Review of Queens Of All The Earth by Hannah Sternberg

As her freshman classmates move into dorms at Cornell University, Olivia Somerset suffers a nervous breakdown. When months of coaxing and analyzing fail to rouse Olivia from her stupor, big sister Miranda decides the sisters should fly off to Barcelona for some "vacation therapy."

When a mistake at their Barcelona hostel leaves the Somersets in a large co-ed dorm room, Olivia and Miranda are saved by kindly Mr. Brown and his son Greg, who happily volunteer to surrender their private room. But while Olivia feels an instant connection with brooding Greg Brown, Miranda sides with fellow guest and cocky American travel writer Lenny:

The Browns are just plain weird, and must be avoided at all costs. 


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After suffering a nervous breakdown, Olivia is dragged to Barcelona by her older sister, Miranda. Olivia is a character that many readers can identify with - she loves to read and prefers the world in her books to reality, the thought of growing up a terrifying prospect. Her character develops slowing and as the book progresses she starts to gain more confidence. Miranda is a character that is harder to like, sometimes I thought she was okay but mostly she really annoyed me because she was so bossy when it came to Olivia. She reminded me of those Mother's that scream at their kids constantly and don't want them anyway away from them.

There are many varied characters in this, from Lenny, a journalist with an attitude, to Mr Brown, a Priest who is visiting with his son. Miranda's descriptions of Mr Brown make him seem like a horrible person but he really isn't - after discovering that the girl wanted a private room he immediately gives his up for them and tries his hardest to become friends with everyone. Greg, his son, is quite shy and withdrawn but his character slowly blossoms throughout the book.

The descriptions of Barcelona are absolutely amazing, I honestly felt as if I was visiting there myself. I can still picture various Churches, streets and scenery even though I have never visited. I can even picture the Hotel!

Although only 169 pages long, this book did feel like it was a lot longer for me. I'm not sure why it felt like it dragged but I did enjoy it quite a lot! 

4/5 

Received free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Comments

  1. I also felt like this dragged despite the shortness. I like contemporaries but nothing much seemed to happen in this one.

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