I voluntarily offered to review this book with no obligations and my opinions are honest
It was a great book!
I think that when you read a book by G. A. Aiken, you know that you are getting an awesome book,
And this book did not disappointment.
I love the author's sense of humor.
I am also over the moon, when I found out that this series is in the same world as the Dragon Kin series.
I am so hoping that Keeley meets Annwyl and the rest of the dragons
( I miss the dragons )
On to the book:
The old king has died, and now his sons are fighting over the throne.
But wait, there is a prophecy.
The next one to sit on the throne is not a king, but a queen.
That is bad news for Keely.
Beatrix, Keely's younger sister, is named as the next queen.
Now what ?
Don't panic, because a bunch of kilt-wearing were-centaurs are coming to her aid.
Isn't it marvelous ?
You will have to read the book to find out what happens next.
I know. I am such a tease.
The characters + storytelling were very captivating
It has all the ingredients that you need for an awesome book!
I can't wait for the next book in the series!

Not what I was expecting. I have always loved the books she writes under Shelly Laurenston but had never been able to get into her first Dragon Kin book so I stopped reading those.

At first I wasn’t sure I was going to like this story when I started but I pushed ahead. It was interesting. Same kind of humor but definitely different. I will certainly try the next story when it comes out.

PHENOMENAL, BLACKSMITH, AMICHAI- CENTAURS, WOLF-DEMONS-WAR MONK, GUILD HUNTER AND DRAGON STARS******
WOOOOOOHOOOOOO*****I LOVED EVERY FREAKING THING IN THIS BOOK!!!! I have over 55 bookmarks because I laughed so hard and those characters? Keran, the cousin, Caid of the Scarred Earth Clan, and his family, Angus her Dad, Emma her Mum, and Archie her uncle, were AWESOME!!!! I cannot say enough about them, there were so many great people in this story. Keeley is a fantastic heroine filled with A fierce love and compassion for her family. She is an animal lover and they love her right back. I just loved everything about her! Her innocence in believing that everything is good is worthy of praise! She is just the best!

We have the Amichai Dwarves, the Wood Elves and the Barbarians, not to mention the crazy evil and awful siblings of the Old King whom Keeley and her band of warriors have to fight to save the kingdom. Filled with so much bloodshed, fighting, sarcasm, witty remarks, humor and love, makes for a tremendous tale. I truly loved it. I am not sure how Ms. Aiken is able to keep all those characters in her head and write such wonderful things about, but I am eternally grateful that she does!
Ms.G.A. Aiken/Shelly Laurenston stories are my go to books whenever I need a pick me up and non-stop laughter. I can never just re-read one in either series, I end up re-reading them all, Lol. I If I continue with this review I just might end up spoiling the this fantastic tale. Suffice it to say, you will not be disappointed!!!! Loved, loved, loved, it to pieces!!!!!

AND, AND, ANNNNDDDDD THERE WAS A DRAGON!!! And like I have said time and time again....I LLLLUUUURRRRVVVEEEEE DRAGONS!!!!!!!!! BEST EVER!!!!!

****I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book provided by NetGalley.******

It has been awhile since I’ve read a novel by G.A. Aiken, but after my first few moments of WTF-ness I caught onto the rhythm of her magic and got swept along by the story.

As the Old King’s last breathe is uttered, his sons start slaughtering each other and every living relative in the hopes of being the last man standing and becoming the new Old King. A few of the brothers actually separate, hoping to gather enough soldiers to march and fight for the title when a prophesy that a queen will ascend the throne who is a farmer’s daughter waylays their plans. A race to find this girl, Beatrix, and either kill her or marry her to retain the title is foiled by the epic strength of her blacksmith sister Keeley.

Despite her almost god-like strength, Keeley is a simple woman. Family means everything to her and even though she’s thrilled at how this war is great for business, she doesn’t hesitate to fight for her families safety. Joined by the Amachai, a group of Centaur warriors, Keeley takes her sister Beatrix off to the Black Hills to be declared the girl who would be Queen, but in romantic fantasy nothing is ever as easy as it looks.

I loved Keeley’s heart, and her relationship to her sisters and family. They mean everything to her and she is an easy heroine to support and like. Even more I liked her mischievousness and humor. G.A. Aiken didn’t want a one dimensional heroine and her practical jokes and ready smile were her most likable characteristics. Caid, the Centaur romantic hero, was the perfect foil. Dark, brooding, and non-verbal, he couldn’t help but be taken with her and watching him slowly reveal more to his personality than the taciturn warrior was unexpected.

