Tomorrow's Kingdom

nota bene: As Tomorrow's Kingdom is the final book 

in The Gypsy King trilogy, 

I adamantly recommend that, 

if you haven't read Books 1 and 2 already, 

please read them first 

to enjoy the full effect of The Gypsy King trilogy.  

It is so worth it!

by Maureen Fergus

Razorbill

978-0670067664

448 pp.

Ages 12+

July, 2014

Persephone's trajectory has been an extraordinary one from The Gypsy King (Razorbill, 2012) to A Fool's Errand (Razorbill, 2013) and now Tomorrow's Kingdom.  From slave to long-lost twin of King Finnius, then seeker of the healing Pool of Genesing and initially-reluctant bride of the gypsy Azriel, Persephone launches Tomorrow's Kingdom as the true Queen, and hostage of Regent Mordecai who intends to wed her and rule the kingdom himself.

In addition to Mordecai plotting Persephone's future with him, Lord Bartok is working with the other lords to liberate and return her to the throne, by attacking Mordecai's New Men army.  Of course, Bartok plans to wed Persephone himself, in case his daughter Aurelia, who is pretending to be pregnant with King Finnius' child, doesn't succeed in making it a pseudo-reality with some random man.

If Persephone is anything, she is amazingly strong and determined, first to save herself and then focus on her next steps. 

"All that was left to do was to find Azriel, prevent the slaughter of the tribes, save the Kingdom and take the throne." (pg. 113)

Yeah, that's all. 

But, just as Persephone has been transformed, so too has Azriel, from chicken thief and proud Gypsy and target of Mordecai's New Men army, to Persephone's devoted protector and amorous husband.  And when he learns that she is pregnant with his child, there is nothing he won't do to keep her safe.

It's a fight for tomorrow's kingdom, a kingdom which Persephone has promised will unite the five tribes–Erok, Gypsies, Khan, Marinese and Gorgishmen–of Glyndoria.  But, with so much plotting for the throne, it's not surprising that deception and battle may be deemed necessary.  But who is deceiving whom?  Well, it's not Persephone with Azriel or vice versa, and that is the sweetness in a battle-ridden conclusion to the trilogy.  While Books 1 and 2 have Persephone and Azriel doing some romantic sparring as they sort out their feelings for each other and attempt to interpret the other's actions (often incorrectly), Tomorrow's Kingdom releases the reader from worrying whether the two lovers will find their way to each other.  They have.  Now there's so much more to worry about: an angry Mordecai who is losing his grip on his New Men army; Lord Bartok whose plans for control are being thwarted by his hapless son and daughter; the tribes who all have some reservations about Persephone's prophesized reign; and the healthy birth of a baby that may mean everything to everyone.

Maureen Fergus is so adept at carrying readers away to a different land and time, of cultures and societies so different than our own, where their speech is different, from crass to formal, their lifestyles foreign (in more ways than one), and their spirits undefinable.  From vivid descriptions of scenery,

"...as she beheld the sprawling castle that rose up before her.  Built in the shadow of a barren mountain at the very edge of a high cliff, it was constructed of blackest stone.  Except for along the cliff edge, it was protected by a wall so thick that a brace of oxen could have pulled a wagon along the top if it hadn't been for the iron spikes set every few feet.  Several of these spikes were topped with heads that appeared to have been dipped in tar to slow the process of decay; the rest stood empty and waiting against a backdrop of low clouds scudding across the stormy sky." (pg. 65)

to experiences beyond my imagination,

"After shoving into her mouth a piece of meat so tender, juicy, fragrant and delicious that she almost started to cry, Persephone unenthusiastically handed the rotten-toothed man his share." (pg. 134) 

and the seasoned speech of any character, including the third-person speaking Gorgishman,

     "Miter has not pledged friendship!" reminded the Gorgishman shrilly. "Miter has pledged nothing but his eternal enmity if you take this tiresome war of yours anywhere near his beloved valley!"
     "Oh, stop," said the Gypsy dryly.  "You're making me feel all choked up inside." (pg. 327)

the text becomes a part of the plot, enriching all elements of the story.  Every word spoken or not is fulfilling to the experience that is Tomorrow's Kingdom, as was in The Gypsy King and A Fool's Errand. But here we have the delight of a hard-earned happy finale, with a last-minute surprise or two, before ending with the words, "The Gypsy that would be king." (pg. 456)

Cover Reveal: Tomorrow's Kingdom

Author Maureen Fergus 

first introduced us to

Persephone and Azriel

in

 The Gypsy King 

by Maureen Fergus

Razorbill

978-0-14-318315-0

434 pp.

