Queen of Tomorrow by Sherry D. Ficklin
Clean Teen Publishing © 2015
Kindle ARC
Historical Fiction
Reviewed by Leah
Goodbye Sophie. Hello Catherine.
Summary:
Duke Peter and Duchess Catherine have set up court at Oranienbaum Palace, far from the influence of Empress Elizabeth. As plague and disease rage across Russia, Catherine is often given a free hand in controlling their court as her husband secludes himself in the hope of escaping contamination. Each night, however, they are locked in their bedchamber with the express order to produce an heir. A goal Catherine has found other means to ensure its success.
If things only remained so simple. Yet, the disturbing revelation that Russia's alliance with Prussia may be passed over in favor of another alliance has the young couple worried. And so they travel back into the lion's den, where new discoveries of varying degrees await them. Not the least of which is Catherine's own mother involving herself in a conspiracy to depose Empress Elizabeth and place her nephew, Prince Ivan, on the throne of Russia.
In the midst of this political turmoil, Catherine finds a tenuous respect for her husband's keen political mind. It is almost enough to form an attachment on. But is it too great a risk to cultivate the hope of a happy marriage?
As war brews and allegiances are tested, no conflict becomes as deadly as the one between the Duchess and Empress. When lines are drawn and crossed, there is no love lost between the two women. At last, Catherine will learn what it means to be a Queen. And she will kill for that chance.
Initial Thoughts:
The shift from Sophie to Catherine was evident right away. And it was refreshing to watch all of that naivety be stripped away to reveal a much harder woman underneath.
Characters:
Catherine has not earned a rant this time. Why? Because kitty's got claws this round! In ruling over her court in Oranienbaum, she now has a great sense of what her future will be. And she no longer regrets her marriage to Peter. Because Peter will bring her a crown, and if he works with her, she will bring him Russia.
In the first book, Queen of Someday, Catherine was advised not to win the heart of Peter, but the love of Russia. Advice she takes to heart as she works daily to establish the lords' allegiance to herself--and none other. And when the worst of it pushes her down, she fights back with the power of one beloved. Of one with the support of an Empire. Her enemies are many, but her ranks of supporters grows with each passing day. A fact realized by many.
Catherine is not Sophie. She does not bend to the will of others, and while she still seeks the favor of the Empress, it is no longer out of general liking for the woman, but out of a need to survive. Yet, some lines should not be crossed. Especially since Catherine's ethics sink further into the shadows as necessity provides.
Peter is a puzzle. At times, he is a tyrannical toddler who cannot share his toys or control his temper. During others, he is a political mastermind who knows that the future of Russia is in his hands. Yet, his ineptitude as a ruler is known to many. Including the Empress. Which is why his paranoia leads to extreme measures of cruelty.
Of course, this makes him a very decided villain and I will always be happy to hate him.
Sergei is still here, folks. And he's still touching her. At least he has permission this time. Though if her husband found out the ways he was using those hands and the extent of that permission… To be honest, in this book, Sergei is kind of forgettable. He lacks passion as far as politics, but makes up for it in several other areas. *hint, hint* Yet, he seems distant from all of the action. As often as Catherine pines for him, it still isn't worth remembering so much as the other events in her life, and I was glad of that. It means this girl's finally got her priorities straight.
Empress Elizabeth was set out as a villain in this book, and she did her part. And yet, I still get her. I still understand everything she does except allowing the men in her bed to influence her decisions. Excuse me, screw them all you like, but leave them out of the political arena. Pillow talk is all fun and games, until they try to manipulate an Empress. Then that shit becomes unacceptable. Even in her interactions with Catherine, I understand her desperation (though I wish it was made more evident that she truly was desperate). She needs an heir. One she knows will be raised to carry on Russian traditions and convey Russia into a new era, instead of bowing to Prussian influence. What I didn't like about this book was that Elizabeth's character didn't have much development. She was a caricature villain and I felt as if she could be so much more than that.
Plot & Setting:
Catherine is just as unreliable in descriptions here as she was in the last book. No worries. While you don't get a truly authentic Russian feel from the book, you do get the heavy suspense of intrigue to run over your skin.