The Blacksmith Queen was an irreverent mix of fun swordsmanship (or hammer skills!), trash talking sisters, and a romantic adventure. Filled with Centaurs, dragons, trolls and elves, this novel has the beginnings of what could be an epic series. Be prepared to be surprised at the mix of modern slang with historic fantasy elements. At times it was a little confusing but if you throw all of your expectations out the window and enjoy each reveal you’ll have a blast reading this totally unique novel. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a free copy of this ARC through NetGalley and the publisher for my honest review and it was honest!

Another hilarious page turner from bestselling author G.A. Aiken. #THEBLACKSMITHQUEEN is book 1 of the new The Scarred Earth Saga and it's everything fans of Aiken's Dragon Kin series could hope for (including a hint that our lunatic dragon family could make an appearance in future books.)

Aiken has done it again with a laugh out loud book filled with a cast of characters featuring strong females, her usual insane family dynamics and a new lot of mythical creatures... add to that an awesome hammer, that could rival Thor's and you have a winning combination that move the story along at a fast clip.

I read the book on a 6 hour plane ride and had to take a break every so often because my fellow passengers kept giving me the side eye when I snorted out loud.

If you have read any of Aiken's previous books and loved them, you won't be disappointed in her latest series and will fall in love with The Blacksmith Queen and her merry band of lunatics.

I can't wait for the next in the series!

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review (which I happily give.)

I was so happy to receive an advanced reading copy of this book from NetGalley as G.A. Aiken/Shelly Laurenston is one of my favorite authors. When I began the book, I was expecting to miss the Dragon Kin world and dragons, and was delighted to find that both series take place in the same world, although fairly far apart. We are introduced to a different kind of dragon and there are centaurs! And battle monks! There is a lot of suspense in this book, partially because of the presence of children and vulnerable families near battles for power. Not to give too much away, but a King dies, and the killing starts immediately as his numerous children vie for power. The kingdom is thrown into anarchy.

The heroine Keeley Smythe is a fabulous character. She is a blacksmith, loves her trade, and can definitely bring the hammer down (and she carries a really large hammer). She is a member of a very large, boisterous and loving family. This is not a book where the main characters are fully developed and the other characters are background. Although there was a fairly large cast of characters, they were so vivid that it wasn't difficult to keep track of them. I particularly enjoyed Keeley's parents, her sister the nun, and her cousin who was never quite sober and who slept almost through the entire book. There is a developing love story in the book but it is part of the story, not the main focus.

What does Keeley and her family have to do with the battle for the throne? Everything, it turns out, as one of her sisters is the prophesied queen. My only complaint about the book is that it ended too quickly for this reader. I highly recommend it and am looking forward to the next. In the meanwhile I plan to go back and re-read some of the books in the Dragon Kin series as I am not ready to leave this world.

4 1/2 stars rounded up to 5

Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for this advance reading copy. This is my honest opinion.

Welcome to a world that has all kinds of magical, mythical creatures from dragons, elves, centaurs, dwarfs and witches along with humans who believe. Turmoil and civil war become rampant when the Old King of the Hill Lands dies. It has his heirs fighting among themselves. A prophesy leads to a farm family running for their lives with the help of their new allies. What happens when the prophesy changes? Why you get The Blacksmith Queen.

