Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Bantam (2016), 576 pages
Description
Fantasy. Fiction. HTML: In this riveting sequel to the national bestseller The Queen of the Tearling, the evil kingdom of Mortmesne invades the Tearling, with dire consequences for Kelsea and her realm. 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. In this dazzling sequel, Erika Johansen brings back favorite characters, including the Mace and the Red Queen, and introduces unforgettable new players, adding exciting layers to her multidimensional tale of magic, mystery, and a fierce young heroine… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Cats57
This will be a difficult review for me to write. Not because it was a difficult book to read –no, not that-it is just that I do not want to give you spoilers, and to let you know how wonderful this book was, I may end up doing just that. I will try to let you know if anything I am writing will be
I have a favorite author, Anne Bishop who wrote the Black Jewels Trilogy, and if anyone can take an unusual world and make it come to life it is her…until now. Ms. Johansen nearly surpasses Ms. Bishop’s ability to take me from my world and transport me to another unusual, unique world and make me believe that I was actually living there. She makes me believe IN this world, the people in it and to understand the differences of it.
What we do learn in this, the second novel in the Queen of the Tearling trilogy, that this is not merely a dystopian world…it is so much more. We see Kelsea’s world but we also get to watch a different world though the eyes and life of a new character named Lily. A world where Tearling all started.
We are also kept on the edge of our seats by the coming war with the Red Queen, and it is closer than you think.
A relationship blossoms for Kelsea but not with whom you may hope it to be. And you will find Kelsea going through some very unexpected and in my opinion, not very well explained, physical changes. Then again, I have just devoured this book quickly and will have to re-read this slowly to find all the bits and pieces that I missed. This was quite a long book at over 500 pages and it most likely that some of what confuses me or seems unexplained may just be something that I can’t at this moment recall.
Unfortunately the book ends on a sort of cliff hanger, with so many threads to tie up. You may even wonder, as you finish this book, just how the author is going to be able to tie all this up with just one more book in which to do it in.
Read book one before trying to read this and if you have read book one already, give it a re-read to refresh your memory. I am very grateful that I did, because there was a lot I needed to remember before I dove into this book.
*ARC supplied by publishe
Show More
a major spoiler.I have a favorite author, Anne Bishop who wrote the Black Jewels Trilogy, and if anyone can take an unusual world and make it come to life it is her…until now. Ms. Johansen nearly surpasses Ms. Bishop’s ability to take me from my world and transport me to another unusual, unique world and make me believe that I was actually living there. She makes me believe IN this world, the people in it and to understand the differences of it.
What we do learn in this, the second novel in the Queen of the Tearling trilogy, that this is not merely a dystopian world…it is so much more. We see Kelsea’s world but we also get to watch a different world though the eyes and life of a new character named Lily. A world where Tearling all started.
We are also kept on the edge of our seats by the coming war with the Red Queen, and it is closer than you think.
A relationship blossoms for Kelsea but not with whom you may hope it to be. And you will find Kelsea going through some very unexpected and in my opinion, not very well explained, physical changes. Then again, I have just devoured this book quickly and will have to re-read this slowly to find all the bits and pieces that I missed. This was quite a long book at over 500 pages and it most likely that some of what confuses me or seems unexplained may just be something that I can’t at this moment recall.
Unfortunately the book ends on a sort of cliff hanger, with so many threads to tie up. You may even wonder, as you finish this book, just how the author is going to be able to tie all this up with just one more book in which to do it in.
Read book one before trying to read this and if you have read book one already, give it a re-read to refresh your memory. I am very grateful that I did, because there was a lot I needed to remember before I dove into this book.
*ARC supplied by publishe
Show Less
LibraryThing member mmoj
I was so looking forward to this book but this time something got in the way of the story. The story was good, I just wanted it to flow a little more smoothly and make those connections with the characters as I did with the first book.
This time around Kelsea Glynn must face her decisions and the
I'll read the next story but I do hope Ms. Johansen returns to connecting us to the characters.
This time around Kelsea Glynn must face her decisions and the
Show More
Mort Army. But Kelsea must also worry about her fugue states - is she going crazy or is it visions and if they are visions - of what, for what purpose? I'll read the next story but I do hope Ms. Johansen returns to connecting us to the characters.
Show Less
LibraryThing member nbmars
Note: There will necessarily be spoilers for Book One, but not this book.
In Book One of this adult fantasy/post-apocalyptic fairy tale, The Queen of the Tearling, we met Kelsea, the main protagonist who, at age 19, was crowned Queen according to the rules of the Kingdom. Kelsea immediately put a
Book Two picks up less than a month after the conclusion of the first book. The Kingdom of Tear is trying desperate measures to delay the invasion by the Mort, who have vastly superior numbers and weaponry. Kelsea hopes at least to get her people evacuated to the inside of the walls of New London before the Mort forces arrive.
This book is full of surprises, the biggest being the juxtaposition of Kelsea’s story with that of Lily Mayhew, who was born in 2058, some twenty-five years before the Crossing from America, and some 300 years before Kelsea was born. From Lily’s story we learn what led up to the Crossing, a very dark story indeed.
