Wow. After years of mediocre YA novels, Queen of the Tearling is like eating an amazing, perfectly done steak (with great sides) after months of top ramen. I'm not sure how much I can say that hasn't been said before, but it's an exciting journey for a plain young woman who becomes queen of a poor feudal country in a post-apocalyptic future. Kelsea is a really engaging heroine who not only grows into her role as rule of an embattled people, but leads a fight against the fascist forces of Mortmesne, lead by the mysterious and terrifying Red Queen. I do love my evil queens, and all the characters-- while rooted in archetypes-- are well-rounded and nuanced. The world-building is great too-- everything is thought out, from the politics to the economy of all these various countries. There's even a smidgen of romance too (but it's backburned for now, which is good, considering how much Kelsea has on her plate). It's incredible how well-done everything it is, how smart and moving, and how compulsively readable it is. Definitely recommended.