Amazon Queen by Lori Devoti - Review and Giveaway

Zery is nearly a century old. She is a good queen who values the Amazon tribe. Her character was established in the first book of series, Amazon Ink. This book finds Zery on a mission to steal back a son, a male child of an Amazon.

This answers my first question as to why Amazons are all women. They aren't. Male children have previously been maimed or killed. The second question, of course, is where do they find a mate? Again, they don't. They simply use a strong male human for perpetuating the race.

The earlier book established the Amazon way of life, values, and nomadic lifestyle. It also established that the Amazons stopped the barbaric practice of killing or maiming their male young. They would simply grow up stupid and strong. Unfortunately for the women, they grew up gifted and organized. Still, they were half human and half Amazon. Except there are a few Super Sons - sons of Sons and Amazon women. But this is really the story of the first book, although the second book spends a good deal of time catching the reader up to speed by explaining the events from Book 1.

This time around, Zery is the protagonist, as opposed to Mel, the priestess in the first book who left the tribe to join the human society. This leaves the tribe without a priestess until Thea arrives. Thea possesses a challenging personality. This is contrary to the Amazon followers. When the council speaks, the queen does as she is told. When the queen speaks, the tribe jump. But Thea seems to not understand the societal mores. She sets Zery up take a fall and takes over the tribe.

Thea's antagonistic character is somewhat predictable from her introduction. She is manipulative and individual (herself) minded, rather than the tribe. Zery seems to be a little on the slow-witted side when it comes to Thea which surprised me. She's very old and has had experience with humans.

Regardless of the predictability of Thea's character, the story picks up and provides a few unexpected twists and turns along with a possible future love interest.

The author does an excellent job of explaining the Amazon tribe, intermingled with a solid storyline. She includes not only myth but adds the interesting twist of the story being present day rather than past tense. The Amazon women are descendants of the god Ares and the nympth, Otrera, while they worship the Artemis. They possess the magnifying power from their god, making them strong and powerful. They are obedient to their leader and value the Amazon tribe over the individual. That trait is the conflict for Zery as she is forced to explore the Amazon values.

I liked the book overall. There were a few times during the story that I found myself searching back in the pages to find who was who and the relationship she had to Zery. The Amazons travel in packs so there were quite a few characters to follow. I found this aspect irritating yet necessary to fully tell the story.

It is crucial to read the preface of this book, as it summarizes Amazon Ink which sets up Amazon Queen. Which clearly sets up the next book.

Urban Lit is a new genre for me. I'm still discovering its uniqueness, although it is the genre often found in a teen's backpack, which brings me to a very important and defining factor for this book; I would not protest to having my teenage daughter read it. The Amazons are warriors and nomads. Although sex is implied as it is necessary to procreate, it is absent. There is some sensuality but the author has created the Amazons as a warrior tribe who occasionally dabble to perpetuate the race. Language is mild except for one "f" bomb.

Pocket Books is offering one very lucky reader of this review a copy of this book. Entry for book is easy, as usual, but requires my personal entertainment.

Comment must include your email and a quote. Quote can be from a book, movie, or your mother. Feel free to add as many as three comments with different quotes. They will all count as separate entries.

Any quote over the limited three will serve entertainment purposes only - which I am not wholly against.

I'll make the first entry (however I will decline if I win. I am amazing, aren't I)
Contest ends June 9th. 
Open to U.S. Residents including Arizona of Mexican descent, legal or not. Also open to Australians living in the U.S.
Must have physical address in the United States. No P.O. Boxes.

"Then why is the rum gone?" - Captain Jack Sparrow 

This book was provided to me for review by Sarah at Pocket Books. I am not obligated to provide a favorable review. Just honest. And I don't mind a few smiles on your faces. For additional opinions, try a few of the links below:


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