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The Tunockian Chronicles #1
A Queen is Knighted
Three Kingdoms. Two wars. And one queen who is desperate to save them all.
The kingdoms of Tunock, Taus, and Wilmington have been at peace for more than five hundred years. On their secluded peninsula, life is perfect for royalty and commoners alike. Fear of the pirates in the waters keep them from exploring further than the beaches, and tales of strange visions and missing persons keep them from going to the mountains Beyond. They are happy with their way of living and content in knowing that as long as they don't cross the borders; they are safe. But everything changes when the castle of Tunock burns to the ground and the royal family disappears with no one to blame.
Princess Lauraine of Tunock never dreamed that she would spend her seventeenth birthday escaping a burning castle, but that's precisely how she spent it. Left to the mercy of a knight whom she's never met before, Princess Lauraine goes into hiding while trying to solve the political mystery of who attacked her home—and why. She befriends an old knight—whom her father declared insane—and though she trusts her father's declaration as much as she trusts him, something about the old man seems sincere. Could her father have been wrong about him? And when strange things happen throughout the kingdoms—things that should only belong in the fairy tale books—Lauraine finds herself at an impasse: should she rise to the position of Queen and restore order to her kingdom; or risk losing her kingdom entirely in search of the truth?
As the events happening in the Three Kingdoms continue to unwind, Princess Lauraine makes a choice. A choice that promises little reward and far more humiliation if she's wrong. With a small band of friends who she deems trustworthy, Lauraine gives her everything to become the person who will save her kingdom—even if it means losing herself.
The kingdoms of Tunock, Taus, and Wilmington have been at peace for more than five hundred years. On their secluded peninsula, life is perfect for royalty and commoners alike. Fear of the pirates in the waters keep them from exploring further than the beaches, and tales of strange visions and missing persons keep them from going to the mountains Beyond. They are happy with their way of living and content in knowing that as long as they don't cross the borders; they are safe. But everything changes when the castle of Tunock burns to the ground and the royal family disappears with no one to blame.
Princess Lauraine of Tunock never dreamed that she would spend her seventeenth birthday escaping a burning castle, but that's precisely how she spent it. Left to the mercy of a knight whom she's never met before, Princess Lauraine goes into hiding while trying to solve the political mystery of who attacked her home—and why. She befriends an old knight—whom her father declared insane—and though she trusts her father's declaration as much as she trusts him, something about the old man seems sincere. Could her father have been wrong about him? And when strange things happen throughout the kingdoms—things that should only belong in the fairy tale books—Lauraine finds herself at an impasse: should she rise to the position of Queen and restore order to her kingdom; or risk losing her kingdom entirely in search of the truth?
As the events happening in the Three Kingdoms continue to unwind, Princess Lauraine makes a choice. A choice that promises little reward and far more humiliation if she's wrong. With a small band of friends who she deems trustworthy, Lauraine gives her everything to become the person who will save her kingdom—even if it means losing herself.
412 pages, Paperback
Published May 8, 2021
14 people are currently reading
261 people want to read
About the author
R.J. Setser
4 books79 followersR.J. Setser is a pseudonym for wife and husband duo, Rayleigh and Joshua Setser. High-school sweethearts who found their happily-ever-after in 2019, Rayleigh and Joshua have been writing together since 2015 and finished their debut novel, A Queen is Knighted in 2020. They live in a small town in Texas with their 2 dogs, Watson and Rosie, and 1 cat, Yuna. They spend most of their time juggling contradicting work schedules to write together. In their free time, they can be found with either of their families at the lake, reading, and quite possibly, playing sword-fighting video games “for research”. Find them on Instagram & Threads (@rjsetserauthor) or online at rjsetser.com.
Account Managed by Rayleigh (personal bio below):
Rayleigh has been a professional book reviewer and influencer since 2012. In 2014, she founded Literature Approved, a site that provides author services and reviews that has grown to over 1000 subscribers. She has also been awarded the Vine Voice badge on Amazon, which verifies her as a Top Amazon Reviewer. Visit LiteratureApproved.com to pitch your book to her for a review!
Account Managed by Rayleigh (personal bio below):
Rayleigh has been a professional book reviewer and influencer since 2012. In 2014, she founded Literature Approved, a site that provides author services and reviews that has grown to over 1000 subscribers. She has also been awarded the Vine Voice badge on Amazon, which verifies her as a Top Amazon Reviewer. Visit LiteratureApproved.com to pitch your book to her for a review!
