Review of The Queen of Xana
-
Fola Moni
- In It Together VIP
- Posts: 463
- Joined: 03 Jun 2020, 18:38
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 165
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-fola-moni.html
- Latest Review: Moonlight Serenade by Terry Mark
Review of The Queen of Xana
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Queen of Xana" by Fred Pilcher.]
The Queen of Xana by Fred Pilcher is an allegorical story. It expresses the truth about governance and politics by using an example of a mythical queen and her kingdom.
Princess Agatha grew up knowing that something wasn’t right with the way her mother, Queen Julia, ruled over Xana. She saw people outside the palace walls living in abject poverty. She became frustrated that creditors were charging higher than normal interest rates to their debtors. She worried about children who couldn’t afford to go to school. She decided she would be a better queen than her mother when it's her time. However, evil strikes her land, and circumstances force her to be queen sooner than she expected. Agatha must weigh her options and choose the right path for the posterity of her land. Making the wrong choice is not an option, but how will she know the right decision to take?
Firstly, I love how the book is presented as a representation of real events when it’s really fiction. Having a narrator called Traveller explain events and characters in separate sections of the book is a clever idea, and it made it more intriguing for me. It brought out the ingenuity of the author and the way he was able to capture the imagination of his readers. I was instantly captivated from the start, and my attention didn’t waver until the end.
I also love the brilliance of the metaphorical themes in the plot. Since an allegory is a simple story that represents the larger point about society, this was a fantastic way of bringing out the ills of politics like corruption, embezzlement of public funds, lack of education etc. I believe it’s also a simple way of teaching people about governance and politics. I learned a lot about the administration of law and policies and how to deliver justice and fairness whilst maintaining a balance between right and wrong.
There are many characters, but I didn’t have a problem keeping up because they were all very relatable. Prince Olaf reminds me of Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh. Content to stay out of the limelight but very loyal to his queen. Queen Agatha is fair and just but can be autocratic in her dealings with her constituents. Sometimes, her decisions come across as dictatorial. However, the children of the land love her because of her stance on education and her liberal way of policymaking.
There’s nothing I didn’t like about this book, so I’ll rate it 4 out of 4 stars. It’s brilliant, witty and educational. I couldn’t spot a single error, so I must say it is exceptionally well edited. It is an adult book with sexual scenes and the occasional strong language. Hence, I wouldn’t recommend it to a younger/ sensitive audience. Mature readers interested in politics, policymaking, and governance would appreciate this book. Fantasy lovers would like it too.
******
The Queen of Xana
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The Queen of Xana by Fred Pilcher is an allegorical story. It expresses the truth about governance and politics by using an example of a mythical queen and her kingdom.
Princess Agatha grew up knowing that something wasn’t right with the way her mother, Queen Julia, ruled over Xana. She saw people outside the palace walls living in abject poverty. She became frustrated that creditors were charging higher than normal interest rates to their debtors. She worried about children who couldn’t afford to go to school. She decided she would be a better queen than her mother when it's her time. However, evil strikes her land, and circumstances force her to be queen sooner than she expected. Agatha must weigh her options and choose the right path for the posterity of her land. Making the wrong choice is not an option, but how will she know the right decision to take?
Firstly, I love how the book is presented as a representation of real events when it’s really fiction. Having a narrator called Traveller explain events and characters in separate sections of the book is a clever idea, and it made it more intriguing for me. It brought out the ingenuity of the author and the way he was able to capture the imagination of his readers. I was instantly captivated from the start, and my attention didn’t waver until the end.
I also love the brilliance of the metaphorical themes in the plot. Since an allegory is a simple story that represents the larger point about society, this was a fantastic way of bringing out the ills of politics like corruption, embezzlement of public funds, lack of education etc. I believe it’s also a simple way of teaching people about governance and politics. I learned a lot about the administration of law and policies and how to deliver justice and fairness whilst maintaining a balance between right and wrong.
There are many characters, but I didn’t have a problem keeping up because they were all very relatable. Prince Olaf reminds me of Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh. Content to stay out of the limelight but very loyal to his queen. Queen Agatha is fair and just but can be autocratic in her dealings with her constituents. Sometimes, her decisions come across as dictatorial. However, the children of the land love her because of her stance on education and her liberal way of policymaking.
There’s nothing I didn’t like about this book, so I’ll rate it 4 out of 4 stars. It’s brilliant, witty and educational. I couldn’t spot a single error, so I must say it is exceptionally well edited. It is an adult book with sexual scenes and the occasional strong language. Hence, I wouldn’t recommend it to a younger/ sensitive audience. Mature readers interested in politics, policymaking, and governance would appreciate this book. Fantasy lovers would like it too.
******
The Queen of Xana
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Moonlight Serenade by Terry Mark
