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Queensmen
It's a bleak time for the people of Mackabine. A false Regent holds rule over the capital, while in the county of Geid, a corrupt Baron confiscates grain while his subjects starve. The only opposition comes from a group of outlaws known as Queensmen. Senna is no Queensmen, no hero of legend, but she devises her own scheme to undermine the Baron by becoming his housekeeper. Can she learn enough to turn the Baron's secrets against him? And perhaps catch the eye of the handsome leader of the Queensmen?
450 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 23, 2020
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894 people want to read
About the author
Bethany Rae Salway
1 book14 followersBethany grew up in the deserts of Nevada, but travels extensively and has lived in China, Samoa, the United Kingdom, and Brazil. Currently, she resides in the California Bay Area with her husband and son.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
April 20, 2022
A terrific surprise. An invading force takes control of the fictional country Mackabine, installing its own royalty and barons across the various counties. The ruling power institutes mandatory specializations that limit each county to only a few tasks. Whereas each had previously been largely self-sustaining, with their own farms and circles of professionals, now this county is focused solely on mining, that county on livestock, this county on lumber.
Queensmen takes place in the teeny tiny farming county of Geid, where a cruel Baron keeps the population under his thumb with harsh taxes and harsher punishment for any sign of insubordination. Baron Fenwith is known to have his citizens, even his own staff, executed for any reason at all—even if he's just sick of looking at them. It is with this knowledge that main character Senna, a spy, lands a job as his new housekeeper (you might guess why he needs a new one).
Senna does a bang-up job right out of the gate, getting the castle squeaky clean, ingratiating herself to all the guards, and preparing enough high-quality food for a banquet despite its only attendee being the sickly-looking baron. It's not enough to get the baron to remember her name, but it is enough to throw off suspicions about her. Every chance she gets, she meets with Jedomar and the other local Queensmen to feed them information.
Something funny about Jedomar and his companions is they're technically not Queensmen. Not officially, anyway. You see, before the invasion of Mackabine, the queen had an order similar to knights or musketeers or something. Her Queensmen. After new rule took over, the Queensmen scattered so they could figure out a way to retake control. And in smaller or more remote counties, many took up the title on their own. Jedomar falls into this latter group, and together with his companions, they engage in Robin-Hood-esque antics, stealing food and money from the baron and redistributing it amongst the citizens.
Jedomar et al. are so successful in their exploits that the novel seems almost quaint at first. Stealing form the rich to feed the poor and all that jazz, making the baron and his guards look like a bunch of buffoons in the process. But things aren't exactly as they seem, and before long the plot thickens to a hearty stew.
I almost didn't notice when the author began tugging the rug out from under me. It was so subtle. Such a throwaway line. When it's finally revealed in plain English what's actually going on, I almost felt gullible for taking everything before at face value. It's a testament to the author's writing that change was so gradual.
The only part that rubbed me the wrong way was a very late plot point that seemed, after the fact, a little like... early 2000s primetime TV? Like something you'd see as a cliffhanger in an episode of 24, or House, or Lost, or Heroes. The scene before the turnaround was so heavy, so gut wrenching, that the subsequent gotcha felt almost unwelcome. And for what?
But that's all right. Queensmen's feelgood plot is exceedingly well executed, supported by a large and varied cast, snappy writing, and a few well-timed twists.
I suppose there's a discussion that could be had about whether Queensmen is fantasy, but I can't think of a less interesting discussion. While readers won't find a shred of magic in Queensmen, nor fantastical races or creatures (aside from a few vague mentions of something called a treeskunk), there are so many imagined locations, cultures, governments, and religions in this book that calling it anything but fantasy feels a little silly to me.
Regardless of how you'd categorize it, I recommend reading Queensmen. It's a lot of fun. Fans of Lois McBaster Bujold will find a lot to love here, from the snappy dialogue to the light romance to the focus on character interaction.
Queensmen takes place in the teeny tiny farming county of Geid, where a cruel Baron keeps the population under his thumb with harsh taxes and harsher punishment for any sign of insubordination. Baron Fenwith is known to have his citizens, even his own staff, executed for any reason at all—even if he's just sick of looking at them. It is with this knowledge that main character Senna, a spy, lands a job as his new housekeeper (you might guess why he needs a new one).
Senna does a bang-up job right out of the gate, getting the castle squeaky clean, ingratiating herself to all the guards, and preparing enough high-quality food for a banquet despite its only attendee being the sickly-looking baron. It's not enough to get the baron to remember her name, but it is enough to throw off suspicions about her. Every chance she gets, she meets with Jedomar and the other local Queensmen to feed them information.
Something funny about Jedomar and his companions is they're technically not Queensmen. Not officially, anyway. You see, before the invasion of Mackabine, the queen had an order similar to knights or musketeers or something. Her Queensmen. After new rule took over, the Queensmen scattered so they could figure out a way to retake control. And in smaller or more remote counties, many took up the title on their own. Jedomar falls into this latter group, and together with his companions, they engage in Robin-Hood-esque antics, stealing food and money from the baron and redistributing it amongst the citizens.
Jedomar et al. are so successful in their exploits that the novel seems almost quaint at first. Stealing form the rich to feed the poor and all that jazz, making the baron and his guards look like a bunch of buffoons in the process. But things aren't exactly as they seem, and before long the plot thickens to a hearty stew.
I almost didn't notice when the author began tugging the rug out from under me. It was so subtle. Such a throwaway line. When it's finally revealed in plain English what's actually going on, I almost felt gullible for taking everything before at face value. It's a testament to the author's writing that change was so gradual.
The only part that rubbed me the wrong way was a very late plot point that seemed, after the fact, a little like... early 2000s primetime TV? Like something you'd see as a cliffhanger in an episode of 24, or House, or Lost, or Heroes. The scene before the turnaround was so heavy, so gut wrenching, that the subsequent gotcha felt almost unwelcome. And for what?
But that's all right. Queensmen's feelgood plot is exceedingly well executed, supported by a large and varied cast, snappy writing, and a few well-timed twists.
