Beautifully imagined and told, The Drowned Queen by Elspeth Gregorsdóttir is a gripping mystical quest, a touching love story, a search for what’s been lost, and much else besides. Aevra/Lyra has been trapped for a hundred years in the purgatory-like Duskhold, cursed with immortality without agelessness. Hoping to end the torment, she tries to drown herself in the Whispering Sea, but is transformed instead. Unsure of her new magical abilities, she sets out to find the bittersweet truth about her past. Moving through scenes set in impossibly beautiful forests, brilliant and dangerous fae courts, and small villages, the book introduces an enthralling cast of characters. You want to learn more about them, which is a good thing, because this is the first book in The Astral Queen series.

Elspeth Gregorsdóttir is a gifted storyteller who kept me captivated with the fast-paced storyline. Both the plot and the characters are original, and there are twists and turns along the way that cannot be foreseen. Another unique feature of the book is that there are no minor characters - even those making very brief appearances have depth and weight, making the reader care about their actions and fates. Like Lyra herself, you are left wanting to know more about her magical powers and what she will do with them. The author expertly weaves together the themes of lost love, memory, fate, and the quest for justice. All in all, The Drowned Queen is a marvelous debut novel. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.

In The Drowned Queen by Elspeth Gregorsdóttir, Aevra Nightwind is the daughter of a mortal healer. She is condemned to Duskhold for a century, a land of eternal twilight. Her crime is loving Prince Torian of the Amber Vale. In a weary moment, she attempts to commit suicide by drowning in the mythic Whispering Sea, but instead of dying, she is reborn, undergoing a transformation that gifts her with celestial magic. She returns as Lyra, seeking to reclaim her memories and her love. But things are more complicated than ever now that the man she has always loved is betrothed to someone else, and the political atmosphere pushes her toward a different destiny while a goddess wants her for herself alone. Can she have a second chance at love, or will her destiny bring a rift between worlds?

This short review cannot contain everything I would love to share about this spellbinding fantasy by Elspeth Gregorsdóttir. The storytelling is superb, and the use of the first-person narrative voice, the vivid descriptions of scenes, emotions, and settings, captivated me. The characters are well written, and they tower high even in a world of Fae grandeur. Aevra’s journey is unique, and her trauma and prison experiences transform her into a more compelling and unforgettable character. The complex plot held my attention, and the conflict is masterfully handled. There is much to relish in The Drowned Queen, including the cliffhangers that kept me riveted. There are many lessons woven into the dialogue, and one that stayed with me is: “The bonds we choose freely are more powerful than any thrust upon us.”