Status
Available
Series
Genres
Publication
Margaret K. McElderry Books (2016), Edition: Reprint, 433 pages
Description
The elders chose Elli to be queen, but they chose wrong in this beautifully crafted novel that "fans of Rae Carson's books and Victoria Areyard's Red Queen will find much to love in" (VOYA). Sixteen-year-old Elli was a small child when the Elders of Kupari chose her to succeed the Valtia, the queen who wields infinitely powerful ice and fire magic. Since then, Elli has lived in the temple, surrounded by luxury and tutored by priests, as she prepares for the day when the Valtia perishes and the magic finds a new home in her. Elli is destined to be the most powerful Valtia to ever rule. But when the queen dies defending the kingdom from invading warriors, the magic doesn't enter Elli. It's nowhere to be found. Disgraced, Elli flees to the outlands, the home of banished criminals--some who would love to see the temple burn with all its priests inside. As she finds her footing in this new world, Elli uncovers devastating new information about the Kupari magic, those who wield it, and the prophecy that foretold her destiny. Torn between the love she has for her people and her growing loyalty to the banished, Elli struggles to understand the true role she was meant to play. But as war looms, she must align with the right side--before the kingdom and its magic are completely destroyed.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member BillieBook
The title of this one made me think it was going to be another of those princess-sent-int0-hiding-commoner-takes-her-place-to-thwart-assassins books. It wasn't, though it does have some of those elements. Instead, it's about the heir to the throne of a kingdom suffused with magic, where the queen
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is not necessarily the most powerful magic user, but the only one with a perfect balance of fire and ice magics. That magic is passed on to her heir upon her death, but something goes horribly wrong and Elli doesn't get any magic upon her predecessor's death. So, of course, the priests want to kill her and she has to run for her life and ends up hiding in the caves with a group of outcasts and unregistered magic users and becomes the centerpiece of a rebellion because of course she does. But, she doesn't magically gain magic and she falls in love but is pragmatic enough to know the timing sucks. There are some interesting twists on familiar tropes and the characters are mostly smart, strong, and competent, without being too good to be true. Plus, Fine doesn't shy away from killing off likable characters and there are some really vividly-described gory bits. It's not quite SoIaF levels, but it's more than one usually sees in YA. Show Less
LibraryThing member senbei
Starts off very strong with a lot of unique world-building (and hey, who ever thought of writing a Fantasy YA that takes place in Copper Harbor?!)... and then for reasons I can't wrap my brain around loses all gravitas for 200+ pages. Sadly a lot of plot details are borrowed from the Lunar
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Chronicles (when will YA editors get it into their heads that books don't have to consist of pathetically recycled stories to be sellable?!) and the love interest is basically Kristoff with less personality (yes it's possible, somehow...). The last 100 pages are worth reading as exposition to the Cursed Queen, but are a major let down. Show Less
LibraryThing member Emily_Anne
Wow. This was Fine's best book yet! The Impostor Queen was compelling, inventive, and featured an amazing cast of characters. All fantasy lovers like me won't be able to resist this tale of a girl who didn't turn out to be the queen she though she was.
So, let me quickly summarize this: Elli has
I admired Elli for her love for her people, her Valtia, and her Saadella. I also loved how hard she worked and grew through the book. And I can't not mention the romance! Elli is bi, and has a crush on a girl in the beginning. I loved Fine's diversity! However, the main ship in this book is between Oscar and Elli. I loved these two together sooooo much. I can't wait for more of them.
Overall, The Impostor Queen was a major win. I was surprised how quickly I got sucked into the pages. The twists and turns in this new world of magic and strife are guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat. After finishing this, I was so pumped for The Cursed Queen!
So, let me quickly summarize this: Elli has
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been raised as a Saadella to become the Valtia of the Kupari. However, when she fails to inherit the powers of fire and ice from the previous Valtia, she is forced to run from her pampered life. Elli ends up living with a group of rebels and criminals. And there she learns she is not so powerless after all. A prophecy gives her a role in perhaps saving the Kupari from both the dangerous raiders, the Solturi, and from surprising corruption and evil within their own walls. I admired Elli for her love for her people, her Valtia, and her Saadella. I also loved how hard she worked and grew through the book. And I can't not mention the romance! Elli is bi, and has a crush on a girl in the beginning. I loved Fine's diversity! However, the main ship in this book is between Oscar and Elli. I loved these two together sooooo much. I can't wait for more of them.
Overall, The Impostor Queen was a major win. I was surprised how quickly I got sucked into the pages. The twists and turns in this new world of magic and strife are guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat. After finishing this, I was so pumped for The Cursed Queen!
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LibraryThing member ReadersCandyb
I really enjoyed this book! It brought a unique plot, diverse characters, and plenty of twists and turns along the way.
Elli was next in line to be the Valtia (queen), but when the time came she couldn't fulfill the requirements and had to flee the city. She ended up in a cave with 8 fingers, a
The premise was interesting and the writing was really good. It was fast paced with a good amount of suspense and a swoon worthy romance! It wasn't insta love so don't worry! It was a gradual slow burn that gave me all kinds of *chills*. Oksar was a book boyfriend no doubt. He was gruff, brooding, handsome and moody, but in the best way possible. He was guarded, but Elli chipped away and finally exposed his weak tender side. It was awesome to see them come together and put off so much passion and care towards one another.
All in all it was a great story that kept me intrigued and glued to the pages. I would have liked more of Mim, but hey that's how books go... I definitely recommend it to readers that like a blend of royalty, danger, history, and romance.
Elli was next in line to be the Valtia (queen), but when the time came she couldn't fulfill the requirements and had to flee the city. She ended up in a cave with 8 fingers, a
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clan of outlaws, and a dark haired hero with secrets of his own. For her it was a world of unknowns... She had to learn how to fend for herself and figure out a plan of action to fulfill her responsibility. It wasn't always easy and the answers may not have been what she expected, but in the end her focus was on protecting the Kupari people and the future Valtias.The premise was interesting and the writing was really good. It was fast paced with a good amount of suspense and a swoon worthy romance! It wasn't insta love so don't worry! It was a gradual slow burn that gave me all kinds of *chills*. Oksar was a book boyfriend no doubt. He was gruff, brooding, handsome and moody, but in the best way possible. He was guarded, but Elli chipped away and finally exposed his weak tender side. It was awesome to see them come together and put off so much passion and care towards one another.
All in all it was a great story that kept me intrigued and glued to the pages. I would have liked more of Mim, but hey that's how books go... I definitely recommend it to readers that like a blend of royalty, danger, history, and romance.
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LibraryThing member HeatherLINC
The Impostor Queen was a great fantasy with lots of action, magic, deception and betrayal. I loved the world the author built, it was so believable but without heavy descriptive passages that often appear in fantasy novels. The combination of fire and ice to create powerful magic was a fascinating
Elli was a likeable character. Despite being privileged, naive and gullible at the start she developed throughout the story as she struggled to adjust to the harsh environment she found herself in. Then there was Oskar! He was a wonderful character, so kindhearted and protective of those he loved, but with a tragic backstory. I loved the romance between he and Elli. It didn't feel forced and it never overwhelmed the rest of the story.
With interesting characters, clever world-building, magic and a captivating storyline, this was an enjoyable read and I'm now off to find the sequel.
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concept and the complications, if the two weren't balanced, led to some unique problems.Elli was a likeable character. Despite being privileged, naive and gullible at the start she developed throughout the story as she struggled to adjust to the harsh environment she found herself in. Then there was Oskar! He was a wonderful character, so kindhearted and protective of those he loved, but with a tragic backstory. I loved the romance between he and Elli. It didn't feel forced and it never overwhelmed the rest of the story.
With interesting characters, clever world-building, magic and a captivating storyline, this was an enjoyable read and I'm now off to find the sequel.
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LibraryThing member wagner.sarah35
An engaging read centered around a world filled with magic and war. Elli is raised to be a queen and to expect the former queen's magic to come to her upon that queen's death. Except that doesn't happen and Elli must flee the temple and wealthy city-state she has always known. As she finds refuge
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with fellow outcasts, she starts to learn more about the magic her city has relied on and who she might be. A quick, interesting read. Show Less
Awards
Westchester Fiction Award (Winner — 2018)
Kansas NEA Reading Circle Recommended Book (Junior — 2017)
Language
Original publication date
2016
ISBN
9781481441926
Local notes
young readers