Back in the Tear, we follow the preparations for war, and see Kelsea learning to harness the powers of the sapphires she has inherited as Queen. She is also discovering that the sapphires can also anticipate her wants without her even articulating them. This creates a great deal of danger for her and others, because people don’t always have just “good” thoughts and desires.
There are some astonishing developments in this book, and if you liked the first book, you won’t want to miss this sequel. It is not your average Book Two of a trilogy. I can’t wait to see how it turns out!
In Book One of this adult fantasy/post-apocalyptic fairy tale, The Queen of the Tearling, we met Kelsea, the main protagonist who, at age 19, was crowned Queen according to the rules of the Kingdom. Kelsea immediately put a
Show More
stop to the enforced shipments of slaves imposed on the Tear by the neighboring kingdom of Mortmesne, and at the end of Book One, Mortmesne was preparing to invade in retaliation. Book Two picks up less than a month after the conclusion of the first book. The Kingdom of Tear is trying desperate measures to delay the invasion by the Mort, who have vastly superior numbers and weaponry. Kelsea hopes at least to get her people evacuated to the inside of the walls of New London before the Mort forces arrive.
This book is full of surprises, the biggest being the juxtaposition of Kelsea’s story with that of Lily Mayhew, who was born in 2058, some twenty-five years before the Crossing from America, and some 300 years before Kelsea was born. From Lily’s story we learn what led up to the Crossing, a very dark story indeed.
Back in the Tear, we follow the preparations for war, and see Kelsea learning to harness the powers of the sapphires she has inherited as Queen. She is also discovering that the sapphires can also anticipate her wants without her even articulating them. This creates a great deal of danger for her and others, because people don’t always have just “good” thoughts and desires.
There are some astonishing developments in this book, and if you liked the first book, you won’t want to miss this sequel. It is not your average Book Two of a trilogy. I can’t wait to see how it turns out!
Show Less
LibraryThing member shelleyraec
The Invasion of the Tearling is the sequel to Erika Johansen’s debut, The Queen of the Tearling.
Kelsea Glynn, now the reigning Queen of Tearling, is preparing for war with The Red Queen, having put a stop to the human tithing practiced by her country’s former rulers. As Mortmesme’s forces
‘Invasion’ also endeavours to explain the origins of the Tearling world, revealing the secrets of The Crossing, through crippling visions experienced by Kelsea. It’s quite an unusual story that reveals why Johansen’s world blends a feudal society and magic with reminders of modern life.
As a character, Kelsea undergoes some dramatic changes in this instalment, and not for the better. Haunted by the visions of Lily’s life, the visits of a mysterious dark spirit, and the seductive power of the emeralds, Kelsea becomes secretive and increasingly dark. I was disappointed by the inconsistencies and sometimes confused by her changing motivations.
I didn’t always find it easy to follow the narrative of The Invasion of the Tearling either. The shifts between Kelsea’s world and her visions of Lily’s were sometimes jarring, additionally there were a couple of minor story threads that seemed to dissolve into nothing, while others contributed little to the overall story. I’m also at a loss to understand Kelsea’s physical changes, which seem rather absurd.
The Invasion of the Tearling builds to a confrontation between Kelsea and The Red Queen but again ends with more questions than answers. I’m curious as to how Johansen will choose to end things in the final book of the trilogy, but I’m worried she will be unable to pull everything together in a satisfying manner.
Kelsea Glynn, now the reigning Queen of Tearling, is preparing for war with The Red Queen, having put a stop to the human tithing practiced by her country’s former rulers. As Mortmesme’s forces
Show More
amass on the border, Kelsea struggles to determine a way for her vulnerable country to defend itself from the invasion while dealing with internal strife and the challenges of the kingdom.‘Invasion’ also endeavours to explain the origins of the Tearling world, revealing the secrets of The Crossing, through crippling visions experienced by Kelsea. It’s quite an unusual story that reveals why Johansen’s world blends a feudal society and magic with reminders of modern life.
As a character, Kelsea undergoes some dramatic changes in this instalment, and not for the better. Haunted by the visions of Lily’s life, the visits of a mysterious dark spirit, and the seductive power of the emeralds, Kelsea becomes secretive and increasingly dark. I was disappointed by the inconsistencies and sometimes confused by her changing motivations.
I didn’t always find it easy to follow the narrative of The Invasion of the Tearling either. The shifts between Kelsea’s world and her visions of Lily’s were sometimes jarring, additionally there were a couple of minor story threads that seemed to dissolve into nothing, while others contributed little to the overall story. I’m also at a loss to understand Kelsea’s physical changes, which seem rather absurd.
The Invasion of the Tearling builds to a confrontation between Kelsea and The Red Queen but again ends with more questions than answers. I’m curious as to how Johansen will choose to end things in the final book of the trilogy, but I’m worried she will be unable to pull everything together in a satisfying manner.
Show Less
LibraryThing member shelleyraec
The Invasion of the Tearling is the sequel to Erika Johansen’s debut, The Queen of the Tearling.