I suppose there's a discussion that could be had about whether Queensmen is fantasy, but I can't think of a less interesting discussion. While readers won't find a shred of magic in Queensmen, nor fantastical races or creatures (aside from a few vague mentions of something called a treeskunk), there are so many imagined locations, cultures, governments, and religions in this book that calling it anything but fantasy feels a little silly to me.
Regardless of how you'd categorize it, I recommend reading Queensmen. It's a lot of fun. Fans of Lois McBaster Bujold will find a lot to love here, from the snappy dialogue to the light romance to the focus on character interaction.
July 31, 2020
This book was an excellent surprise. Yes, a surprise, and this is the first word I thought of to describe this excellent book
Why a surprise?
First because this is as close to a "classic" fantasy as you can get. no magic, no strange creatures. Only plain humans. An imaginary country close to medieval England, a Robin Hood setting at the beginning which goes rapidly astray. It's nearly a book that goes against current fashion and this is such a delight. So refreshing.
The story starts slowly and the author takes her time introducing us to her characters. It can seem slow at the start but when the story starts to twist and turn, you already love each character, even the bad guys, for their depth and accuracy. Action increases its pace afterward but without taking the lead over the people themselves.
So, in short, if you want pure action, armies in fierce battles, magicians engaged in monumental world-shaterring spells, don't read this book. but if you want to breathe for a while in the baronny of Geid and live through the trials their inhabitants face, go and read it.
Why a surprise?
First because this is as close to a "classic" fantasy as you can get. no magic, no strange creatures. Only plain humans. An imaginary country close to medieval England, a Robin Hood setting at the beginning which goes rapidly astray. It's nearly a book that goes against current fashion and this is such a delight. So refreshing.
The story starts slowly and the author takes her time introducing us to her characters. It can seem slow at the start but when the story starts to twist and turn, you already love each character, even the bad guys, for their depth and accuracy. Action increases its pace afterward but without taking the lead over the people themselves.
So, in short, if you want pure action, armies in fierce battles, magicians engaged in monumental world-shaterring spells, don't read this book. but if you want to breathe for a while in the baronny of Geid and live through the trials their inhabitants face, go and read it.
November 22, 2021
Queensmen is set in a world where it has long been the tradition that only women are fit to rule, but nonetheless, the ruling queen has been deposed and killed, and now a male regent rules the land. The people miss their rightful ruler, none more than her former guards, known as queensmen.
The story opens with a villain, the Baron of Geid—arrogant and autocratic, an albino who insists on his will being followed at all times. Once he decides a person should die, no trial is necessary. His guards will carry out the sentence immediately.
Into this precarious situation steps Senna. Even though her parents were executed by the Baron, she has offered to become his housekeeper. And his manor sorely needs one—she inherits a mess that is unbelievable.
Senna has offered to do this because of Jedomar, a self-styled queensman, who roams the forest like a Robin Hood. He seeks tax collectors to rob and wrongs to right among his people. Dashing and bold, Senna has long nurtured a crush on him, but she’s unsure if he will ever see her as anything but a friend.
Together, along with some secondary characters, they will reshape the world, ridding it of corruption—even if this happens in a way that none of them quite intended from the beginning.
It’s a worthy, time-honored plot, executed competently and with enough individual touches that a reader shouldn’t feel like they’re reading a warmed-over version of a more prominent blockbuster. It has its own unique world building details and three-dimensional characters. The pacing is generally good, although sometimes it skips too far, and I’d like some of the blanks filled in with a little narrative instead of having to figure it out. Several action scenes are alluded to only in retrospect, which seems like a missed opportunity.
In addition, while the book describes individual things like puddles or kitchen messes well, I’m missing overall descriptions of the world the characters inhabit. I have no idea how many houses are in the nearby village, if they’re made of brick or stone or wood, and if the square is cobbled or bare dirt. Similarly, I don’t really know how many rooms the manor house has—I can only infer that it’s not too many or Senna wouldn’t be able to manage it alone. I don’t really know what the Baron’s office looks like. And even though the characters also spend plenty of time in the forest, I have no idea if the trees are evergreen or deciduous, and if the forest is riddled with open glades or closed-in and oppressive.
Apart from that, though, the story is well told. If the Look Inside appeals to the reader, it’s likely that Queensman will appeal all the way to the end.
The story opens with a villain, the Baron of Geid—arrogant and autocratic, an albino who insists on his will being followed at all times. Once he decides a person should die, no trial is necessary. His guards will carry out the sentence immediately.
Into this precarious situation steps Senna. Even though her parents were executed by the Baron, she has offered to become his housekeeper. And his manor sorely needs one—she inherits a mess that is unbelievable.
Senna has offered to do this because of Jedomar, a self-styled queensman, who roams the forest like a Robin Hood. He seeks tax collectors to rob and wrongs to right among his people. Dashing and bold, Senna has long nurtured a crush on him, but she’s unsure if he will ever see her as anything but a friend.
Together, along with some secondary characters, they will reshape the world, ridding it of corruption—even if this happens in a way that none of them quite intended from the beginning.
It’s a worthy, time-honored plot, executed competently and with enough individual touches that a reader shouldn’t feel like they’re reading a warmed-over version of a more prominent blockbuster. It has its own unique world building details and three-dimensional characters. The pacing is generally good, although sometimes it skips too far, and I’d like some of the blanks filled in with a little narrative instead of having to figure it out. Several action scenes are alluded to only in retrospect, which seems like a missed opportunity.
In addition, while the book describes individual things like puddles or kitchen messes well, I’m missing overall descriptions of the world the characters inhabit. I have no idea how many houses are in the nearby village, if they’re made of brick or stone or wood, and if the square is cobbled or bare dirt. Similarly, I don’t really know how many rooms the manor house has—I can only infer that it’s not too many or Senna wouldn’t be able to manage it alone. I don’t really know what the Baron’s office looks like. And even though the characters also spend plenty of time in the forest, I have no idea if the trees are evergreen or deciduous, and if the forest is riddled with open glades or closed-in and oppressive.
Apart from that, though, the story is well told. If the Look Inside appeals to the reader, it’s likely that Queensman will appeal all the way to the end.
