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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
A truly delightful sequel to Sorcerer to the Crown. Loved it.
I think I would have enjoyed this book a good deal more at another time. Like its sister novel, it is full of dry if pointed humour and its plot bounds along peopled with exuberant characters and a sense of largely light hearted fun. I liked Muna a great deal. And yet. I wasn’t quite in the right mood, and the core plot is so telegraphed it left me irritable. This is perhaps more an over the top Regency romance than anything else, so while it was a ship I could board I was left dissatisfied overall. On the plus side, charming f/f magical shenanigans with sisterly attachments and a Malay Muslim heroine.
Full review
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Full review
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
I wanted so desperately to like this. (Handholding: still not how we do it!)
tries not to cry, cries a lot, i am so grateful zen cho writes
lighthearted
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
omg. Is this the story I expected to come after book 1? No. Is this exactly what I didn't know I wanted to read but totally did want to read? YES. So good!! I think it has a slightly different flavor than book 1, This one was so fun to read and so good, but in a kind of different way? I don't know how to describe it, but you should read it. The story was good and there were high stakes but it also ended with me getting exactly what I hoped would happen by the end of the book ! aaaah!
This was fun and good. Can’t wait for the next book!
Content warnings : there wasn't much I think. People being eaten by monsters creeps some people out so I'll mention that.
3.5 / 5
Well, this one didn't work as much for me as Sorcerer to the crown. There was a lot of things I really liked about the story, especially the Dragons (I need a short story or even a full story just about them, pretty please??) and the (very) slow burn between the MC (Muna) and Henrietta.
However everything was very predictable and that's not always a terrible thing in a book but in this instance it got to a point where I was actually annoyed. It's not only that we, the readers, can guess everything it's also that we have the same amount of information as the MC. However she doesn't realize AT ALL what is happening, somehow. More than that she also has some weird notions and other theories of what' s happening but?? Those theories?? Don't make sense?? She literaly has no reason to think what she does and she still does it anyway and it's so frustrating!
There's also a miscommunication plot point in the love story that makes no sense. Because for Muna to think what she does she would have had to be there during the events of Sorcerer to the crown, which she deifnitly wasn't. So she has no way to know that this one thing happened and still it's the only reason why she would think what she does and of course her love interest ~~ never has the time ~~ to tell her it's untrue...
But anyway, this was still a very magical, really cool, super fun story with touching and lovable characters. Aside from the parts where I was annoyed by the nonsense and predictability I had a lot of fun reading this story.
3.5 / 5
Well, this one didn't work as much for me as Sorcerer to the crown. There was a lot of things I really liked about the story, especially the Dragons (I need a short story or even a full story just about them, pretty please??) and the (very) slow burn between the MC (Muna) and Henrietta.
However everything was very predictable and that's not always a terrible thing in a book but in this instance it got to a point where I was actually annoyed. It's not only that we, the readers, can guess everything it's also that we have the same amount of information as the MC. However she doesn't realize AT ALL what is happening, somehow. More than that she also has some weird notions and other theories of what' s happening but?? Those theories?? Don't make sense?? She literaly has no reason to think what she does and she still does it anyway and it's so frustrating!
There's also a miscommunication plot point in the love story that makes no sense. Because for Muna to think what she does she would have had to be there during the events of Sorcerer to the crown, which she deifnitly wasn't. So she has no way to know that this one thing happened and still it's the only reason why she would think what she does and of course her love interest ~~ never has the time ~~ to tell her it's untrue...
But anyway, this was still a very magical, really cool, super fun story with touching and lovable characters. Aside from the parts where I was annoyed by the nonsense and predictability I had a lot of fun reading this story.
I am reading too much and writing too little; this review has been dragged out of my throat kicking and screaming but I'm trying my best. Sorry if it is incomprehensible.
Sorcerer to the Crown, the first book in this series, easily made my top ten list for 2017. Cho describes an England filled with spirits, abutting an even more mysterious fairy realm. I was very taken with the way she incorporated the social prejudices of our world into her fantastic settings, and I loved her characters.
I didn't finish the first book wishing for a sequel, and I am hesitant about the trend of every book opening a series. Also worth noting is that it has been two years since I read Sorcerer to the Crown, and I do not remember many details. With those caveats, I thought this was an enjoyable extension to the story. The vast majority of the characters return from book one, with the exception of the protagonist, who is the pov character for most chapters. In this way, and because the Wythes are sidelined by their responsibilities for the majority of the book, The True Queen feels like a fresh perspective on a world I really enjoyed.
Muna is an eminently likeable protagonist. Her personality and objectives are well-established from the beginning of the story, and develop in a way that feels believable. Cho has a talent for characters who make extreme choices from positions where they have few options, and Muna's actions always surprised me, while still developing naturally from her position.
This book is gayer than the last one, which I appreciated, though once again I felt that the romance was barely there for the majority of the story, and then announced itself very suddenly in the last few pages. I enjoyed the hints of it throughout the book, and the characters involved would have been strengthened by a more explicit description of their feelings.
Sorcerer to the Crown, the first book in this series, easily made my top ten list for 2017. Cho describes an England filled with spirits, abutting an even more mysterious fairy realm. I was very taken with the way she incorporated the social prejudices of our world into her fantastic settings, and I loved her characters.
I didn't finish the first book wishing for a sequel, and I am hesitant about the trend of every book opening a series. Also worth noting is that it has been two years since I read Sorcerer to the Crown, and I do not remember many details. With those caveats, I thought this was an enjoyable extension to the story. The vast majority of the characters return from book one, with the exception of the protagonist, who is the pov character for most chapters. In this way, and because the Wythes are sidelined by their responsibilities for the majority of the book, The True Queen feels like a fresh perspective on a world I really enjoyed.
Muna is an eminently likeable protagonist. Her personality and objectives are well-established from the beginning of the story, and develop in a way that feels believable. Cho has a talent for characters who make extreme choices from positions where they have few options, and Muna's actions always surprised me, while still developing naturally from her position.
This book is gayer than the last one, which I appreciated, though once again I felt that the romance was barely there for the majority of the story, and then announced itself very suddenly in the last few pages. I enjoyed the hints of it throughout the book, and the characters involved would have been strengthened by a more explicit description of their feelings.