I find it absolutely thrilling to pick up a book that’s full of twists and turns even the most experienced of readers will find hard to predict. It takes true skill for an author to successfully pull off one big reveal, let alone numerous ones throughout one novel. Ireland’s very own Helen Corcoran is one of these authors.
In spite of it being Corcoran’s debut, Queen of Coin and Whispers reads like the work of someone who’s perfected their craft for many years; the novel illustrates the amount of work and careful planning the author has put into the novel long before it got published. While the book easily lulls in readers of romance and traditional fantasy through its basic premise, it is bound to deliver a reading experience so thrilling that even lifelong crime readers will enjoy it.
Following the rise to the throne of idealistic young queen Aurelia and her relationship with her newly appointed spy mistress Xania, as well as their attempts to avenge loved ones and keep their realm afloat, Queen of Coin and Whispers truly has it all. From embezzelment to political intrigue to international diplomacy and just the right amount of murder and assassination attempts – Corcoran’s novel will have you glued to the page, unable to put the book down.
This was impressive enough upon my initial reading of it last year. However, wanting to revisit the world and the characters, I recently decided to reread the book, and am delighted to tell you that it holds up just as well. Few people will manage to write a story that will continue to intrigue a reader when they already know what’s in store for them, but Corcoran manages this and I applaud her for it.
Queen of Coin and Whispers has blown away many Dubray staff members, so it is certainly a title you will want to have a look at either in your local Dubray or on the website.