April 8, 2020
An escape to a new world while reading a historical drama. Yes, that’s how I felt when I read this book. Though I found the story little predictable but it is an enjoyable read that moves swiftly page by page keeping you hooked to it. There was some freshness in the characters I can’t describe but readers will definitely like them.
Overall a good story with dramatical twists. I give 4.5 stars.
Overall a good story with dramatical twists. I give 4.5 stars.
September 13, 2021
This is an excellent example of the old school adventure stories, where dramatic tension, shock, surprises, and fun character interactions reign. Plot wise - and in tone - it’s like a mish-mash of Robin Hood and The Prisoner Of Zenda. While the book is generally labeled a fantasy, this is a very, *very* low fantasy type fo story; the cultures and kingdoms are completely fictional, but the story features a mundane world rather than a magical one…
…And it most definitely wrings out all the drama and fun that it can out of its main cast. Trying to figure out who the main overall protagonist is would be a wasted effort; this is a true ensemble story. The primary POV character in the first half is Senna, a spy disguised as a housemaid, while the second half of the book shifts between the POVs of the pseudo-Robin Hood Jed and the very pragmatic Cole, the latter of whom is effectively the reveal for the main twist in the first part of the book.
All three are enjoyable and have fun interactive arcs. The overall plot is perhaps best enjoyed like those old stories that were delivered in weekly installments; cliffhangers, twists, and soap-opera conundrums abound… but in a good way.
…And it most definitely wrings out all the drama and fun that it can out of its main cast. Trying to figure out who the main overall protagonist is would be a wasted effort; this is a true ensemble story. The primary POV character in the first half is Senna, a spy disguised as a housemaid, while the second half of the book shifts between the POVs of the pseudo-Robin Hood Jed and the very pragmatic Cole, the latter of whom is effectively the reveal for the main twist in the first part of the book.
All three are enjoyable and have fun interactive arcs. The overall plot is perhaps best enjoyed like those old stories that were delivered in weekly installments; cliffhangers, twists, and soap-opera conundrums abound… but in a good way.
December 6, 2021
Some of the reviews ask whether this book is a fantasy or not. To me, this story *did* read like a light fantasy, because the world it's set on was fictional and the character types were similar to what you expect in fantasy. I guess I don’t expect magic in fantasy. Pern didn’t have magic after all, but most people think of it as fantasy. (the dragons on Pern were engineered; not mythical.) This book feels like a welcome 'light take' on fantasy. It felt almost like folklore.
I liked the writing, and I liked the care given to the storyline. The progression felt carefully plotted. I thought the pieces of the story all fit together nicely. Setting, mood, language, plot elements, world-building, pacing. In terms of the characters, Senna was likable and sympathetic and easy to root for. She was my favorite, but Jed and Fennick were good too, and having their viewpoints really helped me see the world more broadly. Jed had a good heart, and I like that and appreciated meeting him so early in the story. The action moves along at a good clip. Everything is brought in smoothly--at no point did I feel overwhelmed or confused by any aspect of the storyline.
The one critique I’d make is that the characters didn’t always have the depth I wanted. They didn’t come into the story with as much development in terms of their past, their relationships, their flaws and so on. They had some, but I wanted more. They were competent and had goals they were working toward, but I think the book could be improved if the characters had more interior complexity, as revealed through relationships to others and their own past, their disappointments in their lives and their hopes for their future. Instead, it sometimes felt to me that the plot line and the ‘set pieces’ were given so much attention that complicated elements of character got shortchanged.
But otherwise the story structure was done well. I think young readers will like this story for its focus on the timeless ideals of power and corruption, overcoming limitations, good against evil, and so on. The story is a fun escape to another world, the author put together a quality book, and I recommend this story.
I liked the writing, and I liked the care given to the storyline. The progression felt carefully plotted. I thought the pieces of the story all fit together nicely. Setting, mood, language, plot elements, world-building, pacing. In terms of the characters, Senna was likable and sympathetic and easy to root for. She was my favorite, but Jed and Fennick were good too, and having their viewpoints really helped me see the world more broadly. Jed had a good heart, and I like that and appreciated meeting him so early in the story. The action moves along at a good clip. Everything is brought in smoothly--at no point did I feel overwhelmed or confused by any aspect of the storyline.
The one critique I’d make is that the characters didn’t always have the depth I wanted. They didn’t come into the story with as much development in terms of their past, their relationships, their flaws and so on. They had some, but I wanted more. They were competent and had goals they were working toward, but I think the book could be improved if the characters had more interior complexity, as revealed through relationships to others and their own past, their disappointments in their lives and their hopes for their future. Instead, it sometimes felt to me that the plot line and the ‘set pieces’ were given so much attention that complicated elements of character got shortchanged.
But otherwise the story structure was done well. I think young readers will like this story for its focus on the timeless ideals of power and corruption, overcoming limitations, good against evil, and so on. The story is a fun escape to another world, the author put together a quality book, and I recommend this story.
December 6, 2020
Revolution, spies, medieval time, … and love.
The story starts in Robin Hood style but moves soon into different waters. The setting is placed in a medieval time, in a state called Mackabine. 5 years before, there was a Revolution, the Queen was dead, and the Regent was now the new leader. The several counties had Barons, and they were reporting to the Regent. People were suffering from all sorts of things, but mainly from not having enough food on their tables because of the high taxes and from different acts of tyranny from their barons. As in real life, such a suppression situation couldn’t last long. The Queensmen were planning to bring things around.
The story reads fluidly, and details are enough to give the reader the best idea of time, place, and characters. There are many characters, but three of them seem the most important to the story: Jed, Senna, and Cole.
I liked the most Senna, who initially applied to be the Baron’s housekeeper playing the role of a spy.
The first part of the book is a slow burner, but then things change. The action accelerates but without obscuring the people who animated it. Where there’s war, there’s love, isn’t it? The love story has quite a central place; it is sweet and unexpected at first but then moves rather quickly and shallow.
All in all, it makes a good read.
