The Critiquing Chemist
Literary Analysis derived from an Analytical Chemist
30 Thought Provoking Books and 3000 Followers!
Year 2 – Blogiversary
1000 Followers and My Top 10 Recently Published Literary Works of Art
Blogiversary and my Top 10 Book Recommendations from my First Year Blogging!
ARC Reviews
The Hidden Face by S. C. Flynn – ARC (November 25, 2017)
Artemis by Andy Weir – November 14, 2017
Assassin's Fate by Robin Hobb-ARC
Waking Gods by Sylvain Neuvel
The Summer that Melted Everything by Tiffany McDaniel-ARC
Let there be Linda by Rich Leder *Release Date: July 1st*
The Fate of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
My 8th Scientific Publication
My 7th Scientific Article Publication and 100th Post!
Birthday Adventures in Chicago – Wrigley Field and Hamilton
Happy 31st Birthday – Guest Blog Post from my Baby Brother
Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park – Florida
Dry Tortugas National Park – Florida
Mackinac Island – Michigan
George Peabody Library – Baltimore
Atomic Bookstore and Other Explorations – Baltimore (Part 1)
A Bachelorette Bimini Adventure!
The Hesburgh Library at the University of Notre Dame
A Day in Chicago; Hamilton, Myopic Bookstore, and 2017 Chicago Beer Festival at the Field Museum
Detroit Tigers Spring Training Game
A Valentine's Day Trip to John K. King's Rare and Used Books in Detroit
Birthday Adventures in Zion National Park!
A Recap of my European Honeyversary and 500 Followers!
Looking up from my books for a Cross Country Adventure!
Looking up from my books for a European Adventure!
DIY-Wooden Wedding Cake Stands
DIY-Moss Covered Monograms
DIY-Gold Christmas Lights
DIY-Machine Stitched Wedding Programs
A Song of Ice and Fire Analysis
An In-Depth Analysis of A Dance with Dragons by George R. R. Martin
An In-Depth Analysis of A Feast for Crows by George R. R. Martin
An In-Depth Analysis of 'A Storm of Swords' by George R. R. Martin
An In-Depth Analysis of A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin
An In-Depth Analysis of A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
An In-Depth Analysis of The World of Ice and Fire (Part 4 of 4) by George R. R. Martin, Elio M. Garcia, Jr., and Linda Antonsson
Honeybee Update #4 – 2017
Keeping Bees as House Pets and Other Experiences during our First Year as Beekeepers
November 17, 2016 May 9, 2017 sarahylockwood
Rate: 5/5
Medium: Book
Initial Note:
First and foremost, The Fate of the Tearling represents an incredibly exciting first for the Critiquing Chemist, having been the first requested book to be sent to me by a publisher! I have to thank all of my fellow bloggers for supporting the Critiquing Chemist in the last year, thereby allowing me to achieve one of my dreams/bucket list items I've had since I was in my teens that has always seemed fundamentally impossible.
Overview (No Spoilers): The Fate of the Tearling is the eagerly anticipated, concluding novel of The Queen of the Tearling trilogy. As often happens upon obtaining the last book in a well loved trilogy, I find myself dreading actually opening the novel in question for the fear that the author will have run out of steam or feel rushed/pressured, as such producing an uninspired finale, e.g., Hunger Games, Divergent. Rest assured, Johansen weaves a riveting tale that will leave the reader in a state of eager anxiety as they fly through page after page. The Fate of the Tearling, picking up shortly after the devastating cliffhangers of The Invasion of the Tearling, perfectly complements its predecessors with many of the characters continuing to grow in depth, while filling in many of the questions the reader has regarding the mysterious past of the Tearling. Overall, if you haven't started this series, The Queen of the Tearling is an absolute must read and should promptly be moved to the top of your 'To Be Read' list. This trilogy has easily earned a spot in my top five, if not top three trilogies I've encountered. Although, it must be said, Red Rising is still ranked higher. Regardless, this is a series you will want to start reading before all of your friends are talking about it.
Additional Insight (Spoilers Abound):
Queen Kelsey continues to grow as a person, fighting her inner demons despite the turmoil of being held captive by the Red Queen. In this third book we see her venturing into the past again, learning more about key figures such as Row, Tear, and the Fetch. We learn so much about the Red Queen that we pity her by the end, despite all of the evil she has done.
Heartbreakingly, we find out that Kelsea's father is Mhurn, the traitorous Queen's Guard that Kelsea herself executed. I was hoping for a more exciting father figure, however upon some pondering, her lack luster bloodline suits her character, and the evolving storyline.
The rose-colored glasses are removed with regard to the Fetch as we see him as an arrogant, flawed teenager.
Poor, poor Aisa! I loved her fiery character, but alas her demise seemed rushed, almost glossed in the final dramatic scenes.
The ending in general left me shocked, with my initial reaction leaning towards one of mediocrity, however the more I think on Kelsea's fate and that of the Tearling, the more I love it! It is absolutely unfair to our heroine, that everyone she knows and loves exists in a happier life that she cannot share in, but that is the price she must pay for her people. She has the opportunity for a normal life, but will she be able to live having experienced the hardships of her royal past? What has happened to Andalie in this new world? Thorne? Will Gavin have descendants? Why did Jonathan Tear have to die? What will happen if someone puts on the Tear jewels again? So many questions! How did Row find the evil magic in the new world and what was the creature in the woods? How did Tear find his initial magic in the old world? Is there magic and the gift of seeing in this new world of Kelsea's?
Book Analysis
The Fate of the Tearling
Previous The Gene by Siddhartha Mukherjee
Next Goldenhand by Garth Nix
michelejennifer says:
Aahhhhh!!!! I am so beyond excited for this book. I loved the first two so much, and I can hardly contain myself waiting to get my hands on this one. I'm so glad you liked it. I'll have to come back and read your spoiler section after I've read the book. Aaaaahhhhh!!
Sabina Ayne says:
This trilogy is going on my TBR list!!
Shouni says:
I've only skimmed your review since I haven't started this series yet but I'm glad it's a strong conclusion. That makes me want to read the series even more. And congratulations on receiving the book!!
sarahylockwood says:
Thanks! Let me know what you think of the series when you start it!
Congrats on getting the book!! Wow, if it ranks with Red Rising, it must be pretty dang good. Thanks for the review- I'll return to read the spoiler section once I've read book III 😉
Thanks! You'll have to let me know what you think of book three! I've really loved this series. I can't wait to see what Emma Watson does with the character!
dpcinh2013 says:
Red Rising was spectacular indeed – the trilogy was engrossing!
madbooklove says:
I'm afraid to read your actual review because I'm in the middle of "Invasion of the Tearling" and I've got this one to read and review after, but your rating of 5/5 says everything. I'm going to come back and read this when I'm done. All I know at this point is, I like the 2nd in series even better than the 1st, and I'm hoping the 3rd and final will be even better. 😀
matxi_books says:
I have to get on board already. It sounds really good!
To say I'm disappointed is an understatement. The ending felt totally rushed and not thought out.
Where did William Tear get his sapphire and why was it special?
I felt that they put way too much importance on her father for it just to be Mhurn. I understand that she had some inner turmoil that she killed her father, but she was over that in 3 pages.
The way that Row was killed just seemed stupid. She turned into a demonic monster that came out of Katie by going into the past? There should have been more of a fight to actually kill Row than that.
Jonathan Tear had to die so that there wasn't a Tear dynasty moving forward. If he had lived, people would have resented him and it wouldn't have been an equal society.
How did we get doctors in this new future?
Nina Foster says:
The ending did confuse me because history still stated that Row had killed Jonathan. Also, I assume that when Lily died in childbirth the baby died also? If they mentioned that, I did not absorb it. Katie decided to take the Tear name? At the end, Caitlin Tear was the one and only queen of the Tearling. These things confused me.
Cory Crawford says:
I don't think it matters that Lily's baby died in childbirth because they wanted us to think that Katie was pregnant with Jonathan's child, which would preserve the Tear line.
I'm not really sure why Kelsea was the only one that could use the pendant. Why didn't it work for the red queen?
It also could have been rows baby but either way it would have been a tearling child
The Fate of the Tearling by Erika Johansen – Wag 'n Bietjie says:
[…] Source: The Fate of the Tearling by Erika Johansen […]
I was also disappointed in the ending, mostly just because of how much Kelsea lost. I go back and forth between how I feel about it in regards to how I thought it was written. On one hand it was definitely a surprise and an interesting end. I had just assumed that the reason history still says that Row killed Johnathan was because whoever wrote it down wasn't there and just assumed Row did it. Although that's putting a huge assumption on Gavin and the others not screaming about what really happened through town.