Ages 12-16

2012

Reviewed here 

Their adventures continued and 
became more complicated in

 A Fool's Errand 

by Maureen Fergus

Razorbill

978-0-670-06765-7

528 pp.

Ages 12+

October, 2013 

Reviewed here

Now

the cover of the upcoming and 
exciting (I'm sure)

conclusion to the trilogy
has been revealed

 Tomorrow's Kingdom 

 by Maureen Fergus

Razorbill

978-0670067664

448 pp.

Ages 12+

For release July, 2014

July seems a long time to wait to learn whether the evil Mordecai will succeed in his nefarious plans, whether Azriel will forgive Persephone once again for her deceit and whether there will be a happy ending.  But, as I'm sure all my questions will be answered by Maureen Fergus in Tomorrow's Kingdom, I will just have to wait a few more tomorrows.

A Fool's Errand

by Maureen Fergus

Razorbill

978-0-670-06765-7

528 pp.

Ages 12+

October, 2013 

(If you haven’t read the first book in this series, The Gypsy King, please do so before reading this review which contains a spoiler for the first book. A Fool’s Errand begins with the final revelation from The Gypsy King.)


With the final scene in The Gypsy King, a servant reveals that Persephone is the long-lost and older twin of the Erok king, King Finnius, and the true heir to the Erok throne. Fearful that this will threaten his claim as heir to the throne, the evil Regent Mordecai, who has been manipulating the king and the country to his will, has the servant killed. Likewise, the lives of Persephone and Azriel, as well as a Gypsy boy named Mateo, are at risk until Azriel claims to be the son of the former Gypsy King Balthazar and can locate the secret pool of healing.

Threatened with the death of her brother King Finnius, Persephone promises not to seek the throne, and shares one last wonderful day with her newly-discovered brother before heading off with Azriel on his quest to find the Pool of Genesing for the physically-deformed Regent Mordecai. Unbeknownst to them, Mordecai sends his henchman General Murdock and members of his New Men army to follow them, with strict orders to kill them if they find the Pool or if they are not diligently seeking it. But there is also a cloaked man with an unclear mission who follows all of them.

After a stop at the Gypsy camp where a momentous event passes, Azriel, Persephone, Rachel who is an Erok girl who looks like Persephone, and two Gypsies, Tiny and Fayla, head out on their quest, seeking the Khan Warriors first, then the Marinese and finally the Gorgishmen for any clues they may be able to provide about the Pool's location.

Though similar to the action-filled plot of The Gypsy King, A Fool’s Errand is based on a series of adventures that Persephone and Azriel undertake, hopeful that they are always one clue closer to finding the Pool. Pervasive in their quest is their romance which, while initially shaky due to Persephone’s lies, is catapulted to before the two can both acknowledge their deep caring for each other. Azriel’s honour and chivalry demonstrates his love for her far before Persephone even recognizes her’s for him. But readers can be reassured that, though their squabbling is endearing, Persephone and Azriel find their way to each other, eventually, and it is very sweet.

Perhaps some believe that the foolishness indicated in the title deals with Persephone and Azriel falling in love but there are many characters who could be seen as fools in A Fool’s Errand. There are those who believe in the Pool, those who believe they will find it, King Finnius who trusted Mordecai for years to rule the kingdom for him, Mordecai who continues to lust for Persephone and sees her actions as evidence that she cares for him, Mordecai who trusts the treacherous agreement he makes with Lord Bartok, General Murdock who is convinced he is always in charge of circumstances, and even those who believe the lies Mordecai speaks each time he opens his mouth. You'll need to judge for yourselves who are the fools but I'll follow Shakespeare's suggestions that, "A fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool." (As You Like It, Act 5, Scene 1)