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 20, 2022
A fun binge read!
Sir John is my favorite, 11/10, absolutely stellar.
There were a few inconsistencies and I feel it could have been shortened to really maximize tension, but the plot was interesting and the characters were entertaining. Can't wait for the next installment!
Sir John is my favorite, 11/10, absolutely stellar.
There were a few inconsistencies and I feel it could have been shortened to really maximize tension, but the plot was interesting and the characters were entertaining. Can't wait for the next installment!
August 15, 2021
This book has a great cast of characters! I really need the second book to know what happens with Lauraine and James!!!
The writing feels very unique and authentic, and reminded me of Lord of the Rings because of the in-depth descriptions and urgent adventures. There were some great twists, and AMAZING world building! The world felt so full!
The only thing I would have loved is a map haha I kept trying to reference a map and forgetting there isn’t one 😂
Excited for book two!
The writing feels very unique and authentic, and reminded me of Lord of the Rings because of the in-depth descriptions and urgent adventures. There were some great twists, and AMAZING world building! The world felt so full!
The only thing I would have loved is a map haha I kept trying to reference a map and forgetting there isn’t one 😂
Excited for book two!
June 9, 2021
This book is great for fantasy fans, especially if you enjoy a side of political intrigue. While it did take me a little bit to really get into the beginning of the book (after the first couple of chapters, which were pretty intense), the storyline definitely re-captured my attention later on and held it throughout the story. There were some pretty interesting twists and turns that the story took, especially in regards to a person who is pretty much regarded as a basket case -- which the rest of the cast are compelled to trust as a last resort. That particular situation keeps readers guessing throughout the story, and the plot only thickens as some of the events unfolding in front of them turn out to mirror fairytales and visions that the Princess' friends have -- it's definitely a ride from start to finish. Not to mention the cliffhanger at the end. I can't say anything else, because...spoiler alert. There are some pretty interesting themes about being open to learning new things and re-evaluating one's previous ideas when life pushes you to the brink. Overall, it's a pretty good story and it seems like it's only the beginning!
February 6, 2021
All I can say right now is that I need book 2 pronto!!
August 8, 2023
Another read from the author fest at the library! I really enjoyed this one! I never would have expected that a fantasy that for the majority involved people traveling through a forest would be so interesting. The characters were dimensional and likable! Can’t wait to read the second one :)
August 23, 2021
That was quite the cliff-hanger.
A Queen is Knighted took me by surprise in many ways, some disappointing but many quite the opposite.
There were three aspects, I think, that took it down to three stars. First, the writing seemed at times to tell me about how things were rather than let me see for myself in a more powerful way. Along with this, I felt that occasionally, details or insignificant factoids would be dropped in the middle of a discussion or a tense scene that didn't have meaning beyond the fact that they were there. It was the little things like these that distracted me from the flow of the story as a whole.
Second, I felt as though sometimes there were inconsistent mood swings in characters that took the reality of the scenes down a bit when they occurred. For example, in some of the serious scenes, you'd have Lauraine serious and very intense, only to have that mood counteracted the next line later by a giggle at Sir James... or something of the sort.
Third and finally, I lost my respect for Arielle near the end - partially because of some inconsistent mood swings, partially because I felt she was a little immature to be punching Sir John and teasing him at such a serious time (perhaps that's just my viewpoint, though), and partially because of how she - yet I felt I was supposed to like and respect her... and I was confused by my predicament.
However, I did find myself swept away by the incredible world-building and intense plot that kept the story moving more than anything else. The fantasy aspect was unique, intriguing, and brought to life. Although I felt the characterization for several of the featured characters could have been done better, I did truly want to applaud the author for how she masterfully dealt with Tupac and John's characters when they appeared. They were realistic, motivated, complicated, unique, but human with all that humanity brings - bitterness, compassion, confusion, conscience, and hardness. I am eagerly anticipating the next book in the series... which will hopefully have some answers to the questions that ending left me dangling with.
So, was it worth the read? Yes, I'd say so. It wasn't perfect, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and it's a pleasure to read and support a debut indie author. It's a ride, but a good one overall.
