Set over the span of twelve years, it’s mainly centered on Weirandale, but we also spend some time in Oromondo, a country full of religious fanatics who begin to wage war against the other countries, both because they are “non-believers” and because their own land is “cursed” with a blight. What is really interesting about this series is how it focuses on the overall world. Both Cressa and Cerulia are flawed, fantastic protagonists, but the series isn’t just about the two of them and the problems in their own country. I’m usually not a fan of prologues, but the one for A Queen in Hiding features giant cats guarding the throne, and it’s kind of hard for me to not be super interested in that.

I was into this story right from the start. Cerulia is placed with a family deep in the country whose memories are wiped of her true identity, and Cressa seeks allies to win back her throne. After an assassination attempt thwarted only by Cerulia’s talent of speaking to animals, the two flee in the night. Queen of the matrilineal society of Weirandale, where hair color, of all things, decides status, Cressa is concerned both about her daughter’s apparent lack of magical ability and the brewing coup she has discovered among her councilors. If you are looking for a new fantasy series with a pair of badass female protagonists set against a backdrop of war and political intrigue, you will definitely want to check out A Queen in Hiding, the first book in the Nine Realms series from Sarah Kozloff.Ī Queen in Hiding is the story of Cressa and her daughter Cerulia.

A Queen in Hiding by Sarah Kozloff