The story starts in Robin Hood style but moves soon into different waters. The setting is placed in a medieval time, in a state called Mackabine. 5 years before, there was a Revolution, the Queen was dead, and the Regent was now the new leader. The several counties had Barons, and they were reporting to the Regent. People were suffering from all sorts of things, but mainly from not having enough food on their tables because of the high taxes and from different acts of tyranny from their barons. As in real life, such a suppression situation couldn’t last long. The Queensmen were planning to bring things around.
The story reads fluidly, and details are enough to give the reader the best idea of time, place, and characters. There are many characters, but three of them seem the most important to the story: Jed, Senna, and Cole.
I liked the most Senna, who initially applied to be the Baron’s housekeeper playing the role of a spy.
The first part of the book is a slow burner, but then things change. The action accelerates but without obscuring the people who animated it. Where there’s war, there’s love, isn’t it? The love story has quite a central place; it is sweet and unexpected at first but then moves rather quickly and shallow.
All in all, it makes a good read.
December 10, 2020
A Nice Escape
The story is told from three main viewpoints—Senna, Jed and Barron Fennick {sp?}. Senna works as a housekeeper for the evil Baron but in truth is a spy. Jed is the unofficial leader of a resistance group. The Baron is a harsh ruler and the enemy of the people. The beginning the story reads like a fantasy novel but without magic—no elves, dwarfs or dragons.
The magic is in the storytelling of an imaginary medieval land that young readers should enjoy. There's good verses evil, romance, a well-developed world and danger. All push the story to its climax. The only possible drawback for younger readers is that it is long. For older readers like myself, the plot is a little predictable but the characters are well drawn and it was pleasant to spend a few hours with them.
The story is told from three main viewpoints—Senna, Jed and Barron Fennick {sp?}. Senna works as a housekeeper for the evil Baron but in truth is a spy. Jed is the unofficial leader of a resistance group. The Baron is a harsh ruler and the enemy of the people. The beginning the story reads like a fantasy novel but without magic—no elves, dwarfs or dragons.
The magic is in the storytelling of an imaginary medieval land that young readers should enjoy. There's good verses evil, romance, a well-developed world and danger. All push the story to its climax. The only possible drawback for younger readers is that it is long. For older readers like myself, the plot is a little predictable but the characters are well drawn and it was pleasant to spend a few hours with them.
January 9, 2024
Epic fantasy with a twist of romance.
Epic fantasy with a twist of romance. Lovers of GOT will enjoy this deep dive into the dystopian world of Mackabine, more specifically the farming county of Geid. As corruption takes over the land the people starve and the powerful get richer. Enter the self-appointed outlaws, or the “Queensmen” who start an uprising to thwart the evil ruling power. The young heroin, Senna, devises a plan to infiltrate the castle and install herself as a maid in the castle. She hopes to ingratiate herself to the Baron and his court and learn their secrets, in order to help the Queensmen in their revolt. It’s a fun romp with excitement and adventure at every turn with a little light romance. Well written and enjoyable read!
Epic fantasy with a twist of romance. Lovers of GOT will enjoy this deep dive into the dystopian world of Mackabine, more specifically the farming county of Geid. As corruption takes over the land the people starve and the powerful get richer. Enter the self-appointed outlaws, or the “Queensmen” who start an uprising to thwart the evil ruling power. The young heroin, Senna, devises a plan to infiltrate the castle and install herself as a maid in the castle. She hopes to ingratiate herself to the Baron and his court and learn their secrets, in order to help the Queensmen in their revolt. It’s a fun romp with excitement and adventure at every turn with a little light romance. Well written and enjoyable read!
November 28, 2020
A novel that straddles genuine fantasy and historical fiction, Queensmen is set in a fictional world heavily inspired by Western medieval folklore, so you’re getting more Robin Hood than Lord of the Rings. Some readers might view the setting as unambitious; creating a fantasy world without the magic and dragons that’s essentially ours. Other readers might be irritated by the romantic subplot, which is certainly a trope. Still, the novel’s well written and the author is attentive to her characters, writing them with conviction and consistency. Younger readers with long attention spans will probably have fun with the book.
June 12, 2020
The story and the plot took a back turn to the very rich, detailed characters. A usual problem with large number of character introductions is that you don’t get to delve too deep into their stories. Even though a lot of characters were introduced, I felt that Salway did a great job of making sure all characters’ voices were heard. The story is a great re-telling of the Robin Hood style story with a few twists. It’s a must read for anyone who enjoys fantasy with less magic and more drama.
November 26, 2020
Battles, executions, and medieval spy stuff
Bethany Rae Salway has written an entertaining saga about medieval times somewhere.
Seanna, who bribed her way into the Castle of Geid, the Baron of Geid with two names and a secret, and Jedomar, the local rebel with a cause, combine to give the reader a love triangle, spy stuff, assassinations, poisoned wine, and executions with miraculous consequences. The discovery of a teen, in line to be queen, sets the stage for action and a welcome ending. I recommend this book.
Bethany Rae Salway has written an entertaining saga about medieval times somewhere.
Seanna, who bribed her way into the Castle of Geid, the Baron of Geid with two names and a secret, and Jedomar, the local rebel with a cause, combine to give the reader a love triangle, spy stuff, assassinations, poisoned wine, and executions with miraculous consequences. The discovery of a teen, in line to be queen, sets the stage for action and a welcome ending. I recommend this book.
May 2, 2022
Queensmen is simply a great book. In a medieval setting, there are evil tyrants, love, YA coming of age and more. There are several plot twists which were a lot of fun. (No spoilers!).
You would have to call this Fantasy, since it is a medieval setting, with castles and swordfights. One difference is there there is no magic in this story. Not that I really missed it, there is plenty going on otherwise.
Do enjoy this, and watch out for the surprises.
You would have to call this Fantasy, since it is a medieval setting, with castles and swordfights. One difference is there there is no magic in this story. Not that I really missed it, there is plenty going on otherwise.
Do enjoy this, and watch out for the surprises.
