This book has an interesting start. It sounds like it may overlap some other royalty-related series out there, but I'm still going to check it out to see how it ends up.

I must buy the book, just a glimpse was such a tease of a great story. I can't wait to read the entire book

The preview I received for this book was absolutely excellent. I was hooked from the line “as though it were a sign from the four queens themselves.” That sort of self-understanding in a book is so awesome for me to read. The world-building in this book was so good, not to understated and not too over-written. I fell in love with it immediately. I will absolutely be going to pick up the full book as soon as I can!!

I really enjoyed reading the excerpt, The story was well written, entertaining, and intriguing. I particularly enjoyed reading the different point of views and I liked that I was rooting for the queens despite already knowing about their tragic ends. However, there were a few things in the story that didn't add up for me or the world building was lacking.
So far an enjoyable read but I would have to finish the book to actually know how much I like it.

3.5 stars

A thrilling, fast paced story with twists and turns enough for anyone. I found the main character, Keralie, to be extremely interesting as she wasn't exactly heroine material because she was an unrepentant thief, but you come to understand her so we'll that you realize she is more than she initially seems. This book is well worth reading, in my opinion. I was given a "sneak peek" of this book by Netgalley, and found it so interesting that I got the book when it debuted.

Bah this sneak peak was not enough I definitely plan on reading the whole book as soon as I can. I liked how different all four queens were and the Intrigue and sneaking that happens in the book

I received a free copy of this book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.

I read the first five chapters of this book in a sneak peek offer. I loved it. I can’t wait to get the book so I can finish reading. Four queens rule a kingdom that has been divided into four quadrants, each with its own specialty. Each queen has her own quadrant to rule, independent of the others.

Aside from the queens we meet Keralie, a thief. Keralie has been taught her craft from the best and she proves it time-and-time-again. However, she steals from the wrong man and havoc reigns. Her life is now in danger as she flees to those she trusts, only to be betrayed.

Or is she. This is where the fifth chapter ended, a cliff hanger at its best. To find out what happens all you have to do is get the book and read an exciting adventure.

I loved the excerpt, seems to be a fast paced, quick read, full of action. I loved that we’re plunged right into the story, but there’s background enough to make you able to understand what’s going on. I can’t wait to read the whole book!

I have a feeling that this book will definitely be on the big screen sometime soon! The story caught my attention from the very start and I cannot wait for the full title to be released. This is definitely a book that I will be purchasing for my library and recommending to my students.

As the title suggests, the copy I received was a sneak peek of the book. This is not a review of Four Dead Queens. The book I received had a couple of chapters which were not enough for me to pass any judgement. However, my first impression of this book told me all I needed to know.

Four Dead Queens is a YA, Fantasy novel. The story takes place in Quadra which is divided into for quadrants. That is Eonia, Toria, Archia and Ludia. Each of these sectors is ruled by a queen hence the four queens👑 who incidentally end up very dead.

This copy came to an end just when all the fun was beginning, but I did get a general idea of what was to come. Danger, court politics, betrayal, more murder and quit a bit of romance. The thief in this case will become very special even though she is a nobody right now. Plus, I can bet the wannabe 'gang' leader will prove to be a nuisance.

I can't wait to hold this entire book in my hands.

I have purchased a copy of the full book and will be reviewing the full book on my blog rather than the excerpt.

While reading this, I wasn't really able to read any other book as I was so stuck on this world and needing to know more.

I loved that the queens didn't rely on any gods, they simply prayed to the deceased queens above if they needed guidance. I also loved that we got to see part of what is essentially the slums and what happens there and that each queen has different character traits specific to her quadrant.

I'm definitely curious as to how the person got into the palace and what happens next though!

"A divided nation. Four Queens, ruling together, yet apart. A ruthless pickpocket. A noble messanger. And the murders that unite them."

A great debut that kept me turning the pages, until there were no more pages of the extract to turn. I found it both very promising and handling multiple perspectives well, almost seamlessly. The concept of a queendom is up and coming in fantasy literature lately and I've very keen to see how everything will pan out. My only concern with this book is that it may turn out to be like many of the other young adult fantasy books out there. Nevertheless, I was definitely interested in buying the finished book and seeing for myself what it has to offer! I can tell it is going to be an entertaining read through and through.

*Review based on an early sneak peek via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this excerpt. Brilliant world building and interesting characters. Can’t wait to read the rest of the book!

Interesting excerpt. I can’t wait to read the entire book. I wish there had been more to this sampler.

I'm hooked already!

I love/hate these preview chapters because it gives me a really good idea of whether I will like the book or non, but then it always leaves me wanting more. I definitely felt this was with 4 dead queens. I have already pre-ordered a copy of this book, and cannot wait to dive into this world.

Thank you for the chance to read the preview of this amazing book!

