Nameless Queen

The Nameless Queen takes class divides that are routine in fantasy, and explores the situation with a modern lens. The story of someone from the disenfranchised class rising to power is given its due in Coin, a Nameless. When she is 'named' to be the next Queen by the deceased King, it throws their kingdom into chaos. She isn't supported by the nobility because of her status, and they only want her to stick around long enough to pass on the mantle to someone they deem worthy. Meanwhile, she isn't interested in the crown and views it as a threat to her life, but while she is the heir, she has some things to be done to ensure the safety of her own. Coin, like many of her class, survive by thieving and conning the other folk, which is why they are reviled, but they are also actively prevented from being a part of society. The Nameless is a stand-in for homelessness and the author takes us through Coin's journey as she figures out what family would mean for a person who is only used to thinking about her survival. Along with Hat, who is a friend that she doesn't realize is family yet, and the Lieutenant who helps her out, she has the support of the King's daughter, Esther, who was thought to be the crown heir. The relationships between them are explored so well, giving us a nice found family trope. Coin herself was a delight to read through, with her snark and wits, both of which help her navigate the shifty Royals, as well as the newfound powers that mark her as heir. The plot is good, but not too complicated (there should have been more scheming!) - who was behind the attacks was obvious enough, though there are a couple of good twists thrown in towards the end that did impress. The lack of a romance subplot is a definite plus for this book. The one problem I had while reading the book is that it didn't help me picture it. The world-building often feels shaky, and a lot of information is the reader filling in the blanks while being in the dark about what it actually means to be Nameless. The magic isn't explained until much later, and even then there were a lot of non-relevant (to this book's plot) stuff, like the other kingdoms. Another thing is that physical descriptions were lacking - I can't even tell you what Coin looks like, and as for other characters, it is quite a fuzzy image - and the culture, the clothes, everything that fills up your image of the world of a fantasy book, were just not there. Some things like how Coin knew certain stuff just weren't explained - like being a con artist wouldn't have her know about obscure poisons unless she was an assassin or a herbalist too. Basically, it has a good plot and some fantastic characters, but it doesn't entirely immerse you in the book.

Funny, well written, action packed, and thought provoking are just a few of they many ways I would describe this book. I loved the world building and the political and social aspects of this story. From the treaty and magic to the class based divisions of the society, all of it intrigued and awed me. The characters and their development is truly the brightest and most fascinating part of this book and I was completely blown away by their depth and variation. I love Coin. She is one of my all time favorite characters. She is strong, determined, kind, compassionate, clever, and oh so witty. She is a survivor. I could not get enough of her and her introspection and growth throughout was my favorite part of the story. The rest of the cast was also supremely enjoyable. Hat who shined with optimism and warmth. Glenquartz with his sincerity and kindness. Ester with her determination and moral compass. And Devil with her quirkiness and no nonsense ways. Loved the entire book.