Kings & Queens [Paperback]

Courtney Vail (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 27, 2012

How would YOU stop a massacre ... if you were only seventeen?
If the cops didn't believe you?
If your mom never listened?
If your friends thought it was a joke?
If the faceless nutjobs trolled your halls and somehow knew your every move before you made it?


Majesty Alistair, who's biggest aims of late have been to best Grief and keep any nearby 2x4s from colliding with her crush's head, has to figure that out and go all Veronica Mars when she overhears two fellow students planning a church shooting. Her hammering pleas to investigate her father's recent death and other possible crimes-in-the-works have totally killed her cred with cops, so, armed with just the bits and pieces she caught, she strives to ID the gun-toting freaks herself before they act. But when their agenda turns out to be far bigger than she ever assumed, she becomes the centerpiece in a ruthless game that casts even her closest friends under suspicion and puts her in a conundrum where winning or losing will leave blood on her hands, the blood of someone she loves.

Product Details

• Paperback: 328 pages
• Publisher: Little Prince Publishing (January 27, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615469779
• ISBN-13: 978-0615469775
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.7 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,171,097 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

COURTNEY VAIL writes totally twisted YA and adult suspense. She enjoys braiding mystery, suspense & romance with some kind of weirdness. Her addictions to crazy coffee concoctions, Funny Bones, Ben & Jerry's, and bacon keep her running and writing. She currently lives in New England with a comedian stud and a wild gang of kidlets.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars From Missy's Reads & Reviews July 17, 2011

By Missy

Format:Kindle Edition

This book... was something else. I'll start with the outside and work my way in so I can form the right words for what I want to say about Kings & Queens. The cover is gorgeous. I love the colors, I love the slight grunge feel to it with the text and brushes. The lips and everything about the cover sums up what you'll get to look forward to in the book. Confused? You should be.

I think the best way for me to describe the book is quirky. "Beautifully unique" would be another term I'd use. I just.. I love this book, and I don't know how to review this book without giving away too much. Reading the book through will keep you frustratingly frazzled most of the time, and you will think you're more confused than you really are. Once I was done with the story, I sat it down and just thought about it for a few moments. To my absolute amazement, I understood everything that went on in the book in almost perfect detail. Brilliant!

Each character, especially Majesty, was like a 20-Layer Cake. There was so much dimension and character development that it was almost too much to take... almost. The book was both character-driven and plot-driven, which promises to be an exciting ride for every type of YA reader. Add to this Courtney's incredible writing style and you have a story that you want to devour in one sitting.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Book I've Read This Year May 2, 2012

By Jennifer L. Golub

Format:Paperback

In the beginning of Kingsand Queens we meet Majesty, a no-nonsense, baseball loving, girl, who has recently lost her father. Cutting through the woods after baseball one evening, she over-hears two boys in paint ball masks plotting a mass shooting. The boys notice Majesty even though she is able to escape. Majesty is afraid to tell the police because she is afraid they won't believe her - due to the fact that she thinks her father's death was suspicious and has been hounding them to look into the case further. She makes an anonymous call to tip off the police. Soon her life is being threatened on a regular basis - by the killers.

Majesty and her crush, Derek, and best friend, Alec attempt to find the killers and gather real evidence before the massacre occurs. Unfortunately, there are so many people in Majesty's school that fit the build of the would-be killers, making things difficult. The more investigating that Majesty does the further she gets into this dangerous web.

I cannot say enough good things about Kings and Queens by Courtney Vail. I really love Courtney Vail's writing style. It's a refreshing read - different than so many other books I've read lately. Kings and Queens is incredibly suspenseful. The story unfolds like a well-played game of chest between two masters. Every time you think you have something figured out, there is a twist or surprise.

The characters are complex multi-dimensional individuals. Majesty is a strong female character with moxie, strength and determination. But she is also human. She has her weak moments. She needs her friends. She cares about others. She has beliefs that she is willing to fight for. Derek and Alec are also both complex characters, and we learn about their stories as well. They aren't simply two-dimensional characters to serve the purpose of a love triangle. Even the side characters have depth to them.

Out of the 79 books that I've read so far this year, I would have to say that this one is in my top five. The strong characters, well developed plot, twists and turns, and different & refreshing writing style earned it five stars from me. I will be anticipating further books by Courtney Vail.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Most Original YA Novel I've Read In A While! February 26, 2012

By Jamie Deacon

Format:Paperback

Imagine knowing something terrible is about to happen but no one believes you. Imagine being unsure who is an enemy and who is a friend. Seventeen-year-old Majesty Alistair finds herself in just such a position when she overhears two fellow students planning a church massacre. Intent on unmasking the culprits, she stumbles into something far bigger and more dangerous than she ever could have dreamed. Can she avert disaster in time? Disturbing, dark and immensely powerful ... this is one of the most original YA novels I've read in a while, and definitely the most gritty.