Book Review: Beneath the Keep, Erika Johansen

Synopsis: The Tearling has reverted to feudalism, a far cry from the utopia it was founded to be. As the gap between rich and poor widens and famine threatens the land, sparking unrest, rumors of a prophecy begin to spread: a great hope, a True Queen who will rise up and save the kingdom.

But rumors will not help Lazarus, a man raised to kill in the brutal clandestine underworld of the Creche, nor Aislinn, a farm girl who must reckon with her own role in the growing rebellion. In the Keep, the crown princess, Elyssa, finds herself torn between duty to the throne and the lure of the Blue Horizon, a group of fierce idealists who promise radical change . . . but Elyssa must choose quickly, before a nefarious witch and her shadowy master use dark magic to decide for her. It is only a matter of time before all three will be called into the service of something bigger than they have ever imagined: a fight for a better world.

Review:

I have been a fan of Erika Johansen’s tearling series ever since I picked up the first book. When I found out that this prequel was coming I was more than excited to pick it up and I was not disappointed.

Once again, Johansen draws you into the world of the tearling and it’s politics. The characters are by far my favourite part of these books, especially Lazarus who fans of the original series will know and love. You finally gain an insight into his life prior to the events of the first book and how he eventually became the mace.

We also gain insight into the life of the princess Elyssa who in the main series was only mentioned in conversation. You really feel for her as she tries to become the leader she wants be and not the cruel ruler her mother is. Johansen really makes you feel sympathy for characters who, if you have read the previous books do not become very nice people.

The plot was relatively easy to follow and the writing style has made me fall in love with the world of the tearling and its characters all over again. With Erika Johansen hinting at another book based in the tearling world, I definitely want to re-read the original trilogy all over again.

Rating: 5/5 stars

Publisher: Dutton Books

ISBN:9781787630659