A Queen is Knighted took me by surprise in many ways, some disappointing but many quite the opposite.
There were three aspects, I think, that took it down to three stars. First, the writing seemed at times to tell me about how things were rather than let me see for myself in a more powerful way. Along with this, I felt that occasionally, details or insignificant factoids would be dropped in the middle of a discussion or a tense scene that didn't have meaning beyond the fact that they were there. It was the little things like these that distracted me from the flow of the story as a whole.
Second, I felt as though sometimes there were inconsistent mood swings in characters that took the reality of the scenes down a bit when they occurred. For example, in some of the serious scenes, you'd have Lauraine serious and very intense, only to have that mood counteracted the next line later by a giggle at Sir James... or something of the sort.
Third and finally, I lost my respect for Arielle near the end - partially because of some inconsistent mood swings, partially because I felt she was a little immature to be punching Sir John and teasing him at such a serious time (perhaps that's just my viewpoint, though), and partially because of how she - yet I felt I was supposed to like and respect her... and I was confused by my predicament.
However, I did find myself swept away by the incredible world-building and intense plot that kept the story moving more than anything else. The fantasy aspect was unique, intriguing, and brought to life. Although I felt the characterization for several of the featured characters could have been done better, I did truly want to applaud the author for how she masterfully dealt with Tupac and John's characters when they appeared. They were realistic, motivated, complicated, unique, but human with all that humanity brings - bitterness, compassion, confusion, conscience, and hardness. I am eagerly anticipating the next book in the series... which will hopefully have some answers to the questions that ending left me dangling with.
So, was it worth the read? Yes, I'd say so. It wasn't perfect, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and it's a pleasure to read and support a debut indie author. It's a ride, but a good one overall.
August 12, 2021
A Queen is Knighted is fine. There were a lot of things I didn't like, but I didn't dislike it enough to rate it a 2. Here are a few reason why it didn't work for me:
This book has a lot of description, but not a lot of point. Lauraine describes a lot of things, but it just takes up page space. A lot of it didn't have a point, or could have been condensed.
Lauraine would talk about history we already know, the locket that hangs around her neck, or the birds outside, and they would never come up again or be relevant to her character arc. She'd take pages to describe random things, when only seconds have passed in the book, and it made the pacing feel very stilted and awkward, and I could never tell whether time was passing during these monologues or not.
On top of that, SO MANY chapters and time gaps ended with a character falling asleep or passing out, and for the first 50 pages Lauraine kept waking up, stretching, and monologuing. Over and over again. It was often at odds with how tense the situation was, and got incredibly tedious.
The characters don't have strong personalities.Lauraine is often doing things at-odds with her previous feelings or actions. She'd be super depressed and sobbing and then smiling and clear headed within the same page. She'd see a dangerous thing in front of her eyes and be really scared, and then when someone suggests running away, she'd get mad at them for "making a decision" for her.
She doesn't really have any major flaws, either. The book tries to tell you that she has some, but they never show us that.
The dialogue was awkward, weighed down by unnecessary interruptions and clarifications.
This is a plot driven story, but unfortunately the plot was too loose for my liking. One thing would happen, then another, then another, and it felt like we were trudging along. None of the "quests" or goals were ever really reached. The only exciting plot point happened around the 70% mark, and then the book ended without us actually seeing it.
The book ends in a slightly awkward place. Something happened that we knew was going to happen form page one, so it wasn't exciting or new. And the epilogue ruined any of that cliffhanger tension.
And finally: the villains are so, so badly written. First of all, there's no clear cut villain or antagonistic force. And the few hint of them that there are handled clumsily.
+ One of them is just a caricature of a misogynist, and that's his only job. He doesn't provide any tension and just disappears halfway through the book.
+ The other one has confusing motivations and end goals, doesn't make decisions inline with the goals we're told he has, and disappeared in the last third of the novel.
+ And the last kind of antagonistic force. . . is actually very interesting, but doesn't really make an appearance until 70% of the way in, and it looks like they'll only be in the next book.
*ARC received from BookSirens in exchange for an honest review*
This book has a lot of description, but not a lot of point. Lauraine describes a lot of things, but it just takes up page space. A lot of it didn't have a point, or could have been condensed.
