July 17, 2020 is a special day as it was the book birthday (or release date) for A Queen’s Throne: The Iron Lotus Series Book One by Nicole Adamz and Brooke Chastain. After reading Claimed by Nicole Adamz, I was thrilled when she asked me to be part of her new novella’s emergence into the world of books by showcasing it on my blog and social media channels. A Queen’s Throne is an Asian-inspired steampunk modeled after Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. Though my reading list usually contains YA fantasy, I thoroughly enjoyed this novella. I highly recommend this novella to fans of coming of age stories, readers of Alcott, and lovers of good, wholesome writing.
A Queen’s Throne focuses on Zhenzhu Meilis and her family, which includes sisters Jia, Shiyan, and Xini. Zhenzhu loves her family, but struggles with the family’s newfound poverty. As the eldest child, Zhenzhu feels it is her place to help her mother care and provide for the family while her father is fighting in Milgrim’s war. After an embarrassing scene in the market involving unrequited love, Zhenzhu is blacklisted from finding work, and she struggles to find purpose and a way to help her struggling mother. As Zhenzhu struggles, she finds herself with two more suitors offering her very different things. Who will Zhenzhu choose? Will she be able to help her family with her choice? Will she find happiness and fulfillment?
I really enjoyed this novella, and saw clear reflections of the March sisters in the Meilis sisters. It has made me want to re-read Little Women! I also enjoyed the character depth and Zhenzhu’s character development throughout the story. I appreciated the themes of family and the slight Christian undertones of the novella with references to the Great Spirit and His wisdom. One of my favorite quotes from the novella is, “To cling to the past, hoping to recreate it in the future, is to miss the Great Spirit’s plan for you in the present.” It reminds me of two Bible verses. First: “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you,” – Proverbs 4:15. Second: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,” – Jeremiah 29:11. The lesson here resonates with me, in that I often try to live in the past or the future rather than in the moment. I must focus on the present and what God is actively doing in my life now. Can anyone else relate?
The book does not end on a cliff-hanger (which I appreciate), but the epilogue leaves the reader with many questions and anticipation for the next book in the series. I, myself, am very much looking forward to the rest of the series. Overall, I give A Queen’s Throne 5/5 stars.
Link to purchase A Queen’s Throne.
*I was given an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.
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