Sadly I may have to count myself as the fool, never expecting Maureen Fergus to end A Fool’s Errand on a cliffhanger, as she did with The Gypsy King. Of course, I was fortunate to have A Fool’s Errand at the ready to appease that longing for a happy ending. Now, while the reader may guess at Persephone’s "circumstances" at the conclusion of A Fool’s Errand, there is no way to see how Maureen Fergus will resolve the newest twist in her plotting. Waiting without anxiety until the third book is released seems a foolish endeavour right now. But, with an abundance of fools, I will at least be in good company.

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Relief! I've heard from Maureen Fergus who tweeted that Book 3 in the series is called Tomorrow's Kingdom and is scheduled for release in July of 2014.

The Gypsy King

by Maureen Fergus

Razorbill

978-0-14-318315-0

434 pp.

Ages 12-16

2012

A powerful high fantasy based in the land of Glyndoria, in which the five tribes–Khan warriors, Erok, Gypsies, Gorgishmen and Marinese–live in strife, The Gypsy King may look like a historical romance with its medieval setting and a beautiful young woman in a golden gown clutching a dagger, a once commonly-used weapon.  While there is an element of romance to the story, which adds humour and much spark, an adventurous quest for both truth and a pool of healing takes The Gypsy King into a whole new realm.

Persephone is an enslaved young woman who knows nothing of her heritage except being sold, traded or lost in a card game and working in a manor house, a tavern, and even the horrible Mines of Torodania.  When a chicken thief she meets returns masquerading as a lord and buys her freedom, Persephone is both perplexed and trepidatious, though she is reassured by three animals that follow her: her dog Cur, a hawk named Ivan and a broken-down horse named Fleet.  Luckily for Persephone that these animals are there as the chicken thief and false lord is actually a Gypsy, named Azriel, and Gypsies are the target of the New Men army of the Erok Regent Mordecai. 

Seems the former Erok king, King Malthusius had hated the Gypsies since their king Balthazar had never revealed the location of their Pool of Genesing, a pool of healing, to him.  Mordecai, the physically-deformed power behind the king, encouraged the king to persecute the Gypsies, sadly leading to their massacre, in the hopes of learning the location of this fabled pool.  With the current king Finnius still too young to rule, Regent Mordecai continues with this reign of terror, extending it to kidnapping Gypsy children for their blood, rumoured to be rich in health and vitality, to alleviate his physical distress.

When Azriel is seriously injured in the attack by the New Men, he leads her to the Gypsy camp, where he can be treated.  Azriel had been bringing Persephone there as she, and another girl Rachel, are the exact likeness of a girl prophecized to bring a Gypsy King to power.  When another part of the prophecy suggests a link to a Gypsy child hidden in the Erok capital of Parthania, Persephone, Rachel, Azriel and two other Gypsies head there to rescue him. Through a series of circumstances (fortunate or not), Persephone becomes a guest at the castle and the amorous target of both the Regent Mordecai and King Finnius, while Azriel must find the means to fulfill their mission and rescue her.  And, regardless of Persephone's original intent to strike out on her own, Azriel believes and hopes for more.

"A path stretches out before us, Persephone, and we will walk it together, whether you like it or not." (pg. 198)

Their stories are rich with dungeons, executions, opulence, ruthless lords, rumours, evil, charity, sparring of words, yearning and surprising revelations.  But there are no disappointments for the reader.  Maureen Fergus has created a complex (but never confusing) network of storylines that ensures a bounty of characters, both sympathetic and not, and conflict that could lead to love or death.  Her writing style is neither verbose nor vague, and her wit is embedded throughout.

"And the next time you happen upon a person of unknown providence, I encourage you to think before you strike, lest misjudgment on your part see you a head shorter before you're a day older." (pg. 291)

Be assured that, though the book may seem a lofty read at 434 pages, every twist and detail is significant in creating the resplendent read that is The Gypsy King.

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Look for my review of A Fool's Errand, the sequel to The Gypsy King, in my next post.  But, read The Gypsy King first if you haven't already.  You won't be disappointed.