Scan barcode
meredith_covington's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Very imaginative and interesting - it was a little slow for me in the middle but picked up again and I loved the final chapters. Wonderful themes and life lessons.
sten1238's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
ktjnsn's review
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
writingandwhimsy's review
4.0
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
At first, this book was difficult to get into due to its slow pacing, but the excerpts interjected between chapters improved the mystery and made for a more fairytale-like read. The lore was a little confusing at times but I understood it by the end. Overall, this was an intriguing story that asks; what happens to the children who return home from the magical world? I'd definitely be interested in reading the sequel.
At first, this book was difficult to get into due to its slow pacing, but the excerpts interjected between chapters improved the mystery and made for a more fairytale-like read. The lore was a little confusing at times but I understood it by the end. Overall, this was an intriguing story that asks; what happens to the children who return home from the magical world? I'd definitely be interested in reading the sequel.
defnotnora13's review
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
melmmh's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to Netgalley for an electronic ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
"A mysterious manor house hides the keys to shocking family secrets—and rapidly fading portals to other worlds—in the richly woven opener to bestselling author Sarah Arthur’s young adult fantasy series."
Once a Queen is a beautiful, captivating novel from Sarah Arthur.
A combination coming of age story, portal fantasy, and mystery, this story draws the reader in from the very beginning.
The protagonist Eva, a fourteen year old girl with more questions than answers, realizes if she wants to know the truth of her family's painful past - it will be up to her to discover the truth.
The character relationships, world building and skillful storytelling make this a truly enjoyable reading experience.
My only wish would be to have the characters spend more time in the alternate universe. It felt like this was teased throughout the entire book, and was really only touched upon at the end.
I will definitely be reading any subsequent books in this series!
"A mysterious manor house hides the keys to shocking family secrets—and rapidly fading portals to other worlds—in the richly woven opener to bestselling author Sarah Arthur’s young adult fantasy series."
Once a Queen is a beautiful, captivating novel from Sarah Arthur.
A combination coming of age story, portal fantasy, and mystery, this story draws the reader in from the very beginning.
The protagonist Eva, a fourteen year old girl with more questions than answers, realizes if she wants to know the truth of her family's painful past - it will be up to her to discover the truth.
The character relationships, world building and skillful storytelling make this a truly enjoyable reading experience.
My only wish would be to have the characters spend more time in the alternate universe. It felt like this was teased throughout the entire book, and was really only touched upon at the end.
I will definitely be reading any subsequent books in this series!
amethystangel777's review
3.0
This book seems very similar to The LIon The Witch and The Wardrobe. I found the start rather slow and did not draw me in enough besides the little quotes between the chapters. But this book definitely promises an adventure.