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“In Innis Lear it was believed that the reign of the last queen had been predicted by the stars–and had ended, too, because of them.”
This is a reimagining of Shakespeare’s King Lear unlike any reimagining I’ve ever read before. Tessa Gratton stays very true to the original play, and really makes a feminist statement on all the themes, but she made something so unique, so powerful, and so much its own thing. And every book I read from her ensures that she is becoming one of my favorite authors of all-time. From the themes she creates, to the lyrical writing she weaves, to the beautiful stories she creates, I five star everything by her. And The Queens of Innis Lear was no different, it is a masterpiece.
King Lear is a story about a king who is ready to give up his throne to his three daughters, but they must prove that they are worthy and devoted. But the sisters decide to take their destinies into their own hands, whether that means betrayal of the King or not. And we slowly get to see the king descend into madness. And, again, The Queens of Innis Lear sticks very close to this storyline, too.
➽ Gaela – the oldest daughter – represents ambition. Is a military commander.
“I will wear the crown, and I will get it like a king. Not as a mother and wife, but as the firstborn child, as the strongest.”
➽ Regan – the middle daughter – represents lust. Wants to be a mother.
“The crown of Innis Lear is not made of love […] it is made of dying stars, and lying mouths.”
➽ Elia – the youngest daughter – represents duty. Loves the island of Lear more than anything.
“You’re not the sum of your birth and stars.”
And these three girls, and everyone they’ve ever been in contact with, have had their fate decided by the stars. And they learned this the hard way from their mother, who was destined to die once Gaela turned to sixteen. In this world, the stars are blamed for people’s actions, so that they don’t have to be responsible for the horrible things that happen.
But ultimately this is a story about three girls battling against the futures that their father and the stars have in store for them. These girls are more than the legacy’s that are expected of them. They are more than the sins committed for them and in their name. People with wombs are more than those wombs and the babies they are able to carry inside them. And people are always more than good and bad, because we are complex beings with complex thoughts and actions. Seriously, this the morally grey character book of your dreams.
There are many more characters who equally broke and warmed my heart; Ban, the fox of the forest, Morimaros, the king who has only known how to be king, Brona, the witch of my dreams, and so many more. This is a full cast of players, set up on a stage that they never asked for. And this book inserts flashbacks more perfectly than maybe any other book I’ve ever read. And it creates a storyline that is complete magic.
“Maybe all three of us are cursed. Maybe this is the end of the kingdom of Lear, and the island will become something new. Maybe we never did belong here after all.”
I also want to take a second to talk about the representation. It is heavily implied that Gaela is aroace, but the word is never used on page. And I feel like every side character was implied to be pan or bi. Also, all the princesses are people of color, said to be biracial (black and white).
Overall, I just loved this. I never wanted to put it down. From the beautiful writing, to the important themes, to the enthralling story, this was just a masterpiece. I will say that this very much reads true to an Adult Fantasy, and the writing can be a bit unforgiving at times, but it is so worth it.
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Content and trigger warnings for miscarrying, domestic abuse, thoughts of suicide, suicide, self-harm, grooming, murder, death, blood depictions, rituals, animal deaths, and war themes.
meltotheany 
I’m glad you loved it!! Also, a reimagining of Shakespeare?? It sounds so interesting.
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It was so unique and it just worked so well! Honestly, I’ve never read anything like it before! But I hope you are having happy reading, too, love! 💕xx
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Thx, I hope you are as well!
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Wow what a fabulous review… I loved seeing the book through your eyes.. I am going to amazon to check this author.
All book 5 star, you say… I say I check my book budget and get it one by one 😉🤷🏻❤️❤️
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Awh, thank you so much, Shalini! You are always so kind to me. I am so thankful, and so blessed, to call you my friend! 💕xx
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I’m so happy you loved this one!! How would you say it compares to Strange Grace?
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Strange Grace honestly just feels like the *perfect* book for me… so it’s hard to compare. The writing is the same, and so damn lyrical, but Queens is for sure a *harder* read. But nothing compares to Strange Grace, honestly. It feels like the book of my heart! Hehe! 💕xx
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Haha I know how you feel! And that’s good to know. I’m so happy you found a book that’s touched your heart the way SG has!!
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💛xx
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This is a book I’d like to read before the end of the year, good thing December is my catch-up month! Now I’m REALLY looking forward to it!
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Oh, I would LOVE to see how you feel about it! I hope you love it if you’re able to pick it up! But happy reading regardless, Mogsy love! 💕xx
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Didn’t know about this book till now! And because of you, I definitely need to read this
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Awh, this makes me smile so big! I hope you love it if you pick it up, sweetheart! And happy reading, always! 💕xx
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OK MEL. HOW ARE YOU LIKE… THE SWEETEST PERSON EVER?
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Easy with friends like youuuu! ❤
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Great review! This was meant to be a book I read way earlier in the year (I actually got it from my library when it first came out!) but for some reason I just never got around to it. I’ve heard only awesome things about it, however, so it’ll definitely be one of my prioritized reads in 2019!
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Awh, thank you so much, Hadeer love! I hope you love it when you pick it up! Happy reading! 💕xx
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Another fantastically eloquent review, dear! I’m quickly coming to the conclusion that we have very similar reading tastes so I am already excited for our next buddy read! ❤
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Awh, thank you so much, sweetheart! And.. I agree, you are turning more and more into my book twin! I should send you a picture of the 6 books I want to read in December and see if we can squeeze in another buddy read before 2019 starts! 💕xx
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I couldn’t have asked for a better book twin ❤ Yes, feel free!
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Great review Melanie! I haven’t read this yet but it’s on my TBR list! I’m so glad you loved it so much! 🙂
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Awh, thank you so much, love! You always make my day with your kind words! 💖xx
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