As far as the plot goes, there is no real plot arc here. Rather, this reads somewhat like a series of events and how one leads into the other. Since it spans such a length of time, I can understand why this had to happen. It's not like a generic YA where everything happens within a few weeks and you have all of the rising action, climax, and resolution packed into five hundred pages.
There are several plots intertwined in this novel, but the court intrigue is by far the most interesting aspect of it. Though the strange dynamics of Peter and Catherine's relationship are mentioned, they don't make up enough of the book's central theme. Really, the whole point of this novel is to showcase the growth of Catherine as she becomes the woman she needs to be. And it does a great job of doing that.
Writing Style:
I'm weird. When I read a book by a good author, I get my hands on almost everything else they have ever written … and hold off on reading it. I don't know exactly why this is, but I do have theories.
Suffice it to say, I whined for this ARC immediately after finishing Queen of Someday. And I got it! But I held off on reading it for who knows what bloody reason.
This is why: it is a time commitment. As in: I need to make sure I have at least 2 days set aside for reading and recovery. With a good author, their books should be given due consideration. You can't rush through lovely prose or wise-cracking dialogue. You just can't.
Sherry D. Ficklin is a good author, in my not so humble opinion. Therefore, I will probably poke and prod and whine and complain about the third book in the series until it is 100% finished … and I will be one of the lasts in the ARC circle to read it. Just the way it goes, folks. Can't count on me for nothing, lol.
Overall Opinion:
I really enjoyed Queen of Tomorrow. The change in Catherine's character from Sophie's was distinct and enjoyable. The drama that occurs is just the sort you would expect in royal court. For the first time in the history of its existence (okay, so I've only had it since December), my Kindle has been used to highlight particularly poignant lines that I loved. (And would have shared with you had this not been a gifted copy that may or may not change between now and the time it is published. Also, if my Kindle's battery wasn't dead, barring me from looking up said highlighted lines, hehehe.)
Much like its predecessor, it has such an ending as to leave your mouth watering for more, and an indescribable yearning to discover what happens next. How will Catherine proceed? What will Peter do now? Empress Elizabeth? Sergei? Russia? Prussia? The questions all pile up, and we all have to wait for book three before we get any kind of answers.
Settle in folks, it's going to be a wait...
Summary:
Duke Peter and Duchess Catherine have set up court at Oranienbaum Palace, far from the influence of Empress Elizabeth. As plague and disease rage across Russia, Catherine is often given a free hand in controlling their court as her husband secludes himself in the hope of escaping contamination. Each night, however, they are locked in their bedchamber with the express order to produce an heir. A goal Catherine has found other means to ensure its success.
If things only remained so simple. Yet, the disturbing revelation that Russia's alliance with Prussia may be passed over in favor of another alliance has the young couple worried. And so they travel back into the lion's den, where new discoveries of varying degrees await them. Not the least of which is Catherine's own mother involving herself in a conspiracy to depose Empress Elizabeth and place her nephew, Prince Ivan, on the throne of Russia.
In the midst of this political turmoil, Catherine finds a tenuous respect for her husband's keen political mind. It is almost enough to form an attachment on. But is it too great a risk to cultivate the hope of a happy marriage?
As war brews and allegiances are tested, no conflict becomes as deadly as the one between the Duchess and Empress. When lines are drawn and crossed, there is no love lost between the two women. At last, Catherine will learn what it means to be a Queen. And she will kill for that chance.
Initial Thoughts:
The shift from Sophie to Catherine was evident right away. And it was refreshing to watch all of that naivety be stripped away to reveal a much harder woman underneath.
Characters:
Catherine has not earned a rant this time. Why? Because kitty's got claws this round! In ruling over her court in Oranienbaum, she now has a great sense of what her future will be. And she no longer regrets her marriage to Peter. Because Peter will bring her a crown, and if he works with her, she will bring him Russia.
In the first book, Queen of Someday, Catherine was advised not to win the heart of Peter, but the love of Russia. Advice she takes to heart as she works daily to establish the lords' allegiance to herself--and none other. And when the worst of it pushes her down, she fights back with the power of one beloved. Of one with the support of an Empire. Her enemies are many, but her ranks of supporters grows with each passing day. A fact realized by many.