Keely Smythe loves her job as blacksmith and has a way of using her hammer. She comes across a young man in trouble and stops to help. Caid of the Amichia and his group come to her aid. She invites them back to her business and lets it be known that she knows they've been watching the family farm. She realizes that her father's stories of centaurs is real. Caid is someone who never smiles. A visit from a sister who left years ago has Keely anger and hurt. Gemma isn't thrilled with bringing the visitors home. Keely is curious about Caid and his people and keeps asking questions. Which usually annoys him but not from her. They arrive at the farm and introduce the Amichia to the family and they reveal their reason for watching the Farmerson family. When one of the royal princes attack the farm because of a prophesy stating her sister is to be queen. They're surprised how well the family can fight and the traps are sprung. They find out what type of nun Gemma really is. The group go to a place of safety. All the while Gemma and Keely are fighting about anything and everything. They take refuge at the the uncle's home only to have the two brothers fighting over an ax and Keely's mother. Keely the Amichia, her sisters Gemma & Bridget, cousin Keran head to the witches who revealed the prophesy. Gemma tries to warn Keely about Bridget but she won't listen and keeps defending her. As they travel to the mountains to see the witches Caid and Keely become closer. His personality starts to lighten up around her. They begin to learn about each others lives, but don't think they'll be able to act on the feelings they've begun to have for each other. The witches change the prophesy to include Keely surprising everyone. A talk with Bridget puts Keely's life in danger. Keely fights for her life and Bridget leaves to go to her allies. An attack leads to everyone getting away and disappointing Bridget. They must take Keely to Caid's clan to help save her life. He realizes his true feelings for Keely. She's angry at what her sister did but says she won't kill her, even though everyone says she should. Keely is supposed to be a queen and is going to need allies, so they travel through the highlands to find them. A trip to help the dwarfs find their stolen gold results in a confrontation with a dragon and the meanest people in the area. Caid's family goes to rescue the Farmerson family and bring them back with them. Keely and Caid get closer. She realizes she needs a base of operation and to kill her sister who has now become queen by marrying one of the royal princes. A family is reunited. A confrontation comes about when Keely's loyal friends come up with a plan to liberate a village from one of the more demented princes.

G.A. Aiken also know as Shelly Laurenston writes an action packed story of doing the right thing and family is everything unless they try to kill you. The Blacksmith Queen has all types of mystical and magical character along with human beings, who must become allies to save their future from evil princes. This is the first G.A. Aiken book I've read but I've read Shelly Laurenston's Honey badger series and really enjoyed them. I see the same humor and creativity in these books as in the others. The Blacksmith Queen is the first in the new Scarred Earth series. I look forward to getting to know these characters better.

Great start to a series. I love the way this author writes. Her badass heroines are strong, colorful and take no prisoners amazing. As with all of this authors books it had action, danger and laugh out loud moments. I can't wait to read the next book.

I have to admit I was a bit nervous at the start of this book. It was slow going. The women were “crazy” as usual, and I was worried the story was going to rely too heavily on that. But I trusted the author, continued, and was rewarded. This series takes place in the same world as the dragons, but on another continent. There are some familiar creatures and some new additions. As usual, there are strong women with strong familial bonds, but there is a twist. I liked that this book allows us to see things from the villain’s point of view. We know the bad guy usually doesn’t see themselves as evil, and although the soullessness of the villain is disturbing it is interesting to see how they view the world. There is romance, but it’s an addition to the story, and those who can’t stand instalove don’t have to worry. Fans of Aiken/Laurenston fans will love this, and new readers can enter this series easily without needing other books for reference. I can’t wait for book 2.

G.A. Aiken is absolutely brilliant at writing hilarious paranormal fantasy romance and I am thrilled to say this fist novel in a brand new series is FANTASTIC!

Blacksmith Queen is ser in the same work as her Dragon Kin series but it takes place is a different area of that world.

Keeley is a lovely heroine and I fell completely in love with her! Aiken know how to write quirky and bloodthirsty queens like no other and I can’t wait for a day when Keeley and Annwyl will meet... I actually think they will get along great!

Caid is a great male lead and love his clan SO MUCH! He and Keeley make for a very sweet and perfect couple that I can’t wait to get more of...

I also cannot wait to read about the rest of their clans HEAs and I hope we get many more stories in this new saga.

If you’re new to G.A. Aiken’s storytelling, this is a perfect place to start and I just KNOW you’ll want to read more afterwards!

OK, first off I gave it 5 Stars (more like 4.5 rounded up) and the main reason was because I was reading the story feverishly and I turned the page and it said THE END!!! NOOOOOO. It was not a cliffhanger but I was not ready to stop reading about these people and considering most of this authors books consist of truly insane people, this one was a bit closer to reality compared to her DragonKin book (which I also love).

Keeley could care less about being a queen but events kind of force her into the role but all she really wants to do is make stuff a blacksmith does but too bad, she has to be queen ..... well assuming her other sister who wants to be Queen and has an army does not kill her first.

There is a bit of a romance angle here with Caid but it is early in the game still and we shall see where this one goes.

Yeah, lots of family interaction here and while I loved the story my only real complaint is that in her usual zest to have these very manly feminine heroes, at least one of them really should have been a male character since for me it detracted from the story a very small bit but if you read it you can guess which character and see if you agree.

