E
Erika Johansen
The Queen of the Tearling
Synopsis
Kelsea Raleigh Glynn has spent her whole life in hiding, raised in secret by two guardians deep in the countryside. On her nineteenth birthday, she must leave that safety behind and travel to the capital of New London to claim the crown of the Tearling, a kingdom her uncle has ruled as regent in her absence. Escorted by the Queen's Guard, led by the steadfast Carroll and the enigmatic Lazarus, she must survive assassins and court intrigue long enough to reach the throne. Waiting on the far side of the crown is the Red Queen, the sorcerer-ruler of neighboring Mortmesne, who has held the Tearling under a brutal treaty for nineteen years and means to see Kelsea dead before she can undo it.
Genres
Characters
Kelsea Raleigh GlynnProtagonist
The nineteen-year-old heir who leaves the countryside cottage where she was raised in hiding to claim the throne of the Tearling.
Arlen ThorneAntagonist
A powerful figure behind the monthly shipments of Tear citizens sent across the border to Mortmesne.
The Red Queen (Queen of the Tearling)Antagonist
The sorcerer-ruler of neighboring Mortmesne, who has held the Tearling under a punishing treaty for nineteen years.
Lazarus (Queen of the Tearling)Supporting
Known to the guard as "the Mace," a former guard to Kelsea's mother who becomes captain of Kelsea's own Queen's Guard.
Carroll (Queen of the Tearling)Supporting
Captain of the Queen's Guard who leads the escort bringing Kelsea out of hiding and toward the capital.
Frequently asked questions
What inspired the creation of this world?
The author conceived the story after hearing a 2007 speech by Barack Obama, which sparked her interest in exploring the ethical dilemmas of leadership and governance.
Is there a film adaptation of this book?
Warner Bros. acquired the film rights to the series and announced a project involving Emma Watson as both the lead actress and an executive producer, though no production has been completed.