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During my teenage years, my reading choices were pretty “safe.” I stuck to the same genres I’d enjoyed as a younger teen, which gave me a sense of comfort. However, a few years ago, I decided to explore beyond my usual reads, especially into the growing young adult genre. One author who caught my attention was Jodi Meadows. Her books sounded uniquely thrilling, and their covers were fantastic. The Orphan Queen, the first book in one of her duologies, was especially intriguing and didn’t disappoint on the inside either.
The story is set in a world where neighboring kingdoms are fighting against creepy wraith creatures, and a king is trying to ban magic. In the middle of this conflict are the Osprey orphans, who are building an army to reclaim their lost kingdom. Among these orphans is Wilhelmina, the queen of the lost land. Wilhelmina, or Wil, vividly remembers the night her parents, the king, and queen, were killed. She’s highly skilled in weaponry, disguise, and forgery. Along with her best friend Melanie, Wil infiltrates King Terrell’s kingdom to learn its secrets and reclaim her birthright. While living in the palace, Wil takes on a double life—by day she navigates society as a noble, while by night she allies with the mysterious vigilante, Black Knife.
Although the opening of the novel is captivating and sets up an exciting and perilous world, I initially found it challenging to fully immerse myself in the story. Still, the book’s summary had sounded perfect for me. Eventually, the story lived up to my expectations with its twists, deceptions, and hints of romance. The fairy tale-like premise of a lost princess mixed with the story’s unpredictable intrigue was enthralling.
Wil herself is an intriguing heroine with a darker edge compared to some other characters I’ve read. She’s fierce and assertive, unwilling to bow to the Ospreys’ leader. If there’s one minor criticism regarding the romantic elements in the story, it’s that they are very subtle or almost nonexistent until the latter part of the book. Sometimes, though, a light touch of romance can be more alluring than something obvious.
The book provides a lot of information about the world’s history all at once, rather than spreading it out. This makes the vigilante’s intrigue and Wil’s quest to reclaim her throne the driving factors that keep readers hooked. There are moments of confusion, but the text is generally clean and clear. For fantasy enthusiasts, this novel is perfect for curling up with during the winter months.
The sequel, The Mirror King, was highly anticipated and was set to release in April 2016. Knowing it would conclude the duology was a relief since it meant not committing to a lengthy series. If you’ve read The Orphan Queen or any of Jodi’s other books, what are you looking forward to in The Mirror King? Share your thoughts below.
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Book Info:
Page Count: 391
Publisher: Katherine Tegen (HarperTeen)
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Add Here: Goodreads
Author Website: Jodi Meadows