April 15, 2020
The Queensmen are rebels fighting against a colonizing regime. In the middle of their ranks is Senna, a brave and decisive woman determined to bring peace and justice back to the country. Infiltrating the Baron's castle, she serves as spy to topple the unwanted Baron and help the people Robin Hood style. But things are not what they seem. What she doesn't knows will propel her into events bigger than her little town.
I really enjoyed this novel. Especially the characters. All of them had their own layers, even secondary ones. The story is told from a multiple point of view to achieve this and it works to keep the tension going. My favorite was Dwen. His sweet innocence brought a fresh perspective on the dark events happening around the story.
The large arc of the Plot is predictable, but that really doesn't matter. The novel has a way to twist and turn the events until you don't know if your prediction is true. I was definitely surprised with some of the events that transpired. The author did a good job to keep in the edge of my seat. I couldn't stop reading. The short scenes were organized in a way that once one stopped in a tense moment, then the next one also did, then a third one also did the same. It makes the reader follow three events at once. This makes for a fast paced reading. Never a dull moment.
The novel is a historical fantasy set in a realistic world. The world building was exceptional and well thought of. They have their own customs and sayings adding even more layers to the story.
My only problem with the novel is Senna. She started out as brave, independent and mature woman, then suddenly, she falls in love and she becomes kind of juvenile, causing some unnecessary pain. But this doesn't take away from the novel at all. If you like romance this additional tension that seem unnecessary for me, will appeal to you. She goes back to being strong and independent at the end.
I highly recommend this novel. It was a fun and engaging read.
I really enjoyed this novel. Especially the characters. All of them had their own layers, even secondary ones. The story is told from a multiple point of view to achieve this and it works to keep the tension going. My favorite was Dwen. His sweet innocence brought a fresh perspective on the dark events happening around the story.
The large arc of the Plot is predictable, but that really doesn't matter. The novel has a way to twist and turn the events until you don't know if your prediction is true. I was definitely surprised with some of the events that transpired. The author did a good job to keep in the edge of my seat. I couldn't stop reading. The short scenes were organized in a way that once one stopped in a tense moment, then the next one also did, then a third one also did the same. It makes the reader follow three events at once. This makes for a fast paced reading. Never a dull moment.
The novel is a historical fantasy set in a realistic world. The world building was exceptional and well thought of. They have their own customs and sayings adding even more layers to the story.
My only problem with the novel is Senna. She started out as brave, independent and mature woman, then suddenly, she falls in love and she becomes kind of juvenile, causing some unnecessary pain. But this doesn't take away from the novel at all. If you like romance this additional tension that seem unnecessary for me, will appeal to you. She goes back to being strong and independent at the end.
I highly recommend this novel. It was a fun and engaging read.
December 27, 2021
Queensmen by Bethany Rae Salway is a hybrid historical feel/fantasy fiction novel focused on two characters, the brave Senna, who works as a maid at the terrible Baron’s estate. Then there’s her childhood friend, Jed, who has the reflexes and wits of a Robin Hood himself! Together they confront their own goals, risking their lives and that of their friends with each turn.
In all honesty, this was hard to read and pick up. Senna and Jed were excellent and easily likable characters! But the pacing was way too slow for me. Salway’s creative touches in causing tension and resolution kept me going. The villains felt very real to me. Jed’s actions often put me on edge because I feared something would not end up well.
Overall, I loved how Senna’s character grows and where her one goal to get back a ruthless Baron takes her far more than she ever imagined!
In all honesty, this was hard to read and pick up. Senna and Jed were excellent and easily likable characters! But the pacing was way too slow for me. Salway’s creative touches in causing tension and resolution kept me going. The villains felt very real to me. Jed’s actions often put me on edge because I feared something would not end up well.
Overall, I loved how Senna’s character grows and where her one goal to get back a ruthless Baron takes her far more than she ever imagined!
March 31, 2020
A very fun and engaging historical, second-world novel. (Also known as no-magic fantasy). The Queensmen are rebels, quietly fighting in the background for their country that has been taken over by a neighboring country.
There were a lot of things that I enjoyed about this book, but the powerhouse behind this delightful novel were the characters. Each one had his or her charm and layers, even the smaller secondary characters who played smaller roles. But my favorite was Cole. The minute Cole was introduced, I was immediately enamored. His layers, his focus and sacrifice drove most of this novel for me and I found myself savoring his sections.
The plot was steady. Through the entire story, I was hoping and wishing for our heroes to win. Though the greater plot was not unpredictable, there were some unexpected twists that kept it fresh.
I had one gripe, and that was Senna's decision in the end without consulting all parties involved, but it was true to character and the other party didn't seem too frustrated by the end.
But one gripe! One! Truly I enjoyed this novel and look forward to reading more by Salway.
October 5, 2020
I was pleased to discover this high quality story. I was half expecting a fantasy-type novel riddled with shallow characters who have unexplainable and improbable powers and silly notions about their importance. Instead, I discovered a more realistic adventure drama featuring characters who were believable and engaging. The story takes place in a world perhaps similar to Europe several centuries ago, with castles, barons, feudal peasant farmers, and horses. The plot was intricate enough to keep me engaged throughout, especially as the story developed and the twists and turns came more frequently. Reading this book was a fun romp with likable characters caught up in exciting circumstances, facing evil with courage and determination, at times with the prospect of utter failure. I highly recommend this book for enjoying several hours of escapist reading.
February 26, 2020
I love this robin hood style adventure book. The characters are well written and easy to get to love. It's thoughtful with some drama while still being a fun and a light read. The writing style reminds me of Megan Whalen Turner.
September 9, 2020
In the kingdom of Mackabine a cruel, greedy coalition has usurped the rightful ruler of the kingdom. In the small country of Geid, Lord Fenwith rules the land and sucks his subjects dry with excessive taxes.
But where there is oppression, there is hope. The Queensmen, a band of rebels loyal to the rightful regime have organized in every city in Mackabine with Jed leading Geid's division.
As those forces rise, Senna appears at Fenwith's court to become his housekeeper and informant. But the agent quickly finds more than she bargained for as she and the Queensmen lead a revolution in Makabine.
