This book was not what I expected. Main character's sister is destined to be queen. Main character protects her sister. This sounds simple until you find out that most of the characters are badass and crazy. Main character, Keely, loves all animals. Even the ones from hell. She's extremely loyal to her family, who are all lovable crazy and violent. I'm not sure how much I should describe what happens because there is so much that you don't see coming. I was glued to this book and then felt sad when it was over. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

My only complaint, and why I deducted one star, is that I didn't like the sexist crude language. Cunt, a word I detest anyway, and bitch are the only swear words used. There was no variations that involve men. It felt very unbalanced.

I’ve read GA Aiken before, and while this has the expected strong women, violence, discombobulating dialogue, and humor, it’s definitely lacking romance. There’s a few pages at 87% in where a romantic subplot looks like it’s developing, and then nothing.

As usual, readers unfamiliar with Aiken’s voice may struggle with it. It’s outlandish and over the top in every way, and the plot doesn’t have a neat ending. It’s a nice first book for a fantasy series, but those looking for romance will be disappointed.

This was a really fun read! I hadn't read anything by this author before but it definitely won't be my last. This is a great beginning to a new series and can't wait to read more!

I received this ARC from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

This was totally my jam! What a fun book. I just recently learned that G.A. Aiken is another penname for Shelly Laurenston, so I was thrilled to dive into this book.

It had everything I know this author provides. Her specialty in that quirky sense of humor she has, as well as an entertaining cast of characters and storyline.

You are getting quite the variety of characters in this book. Just in book one there were witches, Centaurs, Dwarves, dragons, elves, demon wolves and more. I have a feeling this is just the tip of the iceberg in this series.

The Blacksmith Queen is pretty brutal and bloody, what with a war for the Kingdom going on but I have to admit, a lot of that battling was more humorous because of the way this author writes.

This is not a standalone series but doesn't end on a huge cliffhanger, more of a stop to breathe moment. I had a lot of fun reading book one and I can't wait for the rest of the series!

Where has this author been all my life??? This was so deliciously dark and twisted, one amazing, hysterical ride from start to finish.

The old king is dead. His sons start fighting for the throne. But then they hear a farmer's daughter is prophesied to become the next queen - and so is her blacksmith sister. What follows is a wild and brutal battle for the throne - alliances are formed, trusts broken, and only one can have the throne...

I adored both the strong (slightly crazy) heroines at the center of the story and the lovely (slightly crazy) guys who fall -and I'm guessing will fall- for them. It was really awesome to have truly strong, female characters in the center of a story who have an actual bond and can co-exist without the usually cliché backstabbing. The bickering between the characters was hilarious, and the snark and sarcasm is just my kind of humor. I especially loved that whenever someone started wallowing in self pity (something I just loathe), someone else would stand up to them and tell them to stop being such a baby. I cannot say how much I enjoyed that, it was such a nice change!

I liked that for the most part, this was a really dark and bloody fantasy novel, and the romance happened gradually and didn't overshadow the actual plot. There was one sex scene towards the end, and it felt natural in the small break the characters got.

But, if you have a problem with over-the-top characters (i.e. parents pulling their grown up children by their hair, name-calling, shouting, and insults thrown around all day), this might not be the book for you. If you get squeamish at characters being torn in half by dragons and spitting out limbs, proceed with caution.

I can't wait for the next book in what promises to be an awesome series!!!!

G.A. Aiken shifts away from dragons and brings us a the story of a new queen to be. When the old king dies and his sons quickly try to dispatch one another, a prophecy emerges of a commoners who will be queen. If you're looking for serious Game of Thrones style fantasy you won't find that here. What you will get if ridiculous humor, over the top violence, and strong women with a focuses on family. I adore G.A. Aiken's writing and while this book is not quite as strong as her Dragon Kin series, I read The Blacksmith Queen in one day. I'm excited to see what happens to Keeley and her family next,

Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down! This was my first time reading a book by this author and I just devoured it. This first in a new series follows blacksmith Keeley and her friends and family in the aftermath of a prophecy foretelling the ascension of a new queen/queens following the death of the Old King. Aiken writes some of the most amazing and strong female characters I've read in a long time! The crass dialog, witty banter, and over-the-top large family dynamic (all of my favorite things!) had me snort-laughing throughout. What a delight to read! While I'm not sure I would describe it as romance, I cannot wait to rec this to my patrons and literally everyone I know! I'm already looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

Hello, best title ever. What else do you really need to know that Keeley is a total badass?
“Me? A witch?” Keeley had to laugh. “I have one loyalty aside from my family and it’s steel. That’s where my heart and love are.”
And the rest of Keeley's family are just as awe-inspiring.
Ahhhh. The women in her family. They were amazing. And insane. Because you needed to be both if you wanted to survive this world the way they did. Making their own choices and rules and ignoring all the men who tried to tell them no.
I loved every minute of this intentionally snarky, casually violent, completely patriarchy-burning and totally fun jaunt through battle clans, mythical creatures, and bloody politics. Think Lord of the Rings with an all female cast.

