Title: Four Dead Queens
Author: Astrid Schotte
Release Date: February 26, 2019
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Mystery, Dystopian
LQBTQ?: N/A only partial read
People of Color?: Yes
Bechdel Test: Yes
Trigger Warning:s: None in the first 7 chapters or so.
Disclaimer: I received a sneak peek of Four Dead queens in exchange for an honest review.
The first several chapters vacillate between Keralie and the Queens of Quadara. These chapters are heavy on world-building of Quadara and its history to catch the reader up to speed. It is a lot to take in but I feel like the stage is set and the narrative can begin to move with much more fluidity. Schotte gives us a view from above and a view from below. Karalie is one of the best "dippers" (pick-pocket) on the streets. When we initially meet her she is stealing a package from a royal messenger and Mackiel, her friend/boss, congratulates her on the achievement. That night at the black market auction, things go very wrong when the messenger shows up to retrieve his stolen package and Mackiel turns on them both. Meanwhile, in the palace that the four queens reside together in, the unthinkable happens - a queen is murdered. The remaining three are left to decide what to do her the throne without an heir apparent. The sneak peek ends here, but I suspect we'll end up with three more dead queens. Quadara's society is highly rigid and structured and with each empty throne, the world seems on the brink of chaos and a possible war.
Four Dead Queens reminds me of Divergent and Six of Crows so far. I would recommend it for fantasy, YA, and dystopian fans. So far it is suitable for teens and up.
I cannot wait to read the rest of Four Dead Queens! I've already preordered the book and look forward to staying up way too late reading it!
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