TITLE: THE BLACKSMITH QUEEN
AUTHOR: G.A. Aiken
GENRE: Fantasy-Romance
RATING: 4.5
Keeley Smythe is a blacksmith. She saves a mysterious boy from murderous soldiers. When centaurs come to her aid, Keeley learns that prophecy named her and her younger sister the next queen of the Black Hills. However, the Old King’s sons plan to prevent either from claiming the throne. Treachery forces Keeley to take her new title seriously. Will Keeley be able to protect her family from the princes? Can she make the necessary alliances in order to secure her throne?
Keeley is not your typical heroine. I love the fact that she is tall and muscular, quite different from small and petite women that is often found in the romance genre. I adore Keeley’s attitude towards things. She does not judge things – be they creature, human or centaur – by appearances. Instead, Keely understands that the world is full of different kinds of beings. What I adore the most about Keeley is her dedication to family, even the ones who wronged her.
THE BLACKSMITH QUEEN is book one in G.A. Aiken’s fantasy-romance series, THE SCARRED EARTH SAGA. This story is a true delight. It actually reminded me of my role-playing days. Keeley’s interaction with her sister Gemma made me think of the goofy, fun antics my role play partner and I did. I love this author’s centaurs. They really stand apart from centaurs in movies and fantasy genre books.
My only nitpick with the story is the characters’ vocabulary. Some words, especially insults, felt too modern. They did not feel as if they belonged in a fantasy setting.
Also, the ending felt like it dragged a bit. I would have liked it better if Keeley met the dwarves in one book, and then the elves and barbarians in separate books. It would have made the tale and Keeley’s growth better.
Overall, I really did enjoy the book (enough that I recommended the book to my former role playing partner). I cannot wait for the next installment in this series!
