Chronicles, where plots, betrayal, love, and faith are only the beginning for Gwen as she struggles to become the person she was meant to be.
Other books by Janelle Garrett:
Epic fantasy series The Steward Saga:
Part 1 - Rift in the Deep
Part 2 - Rise of the Warlock King
Part 3 - The Last Steward
Part 4 - coming late summer of 2019
The Tale of Briton's Fury - prequel novella
Justice: A Steward Saga Short Story Collection
Nonfiction:
The Survival Guide for Nursing Students
412 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 31, 2019
34 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
January 7, 2020
What I loved:
~ Excellent writing style
~ Unique POV switches
~ Stellar characters (I loved all of them so much that I can't even pick a top three)
~ Great world-building
~ Strong, well-developed themes
~ Awesome disability representation
What I loved less:
~ None
Random Notes:
~ This story features romance that I didn't actually dislike. I tend to lean away from romantic elements (for purely subjective reasons), but Garrett wrote romance that was interesting, realistic, and had a solid place in the story. So if there's anyone out there who's on the fence about reading this because of the romance: Don't be.
~ I listened to this book on audiobook and really enjoyed the narrator.
~ Excellent writing style
~ Unique POV switches
~ Stellar characters (I loved all of them so much that I can't even pick a top three)
~ Great world-building
~ Strong, well-developed themes
~ Awesome disability representation
What I loved less:
~ None
Random Notes:
~ This story features romance that I didn't actually dislike. I tend to lean away from romantic elements (for purely subjective reasons), but Garrett wrote romance that was interesting, realistic, and had a solid place in the story. So if there's anyone out there who's on the fence about reading this because of the romance: Don't be.
~ I listened to this book on audiobook and really enjoyed the narrator.
February 5, 2019
I really enjoyed this utterly one-of-a-kind flintlock fantasy!
The story is about a young woman named Gwen, who unexpectedly finds she is heir to the throne of Rodasia. One thing I loved about this book was how Garrett uses a dual timeline narrative. In the present Gwen has been queen for about a year and her country is facing a very real threat from an empire to the north. These chapters are interspersed by entries in her diary that recall her journey into becoming queen. What I liked about this is that the focus is on her early reign and all the personal and political challenges, but the flashbacks provide very personal insights into why she is making the choices she is.
Garrett mixes tried and true fantasy tropes with unique and unexpected elements, making this book feel incredibly sweet and naive but also painfully honest and a bit gritty. She may be the only author who can pull off that combination! XD
The absolute best parts of this book are the politics and religion. I loved how real and down to earth the politics felt and how practical the solutions offered by Gwen's advisors. It felt a bit like a behind-the-scenes glimpse into what it would actually be like to rule a nation in medieval times.
The religion of this fantasy nation was fascinating! There are subtle references to faith, and going to "Sanctuary" early on in the book, but much more of it in the second half. That's when we actually learn a lot more about how this religion operates and what they believe. The parallels to Christianity are clear, but I absolutely loved the eastern/mythical/monkish feel to it! And the way Garrett wove in honest questions about faith and spirituality, from multiple perspectives, was absolutely stunning! It felt honest and gentle without being preachy at all and was one of my favorite aspects of the book. When the religion starts to clash with politics, it is easy to see both sides of the question and feel the tension of all parties involved.
Gwen is also a wonderful character. She is strong and brave and kind and has an incredibly heavy burden to bear. For most of the book we see her struggle to put aside the life she used to live and step into this role as queen, but in the final third of the book she finally seems to find a way to use her strengths to rule, instead of pretending to be someone she is not, and it was very gratifying to see! Go Gwen!
Very, very eager to see where this series goes!
The story is about a young woman named Gwen, who unexpectedly finds she is heir to the throne of Rodasia. One thing I loved about this book was how Garrett uses a dual timeline narrative. In the present Gwen has been queen for about a year and her country is facing a very real threat from an empire to the north. These chapters are interspersed by entries in her diary that recall her journey into becoming queen. What I liked about this is that the focus is on her early reign and all the personal and political challenges, but the flashbacks provide very personal insights into why she is making the choices she is.
Garrett mixes tried and true fantasy tropes with unique and unexpected elements, making this book feel incredibly sweet and naive but also painfully honest and a bit gritty. She may be the only author who can pull off that combination! XD
The absolute best parts of this book are the politics and religion. I loved how real and down to earth the politics felt and how practical the solutions offered by Gwen's advisors. It felt a bit like a behind-the-scenes glimpse into what it would actually be like to rule a nation in medieval times.
The religion of this fantasy nation was fascinating! There are subtle references to faith, and going to "Sanctuary" early on in the book, but much more of it in the second half. That's when we actually learn a lot more about how this religion operates and what they believe. The parallels to Christianity are clear, but I absolutely loved the eastern/mythical/monkish feel to it! And the way Garrett wove in honest questions about faith and spirituality, from multiple perspectives, was absolutely stunning! It felt honest and gentle without being preachy at all and was one of my favorite aspects of the book. When the religion starts to clash with politics, it is easy to see both sides of the question and feel the tension of all parties involved.
Gwen is also a wonderful character. She is strong and brave and kind and has an incredibly heavy burden to bear. For most of the book we see her struggle to put aside the life she used to live and step into this role as queen, but in the final third of the book she finally seems to find a way to use her strengths to rule, instead of pretending to be someone she is not, and it was very gratifying to see! Go Gwen!
Very, very eager to see where this series goes!
February 3, 2019
I read this book in it's early form a year (or so) ago. I was so excited to see the author putting this one out there. I absolutely love this story and this world. Set in a nearly-historical, second world with no noticeable magic and a blend of mid-evil and revolutionary war type vibes. Where this story stands out the strongest is in its politics. Janelle Garrett excels at multiple points in writing but when she has a "council room" scene, that's when I'm most engaged in her writing. Those types of scenes abound, with so many complex facets to the world, the characters, and the object of desire. Everything feels completely believable.
There are a few times that the theme seems to get scattered, and to focus almost episodically on one particular message at a time. But it's well done and it doesn't cause a lot of stumbling. It might be a bit harder to get into if you are easily distracted by subtext, but completely immersive still if you focus entirely on plot and character.
My favorite aspect of this book is how it handles Christianity and religion, which is the strongest through line. It is a Christian fantasy. I rarely enjoy Christian fiction because it tends to stay shallow, wrap up tough issues in a nice bow, and focus on leaving readers with a "light and fuzzy" feeling or... worse even... try to preach them into repentance. This book does none of that. We delve into deep concepts. Not just in dealing with God's relationship to man, but Christianity's relationship to culture, and to other religions. The questions posed are rarely flat out answered, and invite the reader to think, research, and draw deeply on their own understanding. I love that about this book (and it only gets better through the series). I'm so excited to see this book out in the world!
There are a few times that the theme seems to get scattered, and to focus almost episodically on one particular message at a time. But it's well done and it doesn't cause a lot of stumbling. It might be a bit harder to get into if you are easily distracted by subtext, but completely immersive still if you focus entirely on plot and character.
My favorite aspect of this book is how it handles Christianity and religion, which is the strongest through line. It is a Christian fantasy. I rarely enjoy Christian fiction because it tends to stay shallow, wrap up tough issues in a nice bow, and focus on leaving readers with a "light and fuzzy" feeling or... worse even... try to preach them into repentance. This book does none of that. We delve into deep concepts. Not just in dealing with God's relationship to man, but Christianity's relationship to culture, and to other religions. The questions posed are rarely flat out answered, and invite the reader to think, research, and draw deeply on their own understanding. I love that about this book (and it only gets better through the series). I'm so excited to see this book out in the world!
