Five Stars for Paper Queen

Imagine a realm in which there are no books. Not just no books, but nothing written down for the public to read. The only person who has any power over the written word is the Paper Queen, and she uses her power to rewrite history in whatever way she wishes. Caira Dobbin is the niece of Myrin Peacock, a member of a secret society who meet once a week, ostensibly to discuss the merits of gardening, but in reality, to devise a plan to overthrow the Paper Queen and restore the written word to all. However, Myrin’s plan to discover and recover the Book of Life, the only book that can erase the Paper Queen, is rejected by his peers. He enlists the help of his niece and together they begin their search. What follows is a perilous journey to Tsundoku, the keeper of the books, and to an underground library where Caira hopes to discover the whereabouts of the book, and the power to destroy the Paper Queen and her Paper Henchman once and for all. While doing so, she must learn who she can trust, and who is out to destroy not only her, but what fragile freedoms the people in the realm still enjoy. Heather Page spins a believable yarn of intrigue, subterfuge, and adventure as Caira, her best friend Jake and her Uncle Myrin gather like-minded souls to take on the Paper Queen and her Paper Henchman. Reminiscent of wartime Europe, particularly in the curfews and obvious parallels to the burning of the books and the hijacking of the education system to indoctrinate the population, The Paper Queen explores the over-reaching arm of censorship when the government seeks to control the narrative. The story itself is believable, fast-paced and exciting, bringing the reader along on the adventure. Page’s characters leap off the page and draw you in. You will be invested in the outcome as you cheer them on, hoping for an easy resolution to what is a very difficult and dangerous situation. The cast of characters are varied and interesting, with well-developed personalities and character arcs. The story is set in The North. I’ve imagined the north of England/Scotland, where the Paper Queen reigns. She has no jurisdiction over the South, and Caira why anyone would willingly move up to the North when the South experiences the relative freedom the Northerners desire. Dialogue drives the story forward and is relevant to the education, or lack thereof, of each character. I loved this book and would have no hesitation recommending it to young readers. The older generation will also enjoy it, particularly with its sobering references our own war-time histories.  

(Phoebe Wilby)

The Paper Queen is an imaginative and fast-paced fantasy adventure built around an unusual premise: a paper woman dictator literally written into existence, and a version of Britain transformed under her rule. The plot was the strongest element for me. There is a real sense of adventure throughout, with mysteries gradually unfolding as Caira and her companions discover more about Lilith's origins, the Book of Life, and the magic responsible for reshaping their world. The story continually gives its characters another problem to solve or revelation to confront, which made it very easy to keep turning the pages. I really enjoyed the way the author plays with the idea of stories themselves having the power to alter reality. Sometimes some revelations a little too quickly, but overall it didn’t detract from the experience. Caira makes for a likeable protagonist, and the supporting cast each bring something distinctive to the journey. I enjoyed the relationships that develop between the characters, particularly the mixture of affection, friction, nervousness and humour within the group. Their dialogue often helps lighten some of the darker or more dangerous moments without undermining the stakes. The pacing is excellent, especially once the central quest is fully underway. There is a lot happening, but the story rarely feels stagnant, and the increasingly high stakes carry the reader effectively toward the climactic end. Overall, The Paper Queen is a creative, entertaining fantasy with an intriguing idea, memorable characters and a plot that kept me invested all the way to the end.

 

(Sophie Jupillat Posey)

In a world where anything can be written in (or out) of history, nothing is as it seems. Caira and her uncle, Myrin, must find The Book of Life for it is the only way to erase The Paper Queen from history and restore order to Durham city. When the lines between reality and paper start to blur, Caira doesn’t know who to trust. This fictional fantasy book by Heather Page is a real joy to read for escapism. An extraordinary, innovative plot with unexpected story developments and masterful narrative complexity provide an unputdownable read. The distinct character voices involve subtext and emotional layers, revealing character and advancing the plot. Natural, flowing conversations create engaging and believable exchanges. Transformative journeys for the characters, they are real in the mind of the reader and linger after the book ends. A true study of the exploration of human complexity. Brilliant pacing with a balance of action and reflection that maintains reader interest, alongside unexpected plot twists and precision tension. I have no qualms about recommending this book. 

(Yvonne Marrs)