I really liked this book even though it broke my heart!

The Queen's Wing hooked me from the start. It was very entertaining and as soon as I started it, I knew I was probably going to enjoy it. I didn't expect it to have a love triangle but it's not something I'm really against. However, something important happened in this book (I'd say in the middle of it?) and I'm not going to spoil you but man, it hurt to the point where I was crying. It also means I was attached to the characters so there's that.

This book was action-packed and I'd recommend it if you enjoy your fantasy with some sci-fi in it!

(I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my review)

Title: The Queen’s Wing
Author: Jessica Thorne
Genre: YA, scifi
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

All Bel wants is to fly. She’d love to spend her days in freedom in her Wasp, preferably with her childhood friend and crush, Shae, but instead she spends her days being trained as a daughter of the aristocracy. Until a surprise attack by the Gravians, longtime enemies of her people, destroys the entire royal family, and Bel finds herself the daughter of the king—and a valuable royal commodity about to be married to the ruler of Anthaeus, a distant planet.

Soon Bel is on a ship headed to meet her future husband, with Shae at her side, as always. But now he’s no longer her friend, he’s the commander of her guards. An attempt to kill her is followed by a thwarted attempt to blow up the ship, and Bel meets her future husband, Conleith, in the furor.

She realizes everything is not okay on Anthaeus when she meets the Gravian representative there, and Con refuses to believe her about the danger the Gravians represent. Soon her worst fears are realized when the Gravians attack and destroy much of Anthaeus and its people, but Bel and Con aren’t ready to surrender yet—and they have a secret weapon on their side.

If I had realized this was a “space opera,” I probably would have skipped it. I enjoyed Bel’s character arc, but the entire plot line felt far too rushed, with very little transition or, sometimes, reason. Frankly, at times this felt like a B-rate scifi movie, although Bel and Con were both interesting characters.

Jessica Thorne lives and works in Ireland. The Queen’s Wing is her newest novel.

(Galley provided by Bookouture in exchange for an honest review.)

I recieved an Arc through netgalley for an honest opinion. All thoughts are my own.

"Kick anything long and hard enough and it will bite back. The meanest among us still have teeth"

Bel is apart of the royal line... far far down the royal line. All she wants to do is fly her wasp and command her own wing just like her mother did. When she is shot down from the sky by invading Gravians she discovers that the entire royal line has been attacked, and she is now the only princess of their world. Bel is then sent to the planet Anthaues to wed their king and forge an alliance, with her royal guards who used to be her friends, but she is conflicted between the boy she always loved and her duty to her world. And her husband to be has secrets, as bel is exposed to the new world she must accept her new fate and try not to be killed in the process.

✅Wonderful writting!
✅Warrior princess, intergalactic alliances, mecas, spaceships, a world under attack, an ancient race, love and loss... It's an epic story
✅Love is Love
✅Beautiful world building
✅Love triangle(s)
✅Sci-fi/Fantasy

❌I have nothing bad to say here!!

This book took me completely by suprise. I thought I was getting a princes who marrys a far away king and loves to fly (magic?). What i got was aliens, wars, battle ships, assassination attempts, a badass wasnt-supposed-to-be-a-princess princess, a little love is Love, a king who actually has some skills, love triangle(s) and a whole lot of epicness. It's safe to say I loved this book. I loved the story, i loved the writting style, i loved the plot twists, the only thing i didn't like is now it's over and I have to wait until the next book is out! Well done Jessica on your Debut novel. It was outstanding! I dont put my books in order but it is deffinatly in my top 5 of 2018!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5

I want to start out by saying I’m not really a sci-fi / space fan. That being said this book is AMAZING!!!
I kept wondering what was going to happen next. The story appears to be a typical princess is married off to a stranger to build an alliance but it’s just so much more than that. I feel this story could have been two books with everything inside. The plot is so unexpected at times and the characters are some of my new favorites. Bel is such a great heroine and the way the author builds her up so perfectly. I’m even happier that it will have a second book.
This novel is worth the read and should not be over looked. And I HIGHLY recommend it even if it’s not your usual genre.
I received an advance copy through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a very first book written by Ms. Thorne and I can say that she did a GREAT job! This reading was o enjoyable and intriguing.
Characters were growing and for sure I had so much fun following events thru Bel's eyes as her character was strong and knew her ground to the core. Secondary characters were full-blooded and iI also was able to feel them.
Events (with sci-fi background) worked so so good) and I had not expected that as I'm not sci-fi fun (as much), but here I am beaming at this book and NEEDING next book right now!
Great characters, fascinating world, and events that will grip you in the middle!

The Queen's Wing is rare as it is a complete sci-fi/fantasy book so it was fast paced, unique and full of questions and answers. Excellent characterisation, good plot with action, romance and suspense.
I've already preordered the sequel!

