Reviews

How to Save a Queendom by Jessica Lawson

guylou's review against another edition

4.0

fell4's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

laylacarstairs's review against another edition

4.0

"

yapha's review against another edition

4.0

This was a fun fantasy romp. Although it played on the usual fantasy tropes, it had some nice unexpected twists. Recommended for fantasy lovers, grades 3 & up.

eARC provided by Edelweiss

nessas_lair's review against another edition

4.0

Thank you Simon and Schuster Canada for the ARC! I absolutely loved this book and I fell in love with Stub's character and Beaman's cooking. This book also has a bit of focus on family like how there's lots of different types of family and how a found family is just as legit as blood relations. I loved all the character development that happens throughout the book with Stub learning to trust and stand up for herself and Beaman gaining some courage. Also I'm just going to state again that Beaman's cooking sounded so flipping delicious and I need a cookbook companion to this book. Please. For the plot, there's a lot that happens especially in the second half of the book. I felt a bit like something was off with the writing or what was happening in the story which put me off a little but it was still entertaining for the most part and I was not expecting any of the plot twists that happened. The ending, like last couple pages, literally made me tear up a little because it was just so emotional and sweet. Overall this is a really great story and regardless of the writing I highly recommend it!

jilljemmett's review against another edition

4.0

Stub is an orphan, who is an apprentice at a tavern. She is kept outside and lives with her only friend, her scrawny pet chicken, Peck. Then one day, while she’s in the woods, she discovers a tiny wizard who can fit in her palm. The wizard, Orlen, comes from the Queendom, but has been magically bound to Stub. Along with her new friend Beaman, Stub has to return Orlen to the capital city to save the Queendom from an evil queen.

This was a fun adventure story. Stub started out the story as an orphan who didn’t have any control over her life. She was bullied and threatened by the woman she lived with and worked for. She didn’t have a choice but to stay there. Once she met Orlen, she had a reason to sneak away and escape the evil woman she worked for. She was finally able to take control of her life.

The story was also fast paced. The characters passed through different parts of the land, from the small town to a forest to a swamp and ultimately the capital city. It was fun to see all of these different places in the fantasy world. The ending was action packed with magical deception.

How to Save a Queendom is a fun middle grade fantasy.

Thank you Simon and Schuster Canada for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

maidmarianlib's review against another edition

4.0

Playful and fun, reminds me a lot of Alexander. Has a strong female character.

benediction's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful slow-paced

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, Child abuse, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Confinement

ros_lanta's review

adventurous fast-paced

4.0

I enjoyed reading this book, it's a fast-paced and entertaining adventure. In some ways it felt a bit like an old style coming-of-age high fantasy tale of the sort I grew up with, but with a little more whimsy, and of course written for children. 

I found this a very quick read, a lovely way to relax during a weekend of study. I would be very happy to read more by this author in future.