Bottom Line: I could hardly put it down and it had just enough crazy to it that I loved it but not so much I thought it too much. 4.5 rounded to 5 Stars

THE BLACKSMITH QUEEN is the first instalment in G.A. Aiken’s THE SCARRED EARTH fantasy saga set in the world of Dragon King series. This is blacksmith Keeley Smythe, and Amichai warrior of the Scarred Earth Clan, Caid’s story line

Told from several third person perspectives including Caid and Keeley THE BLACKSMITH QUEEN follows Keeley Smythe as she is tasked with protecting her sister Beatrix, the prophesized queen but a task that sees Keeley fighting for her life. In an effort to take down the newly crowned king, Keeley must side with a group of mountain warriors that are so much more than they appear to be. Enter Caid, an Amichai warrior, and the man with whom Keeley will fall in love. What ensues is a cross country journey as Keeley and her ‘army’ must fight off marauding armies, dragons, elves, witches and dwarves, in an attempt to stop the destruction of villages, and annihilation of thousands of people.

Keeley Smythe comes from a long line of female blacksmiths-powerful, strong and talented females who know a thing or two about killing and fighting but not all of Keeley’s sisters are wanna-be blacksmiths, in fact one or two have ‘chosen’ to venture down a differing path, setting their sights on something more. With the recent death of the Old King, anarchy has ensued and Keeley must fight to protect the people she loves. Meeting Caid, one of the Amichai warriors finds our heroine siding with a people she had only heard about through mythology and tales. Caid and his family are a magical people but it is their ability to ‘shift’ that makes them powerful and fierce in the eyes of the enemy.

If you are a fan of the author’s Dragonkin series you will recognize many similarities and plot structures including the squabbling and battle-raged siblings, War monk, centaurs, mythological gods and powerful demon dogs, as well as he appearance of a dragon who spews lava to destroy those trying to take him down. There are a couple of references to the aforementioned series including the barbarians, the Dragon Queen, and of course the Mad Queen, herself.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and crazy secondary and supporting characters including Keeley’s twelve siblings and numerous cousins, uncles and extended family; the Amichai warriors of varying species, as well as the rather barbaric and power hungry royal family. The requisite evil has many faces.

THE BLACKSMITH QUEEN is a complex and detailed story that introduces a vast array of characters. Aiken’s trademark humor, sarcasm and snark is liberally sprinkled throughout the story but to a lesser degree than her other series. The relationship between Keeley and Caid is slow to develop, and the romance is limited but such is the nature of many fantasy story lines. The back and forth banter between siblings if oft-times crazy and disturbing but in the end, they will always protect the people they love.

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The Blacksmith Queen is a fantasy tale brimming with potential. A cheerful, caring blacksmith heroine, a staid but true centaur hero, witches and warriors, elves and dragons, battles and betrayal…there’s a lot in G.A. Aiken’s first entry in the Scarred Earth Saga that is of interest. With a bit more order, development, and breathing room this book really could have been engaging. Unfortunately, the actual story is choppy and overwrought.

Caid and Keeley have enjoyable chemistry, but their romance felt like an afterthought tacked on at the end, which was a pity. Keeley is a fun heroine who is loving, protective, and strong. She comes from a large and boisterous family and she tends to them all. Caid, in turn, is the calm in the story, a serious warrior who gives the audience a breather from the constant noise of the supporting cast. And the supporting cast does take up a lot of space in the book, but not in a way that felt organic to world building. There are dozens of viewpoint changes – not all of which felt necessary – and at times the plethora of oversized personalities detracted from the plot.

I admit I almost stopped reading The Blacksmith Queen because the first part of the book felt like a lot of flash and bang that didn’t have much substance. However, around the halfway point things take a turn and the book gets interesting, even if it doesn’t always make sense. I generally don’t put spoilers in my reviews, so unfortunately I have to be brief and vague. This is the kind of book where you just have to roll with whatever happens and believe the entire realm will agree with what they’re told without question or it all falls apart. For my part, the longer I think about it, the more I question the world and the barely-defined rules it operates on. Given their circumstances, there is no way the main villain could plot, arrange, and accomplish even half of what they did. The entire concept of the prophesy, the backing competing forces gain…none of it seems to hold weight. Even in fantasy literature, there needs to be a whisper of believability.

