Really wanted to like this - was hoping it was going to be one I could recommend to my daughter and read with her! - but I had to force myself to finish because I just wasn't engaged enough. I love the description of this being "what if Susan from the Chronicles of Narnia was your grandmother," but she's your grandmother with a lot of unprocessed trauma/PTSD who has unhealthy coping mechanisms that have alienated her loved ones. Believable, sure! But not the adventure I thought I was getting into. I wanted more fantasy world, less family shame/secrets/guilt, and more plot and resolution in general.

Once a Queen by Sarah Arthur is a captivating and richly woven tale that seamlessly blends fantasy with a deep exploration of duty, identity, and power. Arthur's world-building is exceptional, creating a vibrant, immersive setting that transports readers into a land filled with magic, political intrigue, and complex characters. The protagonist’s journey from an ordinary life to one filled with royal responsibility is both thrilling and emotionally resonant.

The pacing is spot-on, keeping you hooked as the stakes rise with each chapter. Arthur's writing is lush, balancing action and introspection beautifully. The emotional depth of the characters, especially the protagonist, makes the story more than just a fantasy adventure—it’s also a journey of self-discovery and resilience. Once a Queen is an unforgettable, well-rounded read that will leave you eager for more.

I was very excited for this story, but in the end I do not think I was the target audience. This story followed a very “Narnia”-esque plot with a separate world of queens and creatures and a “godly” stag who can save them. While I appreciate the twists, I personally did not feel connected to the characters, the plot, or the setting. The decisions made by the FMC were frustrating at best and I don’t feel like I *GOT* why the grandmother and mother were the way they were; I didn’t feel connected or empathize with them. In any case, the story was well written and easy to follow and I think a younger audience would enjoy it more than myself.

DNF @ 30%

This book had so much potential! I loved the idea of a fantasy world bleeding into the real one, but only in certain places. However, it was too hard to follow the storylines with the author's "book within a book" structure. I'd be willing to try this author again though!

#OnceaQueen #NetGalley
Interesting novel and it is well written. I think that many young adults will enjoy the story and characters.

"Once a Queen" by Sarah Arthur weaves a poignant and enchanting tale of lost royalty and rediscovered self-worth. Its rich narrative and emotional depth make it a compelling read for fans of fantasy and personal growth.

his was hthe perfect young adult fantasy-mystery that actually functioned as a story within a story. Be sure to start it when you have time to really settle in , becuse it was a slow start that took a bit of effort to really take off into the story. The setting, the characters, and the family secrets that piled on top of one another added layers to a story that enhanced the depth of the worldbuilding and made it complex and dynamic. If you are a reader with a vivid and wild imagination--this is a book I think you will likely enjoy..

A YA fantasy coming-of-age story perfect for fans of The Chronicles of Narnia, who want to capture that same feeling of whimsy and adventure in another tale. We star 14-yr old Eva, as she visits her grandmother and very quickly realizes that the stories she grew up listening to may be much more than simple stories.

However, I will admit that this book felt very much like the younger teen audience it was intended for (not a bad thing, mind you!), but because of this I very quickly realized this book was not for me. I would absolutely recommend you check out this book as it perfectly captured the feeling I had when I had first read The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe and if a) that same feeling is one you are looking for, or b) you ARE a younger teenager looking for a fantasy - then absolutely pick up this book. I may come back to this when I would prefer reading a book that feels more for a younger audience, but for now I will bow out.

Thank you to Netgalley and WaterBrook & Multnomah for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. One of the big discussions around Narnia has always been "what about Susan" and this tale addresses those sorts of questions. We're left wondering what will happen at the end, but with the sense of "we don't get to make the decisions for other people" and "we don't get to know how their stories work out". The ending was one full of hope rather than sorrow and I appreciated that. We get a taste for the fictional other world referenced in the book, but without the majority of time taking place in that world. We're looking at the results of children venturing to that world and returning rather than the adventures in that world.

I appreciated this and look forward to the next in the series.

There's a great case for saying this teen fantasy feels highly derivative, but for all the seeming unoriginality it's done very well indeed. The conviction behind the narration is certainly something that helps grip you as you enjoy the old-fashioned drama. Eva is a girl who hasn't been allowed to settle down, with her academic father always moving from job to job. Her mother was English, and a large country pile is still in the family – and for the first time she and mum are going to be staying there for the summer, while dad finishes off his research and writing back in the US. Getting to know her gran – and her servants, gardeners, secrets, etc – Eva is destined to stumble on a lot of magical aspects of her background – and possibly destiny. And we're destined to encounter copious passages from a tween fantasy read, that Eva always loved, without realising how true and how close to home the tales of inter-world travel and evil-vanquishing might actually be…

That side narrative was one aspect I didn't enjoy for a long time here – the flippant mentions of a dog and something involving lettuces jarred, and the book-within-the-book is just there as a huge foreshadowing device. 'Oh, magic gems lost from a magic crown, you say? I wonder who'll find them!', etc. Elsewhere the world(s) of the book are done finely, but a little too quaintly, and in an old-fashioned style. (Mind, I think you need a bit of old-fashioned naivety when this is a country pile where coachloads of tourists just turn up out of the blue, without appointment or anything, and people just fall into modest lodgings in the centre of Cambridge and "a guesthouse near Trafalgar Square" at the drop of a hat.)