Lauraine would talk about history we already know, the locket that hangs around her neck, or the birds outside, and they would never come up again or be relevant to her character arc. She'd take pages to describe random things, when only seconds have passed in the book, and it made the pacing feel very stilted and awkward, and I could never tell whether time was passing during these monologues or not.
On top of that, SO MANY chapters and time gaps ended with a character falling asleep or passing out, and for the first 50 pages Lauraine kept waking up, stretching, and monologuing. Over and over again. It was often at odds with how tense the situation was, and got incredibly tedious.
The characters don't have strong personalities.Lauraine is often doing things at-odds with her previous feelings or actions. She'd be super depressed and sobbing and then smiling and clear headed within the same page. She'd see a dangerous thing in front of her eyes and be really scared, and then when someone suggests running away, she'd get mad at them for "making a decision" for her.
She doesn't really have any major flaws, either. The book tries to tell you that she has some, but they never show us that.
The dialogue was awkward, weighed down by unnecessary interruptions and clarifications.
This is a plot driven story, but unfortunately the plot was too loose for my liking. One thing would happen, then another, then another, and it felt like we were trudging along. None of the "quests" or goals were ever really reached. The only exciting plot point happened around the 70% mark, and then the book ended without us actually seeing it.
The book ends in a slightly awkward place. Something happened that we knew was going to happen form page one, so it wasn't exciting or new. And the epilogue ruined any of that cliffhanger tension.
And finally: the villains are so, so badly written. First of all, there's no clear cut villain or antagonistic force. And the few hint of them that there are handled clumsily.
+ One of them is just a caricature of a misogynist, and that's his only job. He doesn't provide any tension and just disappears halfway through the book.
+ The other one has confusing motivations and end goals, doesn't make decisions inline with the goals we're told he has, and disappeared in the last third of the novel.
+ And the last kind of antagonistic force. . . is actually very interesting, but doesn't really make an appearance until 70% of the way in, and it looks like they'll only be in the next book.
*ARC received from BookSirens in exchange for an honest review*
July 23, 2023
Summary: Lauraine loses everything and has to find her way back to what matters most.
This story was exceptional. There was never a point that I was confused, bored, or frustrated with the plot; the tension kept me flipping kindle pages even as my brain tried to lure me into a reading slump. The characters were imperfect and lovable, and the twists were twisty enough to surprise me without twisting into overkill. And the romance?? You never realize how great non-insta love is until you read someone who doesn’t even realize she’s falling. Ugh. Loved it.
For my First Knight rant, please see the Instagram review.
The only things I didn’t enjoy were the names, and I think that’s because I’m SUPER picky about names. I felt like James, John, and then Tupac kind of seemed strange together, not to mention Taus (which sounds very much like Latin or something) and then Wilmington (which sounds very British). It didn’t take me out of the story at ALL and I’m still very much here for it! And I’m not sure if there will be an explanation of the kingdom names or a backstory or something, so that very much could happen. I only mention this at all to say that if you’ve let names of fantasy countries or characters stop you from reading a book — don’t! There might be a fantastic story waiting for you to give it a chance. There was for me, and I loved every minute of it.
This story was exceptional. There was never a point that I was confused, bored, or frustrated with the plot; the tension kept me flipping kindle pages even as my brain tried to lure me into a reading slump. The characters were imperfect and lovable, and the twists were twisty enough to surprise me without twisting into overkill. And the romance?? You never realize how great non-insta love is until you read someone who doesn’t even realize she’s falling. Ugh. Loved it.
For my First Knight rant, please see the Instagram review.
The only things I didn’t enjoy were the names, and I think that’s because I’m SUPER picky about names. I felt like James, John, and then Tupac kind of seemed strange together, not to mention Taus (which sounds very much like Latin or something) and then Wilmington (which sounds very British). It didn’t take me out of the story at ALL and I’m still very much here for it! And I’m not sure if there will be an explanation of the kingdom names or a backstory or something, so that very much could happen. I only mention this at all to say that if you’ve let names of fantasy countries or characters stop you from reading a book — don’t! There might be a fantastic story waiting for you to give it a chance. There was for me, and I loved every minute of it.
