Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Strong teen girl powers fast-paced fantasy mystery.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 3 parent reviews
Based on 11 kid reviews
Kids say this book is highly recommended for those who enjoy murder mysteries and fantasy, with a compelling plot and well-developed characters, although it contains mature themes including violence, strong language, and sexual content. Many reviewers mentioned that the story engages readers despite some initial dullness, though the explicitness of certain scenes may be unexpected for younger readers.
- mature themes
- engaging plot
- character development
- violence and language
- unexpected content
- strong recommendations
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
As FOUR DEAD QUEENS opens, 16-year-old Keralie Corrington steals a valuable package from Varin, a messenger from neighboring Eonia. Keralie winds up ingesting the package's contents, a set of edible communication chips that give her visions of four murders. The victims are the four queens of Quadara. Keralie and Varin must use all their skills and brainpower to figure out how and why the queens are meeting such an early demise.
Is It Any Good?
Some fantasy authors get bogged down in the details of world-building, but the creator of this unusual whodunnit sets the scene gracefully while keeping the narrative moving at a steady clip. Debut novelist Astrid Scholte mixes fantasy and mystery elements in Four Dead Queens, and the result is a clever, suspenseful adventure, with plenty of surprises. Keralie and Varin prove to be an appealing couple, and Scholte provides a satisfying resolution while leaving the door open for future installments. Teen readers should find this novel extremely likable and promising.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Four Dead Queens combines elements of fantasy and mystery. Why do writers mix together aspects of different genres?
Keralie takes pride in being a professional thief. How do criminals rationalize their bad behavior?
Do female politicians act differently than their male counterparts? What types of issues do women leaders focus on that men don't?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Adventures
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : G.P. Putnam's Sons
- Publication date : February 26, 2019
- Number of pages : 432
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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