Author: G.A. Aiken
Book Name: The Blacksmith Queen
Release Date: August 27, 2019
Series: The Scarred Earth Saga
Order: #1
Genre: Fantasy/Romance/Humor
Overall SPA: 5 Stars
Blurb: The Old King Is Dead
With the demise of the Old King, there’s a prophesy that a queen will ascend to the throne of the Black Hills. Bad news for the king’s sons, who are prepared to defend their birthright against all comers. But for blacksmith Keeley Smythe, war is great for business. Until it looks like the chosen queen will be Beatrix, her younger sister. Now it’s all Keeley can do to protect her family from the enraged royals.Luckily, Keeley doesn’t have to fight alone. Because thundering to her aid comes a clan of kilt-wearing mountain warriors called the Amichai. Not the most socially adept group, but soldiers have never bothered Keeley, and rough, gruff Caid, actually seems to respect her. A good thing because the fierce warrior will be by her side for a much longer ride than any prophesy ever envisioned …
Main SPA Evaluation Areas:
Characters: 5/5 Stars
Believability: 5/5 Stars
Personal Opinion: 5/5 Stars
When I first saw this book was the start of a new series, I was a tiny bit concerned it wouldn’t follow what I’ve come to know and love about G.A. Aiken’s style. You never really know for sure what you’re getting into with a new series and the blurb doesn’t quite do this justice, falling on the more serious side. Fans of the Dragon Kin series will be happy to know this series is set in that same world. Though there isn’t any kind of crossover just yet, the potential is there for future books.
Everything I’ve always loved about a G.A. Aiken novel is in this one. All the over the top, effortlessly badass female characters. The phenomenal, irreverent snark and humor layered into those intensely grotesque battle scenes. I don’t know another author that can make me laugh so hard about someone getting their head smashed to a pulp. Those things really shouldn’t ever be funny, but because of the way she writes, I cannot read and drink anything at the same time.
I was really surprised this went the direction it did with Keeley’s and Beatrix’s relationship. At first, I wasn’t sure I was going to like it, but I really did. It felt different for this author (unless I’ve forgotten something or missed a book in the past) to go that route.
Even though this is the same world as the Dragon Kin series and you get to see similar beings (dragons, centaurs), they are still unique to the part of the world this book is founded in. So, while similar in setting and general feel, it still has the sense of newness that I thoroughly enjoyed. The next book in this series cannot come soon enough.
For those new to G.A. Aiken, no need to worry. You won’t feel lost. If you love a little magic, a wide range of interesting types of characters, battle scenes and lots of humor (the kind that gets everyone looking at you funny when you snort, choke or belt out your most embarrassing laugh), you absolutely should be putting this one on your TBR.
*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
TJ Fox: Sharing the Experience 
Great review! Your thoughts on this book are very similar to my own. I was really looking forward to reading this book as well, especially after having ADORED Dragon Kin and all of its rambunctious family and kick-ass female characters. Aiken certainly didn’t disappoint! I was surprised by Beatrix too, especially the hint of darkness that crept in to the book where she was concerned. That was certainly a bit different than I’ve come to expect from this author. Do you think the sequel is likely to go even darker than this? When Keeley and Beatrix are forced to face each other?
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I really couldn’t say. This book really doesn’t give too many hints as to what to expect from future books. Is it going to keep following/focusing on the same main characters or is it going to go a similar route to Dragon Kin where you get different focal characters? I’m leaning towards staying in line with these because it feels a little like that thread hasn’t fully solidified enough to go somewhere else yet. Aiken hasn’t done that before, so who knows. I do think these may fall more on the serious side of things in comparison because I don’t think it can be avoided when dealing with the relationship between the sisters. I do feel like it is still going to be balanced with lots of that amazing humor, so it will be exciting to see how it’s all done.
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