Dark and twisty, this YA fantasy ticks a lot of my boxes.

I loved the court politics, the romances, and all the backstabbing.

The pacing was uneven, but in general, I loved this new author's work, and I can't wait to both discuss this book with my patrons and see what Fears has next for us.

Although the synopsis of The Scorpion Queen sparked my interest, I remember when I read it thinking "This doesn't give me the best understanding of what this book is about. What is it that the main character will be working towards?" I had hoped that reading the novel would answer this question, but unfortunately, it did not. I liked many parts of The Scorpion Queen, but ultimately, I don't think it came together very well to tell a complete, cohesive story. The first half of the book focuses on court politics and a love triangle, whereas the second half is a desert adventure with less of a clear end goal. I liked the sapphic romance that was building up in the first half of the book, but then it quickly stopped being a plot point half way through. And I never really cared for the couple on the other side of the love triangle, perhaps because they started the book already together, so we never saw them fall in love. I also found that during the second half of this story, as characters' alliances and motives changed, I felt like I lost grip of where the plot was headed, and as such, stopped being as invested. The plot twists were not bad, but they did move the plot away from the direction I wanted it to go. Finally, I found the tone of this novel very heavy. Sometimes that can be a good thing, but there wasn't enough payoff to make the sad or slow parts worth it to me. So overall, I think this story does have some strong elements, and I can see the author being successful in the future, but this very much felt like a debut. It didn't feel like a comprehensive story was being told to me, but rather like I was following along as the author explained a book idea she had. I just couldn't stop asking myself "Where is this going". Hopefully the series (the ending is vague making me think this is not a standalone) comes together, because I do see potential in it.
Thank you to MacMillan Audio for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I was really looking forward to this one as the premise sounded really good, but unfortunately it did not live up to expectations. I actually almost purchased the audiobook and I am very glad I did not.

The characters were bland. Their decisions were nonsensical. Everything was relayed in a bored monotone style of writing that was entirely telling not showing and distanced from the characters. I felt nothing for any of the characters or any of the things that were happening.

The narrator did not help this, and I think her voice contributed to the monotone feeling.

*thanks to Macmillan Young Listeners for providing an early copy for review.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Young Listeners for this ARC Audio Copy!

I was really excited about this story going into it I knew that it was a debut author so there may be some bumps in the road, but I feel like there were more than expected. This book has a lot of potential, but it was just not one for me. I was really expecting something action packed and exciting, but it took so long to get into the real story that I had kind of checked out on caring what happened by the time things really started to pick up.

I think that the author shows promise, and I will definitely try reading other books they write in the future, because all the issues that I had with the book could have been resolved with deeper edits and some work on the pacing.

The Scorpion Queen was a cover grab! I just had to have it. I had no idea what it was about when I started reading. As I was slowly getting introduced to all our characters and our world, I noticed the bit of court intrigue and myths. Amie and her relationship with her sister is very tumultuous. Her sister betrays her in the worst way saying it was for her own good. This leads to all the chaos that follows. A dangerous journey through to desert, a meeting with a not nice god, and uncovering hard truths are some of the big things that Amie must go through. Amie grows so much throughout the story. It was so good to see. I need a second book because that ending! I enjoyed the narration for this one. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to the audio in exchange for my honest review.

This was an engaging YA romantasy! I enjoyed the way the main character's loyalties are divided by her complex feelings towards the man she hoped to marry and the queen she is pledged to serve. The audiobook was easy to listen to and follow and Sandra Okuboyejo does a wonderful job of reading and bringing the characters to life. Set in medieval West Africa, this is fresh look at an old story of teens trying to break free from controlling "noble" parents who care more about family name, prestige and upholding institutions than about the happiness of their own children. Amie is a courageous protagonist who must find her moral compass amidst a world where self interest reigns supreme.

The Scorpion Queen is a dark YA fantasy debut and I see a lot of potential in Mina Fears. However, this book felt like it missed the mark. Firstly, I really struggle with books where all the characters are quite unlikeable - there just wasn't; anyone to root for. The pacing was off - started slow, got a bunch at once, and then dragged on. This book just wasn't; a standout.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

The Scorpion Queen follows Amie, whose life is turned upside down after her sister lies about a compromising situation. The life that Amie expected to have is gone, and she now must work in the royal household as a servant. Things are not all that they seem, and there are others pulling strings behind what is happening on a larger scale.