The Queensmen is a fun, engaging historical fiction that takes place in a fantasy universe. The story unfolds a rich and complex world with interesting, dynamic characters that, for me at least, sucked me into a journey of intrigue and power struggles. All with a cast of characters who are well defined, interesting and who’s motivations and goals are often at odds with each other.
I get the impression that if the main character, Senna, was born into wealthy family she would easily rise to be a powerful and effective ruler. And, in her own, way she grows into that role throughout the book, effectively gaining and using power in a ‘behind the scenes’ sense of the world. I found her engaging enough that even the romantic 'woman who loves two men' trope didn’t bug me as much as it normally does. It’s not my favorite part of the book but it does serve as a mechanism that gives her character some flaws and, thus, some depth.
Apart from her there is Jed, the brash and charismatic rebel who has a bit of Robin Hood if the thief in question had a bad habit of turning minor problems into major disasters. There is Fenwith the reluctant dictator, and a host of others that add life to this world.
The biggest downside is that the stakes quickly disappear from this story. It becomes clear pretty early that nothing bad is going to happen to your beloved characters. This is one of those books where, just when you think all is lost and everyone is dead, something swoops in at the last minute and everything is fine... ITS FINE EVERYONE!
That said, those that aren’t a fan of authors who kill characters with extreme prejudice might prefer a book where the stakes are low and nothing too terrible happens. Overall pretty good. Especially given that it straddles a lot of genres that really aren't my brand of whiskey. Fans of fantasy or historical romance will probably find a lot more to love in these pages and I would highly recommend it for that audience. Especially since, I feel that a lot of the parts of the book I didn't like are tropes of those genres that are actually attractive to their audience.
But where there is oppression, there is hope. The Queensmen, a band of rebels loyal to the rightful regime have organized in every city in Mackabine with Jed leading Geid's division.
As those forces rise, Senna appears at Fenwith's court to become his housekeeper and informant. But the agent quickly finds more than she bargained for as she and the Queensmen lead a revolution in Makabine.
The Queensmen is a fun, engaging historical fiction that takes place in a fantasy universe. The story unfolds a rich and complex world with interesting, dynamic characters that, for me at least, sucked me into a journey of intrigue and power struggles. All with a cast of characters who are well defined, interesting and who’s motivations and goals are often at odds with each other.
I get the impression that if the main character, Senna, was born into wealthy family she would easily rise to be a powerful and effective ruler. And, in her own, way she grows into that role throughout the book, effectively gaining and using power in a ‘behind the scenes’ sense of the world. I found her engaging enough that even the romantic 'woman who loves two men' trope didn’t bug me as much as it normally does. It’s not my favorite part of the book but it does serve as a mechanism that gives her character some flaws and, thus, some depth.
Apart from her there is Jed, the brash and charismatic rebel who has a bit of Robin Hood if the thief in question had a bad habit of turning minor problems into major disasters. There is Fenwith the reluctant dictator, and a host of others that add life to this world.
The biggest downside is that the stakes quickly disappear from this story. It becomes clear pretty early that nothing bad is going to happen to your beloved characters. This is one of those books where, just when you think all is lost and everyone is dead, something swoops in at the last minute and everything is fine... ITS FINE EVERYONE!
That said, those that aren’t a fan of authors who kill characters with extreme prejudice might prefer a book where the stakes are low and nothing too terrible happens. Overall pretty good. Especially given that it straddles a lot of genres that really aren't my brand of whiskey. Fans of fantasy or historical romance will probably find a lot more to love in these pages and I would highly recommend it for that audience. Especially since, I feel that a lot of the parts of the book I didn't like are tropes of those genres that are actually attractive to their audience.
March 27, 2022
Queensmen was an unexpected but wonderful pleasure to read. The story is reminiscent of Robin Hood. Expect an evil ruler, a peace seeking rebel fighter and his band of merry-goers. But the concept gets thrown on its head there. Bethany really throws you into a world thats as complex as it is intriguing.
In Queensmen you will read the viewpoints and stories of several characters, but you will mostly follow Senna, Jed and Cole. Bethany’s characters are far from two-dimensional. Every character is unique and influences the events of the novel. And I mean every character! Even those wayward annoying guards that often are faceless in so many novels play pivotal roles. You truly get the impression that each and every character in the world has a goal, has motivation and a reason for their actions… and you better watch out if those goals don’t align with yours.
It will take you the many scenes to truly get to know the heroes and heroines of this book, and in some cases you will truly be surprised at well they play their role. I was shocked to discover myself going from hating certain characters to falling in love with them. Sometimes you don’t realise just how much you care for a character until something shocking happens to them. I was left wandering my house asking myself “Why!?”. Thank god I kept reading. (I’m not going to spoil the story for you).
The story flow is expertly written. What starts off as slow and seemingly unconnected events begins to pick up pace and soon ties are forming where you didn’t think there were. That character mentioned as part of world building at the start of the novel? Yeah they are actually pretty important later on. But don’t worry, this isn’t like Game of Thrones where you need to be writing notes on who is who.
Queensmen is like Game of Thrones minus the exploration of despicable human nature. The complexity of the various political alliances is fun to read and keeps the story consistently moving forward. I especially enjoyed how the various parties would consistently find themselves bouncing off each other’s actions, even if they didn’t realise it.
FINAL WORD
Queensmen was one of those surprising gifts that you didn’t expect. If you are looking for a complex plot like Game of Thrones, set in a world with amazing world building, then definitely check it out. Bethany is one of those authors that is worth watching, as I expect her future novels to only get better.
February 21, 2024
Queensman by Bethany Rae Salway tells the story of an unofficial band of characters that are unhappy that their queen was deposed and fight against their now false ruler who has taken their mostly peaceful life and turned it into segmented turmoil. The story is predominantly told through the eyes of two characters: the brave Senna and her childhood friend, Jed. Senna serves as a maid at the nasty Baron’s estate, a helpful position that enables her to gather the information she can share with Jed and the other local "Queensmen", who are willing to do what it takes to overthrow this evil ruling power.