At the very beginning, I had a hard time connecting with the story, but I was ingrained in the world and character building. Since this was just a sneak peek, I look forward to seeing how the rest of the book turns out.

Thanks to #netgslley I have read a “Sneak Peak” for #fourdeadqueens and I want more!
I was not certain I would read this as I don’t usually like reading sneak peaks or the chapter or two at the end of a book to get you hyped for the next one because I frequently forget I only read the beginning and when the book comes out I think I’ve already read it.
This book is different. It is inventive, appears to be a fully fleshed out world and time and in the “peak” we are beginning to see characters develop.
I will be avidly waiting for the full version of this!

Review based on full hard copy arc recieved upon request (actually 4.5 stars but that is not an option here or at goodreads). I hope this might improve my relations with Penguin in the future. Since someone over there doesn't seem very fond of me for reasons I can't explain (once I stepped away from my career in education, anyway)

I have posted it on my website, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, goodreads, edelweiss (also denied there) and I will post on Amazon Tuesday. I have tagged as requested on the back of the book.


4.5 Star ARC Review of Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte

Four Dead Queens, published on February 26th, is the debut novel from Astrid Scholte. A murder mystery set in a fantasy world involving Quadara, which is made up of four regions: Eonia, Toria, Archia and Ludia. After hundreds of years of unrest, a system of rule was determined to maintain the peace. One queen from each region would reign from the palace to represent the best interests of their respective citizens. Together, but apart.

Throughout the book, Scholte artfully lays out essential Queenly laws that are quintessential to the success of this system and provisions for heirs, length of rule, actions forbidden, and those required. She wastes no time revealing the restlessness of royalty and the secrets that lie within the palace walls. In Shakespearean fashion, when you try the hardest to control your fate, sometimes you often end up walking right into what you fear the most.

If that wasn’t enough intrigue to keep you in suspense there is the black market area of Toria ready to wreak havoc during this perfect storm. Master of ceremonies, Mackiel and his best dipper/thief, Keralie steal the most valuable wares from other quadrants to auction off each night on the black market.

However, when Mackiel has Keralie steal Eonia technology from Eonist messenger Varin a new conspiracy begins to unravel and suddenly Keralie, Mackiel and Varin’s worlds collide with the very fates of the four queens and their very lives.

Here in lies my only, only fault in this amazing debut. The fast paced, world-building, thrilling suspense and incredible character building with the queens, and the dynamics of their relationships would lead me to expect the same of Mackiel and Keralie. Yet it isn’t there. There are vital pieces of their character background that is missing from the beginning of the book. Later on, when certain chapters that are incredibly well written with brilliant structure and dialogue between the two, it is difficult to glean everything necessary because we don’t have enough backstory to truly know who is playing who, nor are we given the chance to truly and fully invest in their relationship.

Going back to the queens, which are essential characters and the dynamics of their relationships, the exact opposite is true. Not only does Scholte thoroughly develop them as people. She also brilliantly unfolds their relationships with each other by interweaving it as secrets and pieces of the mystery are unveiled. Additionally, she makes each quadrant the queens represent characters onto themselves. These provides an additional dimension to the story and to the personality of each queen. I would like to have seen this applied to Mackiel and Keralie, whom seemed rushed in their development.

Lastly the murder mystery development, structure and plot twists were laid out in a torturous way that left me breathless and feeling like I had been punched in the gut right till the end.

Over and over I thought I got this! Then Scholte drops a bomb and you rearrange your thinking. So, then you think you have it, yet again. And then you realize you know nothing. Jon Snow thinks he knows nothing? It is ok Jon. Hold my beer. I got this.

Up until the final pages you will be guessing. You will be yelling back at the book. You will throw the book. Whether your reading partner is someone in the room, your pets or your poor neighbors? Your behavior will send them running for shelter. For me? It was my poor cats.

This book has been on the must-reads for a reason. Unique, twisty and captivating. You won’t regret it for a minute. Run, don’t walk and curl up when you have plenty of time. You won’t be able to put it down.

https://www.amazon.com/review/RHEPVXCRYAXUI/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv
http://novellives.com/?p=563
https://www.instagram.com/p/BuJUUI0gxkp/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=qnet8mkt67dx (account just started)
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34213319-four-dead-queens
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6504338322289238016

Four Dead Queens has a fascinating concept and one that I can call unique amidst the myriad of same-y fantasy books available today. I really enjoyed the concept of there being four quadrants, each divided according to the work they do and the strife that comes with the division. I haven't seen magic here yet and I don't know how it exists, but there is technology so advanced it could almost be fantastical. The descriptions and writing are very well-done and lush. I look forward to reading the full book.

I enjoyed the the little sneak peak I got, looking forward to finishing the rest of it when it comes out.