April 13, 2019
I really, really, really wanted to love this book. I had high hopes, going in, and the book just... didn't deliver. (I do list positives at the end, I promise. :P)
First, the writing style was bland. There wasn't enough description or action to balance out the dialogue, and the dialogue was bogged down by repetitive descriptions of itself. Like the spot where it's mentioned that Gwen laughed because she was amused. Or where she said "Perhaps" and we're told it was noncommittal. A lot of places just could have benefited from trimming things down in a lot of places and bulking them up in others.
Secondly, it needed a proofreader. The grammar wasn't as bad as in some other books I've seen, but it was still lacking in areas and it could have easily been cleaned up with a pass or two by a proofreader.
I didn't connect with the vast majority of the characters. There were about three that I was slightly less apathetic toward (Nate, Charles, and Jakob), but they just still didn't manage to entirely grip me. Nate was my favorite, but I still thought he was kind of pushy and his feelings were overly rushed. (Such was the case, however, with most of the characters.)
Few of the characters were distinctive. Pope could only be recognized by his (overdone) stutter, Quinten by the repeated mentions that he rarely talks, and Tate by the repeated mentions that he doesn't like Gwen. These repeated mentions make it seem like the author was aware that they weren't really coming through on paper and decided to tell us every time they're on the page instead of working harder to show it. (As an author myself, I understand how difficult this can be. Truly. But readers generally don't like not being able to see a character's identifying characteristics by themselves.) Given this issue, I could usually follow council scenes, but they lost the impact they might have had if the characters were written more strongly.
Why on earth is so much of the male population in the world of The Hidden Queen composed of creeps? Maybe I'm just sheltered/blessed and surrounded by rare guys, but it seems hard for me to believe that there would be so many guys trying to take advantage of women at every turn. And it didn't seem to add anything to the story except romantic tension (which surely could have been achieved a different way) and revealing one character's true identity (again, could have been done some other way). I do understand the one related to Esther's backstory, but the rest seem excessive.
On a related note, I feel like this book tried to hit too many "tough" topics at once. The aforementioned creeps, the revelation of a character's sexuality... neither of these added to the story. The religious conflict was good. That was one part of the book I did think was well-done, and it was an issue that added to the story. But it was sufficient on its own without the other issues thrown in.
Almost all of the character relationships felt rushed. Gwen and Charles, Gwen and Nate, Gwen and her mom (I don't think that a mother and daughter who've been separated for ages would be "talking like old friends" the second time they see each other, or that a mother would give her daughter a cutesie nickname on their second meeting?), they just all felt rushed. At a slower pace, I think they all would have worked fine, but as it was they felt kind of unnatural and forced.
But on to some things I did like.
Charles. Though I wasn't a fan of how uptight he was, I liked how protective and sweet he was, and I did kind of admire that he valued his duty so highly.
Nate. I may be biased because he has red hair and freckles, but he was my favorite character. He was kind and understanding, his faith effectively shined through in his actions, and he reminded me of a couple of my chronically ill friends of mine who are so incredibly hopeful and have rock-solid faith despite their struggles. My only problem with him, as I mentioned above, was that his interest in Gwen seemed rushed.
Jakob. Quirky, possibly-insane characters are some of my favorites in fiction, and in the beginning of the book Jakob definitely fits this bill. He was a lot of fun, and mixed with his wisdom and patience I really enjoyed him. Toward the end of the book he started to lose my interest, but I still admired his firm belief in what he taught and his patience and compassion toward Gwen.
The religious clashing. This was the one issue and the one thread in general that I thought was written and handled the best. It added to the story, it was thought-provoking, and I thought the parallels between the fictional religions and real religions were interesting. I only wish that strength had been used more as a base for the story and that the author had been able to build off of it more effectively. I think this could have been a really great, effective story if the author had played off her strengths more and sent it through a few rounds of professional editing.
First, the writing style was bland. There wasn't enough description or action to balance out the dialogue, and the dialogue was bogged down by repetitive descriptions of itself. Like the spot where it's mentioned that Gwen laughed because she was amused. Or where she said "Perhaps" and we're told it was noncommittal. A lot of places just could have benefited from trimming things down in a lot of places and bulking them up in others.
Secondly, it needed a proofreader. The grammar wasn't as bad as in some other books I've seen, but it was still lacking in areas and it could have easily been cleaned up with a pass or two by a proofreader.
I didn't connect with the vast majority of the characters. There were about three that I was slightly less apathetic toward (Nate, Charles, and Jakob), but they just still didn't manage to entirely grip me. Nate was my favorite, but I still thought he was kind of pushy and his feelings were overly rushed. (Such was the case, however, with most of the characters.)
Few of the characters were distinctive. Pope could only be recognized by his (overdone) stutter, Quinten by the repeated mentions that he rarely talks, and Tate by the repeated mentions that he doesn't like Gwen. These repeated mentions make it seem like the author was aware that they weren't really coming through on paper and decided to tell us every time they're on the page instead of working harder to show it. (As an author myself, I understand how difficult this can be. Truly. But readers generally don't like not being able to see a character's identifying characteristics by themselves.) Given this issue, I could usually follow council scenes, but they lost the impact they might have had if the characters were written more strongly.
Why on earth is so much of the male population in the world of The Hidden Queen composed of creeps? Maybe I'm just sheltered/blessed and surrounded by rare guys, but it seems hard for me to believe that there would be so many guys trying to take advantage of women at every turn. And it didn't seem to add anything to the story except romantic tension (which surely could have been achieved a different way) and revealing one character's true identity (again, could have been done some other way). I do understand the one related to Esther's backstory, but the rest seem excessive.
On a related note, I feel like this book tried to hit too many "tough" topics at once. The aforementioned creeps, the revelation of a character's sexuality... neither of these added to the story. The religious conflict was good. That was one part of the book I did think was well-done, and it was an issue that added to the story. But it was sufficient on its own without the other issues thrown in.
Almost all of the character relationships felt rushed. Gwen and Charles, Gwen and Nate, Gwen and her mom (I don't think that a mother and daughter who've been separated for ages would be "talking like old friends" the second time they see each other, or that a mother would give her daughter a cutesie nickname on their second meeting?), they just all felt rushed. At a slower pace, I think they all would have worked fine, but as it was they felt kind of unnatural and forced.
But on to some things I did like.
Charles. Though I wasn't a fan of how uptight he was, I liked how protective and sweet he was, and I did kind of admire that he valued his duty so highly.
Nate. I may be biased because he has red hair and freckles, but he was my favorite character. He was kind and understanding, his faith effectively shined through in his actions, and he reminded me of a couple of my chronically ill friends of mine who are so incredibly hopeful and have rock-solid faith despite their struggles. My only problem with him, as I mentioned above, was that his interest in Gwen seemed rushed.
Jakob. Quirky, possibly-insane characters are some of my favorites in fiction, and in the beginning of the book Jakob definitely fits this bill. He was a lot of fun, and mixed with his wisdom and patience I really enjoyed him. Toward the end of the book he started to lose my interest, but I still admired his firm belief in what he taught and his patience and compassion toward Gwen.