And just in case, you need some extra persuasion to jump into G.A. Aiken's newest fantasy saga, try this: Sexy centaurs. Demon wolves. Psychopathic siblings. Dwarves. Wood elves. Vengeful animals. Even a hint about G.A. Aiken's dragons.

Typically, the first book in a series is the least enjoyable for me because the world-building wears me down. Given how much I loved Keeley's single-minded journey to save her family, aided by the stalwart Caid and homicidal Gemma, I can barely wait for the next installments. The Smythe family is just that much fun:
“Welcome to the world, Queen Keeley.” With a pat on her shoulder, her mother headed back into the longhouse.

“Aren’t I supposed to get a stick or scepter or something at my coronation?”

“Just use your bloody hammer!” her mother yelled back. “What do you think this is?”


Note: I voluntarily read and reviewed this ARC generously provided by NetGalley and the publisher.

Oh, WOW! Now I am more into contemporary set stories, but G. A. Aiken (aka Shelly Laurenston) grabbed me by the neck into her dragon kin fantasy world. I loved the Smythe family dominated by strong female characters like Keeley. Strong, brave, and definitely a bit crazy, you have to love the way the family works including the bickering and wonderful banter. The story is violent and edgy and causes laugh out loud snorting while reading in the middle of the night trying not to wake the family because Keeley has spouted another of her hysterical one-liners! Aiken introduces other cool characters in the mix like the Amachai, yes some sexy centaurs like Caid, his sister and brother who bring more sibling funniness into the mix. I would love to see this as a movie, except Hollywood would screw it up royally, and I would rather watch the movie that Aiken has implanted in my mind instead. What a ride!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I received a free copy from Netgalley for an honest review.

O. M. G. If you’ve read and enjoyed the Dragon Kin series, just go ahead and skip the filling and get it. If you haven’t read those but love strong female characters with quirks, funny dialogue, and romance that sneaks up on you, you’ll like this too.

Keeley is a very tall woman who happens to be a happy go lucky blacksmith. It’s in her blood, and her family is massive, but also just as unique and fun as she is. Even the crazy sociopath she calls sister. But, I love the name drops in this, and little references to her other series- “that mad bitch in the Dark Lands”? Of course, now I have a wish for them to meet in some future novel now- and see them destroy stuff.

But I digress. This is a charmingly funny story about massive amounts of sneaky plotting that included the death of a king and the succession that follows. But this is also about a wonderfully loving and absolutely crazy family. I don’t think I laughed harder than the “little bastards” bit- it sounded so oddly loving, and totally like something family would say.

I love books by G.A. Aiken and/aka Shelly Laurenston, so I find myself with an ARC copy of The Blacksmith Queen, G.A. Aiken’s new series and I had to jump right into it. What an amazing rollercoaster of angsty family and friend bi-play, strong emotional ties, and some outstanding world building with slight character crossovers from Dragon Kin and the icing on the cake is Keeley’s relationship with the animal and mythical animal kingdom.

Keeley is a big woman who runs a forge. She comes from strong family of farmers and blacksmiths with 12 siblings. When a prophecy is foretold naming both her and her sister future queens, a huge target is placed on their heads by the Old King’s potential heirs.

An unexpected betrayal leaves the family reeling and fighting for their lives. Now its up to Keeley to make alliances, form an army and save the world.

Since this is the first book, I’m sure there is so much more to come. The ending was a little abrupt, leaving us wanting more. AND, I CAN’T WAIT FOR MORE…well I have to but I really don’t want to… I’m sure you know what I mean. You are left with the what ifs? And possibilities spinning around in your imagination.

Once again, G.A. Aiken imagination and the ability to pen it in such a way that you feel a part of the world she created blew me away.


I received this ARC copy of The Blacksmith Queen from Kensington Books. This is my honest and voluntary review. The Blacksmith Queen is set for publication Aug 27, 2019.

My Rating: 5 stars
Written by: G.A. Aiken
Series: The Scarred Earth Saga (Book 1)
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Kensington (August 27, 2019)
ISBN-10: 1496721209
ISBN-13: 978-1496721204
Genre: Epic Fantasy

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Blacksmith-Que...
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-...
Itunes: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-b...
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This is book 1 in The Scarred Earth Saga and let me tell you, if you have read this author's previous books and loved them-this book in no way disappoints! In this first book we meet Keeley Smythe and her family along with Caid, an Amichai and his family. After the death of the Old King, a prophesy has been said that it will be a Queen to ascend the throne, not a King. Which throws the king's son's into even more turmoil than they were already in. And when the prophesy points to Keeley's sister, she will do whatever she must to protect not only her sister but her entire family. And when Caid and his fellow Amichai arrive after being sent to protect the Queen, they both find new friends and what they are truly made of.