Kelsea Glynn, now the reigning Queen of Tearling, is preparing for war with The Red Queen, having put a stop to the human tithing practiced by her country’s former rulers. As Mortmesme’s forces
‘Invasion’ also endeavours to explain the origins of the Tearling world, revealing the secrets of The Crossing, through crippling visions experienced by Kelsea. It’s quite an unusual story that reveals why Johansen’s world blends a feudal society and magic with reminders of modern life.
As a character, Kelsea undergoes some dramatic changes in this instalment, and not for the better. Haunted by the visions of Lily’s life, the visits of a mysterious dark spirit, and the seductive power of the emeralds, Kelsea becomes secretive and increasingly dark. I was disappointed by the inconsistencies and sometimes confused by her changing motivations.
I didn’t always find it easy to follow the narrative of The Invasion of the Tearling either. The shifts between Kelsea’s world and her visions of Lily’s were sometimes jarring, additionally there were a couple of minor story threads that seemed to dissolve into nothing, while others contributed little to the overall story. I’m also at a loss to understand Kelsea’s physical changes, which seem rather absurd.
The Invasion of the Tearling builds to a confrontation between Kelsea and The Red Queen but again ends with more questions than answers. I’m curious as to how Johansen will choose to end things in the final book of the trilogy, but I’m worried she will be unable to pull everything together in a satisfying manner.
Kelsea Glynn, now the reigning Queen of Tearling, is preparing for war with The Red Queen, having put a stop to the human tithing practiced by her country’s former rulers. As Mortmesme’s forces
Show More
amass on the border, Kelsea struggles to determine a way for her vulnerable country to defend itself from the invasion while dealing with internal strife and the challenges of the kingdom.‘Invasion’ also endeavours to explain the origins of the Tearling world, revealing the secrets of The Crossing, through crippling visions experienced by Kelsea. It’s quite an unusual story that reveals why Johansen’s world blends a feudal society and magic with reminders of modern life.
As a character, Kelsea undergoes some dramatic changes in this instalment, and not for the better. Haunted by the visions of Lily’s life, the visits of a mysterious dark spirit, and the seductive power of the emeralds, Kelsea becomes secretive and increasingly dark. I was disappointed by the inconsistencies and sometimes confused by her changing motivations.
I didn’t always find it easy to follow the narrative of The Invasion of the Tearling either. The shifts between Kelsea’s world and her visions of Lily’s were sometimes jarring, additionally there were a couple of minor story threads that seemed to dissolve into nothing, while others contributed little to the overall story. I’m also at a loss to understand Kelsea’s physical changes, which seem rather absurd.
The Invasion of the Tearling builds to a confrontation between Kelsea and The Red Queen but again ends with more questions than answers. I’m curious as to how Johansen will choose to end things in the final book of the trilogy, but I’m worried she will be unable to pull everything together in a satisfying manner.
Show Less
LibraryThing member jmoncton
The 2nd in The Queen of the Tearling Series, this book continues where the first left off with the battle between the underdog Tearling against the neighboring kingdom of Mortmesne. As the Tearling prepares itself for an invasion, Queen Kelsea has some interesting out of body experiences that give
I love that this book is narrated by Davina Porter. Although a change from the first book of the series, it's hard to complain when you get Davina Porter as the replacement!
Show More
the reader much more insight about this dystopian future. I love how the book weaves in the past with the present giving just enough information for me to want to tear through this book. Although I'm still really enjoying this series, I'm disappointed that this amazing heroine Kelsea, who was overweight and not very attractive, seems to be morphing into an amazing beauty. Can't we have a heroine who is not physically attractive and is a role model because of their bravery and intelligence? Interested to see what type of physical appearance she makes in the final book!I love that this book is narrated by Davina Porter. Although a change from the first book of the series, it's hard to complain when you get Davina Porter as the replacement!
Show Less
LibraryThing member mmoj
I was so looking forward to this book but this time something got in the way of the story. The story was good, I just wanted it to flow a little more smoothly and make those connections with the characters as I did with the first book.
This time around Kelsea Glynn must face her decisions and the
I'll read the next story but I do hope Ms. Johansen returns to connecting us to the characters.
This time around Kelsea Glynn must face her decisions and the
Show More
Mort Army. But Kelsea must also worry about her fugue states - is she going crazy or is it visions and if they are visions - of what, for what purpose? I'll read the next story but I do hope Ms. Johansen returns to connecting us to the characters.
Show Less
LibraryThing member mmoj
I was so looking forward to this book but this time something got in the way of the story. The story was good, I just wanted it to flow a little more smoothly and make those connections with the characters as I did with the first book.
This time around Kelsea Glynn must face her decisions and the
I'll read the next story but I do hope Ms. Johansen returns to connecting us to the characters.
This time around Kelsea Glynn must face her decisions and the
Show More
Mort Army. But Kelsea must also worry about her fugue states - is she going crazy or is it visions and if they are visions - of what, for what purpose? I'll read the next story but I do hope Ms. Johansen returns to connecting us to the characters.
Show Less
LibraryThing member klarsenmd
A great follow up to the first book. Lots more backstory.
LibraryThing member mmoj
I was so looking forward to this book but this time something got in the way of the story. The story was good, I just wanted it to flow a little more smoothly and make those connections with the characters as I did with the first book.