The religious clashing. This was the one issue and the one thread in general that I thought was written and handled the best. It added to the story, it was thought-provoking, and I thought the parallels between the fictional religions and real religions were interesting. I only wish that strength had been used more as a base for the story and that the author had been able to build off of it more effectively. I think this could have been a really great, effective story if the author had played off her strengths more and sent it through a few rounds of professional editing.
March 17, 2019
I became a fan of the author from her other epic fantasy series. This series is very different, yet still really, really good. It's more overtly Christian, which I appreciated. But some things stay the same: the author is talented at writing characters who are real yet broken, plots that keep you on the edge of your seat, and politics that are convoluted but not confusing. I really liked the character Jakob, plainly meant to represent Jesus' disciples from the Bible. But he's strange and funny and endearing.
Unlike the other series, this one doesn't have magic, which I liked, too. It sets it apart from most other fantasy stories. You get the feeling of reading a historical fiction story, just set in a fantasy world. Gwen is a really well written character, too. Steady, dependable, just trying to do what is best for her country after being thrown a curve ball. Charles is perfect for her, if only she would stop trying to do what is right all the time and just follow her heart for once. Can't wait to pick up the second book. What a gem this author is!!! She stands out from the ordinary Christian fiction authors who seem to all fit into a mold.
Unlike the other series, this one doesn't have magic, which I liked, too. It sets it apart from most other fantasy stories. You get the feeling of reading a historical fiction story, just set in a fantasy world. Gwen is a really well written character, too. Steady, dependable, just trying to do what is best for her country after being thrown a curve ball. Charles is perfect for her, if only she would stop trying to do what is right all the time and just follow her heart for once. Can't wait to pick up the second book. What a gem this author is!!! She stands out from the ordinary Christian fiction authors who seem to all fit into a mold.
April 12, 2022
I enjoyed this book! Once I got into the story, I found myself turning pages just to find out what happened next. Dual timelines can be tricky to pull off, but both held my attention and I wasn’t tempted to skip to the timeline I liked better. I don’t like politics as a rule (lol) but all the court drama was actually intriguing for me. I loved so many of the side characters in this story – quirky and wise Jakob, Esther with her compassionate heart and hidden backbone of steel, kindhearted and hopeful Nate – and the worldbuilding was interesting with all the different cultures.
My favorite part of the story by far though is Garrett’s treatment of the thematic questions about faith, through Gwen’s perspective and through her interactions with the other characters. Nothing ever felt trite or like an easy answer. The take on the religious conflict was very creative as well, reminiscent of both the early church and the Reformation. I am so excited to see where this goes in the rest of the series!
My favorite part of the story by far though is Garrett’s treatment of the thematic questions about faith, through Gwen’s perspective and through her interactions with the other characters. Nothing ever felt trite or like an easy answer. The take on the religious conflict was very creative as well, reminiscent of both the early church and the Reformation. I am so excited to see where this goes in the rest of the series!
February 25, 2019
Janelle Garrett is a new author to me but, I'll be reading more of her work. I wasn't sure what to expect and things started out slowly. About 20 pages in, things picked up and my final opinion is -- this book is great! It's the first of a new series for the author and it's in the fantasy genre. Lots of intrigue and suspense, lots of action and it holds your attention. I can't wait for the next book in the series!
I was provided a free copy of this book by the author/publisher and I was not required to write this review. All opinions in this review are my own.
I was provided a free copy of this book by the author/publisher and I was not required to write this review. All opinions in this review are my own.
January 2, 2019
This was a very interesting story! There were many, many twists and turns and was totally unpredictable. Just when I thought I knew what was about to happen, there would be another twist. And so it went throughout the entire book. But in the end, I was able to breathe a sigh of relief. However, the ending is open and will have to read the next book in the series to get closure.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
January 26, 2019
The Hidden Queen is an introduction to a new low fantasy series. From the beginning, Garrett sets out to play with usual fantasy tropes. Told in alternate voices of omnipresent narrator and then memoir format, the plot advances and the necessary background is given without the hated info dumps. She then tweaks the usual Chosen One trope by instead focusing on the events that occur with ruling a nation under siege. So for those who enjoy a political intrigue, this becomes the forefront with hinted machinations and need to form alliances to tackle the Emperor from the North. Ms. Garrett has taken the bold move to include religion in her story as a key point. But not just religion but religious clashes as well. Her intent is to portray Christianity in fantasy, so no magic or spells are present in this book.In this historical fantasy novel, the version of Christianity presented is not the dominant religion, which allows the author to present this faith without the trappings normally associated with it. it is not preachy and is willing to deal with tough issues that faith can stir up.
The author is relatively new but has great potential. Her forte has been with characters and their development. Gwyneth is a bookworm who is thrust into a position of power. Her inner turmoil is authentic and she grows throughout. There is romance, but not the love triangles or squares that are common place. The romance had a natural evolution and doesn't overwhelm the rest of the plot. There were some character inconsistencies but overall most are well fleshed out. There are a few ethnic groups explored in keeping with her universe and more to come. And no element of tokenism present.
Overall, a good introduction with an intriguing premise and great potential. Over time, I hope that the narrative and the author grow to find their own niche. This novel is suitable for all ages.
The author is relatively new but has great potential. Her forte has been with characters and their development. Gwyneth is a bookworm who is thrust into a position of power. Her inner turmoil is authentic and she grows throughout. There is romance, but not the love triangles or squares that are common place. The romance had a natural evolution and doesn't overwhelm the rest of the plot. There were some character inconsistencies but overall most are well fleshed out. There are a few ethnic groups explored in keeping with her universe and more to come. And no element of tokenism present.
Overall, a good introduction with an intriguing premise and great potential. Over time, I hope that the narrative and the author grow to find their own niche. This novel is suitable for all ages.
May 15, 2019
***Actual Rating 3.5 Stars***
Characters
Gwen is the main character of this story. She is somewhat awkward, but good natured. Shy, but determined. There are two ‘servants’ the serve her, Lacy (more of a lady’s maid) and Esther. Both have their own stories, good and bad, that come out throughout the book. I’d hope to see more of them in future books. Then there is Charles, Thomas (the Speaker), and Nathaniel that all crop up as ‘love interests’ for a variety of reasons. This is the novels’ strength—its characters. The variety and diverse group of characters has the ability to capture the reader’s heart. I invested in them rather quickly and was impressed by the authors ability to create such variety.
Plot
This was introduced to me as a sweet romance but I wouldn’t categorize it as such. The romance is very secondary to the fantasy plot. Especially considering there is a lot of court politics that drive this story forward, although this has a bit of a ‘origin story’ feel to it. That being said there is a slow burning romance that is sweet. It takes a while to get there (more than half the book) but you’re probably invested by then! I don’t want to ruin any of the plot lines but there are aspects of it that seemed farfetched. For example, I just couldn’t believe that a queen would send her ONLY heir across country with only ONE guard. It felt like a plot device, not something real people would decide, which took away from the authentic feel of the book.
Overall
The writing was engaging the interesting once the story gets flowing. It is a little slow at the start but the back and forth between Gwen’s ‘present’ and the diary entries she is making about her past make it an enjoyable page turner. The setting was complete and you got a feel for the world around Gwen. Fair warning there was really modern dialogue that was jarring at times—especially considering the implication of time—although that may be due to YA nature of the novel. I would have preferred it less often considering it is listed as historical fantasy.