I absolutely loved this first book!! Now I loved her other series and knew based on the description of this one that it sounded good. But once I started it, I couldn't put it down and read the whole thing in one sitting!! Keeley is this beyond awesome character who while she can kick butt, she still has so much compassion and love in her soul. The interactions between her and the other characters just made me love her even more, in between bouts of laughter at some points. Caid seems to be this taciturn man but I thoroughly enjoyed his interactions with Keeley and how he just seems to take everything in stride. And then you throw in all the side characters and I loved them even more! This was the perfect way to start a series and draw people into this world. Now I have to impatiently wait for the next book in the series LOL!

OMG!!!! Sucked in from page 1. I love G.A. Aiken and everything she writes is a hit for me. The Blacksmith Queen is her new series and I loved it. Great new characters, snarky writing, little romance and a lot of fun. I never wanted it to end. I have to know what happens next. Going by book one, it will be an on going journey for our new queen and her entourage.
Kelley the blacksmith loves her family and has a kind heart. Family is everything to her so on this journey she finds herself and new friends. She also learns not everyone thinks like her. I don’t want to give anything away. It was a great read with great humor and action with a dragons, centaurs, dwarfs and elves!
I love this new world and can’t wait for the next release.

What a great book to start off the new series. Loved it. Wouldn't call it a romance by any means like her others but a lot of action.

Amazing new start to the series!! I'm can't wait to see what's next. Keely is amazing but I loved Gemma!

I just have to say I love this author and all her personifications! I never laugh as much as I do reading others. I adore Keeley and all her friends. I can't wait to see who is going to take on Gemma and when Beatrix is going to get her just rewards. The entire family from the parents to the littlest sister and her hammer are going to be a hoot to see them evolve.

Fierce female characters and a new spin on the "a king/queen has been prophesied"-trope - I loved reading this book!

I am so excited that I was able to get my hands on this book early. Everything G.A. Aiken/Shelly Laurenston writes is pure gold. I have read the Dragon Kin series so many times and each time I love the re-read more than the last.. and this book is no exception.

The Blaksmith Queen has everything you could possible want in a fantasy book. There are centaurs, dwarfs, wood elf, barbarians, a chained lava dragon, war monks, a drunk warrior cousin, a pretend fated queen, a mad cow with no soul hell bent on taking over the world? Yeah this book has all that and more. Oh let's not forget that this book will literally have you laughing out loud. I read this book during my lunch break at work and I would just laugh and laugh and everyone else would stare but I don't care! It is honestly just that funny. And you don't see the humor coming. It's one of the things I love most about it.

If you haven't read the Dragon Kin series.. one you are nuts, two: you have a month before this book comes out. I highly recommend that you read that series before this one. It is absolutely 100% not necessary but they do mention the Dark Plains a few times but I just think that series will give you a little bit of a start when you read this one. Plus we now have to wait for the second book in this series, you can re-read the Dragon Kin series and trust me you will want to.

I can not recommend this book enough. The characters are all fantastic. The storyline is fantastic. The world is fantastic. Yeah... everything is fantastic. The only problem is now I have to wait for the next one!


I received a copy of this book from Kensington Books/Netgalley

The Blacksmith queen is such a fun beginning to a new fantasy series that I can’t wait to read more of.

Keeley is a fun loving blacksmith who would happily spend the rest of her life blacksmithing and spending time with her family but when her younger sister is prophesied to be queen her world is completely turned upside down.

This was such an entertaining read with an awesome non traditional badass lead heroine. Cain was a silent, strong, empowering man who never doubted Keeley’s strengths or needed to prove his masculinity. This story was everything I love in my fantasy blood, action, fantasy creatures and romance!

I’m very excited for future books in this series!

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC.

Wow! I read this title in one sitting because, well, I had to - except for annoying mundane chores like cooking dinner for the family - as once I began reading I couldn’t stop.

This story has it all; despotic, sociopathic characters devoid of all except their desire for power; a heroine who is strong and devoted to her family, Centaurs (enough said really), devoted demonic wolves, dwarves, elves, a dragon, slightly crazy family members and even a soupçon of romance.

Plus a rollicking adventure that is the foundation for this extremely entertaining, excellent first title in a new series.

Readers Advisory: there is plenty of swearing, blood shed, gore and rape (not described but acknowledged) in this story.