May 30, 2021
A Queen is Knighted is The Tunickian Chronicles Book 1. R J Setser has written an exciting fantasy. I felt that this story was also a mystery and an epic series. The story centers on three kingdoms: Tunock, Taus, and Wilmington. There has been peace for 500 years. The kingdoms are now at war. Book 1 centers around Princess Laurane and her quest to bring peace to the kingdoms. She is joined by Sir John. There are enemies and friends and Princess Laurane and Sir John must distinguish who is who. R J Setser left me wanting book 2 to be finished ASAP! This is a good series. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
August 15, 2025
This book was a blast to read!!! And the timing couldn’t be more perfect as I finished reading it. I finished reading A Queen Is Knighted during a highly sensitive time in my personal life. Queen Lauraine is the definition of an empowering, strong woman who overcomes terrible hardships, from losing her parents to a castle fire to starving in the woods during her journey to having one of her legs broken and having them both burned from magical fire, Lauraine comes out of the storm stronger and defiant as ever.
Reading a character like this during this time has given me so much hope and encouragement. That as a young woman, I can overcome death and grief and be refined into a strong person who can handle anything, including the hardships and trials of life.
Now I will gush about the rest of the characters. Let me say, the First Knight gave me Kylo Ren with and without his helmet vibes and I am living for that!!! 🤣 Seriously, I envisioned him as Adam Driver the whole time I was reading this book. Maybe because the First Knight is canonically 35 and I tend to swoon over handsome men who are a tad older than me (who doesn’t fall in love with a hot, dark knight?! 😝). Or maybe because I enjoy reading men who can fight and have a sense of morality and justice. Perhaps both!
Speaking of vibes, Sir Tupac reminded me so much of Bruno from Encanto (yes, THE “We Do Not Talk About Bruno”. THAT GUY! 🤣). From his erratic behavior, scheming, and obsession with magic, I immediately pictured him as a Bruno-esque character. Which isn’t bad at all! In fact, it made the reading experience more enjoyable! I giggled at the imagery of him clapping his hands at the very end and immediately thought, “Oh, Bruno!” 💀💀💀. Love characters like that!
Sir James was a cutie. I think everyone knows by now that I am a total sucker for blond men. So he was an automatic fave for me. His soft love for Lauraine just made my heart pitter-patter and I let out a few audible “awww”’s at times. He really does love and care for Lauraine, it’s evident in the ending of Book 1. I cannot wait to see where their budding relationship takes them in the rest of the series. And yes, I definitely ship these two!
And is it weird to say that I actually kind of liked Prince Reuben???? Because I really liked him!!! I gotta say, one of my favorite scenes was the encounter between the First Knight and Prince Reuben. I’m a sucker for bratty dudes who are seen as lesser than by their family and/or peers all because of who they are and how they act. Seeing him be so bratty and so histrionic through his dialogue and tantrum made me want to see more of his character progress! I know, that’s VERY ODD to say. Poor guy just wasn’t informed by his terrible father of the war between Wilmington and Tunock and I totally get that. His behavior was warranted, and his father (who sucks, by the way. Did not enjoy how terrible of a person he truly is) expects him to be a prince. I can’t wait to see how his character develops!
RJ’s writing is highly addictive. There were a few times I stayed up very late reading this even though I had to sleep due to work. RJ’s writing style will keep your attention glued to the pages with each rapid turn. The plot is so exhilarating, so tense that you can’t help but be eager to find out what happens next!
Five stars plus a thousand more all the way! I will be picking up the second book today so I can devour it.
Reading a character like this during this time has given me so much hope and encouragement. That as a young woman, I can overcome death and grief and be refined into a strong person who can handle anything, including the hardships and trials of life.
Now I will gush about the rest of the characters. Let me say, the First Knight gave me Kylo Ren with and without his helmet vibes and I am living for that!!! 🤣 Seriously, I envisioned him as Adam Driver the whole time I was reading this book. Maybe because the First Knight is canonically 35 and I tend to swoon over handsome men who are a tad older than me (who doesn’t fall in love with a hot, dark knight?! 😝). Or maybe because I enjoy reading men who can fight and have a sense of morality and justice. Perhaps both!
Speaking of vibes, Sir Tupac reminded me so much of Bruno from Encanto (yes, THE “We Do Not Talk About Bruno”. THAT GUY! 🤣). From his erratic behavior, scheming, and obsession with magic, I immediately pictured him as a Bruno-esque character. Which isn’t bad at all! In fact, it made the reading experience more enjoyable! I giggled at the imagery of him clapping his hands at the very end and immediately thought, “Oh, Bruno!” 💀💀💀. Love characters like that!
