Long May She Reign

December 5, 2016
Freya may be a member of the court of the kingdom of Epria, but she has little interest in social niceties; “much happier with equations and research,” she greatly prefers conducting chemical experiments in her laboratory. Having taken the opportunity to slip away from King Jorgen’s ostentatious birthday banquet, she later discovers that she is one of only a few survivors of a mass poisoning. With the majority of the court dead, Freya, formerly 23rd in line for the throne, is suddenly queen. While her advisors scheme, and an army gathers to oust her, Freya uses her wits, intuition, and scientific reasoning to attempt to find the killer. The suspects are many, ranging from the King’s illegitimate son to a group of underground revolutionaries—this is as much a murder mystery as it is a fantasy, and Thomas (A Wicked Thing) includes just enough background detail to give shape to Freya’s world. Freya is an intelligent and resilient heroine who, when thrust into a position she never wanted, stays true to herself and champions the disenfranchised. Ages 13–up. Agent: Kristin Nelson, Nelson Literary.

November 15, 2016
The mass poisoning of a royal court leaves a girl suddenly queen.Freya is a socially awkward aspiring scientist and the king's fourth cousin once removed. At the king's birthday, her discomfort with society and an idea for an experiment lead her, along with her best (and only) friend, to sneak away. Hours later, her father and royal guards storm her laboratory to secure her--after she left, a mass poisoning at the feast wiped out the king and all those ahead of her in the line of succession. Freya must let go of her dream to travel the world as a scientist, as the surviving royal advisers attempt to force her into the mold of a proper queen. But she knows that whoever killed the court could strike again. There are many with motives: a banned, anti-nobility religious group; the king's illegitimate son; the advisors; and Freya's new heir, a beautiful social butterfly newly returning to court. Moreover, the king's best friend suspects she committed the crime. Freya must untangle motives (and troubles in the kingdom) using intelligence and ingenuity. Although the otherwise tightly plotted mystery's solution may stretch credibility for some, the characters (largely white) and fast pace will keep readers hooked. The most powerful theme that emerges is the complexity of the individual, which helps to support the strong female friendships that balance the exciting romantic storyline. A thoughtful and thrilling tale. (Fantasy. 12 & up)

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December 1, 2016

Gr 8 Up-Freya's dream of escaping court life and delving deeper into her scientific studies is almost within reach. After leaving the king's birthday party early to work on a project, she is horrified to learn that most of the court was poisoned, resulting in her being next in succession as queen. Most of Freya's advisers, including her father, want her to continue with the old ways of the court and punish those responsible for the murders. Freya wants to use her intelligence to learn not only how the people were murdered but why. While investigating, Freya first suspects but then befriends court darling Madeline and the charming, not-so-foolish Fitzroy, the illegitimate son of the former king. Thomas's novel focuses on Freya's struggle to embrace who she is, rather than who people want her to be. Although there is a constant threat of danger, this historical fantasy is slow-paced at times. A brief romance and a swift ending may also leave some readers wishing for more, while a few plot threads feel too convenient. Still, the world is richly built, with its own history and godlike heroes who have renounced the decadence of the kingdom. VERDICT A solid purchase with a strong female lead for libraries where fantasies circulate heavily. Suggest to teens who enjoyed Jennifer A. Nielsen's The False Prince or Garth Nix's Sabriel.-Rebecca Greer, Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative, FL

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2016
Grades 8-11 For Freya, life revolves around her science lab, where she strives to invent something that will gain her the notoriety and resources she needs to travel the world. As a distant cousin of the king, Freya is twenty-third in line for the throne, but court life has never appealed to her, and her chances of actually inheriting the throne are too small for it to matter. But when a mass poisoning occurs at a lavish banquet, the royal familyand much of the courtis wiped out in one fell swoop, leaving Freya the shaken and reluctant new ruler. What's left of the kingdom is shocked and suspicious, and practical scientist Freya finds herself surrounded by people she doesn't know if she can trust. Freya, smart and shy and not ready to be a queen, is a relatable heroine, and her developing relationships with the people around her are a highlight. A clever, absorbing mystery of court intrigue, intense friendships, and newfound courage.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)