This time around Kelsea Glynn must face her decisions and the
I'll read the next story but I do hope Ms. Johansen returns to connecting us to the characters.
This time around Kelsea Glynn must face her decisions and the
Show More
Mort Army. But Kelsea must also worry about her fugue states - is she going crazy or is it visions and if they are visions - of what, for what purpose? I'll read the next story but I do hope Ms. Johansen returns to connecting us to the characters.
Show Less
LibraryThing member bookworm12
I rarely buy a new release, but the library wait was so long and after finishing the first book I just couldn’t wait.
I actually liked the second book in the series even more than the first. Instead of playing it safe and giving us more of the same, Johansen added in a huge twist to the book. We
The supporting characters keep things interesting. There’s Mace, the head of the queen’s guard, the local priests, the young children living in the Keep, a thief named Fetch whose face no one has seen, the Red Queen and her devious ways, and more. Along the way Kelsea is trying to figure out who she is as a ruler and a woman.
Each chapter starts with a small passage from a history book. It took me a minute to realize who the author was and who they were written about, but I loved the element that those lines added to the story.
BOTTOM LINE: A fast read that left me eagerly awaiting the final book in the trilogy. The books aren’t perfect and there are certainly pieces that remind me of other books, but they are entertaining and very engrossing reads.
“Anger clouded judgment, precipitated bad decisions. Anger was the indulgence of a child, not a queen.”
“The Queen had not thought of her soldiers, only a principal, and principal was cold comfort to men who are going to die.”
“Corruption begins with a single moment of weakness.”
“It's a real thing, glory. But it pales in comparison to what we sacrifice for it. Home, family, long lives filled with quiet. These are real things too, and when we seek glory, we give them up.”
I actually liked the second book in the series even more than the first. Instead of playing it safe and giving us more of the same, Johansen added in a huge twist to the book. We
Show More
pick up where we left off with Kelsea, but we also flashback, throughout the book, to a time before the Crossing. We have a chance to see what America had become and why people longed for a new world. It gave a lot more context and depth to the book. The supporting characters keep things interesting. There’s Mace, the head of the queen’s guard, the local priests, the young children living in the Keep, a thief named Fetch whose face no one has seen, the Red Queen and her devious ways, and more. Along the way Kelsea is trying to figure out who she is as a ruler and a woman.
Each chapter starts with a small passage from a history book. It took me a minute to realize who the author was and who they were written about, but I loved the element that those lines added to the story.
BOTTOM LINE: A fast read that left me eagerly awaiting the final book in the trilogy. The books aren’t perfect and there are certainly pieces that remind me of other books, but they are entertaining and very engrossing reads.
“Anger clouded judgment, precipitated bad decisions. Anger was the indulgence of a child, not a queen.”
“The Queen had not thought of her soldiers, only a principal, and principal was cold comfort to men who are going to die.”
“Corruption begins with a single moment of weakness.”
“It's a real thing, glory. But it pales in comparison to what we sacrifice for it. Home, family, long lives filled with quiet. These are real things too, and when we seek glory, we give them up.”
Show Less
LibraryThing member libraryhead
The rare sequel that improves on the first book. Fast, compelling read. The flashback plot was especially riveting.
LibraryThing member mirikayla
Regardless of how I feel about various plot developments, I hated for this book to end. It's even worse than when I finished the first, because I read that only two months before this was released, and now I know I'll have to wait a long time before the third comes out. I just wish I could keep
I didn't struggle with the perspective switches between Lily and Kelsea, and I thought their connection was an interesting way to answer all our questions leftover from the first book, about the plausibility of Kelsea's world even existing. I was skeptical of Lily's story for a while, not least because I'm totally out of patience with dystopia, but I was sold in the end. What I had trouble with was all the queens—there are at least six who are regularly mentioned, and when one queen talks to another queen while thinking about a third or fourth, I have to do some backtracking to follow the thread. This, however, is an awesome problem to have, so I'm not complaining.
The thing with Kelsea's appearance... It doesn't really make sense to me. Was it just a kind of fantasy fulfillment on Johansen's part? The transformation is pretty well examined, though, and all the conclusions seem to be negative. Kelsea knows early on that it's a false thing, that she wants no part of people who would like her better now that she's prettier. There's also a clear connection between the physical transformation, Kelsea's increasing brutality—although not necessarily, I don't think, her increasing power—andthe Mort Queen's own similar transformation, maybe even Rowland Finn's . I think the power would have been hers anyway, but the beauty and the "dark thing" both signal changes into someone that isn't necessarily herself. So then was that the point? The implication that beauty is a dangerous, destabilizing power? Because that's really not okay, either. So I'm left wondering why that particular aspect of the plot was included.
This has the feel of a trilogy, but I kind of hope it'll end up being longer. Kelsea is a thoughtful character with a lot of depth, and I love her story. I love the supporting characters like Lazarus, Father Tyler (who I'm anxious to hear about), Asia, Pen, and Ewen. I'm looking forward to seeing where they all go.
