The Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

Blurb, taken from Goodreads.

"With each passing day, Kelsea Glynn is growing into her new responsibilities as Queen of the Tearling. By stopping the shipments of slaves to the neighboring kingdom of Mortmesne, she crossed the Red Queen, a brutal ruler whose power derives from dark magic, who is sending her fearsome army into the Tearling to take what is hers. And nothing can stop the invasion.

But as the Mort army draws ever closer, Kelsea develops a mysterious connection to a time before the Crossing, and she finds herself relying on a strange and possibly dangerous ally: a woman named Lily, fighting for her life in a world where being female can feel like a crime. The fate of the Tearling —and that of Kelsea’s own soul—may rest with Lily and her story, but Kelsea may not have enough time to find out."

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The Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen is the second of a young adult fantasy trilogy.

This book gave me whiplash and a head ache. If I thought the first book was confusing, the second out does it predecessor by miles. However, it does redeem itself but not being as dull or boring as its predecessor. Where the first book lagged and took its time, this book went for all the action it could possible throw in. With little explanation.

Also, there was a lack of trigger warnings, so for any readers who do not want to read violent rape, I’m giving you a big head up because no one gave me one. Those violent scenes come to Kelsea, our protagonist, through memories of a woman named Lily who lived in pre-crossing America. Kelsea gets these memories through ways in which I won’t spoil, although they are lacklustre and still, confusing (the word to describe the series so far, if I’m being honest).

I don’t know why I picked up this book after not liking the first (with a passion) but I did anyways (and who am I kidding, I picked it up because even if I don’t like a story I need to see it all the way through – to make sure I don’t like it.)

Like the first, I do not recommend.

Farah, the still grumpy book reviewer.