The Queens of Innis Lear

The Queens of Innis Lear by Tessa Gratton

Synopsis (from Goodreads)
The erratic decisions of a prophecy-obsessed king have drained Innis Lear of its wild magic, leaving behind a trail of barren crops and despondent subjects. Enemy nations circle the once-bountiful isle, sensing its growing vulnerability, hungry to control the ideal port for all trade routes.
The king's three daughters—battle-hungry Gaela, master manipulator Regan, and restrained, starblessed Elia—know the realm's only chance of resurrection is to crown a new sovereign, proving a strong hand can resurrect magic and defend itself. But their father will not choose an heir until the longest night of the year, when prophecies align and a poison ritual can be enacted.
Refusing to leave their future in the hands of blind faith, the daughters of Innis Lear prepare for war—but regardless of who wins the crown, the shores of Innis will weep the blood of a house divided.

Review
Holy. Freaking. Crap. THIS BOOK.  I just loved it. Beautiful and dark and powerful.

This book is like a dark, rich chocolate cake. It's dense. You have to eat it slowly, and savor every exquisite bite. I actually read this as a buddy read (meaning a friend and I read it at the same time and discussed things every few chapters). I was glad I read it slower than usual and discussed it so that I could relish in it. And "exquisite" truly is the word to describe this book. The writing was shockingly gorgeous and evocative and expertly handled; the characters deep and real in their flaws and ambitions. 

First off, it's a retelling of King Lear, so you know there will be death and tragedy and betrayal. There are a few key changes to the original plot, but it felt natural with the way this retelling is set up. I was happy with the deviations. This story is brutal, with the various factions all vying for the throne, and there are some messy deaths along the way. 

Gratton's writing was, as I said, exquisite and expertly done. She juggles multiple narrators, plus a non-linear timeline, and it all comes together so perfectly. The prologue is one of the most stunning and beautiful pieces of prose I've read in a long time.

And the characters. Ohhhhh these characters. You see characters making bad decisions, but you understand them so completely that you know why they've done it, and it breaks your heart. You hear this story from so many different viewpoints, and I can't really say who the "main" character is. The three sisters--Gaela, Regan, and Elia--are so unique and different and compelling. Gaela wants power and will claim it through war as a man; Regan also wants power but tries to get it through her femininity. I liked that. And Elia, oh Elia... The one who doesn't want power but is forced to reckon with it. The other prominent character is Ban the Fox. Ohhhhhhhhh what an interesting character. He ripped my heart to pieces. For all these characters and the multitude of others, we see how the tragic events of their childhoods and lives led to these moments of division and war, and the decisions they make for each fork in the road and why. Everything felt grounded and totally realistic, not just a stupid decision to further the plot. 

I feel like this was especially shown in certain romantic plot lines, where the characters love each other but can not be together because their top priorities and goals are at odds with the other's. This was so refreshing to read because this is what often happens in real life. The characters communicated wholly and openly, but could not--and would not and should not--be swayed on their convictions. Sometimes you love someone, but they just aren't right for you to be with, and this book demonstrates that so incredibly well.

My favorite part of the book, however, was the magic, and the haunting and mystical island of Innis Lear. I want to get lost in the White Forest with its deep roots and whispering trees, or wander the windswept moors at night while the stars shine down their magic. I could imagine and feel this setting in my soul, and I loved that it was another character in the story.

Just... Go read it. 

Rating

I give this book 5 stars.

Details

Genre: Fantasy.

Language: Some heavy language.

Sex: A couple very intimate sex scenes, but not graphic.

Violence: Lots of violence and some disturbing creepy things.