I thought I knew where things would head, but there were twists and turns that kept me guessing, and the ending sets us up for more action in book two. I loved being in a different setting than many fantasy books tend to focus on (Timbuktu of the Mali empire). This is a true YA, so keep that in mind if that's not your usual jam.

The audiobook production is strong and the narrator spoke clearly enough that I was able to speed it up without issue, which is a must for me.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an ALC of this audiobook for an honest review.

The Scorpion Queen had an interesting concept, but it didn’t fully deliver for me. I liked the mythology elements and the idea of deadly trials for suitors. The world of Timbuktu had so much potential, but I wanted more depth in the setting and characters.

The pacing was slow, and the romance felt underdeveloped. Amie’s decisions were frustrating at times, and I wish her relationship with Mariama had been explored more. The audiobook narration was average, but the story itself didn’t keep me hooked. I might check out the sequel, but I was expecting more from this one.

In the Scorpion Queen we follow, Amie, the disgraced daughter of a rich merchant family, as she starts a new life serving as the maid to the Princess Mariama the beloved and only daughter of the Emperor Sulyeman. Amie is still hopelessly in love with her former fiancé Kadar, and dreams of the day the two can be together. Growing close to Mariama, Amie learns that the deadly trials that her father has been putting her suitors through, all of which have died, causes her distress so with the help of Mariama’s other maids they decide to steal from a god in hopes of saving a suitor and ending the trials.

To start with the positive I think Sandra Okuboyejo does a wonderful job narrating the story. Her voices and overall delivery allow the story to flow smoothly. I also loved the mythology elements of the story and the magic, I found them very interesting and compelling.

On the negative side, I do wish the setting of Timbuktu was more fleshed out. I also wish we had gotten more time with Amie, and Mariama together I found their dynamic very interesting but after the first third we pretty much didn’t see Mariama anymore

While I think this book is fine (a cool concept and the writing is okay), I was not a fan of the narrator. She was incredibly monotone, so much so that I grew bored with the book and found myself zoning out. Perhaps if I didn’t listen to a lot of audiobooks it might have been fine, but I do and have heard a lot of good ones. This was a disappointment unfortunately.

The book does take a long time go really get going. The pacing was very much an issue through the whole book unfortunately but the plot itself had really interesting aspects to it. It was a fantastic concept but I do think it was lacking on the execution. There could have been a bit more editing to the plot and more work on the characters and this book could have really shined. This is a debut book and I think the author has a really good base to work from. The characters were hot and cold. I liked them some scenes and didn't in others. I will say our FMC was a little frustrating at times with her decisions and the love interests are not the most likable.

for the audiobook the narrator did a really good job! I really enjoyed the audiobook a lot!

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for sending me a copy of this audiobook! All opinions are my own!

The first thing that grabbed me about this book was the rich, brutal world that these characters are entrenched in. I'm used to fantasy where the magic is the dazzling part, but this story didn't even need in-your-face magic to grab your attention and give you a world that sparkles. The brutality of the trials and the way that Amie has been betrayed set up a whole world full of desperation where that one spark of hope could set the whole world aflame.

I loved Amie's character development and the ways that she changed throughout the story. She never backed down from staying true to herself while she still learned more about herself along the way. She went through so much that most could never imagine, and yet she was able to remain everything that she wanted to be at heart.

This is a story that will dazzle readers in so many ways, and you won't want to miss it!

I liked this book ok, but I was expecting more. I wanted a YA fantasy fairytale retelling with high stakes, adventure, and romance, and it didn’t quite hit the mark. I could tell this was the author’s first book. The pacing was off, the world building was lacking, and the characters felt one dimensional. I needed more buildup for the romantic relationships instead of insta-love. It was still enjoyable to read, but I didn’t love it like I was expecting to. The the narrator, Sandra Okuboyejo, does an amazing job. It was a treat to listen to her voice the characters and bring the story to life.
🦂
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 🌶️
🦂
Read if you like:
▫️YA fantasy
▫️historical fiction
▫️mythical elements
▫️court politics
🦂
Thank you to Flatiron Books, Macmillan Audio, Mina Fears, and NetGalley for the ARC and ALC I received an advanced copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Special thanks to the author & @flatiron_books for my gifted copy, and @macmillaudio for my gifted ALC‼️

“Everyone close to you suffers at one time or another.”

