The Wolf of Oren-Yaro

Starred review from November 1, 2019

DEBUT The War of the Wolves nearly destroyed Jen-Sayeng, but the arranged marriage of Talyien of Oren-yaro to Rayyel of Ikessar would unite the nation. However, the night before they were crowned, Taliyen killed a man and Rayyel left, so Queen Taliyen holds power alone. Five years later, Talyien slips away from her home and her young son with a few guards, in hopes of a reconciliation with her estranged husband. What happens instead is an assassination attempt and a journey that takes her far from home, using her strength and wits to battle the forces that attempt to unseat her from her throne. The path that led to peace is strewn with hard emotions, bitter rivals, and power plays, leaving Taliyen to figure out if there is anyone she can trust. VERDICT Readers will be swept in by this strong protagonist and stunning worldbuilding, with a plot full of questions and surprises. Villoso's cunning, exciting debut is a new fantasy epic that readers will clamor for.--Kristi Chadwick, Massachusetts Lib. Syst., Northampton

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2020
It has been five years since Talyien killed a man in cold blood; five years since she was crowned queen and Dragonlord of Jin-Sayeng; five years since her husband walked away, leaving her, their son, and his position as co-ruler behind. Her reign has been contentious, with every waking hour spent fending the warlords off each other and off of her. Everything Talyien does is torn apart and re-examined for hidden meanings to be used against her. But she is queen and will do whatever is necessary to keep the peace and unite her people. Then a letter arrives from her husband asking for a meeting in a city across the sea. Hopeful, Talyien goes, never suspecting treachery is behind the summons. Villoso's debut draws on Filipino culture and myths to create a detailed fantasy world and uses the first person narrative of a beleaguered queen to explore a tale of secrets, lies, betrayal, and treason. The story ends with a shocking revelation, setting the stage for the next book in the Chronicles of the Bitch Queen.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)

Catherine Ho narrates an epic, and somewhat grim, fantasy. Queen Talyien was supposed to unite the kingdom of Jin-Sayeng by marrying, but her husband, Rayyel, left on the day of their coronation. Five years later she has an unexpected opportunity to reconnect with him. Ho's portrayal of Queen Talyien captures the full range of her emotions as they swing wildly between anger and betrayal to confidence and pride--plus everything else that the complex plot dredges up in her. There is a very large cast of secondary characters, as well as frequent flashbacks, so Ho's inconsistent portrayals of some characters, in particular, Khine (a friend) and Lo Bahn (a foe), can be frustrating. K.M.P. � AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine