Whitney C. (CollegeKid0010) - reviewed on 5/29/2011 + 19 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

So out of all the books sitting on my self awaiting my attention, I chose one of my newer arrivals. The Queens Bastard. The title implies a couple of thingswere looking at a historical context and a lot of power. I have to admit that right away, it wasnt what I expected it to be. I knew the queens out-of-wedlock child would have a rather sordid life, but C.E. Murphy instantly started painting a world far beyond what I expected. Belinda herself is a resilient and adaptable woman who is completely dedicated to the mother who can never acknowledge her, as well as the father who raises her to be a deadly weapon. Robert telling Belinda to find a way to kill du Roz and then her quick work in pushing him down a flight of stairs the same night really jarred me. It was then I knew that I was reading about a woman who was literally a weapon.

With this single book, Murphy has earned a place on my Favorite Authors list because of her descriptive style. Being the sponge of a writer that I am, I found myself going back over entire sections to pull out key phrases and look at wording and gauge the amount of information given. She had in-depth descriptions, but not the conventional type; hers somehow float around the issue at hand in a way thats both detached and very straight to the point, and I really liked that.

Another thing I admire was the virtual lack of wasted ends. Everything came back around in one way or another, even Viktor, one of her many lovers. As the hopeless romantic, Im used to seeing a meshing of emotions and attempts to not hurt others. Belinda acknowledges Viktor but still disregards him in a way that shows her dedication to her mission and her detachment from the world. Her abandonment of him is powerful, because nothing will stand in the way of her duty to her mother, the queen.

She cant remain detached forever though, and years of being moved from one life to another in the interest of accomplishing someones death finally seems to catch up with her when she settles in to play the role of a minor noble lady, Beatrice Irvine. Belinda admits to herself that playing such an obvious public role is a stark contrast to the serving maids shes used to being, and it presents her with unique challenges. Her past threatens her present though, in a way that both challenges her and places her mission in jeopardy. Couple that danger with the sudden question of whether her loyalty will win out over her love and affection for the prince shes using, and Belinda is in more than one tight place. Not to mention the power shes found within herself!

I wont tell you about the ending, in part because I dont know it. The series is just getting started, with The Pretenders Crown as the next installment, and Im very much looking forward to it. The Queens Bastard has been a smooth and crazily addictive read, and I highly recommend it to fans of conspiracy, romance and fantasy.

www.whitneycarter.wordpress.com

Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details