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A review by wonder_jenn
Beneath the Keep: A Novel of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
5.0
TW: human trafficking, rape, pedophilia, drugs, violence, deaths of family members, children fighting, starvation
Beneath the Keep is a very dark book, some of the scenes in it angered and disgusted me, but it's part of what the author has been denouncing in her books. I advise you to read it after the original trilogy so that you will appreciate more what the author did with this prequel.
This prequel is an exploration of some of the characters' pasts and events that were mentioned in the original trilogy and, as such, doesn't have a purpose plotwise (though we do learn a few things that Kelsea never came to know). It's above all to enlighten and give more depth to the history of the Tearling. But what an incredible job the author did! I loved Mace even more. His life was sad and cruel. We also get to know more about the Fetch's part in restoring peace in the world with the Blue Horizon:
We are also seeing other characters I despise with passion: Thorne, Lady Andrews and the Church in general. There's a satisfaction, though, when you know what will happen to them. It was the only consolation I had.
Each time I see glimpses of the Tearling of the past I feel nostalgia. Erika Johansen has a way of making me care about her characters that I always feel dread, doom and sadness. I feel for their victories and their failures. It's almost a burden because we know the future, and nothing will change it.
Contrary to some other prequels I've read [*coughs* the Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes *coughs*] it's as if I never left the world. The characters are true to themselves, the events fit the atmosphere that emanated from the original trilogy and there's still this balance between good and evil. The writing is also on point with interesting, daring themes that I've rarely seen.
Also, this prequel gives more meaning to the ending of The Fate of the Tearling in my opinion:
Erika Johansen didn't disappoint. If you loved the other three books, you should love this one too!
Beneath the Keep is a very dark book, some of the scenes in it angered and disgusted me, but it's part of what the author has been denouncing in her books. I advise you to read it after the original trilogy so that you will appreciate more what the author did with this prequel.
This prequel is an exploration of some of the characters' pasts and events that were mentioned in the original trilogy and, as such, doesn't have a purpose plotwise (though we do learn a few things that Kelsea never came to know). It's above all to enlighten and give more depth to the history of the Tearling. But what an incredible job the author did! I loved Mace even more. His life was sad and cruel. We also get to know more about the Fetch's part in restoring peace in the world with the Blue Horizon:
Spoiler
despite the fact that we learned he was one of the few who ruined William Tear's utopia and that I came to dislike him because of that, I'm now seeing more of the person who wants to make amends for his mistakes. It was nice to appreciate him again. We understand why he hates the Church so much: he had been one of the victims of its propaganda, and we can clealy feel that.We are also seeing other characters I despise with passion: Thorne, Lady Andrews and the Church in general. There's a satisfaction, though, when you know what will happen to them. It was the only consolation I had.
Each time I see glimpses of the Tearling of the past I feel nostalgia. Erika Johansen has a way of making me care about her characters that I always feel dread, doom and sadness. I feel for their victories and their failures. It's almost a burden because we know the future, and nothing will change it.
Contrary to some other prequels I've read [*coughs* the Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes *coughs*] it's as if I never left the world. The characters are true to themselves, the events fit the atmosphere that emanated from the original trilogy and there's still this balance between good and evil. The writing is also on point with interesting, daring themes that I've rarely seen.
Also, this prequel gives more meaning to the ending of The Fate of the Tearling in my opinion:
Spoiler
Even if Kelsea is the only one remembering her Guard and the feudal Tearling, it nevertheless gives another chance to other characters who went through horrible things. In that regard, it's sad but worth it.Erika Johansen didn't disappoint. If you loved the other three books, you should love this one too!