Sir James was a cutie. I think everyone knows by now that I am a total sucker for blond men. So he was an automatic fave for me. His soft love for Lauraine just made my heart pitter-patter and I let out a few audible “awww”’s at times. He really does love and care for Lauraine, it’s evident in the ending of Book 1. I cannot wait to see where their budding relationship takes them in the rest of the series. And yes, I definitely ship these two!
And is it weird to say that I actually kind of liked Prince Reuben???? Because I really liked him!!! I gotta say, one of my favorite scenes was the encounter between the First Knight and Prince Reuben. I’m a sucker for bratty dudes who are seen as lesser than by their family and/or peers all because of who they are and how they act. Seeing him be so bratty and so histrionic through his dialogue and tantrum made me want to see more of his character progress! I know, that’s VERY ODD to say. Poor guy just wasn’t informed by his terrible father of the war between Wilmington and Tunock and I totally get that. His behavior was warranted, and his father (who sucks, by the way. Did not enjoy how terrible of a person he truly is) expects him to be a prince. I can’t wait to see how his character develops!
RJ’s writing is highly addictive. There were a few times I stayed up very late reading this even though I had to sleep due to work. RJ’s writing style will keep your attention glued to the pages with each rapid turn. The plot is so exhilarating, so tense that you can’t help but be eager to find out what happens next!
Five stars plus a thousand more all the way! I will be picking up the second book today so I can devour it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2021
thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, the characters were great and I really enjoyed the fantasy elements in this book. It left me wanting more in this series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 18, 2022
One of the best fantasy books I've read. The plot is suspenseful, the characters are amazing, the world building is incredible - it checks all of my boxes and then some!
May 9, 2023
This was a very good epic clean fantasy with realistic princesses and knights, awesome horses, an intriguing villain, and a suspenseful plot!
First, let me talk about the princesses: Princess Arielle and Princess Lorraine. Both are realistic princesses, especially Lorraine. Even though some may see Lorraine's anxiety attacks as evidence of her being a "weak and fragile female" from stereotypical hero novels, I see it as a realistic response to terrible situation. Her emotional reactions were hard for me to swallow at first since I am a very logical-think first, react later-type of person, but I know this is how some people react to a tragedy, and she grew throughout the story. Princess Arielle, though she was more minor in the book, was also an interesting character because she was a bibliophile. Her interest in books and sweet nature reminded me of other protagonists like her.
As for the knights, Sir James and Sir John, they are certainly different. Sir John is the "shady knight" with intentions to have better behavior. Sir James is the "noble knight" whose only flaw so far is his hatred of grandfather. Sir John is older than the main characters, around 35, and cares more about Arielle as a daughter. Sir James is about Lorraine's age and is a love interest. So it's interesting to see how they both care about their princesses in different ways.
I can't say much about the villain because it would be too spoilery, but let's just say that I honestly didn't see it coming. The authors did a great job of hiding the true identity of the villain and then throwing in twists and turns that were unexpected. Plus, the motivation for the villain is very chilling.
The plot is very slow-paced, but it builds up in action as it goes. There were some parts that I felt like I needed to skim because it was description of buildings/landscape/clothing that I didn't really care for. But other descriptions I did appreciate, such as when they're travelling and encountering evil magical beings. The author did rely often on telling, rather than showing, especially when it came to emotions, but I didn't mind.
Why 4 stars instead of 5? Well, I really enjoyed this book, but I didn't love it. I think this is because it takes so long to build up and has a lot of stereotypes (princess must flee from castle because there's an insurrection-handsome knight saves her in the nick of time!). I also think it is because I really didn't relate to any of the characters until we got to Arielle, but she is a minor character who we barely got to meet (though she may show up in book 2). Honestly, though, this is a great book and definitely worth reading if you like clean epic fantasy. I'm going to read the sequel, for sure!
First, let me talk about the princesses: Princess Arielle and Princess Lorraine. Both are realistic princesses, especially Lorraine. Even though some may see Lorraine's anxiety attacks as evidence of her being a "weak and fragile female" from stereotypical hero novels, I see it as a realistic response to terrible situation. Her emotional reactions were hard for me to swallow at first since I am a very logical-think first, react later-type of person, but I know this is how some people react to a tragedy, and she grew throughout the story. Princess Arielle, though she was more minor in the book, was also an interesting character because she was a bibliophile. Her interest in books and sweet nature reminded me of other protagonists like her.
