Series: Chronicles of the Bitch Queen #1
Published by Orbit on February 18, 2020
Genres: Fantasy
Pages: 496
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I murdered a man and made my husband leave the night before they crowned me.
So begins the tale of Talyien aren dar Orenar, queen of Jin-Sayeng, daughter of Warlord Yeshin, wife of Rayyel Ikessar, and mother of Thanh. (I include these titles because these relationships are all central to her identity and the present conflict.) Her marriage to the Ikessar prince was supposed to herald a period of peace, following the bloody War of the Wolves that nearly tore her nation apart, but Rayyel’s departure has undermined her rule and fractured their kingdom.
Five years after her husband’s departure, Tali receives a letter inviting her to meet with him across the sea. Though she attends with the intention to reconcile, an assassination attempt leaves her stranded in a foreign city. Alone, powerless, friendless, and desperate to survive, she no idea who she can trust. Not even from among her own people.
I didn’t know I was waiting for a fierce heroine like Tali until—well, Tali showed up. Tali is fierce and unapologetically herself. She’s not a pampered princess, with soft skin and honey-coated tongue, but a wolf who was raised to fight. She’s deadly with a blade, and she can live with a tarnished reputation, if that’s the cost for fulfilling her duty. She’s also wounded and vulnerable. She loves deeply; she is inextricably tied to her people and country. Whatever decision she makes, she considers how her actions will affect her people, and she often acts contrary to her nature in order to obtain results. She has also been greatly shaped by her father and his expectations for her, by the people’s expectations of her father’s daughter. Her love has caused her great loneliness and great suffering. My heart broke over the things Tali will do for family and for duty.
A wolf of Oren-yaro fights to make it right, down to the last breath. A wolf of Oren-yaro does not beg. A wolf of Oren-yaro suffers in silence.
The Wolf of Oren-Yaro is told as a memoir written by an older Tali looking back at, and sometimes commenting on, the events of her reign. Specifically, she examines the conflict with her husband and the effect it had on their (her? Because he walked out) reign. At times, when appropriate, she shares events from her youth, building a picture of her childhood and her relationships with key figures of her life, most notably: her husband, her childhood friend, her advisor, and her father.
Tali and Rayyel are two very different kinds of people. Rough around the edges, Tali could be seen running around as a child; small injuries were not uncommon. Book-learned and proper, Rayyel could be found reading and educating himself in the study. I appreciate how Tali recognizes and celebrates Reyyal’s strengths and goodness, so different from her own, and tries to work with him. Our world is made better because of our diversity. Despite their differences in personality and in ideals, they both want the best for their kingdom. They’re both also only human. As Tali reveals more about herself and her conflict with Rayyel, her story reveals the true nature of leadership. Leaders are as broken and flawed as the rest of us; the difference is that they’re not allowed to be broken because of the far-reaching consequences of their actions. And it’s hard. Yes, because of the nature of leadership, Tali must be held to a higher standard. But knowing her and caring for her, I wanted Tali to let herself be Tali. And yet, she wouldn’t be Tali, wouldn’t struggle so much, if she wasn’t so aware of her every move and what it means for her people, for her kingdom, for her family.
The supporting characters are as deeply complex and layered as Tali and Rayyel. While I loved many of them, I think fellow fans of the series can agree that Khine is worth a special mention. Tali is honest, with clear ideals about honor, and she’s naive about how the “real world” works. Khine quickly shows her that there exists honor among thieves and con artists—and that we shouldn’t judge a person based on their present circumstances and actions alone. Tali’s growing friendship (and possible something-more? It’s complicated, and I’m torn) with Khine is heartwarming; they have a lot to learn from each other. And, like so many of the characters, they have a lot of healing to do.
We grow up, and some of us think we learn, but the truth is we would rather listen to our own lies for as long as there is a sliver of hope that they would turn out correct after all.
The Wolf of Oren-Yaro is beautifully written, fierce and full of heart. I’m amazed by the layers that K. S. Villoso builds within the characters and how she brings them to life through Tali’s perspective. One moment, I loved a character; another, I mistrusted them. Sometimes, I couldn’t trust a character, and yet I wanted to hand over my heart because, like Tali, I needed a friend to assure me of the good in the world. That betrayal doesn’t wait around every corner. (I loved my time in this world, but I wouldn’t trade my life for Tali’s life.) The world felt just as concrete. It’s rich in culture, with many descriptive images of foods and neighborhoods and with casual namedropping of specific people and places. I felt like I dropped into the streets with Tali.
Intrigue over the assassination attempts, the invisible enemies at home and abroad, and memories of the past interweave in a story that pushes forward, faster and faster, towards a climactic reveal. Fortunately, I already have a copy of The Ikessar Falcon (book 2) because I can’t wait a year to continue Tali’s story.
Content Rating R
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- View Spoiler »Cheating (in a relationship), gambling, some language/spoiler]
Biases
As an Asian, I want to support Asian authors. I also loved and could relate to much of the culture. (Note: I’m not Filipino, so I can’t comment on the Filipino influences in The Wolf of Oren-Yaro.) I’m especially fond of how family plays such a large role in Tali’s life (longtime readers of the blog know how much it means to me to find a book with a family focus).
Sophia @ Bookwyrming Thoughts says
Um… I think I need Tali in my life too? She sounds absolutely amazing as a heroine (but alsov the bonus of her not being a pampered princess). I love seeing books with developing relationships between the characters. 🥺
Crystal (Kester) says
Yes. Tali is fantastic. And yes for books that develop relationships between the characters. I need more of these in my life!
Arina says
Loved this ☺️ I’ll have to buy a copy really soon because all I’ve heard is high praise for this book and I’m rly excited to read the Filipino influence
Crystal (Kester) says
I’m excited for you. I hope that you enjoy it, Arina!