I loved Erika Johansen’s Tearling trilogy. I thought Kelsea’s growth from unencumbered teen to the protector of her people was as fascinating as it was entertaining. In Beneath the Keep, Ms. Johansen once again brings readers back to the world of the Tearling. This time, however, we find ourselves at a point before Kelsea’s birth, so that we may understand the politics at play behind her hiding as well as the chance to obtain the backstories of certain key players in Kelsea’s future.

As much as I enjoyed the original series, I will admit to the fact that it took me quite a while to remember all the characters and their later significance to the story. In fact, if it were not for some rudimentary wiki fan pages, Beneath the Keep would be nothing more than an entertaining but very dark story that precedes Kelsea’s own. Because I was able to identify the connections, however, I find that the prequel helps in one’s understanding of the trilogy.

Not only does it clarify any lingering questions one might have about the Tearling society and its government, but it also includes character development for key major characters who did not need any such development to fuel Kelsea’s story. For instance, we learn Mace’s origin story and get greater insight into his unique abilities. More importantly, we get front row seats to Arlen Thorne’s rise to power. We get to see other familiar faces as well. All of which makes it rather a fun sort of revisit.

However, Beneath the Keep is not easy or light-hearted in the least. Mace’s story, in particular, is as brutal as it is triggering, and anyone uncomfortable with any form of child abuse or pedophilia should stay far away. For me, it simply highlights that nurture does not always win out in the fight between nature and nurture, and it makes Mace that much more impressive a person. It is not this way for everyone though, as Ms. Johansen does not fail to show humanity at its worst as well as at its best.

Beneath the Keep is a welcome return to the world of the Tearling. While I initially struggled to remember characters and the history Kelsea learns in the original trilogy, by the time I finished with the novel I was more than ready to dive back into the trilogy to read it with my new-found knowledge. I haven’t done so as of yet, but as Ms. Johansen promises more of Kelsea’s story is on the horizon, I will be doing so sooner rather than later. ( )

This prequel to the Tearling trilogy was a dark fantasy filled with intriguing characters. The story is told from multiple viewpoints including a young boy who was sold into the Creche as an infant and trained as a cage fighter in death matches and a lady-in-waiting to the Crown Princess who is an agent for the Blue Horizon group that wants social justice. The Crown Princess Elyssa also has a viewpoint role.

The story talks about a feudal world that is in the process of a revolution. Continuing drought has convinced some of the peasants chained to their land that they have to revolt. Led by Aislinn Martin who had seen her family killed by the bailiffs of Lady Andrews who owns the land after Aislinn caught her attention, the peasants take over a number of the estates on their way to the city to lay their case before the Queen.

Princess Elyssa sees that her mother is a tyrant much more concerned with her own comfort and holding on to her authoritarian grip on her country than caring for her people. Elyssa was raised by a secret member of Blue Horizon and wants to make things better for her people. But she is taken over by a man from the Creche with a grudge against the Royal Family and his witch Brenna who has magical powers.

Our cage fighter who knows himself as Christian but has earned the fighting name of Lazarus has one friend. She was sold into prostitution when she was a child and has taken to using the poppy to cope with her life. When she disappears into the land above, Christian is determined to find her which leads him to work his way into the Royal Guard as a guard for Princess Elyssa.

The story is dark and complicated and each character has to face all sorts of trials. The worldbuilding was interesting. I especially liked the chapter headings which feature quotes from books written about the time period where our characters are living their lives.

This was an interesting and exciting story whether or not you were already familiar with the trilogy. It has made me want to read the trilogy again with better understanding of what led to the events there. ( )