I really enjoyed the fickle and fine way this book meandered betwixt plots and plans as well as between the mortal iron realm (us) and the Fae's realm. Except the Queen refers to the fact that any Fae could mingle sexually with mortals except the queen. Though for one reason or another it gets into her head to do so. Two lower caste fairy see the queen in the act and though they try hard to keep the secret, they are beguiled by a tricksy one and the rumors start. As punishment the two are send to the mortal realm to live as mortals. But the Queen is thinking about more than expulsion. She as plans for the two sisters and they haven't a clue that there is more to the story than their own misery. To top it off they have been sent to different cities and a dark prediction tells of frightening occurrence if they find each other again. And by following their natural habits the two get themselves embroiled in human affairs that seem to have nothing to do with them. If only there were such things as coincidences. If finding each other,looking after mortals with deep issues, Baba Yaga as a landlord, Unseelie staking the streets where none should be isn't enough the Queen's foretelling of their reuniting could mean anything. As long as it's bad. Once, two fairies came upon the queen of fairy cavorting with a mortal. They laughed and ran off, but some time later, one of them let it slip. The enraged queen sends them packing into mortal lands, transformed into old women, and they have to try to live in the modern world. They get some help, but they also find the fairy is loose in the world, and these are the -- ehem -- Good Folk out of folklore.It's an interesting point-of-view set-up, with each chapter in its own POV, which is probably wise because they are very different. Very strong voices. Some first-person, some third-person, some even second-person, and very well done.And the story winds on through doves, hawks, crows, Baba Yaga, sisters, strange aunts, and other familial relationships, crude college students, buying fruit, selling herbs, and plenty of other stuff before it all resolves together, revealing what was happening behind the scenes and pushing along many events.
What do You think about Except The Queen (2010)?
I've liked books by both authors before, but really enjoyed this urban fantasy by both of them.
—Nickinay
This is the best fey fantasy I have read in a very long time. It is believable and precious.
—wishbone