While reading The Blacksmith Queen I spent a lot of time feeling like Dennis in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. So why two stars instead of one? Well, for all its flaws there’s something compelling about this world. I want to learn more about the Scarred Earth centaurs, I want to see what happens to Keeley, and I want to discover what happens next in this bizarrely entertaining saga. So while I felt the story lacked development, what is there on the surface is interesting and holds enough promise that I want to learn more. And sometimes that’s enough.

A solid 2.5/5.

It’s a tension-less romp that moves at breakneck speed but is enjoyable – I compare it to the later Fast & Furious movies; you know it’s silly, but you still like watching it.

There were several things I thought were quite well done. The typical fantasy cast of many men and a couple of women was inverted in this story in a way that felt organic and natural. All the women hold their own with different skills. The men weren’t cast aside, just less in the spotlight.

I loved that Keeley, the main character, is a woman who isn’t traditionally beautiful. She has powerful shoulders and arms, as a blacksmith would. None of the women are described as breath-taking, which is in itself a breath of fresh air.

There is a bit of comedy strewn throughout which kept the tone light. It’s not absurd or witty enough for my funny bone, but some parts made me smile. The dialogue was a little hit-or-miss. Sometimes it was anachronistic or hyperbolic (the villains especially on the latter). Once I figured out it was a mix between typical fantasy speech and modern, I let it go.

Sexual assault is a common trope in fantasy, but in this story, it is referenced but never in graphic detail, which I appreciated. The story contains violence, but the tone is far more light-hearted than the “epic” fantasies on the market today. It was enjoyable.

Onward to the issues that brought it down.

The setting is egregiously lacking in any detail to root ourselves in the world. We find out later in the novel that the country we’re in is a very small part of the territory. Unless I missed it, we don’t even get the name of the kingdom. Yes, it’s fantasy, but the races (centaurs, dwarves, etc) in the story aren’t given in-depth political or social background. It’s an easy-to-follow novel, but the story felt very hollow without these details. We also are given no explanation regarding the religion in the novel. What Gods are there? Are they real? Why is there a “hell” if it’s a polytheism? We’re also not given any background into the War Monk’s training, stipulations, or why they are so feared.

As such, there is no real tension. Other than the rushed massacre at the start, I had no idea why any of the brothers would be bad for the country. The tone made the story feel like a romp, so I never worried for any of the characters. Even the sexual tension was missing between (the obvious) romance. I prefer a drawn-out romance, but it was almost too subtle in this case. It felt one-sided for most of the book.

Of the three main characters, only one had any sort of depth. Keeley is too obviously a “good” character. She never struggles with indecision. She is heartbroken and she cries, but we never see her wrestle with making a selfish choice. Gemma’s personality is all over the place – one minute she’s cold as ice and the next she’s singing or teasing. Caid is the best-drawn character in that he is consistent.

My biggest knowledge gap would be too much of a spoiler, but I found the “twist” confusing, in that how it was orchestrated was never explained.

I know this is a long review, but I felt explanation was needed as to my rating. Don’t get me wrong, it was a fun, short book, but if you’re looking for a detail-rich fantasy, this isn’t it.

4 1/2 "fantastical" stars!

The Blacksmith Queen delivers a new fantasy series complete with a kick-ass heroine and a full slate of supporting characters including a love interest that is perfect for her, a crazy family and some demonic wolves.

Keeley is an unlikely choice to be Queen but apparently she's destined for it. Not only that, the people need her to be Queen since all of the royals preceding her have been evil and self-centered and the current Queen is the worst yet. To accomplish this, Keeley has to recruit an army and other supporters so she is led on a few adventures along the way which lead to non-stop action in this book. Along with the world building and introduction of characters, there was always something happening. It was pure entertainment!

Seriously, what more could you want? This book is full of magic, mystery, betrayal, centaurs, dragons, dwarves, elves, witches and so much more. I enjoyed every mystical minute of it. To make it even more fun, there is some humor thrown in which alleviates the impact of the blood and gore of battle. I can't wait to see what this series brings next. I hope there is more on tap for Queen Keeley and Caid as I love how their relationship has developed and it will be interesting to see how that works out with her trying to become Queen over the entire kingdom.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Oh boy. I've never read a book or actually heard of G. A. Aiken. Ive obviously been living under a rock and missing out on some first rate reading.