That, and the unlikely bookstore owners, aside, we have a convincing effort. The story isn't swamped with travel, questing or fantasy action, but has a lot to say about families with secrets, ways to deal with grief, and people struggling to forgive themselves – although for me to say more is probably to put people off this, for it's not as deep and heavily meaningful as you might now fear. With a handful of pages of the first sequel included it's going to be great news for some that such a literary kind of adventure is being sustained in the future. For me I enjoyed what I had, but perhaps too much once more was a knowing nod to stories of old. Three and a half stars, then, for some rum cameos and the strong sense of deja vu.

I loved it.

This book reminded me of the "Hazel wood" books by Melissa Albert, which have a special place in my heart.

This book was creepy in the best way. It had forbidden doors, lost kingdoms and always the question in the back of my head if any of it was real.

I wish this would have been longer, i loved this weird old house, the grandmother and her very clever granddaughter. will definitively keep an eye on this Autor

A young adult fantasy-mystery that has a story within a story. This takes a bit to get into so be sure to start it when you have time to really settle in. I enjoyed the setting and the family secrets piled on top of one another. The story bits in the middle felt a bit disjointed but perhaps this was because I just wanted to get back to the main story. Readers who love to let their imaginations run wild should enjoy this escape!

In this fascinating YA fantasy novel, readers follow Eva Joyce, who is visiting her grandmother Bess in England for the first time in her life. Life at the family manor is strange, however, with odd gardens, an eerily similar statue, a mysterious great-aunt, and a strained relationship between her grandmother and mother, and as Eva discovers her grandmother’s secrets and the secrets of the estate, she is drawn into a world of magic and hidden worlds. With an inspiration in a real 1952 train accident, Arthur’s novel is an incredible introduction to a beautiful and mysterious new world right at Eva -- and her grandmother’s -- front door. Eva is a curious and clever heroine, who may ask too many questions but has her heart in the right place, while the other women of her family (Bess, Gwendolyn, and a host of unknown relatives) are complex and critical to the story. The minor characters, particularly the staff, townspeople, and a few other friends of Eva’s grandmother are also well-written and critical to Eva’s search for the truths of her family manor. The manor home is a character unto itself, acting as a gateway between multiple worlds, and readers will find that this book too is a gateway into Eva’s life and adventures in England.

3.75 * Solid young adult fantasy which reminds me of The Chronicles of Narnia. Nicely written story about teen Eva who's coming to England to let her Grandmother and during her stay finding out about hidden tragic family story. I do like Eva and Frankie and Mrs Fealston, and I'm pretty sure that without Frankie and Mrs F. this story would miss a lot, was sort of not complete.

Ich weiß ehrlich gesagt nicht, wie ich dieses Buch bewerten soll, da ich es aufgrund relativ kurzer Ausleihdauer (ohne Verlängerung) nicht lesen konnte.

I loved the idea of this book, but the execution was a bit unpolished, and the pacing had issues. I look forward to seeing improvements in the sequel. Recommended for fans of Narnia, The Hidden Country, or Tuck Everlasting.

I really enjoyed this book, I got some Narnia vibes at the start but it quickly became its own story and was very unique. I enjoyed the characters and the plot twists and mystery it had to offer.

"Once a Queen" by Sarah Arthur is a magical journey that many middle-grade readers will find enchanting. One of the book's strengths is its imaginative setting. Arthur creates a vivid and captivating world that draws readers in, making them feel as though they are right there with Eva.

Eva is a relatable and courageous protagonist. Her journey from an ordinary girl to someone with a significant role in this new world is both exciting and inspiring. Her bravery and quick thinking are qualities that many readers will admire. Additionally, the friendships she forms and the allies she meets add warmth and depth to the narrative.

The plot moves at a good pace, with plenty of action and suspense to keep readers engaged. The challenges and quests that Eva faces are well-crafted and keep the story interesting. The themes of bravery, friendship, and discovering one's potential are woven throughout the story, making it a meaningful read.

However, there are a few areas where the book could improve. Some parts of the story feel a bit predictable, and a few characters could have been developed further to add more depth to their personalities and motivations. Overall, "Once a Queen" is a delightful read that offers a good mix of magic, adventure, and heart. It's a solid three-star book that provides an enjoyable escape into a fantastical world.

I was granted Early Access to this title by netgate. all opinions written here are my own .
A review of once a queen by Sarah Arthur

this book reminds me a lot of other classic fairy tales like The Lion, the witch wardrobe series or the never-ending story or many other classic tales where there is a portal to another world where kids get to step through, but not necessarily adults unless they have the right heart. I very much enjoyed this take on the whole thing and I hope that this book becomes a series and that we get to see what happens to the rest of the characters.. thank you Sarah Arthur for writing this delightful tale. I look forward to reading more of your work in future if I should have such a privilege.

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for giving me this ARC in exchange of an honest review.

It took me some time to finish it because I'm quite busy and didn't have much time to read. However, I manage to finish it and it's good! This book is well-written. I like it.