The Invasion of the Tearling by Erica Johansen

Kelsea is trying to be a good ruler, but a lot of things are stacked against her.  The dreaded Mort army is approaching, and not only outnumbers the Tear army, but they have more firepower.  She has angered the head of the church, and she has unknown enemies.  Who are Rowland Finn and the Fetch?  What secrets does the Red Queen have that she protects at all cost?

Kelsea has been having more and more blackouts.  These blackouts take her back to Pre-Crossing times.  A woman named Lily is prominent in Kelsea's dreams, so much so that Kelsea is beginning to look like Lily.  What happened in Pre-Crossing America?  What was life like for the people living there- especially women?  Why is Lily so important?

While the Mort army is getting closer and closer to the Keep, Lazarus and the Queen's Guard do all they can to keep Kelsea safe while she deals with her blackouts and tries to understand the darkness inside her.  It is a time of great sacrifice for all Tearlings- and as much as they love their new queen, neither they nor she understand what it takes to be the ruler the country needs during the time of crisis.

The Red Queen will do anything, ANYTHING, to get the sapphires that Kelsea wears and have Kelsea killed.  She has sold her soul already, so she has nothing to lose.

Can Kelsea get her blackouts under control and protect her people?  Who can she trust?  Can she give her heart to someone without him breaking it?  And who is Lily?  Why is her history so important to the Tearlings?

I loved this book, and honestly, I cannot wait to read the next installment.  Let's talk about it!