As for the knights, Sir James and Sir John, they are certainly different. Sir John is the "shady knight" with intentions to have better behavior. Sir James is the "noble knight" whose only flaw so far is his hatred of grandfather. Sir John is older than the main characters, around 35, and cares more about Arielle as a daughter. Sir James is about Lorraine's age and is a love interest. So it's interesting to see how they both care about their princesses in different ways.
I can't say much about the villain because it would be too spoilery, but let's just say that I honestly didn't see it coming. The authors did a great job of hiding the true identity of the villain and then throwing in twists and turns that were unexpected. Plus, the motivation for the villain is very chilling.
The plot is very slow-paced, but it builds up in action as it goes. There were some parts that I felt like I needed to skim because it was description of buildings/landscape/clothing that I didn't really care for. But other descriptions I did appreciate, such as when they're travelling and encountering evil magical beings. The author did rely often on telling, rather than showing, especially when it came to emotions, but I didn't mind.
Why 4 stars instead of 5? Well, I really enjoyed this book, but I didn't love it. I think this is because it takes so long to build up and has a lot of stereotypes (princess must flee from castle because there's an insurrection-handsome knight saves her in the nick of time!). I also think it is because I really didn't relate to any of the characters until we got to Arielle, but she is a minor character who we barely got to meet (though she may show up in book 2). Honestly, though, this is a great book and definitely worth reading if you like clean epic fantasy. I'm going to read the sequel, for sure!
May 15, 2023
(I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily).
I loved this book!! This isn't the first book I read from these authors, so I already knew that I'd like their writing style (I read Program MIRA a couple of months ago and also loved it!!) so I had high hopes.
The premise of the book is interesting and I was really excited to read it, so excited I finished it in a couple of days haha (finals? never heard of them oof).
The worldbuilding (as in their other book) was so good I was really captivated by it, and the plot and adventures were also really good.
The characters are all so well thought and developed and I honestly can't wait to read the second part to see how they keep acting and evolving! I am beyond excited!
I loved this book!! This isn't the first book I read from these authors, so I already knew that I'd like their writing style (I read Program MIRA a couple of months ago and also loved it!!) so I had high hopes.
The premise of the book is interesting and I was really excited to read it, so excited I finished it in a couple of days haha (finals? never heard of them oof).
The worldbuilding (as in their other book) was so good I was really captivated by it, and the plot and adventures were also really good.
The characters are all so well thought and developed and I honestly can't wait to read the second part to see how they keep acting and evolving! I am beyond excited!
July 8, 2025
This book is lovely. I thoroughly enjoyed the fantastical world that R.J. Setser created and am looking forward to the sequel to see what happens next.
I give it three stars because I felt like there was almost too much internal exposition from the characters. Often, the exposition drew me out of the action of the scene, which kind of ruined the pacing for me.
Overall, good book and will likely be reading the sequel!
I give it three stars because I felt like there was almost too much internal exposition from the characters. Often, the exposition drew me out of the action of the scene, which kind of ruined the pacing for me.
Overall, good book and will likely be reading the sequel!
July 28, 2023
Setser writes a fascinating travelogue story set mostly on horseback across three lands (and maybe more). While there is a good deal of drama and action with a sprinkling of twists, it's clear that this is the first book of a grander narrative. Be prepared for a slow start but a strong finish!
August 30, 2024
This book is amazing with wonderful world building! The characters are amazing and the dialogue is hilarious. Each character has their own depth to them with no one being too perfect. Personally, I love flawed characters. The pacing is slow but it is so worth it
April 10, 2023
What a great story!!
I really enjoyed this book with all the kings-queens-princes-princesses & magic! Can’t wait to read how it turns out in book 2!!
I really enjoyed this book with all the kings-queens-princes-princesses & magic! Can’t wait to read how it turns out in book 2!!
December 14, 2024
Great storyline, and very interesting to follow. I enjoyed reading it, but it did have a number of grammar errors, and some places where the storyline didn’t flow as smoothly as it could.
December 30, 2024
This is a very unique and fascinating story! The plot moves quickly and well, keeping you on your toes with relatable characters.