The author works to create a dramatic adventure with in-depth and likable characters; however, several opportunities could be improved for the desire to learn their tale. Rather than being immersed in the story, the reader sometimes becomes a stranger watching from the sidelines. Blanks in the narrative, brief discussions of action scenes after the fact, and missing descriptions of this fantastic world leave much to the reader's imagination and distract from what is trying to be told. That being said, once you fill in the blanks, the plot goes in some intriguing directions.
A word of warning: Queensmen is classified as a fantasy novel. Although it is set in a medieval-type made-up realm, its slow pacing and some themes similar to today's happenings make it read more like historical fiction. So, if you expect dragons, magic, and white-knuckle adventures reminiscent of GOT, you will be disappointed. Instead, think of it more like Robin Hood meets LoTR with fewer elves if it were shown in CGI on the History Channel. It is a battle of good versus evil in a time-honored take on a classic adventure story, complete with self-appointed outlaws, spying, and even a dash of romance.
If that's what lights you up, then this is your read. As it does straddle that line between historical fiction and fantasy and seems inspired by Western folklore, it may be a good introduction to the genre for younger readers. However, it's a lengthy read, so Young Adult readers with a lengthy attention span will probably enjoy it more.
The author works to create a dramatic adventure with in-depth and likable characters; however, several opportunities could be improved for the desire to learn their tale. Rather than being immersed in the story, the reader sometimes becomes a stranger watching from the sidelines. Blanks in the narrative, brief discussions of action scenes after the fact, and missing descriptions of this fantastic world leave much to the reader's imagination and distract from what is trying to be told. That being said, once you fill in the blanks, the plot goes in some intriguing directions.
A word of warning: Queensmen is classified as a fantasy novel. Although it is set in a medieval-type made-up realm, its slow pacing and some themes similar to today's happenings make it read more like historical fiction. So, if you expect dragons, magic, and white-knuckle adventures reminiscent of GOT, you will be disappointed. Instead, think of it more like Robin Hood meets LoTR with fewer elves if it were shown in CGI on the History Channel. It is a battle of good versus evil in a time-honored take on a classic adventure story, complete with self-appointed outlaws, spying, and even a dash of romance.
If that's what lights you up, then this is your read. As it does straddle that line between historical fiction and fantasy and seems inspired by Western folklore, it may be a good introduction to the genre for younger readers. However, it's a lengthy read, so Young Adult readers with a lengthy attention span will probably enjoy it more.
December 8, 2021
Queensmen transports the reader to a world not unlike medieval Earth, where a roaming band of soldiers fights in the name of their deposed queen against a false ruler. Along the way, the story provides all the intrigue, battles and romance of a classic adventure story.
Taking us through this journey are Jed, a Robin Hood-like queensman, and Senna, a childhood friend of Jed’s tasked with infiltrating the household of an evil Baron.
My favorite part of the book comes from a twist roughly a quarter of the way through in which a third POV character that the narrative had been painting in a certain light is revealed to be far more complex and interesting than originally thought. From that point on, the narrative really comes alive when it focuses on that character, which thankfully it does as they become a major focus.
While Queenmen is appropriately classified as fantasy, it reads more like historical fiction which happens to take place in a fictional realm. Readers looking for dragons and magic won’t find them here, however I would encourage fantasy fans to not let this dissuade them as Queensmen delivers an interesting world, solid prose, likeable characters and romantic subplots (including love triangles) that the genre demands.
My primary issue with the book is one of pacing, with the first act in particular being very slow. Things accelerate a bit by the mid-point, but this never became a white-knuckle page-turner for me. As such, it took me a while to get through it. Fans of epic fantasy and historical fiction, however, should have no problem with this and will plenty to enjoy.
Taking us through this journey are Jed, a Robin Hood-like queensman, and Senna, a childhood friend of Jed’s tasked with infiltrating the household of an evil Baron.
My favorite part of the book comes from a twist roughly a quarter of the way through in which a third POV character that the narrative had been painting in a certain light is revealed to be far more complex and interesting than originally thought. From that point on, the narrative really comes alive when it focuses on that character, which thankfully it does as they become a major focus.
While Queenmen is appropriately classified as fantasy, it reads more like historical fiction which happens to take place in a fictional realm. Readers looking for dragons and magic won’t find them here, however I would encourage fantasy fans to not let this dissuade them as Queensmen delivers an interesting world, solid prose, likeable characters and romantic subplots (including love triangles) that the genre demands.
My primary issue with the book is one of pacing, with the first act in particular being very slow. Things accelerate a bit by the mid-point, but this never became a white-knuckle page-turner for me. As such, it took me a while to get through it. Fans of epic fantasy and historical fiction, however, should have no problem with this and will plenty to enjoy.
January 7, 2024
The nation of Mackabine was ruled by generations of Queens. This came to a brutal end at the hands of Lord Gote, the Mackabine ambassador to Gault. Assisted by the Gaultian King, Gote overthrew and murdered the last Monarch along with, it was believed, anyone else with a claim to the throne.
Three years have passed since Gote appointed himself ‘Regent’ and things are going badly for the citizens of Mackabine: their land is being plundered and most of the wealth shipped to Gault. What remains is squandered by the Regent and his corrupt Court. As the citizens grow more disillusioned, pockets of resistance are springing up, led by self-styled ‘Queensmen,’ a title once reserved for the closest servants and guardians of the Monarch.
The story centers, in large part, on the interconnected lives of three individuals: Jedomar, a young rebel and self-appointed Queensman of Geid; Senna, a courageous and intelligent young townswoman and the albino Lord Fenwith, the oppressive Baron of Geid County. Their relationships evolve and shift over the course of the novel, especially when Senna finds out some startling information about her employer, Lord Fenwith.
The main characters go through many harrowing adventures waiting for the Counterrevolution to take place. In keeping with its target age group, the violence is limited and the romance idealized. It is, all-in-all, a lively and entertaining read. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a romantic tale laced with a lot of relatively bloodless adventure.