A new world, princesses, and an ancient race. Who wouldn't love that? Princess Belangaria just wanted to be free... Free to fly, free to live her own life, and free to love. With one swoop, everything Bel knows is taken from her and she must learn to live in a world not her own.
I loved Bel's strength. Through it all, she never gives up. She's taken from everything she knows and forced into a diplomatic marriage. Attempts are made on her life, and she never stops fighting. When the threat follows her to this new land, she is the only one who can lead her people to victory.
The descriptions were remarkable. I could see everything through Bel's eyes. It was all fresh and new and slightly terrifying. Emotions ran high through the entire book with barely a chance to breathe between events. I would not have it any other way in a book. It's been a while since I loved a fantasy book as much as I did this one.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to leave a review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Link to blog: https://thatreadhead1.wordpress.com/2018/12/06/review-the-queens-wing-by-jessica-thorne/
I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley
This was such an awesome book! It started off so good, and then the sci-fi aspect of it evolved, and it really blossomed! I adored the writing style, the characters, the relationships, all of the original things that this story brought to the table. It isn't often I read a sci-fi story set in space, I'm more into fantasy, but this just really gave me hope XD Blended sci-fi and fantasy together perfectly.
I cannot believe how much I need #2 right now! This book was so gripping and entertaining, and the story just flew by! To be honest the cover really doesn't do it justice. One of the best books I've read in such a long time!! I need more!

The Queen's Wing surprised me - because I went in this book with very wrong expectations.
From the synopsis that I read and remembered I expected court politics, assasination attempts, and intrigue in a magical fantasy world. A strong female character that has a love for flying (and I thought the "flyer" was something magical) and has to leave her home for politics, struggling with finding her place. Thats my jam.
What I received was a SciFi (+) romance (-), full on with a love triangle trope (--), with some aliens sprinkled on top. If done right and how it hits me in the right spot, I love a good alien story.
So this book took me by surprise. I do not know if I might have loved this book if I knew I was getting a romance triangle with a storyline including aliens and mechanical creatures.

Overall the worldbuilding starts out nice but I think it could have gone a lot deeper, taken me in a lot more. The writing style was okay, I liked it enough to enjoy the story, but it did not grip me and draw me in.
I enjoyed getting to know the characters but they still felt a little flat and one dimensional. I did not care much for the romance/triangle but how the triangle trope was stopped still broke my heart.
There is a lot of potential in this wonderful world and with these characters. I would love to see more development and more insight into some of the side characters like Elara.

I think a lot of people might really love this book who would be into the type of book this actually is, not what it is advertised at. I really hope that it will reach them and not turned down due to this almost false advertising.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for an eARC of The Queen's Wing by Jessica Thorne

I absolutely enjoyed this book. The trials and tragedies of war. The strength of character newly found along with bravery. Bel (Belengaria) went from soldier/pilot to Queen in a matter of weeks because of an arrangement between worlds. She manages to save her world, earn her new people's love and adoration, and the love of the man whom she was arranged to marry. Can't wait for the next book.

I ended up DNF-ing this one. I really liked the steampunk aspects, but the writing style wasn't flowing for me. I was beginning to get confused with the world building and it ended up boring me a few chapters through. I think I just wasn't in the mood for reading this, so I may be returning to it at some point in the future.

I couldn't get myself invested in the fantasy world from the get go. I loved the cover and thought the description was interesting but I couldn't get hooked.

I’m not usually one for aliens and space ships, preferring dragons and magic to advanced technology, but I loved this book.
Bel is a typical Vairian citizen- she was born and raised to be a warrior, to fight and fly in defense of the vast galactic empire. All Bel wants is to be a pilot like her mother before her, and she is close to achieving her goal when a bomb is dropped on her plans. Literally. With one attack, the enemy wipes out the leaders of the Vairian people and as the last of the ruling bloodline, no matter how far-flung the connection, Bel becomes royalty. Bartered off in marriage to cement a strategic alliance, Bel travels to the plant Anthaeus to marry it’s king, Conleith. Accompanied by a small troop of soldiers from home and her childhood friend and crush Shae, Bel must learn how to navigate foreign politics and somehow bond with the man she is supposed to marry. Then Anthaeus is attacked, and Bel must use all of her training to keep herself and her people free.
I loved the slow-burn romance in this book. It was woven into the plot and seemed to naturally unfold. I found Bel a sympathetic character. She is a realist and a fighter thrust into the role of a politician and a diplomat. Her learning curve is steep, and I enjoyed watching her fill her new role. Bel holds onto duty even in the face of misery- ahh, I mean marriage- and I appreciated the frank discussions she has with supporting characters when they simply tell her to suck it up- they are raised to join the military, after all. That kind of dialogue is refreshing when a lot of these books have a tendency to be overly broody. I won’t spoil the ending, but my inner romance reader was almost completely satisfied with it. I will definitely be picking up the next book.
I would recommend the Queen’s Wing for fans who enjoyed The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski, Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey, The Winter King by C.L. Wilson and Graceling by Kristin Cashore.