There was also a noticeable religious theme—so be warned if this isn't your thing. Much of the progression was predictable, but that isn’t abnormal for young adult books. That being said the characters were the best aspect of the novel by far! Overall, I did enjoy it and would be interested in reading future books to see where these characters go.
Rating
3.5 (rounded down)
Not a romance, but great characters that you can’t help but like!
Where did I get it?
Author provided a copy to me in exchange for an honest review. This review is voluntary.
Characters
Gwen is the main character of this story. She is somewhat awkward, but good natured. Shy, but determined. There are two ‘servants’ the serve her, Lacy (more of a lady’s maid) and Esther. Both have their own stories, good and bad, that come out throughout the book. I’d hope to see more of them in future books. Then there is Charles, Thomas (the Speaker), and Nathaniel that all crop up as ‘love interests’ for a variety of reasons. This is the novels’ strength—its characters. The variety and diverse group of characters has the ability to capture the reader’s heart. I invested in them rather quickly and was impressed by the authors ability to create such variety.
Plot
This was introduced to me as a sweet romance but I wouldn’t categorize it as such. The romance is very secondary to the fantasy plot. Especially considering there is a lot of court politics that drive this story forward, although this has a bit of a ‘origin story’ feel to it. That being said there is a slow burning romance that is sweet. It takes a while to get there (more than half the book) but you’re probably invested by then! I don’t want to ruin any of the plot lines but there are aspects of it that seemed farfetched. For example, I just couldn’t believe that a queen would send her ONLY heir across country with only ONE guard. It felt like a plot device, not something real people would decide, which took away from the authentic feel of the book.
Overall
The writing was engaging the interesting once the story gets flowing. It is a little slow at the start but the back and forth between Gwen’s ‘present’ and the diary entries she is making about her past make it an enjoyable page turner. The setting was complete and you got a feel for the world around Gwen. Fair warning there was really modern dialogue that was jarring at times—especially considering the implication of time—although that may be due to YA nature of the novel. I would have preferred it less often considering it is listed as historical fantasy.
There was also a noticeable religious theme—so be warned if this isn't your thing. Much of the progression was predictable, but that isn’t abnormal for young adult books. That being said the characters were the best aspect of the novel by far! Overall, I did enjoy it and would be interested in reading future books to see where these characters go.
Rating
3.5 (rounded down)
Not a romance, but great characters that you can’t help but like!
Where did I get it?
Author provided a copy to me in exchange for an honest review. This review is voluntary.
March 20, 2019
I really enjoyed this story. The story moves quickly and I appreciated the switch from first person to third person which gives the reader insight into Gwen's internal thoughts and struggles. I also enjoyed the questions about faith that were raised. Definitely worthy your time! I'm looking forward to reading the next chapter in the saga.
I received a free copy of this book for review.
I received a free copy of this book for review.
Read
January 5, 2020The Hidden Queen (The Rodasia Chronicles #1), my second read from Janelle Garrett R.N. My first read from Janelle Garrett R.N was the non-fiction The Survival Guide for Nursing Students that was simply outstanding. This book is so well-written & enjoyable and validates that the first book was the author, not the subject matter. I was given an Audible copy of this book & am voluntarily reading & reviewing it. Jessica Mathison’s talented narration adds to the book's enjoyment. I look forward to the next book in the series. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
January 1, 2019
This was an appetite-whetting introduction to what seems like will be yet another excellent Fantasy series for Garrett (if you haven't begun her Steward Saga series yet, you definitely should!). Yet again, the author skillfully weaves together an intricate plot line with a massive and intriguing cast of intriguing characters. This series kicks off with what at first you may believe is simply another contemporary Fantasy heroine story, but by the end of the book you will find that you can't wait to get to know Gwen (and for me, Jakob) more. Enjoy!
February 1, 2020
I was super excited to get into this story, but it turned out not to be my thing. I did enjoy parts of it, but my impression of it as a whole was disappointing.
Main things I liked:
Nate. He's a sweet ray of sunshine, and my favorite character in the whole story. His joy is all the more encouraging because he's faced hardship, and his care for others is refreshing.
Jakob is another spark of joy. He's pleasantly unpredictable, and he represents the truth gently, without being patronizing or giving pat answers.
One of my favorite things about the book is the number of different cultures involved in the story. Each of the nations has a distinct flavor, and the cultural values manifest in interesting sensory details that bring the different countries to life.
The religious aspects of the story world are some of the most creative, mirroring both the birth of the Church and the dawn of the Reformation. (Don't quote me on that, but that's what it looks like to me.) I personally found the religious conflict within Rodasia to be the most compelling conflict in the story. The conflict unfolded gradually and added tension as I learned more and tried to figure out which side was the one of truth (the answer wasn't immediately apparent, which was cool.)
Main things I didn't like:
The premise of the half of the story just didn't make sense to me. I couldn't get past the facts that the main character is assigned a single (as in only one of him but also unmarried) guard to accompany her on her journey to the capital, and that the ensuing security and accountability issues are the main conflicts driving the plot. If Gwen had been given a group of bodyguards or if a carriage had been sent for her, most of the memoir plotline wouldn't have taken place at all (and I honestly wouldn't have minded that.)
I honestly didn't really like Gwen. I didn't see a lot of evidence in her actions and attitudes for most of the compliments the other characters give her. Most of the questions she asks seem obvious, and to me she came across as more grumpy than kind. She is willing to sacrifice her personal desires for her country, but she doesn't really have much choice in the matter, and she's not happy about it. That said, I did find myself cheering for her when she finally started moving forward instead of wishing she were somewhere else, but that moment was a very long time in coming.
A lot of things felt unearned. The characters' relationships for the most part felt hastily formed with little basis in experience, and the characters' trust seemed way too easily offered. Several of the characters divulge their life story, including the most painful details, often with little more prompting than a request by a near stranger. In general I felt that most of the questions brought up during the course of the story, whether in the dialogue or the unfolding of the plot, were answered so quickly (and often predictably) that there was very little tension pulling me forward to find out what would happen next.
The romance. That said, I've liked very few romantic relationships in anything I've ever read. But I have very little sympathy for characters who allow themselves be attracted to people they know they can't be with and don't try hard enough to curb their feelings. If the attractions had been founded on a more substantial grounds, I might have felt for the characters more, but I was mostly just annoyed. But then that's what happens almost every time I read romance.
The prose. I found the frequency of spelling and grammar mistakes distracting. The writing style in general didn't sit right with me. There's quite a bit of expository description that could have been conveyed more subtly, and the characters' emotions are frequently described with on-the-nose "I felt" statements and adverbs describing tone of speech following dialogue. I could see what was happening, but I couldn't really feel it myself.
I have some other thoughts, but R.M. Archer's review covers most of the other things I would have said and says them better.
I wanted to like this book, but the bright spots weren't quite enough to hold my attention or capture my emotions.
Main things I liked:
Nate. He's a sweet ray of sunshine, and my favorite character in the whole story. His joy is all the more encouraging because he's faced hardship, and his care for others is refreshing.
Jakob is another spark of joy. He's pleasantly unpredictable, and he represents the truth gently, without being patronizing or giving pat answers.
One of my favorite things about the book is the number of different cultures involved in the story. Each of the nations has a distinct flavor, and the cultural values manifest in interesting sensory details that bring the different countries to life.
