The Blacksmith Queen

by G. A. Aiken

Overview

When a prophecy brings war to the Hill Lands, Keeley Smythe must join forces with a clan of mountain warriors in a thrilling new fantasy romance series from New York Times bestselling author G.A. Aiken.

The Old King Is Dead

With the demise of the Old King, there’s a prophecy that a queen will ascend to the throne of the Hill Lands. Bad news for the king’s sons, who are prepared to defend their birthright against all comers. But for blacksmith Keeley Smythe, war is great for business. Until it looks like the chosen queen will be Beatrix, her younger sister. Now it’s all Keeley can do to protect her family from the enraged royals.
 
Luckily, Keeley doesn’t have to fight alone. Because thundering to her aid comes a clan of kilt-wearing mountain warriors called the Amichais. Not the most socially adept group, but soldiers have never bothered Keeley, and rough, gruff Caid actually seems to respect her. A good thing because the fierce warrior will be by her side for a much longer ride than any prophecy ever envisioned . . .
 
Praise for The Dragon Who Loved Me
 
“A chest thumping, mead-hall rocking, enemy slaying brawl of a good book.”
—All Things Urban Fantasy
 
“Aiken aces another one.” —RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781496721228
Publisher:	Kensington
Publication date:	08/27/2019
Series:	The Scarred Earth Saga , #1
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	352
Sales rank:	10,375
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Originally from Long Island, New York Times bestselling author G.A. Aiken has resigned herself to West Coast living, which involves healthy food, mostly sunny days, and lots of guys not wearing shirts when they really should be. Writing as Shelly Laurenston, she is also the creator of the wickedly funny Pride series for Brava. For more info about G.A. Aiken’s dangerously and arrogantly sexy dragons, go to www.gaaiken.com.

Editorial Reviews

09/01/2019

In the Land of the Black Hills, the Old King has died, and each of his sons is ruthlessly battling for the throne. The Witches of Amhuinn, however, foresee a queen ruling the kingdom, not a king. Keeley Smythe is a renowned blacksmith who typically delights in the business that war brings to her forges. Yet this time, she will wield the weapons instead of making them, as it's revealed that her younger sister, Beatrix, is the one prophesied to become queen. Luckily, the family is more than ready to fight the angry royals, and Keeley has a few surprising aides to help her bring Beatrix to safety. Among them a small group of Amichai, mysterious mountain warriors sent to protect the incumbent queen and their neighboring realm from the power-hungry heirs. Caid, a taciturn member of the Scarred Earth Clan with a reputation for roughness, is amused by Keeley's outlook and antics and agrees to join her to face the oncoming threats. VERDICT This new series opener from Aiken ("Dragon Kin" series) is a bit bumpy in its worldbuilding, but readers looking for a fantasy romance that doesn't take itself too seriously will enjoy.—Kellie Tilton, Univ. of Cincinnati Blue Ash

Library Journal

06/17/2019

This unsuccessfully farcical fantasy series launch by paranormal romance author Aiken (the Dragon Kin series) is set in a world full of centaurs, witches, and necromantic war monks. The old king’s death leads his sons to go to war for his throne. When word gets out that a prophecy has predicted that a farmer’s daughter will be queen, her blacksmith sister, Keely, assumes the burden of trying to protect her, only to learn that her sister is not what she seems. The story is meant to be absurdist but comes across as merely ridiculous, with a plot that takes itself just a little too seriously to pull off its Pratchettesque tone. The book’s packaging implies a more standard fantasy epic, but readers drawn to that will be surprised to instead get an adolescent dramady—complete with catty slap-fights—transplanted to a cookie-cutter sword-and-sorcery setting. While some will undoubtedly find this flavor of comedy to their tastes, this isn’t a book that will appeal to mainstream fantasy fans. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly