A well-written epic journey to become the queen of a kingdom in ruins.
Title: The Shadow Queen: An Epic Fantasy Novel
Author: K. Stan Tinos
Genre(s): Epic Fantasy
Word Count: 110,000
Publisher: Self-Published
Publication Date: 2/13/2024
Summary: Introducing Ronnie Trudeau, a woman whose life is filled with ritual disappointments and frustrations, rendering it meaningless. However, her existence takes an unexpected turn when she is offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: the chance to acquire a magical kingdom. But there’s a catch…
The realm of Bennington is an authentic magical kingdom that lies in ruins, its elders refuse to pledge to a new ruler. The townsfolk are filled with hopelessness and despair, mythical creatures ravage the land, a powerful sorceress plots to destroy the entire realm, and the mighty Dark Shar vows to kill anyone who dares to ascend the throne.
Will Ronnie sacrifice everything she has built in her current life to become Queen of a dying realm with increasingly daunting challenges that no one could hope to survive? The answers lie within the pages of this epic fantasy.
My Review:
Ronnie Trudeau is an ambitious woman, unafraid to face a challenge even in the face of setbacks and disappointments. When her mother dies, she finds herself grappling with her existence. Spiraling into the oppressive abyss of grief, she receives a mysterious package that contains a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but she would have to sacrifice everything that she built. Become a queen to rule a kingdom filled with wonder and magic or lose herself to grief and despair. The realm of Bennington lies in ruins with townsfolk whose grief rivals that of Ronnie’s. Allegiances are broken and Ronnie is considered another nuisance to the crown.
The world-building is phenomenal. While the story is slower-paced, the reader is pulled into a vibrant world full of living shadows and mysteries to unravel. The way that Author Tinos writes this story made me want to take a trip to Bennington myself. He describes a lake as: “The lake expanded away before her, a sheen of silver that mirrored the trails of fog and the colored satellites of Bennington’s moon.” Awash in danger and impossible odds, the reader experiences each new location and obstacle with the characters and it is hard not to feel a sense of longing. I still want to pet the viciously terrifying dragon, even knowing that it will swallow me whole in one bite, it’d be worth it!
Each character has a personality and something quirky about them that makes them authentic and believable – from Ronnie’s office bestie to the Dark Shar. Descriptively beautiful. Ronnie doesn’t have a single swashbuckling bone in her body, but her work ethic and “can do” attitude is unparalleled. She stays true to her character and it’s interesting to see how she peels back the layers of disappointment and heartache to simply become the best part of herself without turning into some overpowered protagonist. There’s a moment where Ronnie is rattled by something significant yet she shines in a way that only she can. Even the climax of the story feels magical, yet true to her specific character.
I recommend this to readers who enjoy high fantasy. (ARC received from Reedsy)