The Blacksmith Queen has everything. Action. Adventure. Folklore. Mythical creatures. Romance. Mystery. Best part is we get strong females and arrogant males that not only bring page after page of entertainment but aren't over done and annoying.

Keely and her motly crew are so well written. I was devastated when the last page was read. I can't wait to see where they end in the next book.

Generally speaking this type of book isn't something I devour. I usually find myself slowly making my way through the boomlk. Able to put it down when ever I wanted. The only thing that stoppede from reading all night was my phone kept bopping me in the nose when my eyes would grow too tired.

I'll be going back for more of G. A. Aiken books for sure.

Keeley Smythe is a blacksmith. She saves a mysterious boy from murderous soldiers. When centaurs come to her aid, Keeley learns that prophecy named her and her younger sister the next queen of the Black Hills. However, the Old King’s sons plan to prevent either from claiming the throne. Treachery forces Keeley to take her new title seriously. Will Keeley be able to protect her family from the princes? Can she make the necessary alliances in order to secure her throne?

Keeley is not your typical heroine. I love the fact that she is tall and muscular, quite different from small and petite women that is often found in the romance genre. I adore Keeley’s attitude towards things. She does not judge things – be they creature, human or centaur – by appearances. Instead, Keely understands that the world is full of different kinds of beings. What I adore the most about Keeley is her dedication to family, even the ones who wronged her.
THE BLACKSMITH QUEEN is book one in G.A. Aiken’s THE SCARRED EARTH SAGA. This story is a true delight. It actually reminded me of my role-playing days. Keeley’s interaction with her sister Gemma made me think of the goofy, fun antics my role play partner and I did. I love this author’s centaurs. They really stand apart from centaurs in movies and fantasy genre books.
My only nitpick with the story is the characters’ vocabulary. Some words, especially insults, felt too modern. They did not feel as if they belonged in a fantasy setting.
Also, the ending felt like it dragged a bit. I would have liked it better if Keeley met the dwarves in one book, and then the elves and barbarians in separate books. It would have made the tale and Keeley’s growth better.
Overall, I really did enjoy the book (enough that I recommended the book to my former role playing partner). I cannot wait for the next installment in this series!

The Blacksmith Queen was just what I needed last week. If you are familiar with GA Aiken/Shelly Laurenston then you know how much humor and zaniness are packed into her storytelling. Her over the top characters, the wonderful, sometimes bloody and violent, yet loyal extended family, the broad, interesting worldbuilding, and the fierce women who are the center of everything. THIS IS BOOK IS EXACTLY THAT.

Ms. Aiken takes her readers to a world adjacent to her Dragon Kin series, and introduces new characters. Keely Smythe is the newly dubbed Blacksmith Queen, only she never had any intention of becoming queen until her sister forced her into the situation and now she is fighting for her and her family’s lives. She must gather allies and goodness gracious I enjoyed getting to meet them all. Centaurs, dwarves, elves, demon wolves, war monks, and more. I kind of hope this series and the Dragon Kin series merge at some point in the future.

There is violence and a lot of gory scenes, but I expected that. The romance is light and I expected that too. This book was just what I wanted and hit all the right notes for me. Quirky humor, strong heroines, set against a rich fantasy world… what more can you ask for?
Final grade- B

Loved it, loved it! Keeley is a blacksmith, but not just any kind of blacksmith, she is to be a queen! Cade is the man sent to protect her. But he’s not just a man! Together they fight all kinds of evil, including Keeley’s sister who wants to be queen! This book will keep you reading to find out what’s happens. I loved the humor that was included.

I read this book as an arc from NetGalley. I gave it 5 stars

This book needs a serious editing. It has potential and the characters are interesting; the plot is kind same-old-same-old, but it has new elements and overall I liked. Despite that, what bothered me in this book was the use of curses ALL THE TIME. Usually I don’t have a problem with that, but here it disrupts the pace and fluency. I don’t think I read bitch so many times in my life together. Really, there were whole sentences that were just… And the bitch, because the bitch, and I did with the bitch, and the bitch try to run.... Arrgh. Another problem is that the characters don’t seem to stay “in character”. The main character seems to change from badass grow woman for 12 years old teen in a few paragraphs. All of this could be resolved with a good editing. It is a shame really, the book is fun and fast-paced and without these problems would be great. As it is, well, it gets 3 stars and I’m being generous here. 
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.