The religious aspects of the story world are some of the most creative, mirroring both the birth of the Church and the dawn of the Reformation. (Don't quote me on that, but that's what it looks like to me.) I personally found the religious conflict within Rodasia to be the most compelling conflict in the story. The conflict unfolded gradually and added tension as I learned more and tried to figure out which side was the one of truth (the answer wasn't immediately apparent, which was cool.)
Main things I didn't like:
The premise of the half of the story just didn't make sense to me. I couldn't get past the facts that the main character is assigned a single (as in only one of him but also unmarried) guard to accompany her on her journey to the capital, and that the ensuing security and accountability issues are the main conflicts driving the plot. If Gwen had been given a group of bodyguards or if a carriage had been sent for her, most of the memoir plotline wouldn't have taken place at all (and I honestly wouldn't have minded that.)
I honestly didn't really like Gwen. I didn't see a lot of evidence in her actions and attitudes for most of the compliments the other characters give her. Most of the questions she asks seem obvious, and to me she came across as more grumpy than kind. She is willing to sacrifice her personal desires for her country, but she doesn't really have much choice in the matter, and she's not happy about it. That said, I did find myself cheering for her when she finally started moving forward instead of wishing she were somewhere else, but that moment was a very long time in coming.
A lot of things felt unearned. The characters' relationships for the most part felt hastily formed with little basis in experience, and the characters' trust seemed way too easily offered. Several of the characters divulge their life story, including the most painful details, often with little more prompting than a request by a near stranger. In general I felt that most of the questions brought up during the course of the story, whether in the dialogue or the unfolding of the plot, were answered so quickly (and often predictably) that there was very little tension pulling me forward to find out what would happen next.
The romance. That said, I've liked very few romantic relationships in anything I've ever read. But I have very little sympathy for characters who allow themselves be attracted to people they know they can't be with and don't try hard enough to curb their feelings. If the attractions had been founded on a more substantial grounds, I might have felt for the characters more, but I was mostly just annoyed. But then that's what happens almost every time I read romance.
The prose. I found the frequency of spelling and grammar mistakes distracting. The writing style in general didn't sit right with me. There's quite a bit of expository description that could have been conveyed more subtly, and the characters' emotions are frequently described with on-the-nose "I felt" statements and adverbs describing tone of speech following dialogue. I could see what was happening, but I couldn't really feel it myself.
I have some other thoughts, but R.M. Archer's review covers most of the other things I would have said and says them better.
I wanted to like this book, but the bright spots weren't quite enough to hold my attention or capture my emotions.
September 21, 2019
The Hidden Queen is an interesting novel about court intrigues, personal development, and the effects of theology on a kingdom.
The characters were, for the most part, well fleshed out, with unique personalities. Gwen herself, the protaganist, was a little bit too much of a Mary Sue. Her only real fault was losing her temper now and then, but this never had any serious consequences. Everyone seems to fall in love with her or want to use her as a political tool, but generally she is well loved because she is 'nice'. I think her character would benefit from facing some heavier decisions, and dealing with the consequences of those decisions.
The narrative structure was well done, with the present alternating with diary entries of the past. The parallels in theme and character development between the two time periods was masterfully executed, and perfectly paced.
Overall, a fun read.
The characters were, for the most part, well fleshed out, with unique personalities. Gwen herself, the protaganist, was a little bit too much of a Mary Sue. Her only real fault was losing her temper now and then, but this never had any serious consequences. Everyone seems to fall in love with her or want to use her as a political tool, but generally she is well loved because she is 'nice'. I think her character would benefit from facing some heavier decisions, and dealing with the consequences of those decisions.
The narrative structure was well done, with the present alternating with diary entries of the past. The parallels in theme and character development between the two time periods was masterfully executed, and perfectly paced.
Overall, a fun read.
March 15, 2019
“The stronger we stand together, the harder it will be for our enemies to triumph over us.”
Janelle Garrett weaves together a fantasy dual time line with themes central to religion and politics in her book, The Hidden Queen. The main character, Gwyneth Blacksman, discovers things about her family’s past. The story switches back in forth by telling about her humble beginnings of being a farmers daughter and then to the present day struggles that are happening in Rodasia.
Being that her mother was a Queen, it’s now her turn to learn how to be a proper Queen. She must be brave in order to take care of her land and the people that live there. She has a strong willed group of cohorts that will lead her through.
I enjoyed the relationship she had with Lacy Young and Esther. They were there for her every step of the way as confidants. They’ve shown her what a good influence she’ll be as the Queen of Rodasia. Everyone knows that she has the ability to rule the land with compassion and strength just like her mother. Gwen just needs to trust herself that she has the integrity to do it. I also enjoyed the relationship she had with Charles Ryder. He wants to do everything in his power to protect her.
This story was full of twists and turns and I especially enjoyed the suspense that Ms Garrett created. It kept my attention. Some parts were hard to follow because I haven’t read much fantasy. Overall it was a very good plot with compelling characters. I recommend this new series. I really want to see what happens next with this story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to give my honest opinion. I was not required to like this book. All opinions stated are my own.
Janelle Garrett weaves together a fantasy dual time line with themes central to religion and politics in her book, The Hidden Queen. The main character, Gwyneth Blacksman, discovers things about her family’s past. The story switches back in forth by telling about her humble beginnings of being a farmers daughter and then to the present day struggles that are happening in Rodasia.
Being that her mother was a Queen, it’s now her turn to learn how to be a proper Queen. She must be brave in order to take care of her land and the people that live there. She has a strong willed group of cohorts that will lead her through.
I enjoyed the relationship she had with Lacy Young and Esther. They were there for her every step of the way as confidants. They’ve shown her what a good influence she’ll be as the Queen of Rodasia. Everyone knows that she has the ability to rule the land with compassion and strength just like her mother. Gwen just needs to trust herself that she has the integrity to do it. I also enjoyed the relationship she had with Charles Ryder. He wants to do everything in his power to protect her.
This story was full of twists and turns and I especially enjoyed the suspense that Ms Garrett created. It kept my attention. Some parts were hard to follow because I haven’t read much fantasy. Overall it was a very good plot with compelling characters. I recommend this new series. I really want to see what happens next with this story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to give my honest opinion. I was not required to like this book. All opinions stated are my own.
December 30, 2018
This is a bit different than anything else I've written. It was the very first novel I ever finished writing, and the first draft was TERRIBLE. But after I had some experience under my belt, I went back to this series and edited it.
Christian fantasy is a tricky thing to write. Christian readers typically don't want magic or language. You will find neither in this book. However, what you WILL find are deeply flawed characters struggling to understand their place in the world, and how God fits into it. You'll find themes explored in this book, and the subsequent books The Coming Light and The Shade War, that other Christian writers shy away from. Politics, war, homosexuality, religion and cultism, just to name a few.
You will also find common tropes beloved of the genre. Family, love, faith, friendship.
I've tried to handle it all with a fair amount of realism. Life is messy, and for Gwen, things never seem to be as easy as she would like. I hope you find her story compelling. I hope you can identify with her as she faces unexpected challenges, fights to understand who God is, and deals with seemingly insurmountable circumstances in her journey to find joy and peace.
