This is the new novel by Robert New, author, teacher, and PhD candidate.
Princess Niobe is destined to be the next Queen of Tantalia, a small European country that is soon getting membership in the EU. Since the age of sixteen, she’s been trained in martial arts to eventually kill the businessman responsible for her patents’ fatal illnesses. On her father’s deathbed, he has a change of heart and forbids Niobe from killing for revenge. Niobe, however, has plans of her own, and once she ascends to the throne, she is free to kill without the risk of arrest. Niobe wastes no time and fatally poisons the man responsible for her parents illnesses. Her appetite for killing is not satisfied, and she soon kills a second guilty man, but unbeknownst to her, the kill is caught on camera, and she is exposed to the public. Surprisingly, her actions are accepted by her people, and a TV producer arrives to suggest she continue her vigilante killings on a new reality TV show for the world to see. What follows is the production of a sensational TV series that catapults Niobe to both international fame and hatred and puts her life on the line.
The novel is easy to follow from the onset, with a fast-moving plot, a very clear introduction of characters, and unfolding drama. There is a lot of satire and dark humour throughout the novel, along with a great deal of philosophical dialogue regarding the moral compass of the characters, particularly Niobe. One criticism is that there is too much repetition of Niobe justifying her kills to the other characters, especially in her television interviews. Niobe is flawed, irrational, and a self-proclaimed sociopath; listeners won’t fall in love with her, but her persistence and headstrong personality are admirable.
Narrator Jessica Duncan delivers an entertaining performance of Niobe with an easy, clear tone and a good amount of expression. The overall production quality of the audiobook could be improved, as there are several prolonged pauses during scene changes that are distracting. Overall, the story was fresh and entertaining from beginning to end. This book is a good choice for those who are fans of dark humour and combative action and are looking for an original story.
