A review by c430
The Queens of Innis Lear by Tessa Gratton

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-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

4.0

I really enjoyed reading this book in the end! I got a little discouraged about halfway through because some parts can be very politics heavy or just dry in general, but when shit gets going then shit gets going.
The characters are so well crafted and REAL it was a pleasure to read chapters from their own points of view to understand them more fully. Gaela's story is heartbreaking and wonderful and I love how aggressive she is as a character, it made reading so fun. Regan is seductive and clever and frightening and conniving. I love her. And I really related to Elia and her journey of becoming who she is meant to be.
every death in this book is so important for the characters left behind. Dalat's story is heartbreaking but so clever and it's very interesting how badly everything got fucked up in their lives because of secrets and trying to make the prophecies true or trying to go against them but still falling to their trap.
 
The writing is gorgeous and elaborate. And the world-building is insane (although I wish I had a map :/ ) Religion and magic are intertwined at their core which makes for a tense and dramatic read while also being kinda slow. 
In general, I loved this book though it will be a long while before I read it again (except to skim and pick out the lines and passages that I loved, and there were MANY)
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