Christian fantasy is a tricky thing to write. Christian readers typically don't want magic or language. You will find neither in this book. However, what you WILL find are deeply flawed characters struggling to understand their place in the world, and how God fits into it. You'll find themes explored in this book, and the subsequent books The Coming Light and The Shade War, that other Christian writers shy away from. Politics, war, homosexuality, religion and cultism, just to name a few.
You will also find common tropes beloved of the genre. Family, love, faith, friendship.
I've tried to handle it all with a fair amount of realism. Life is messy, and for Gwen, things never seem to be as easy as she would like. I hope you find her story compelling. I hope you can identify with her as she faces unexpected challenges, fights to understand who God is, and deals with seemingly insurmountable circumstances in her journey to find joy and peace.
dnf
December 5, 2023With all the taking the Lord's name in vain, to introduce profanity is not my ideal godly read. Not sure how this can be a "Christian" novel. I only made it 32% of the way. But the story is slow and never really "took off." I like reading Christian novels because they are clean and profanity-free. This was clean in the context of no sexual encounters but certainly not in the way of profanity. I never saw the fantasy in the novel either. So many said this was fantasy. I'm not sure how but that's okay. This is not a book for me.
December 6, 2020
I wanted to like this one, I really did—but after wading through multiple romances I couldn’t believe in, a lukewarm queen that seemed ready to compromise in any direction should it be politically expedient, and several scenes that made me say, “hmmm,” and wonder why they were a part of the story, I left feeling disillusioned.
It’s not that I mind any of these things very much on their own, but together they formed a book that just wasn’t my cup of tea.
It’s not that I mind any of these things very much on their own, but together they formed a book that just wasn’t my cup of tea.
September 2, 2019
Actual rating: 4 1/2 stars
I anticipated this book for months, and I'm so glad I finally read it. Garrett creates a fantasy world unlike any I've encountered thus far, but what really shines is her characters and her narration.
"The Hidden Queen" weaves together the current story with flashbacks in the form of the main character's memoir. It was a truly unique approach, and it worked! Not only were both timelines equally fascinating, they played together well and kept me fully engaged the whole time.
But the characters. Oh, the characters. I love them.
Gwen's journey from orphan farmer to strong queen in her own right was a privilege to read. Her feelings of inadequacy and being out-of-place were believable and not overdone. Her struggle with her own desires and the unclear decision about what would benefit her kingdom moved me.
Charles and Jakob were other favorites of mine, but even the less-savory characters were well done: Real humans with understandable motivations, not caricatures.
This is Christian fiction, but I appreciated that things in the story weren't painted in obvious black-and-white. There was tension, just as there is in the real world, between different beliefs. Never did the book seem to preach at the reader, which I greatly appreciated; yet through the different characters we still get some profound statements of truth and beauty.
On a backdrop of kings, queens, pet wolves, and politics, Garrett weaves themes of sacrifice, courage, faith, love, assault, and more.
Some reoccurring grammatical and syntactical issues kept me from giving the book a full 5 stars, but they did not dramatically hinder my enjoyment.
In the end, I consider it a personal trial that I can't read book 2 immediately. I truly enjoyed "The Hidden Queen."
I anticipated this book for months, and I'm so glad I finally read it. Garrett creates a fantasy world unlike any I've encountered thus far, but what really shines is her characters and her narration.
"The Hidden Queen" weaves together the current story with flashbacks in the form of the main character's memoir. It was a truly unique approach, and it worked! Not only were both timelines equally fascinating, they played together well and kept me fully engaged the whole time.
But the characters. Oh, the characters. I love them.
Gwen's journey from orphan farmer to strong queen in her own right was a privilege to read. Her feelings of inadequacy and being out-of-place were believable and not overdone. Her struggle with her own desires and the unclear decision about what would benefit her kingdom moved me.
Charles and Jakob were other favorites of mine, but even the less-savory characters were well done: Real humans with understandable motivations, not caricatures.
This is Christian fiction, but I appreciated that things in the story weren't painted in obvious black-and-white. There was tension, just as there is in the real world, between different beliefs. Never did the book seem to preach at the reader, which I greatly appreciated; yet through the different characters we still get some profound statements of truth and beauty.
On a backdrop of kings, queens, pet wolves, and politics, Garrett weaves themes of sacrifice, courage, faith, love, assault, and more.
Some reoccurring grammatical and syntactical issues kept me from giving the book a full 5 stars, but they did not dramatically hinder my enjoyment.
In the end, I consider it a personal trial that I can't read book 2 immediately. I truly enjoyed "The Hidden Queen."
January 16, 2019
Gwyneth Blacksman was happy with life and then she has to decide to step up and be what her people want her to be. Her friends who were willing to stick by her are the ones she turns to. The twists and turns in this story kept me reading until the end. I love how Janelle Garrett creates the story I volunteered to read and review this book love it
July 13, 2019
This book is described as “A Christian historical fiction and fantasy story”, which I found confusing. For me, historical fiction has to have some connection to our own human history. It has to reference real places, people or events. The only part of this description that is accurate is the word fantasy. Not that there is anything inherently wrong with that, but it is not history. It is set in an entirely imaginary time and place.
The book is structured with a first person account of the female protagonist's progress from farm girl to queen, interspersed with a third person account of events taking place a year later. The “Christian” element is achieved via the presence of characters who present a radical interpretation of the established religion which is an echo of the conflict between 17th century reformists and Roman Catholicism. Neither is, however, defined as Christianity – hardly surprising given the setting.
The big difference between a fantasy such as this and historical fiction is research. All the established writers of historical fiction have shelves full of books about the period in which their own book is set. They want to ensure their depiction of the people and the culture of the time and place is as accurate as possible. They want to understand the motivations of the movers and shakers of the period. Their ultimate aim is to assist our understanding, as readers, of the lives and struggles of our ancestors.
If you are creating a time and place from your imagination you don't have to do any of that. But you do have to create a believable context for the events you are going to relate. Unfortunately the author of this book has failed to do that. Rodasia, the nation of which Gwen becomes Queen, is about to be invaded by two of its immediate neighbours. In the real world such attacks take place for a reason: the country being invaded has something the invader desires. It might be a valuable resource, it could be control of an important trade route. In the case of a land-locked country it could be access to the coast. Given Rodasia has a port that would seem to be a logical reason for the anticipated invasion. But we are not told this. In fact we are told nothing about the importance of the port, what goods are traded through it or why they are important, either to Rodasia or to her neighbours.
In many ways this book resembles a fairy story and my guess is that it is intended for younger readers.
There is one final disappointment in this book, one that is, in my view, unforgiveable: The whole book is merely back story for the sequel. Leaving so many loose ends and foreshaddowed events to be discovered by purchasing the sequel is an all too common practice these days, one which I am not alone in deploring. An often entertaining but ultimately unsatisfying read.
The book is structured with a first person account of the female protagonist's progress from farm girl to queen, interspersed with a third person account of events taking place a year later. The “Christian” element is achieved via the presence of characters who present a radical interpretation of the established religion which is an echo of the conflict between 17th century reformists and Roman Catholicism. Neither is, however, defined as Christianity – hardly surprising given the setting.
The big difference between a fantasy such as this and historical fiction is research. All the established writers of historical fiction have shelves full of books about the period in which their own book is set. They want to ensure their depiction of the people and the culture of the time and place is as accurate as possible. They want to understand the motivations of the movers and shakers of the period. Their ultimate aim is to assist our understanding, as readers, of the lives and struggles of our ancestors.
