Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

*** LANGUAGE *** Plain, easy-to-read English with no profanities or adult situations. If this were a film, and it likely will be one day, it would be rated G, except for violence [Revised at suggestion of commenter 'Amazon Customer.'] Quick Overview This is going to be a two-edged review. I will write of how I perceive the story to be, and for what audience it works best. Otherwise, though, this is, regrettably, not the sort of story written for me. What we have here is a fantasy/love story that is ideal for people who love family-oriented programming similar to programming on Hallmark Channel. Let me hasten to add, however, that I enjoy many of the programs on Hallmark, especially the When Calls the Heart. Thus, I am not knocking that medium and I am not attacking that genre. The Hundredth Queen, however, is just a tad too extreme in that focus, for my reading pleasure. The plot is pretty basic for a Young Adult fantasy. I picked up on the influence of Hunger Games in the first few pages, but don’t see that as a fault, because The Hunger Games is a great series and has altered women’s fiction forever. What also is revealed in those first few pages is that the heroine in this story told in first-person has certain vulnerabilities and has not mastered skills thought to be common for her age and time. This is told in a skillful matter and can easily be overlooked and forgotten by the reader. As I indicated, I like the approach and find that telling the tale in first person keeps it fresh and personal. Bravo. As for myself, I would have preferred something a little more action-oriented, and with some seedier, even dastardly, characters. It might have required another hundred pages to more fully develop the characters, but I would also like to have heard some down-to-earth squabbles and complaints from Kalinda. Still, this is a well-organized tale that many folks are going to love. It should reach number one status quite early on Amazon and stay in the Top 10 for quite some time. Length: Print, 300 pages. Q - Target Audience/Genre and is it marketed as Nonfiction or Fiction: A – Family-Oriented Historical Fiction/Fantasy. Think Hallmark Channel in the Ancient World. Q - How was this book obtained? A – Bought on Amazon as my Kindle First selection. Q - Is this a book that I can read without having to read others first? A – Yes. Q – If this is a recurring character or a series, does it have a cliffhanger ending? A – Although the story clearly continues into a second volume, it does not end on a cliffhanger. Q - Are there a lot of typos/misspellings, grammatical errors or other editing failures? A – No. Q - Is this a fast, easy read or is it more of a leisure read? A – Pretty fast. Engaging. Can be read in one sitting, with a break for a snack. Q - My biggest pleasure or disappointment? A – For me, it was a little too tame. A little too cozy. And, as another reviewer stated, a bit too predictable. Shades of The Hunger Games evident. To give a feel for the editing, and the style and flow of this work, I am posting a brief excerpt below. Excerpt ‘…chamomile ointment soothed away the redness. My hope that we will fail inspection does not look good. Healer Baka finishes with my friend, and her calm eyes meet mine. I try to ignore the healer’s adept hands roaming around my body, but it is impossible not to be anxious about potentially being shown to the rajah. I breathe easier when Healer Baka moves on. Natesa lobs a withering glance over her shoulder at me from where she stands in the front line. A white bandage rings her neck. A thimble’s worth of shame spills over me, but with one sideways glance at Jaya’s cheek, fury burns my guilt to smoke. I do not know how long we wait, but my knees ache when Healer Baka finishes. “You may put your clothes back on,” she says. I scoop my robe off the floor and cover myself. Natesa and Sarita flaunt their bodies, unrushed to get dressed. They are replicas of the goddess Ki, petite and round, soft yet firm, fit yet feminine. So unlike my gangly, angled shape. Priestess Mita, who watched the inspection from the rear of the chamber, confers with Healer Baka. They speak in low, heated voices. Healer Baka looks at me and shakes her head. Priestess Mita nods fervently and steps forward. “Daughters, you have all passed!” says the priestess. I lock gazes with Jaya. Her weak smile releases slivers of fear. We are going to be shown to the rajah. “Daughters,” says Priestess Mita, “we will now adorn you with the mark of Enki.” The priestess and Healer Baka come around with a pot of henna and draw a wavy line down each girl’s spine. The wave symbol dyed into our skin represents the water-goddess, Enki. Stories depict Enki as a daughter who walks in perfect obedience to her parents, Anu and Ki. Wearing Enki’s mark indicates to the benefactor that we are in full submission. I let my robe hang low at my back, clutching it to my front. Priestess Mita marks me and then leaves the henna to dry and flake away. Once we are all adorned, the priestess whisks…’ King, Emily R.. The Hundredth Queen (The Hundredth Queen Series Book 1) (Kindle Locations 390-406). Skyscape. Kindle Edition. Bottom Line: As I stated at the outset, this was a story that leaves the reader feeling good. For me, though, it left me less stirred emotionally, because I didn’t quite connect with the characters. I realize I may sound pompous, but I like characters whose principles are tested and who might, occasionally, fail their principles due to pressures placed upon them. Otherwise, though, this is an incredible tale. Four stars out of five. Comments regarding your opinion of this book or of my review, whether favorable or unfavorable, are always welcome. If you buy the book based on my review and become disappointed, especially, I do want to know that and I want to understand how I can improve as a book reviewer. Just please be polite. Thank you.