Show More
reading. I didn't struggle with the perspective switches between Lily and Kelsea, and I thought their connection was an interesting way to answer all our questions leftover from the first book, about the plausibility of Kelsea's world even existing. I was skeptical of Lily's story for a while, not least because I'm totally out of patience with dystopia, but I was sold in the end. What I had trouble with was all the queens—there are at least six who are regularly mentioned, and when one queen talks to another queen while thinking about a third or fourth, I have to do some backtracking to follow the thread. This, however, is an awesome problem to have, so I'm not complaining.
The thing with Kelsea's appearance... It doesn't really make sense to me. Was it just a kind of fantasy fulfillment on Johansen's part? The transformation is pretty well examined, though, and all the conclusions seem to be negative. Kelsea knows early on that it's a false thing, that she wants no part of people who would like her better now that she's prettier. There's also a clear connection between the physical transformation, Kelsea's increasing brutality—although not necessarily, I don't think, her increasing power—and
This has the feel of a trilogy, but I kind of hope it'll end up being longer. Kelsea is a thoughtful character with a lot of depth, and I love her story. I love the supporting characters like Lazarus, Father Tyler (who I'm anxious to hear about), Asia, Pen, and Ewen. I'm looking forward to seeing where they all go.
Show Less
LibraryThing member EmpressReece
Queen Kelsea...
The first book of the series, Queen of the Tearling, was so good from start to finish. It was one of my favorites of last year but it did leave me with some questions about the time period and the Crossing. Well this second book, starts out a little slower and I asked myself a couple
>
The first book of the series, Queen of the Tearling, was so good from start to finish. It was one of my favorites of last year but it did leave me with some questions about the time period and the Crossing. Well this second book, starts out a little slower and I asked myself a couple
Show More
times where is the author going with this? But once I got about midway through, it pulled me in just like the first book and I didn't put it down until the end. I didn't even realize I skipped dinner until about 9pm when I finshed the book. All the questions that I had came together in the second half of this one. It was very satisfying and the ending was great. I did not realize the third book was not published yet though until I went to put a hold on it and couldn't find it. : ) So I'll definitely be looking forward to that release sometime this year.>
Show Less
LibraryThing member jmchshannon
If the first book in the series is about Kelsea growing into her leadership role, The Invasion of the Tearling is about the history of the Tearling. As Kelsea learned during her childhood, to understand the present, one must first understand the past. She does so through the mysterious flashbacks
Admittedly, it is an odd juxtaposition. Kelsea’s life is so intense that it is easy to get caught up in the action and adventure that tends to surround her. The shifts to Lily’s life are unpredictable and jarring. They disrupt the flow of Kelsea’s story. Lily is not Kelsea, and the difference is disconcerting. It is not the story one expects, and therefore the switches are almost unwelcome.
However, once you make the connection between Lily and Kelsea, the story takes on a completely different dimension. Suddenly, the story becomes larger than Lily or Kelsea as individuals. The story, after all, is about the Tearling and not the queen. The connection between the two women allows readers to realize this for the first time.
The rest of the story is about Kelsea’s attempts to find a solution to the pending invasion. While one admires her fierce concern for her country and people, Kelsea’s is very much a story about cause and effect, and this second novel is the exploration of those effects that she caused during the first book. Her choices are difficult, and it would be easy to call Kelsea impetuous or rash. Yet, Ms. Johansen ensures that Kelsea remains a sympathetic character with readers able to see how she is forced to make difficult decisions and live with the consequences. She is flawed, but that is what makes her such a strong character. She does not shy away from her flaws but recognizes them and strives to improve.
While The Invasion of the Tearling is not quite the sequel one expects, it remains an intriguing story. There are layers to it that enhance a reader’s enjoyment, as Ms. Johansen takes the time to fully develop her world and her characters. Even the purely evil characters have their hidden weaknesses that make them more a product of their circumstances than purely evil. It is a nuanced story, one that reveals different secrets upon additional reads. The intensity of the story ensures readers cannot turn the pages fast enough, and the ending will leave readers clamoring for the finale. Given how far Kelsea has come and the secrets remaining as well as those already revealed, it is sure to be one amazing ending.
Show More
to Lily and life before the Crossing.Admittedly, it is an odd juxtaposition. Kelsea’s life is so intense that it is easy to get caught up in the action and adventure that tends to surround her. The shifts to Lily’s life are unpredictable and jarring. They disrupt the flow of Kelsea’s story. Lily is not Kelsea, and the difference is disconcerting. It is not the story one expects, and therefore the switches are almost unwelcome.
However, once you make the connection between Lily and Kelsea, the story takes on a completely different dimension. Suddenly, the story becomes larger than Lily or Kelsea as individuals. The story, after all, is about the Tearling and not the queen. The connection between the two women allows readers to realize this for the first time.
The rest of the story is about Kelsea’s attempts to find a solution to the pending invasion. While one admires her fierce concern for her country and people, Kelsea’s is very much a story about cause and effect, and this second novel is the exploration of those effects that she caused during the first book. Her choices are difficult, and it would be easy to call Kelsea impetuous or rash. Yet, Ms. Johansen ensures that Kelsea remains a sympathetic character with readers able to see how she is forced to make difficult decisions and live with the consequences. She is flawed, but that is what makes her such a strong character. She does not shy away from her flaws but recognizes them and strives to improve.
