brxnling's review against another edition
4.0
I do not like that modern storyline invading my medieval milieu.
tiallie's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
moirwyn's review against another edition
5.0
This review originally appeared on my blog, Books Without Any Pictures:
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/2015/06/23/the-invasion-of-the-tearling-by-erika-johansen/
The Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen continues the riveting story of a young queen’s struggle to stay true to her ideals in the face of impending doom. In the previous book, Kelsea Raleigh chose to end human trafficking to the nearby country of Mortmense, and as a result, the Red Queen is now poised to invade the Tearling. Kelsea knows that she could stop it by restoring the slave trade, but she’s not going to, because by doing so, she’d be reinstating a great evil. Instead, she desperately tries to find a solution that doesn’t end with either the betrayal or massacre of the people she’s sworn to protect.
Therein lies one of the central themes of the novel–that the ends, in fact, do not justify the means, and that acts of injustice carried out in the name of justice end up tainting the end result.
Now, before I really get into the meat of that thought, here’s some context. The Queen of the Tearling and The Invasion of Tearling are set in a future version of our own world. The gap between the rich and the poor in America continues to widen, to the point where the poor rebel. The president declares martial law, and oppression ensues. There are special gated communities for the super rich that are walled off from the rest of the world. And then, a group of people emerge who dream of a better world and strive to make that dream a reality. They travel to a new land in a manner reminiscent of the story of Noah’s Ark in the almost mythical Crossing, and they rise from the ashes to create a new society that becomes the Tearling that Kelsea now rules.
Juxtaposed with Kelsea’s story is the story of Lily, a rich woman from the pre-Crossing era. Even though she has married into privilege, her life is far from easy. Her husband is an abusive asshole, she has pretty much zero rights, and she’s trying her best not to get pregnant, because she can’t fathom bringing a child into that world. Then, Lily begins to hear stories of a better world, and crosses paths with the Separatists. But the Separatists are facing the same ethical dilemma as Kelsea. In order to be able to realize their dream, they are forced to sow chaos and destruction, creating a loop that unites the past and the future.
The end result is a stunning novel that juxtaposes the past, present, and future through the lens of compelling characters living through rough times. Both Kelsea and Lily must discover their own tenacity in order to not only survive, but shape the fate of the worlds in which they live. If you enjoyed The Queen of the Tearling, the The Invasion of the Tearling is a must-read.
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/2015/06/23/the-invasion-of-the-tearling-by-erika-johansen/
The Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen continues the riveting story of a young queen’s struggle to stay true to her ideals in the face of impending doom. In the previous book, Kelsea Raleigh chose to end human trafficking to the nearby country of Mortmense, and as a result, the Red Queen is now poised to invade the Tearling. Kelsea knows that she could stop it by restoring the slave trade, but she’s not going to, because by doing so, she’d be reinstating a great evil. Instead, she desperately tries to find a solution that doesn’t end with either the betrayal or massacre of the people she’s sworn to protect.
Therein lies one of the central themes of the novel–that the ends, in fact, do not justify the means, and that acts of injustice carried out in the name of justice end up tainting the end result.
Now, before I really get into the meat of that thought, here’s some context. The Queen of the Tearling and The Invasion of Tearling are set in a future version of our own world. The gap between the rich and the poor in America continues to widen, to the point where the poor rebel. The president declares martial law, and oppression ensues. There are special gated communities for the super rich that are walled off from the rest of the world. And then, a group of people emerge who dream of a better world and strive to make that dream a reality. They travel to a new land in a manner reminiscent of the story of Noah’s Ark in the almost mythical Crossing, and they rise from the ashes to create a new society that becomes the Tearling that Kelsea now rules.
Juxtaposed with Kelsea’s story is the story of Lily, a rich woman from the pre-Crossing era. Even though she has married into privilege, her life is far from easy. Her husband is an abusive asshole, she has pretty much zero rights, and she’s trying her best not to get pregnant, because she can’t fathom bringing a child into that world. Then, Lily begins to hear stories of a better world, and crosses paths with the Separatists. But the Separatists are facing the same ethical dilemma as Kelsea. In order to be able to realize their dream, they are forced to sow chaos and destruction, creating a loop that unites the past and the future.
The end result is a stunning novel that juxtaposes the past, present, and future through the lens of compelling characters living through rough times. Both Kelsea and Lily must discover their own tenacity in order to not only survive, but shape the fate of the worlds in which they live. If you enjoyed The Queen of the Tearling, the The Invasion of the Tearling is a must-read.
drprincesa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
izzyproudfoot's review against another edition
5.0
I'm really glad I found this series, it's been a while since I read anything that wasn't thriller/crime. I find it really intriguing, I was surprised to see so many bad reviews for the first book. The second book is just as good as the first, I came to the last page of this and I would actually be fine if the series ended here. I don't have anything I feel has really been left unanswered accept for a few minor points. I have seen the third and final book has some bad reviews and people don't like the ending. I'm about to start the third book but if I don't like it I think I'll pretend it ended here!
piripiri232's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kendallthefire's review against another edition
3.0
I’m not sure why I keep on forgetting to rate this series when I finish a book but I guess I’m going to have to re-read it because I don’t remember very much of it. I do have an inkling of feeling annoyed and bored by the flashbacks though. That’s all that is sticking out in my memory as of now.
Better review to come.
Better review to come.
nunib28's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
So many questions left unanswered!!! But damn I love Kelsea even when sometimes her decisions are so fucking stupid. Loved the addition of the new point of view and a glimpse of how things were before the crossing.
So many questions left unanswered!!! But damn I love Kelsea even when sometimes her decisions are so fucking stupid. Loved the addition of the new point of view and a glimpse of how things were before the crossing.
hcooper333's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
daniking's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so much better than the first. Although the Queen of the Tearling grabbed my attention and was well written, the Invasion finally shed some light on to the background of how the Tearling came to be. I couldn't put it down, and I am already itching for the third to come out!