June 7, 2022
I had the privilege of being one of Rayleigh’s close friends for a few years before A Queen is Knighted was published. I listened to her rants and rambles as she worked her way through writing and editing this story. By the time I beta read it last year, I was so excited to experience the world she’d described to me so many times throughout our friendship! A Queen is Knighted, or AQIK for short, did not disappoint.
While Lauraine is the main character of AQIK, there are a few other perspectives the book takes us in throughout the story. I enjoyed figuring out the varied relationships between characters of different kingdoms and trying to figure out who was in love with who. The premise of the story was extremely captivating as it started with Lauraine waking up in the middle of the night with her kingdom on fire and being whisked away by a dashing knight who saved her life. Alone and confused, we journey with Lauraine as she pieces together what really happened that night and what she must do to save her family and her kingdom.
I loved watching Sir John and Lauraine become friends and learn to communicate with each other. They grew up very differently and had to navigate each other’s strengths and weaknesses as they traveled together. Their slowly budding romance is definitely one I’m here for and hoping to read more of in book 2!
As a diehard Lord of the Rings fan, I’m all about fantasy books whose plot centers around the epic journey. I loved getting to explore AQIK’s world and the intricacies of the magic and lore. I think my only struggle was that the plot and destination for the journey weren’t clear during the middle of the book. The exposition demonstrated how much thought the author had put into her world, but I lacked a sense of tension from the villain and backstory until about 2/3 through the story. This would be my only major drawback. First books in a trilogy tend to have this component of build-up leading into the second book, so once things were revealed later on, I was able to understand what everything had been building toward.
And that cliffhanger!! All jokes about desperately waiting for book 2 aside, I liked the tease at the end. We had the satisfaction of Sir John and Lauraine getting to their destination and the author giving us a glimpse into that beautiful world they’d been searching for without giving away all its secrets too soon. This kept the tension and excitement high and ready for the sequel, which I think is brilliant.
In conclusion, I give A Queen is Knighted 4 out of 5 stars. To be honest, I don’t think there are any content warnings to give! There is some violence and gore, but nothing out of the ordinary for your typical YA fantasy novel. The romance is light - I don’t remember any kissing. Perfect for readers of all ages!
While Lauraine is the main character of AQIK, there are a few other perspectives the book takes us in throughout the story. I enjoyed figuring out the varied relationships between characters of different kingdoms and trying to figure out who was in love with who. The premise of the story was extremely captivating as it started with Lauraine waking up in the middle of the night with her kingdom on fire and being whisked away by a dashing knight who saved her life. Alone and confused, we journey with Lauraine as she pieces together what really happened that night and what she must do to save her family and her kingdom.
I loved watching Sir John and Lauraine become friends and learn to communicate with each other. They grew up very differently and had to navigate each other’s strengths and weaknesses as they traveled together. Their slowly budding romance is definitely one I’m here for and hoping to read more of in book 2!
As a diehard Lord of the Rings fan, I’m all about fantasy books whose plot centers around the epic journey. I loved getting to explore AQIK’s world and the intricacies of the magic and lore. I think my only struggle was that the plot and destination for the journey weren’t clear during the middle of the book. The exposition demonstrated how much thought the author had put into her world, but I lacked a sense of tension from the villain and backstory until about 2/3 through the story. This would be my only major drawback. First books in a trilogy tend to have this component of build-up leading into the second book, so once things were revealed later on, I was able to understand what everything had been building toward.
And that cliffhanger!! All jokes about desperately waiting for book 2 aside, I liked the tease at the end. We had the satisfaction of Sir John and Lauraine getting to their destination and the author giving us a glimpse into that beautiful world they’d been searching for without giving away all its secrets too soon. This kept the tension and excitement high and ready for the sequel, which I think is brilliant.
In conclusion, I give A Queen is Knighted 4 out of 5 stars. To be honest, I don’t think there are any content warnings to give! There is some violence and gore, but nothing out of the ordinary for your typical YA fantasy novel. The romance is light - I don’t remember any kissing. Perfect for readers of all ages!
February 8, 2025
I did enjoy this book and the forming relationships between the characters. However, I was disappointed to get to the end of the first book and the story wasn't resolved. Hopefully the following books will be more succinct in that sense, as they aren't a debut. Would recommend, just hopefully once the whole series / story is written.
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