19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent work of high fantasy, April 26, 2005
This is the first American printing of the first volume of the author's two-volume fantasy "Changer of Days." When it was originally published in New Zealand and Australia, under the author's real name by the way (Alma Hromic), the two books were simply titled "Changer of Days" Volume 1 and Volume 2. In the U. S. the first volume is titled "The Hidden Queen" and the second volume is titled "Changer of Days."
Since they're one story it's hard to review one without the other, and I don't want to spoil either book by giving away too many details, but I'll say the author has written many genuinely awe-inspiring and touching scenes that'll stay in my memory for the rest of my life, including the scene where the queen-in-exile dares to defy a god. A large cast of well-drawn characters, a traditional but nonetheless involving high-fantasy plot, and a strong sense of place (not only the expected English medieval kingdom, but also two more exotic lands) testify to the fact that the author has imagined her world in rich detail over a period of many years. If you like high fantasy, you'll like "The Hidden Queen" and "Changer of Days," as they are well-above-average examples of the genre.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
If you like epic fantasy, then give it a try., August 18, 2005
[Review for THE HIDDEN QUEEN, Book 1]
At the beginning of the novel, Anghara is a 9-year-old Queen who is sent away from court to her aunt's country estate under a false name and identity. She's hunted by her murderous half-brother Sif who has usurped the throne and now calls himself King. But just when she begins to settle in, catastrophe strikes and she's spirited away again by her loyal supporters. Thus, this fantasy novel unfolds rather like a cat and mouse game. Sif and Anghara never meet face to face, but each is foremost in the other's mind.
The Hidden Queen is Book 1 of 2; its follow-up is Changer of Days. I enjoyed the novel very much at first. The notion of a fugitive, but rightful, Queen on the run from her brother is a neat premise. However, by the middle of the book, I had grown impatient with Alexander's style. She tells the story in the third-person: the narrator has a rather annoying habit of speaking in a pseudo-archaic, prophetic, and heavy style. The effect is that the characters feel stiff and the action historical rather than actual. By all rights, this should've been an exciting read, yet I was left feeling uninspired by the wooden prose. I didn't like Anghara very much, or find her soulful connection to Kieran, her foster-brother, very convincing. She reminded me too much of the typical fantasy heroine, one who has hidden powers, flowing mane of redhair, flashing gray eyes, etc. etc. etc.
[Review for CHANGER OF DAYS, Book 2]
Whereas The Hidden Queen (see above) chronicled Anghara's childhood and early youth, this novel focuses on her transformation from child to woman, and landless exile to Queen. I liked Book 2 better than Book 1: the action heats up, and the new characters who are introduced at all the right times enliven the book. I'm thinking of Favrin, the wily and daring Tath king in particular. However, my major criticism for these novels, even Book 2 which I rather enjoyed, is that the author seems to take the story much too seriously. It's all prophecies, battles, and other melodramatic moments, and not enough of the quieter or lighter stuff. If you like epic-fantasies, then you may like this one.
I would like to give this 2-volume story 3.5 stars, but since you can't do that, I'll give it a 4. I do think Alma Alexander is an author with potential. The story seemed to get better and better towards the end.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Very disappointing, August 12, 2006
After reading the blurb and seeing this called and intelligent and sensitive book, I was really looking forward to reading it. I liked the plot and the setting, but the execution was simply horrible. Point of view shifts happened from paragraph to paragraph. The main character was lifeless and dull. There were long passages detailing emotions (sensitive?) but then the plot would be summed up in two or three sentences. It was telling instead of showing at its worst.
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