While The Invasion of the Tearling is not quite the sequel one expects, it remains an intriguing story. There are layers to it that enhance a reader’s enjoyment, as Ms. Johansen takes the time to fully develop her world and her characters. Even the purely evil characters have their hidden weaknesses that make them more a product of their circumstances than purely evil. It is a nuanced story, one that reveals different secrets upon additional reads. The intensity of the story ensures readers cannot turn the pages fast enough, and the ending will leave readers clamoring for the finale. Given how far Kelsea has come and the secrets remaining as well as those already revealed, it is sure to be one amazing ending.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Mishker
Queen Kelsea Glynn has now asserted herself as Queen of the Tearling. However, some of her first actions, which have gained her the respect of her people, have firmly upset the Queen of Mortmesne and have fueled an impending war with the much larger and well armored Mort army. As war approaches,
As soon as I began reading the second installment, The Invasion of the Tearling, I was first very happy that Kelsea is still very much herself, although the stones have seemed to grant Kelsea her wish of beauty. Kelsea is still strong-willed, hot-tempered and intelligent, continually fighting for what is right for her people. The second thing that I was very happy for was Lilly's point of view through Kelsea's visions. At first, I was a little confused about why we were suddenly in America with money and technology and doctors, but when I learned that we were finally seeing what Pre-Crossing was like and the time leading up to the Crossing, many questions from the previous book were answered for me and pieces started to fit into place about why things are they way they are in the Tearling. Another facet that I was very glad that this book began to answer was the mystery of the Mort Queen and her source of power, with the introduction of a new and mysterious dark force, the Red Queen is de-mystified slightly. The intensity and fast pace is kept up throughout the book with growing religious tensions, Kelsea's advance into womanhood and the inevitable invasion of the Mort Army. I do really wish that Kelsea would not have been granted her ideal of beauty with the stones, however, she did learn that this is not what made her a good queen. Overall, this installment was exciting and intense, answering many questions left from the first book, but opening up some others to be answered in the third.
Show More
Queen Kelsea develops a more mysterious connection to her sapphires. She has now been having intense visions of a woman named Lily Mayhew who lived in Pre-Crossing America, Kelsea has also found other powers that her stones carry and has come face-to-face with a dark being with promises that are too good to be true. Queen Kelsea must use everything she knows and place her faith in those she trusts to have a chance against the Mort Queen. As soon as I began reading the second installment, The Invasion of the Tearling, I was first very happy that Kelsea is still very much herself, although the stones have seemed to grant Kelsea her wish of beauty. Kelsea is still strong-willed, hot-tempered and intelligent, continually fighting for what is right for her people. The second thing that I was very happy for was Lilly's point of view through Kelsea's visions. At first, I was a little confused about why we were suddenly in America with money and technology and doctors, but when I learned that we were finally seeing what Pre-Crossing was like and the time leading up to the Crossing, many questions from the previous book were answered for me and pieces started to fit into place about why things are they way they are in the Tearling. Another facet that I was very glad that this book began to answer was the mystery of the Mort Queen and her source of power, with the introduction of a new and mysterious dark force, the Red Queen is de-mystified slightly. The intensity and fast pace is kept up throughout the book with growing religious tensions, Kelsea's advance into womanhood and the inevitable invasion of the Mort Army. I do really wish that Kelsea would not have been granted her ideal of beauty with the stones, however, she did learn that this is not what made her a good queen. Overall, this installment was exciting and intense, answering many questions left from the first book, but opening up some others to be answered in the third.
Show Less
LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
Very definitely a bridging novel this was all about Kelsea finding her power and owning it.
LibraryThing member Ellesee
OMG! I've not read so much so fast in years! I don't know whether it's "on par" with Game of Thrones as the blurb might suggest, but it is not something that you can read just a bit of and put down. It calls to you just as Lily calls to Kelsea...it worms into your brain and BAM! You are
Gimmee the THIRD book NOW!
Show More
HOOKED!Gimmee the THIRD book NOW!
Show Less
LibraryThing member agarcia85257
Sequels are too often fillers. Second books in a trilogy that act solely as a bridge between the first and final book of the story.
That is not the case with The Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen. This second book in the story line expands upon the original in daring and inventive paths
Kelsea Glynn has taken her place as Queen of the Tearling and as such, has drawn the ire of her far more powerful and deadly neighboring kingdom of Mortmesne and its Red Queen. The tribute of slaves sent from the Tearling to the Red Queen has ended and both kingdoms have lined their borders with their armies. The Red Queen and her dark magic has been warned to stay out of the Tearling by a powerful being from which she has learned her power but she cannot allow Kelsea to disobey her. The Mort army prepares to invade the Tearling and there seems to be nothing that can stand in their way.