If you are creating a time and place from your imagination you don't have to do any of that. But you do have to create a believable context for the events you are going to relate. Unfortunately the author of this book has failed to do that. Rodasia, the nation of which Gwen becomes Queen, is about to be invaded by two of its immediate neighbours. In the real world such attacks take place for a reason: the country being invaded has something the invader desires. It might be a valuable resource, it could be control of an important trade route. In the case of a land-locked country it could be access to the coast. Given Rodasia has a port that would seem to be a logical reason for the anticipated invasion. But we are not told this. In fact we are told nothing about the importance of the port, what goods are traded through it or why they are important, either to Rodasia or to her neighbours.
In many ways this book resembles a fairy story and my guess is that it is intended for younger readers.
There is one final disappointment in this book, one that is, in my view, unforgiveable: The whole book is merely back story for the sequel. Leaving so many loose ends and foreshaddowed events to be discovered by purchasing the sequel is an all too common practice these days, one which I am not alone in deploring. An often entertaining but ultimately unsatisfying read.
February 27, 2020
The Hidden Queen by Janelle Garrett is about a woman named Gwyneth Blacksman, Queen of Rodasia. Gwyneth's story is told with and intertwining storyline, showing the present challenges she faces as the queen of a country threatened with war and the queen's past of how she went from a simple farm girl to the queen.
There is mystery and intrigue, as the queen tries to figure out how to stop the neighboring countries from invading. One of her ideas is to marry for an alliance - but is that morally right? And could she marry someone even though her heart leans a different direction?
I really enjoyed how the author intertwined the past and present. Janelle Garrett did a good job of putting the pieces from the past into the "present" timeline in a way that sheds light on what's going on but doesn't reveal too much too soon.
One of the other threads happening in this story had to do with an allegorical Jesus figure and the early church. One of Gwyn's friends is a believer in this faith, and he tells her more and more about God as the story progresses, though she doesn't understand him or his beliefs. Meanwhile, the religious authorities in her high counsel urge her to punish this believer and his followers. What will this queen do when her love for a person and her dawning understanding of his beliefs are pitted against and her unstable hold on her country?
I read this book in audio format, and I really enjoyed the narrator. Jessica Mathison did a good job with the different characters' voices and with the expressions.
I wish I could give you more detail on all that goes on, but I can't spoil it. But one thing's for sure, I definitely want to know what will happen next, and I am excited for the next book.
I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook from the author. I was not obligated or given compensation to review it, and what I have written is the truth.
There is mystery and intrigue, as the queen tries to figure out how to stop the neighboring countries from invading. One of her ideas is to marry for an alliance - but is that morally right? And could she marry someone even though her heart leans a different direction?
I really enjoyed how the author intertwined the past and present. Janelle Garrett did a good job of putting the pieces from the past into the "present" timeline in a way that sheds light on what's going on but doesn't reveal too much too soon.
One of the other threads happening in this story had to do with an allegorical Jesus figure and the early church. One of Gwyn's friends is a believer in this faith, and he tells her more and more about God as the story progresses, though she doesn't understand him or his beliefs. Meanwhile, the religious authorities in her high counsel urge her to punish this believer and his followers. What will this queen do when her love for a person and her dawning understanding of his beliefs are pitted against and her unstable hold on her country?
I read this book in audio format, and I really enjoyed the narrator. Jessica Mathison did a good job with the different characters' voices and with the expressions.
I wish I could give you more detail on all that goes on, but I can't spoil it. But one thing's for sure, I definitely want to know what will happen next, and I am excited for the next book.
I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook from the author. I was not obligated or given compensation to review it, and what I have written is the truth.
January 15, 2019
This is a very well written book that holds your attention. It is full of twists and turns, and keeps you turning the pages. I really enjoyed reading this book.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author and was not required to write a review. This is my honest opinion
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author and was not required to write a review. This is my honest opinion
April 26, 2020
I was on the fence as to what rating I should give this book and I ultimately chose to go with three stars for a multitude of reasons. First off, I should say the story does work on a narrative level. Flashbacks can often be hokey and unnecessary but I think Garrett does a decent job of using her flashbacks to flesh out her characters more. Moreover, the flashbacks are inserted into the story in a way that often complements the main narrative so they rarely come off as distracting. I also appreciate that the author didn’t rush to tie everything together by the end of the book. What with all the divergent storylines and the dramatic plot points that happened in the final few chapters, I think a neat resolution would not have made much sense and I think the author made the right choice to leave off on a cliffhanger instead of trying to resolve everything within the space of a few pages. And while formatting may not matter much to most readers, I recognize as an indy author that it can often be tough/time-consuming so I appreciate the effort that Garrett put in to make the book look nice. KDP doesn’t always make it easy.
I also think Garrett deserves praise for creating an interesting setting. Many fantasy novels take place in a Medieval British setting and are almost completely devoid of diversity. Hidden Queen takes place in more of a Renaissance setting, there are some gunpowder weapons but they seem to be a novelty more than a commonplace thing, and the topography has a distinct Levant flavor. Considering that a Messiah figure plays a big role in the plot of the story, I would be none surprised if the author opted for a less traditional setting to make this connection more explicit. I suspect this Messiah figure, a figure with strong Jesus overtones and some High Sparrow vibes also, and his new religion will play a larger role in the follow-up works, but that’s just speculation on my part since, so far, I have only read the first book in the series.
Having said what I like about the story, I figure I should also mention what did not sit well with me. In some respects, I think the protagonist’s decision-making process was difficult to understand at times. At one point in the book, a man tries to assault her. She is armed with a knife and knows how to use the weapon very well owing to countless hours of training. But instead of using the knife, she runs because she thinks it would be mean to kill her would-be assailant. Not only does she breaks two ribs trying to run away, she ends up having to hide in a snake-infested bog. Ultimately, running and hiding doesn’t work and she eventually has to use the knife and stabs the man in the leg. Whether he dies is an open question but if he didn’t, the protagonist could credibly claim to have never killed anybody. That makes her decision to kill a counselor, her first-ever execution order, later on in the book all the more jarring because she has no hesitation about doing so. The method of death is rather macabre--the councilor gets dragged through the streets of the city after having his head cut off--but when she is confronted about the event later on in the book, she expresses not one bit of regret.
I think the prose was also a bit telling for my tastes and the story could benefit from some better editing to weed out some of the grammar mistakes. The story ventures pretty deep into cliche territory--valiant knight, pretty princess, special animal connection, secret noble lineage, etc--but some readers may not mind that so much. Garret also mentions throughout the story how it’s so difficult to be a royal, even more difficult than being a starving peasant, which I found a bit odd, but that’s a trope that transcends any one literary genre. Despite some flaws, the book is worth checking out and I recommend it to anyone interested in stories with a strong female protagonist or those who generally like fantasy.
I also think Garrett deserves praise for creating an interesting setting. Many fantasy novels take place in a Medieval British setting and are almost completely devoid of diversity. Hidden Queen takes place in more of a Renaissance setting, there are some gunpowder weapons but they seem to be a novelty more than a commonplace thing, and the topography has a distinct Levant flavor. Considering that a Messiah figure plays a big role in the plot of the story, I would be none surprised if the author opted for a less traditional setting to make this connection more explicit. I suspect this Messiah figure, a figure with strong Jesus overtones and some High Sparrow vibes also, and his new religion will play a larger role in the follow-up works, but that’s just speculation on my part since, so far, I have only read the first book in the series.
Having said what I like about the story, I figure I should also mention what did not sit well with me. In some respects, I think the protagonist’s decision-making process was difficult to understand at times. At one point in the book, a man tries to assault her. She is armed with a knife and knows how to use the weapon very well owing to countless hours of training. But instead of using the knife, she runs because she thinks it would be mean to kill her would-be assailant. Not only does she breaks two ribs trying to run away, she ends up having to hide in a snake-infested bog. Ultimately, running and hiding doesn’t work and she eventually has to use the knife and stabs the man in the leg. Whether he dies is an open question but if he didn’t, the protagonist could credibly claim to have never killed anybody. That makes her decision to kill a counselor, her first-ever execution order, later on in the book all the more jarring because she has no hesitation about doing so. The method of death is rather macabre--the councilor gets dragged through the streets of the city after having his head cut off--but when she is confronted about the event later on in the book, she expresses not one bit of regret.
I think the prose was also a bit telling for my tastes and the story could benefit from some better editing to weed out some of the grammar mistakes. The story ventures pretty deep into cliche territory--valiant knight, pretty princess, special animal connection, secret noble lineage, etc--but some readers may not mind that so much. Garret also mentions throughout the story how it’s so difficult to be a royal, even more difficult than being a starving peasant, which I found a bit odd, but that’s a trope that transcends any one literary genre. Despite some flaws, the book is worth checking out and I recommend it to anyone interested in stories with a strong female protagonist or those who generally like fantasy.
May 15, 2020
Overall I quite enjoyed this story as it was intriguing with lots of twists and turns, and with some very strong, well-drawn characters, including Gwen the Queen, plus Nathaniel and Charles, her main romantic interests. Unfortunately, there were several things I found disappointing. The book is described as a historical fantasy and the only link that I could find with the past was the allegorical reference to the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the spread of Christianity during Gwen’s conversations with the disgraced monk, Jakob. Considering the expected archaic times in which the tale is set I found most of the conversations jarring because they included too many modern words, phrases and idiomatic expressions. Perhaps it was intended, due to this novel being aimed at a young adult readership, but I prefer conversations in a historical novel to have some authenticity in the dialect and expressions used between the characters.
The plot and the method of telling it are excellent. A farm girl who suddenly discovers that her mother is the Queen of Rodasia and that she will be expected to soon take over quickly captures the reader’s attention. The story is told through two timelines, and uses Gwen’s memoirs as well as the third person narrative, which worked well much to my surprise. Her political and social discussions with her maids and advisers in the royal court are well done and believable. The biggest disappointments, for me however, were the number of required edits and the abrupt ‘ending’ to the book. The story was not rounded off properly and could not be called a stand-alone novel. It was so obviously a lead-in to the next novel in a series but not done well, which as I said made ‘The Hidden Queen’ an intriguing, captivating tale requiring some serious polishing.
The plot and the method of telling it are excellent. A farm girl who suddenly discovers that her mother is the Queen of Rodasia and that she will be expected to soon take over quickly captures the reader’s attention. The story is told through two timelines, and uses Gwen’s memoirs as well as the third person narrative, which worked well much to my surprise. Her political and social discussions with her maids and advisers in the royal court are well done and believable. The biggest disappointments, for me however, were the number of required edits and the abrupt ‘ending’ to the book. The story was not rounded off properly and could not be called a stand-alone novel. It was so obviously a lead-in to the next novel in a series but not done well, which as I said made ‘The Hidden Queen’ an intriguing, captivating tale requiring some serious polishing.
March 25, 2020
The first book of the Rodasia Chronicles, The Hidden Queen delivers a light and entertaining fantasy, more fictional history than historical fiction, presenting the stock-in-trade tale of a peasant farm girl's rise to queen royal. Dystopian whirlwinds of medieval existence and Saharan-style bazaars replete with rabbit stew, hay beds, wolf dogs, hawk messengers, and animal transportation blow through the linear plot lines in a world "full of chance and anarchy," as Tolkien prescribed. Still, when reading a fantasy, especially a young adult fantasy, I expect richer nuance, more dynamic worldbuilding, and exorbitant creativity, reimagining the possible without the shackles of conventional scientific and religious axioms rather than a blend of sophomoric norms reminiscent of the 50's or the Victorian Era. At the three-quarter point, the author lays out some apparently Christian linchpins, and the tone turns a bit preachy in an inoffensive manner. Nevertheless, for pre-teens, young adults and their parents looking for a transporting voyage to somewhere else, Rodasia beckons, and the ending sets up the sequel with deft devices. Escape reality to explore good vs. bad, young love, social strata, male/female relations, loyalty, treachery, and the human condition in a part-memoir/part-romance novel format.
July 3, 2019
3 1/2 Stars
Janelle Garrett’s THE HIDDEN QUEEN is a fantasy novel, book one in THE RODASIA CHRONICLES, and tells the story of Gwen, a girl who lives a simple country life and has recently buried her father—until she receives a visit by the queen of Rodasia. To her shock and amazement, Gwen learns that she is the daughter of the queen and must follow her call to fill her ailing mother’s shoes.
The novel meanders between Gwen’s journal entries that detail how she gets to the palace and current events dealing with her search for a suitable king to marry in order to rule Rodasia together. Pace is somewhat slow as the author spends lots of time detailing every day life and travel. Gwen’s true love interest, Charles, pops in and out a few times, but no serious relationship evolves—yet. It is obvious, the story is meant to develop over the length of the series. This and the many detailed exchanges, political discussions with council and the queen’s dealings with her servants slow down the pace further. As a result the ending of THE HIDDEN QUEEN disappoints. It may have been better to condense this story into one book.
It is obvious that the author is well-versed writing prose, sentences and word choice are varied, dialogue, body language and emotional character development are deftly implemented. I just would have wished for more excitement.
Janelle Garrett’s THE HIDDEN QUEEN is a fantasy novel, book one in THE RODASIA CHRONICLES, and tells the story of Gwen, a girl who lives a simple country life and has recently buried her father—until she receives a visit by the queen of Rodasia. To her shock and amazement, Gwen learns that she is the daughter of the queen and must follow her call to fill her ailing mother’s shoes.
The novel meanders between Gwen’s journal entries that detail how she gets to the palace and current events dealing with her search for a suitable king to marry in order to rule Rodasia together. Pace is somewhat slow as the author spends lots of time detailing every day life and travel. Gwen’s true love interest, Charles, pops in and out a few times, but no serious relationship evolves—yet. It is obvious, the story is meant to develop over the length of the series. This and the many detailed exchanges, political discussions with council and the queen’s dealings with her servants slow down the pace further. As a result the ending of THE HIDDEN QUEEN disappoints. It may have been better to condense this story into one book.
It is obvious that the author is well-versed writing prose, sentences and word choice are varied, dialogue, body language and emotional character development are deftly implemented. I just would have wished for more excitement.
February 6, 2022
It's so bad, I want to give you a 0, but that's not possible, so I give you a 1🥰
February 23, 2019
Action, intrigue, hints of romance, this story captured my interest from the get go. There were elements that very much reminded me of the Pharisees and Seduces in the Bible and their attitude towards Jesus, the disciples, and other followers of Jesus. I liked it as it added an interesting dimension to the story. Looking forward to reading more if the story.
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