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Shadow Queen

Deborah Kalin    
Format: Paperback - A format
Pages: 312
AUD $19.99 inc. GST
Shadow Queen

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When powerful enemies threaten to destroy her kingdom, Shadow Queen Matilde must pit herself against her family's conqueror to survive - will her vision of doom come true, or will she prevail? A breathtaking novel from a brilliant new voice in fantasy fiction.

Description

'I put out a hand to steady myself as the vision took me. The parquetry floor washed to black . . . As if sparked by the hard glare, a fire burst and raged through the room, the flames hot enough to crisp bones and raise the smell of marrow burning to cinders. And me in the middle, wrapped in the black shroud of the dead.'
For Matilde of House of Svanaten, accession to the Turasi throne is long overdue. But her imperious grandmother remains reluctant to hand over power. When Matilde's mysterious aunt, Helena, turns up for the Turasi's most important festival, suspicions abound. Why has Helena suddenly appeared - and accompanied by the despised Ilthean? And what of the Ilthean soldiers massed at the southern border?
Hard on Helen's arrival, Matilde is struck by a vision warning of doom. And it isn't long before a powerful enemy strikes at the very heart of power, leaving a trail of death and destruction in his wake. After narrowly surviving the conflagration that shatters her entire world, Matilde must pit herself against her family's conqueror in a battle not just for the throne, but for her very existence.
'Strong, tense, economical yet poetic writing. . . Gripping. Highly recommended.' - Sun Herald
'Shadow Queen has strong narrative drive, a fiery protagonist and, most importantly, moves at a cracking pace. It's assured writing and well-crafted plot may also win it readers outside the [fantasy] genre.' - Sunday Age

Deborah Kalin worked as a chemical engineer before giving it all away to devote her energies to writing fantasy. After living in Newcastle for many years, Deborah recently moved to Melbourne where she examines engineering patents. Deborah is an extremely clever and talented writer who will go far.

ISBN: 9781741759327
Australian Pub.: September 2009
Publisher: ALLEN & UNWIN
Imprint: ARENA
Subject: Fantasy
Edition Number: 1

Reader reviews

'An Aussie we can be proud of, Deborah Kalin’s debut is a striking, infuriating, endlessly surprising and wonderfully disturbing work, penned in prose whose clarity, wit and elegance more seasoned wordsmiths must dream about. The first of two novels, Shadow Queen follows young princess Matilde, after her family is slain and her throne stolen by the power-hungry Dieter. Forced to wed him and bound by dark magic, Matilde searches for a way to reclaim her crown, but with everyone in the upheaved kingdom now against her -- and the fearsome Ilthean Empire baying at the borders -- prospects are grim.

The cover blurb calls Matilde an unforgettable character and it doesn’t lie; she’s a young woman trapped in everything but thought, constantly fighting for a way clear. If she’s not always sympathetic it’s because Kalin’s honest writing delivers a deeply human heroine, prey to fear, embarrassment and pride, and who, cornered with decisions upon which lives balance, doesn’t always choose rightly. She feels real, though, and even if you bemoan her actions you’ll understand them every time. As a study of an unbreakable young woman battling the manifold barriers that ensnare her, Shadow Queen succeeds as surely as we hope Matilde will.' - Lachlan Huddy

'Shadow Queen by Deborah Kalin is the first book in a brilliant new fantasy series.

Matilde has spent her life in training to ascend the Turasi throne, but her grandmother is reluctant to relinquish power. When Matilde's aunt, Helena, returns from exile, speculation and suspicion follow.

Matilde has a vision of doom and her world is destroyed by a new enemy who leaves a trail of death and destruction. She survives, but must fight this conqueror for her throne and her life.

This brief description does not begin to describe the captivating power of this book. It sounds like "just another fantasy" novel, but that is far from the case. The Turasi tribes, a Skythe shadow-walker and the Iltheans are mentioned, but not explained, in the first chapter. This immediately fires the imagination of the reader. Who are these people, what have they done and what will they do in the future?

Be prepared for a late night because this book is impossible to put down. I can't wait for the sequel, so I will have to read this book again and again until it appears.

If you enjoy reading fantasy fiction, you will love this book. If you have never tried fantasy, this is the perfect place to start. If you hate fantasy, this book will change your mind forever.' - Merryl Donn

'Shadow Queen is a fantastic book. It is magical, complex, deeply emotional and very dark. I was hooked in the first few pages.

Matilde is stuck in a situation that you can empathize with she struggles with her situation, herself and her world changing not knowing who she can turn to, and not trusting herself enough to be able to make the right decisions. Yet you can understand every other characters motivation which keeps you on the edge of your seat, anything could happen (and does). This is one I book I did not find predictable at all.

Deborah Kahlin has created a new fantasy world that you can feel building into something amazing.

Shadow Queen will definitely have a place on my book shelf with lots of space for the following installments.' - Joanna White

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