The Queen's Gambit: Book One of Imirillia (The Books of Imirillia)

The book, story line and characters kept me reading even when I knew I had other things to do. The characters became friends that I wanted to know better and find out what was happening to them. I have read the entire series already because I just couldn't leave them alone. I had to know what was happening, but when I finished it I hadn't had enough. I am now reading them slowly so I can savor them and see all the things I missed from reading so quickly. These are characters that stay true to themselves and the author was able to make them come to life for me. A true love story of honor and sacrifice, sadness and despair. All the feelings that happen in my life. The book brought me to tears many times as the characters worked through their challenges and I felt somewhat as they were feeling. The second read is fun and also more interesting as you can see with perspective. I just love this author's writing. She writes with honesty and feeling for her characters. Thank you Beth Brower

I love the imagery and fluid writing style of  Beth Brower . I especially like how she uses evocative phrasing to describe the characters and the setting, bringing both to life through her vivid, detailed imagery. I can tell in these phrases and in countless other places that Brower has taken great care in crafting this story in  The Queen's Gambit: Book One of Imirillia (The Books of Imirillia 1) .I also really enjoy how Beth Brower skillfully develops her scenes, making me feel like I am present in each moment with the characters. This high level of immediacy caught my attention quickly and held it throughout the entire story.I am impressed by the ways that Brower evokes specific moods in her scenes, and I especially enjoyed the ways she creates romantically charged moments. I could also easily relate to Eleanor, the young queen of Aemogen, during these moments and as Eleanor responds to conflicts and challenges. Brower shows how these difficult decisions help Eleanor to determine the identity and future role not only of her country and its government but also of herself.Then, as Eleanor decides what type of queen she must become to defend her people and lead them against their foe, the Imirillion Empire, Eleanor matures as a person and gains experience in organic ways.I also enjoyed the romantic tensions and irony Brower creates between Eleanor and Wil, a young, disenchanted Imirillion soldier, who has wandered into her country. And I think that other readers will also appreciate watching how Wil’s influence helps Queen Eleanor become the strong, moral, and courageous hero her people need her to be.The Queen’s Gambit is an excellent book and the first in this series. I also recommend Brower’s second book,  The Ruby Prince: Book Two of Imirillia (The Books of Imirillia 2) .

I needed a literary escape and this seriees were the perfect choice. It was absolutely fantastic in every way. The author captured everything that a perfect story needs: intrigue, fascinating settings, charming characters, suspense, carefully crafted cultural details and beauty. I read it straight through and moved quickly to the second and third until they sadly ended. How I want to read more! Two questions remain: will there be more books in this series and when will it be turned into a sweeping epic on the silver screen?

5 StarsLoved this story...couldn't put it down!I pretty much liked everything about this book but especially the two main characters, Wil and Eleanor, both of whom have strong personalities. Eleanor is a very young queen but also commands the respect and love of her people. Will is confident but also wary and jaded by his life experiences. He questions and gives his opinion too freely and the opposition that creates, makes for some of the best scenes in the book. I enjoyed the mystery behind Wil throughout the story and the fact that his character is very layered and complex. Here is an example:"...in the seconds after she had spoken, Eleanor appeared strangely ageless, a prophetess, perhaps. Emotions rose in Wil's chest--the edges of pride and shame, of homesickness and freedom--pulsing outward against the inside of his skin and back into his bones."The writing is excellent and the pacing perfect with beautiful imagery and enough detail to keep my interest without getting bogged down. The world Brower has created is rich with history and tradition and has an almost ethereal feel at times with the stories shared from the ancient scrolls."I once believed the stars were old souls, passed away, yet scintillating in their rest, but now, I see they are but the nursery of the Illuminating God. And at the birth of each man therein is placed a star beside his heart, and while the heart gives its beat to the body, so the star gives its light to the soul."I was completely invested in this story and the struggles the young queen must face to lead her people, as well as the weighty decisions that she alone must make in the wake of the ultimatum thrust upon her. The characters are so well drawn and given a life of their own that they feel like old friends.This is a compelling read and also a fabulous debut for Beth Brower's first book. I've already got books two and three ready to go on my Kindle. I promise you will not be able to wait to finish reading this series.

brilliant book. Couldn't put it down then bereft when it was finished. Waiting for the next in the series.