Mina Fears debut novel was quite interesting to read. A little slow in some parts which is expected with fantasy but the audio took me through it. There was no real excitement in the narrators voice so it took a minute for me to be pulled into the story. I honestly think it would be more enjoyable without it.

Deep within the imperial palace at Timbuktu, the book follows Amie recently betrayed by her sister, disinherited by her family then sent away to be a servant maid to Princess Mariama. During her stay at the palace Amie conjures a plan with her potential suitor Kader the traitor to save money and run away together. But when she discovers a magical map sending her and a few others on a death mission Amie soon realizes she’s been tricked and could lose everything including her life.

I thought the book had great world-building and the concept of the battle trails was very intriguing. Some of the characters were meh but Amie and Mariama well-developed. There were a few instances where the author could’ve went in depth with certain plot lines. For the most part there was an even mix of fantasy and suspense. I didn’t really see the romance aspects come off the page but there were themes of power, control, friendship, and how we define our destiny.

Overall, the book wasn’t really for me but doesn’t mean it’s not for you. “Readers can expect a classic fairy tale complete with fallen princesses, palace intrigue, doomed suitors, enchanted maps, and vengeful gods.”

In this YA fantasy set in fourteenth century Mali, a sixteen-year-old is cast out by her well-to-do merchant family under false accusations. Sent to work in the palace as one of Princess Mariama’s maids, Amie grows close to the princess, plotting a way to save the next suitor for the royal’s hand from the deathly trials established by Emperor Sulyeman while also planning her own escape with her betrothed, Kader.

This story has a slow build with a flurry of action close to the end. The first part of the story is more historical fiction than fantasy; the major fantasy elements come into play during the quest sequence and what comes after.

The characters fittingly feel young in their motivations and actions, and there is a somewhat tepid love triangle established along the way.

Overall, the book has an interesting premise, but I’m not sure that I’m invested enough to continue the series. Based on how the book ends, I’m assuming there will at minimum be a book two.

I listened to the audiobook version of the tale. Sandra Okuboyejo’s narration feels slower than what I typically read but fitting in pacing, inflection, and cadence for the subject matter.

Amie was disowned by her family because of her sisters doings of telling lies. So she could no longer marrie the person she loved. Kator. Amie was forced to be the servint girl to princess Mariama whose father has the trials for men to pass if they wish to be wed to his daughter. 99 suitors have died in the kettle. Mariama does not want there to be a 100th man to die. While doing her chores Amie discovered a book in a very odd place. So she hid it and decided to read and keep the princess company while reading her to sleep out of this unknown book. One night a magic map fell out. And thus the plan to save the 100th suitor came to life.

Little did Amie know that it would be a hard and dangerous journey. With her heart broken because the 100th suitor was Kator.

Amie grew stronger and found many truths on her journey. Know she much so the crazy thing and save her friends she had to leave behind.

Over all, the book was decent. The plot didn’t really get interesting nor any real action until about 40% of the way in, which can be a let down to some. This story is a reminder of why girls should choose themselves, and not worry about a boy so much! I did enjoy the audiobook version.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this in exchange for my honest review.

I liked this overall. It's a first novel, and that could be felt in places as a bit of awkwardness. The first half of this story felt like royal historical fiction. I quite enjoyed the court politics and background. The second half of the book was full of fantastical magical situations and solutions. This is clearly a retelling of fairytale or a modern take on a fairytale.

This is set in pre-colonial Imperial Mail in 1359. The main character is Amie. Who was disinherited by her family, which resulted in her working as a servant. She's assigned as a kind of ladies maid to Princess Mariama, the daughter of Emperor Suleyman. This has clear mythological elements, stunning reveals, and the story is wrapped up nicely, but there's also a cliffhanger of sorts.

One of the best aspects of this audiobook is the narrator, Sandra Okuboyejo. Sandra does a phenomenal job of both keeping the historical aspects imbued with realistic feelings while at the same time adding to the magical and fantastical elements of the story.

My only complaint would be that this suffers from pacing issues. I was invested in the world building, but pacing can kill the flow for slower readers. This is a first novel, and the result is clunky in places. I deeply look forward to another novel by this author.

Thank you to Mina Fears, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.