A very strong female character. She has her own mind and shes not afraid to show it.
I love con too.
Cant wait to read the 2nd book

Actual rating 4.5 stars

Where do I start. This novel was epic. It was supposed to be a romance but it is so much more and I am in love. Having never heard of Jessica Thorne, I was a little worried I wouldn't enjoy it but to be honest, it far exceeded my expectations.

To start, the protagonist is a chick who honestly could function perfectly should the entire male population cease to exist. She's just great. Bel is the perfect mix of strong and soft, feminine but tough, fun but able to reign should it be required. I absolutely loved her and her lady in waiting Elara (quite frankly this woman was manipulative but I loved her SO DAMN MUCH)

The male characters were a little less forward but they all had their strengths regardless of status. I will say however that I wish there was just a smidge more Zander being good brother rather than pushy overbearing monarch.

The setting was so multifaceted but never felt brushed over or like a setting was just there for variety.

The narrative was well thought out and punchy, keeping the reader intrigued at every turn. It was fast paced but in a good way not a GRRM 'just wait, let me go back three chapters' kind of way. I loved the alien creatures overseeing Anthaeum from the safety of a hidden city. I found the Mecha to be an ingenious villain because you never suspect those closest to you right?

Overall I loved it and found it to be almost perfect.

I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading book two in this series. Bel is an excellent character and I found her to be relatable and well written. She is strong willed and fun to read. I enjoyed the romance and the action! I found some parts to be a bit predictable but overall its a fun read! I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

I gave it 3.5 stars

THE QUEEN'S WING had me wanting more pretty quickly upon starting to read it.

I enjoyed Bel from the get-go. She has a strong personality. Her determination and strength really drew me to her. She was willing to do what was expected of her, but she was still determined to be her in the end.

The romance wasn't out of this world. There is a bit of a love triangle that puts a damper on some things. Bel and Shae have known each other forever and I'm sure could have had a great romance if they were allowed too, but I felt like I could have done without their feelings for each other getting in the way. I felt like Bel and Con had a great connection when they allowed themselves to actually enjoy and understand each other. I wish they could have come together a lot sooner than they did.

The world was super interesting and I enjoyed the action involved in THE QUEEN'S WING. I enjoyed THE QUEEN'S WING and I already have book two, THE STONE'S HEART on my wishlist—even though it looks like we have some different main characters.

* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this YA sci-fi book. The "arranged marriage to love" trope is one that I adore so will generally always read anythin with that theme. I loved Bel, the main protagonist. I thought she was relatable, I loved that she was strong yet still vulnerable to the circumstances around her. I cannot wait to get my hands on a print copy of this and I cant wait for more in this series!

My Rating : 5🌟

When a surprise attack on the palace makes Bel the centre on attraction, she has to travel to a distant land and get married to the recently widowed ruler Con. With increasing assassination attempts on her life, she must figure a way out to help both herself and the country with her fiancé & her childhood love..
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The first thing I loved way the world setting. The different ruling clans with their hard set traits and the advanced technologies mixed with space shuttles and a bit of fantasy, this book was filled with all the things I love! Especially travelling among planets & conquering moons to display their superiority.
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The second thing was the diverse characters. Though you deal with a lot of same cliché characters, you get a variety of them. Especially the side characters. I can happily say that I loved the side characters more than I loved the main characters. Con & Bel made a really nice complimenting pair, and to be honest I didn’t like Shae as much as I should have.
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This book had a mixture of everything. I loved the action, following your dreams, really good romance, strong characters, loyal friendships even when everything was at stake, and it made me cry! Not spoiling, but a certain character death had me sobbing! It had it’s fair share of issues, but the positives was just a tad bit more than that, so it’s a 5 star for me!
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Even if you are not a fan of Sci-fi, pick it up. You will never realize you are in space and all things related unless you pay attention to the names of the planets & moons! If you are looking for a fantasy/sci-fi/romance book with really good friendship, passion, slow paced romance, amazing side characters and some heartbreak, definitely check this one out! I highly recommend it!

This book was a fantastic YA novel. The main character Bel, is everything you would want your protagonist to be; she's smart, and energetic, and loyal while still being flawed. She could understand what was happening around her while still be frustrated with the circumstances. The book involves Bel, a daughter of a minor royal, becoming real royalty with the murder of the ruling family. As such she is then sent to marry the leader of the people on another planet. Once there, there are some culture clashes, and bad guys abound.

I enjoyed this book as it played around with tropes without getting completely caught up in them. There was some amazing world-building and this was a book that dealt with a lot of loss, showing how it affected people differently. Plus the worlds in this book were a ton of fun to read about.