Gemini Rising

Book Review: Fate of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

Book Review for: The Fate of the Tearling
Written by: Erika Johansen
Harper Collins Publishers
ISBN: 978-0-06-229042-7

I read: the hardback

5 Stars

Epic!!

Johansen pens a stunning conclusion to the Tearling series
with “The Fate of the Tearling.” Set in a dystopian future, the
Tearling is being attacked from all sides. Mortmesne threatens
invasion, the Arvath has hired mercenaries, and the Orphan
sets his vampiric children on an unsuspecting populace.

Kelsea Glynn, The Queen of the Tearling, finds herself in a
Mortmesne dungeon unable to protect her people from danger.
The Mace, her regent, is torn between saving her and protecting
the Tearling. A surprise alley, Evenly Raleigh, seeks out
Kelsea to bring peace to the Tearling and Mortmesne as the
Orphan grows in power.

As in “Invasion of the Tearling,” Kelsea continues to have
fugues due to the influence of her sapphires. This time she
discovers Katie Rice’s story and learns how Katie’s past has
helped to shape Kelsea’s Tearling. Secret after secret unravels
leaving Kelsea to reconcile past, present, and future. Can
Kelsea save the Tearling, or will her future crumble between
her fingers?

Johansen pens a thrilling end to the Tearling series. Her
writing style is easy to read. Plot, pacing, and
characterization are well balanced. Johansen’s ability to
make the Queen of Mortmesne a sympathetic character, and
the Orphan deliciously evil, deliver an excellent read. The
ending was hopeful, despite Kelsea’s personal losses, and I
thought the story came full circle as Carlin, who was such
an influential and haunting presence in Kelsea’s life, reached out
to Kelsea in the end.

I simply couldn’t put this book down. “The Fate of the
Tearling” will leave the reader breathless with every chapter
that is devoured.