Catherine is not Sophie. She does not bend to the will of others, and while she still seeks the favor of the Empress, it is no longer out of general liking for the woman, but out of a need to survive. Yet, some lines should not be crossed. Especially since Catherine's ethics sink further into the shadows as necessity provides.
Peter is a puzzle. At times, he is a tyrannical toddler who cannot share his toys or control his temper. During others, he is a political mastermind who knows that the future of Russia is in his hands. Yet, his ineptitude as a ruler is known to many. Including the Empress. Which is why his paranoia leads to extreme measures of cruelty.
Of course, this makes him a very decided villain and I will always be happy to hate him.
Sergei is still here, folks. And he's still touching her. At least he has permission this time. Though if her husband found out the ways he was using those hands and the extent of that permission… To be honest, in this book, Sergei is kind of forgettable. He lacks passion as far as politics, but makes up for it in several other areas. *hint, hint* Yet, he seems distant from all of the action. As often as Catherine pines for him, it still isn't worth remembering so much as the other events in her life, and I was glad of that. It means this girl's finally got her priorities straight.
Empress Elizabeth was set out as a villain in this book, and she did her part. And yet, I still get her. I still understand everything she does except allowing the men in her bed to influence her decisions. Excuse me, screw them all you like, but leave them out of the political arena. Pillow talk is all fun and games, until they try to manipulate an Empress. Then that shit becomes unacceptable. Even in her interactions with Catherine, I understand her desperation (though I wish it was made more evident that she truly was desperate). She needs an heir. One she knows will be raised to carry on Russian traditions and convey Russia into a new era, instead of bowing to Prussian influence. What I didn't like about this book was that Elizabeth's character didn't have much development. She was a caricature villain and I felt as if she could be so much more than that.
Plot & Setting:
Catherine is just as unreliable in descriptions here as she was in the last book. No worries. While you don't get a truly authentic Russian feel from the book, you do get the heavy suspense of intrigue to run over your skin.
As far as the plot goes, there is no real plot arc here. Rather, this reads somewhat like a series of events and how one leads into the other. Since it spans such a length of time, I can understand why this had to happen. It's not like a generic YA where everything happens within a few weeks and you have all of the rising action, climax, and resolution packed into five hundred pages.
There are several plots intertwined in this novel, but the court intrigue is by far the most interesting aspect of it. Though the strange dynamics of Peter and Catherine's relationship are mentioned, they don't make up enough of the book's central theme. Really, the whole point of this novel is to showcase the growth of Catherine as she becomes the woman she needs to be. And it does a great job of doing that.
Writing Style:
I'm weird. When I read a book by a good author, I get my hands on almost everything else they have ever written … and hold off on reading it. I don't know exactly why this is, but I do have theories.
Suffice it to say, I whined for this ARC immediately after finishing Queen of Someday. And I got it! But I held off on reading it for who knows what bloody reason.
This is why: it is a time commitment. As in: I need to make sure I have at least 2 days set aside for reading and recovery. With a good author, their books should be given due consideration. You can't rush through lovely prose or wise-cracking dialogue. You just can't.
Sherry D. Ficklin is a good author, in my not so humble opinion. Therefore, I will probably poke and prod and whine and complain about the third book in the series until it is 100% finished … and I will be one of the lasts in the ARC circle to read it. Just the way it goes, folks. Can't count on me for nothing, lol.
Overall Opinion:
I really enjoyed Queen of Tomorrow. The change in Catherine's character from Sophie's was distinct and enjoyable. The drama that occurs is just the sort you would expect in royal court. For the first time in the history of its existence (okay, so I've only had it since December), my Kindle has been used to highlight particularly poignant lines that I loved. (And would have shared with you had this not been a gifted copy that may or may not change between now and the time it is published. Also, if my Kindle's battery wasn't dead, barring me from looking up said highlighted lines, hehehe.)
Much like its predecessor, it has such an ending as to leave your mouth watering for more, and an indescribable yearning to discover what happens next. How will Catherine proceed? What will Peter do now? Empress Elizabeth? Sergei? Russia? Prussia? The questions all pile up, and we all have to wait for book three before we get any kind of answers.
Settle in folks, it's going to be a wait...
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