Goodreads Monday is a weekly meme where we randomly select a book from our Goodreads To Be Read list and share it with the world. It’s hosted by Lauren’s Page Turners, so be sure to link back to her site so that we can all see what everyone plans to read!
The Queens of Innish Lear
by Tessa Gratton
Fantasy
575 pages
First Published March 2018, by Tor Books
From Goodreads: A kingdom at risk, a crown divided, a family drenched in blood.
The erratic decisions of a prophecy-obsessed king have drained Innis Lear of its wild magic, leaving behind a trail of barren crops and despondent subjects. Enemy nations circle the once-bountiful isle, sensing its growing vulnerability, hungry to control the ideal port for all trade routes.
The king’s three daughters—battle-hungry Gaela, master manipulator Reagan, and restrained, starblessed Elia—know the realm’s only chance of resurrection is to crown a new sovereign, proving a strong hand can resurrect magic and defend itself. But their father will not choose an heir until the longest night of the year, when prophecies align and a poison ritual can be enacted.
Refusing to leave their future in the hands of blind faith, the daughters of Innis Lear prepare for war—but regardless of who wins the crown, the shores of Innis will weep the blood of a house divided.
I’ve heard about this book here and there, but I hadn’t heard that it was a King Lear retelling until recently. That really piqued my interest, since I love the works of Shakespeare and recently saw a broadcast of the UK’s National Theater’s production of King Lear starring Ian McKellan. It was intense and incredible, and I’m excited to read this. On New Year’s Day, I made a list of my unread books longer than 500 pages and did a drawing to pick the next one tome to read. The Queens of Innis Lear was the first one I picked, but I haven’t started reading it yet. I hope to do so in the next week or so.
Traveling in Books 
Gah! I thought I had mentioned this to you back when I read it. Fantastic retelling. I think you will enjoy it 🙂
You might have! We’ve talked about so many books by now that I can’t remember all of them. I am definitely looking forward to it!
I had a lot of mixed thoughts about this book, but it’s one that’s stuck with me. The King Lear element is so well done, it’s the best Shakespearean retelling I’ve read. I hope you enjoy it!
Thanks!
I didn’t realize this was a King Lear retelling either. Now I’m moving it higher up my TBR. Thanks for pointing that out, Kim! Do you remember how you originally came across this book?
A friend initially recommended it, but I think I conflated it with all the other “Queen/s of…” titles that are out there, and I forgot about it. Then I saw a review from Sam at Thoughts on Tomes, and remembered it again. I started it last night, and right from the start it was great! And I’m only two chapters in!
I’ve heard great things about this one too! I found a copy at a massive book sale during the summer a while back but I have yet to read it! 😮 Definitely got my curious again thanks to you now! 😛
I’ve read the first twenty pages or so, and it’s fantastic! It makes me think of when I was traveling through Scotland, and that’s always a good thing. It’s so atmospheric, and I have a feeling that the characters will be fantastic, too.
There are so many books with “Queen/s of…” titles now a days. I hadn’t noticed until you mentioned it! XD I wonder where this trend came from? I always get frustrated when titles are so close together; I get confused so often! For example, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo vs. The Seven 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. Come on! XD
The ‘Queen/s of…’ titles remind me of the ‘girl/woman in/of/from…’ mystery-thriller titles that have become so common. It’s like there are title fads, just like there are with YA fantasy trends.
The idea of a “title fad” tickles me. I completely see it now; I don’t know why I didn’t before. XD I guess I just don’t pay close attention to all the new releases as I have a HUGE backlog of books to read first.
I try to keep up with at least knowing what’s out there, but I just don’t have time or interest often to read all the new things.