Vianne di Rocancheil is a lady waiting at the Court of Arquitaine, where she studies her books, watches for intrigue, and shepherds her foolhardy Princesse through the glittering whirl. Court is a sometimes-unpleasant waltz, especially for the unwary, but Vianne treads its measured steps well.
Unfortunately, the dance has changed. Treachery is afoot in gilded and velvet halls. A sorcerous conspiracy is unleashed, with blood, death, and warfare close behind. Vianne must flee, carrying the Great Seal of Arquitaine with her. This is the one thing the conspirators need to rule, and they won’t rest until they have it. A life of dances, intrigues, and fashion has not prepared Vianne for this. Nor has it prepared her for Tristan d’Arcenne, Captain of the King’s Guard and player in the most dangerous games conspiracy can devise. Yet to save her country and avenge her Princesse, Vianne will become what she must and do whatever is required.
A Queen can do no less. (Goodreads summary)
While this story was one that I just had to know the ending to, and while I loved the very natural progression Vianne undergoes from quiet, unassuming lady-in-waiting to an authoritative queen, there was just something overall about this book that missed the mark for me.
So what missed the mark? The pacing for one. This is a slow book, and at times it felt as if it were going in circles – conversations and thoughts and intentions rehashed again and again. The romantic aspect of The Hedgewitch Queen is ultimately what kept me reading, but I did consider several times setting the book aside for something else. However, the romance itself is a bit strange. It at times feels calculated and political, and because of this, a bit passionless and not genuine. There is so much second-guessing and “Why would he love me?” type stuff on Vianne’s part, that I just never felt certain of their relationship status. But then again, perhaps it was supposed to give off that vibe? Their attraction also came across as a little unhealthy, as Tristan wanted to pummel or kill anyone who looked at Vianne cross-eyed. Ok. I’m over-exaggerating, but I did get the the feeling from things he said, things he did that he definitely has an undercurrent of darkness to him — that at times his anger is barely under control and that he’s done truly unforgivable things as the King’s Left Hand. Vianne is at times afraid of him, and I wonder at times if she isn’t right to think so.
Smaller grumblings include strange and incredibly repetitive word choices and phrasings. For example, the people of Arquitaine certainly do love their chai tea as it is mentioned no less than 56 times throughout the book. Another example: the word “ferret” is used a few times as both noun and verb (it’s a somewhat memorable word) and spelled “farrat,” except in one instance. I don’t usually point this sort of thing out in my reviews, but this is one novel in which a thesaurus, and at times a dictionary, would’ve come in handy.
However, despite my issues, the world is very interesting — definitely fantasy but with enticing hints of Europe thrown in (i.e. Rus = Russia, Pruzians = Prussians, and Vianne’s world has a heavy French influence). The political situation held my attention as well, and though I’m not a huge fan of the romance, I’ll definitely give Saintcrow credit for doing something different with the love interest. His character is rather compelling because of his unique moral perspective.
Overall, I give The Hedgewitch Queen props for originality, an interesting heroine and a fascinating world, but because of the iffy romance, the editing/writing style, and the fact that at times I had to motivate myself to keep reading, I’m torn about continuing on with this series.
* I believe that The Hedgewitch Queen is actually an adult novel; however, in my opinion it would be appropriate for an upper YA/new adult audience.
Author: Lilith Saintcrow
Title: The Hedgewitch Queen
Series: Romances of Arquitaine (Book #1)
Published: December 1st 2011 by Orbit
Format: Kindle (360 pages)
Website: www.lilithsaintcrow.com
Source: RAK gift
My rating: 
Happy Reading!
I love Lilith Saintcrow – I read her YS series Strange Angels and really liked it. But, I also had a hard time getting into the first book but really liked the second book, so hopefully the series is gettting better!
I’ve heard of the Strange Angels series, but I didn’t put it together that that author and this author are the same person until yesterday… [smacks forehead] SA is one I’ve been curious about, and I do hope the series gets better for you.
And the more I think about this book, the more I am curious as to how it’ll all be resolved in The Bandit King, so I probably will pick it up at some point. I hate leaving a story unfinished. lol
I understand the pull of unhealthy romances… but really, enough is enough. I don’t think I’d have liked Tristan on that basis alone! I don’t mind much about his moral codes, and I do like to experiment in that arena, but when that lack of morality steps into the sentimental area, I draw my lines.
That said, I like fantasy stories with solid basis and usually you get those by modelling your world after an appropiate era of ours (like A Song of Ice and Fire with England, which is copied down to the seven kingdoms and the Lancasters… I mean, Lannisters) but I need them to take a step away. When I have characters speaking Rusian and calling each other “Comrade” in a world of fantasy, I start having issues and I’m afraid this might happen with this book.
So… Not going to pick this one up for a while, I think, though I did like the cover and thought it quite interesting from the blurb.
Thanks for sharing the review, Dani!
LOL… no “Comrade” here. It’s definitely different enough. It’s more the subtleties that bring about the comparisons. But yeah, I find the relationship between the two leads interesting, but kind of unsettling and a little sad at the same time, you know?
I was kind of interested in this because anything with a witch in it gets my attention. But those things you mentioned, especially the tea 56 times, would drive me nuts. And the overuse of a particular word would too. And the questioning of why he’d love her. I definitely think this isn’t the book for me. I’d try one of her other series. Great honest review!
Heather
Thank you Heather for stopping by! It’s definitely different, and I haven’t read any of her other books, so I’m not sure how they compare, but I’m interested in her Strange Angels series
You really counted how many times chai tea was mentioned? XD Well, The Hedgewitch Queen is in my TBR pile… I think I’ll give it a chance. Great review.
Btw, I’ve nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award.
LOL… well, I kept noticing “chai” and kept noticing it, so I looked it up on the Kindle after I finished… and 56 was the number it gave. lol
The more I think about it, the more I’m considering reading the second. I think it’s one of those books where you definitely need to try it out for yourself.
and thank you Ayanami!