Sister Sable (The Mad Queen)

If you are into unanswered mysticism this is the book for you. Personally, I could not connect to the characters in this book. I could not even connect to the environment. The back story is elusive. There are very few bits or pieces to coalesce into the meaning behind this story. It is full of allusions to three countries, the mysterious Cloitare (who resemble the inquisition from Hell), the mysterious, maddened Sable/Malory, wife of the King (who is really an unknown), and Queen Mother; and the mysterious and elusive, in the wind Aiden, her master. Add to that the military and intelligence services of at least two countries, political intrigue, economic intrigue, and enter toward the end of this another mysterious figure whom Sable has developed a connection even though he is walking to his death. And finally Sable/Malory is trying to change the future. For what she perceives as better? No idea. At this point I feel sorry for Sable/Malory, have no idea what the King is about (he just sort of floats), feel some kinship with the General who is charged with Sable's "safety" because he is trying to maintain order in his own mind while trying to understand drug hazed Sable who can influence others, and would like to do away with the Cloitare who don't seem to have an redeeming qualities yet are apparently part of an integral belief system that society follows and Sable is the star. Why? Who is Sable? Why was she chosen? Was she born with her mysterious talent or was she taught (probably born with it)? What's missing? Why is any of this of any importance? What is the goal of the story? I kept reading because the writing is good and I figured some of the threads would begin to pull together but at the end I am not invested, emotionally or intellectually, in any of the characters and always felt that I was on the outside looking in. And, like Sable's mind it seems to be falling apart. I guess that is the intent of this book because the only point for all of it is to proceed to book two. I wavered between two and three stars on this book because I know I will not buy the second. I gave it a three because there are good story concepts but they did not invite me in so I won't be back.

What about that cover? I think its pretty awesome.Now moving on- What genre do you put this in? It is a slightly futuristic (~50 years, w/ new power sources, weapons et al) but reads like modern day. In contrast the main focus is on a nation run by a King and a religious organization. Add to that the somewhat 'fantastical' powers of the MC and we have a nice genre mishmash.The book opens with a train crash. Sable ends up in a hospital with everything and everyone focused on that same area. Assassins, a religious cult, and even the army show up. The book then explores and explains why- and then we follow her on a journey.Positives:+ Plot. Plot. Plot. So intertwined, the story is damn compelling.+ Sable. An assassin nun who has led a secret life and is not quite sane? Yes please.Neutral:+/- There are very few passages from Sable's POV. The majority are from a random assortment of characters. In some ways these different POV's work, because they show and represent different sides of her. On the other hand, this lends to telling when Sable inevitably explains her actions- and that is where the book fails.Negatives:- Writing. One of the common complaints, and i would have to agree. This story has way to much narration. Action sequences are glossed over only to be narrated about a 100 pages later. The book would be much stronger if we were simply told the action in an active voice as it happened. The book starts with an interesting train crash- but after that the first 30% of the book is pure telling of backstories. I also want to complain about one of the few action scenes- the Count scene was confusing as hell.- Contradictions. A few minor issues need to be addressed. The lack of the 'friends' identifying her. The King's progression. Sable's on-again, off-again ability to read thoughts.- The 'source' of the powers and the entire Aiden character.

I normally don't write reviews because, while I read A LOT, I'm too ambivalent to most of what I read. But, there is that rare gem that stands out amongst the rest, and this is one of them!What do I like about this book:I like that it's complex.There is politics, religion, drugs, occult. It goes from single characters to different governments and manages to keep it all flowing forward. The world building is awesome. It builds the complexity of the story rather than overwhelming it. He lets you learn about it in the periphery rather than, “Here's My World A-B-C.”I like that it's not all sunshine and rainbows.The story gets quite dark. Drugs, mental breakdown, violence. The author and the characters do not shy away from what happens and/or what needs to happen. While it's clear that there should be a 2nd book coming out, this book makes it clear that the ending will NOT be “happily ever after.”I like that it's not fluff.This book does require intelligence to read. But, it's not like reading a stuffy classic. The mental requirements are for keeping up with the intricate and complex plot, not for keeping up with the prose style. While this will turn off a lot of people, for those of you that do read it, you will not be disappointed.What I don't like:It's clear that there is more to the story; it doesn't end in a cliffhanger, but the story is definitely not done. However, there is not a 2nd book, and there is no indication of if/when there will be a 2nd book.The author page for T Mountebank makes me nervous. The author clearly wants to remain anonymous (with a photo that looks like from the 20's and a name like Mountebank...)I have read a few of the reviews that say this is translated from Russian, so hopefully they will translate the next one soon! I would really like to see what happens!!!

I was really looking forward to reading this - I hate not finishing a book and usually plough my way through them anyway - but not this one! I Have no regrets after getting a third of the way through with deciding to put it down (meaning in both ways) - I see some people have given it 5 stars and as I say it's a good thing for the author in particular, that we are all different? I found it a totally confusing plot, along with the characters and story-line and as a previous reviewer said, in the end it all got so boring, I really couldn't care less? If you want to read an excellent book of this genre then do read Joseph Lallo's "The Book of Deacon" series - now those I cannot recommend highly enough!

Wow that was good!Weird nuns, anarchists, a rather nice king, a stunning heroine (nun, assassin and some kind of reluctant nemesis), martial arts and military deployments, supernatural powers, impossible dilemmas, violent social change and revolution, politics and an offstage, evil, occult being (or is that the heroine?). Excellent plots twists. And in spite of this list of, mostly, quite common ingredients, it was fresh and exciting. This book was very full indeed and at the same time fast paced and set in a very solid, contemporary sounding world. I liked the characters.If I have a criticism it's that maybe there was a little too much violence and torture. And maybe a trifle too much high emotion for realism. But in spite of that I enjoyed the story, couldn't put it down and was upset that the sequel hasn't been published yet.

I was enticed by the 5 tenets and the number of 5 star reviews to buy this book. I seldom find it impossible to read a book through but this one lost me after only a few chapters. The annoying timeline which meant more to the author than to me, the tedious characterisation and set up all turned me off fairly quickly. I tried to give it a chance but it didn't engage. Instead of being unable to put it down, I couldn't wait to.

One of the most incredible stories I've ever read. A genuinely original world with just enough reference points to make it seem real. The state and the clergy vie to control the prophesied queen who will unite and bring peace. But there is darkness and violence, physical and mental.There are many twists and turns along the way, with many reveals being unexpected yet somehow making sense. That in itself is a true gift for a story teller. Then there's also the ability to tell the story from many different people's points of view, another difficult trick to pull offIf you're thinking of reading it, read it . You won't be disappointed and you will be surprised!

Very enjoyable read. I liked the characters and the world they live in. Can't wait for the next one. Really want pov from one of the evil mothers though, that was the only thing lacking in this book. Very intriguing and the way it's set out brings much .mystery to the plot, I liked the way we got told details in the second half that happened in the first half of the book.