Three years have passed since Gote appointed himself ‘Regent’ and things are going badly for the citizens of Mackabine: their land is being plundered and most of the wealth shipped to Gault. What remains is squandered by the Regent and his corrupt Court. As the citizens grow more disillusioned, pockets of resistance are springing up, led by self-styled ‘Queensmen,’ a title once reserved for the closest servants and guardians of the Monarch.
The story centers, in large part, on the interconnected lives of three individuals: Jedomar, a young rebel and self-appointed Queensman of Geid; Senna, a courageous and intelligent young townswoman and the albino Lord Fenwith, the oppressive Baron of Geid County. Their relationships evolve and shift over the course of the novel, especially when Senna finds out some startling information about her employer, Lord Fenwith.
The main characters go through many harrowing adventures waiting for the Counterrevolution to take place. In keeping with its target age group, the violence is limited and the romance idealized. It is, all-in-all, a lively and entertaining read. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a romantic tale laced with a lot of relatively bloodless adventure.
June 5, 2022
Queensmen is an epic novel following the trials of the citizens of Mackabine. I would put it in the category of speculative fiction - though I see others have listed it as fantasy and historical fiction. What struck me as I neared the end of the novel was how relevant several of the themes were to the world we are in today, from greed and the hoarding of wealth to autocratic regimes and those that strive from the shadows to fight them. The Queensmen are such a group of rebels, dedicated to ousting a rotten regime. Senna is among their number and infiltrates the house of the powerful Baron posing as a housekeeper. I particularly enjoyed the exchanges between the Baron and Senna, and found them revealing of Senna’s character, reflecting her bravery and how close to danger she’s willing to get for the greater good. An enjoyable read overall, with a strong plot and cast of characters to support it – and of course a great romance too!
January 14, 2024
"Queensmen" by Bethany Rae Salway is so imaginative! Her world-building grabbed me from the start.
The main character Senna finds herself on this wild adventure kinda against her will. Through getting to know the Queensmen fighters, she learns a lot about herself too. Their friendship really carries the story.
There are some heavier themes about fighting for what's right even when times are tough. Senna and the crew never give up on their goals. It made me appreciate having people to support you through life.
One quote about friendship guiding you really stuck with me. Salway puts meaningful messages into the plot.
Critics are right that she's talented - I could picture every scene so clearly in my head! The twists kept me constantly hooked too.
If you like epic fantasy world journeys like some of my other faves, definitely pick up "Queensmen." Salway is an author I'll be keeping an eye out for in the future now too. Her storytelling had me immersed the whole time.
The main character Senna finds herself on this wild adventure kinda against her will. Through getting to know the Queensmen fighters, she learns a lot about herself too. Their friendship really carries the story.
There are some heavier themes about fighting for what's right even when times are tough. Senna and the crew never give up on their goals. It made me appreciate having people to support you through life.
One quote about friendship guiding you really stuck with me. Salway puts meaningful messages into the plot.
Critics are right that she's talented - I could picture every scene so clearly in my head! The twists kept me constantly hooked too.
If you like epic fantasy world journeys like some of my other faves, definitely pick up "Queensmen." Salway is an author I'll be keeping an eye out for in the future now too. Her storytelling had me immersed the whole time.
June 18, 2020
Medieval romance and rebellion
Queensmen has elements of classic tales such as Robin hood and queen bouidica, and yet it is more than that. An original story in its own right. Set in the fictional place of Mackabine, the locals have been conquered by the Gaults and their former queen executed. A young woman Senna becomes the kitchen and house lady for the evil baron Fenwith. This story has a beauty and the beast aura to it, which I thought was awesome. In this place of political intrigue nothing is as it seems...
I loved my stay in this gritty, dirty medieval village, with its lush forests and characters.
I think anyone that likes Outlander, romance stories, or history in general will enjoy this emotional and adventurous book.
Queensmen has elements of classic tales such as Robin hood and queen bouidica, and yet it is more than that. An original story in its own right. Set in the fictional place of Mackabine, the locals have been conquered by the Gaults and their former queen executed. A young woman Senna becomes the kitchen and house lady for the evil baron Fenwith. This story has a beauty and the beast aura to it, which I thought was awesome. In this place of political intrigue nothing is as it seems...
I loved my stay in this gritty, dirty medieval village, with its lush forests and characters.
I think anyone that likes Outlander, romance stories, or history in general will enjoy this emotional and adventurous book.
July 25, 2020
Enjoyable escapist novel about the politics and dramas of imaginary people in an imaginary world that resembles Europe in the Middle Ages. Senna, Jed, and their band of friends and relations are involved in guerrilla action against the baron of their district. The plot goes in some unexpected and interesting directions.
To me, the strength of the story is in the characterizations and relationships. The writing is fluid and well proofed. The imaginary society was not particularly interesting to me since it’s just Medieval-lite. However, the characters are involving and the plot perks along briskly, so this is a good book if you just want to turn off the TV, unplug from the Internet, and spend time with someone else’s problems.
Suitable for teens or classroom libraries.
To me, the strength of the story is in the characterizations and relationships. The writing is fluid and well proofed. The imaginary society was not particularly interesting to me since it’s just Medieval-lite. However, the characters are involving and the plot perks along briskly, so this is a good book if you just want to turn off the TV, unplug from the Internet, and spend time with someone else’s problems.
Suitable for teens or classroom libraries.
May 31, 2020
Adventure, drama, evil, humor, romance all of it combined in a fun read. Interesting plot with twists. Senna the main character starts as strong, changed to wishy-washy, and back to be strong by the end of the book. If you love fantasy fiction, with strong characters and twisted events to lose you completely––this one delivers. Great story
October 24, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this new author’s work. The Queensmen was an excellent dynamic adventure fiction. I would not classify it as fantasy myself- it is set in an Old England / Renaissance period but deals only with the superstitions and understanding of the people at the time vs any magic or fantastical elements. Beautifully created and I could imagine it as a movie quite easily.
June 2, 2020
This book is a good read; I like things about the “Castle” and the beauty of it all. I love Senna’s strategy to scheme her way into the Castle so that she can work while gathering information. I loved the read from beginning to end; I highly recommend everyone read it! Such a good story!
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