The Scorpion Queen by Mina Fears

The quick cut: A teen girl is disowned by her family after a lie is told. Losing everything, she's thrust into a dangerous situation where she must choose between a new friend and the love of her life.

A real review:

One well placed lie can ruin a person's life. It may sound melodramatic, but it can also very much be the case. For Amie, it's true when a lie caused her to lose her inheritance, her true love, and her family.

Amie was ready for a life of wealth and connections when her sister's lie took it all away. Now abandoned by her family and left with nothing, she works in the palace for the princess. When an opportunity to help the princess conflicts with an opportunity to be with her true love, she doesn't know what to do. Who should she go with?

The author here did a phenomenal job laying the land and building the world. Unfortunately, she didn't put that level of diligence into the storyline or pacing. There's a slow build at first, but it's almost like the author ran out of space and rushed the ending. It led to character choices that didn't make sense and an ending that makes you feel like a sequel book is being planned.

Amie is unlikable at first because she's used to being rich and having things handed to her. When push comes to shove though, she shows herself capable of real strength. She grew on me eventually and I found myself wanting to see her succeed.

An interesting fantasy story that fails to completely tell the plot effectively.

My rating: 3.75 out of 5