As the war nears, Kelsea begins to fall into fugue states where she connects with a young woman who lived before the time of the Crossing. When technology ruled mankind and not magic. This woman, Lily, battles her own war. Against a brutal husband and trapped marriage. Lily is drawn into a rebellion against the tyrannical government that has become America and finds herself in line with a rebel leader by the name of Tear. The rebel leader Tear has a vision of leaving the Americas and heading back to what once was England, where the ancient powers of magic still exist and building his utopia. A kingdom that would become the Tearling. What is the connection between Lily and Kelsea and who is the Red Queen?
Kelsea, the Queen of the Tearling, must come up with a daring and dangerous plan to save her people as the Red Queen, her own nobles and the church align against her. But will the magic of the Tearling be enough to save her?
Johansen has taken a straight up young adult fantasy novel of magic and swords and kingdoms rising and falling and used that first book as a base on which to expand her novels into something so much more. It is a grand scale she is working on now as mysticism and time are crossing one another to tell the story of not only Kelsea the Queen of the Tearling but of how this kingdom was created and how it fell into such ruin. Johansen does not shy away from the politics of the class societies and failures of the dreams of socialism in this tale. Kelsea has grown as a character. Her innocence as the missing princess has morphed into a strong and powerful Queen who is beset upon all sides. Her steadfast protection of her people when all would consider them collateral damage in this war set the tone for all her decisions as Queen. Until the final one, which I will not give away, but it leads into what will be a highly anticipated and desired third book.
What makes this such an original and well written novel may be just what puts some readers off. It is not your standard fantasy young princess saves the kingdom book. It is much more than that. Johansen has dared to step outside the box with this one and clue us in on a much grander vision for her novels and I applaud her for that.
Very well done. A truly good read!
That is not the case with The Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen. This second book in the story line expands upon the original in daring and inventive paths
Show More
that will leave many readers with a powerful sense of "what the hell just happened!"Kelsea Glynn has taken her place as Queen of the Tearling and as such, has drawn the ire of her far more powerful and deadly neighboring kingdom of Mortmesne and its Red Queen. The tribute of slaves sent from the Tearling to the Red Queen has ended and both kingdoms have lined their borders with their armies. The Red Queen and her dark magic has been warned to stay out of the Tearling by a powerful being from which she has learned her power but she cannot allow Kelsea to disobey her. The Mort army prepares to invade the Tearling and there seems to be nothing that can stand in their way.
As the war nears, Kelsea begins to fall into fugue states where she connects with a young woman who lived before the time of the Crossing. When technology ruled mankind and not magic. This woman, Lily, battles her own war. Against a brutal husband and trapped marriage. Lily is drawn into a rebellion against the tyrannical government that has become America and finds herself in line with a rebel leader by the name of Tear. The rebel leader Tear has a vision of leaving the Americas and heading back to what once was England, where the ancient powers of magic still exist and building his utopia. A kingdom that would become the Tearling. What is the connection between Lily and Kelsea and who is the Red Queen?
Kelsea, the Queen of the Tearling, must come up with a daring and dangerous plan to save her people as the Red Queen, her own nobles and the church align against her. But will the magic of the Tearling be enough to save her?
Johansen has taken a straight up young adult fantasy novel of magic and swords and kingdoms rising and falling and used that first book as a base on which to expand her novels into something so much more. It is a grand scale she is working on now as mysticism and time are crossing one another to tell the story of not only Kelsea the Queen of the Tearling but of how this kingdom was created and how it fell into such ruin. Johansen does not shy away from the politics of the class societies and failures of the dreams of socialism in this tale. Kelsea has grown as a character. Her innocence as the missing princess has morphed into a strong and powerful Queen who is beset upon all sides. Her steadfast protection of her people when all would consider them collateral damage in this war set the tone for all her decisions as Queen. Until the final one, which I will not give away, but it leads into what will be a highly anticipated and desired third book.
What makes this such an original and well written novel may be just what puts some readers off. It is not your standard fantasy young princess saves the kingdom book. It is much more than that. Johansen has dared to step outside the box with this one and clue us in on a much grander vision for her novels and I applaud her for that.
Very well done. A truly good read!
Show Less
LibraryThing member Baochuan
While the book is titled “Invasion of the Tearling”, only small portion of the book is dedicated to the event. The main focus of the book is on the dystopia US before the crossing telling from Lily’s perspective follow the same thread of fanatic religious imposing on family value and
Show More
demeaning of female roles in the society. I am having mixed feeling about the book. Show Less
LibraryThing member cyderry
The Mort invasion is coming and Kelsea, Queen of the Tearling is troubled, trying to find a way to protect her people as well as trying to figure how these visions of a woman named Lily Mayhew are related to her and the Tear.
Kelsea continues to grow and mature not only as a woman but as the Queen
I loved the way the stories were interwoven so that the reader would finally find out about how the Tear came to be and the details of the Crossing.
Look forward to the final installment!
Kelsea continues to grow and mature not only as a woman but as the Queen
Show More
and is not afraid to make hard decisions.I loved the way the stories were interwoven so that the reader would finally find out about how the Tear came to be and the details of the Crossing.
Look forward to the final installment!
Show Less
LibraryThing member AJBraithwaite
I read (well, heard) the first in this series three years ago, so I was a bit hazy on the details of what happened in the first story. This one seemed much stronger: I really liked the switching between Lily's life and Kelsea's. I had been listening to the book on my commute, but was enjoying it so
Show More
much that I borrowed the hard copy from the library so that I could devour the rest of it at reading speed (much, much, faster!). I might have to call in at the library tomorrow and get the last one... Show Less
LibraryThing member ReadersCandyb
I am in the midst of a serious book hangover. How is it possible that I loved this book, but have no clue what in the heck just happened. Talk about a wild ride with an epic mind mess ending.
I'm going to be up front and honest... If you're expecting the same feel as book one, you won't get it. This
I loved Lily so hard and for me that was the problem... Nearing halfway I found myself more interested in her story than in Kelsea's. I sympathized with her where I couldn't for the Queen. I was really hoping for a merge or a clear connecting piece that brought the two together, but still after the last page, I am left baffled and confused. I kind of, sort of get it, but then again I don't. For me the two stories were missing that linking piece... The information that makes your jaw drop and think OMG now I understand.
With all of that being said it was still an amazing book. I liked the individual stories and found myself loving Aisa. I look forward to reading more about her in book 3. Also, I need more of the Fetch too because he was clearly missing in this story. In case you missed that... I need more FETCH to move forward. Yeah, Pen was okay, but Kelsea wants the Fetch. Please give him to her... Thanks in advance ;)
I'm going to be up front and honest... If you're expecting the same feel as book one, you won't get it. This
Show More
book was about the same characters and followed a similar plot, but the Author added a twist. A dark pre-crossing story that will leave you white knuckling the pages. It was brutal, with graphic scenes (not suitable for the light hearted). Lily was physically abused and sexually assaulted. She grasped for her life and in the end rebelled because she believed in the "Better World". I loved Lily so hard and for me that was the problem... Nearing halfway I found myself more interested in her story than in Kelsea's. I sympathized with her where I couldn't for the Queen. I was really hoping for a merge or a clear connecting piece that brought the two together, but still after the last page, I am left baffled and confused. I kind of, sort of get it, but then again I don't. For me the two stories were missing that linking piece... The information that makes your jaw drop and think OMG now I understand.
With all of that being said it was still an amazing book. I liked the individual stories and found myself loving Aisa. I look forward to reading more about her in book 3. Also, I need more of the Fetch too because he was clearly missing in this story. In case you missed that... I need more FETCH to move forward. Yeah, Pen was okay, but Kelsea wants the Fetch. Please give him to her... Thanks in advance ;)
Show Less
LibraryThing member JamieBH
Wow, one of the strongest sequels I have read in a long time. I'm not sure why but this second book resonated with me much more than the first book. Can't wait for the third book!
LibraryThing member DeltaQueen50
The Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen is the second book in the Tearling fantasy trilogy. I was a little thrown off by the addition of a new storyline but the author meshed this story into the main plot and it eventually explains how the world of the Tearling was founded. With the threat
Kelsea is maturing into her role and accepting the responsibilities that come with being the leader of her people, and although she knows she is the reason the armies of the Red Queen are invading her land, she still believes strongly that she did the right thing in stopping the shipments of her people to Mort. We learn that the Red Queen has other motives for the invasion as well. The added storyline comes as a series of flashbacks to earth before the “crossing” and it was obvious that this author has been influenced by Margaret Atwood’s Handmaid’s Tale as her view of earth was much like Atwood’s in that book.
Overall this second book was much darker than the first, it was also obvious that the author was setting things up for the final volume. Some of the side plots that will be developed further involve the new High Priest of God’s Church who has been revealed to be a crazy right wing zealot, and I believe, the legend of William Tear will be continued as well. Also there will be consequences to the release of the dark being that Kelsea bargained with. The Invasion of the Tearling was an absorbing read and I would have wanted to continue on to the third book even without the cliffhanger ending that this book closes with
Show More
of invasion looming over the land and tremendous changes occurring to Queen Kelsea, there was a lot going on in this book.Kelsea is maturing into her role and accepting the responsibilities that come with being the leader of her people, and although she knows she is the reason the armies of the Red Queen are invading her land, she still believes strongly that she did the right thing in stopping the shipments of her people to Mort. We learn that the Red Queen has other motives for the invasion as well. The added storyline comes as a series of flashbacks to earth before the “crossing” and it was obvious that this author has been influenced by Margaret Atwood’s Handmaid’s Tale as her view of earth was much like Atwood’s in that book.
Overall this second book was much darker than the first, it was also obvious that the author was setting things up for the final volume. Some of the side plots that will be developed further involve the new High Priest of God’s Church who has been revealed to be a crazy right wing zealot, and I believe, the legend of William Tear will be continued as well. Also there will be consequences to the release of the dark being that Kelsea bargained with. The Invasion of the Tearling was an absorbing read and I would have wanted to continue on to the third book even without the cliffhanger ending that this book closes with
Show Less
Awards
Los Angeles Public Library Best of the Year (Fiction — 2015)
RUSA CODES Listen List (Selection — 2016)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2015-06-09
Physical description
576 p.; 5 inches
ISBN
0857502484 / 9780857502483