Queen Among the Dead by Lesley Livingston
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Queen Among the Dead in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The Gist
Queen Among the Dead by Lesley Livingston is a richly atmospheric YA fantasy set in a myth-infused version of ancient Ireland. With its fierce heroine, enchanted landscapes, and anti-authoritarian message, this book has all the elements of an epic. But while the premise is promising, the execution sometimes stumbles.
The Details
The story follows Neve, a strong-willed princess who refuses to be bound by the expectations of her royal blood or the ancient druids who claim power over her world. When she meets Ronan, a former druid acolyte turned outlaw, the two find themselves drawn together by a shared desire to challenge a crumbling system. Their fight becomes one of magic, myth, and the painful birth of change.
Livingston excels at building atmosphere. The forests, ruins, and rituals feel alive with ancient energy. Every page drips with the weight of history and legend, creating a world that feels both grounded and otherworldly. The magic is raw and untamed, more dangerous than dazzling, which adds a welcome edge to the narrative.
Unfortunately, the pacing falters midway through. The early chapters build momentum with political intrigue and personal stakes, but the middle loses focus. Important scenes drag, and key revelations arrive too late to have full emotional impact. The sense of urgency fades as the plot meanders through familiar territory.
Neve is a compelling lead. Her rebellious spirit, inner conflict, and desire for a better future give the novel its emotional weight. Ronan, however, doesn’t shine as brightly. His backstory is interesting, but his personality never fully comes to life on the page. Their romance follows a predictable path—simmering tension, hesitant trust, inevitable connection—but lacks the spark to make it memorable.
Despite its flaws, the novel explores meaningful themes. Livingston questions inherited power, the cost of tradition, and the courage it takes to imagine something new. Neve’s defiance is more than just personal rebellion—it’s a challenge to an entire worldview. That deeper layer gives the story more depth than its fantasy trappings might suggest.
The writing is lyrical without being overwhelming. Livingston weaves beautiful imagery into her prose, though at times, the descriptions slow the pacing. Readers who enjoy poetic language and lush worldbuilding will appreciate her style, even when the story itself loses direction.
Queen Among the Dead is a solid fantasy read with strong roots in myth and magic. It offers a thoughtful take on power and resistance but doesn’t fully deliver on its potential. For fans of slow-burn fantasy, ancient settings, and stories about challenging the old world to build something new, this one may still be worth a try.
The Verdict
Final verdict: Beautifully written and rich in atmosphere, but uneven pacing and predictable character dynamics hold it back from true greatness.