I feel like there's so many points that undermine other parts of the book. Namely killing Row; Katie had once thought that she should have killed him when she had the chance but then decided that it wouldn't help because there are other people who would just take his place. But then the solution that changes the entire future of the Town ends up still being to kill him.
I also feel a wanting for more on Mhurn. We find out that she is able to use the sapphires when no other Raleigh could because she has Tear blood, and since it didn't come from her mother it had to have come from him. But there was no explanation or even addressing of the fact that he must be a descendant of Tear.
I was also really confused about the whole Caitlin Tear thing. I'm wondering why she did that. And if Johnathan had to die for the Town to feel more equal, why was it still able to become what it did after she took the Tear name and became queen? Going back to there being more power hungry people than just Row, why did Caitlin have no contest for power?
2016 Year in Review – The Critiquing Chemist says:
[…] reach out and even receive advanced copies of books I was eagerly anticipated their release, e.g., The Fate of the Tearling, as well as cultivating several relationships I value deeply with other bloggers. I managed to […]
annebrooke says:
Reblogged this on The Vanishing Writer.
erjonas says:
Congratulations on having this sent to you by the publisher!! And happy new year!
Thanks! I was incredibly excited! Happy New Year to you as well!
rakioddbooks says:
Hmm, perhaps I should add this series to my list. But there are so many series I've yet to start. Hmm… hm… decisions decisions.
So true! Decisions are hard! You won't go wrong with this series though!
sunainabhatia says:
Will check it out soon…Thanks for sharing….
neesrecordaolcom says:
thorntonrigg says:
Oh gosh I haven't started this series but this review has really piqued my curiosity. Thanks.
Let me know what you think about this series!!
Janet from FL says:
It is fun to receive books requested from the publisher! So glad you hit this milestone!
Thanks Janet! It was such a nice surprise!
Not usually up my alley but this sounds good.
The series was surprisingly refreshing! I'm excited to see what Emma Watson does with the role in the upcoming movie!
stking8920 says:
Thanks for following my blog Sarah. If you're up for a long foodie post about my Europe trip, try "Foodies Follow the Trail". 🙂
I will have to check that out! I love anything that has to do with travel! 🙂
chickadeebookreviews says:
Hi! It's so amazing that you have received a book from a publisher! Congratulations on your success! I am loving your blog so far and look forward to coming back to read more 🙂
Thank you! I could hardly contain my excitement at getting an ARC that I'd requested. I believe a silly happy dance might have occurred. I'm so glad that you're enjoying my blog! 🙂
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Coffee_and_Campfire says:
I can't wait to read this one! I have read the first two books of the series and have this one waiting on the shelf.
Great review 📚
People seem to love or hate this last installment! I hope you will enjoy it! 🙂
This sounds like a fantastic series, I will be putting it on my TBR.
yvettevn007 says:
Reblogged this on Yvette van Niekerk .
Shravanthi Kripa says:
I have all of these questions too! I'm hoping that there is forum or a new book or something that can assuage these. And yeah, the ending was the best part. I loved how things just fell into place, It was sad for Kelsea, yes but I like to think that she can always befriend her 'Guard' and others in the new world.
I agree! Perhaps we will get more closure when they turn it into a movie!
You think a movie is in the works? There are no signs of it so far…
I haven't heard anything new except for the initial announcement!
Year 2 – Blogiversary – The Critiquing Chemist says:
[…] below you can see a few of the ARC copies that I've received, with my favorites being the Fate of the Tearling (Queen of the Tearling #3) and Waking Gods (The Themis Files #2). I've also received a […]
I relate so much to this: "I find myself dreading actually opening the novel in question for the fear that the author will have run out of steam…"
Thanks Bree! I'm glad I'm not alone in feeling the dread regarding a book I'm so excited to read!
plotmonster says:
Insightful review. I enjoyed your take on this series. Overall I did enjoy this series. However, I was disappointed by the ending as well.
Thank you Plot Monster! (Great blog name btw) It seems to me people either love or hate the end to this series!
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