The Paper Queen opens with a secret gathering of people reading books that have been banned, and it’s an arresting start. A world where books are hidden and locked away is hard to imagine, and that unsettling premise draws the reader in immediately.
The story is set in Durham in 1874, in a city ruled by the Paper Queen, where people made of paper live alongside humans. Heather C. Page explores the differences between the two with real imagination, but there is something darker beneath the surface. The paper people blend in, watching and threatening as they try to stop Caira Dobbin from reaching her goal. Neither Caira nor the reader can be sure who to trust, and that uncertainty keeps the tension high throughout.
The Paper Queen herself is an excellent antagonist, with echoes of Hans Christian Andersen’s Snow Queen. She is cold, captivating and quietly menacing. Where the Snow Queen freezes hearts, the Paper Queen drains the life from her city by banning books and suppressing creative expression, while those under her influence carry out her will.
Caira, like Gerda in Andersen’s tale, is a heroine driven by courage and heart. Her determination to resist being ruled, and to restore freedom, creativity and the simple pleasure of a good book, makes her easy to champion. What sets her apart is her compassion for the Paper Queen’s citizens, even with full knowledge of what they are part of. Without giving too much away, the novel also takes a thoughtful look at the consequences that come with even an apparent utopia.
Jack is a strong partner for Caira, and their relationship is one of the book’s real strengths. The supporting cast is equally intriguing. Mr Skinner and Agnes in particular bring a welcome air of mystery, and the backstory surrounding the Paper Queen’s rise to power is skilfully woven in.
A highlight for me was the journey to Lindisfarne and Holy Island in search of Agnes and the Book of Life, the only hope of ending the Paper Queen’s reign. For local readers it’s a real treat to see such a familiar landmark on the page. The causeway crossing, with the tide always threatening to cut the island off, is atmospheric in its own right, and Page uses it to great effect as a genuinely creepy backdrop as the line between reality and paper starts to blur.
The plot is well constructed, the pacing is assured, and the dialogue is purposeful throughout. Above all, the characters are ones readers can connect with on an emotional level.
Fans of Cornelia Funke’s Inkheart will find much to enjoy here, from the blurring of page and reality to the idea of a single book holding the power to defeat a villain. The Paper Queen is an imaginative, gripping and heartfelt novel, and a fitting tribute to the power of books. Highly recommended.
I highly recommend and award 5 stars.
