The big buzz around this book was that it was a women-led fantasy that did not feature romance as a major plot point. When I first heard this I was very excited, and it obviously got me to read the novel. But the more I think about this, the more it raises a lot of the familiar conversations about "women's fiction." As if this novel might somehow carry more weight without a central romance plot (romance fans don't despair totally--there are some moon eyes and the possibility of romance developing over the series). What I do like is that this novel does not discredit the possibility of romance, but in this novel we get to watch all the intricate political turns of new Queen of Tearling, Kelsea claim her kingdom. 
 Now, the world of this kingdom can be somewhat jarring. It's a future that feels like a medieval past. Illusions are made to the great crossing, and all the information, especially medical knowledge, lost therein. Also there's another kingdom. It's ruled by an evil witch lady. She may have deals with dark creatures. Also, try to hear avid bibliophile Kelsea make mention of the "7 volumes of Rowling" without a little bit of a head snap. 
 Most of the plot of this book hinges around breaking of a contract with to feed the Red Queen (she's the evil one because she doesn't have a name) slaves in order for peace. A slave trade provides a visceral emotional reaction for readers, and allows Kelsea to slip in and be the good guy for readers unquestionably while still having to deal with a difficult political situation in that she's just made someone very powerful very angry. Most of my questions in this book and world revolve around this slave business. Tearling is shipping hundreds of slaves every month; Mortmesme (Red Queen) seems very concerned when one shipment does not arrive, as if their entire economy may be hinging on this shipment of slaves. What are they doing with these slaves? What the novel tells me does not necessarily jive with this. Right now I am unsure if this is a weakness or a something that will be explored more as we go along. 
 I'm not going to lie, these things jarred me. But they did so because they lay outside of my experience with fantasy. I am not as well read in fantasy as I would like to be, so this may well not be abnormal within the genre. And that's not really the point, just the reason for my reaction. I'm still settling into the world. 
 I like the characters in this novel, even the ones I don't like. They are interesting, and I want to spend time with them. Yes, I sometimes have trouble with Kelsea. She seems to slip into her role almost too easily. Yes, she's been training her whole life out in the country, but her guardians have kept some very important things from her. And she's totally unfamiliar with society. Arguably, some of it is her having to call the bluff of the men around her who don't feel she's fit to rule. There is a particular scene in which Kelsea is meeting with the head of her armed forces that is both infuriating and cathartic. Also Johnson keeps teasing us with who her father is. How long of a series are we planning here Johnson? When will I find out who this woman's father is? 
 Is this a perfect novel? No. In addition to the world, sometimes the exposition could feel a little heavy-handed. Did I enjoy it anyway? Yuppers. Am I going to turn in to the next installment. You bet. How else am I going to work out who Kelsea's dang father is (I have suspicions, but I don't trust Johansen hasn't built it that way on purpose)?