Review: Another great novel for Lilith Saintcrow!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 02 6, 2012
The Hedgewitch Queen starts off with a bang, slows down in the middle, but picks back up again near the end. So, I had to struggle a little mid-story to get through many mundane details, but I am glad that I did. I have read many reviews giving the author a hard time for writing such a "weak, whiny" character instead of her normal kick-ass heroines. Well, guess what...most women were weak and whiny in the time frame this book is written. They were coddled, spoiled, and hardly lifted a finger to do work. This is not modern day or future, people!! It is written in a time we cannot pretend to understand unless history is an interest you have and you have studied it enough to understand that things were MUCH different back then. Women of courts worried about clothing and hair styles, scandals and gossip! This character was raised in a court of luxury and ease with her only worries being: keep the princess happy and free from scandal. How could anyone expect her not to loathe being thrown into the middle of treachery and placed in a position of power that she never wanted? To be threatened at every moment, running for your life after being pampered daily...I laugh to think at how well most people would handle something like this even today, much less a woman whose life was so easy until one moment changed everything. As I stated before, I had to struggle through the middle because it slowed down as far as action was concerned. The characters were always in fear for their lives, but not as fast paced as the beginning. However, for those that read through the entire book, there is a MAJOR change for Vianne. She does grow in character and strength. She does accept the burdens and mantle of responsibility placed upon her shoulders. Where in the beginning we discover a scared, weak willed individual, a stronger, less pliant person evolves after all the struggles and trials she faces. I think the biggest problem some readers had was that Ms. Saintcrow stepped FAR away from her other writings and has created an entirely different world from the ones they love. I went into this book not thinking about who the author was at all. Instead, I was simply reading another new story in hopes I would discover another series to enjoy. Luckily, I have found that. I cannot wait for The Bandit King to come out so I can find out what happens to all the characters I have become emotionally invested in. I am not saying that Vianne is a character I normally enjoy reading (because I do love kick ass heroines), but she is interesting and her growth and change is intriguing to watch. She may not start off as a strong individual, but she is learning to become one! As far as Tristan is concerned, I can only hope that some redeeming value can be written for him. I don't doubt for a second that he loves Vianne more than life, but his actions to gain her love are ones that may prove his undoing. We will simply have to wait for the next book to see what happens with this couple. Who knows? Maybe love can conquer all?