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delphenoide's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I stumbled upon this book in my recommendations and decided to read it without knowing anything about it. It was a pleasant surprise! Fun book, interesting characters.
alliecat37's review against another edition
2.0
This book was so frustrating! I wanted to love it. But it’s a 4 star book trapped in the body of a 2 star book. This absolutely could have been a better book with more editing and polish. The plot was good and some of the writing was very pretty. But the characters were inconsistent, there were plot threads left dangling, and there were several instances where changes in tone left me confused. I’m not going to read the rest of the books in the series… but I do want to know what happens!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Death, Rape, Child abuse, Grief, Homophobia, Incest, Sexual violence, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, Child death, Death of parent, Torture, Blood, Pedophilia, and Physical abuse
Moderate: War
Minor: Animal death
stefgreen21's review
5.0
Excellent story about perseverance and strength. A very well written enemies to lovers story- both maddening and heartwarming. A little bit of steamy spice at just the right moments. I loved the main character and her supporting cast who all became near and dear to me by the end. Cried a lot
bookitallaway's review
5.0
So. Much. Meat.
Seriously. This book was thick with all the good things that make a book exceptional. It was a romance that merged with a suspense that merged with intrigue and kept me captivated the entire time.
The world building was a bit intense with the different houses and locations/kingdoms, etc.
In the beginning it was a bit confusing, but I am so glad I pushed through it.
Our MFC is strong, smart, emotionally intelligent while still having some of her own "normal" insecurities just as we all do. Even the MMC's inner struggle was well done I thought, showing strength even in his vulnerability.
The Red Guard…..hello my new favorite group of baddies!!! They were amazing. They protected their Queen but were also not going to blindly let their Queen fall off a cliff either. They would protect her even from herself and they were always truthful.
There's spice but it's only a handful of times and done very tastefully. There's very wide diverse characters which was really nice to see.
I want to rant more about this book but I will not do it the grave dishonor of spoiling it. If you like a good Game of Thrones without all the explicit scenes, this is for you. The political intrigue, betrayals, drama, etc are just done so well. I cannot wait to read the next ones to come out in this series!!!
Seriously. This book was thick with all the good things that make a book exceptional. It was a romance that merged with a suspense that merged with intrigue and kept me captivated the entire time.
The world building was a bit intense with the different houses and locations/kingdoms, etc.
In the beginning it was a bit confusing, but I am so glad I pushed through it.
Our MFC is strong, smart, emotionally intelligent while still having some of her own "normal" insecurities just as we all do. Even the MMC's inner struggle was well done I thought, showing strength even in his vulnerability.
The Red Guard…..hello my new favorite group of baddies!!! They were amazing. They protected their Queen but were also not going to blindly let their Queen fall off a cliff either. They would protect her even from herself and they were always truthful.
There's spice but it's only a handful of times and done very tastefully. There's very wide diverse characters which was really nice to see.
I want to rant more about this book but I will not do it the grave dishonor of spoiling it. If you like a good Game of Thrones without all the explicit scenes, this is for you. The political intrigue, betrayals, drama, etc are just done so well. I cannot wait to read the next ones to come out in this series!!!
la5's review
5.0
This book is everything classic epic fantasy should be: interesting world, intricate politics, relationship drama, and grit. This is a multi-point of view story with a heavy focus on the female characters. I wouldn't call it a feminist fantasy -- it follows the classic epic fantasy trope where women are generally subordinated & the women who have power are upper class -- but it puts women front and center in the narrative. The story focuses on Almira, heir to a seafaring political dynasty, whose first husband dies in battle and she inherits his throne. Trained to be a good ruler (putting her people first), she strategizes to end the senseless battles that have plagued their world by proposing a marriage of equals to her beloved husband's killer. The romance in the novel is believable and does not overshadow the political drama. Of course, peacemaking efforts fail and the world plunges back into war, but Almira and her female Red Guard salvage the situation.
There's not a ton of magic (non-high ranking women are powerful because of unusual strength/swordplay as opposed to being sorceresses) or religion, though both play minor supporting roles. This is a plot-driven novel that hangs together well, includes enough world-building to make it interesting, as well as minor culture clashes and romantic drama (both lesbian and heterosexual).
This is clearly part of a series, but the ending is satisfying enough that you don't have to wait until the next book is out to buy and enjoy this one. This is a fast-paced story that is every bit the equal of any big budget, traditionally published epic fantasy I've read. It is NOT a YA novel, a clean & wholesome romance, or erotica. There are scenes of violence & sex, but the author steered clear of the graphic, blow-by-blow narration that sometimes infects adult fantasy. I've been looking for a female-focused classic fantasy series for a LONG while, and this fits the bill in every way. I'm actually kind of shocked I found it for free on Book Sirens (an advance review copy (ARC) website where you get books for free in exchange for honest reviews). This is hands-down the BEST ARC I have ever read. I don't like subscribing to reader lists, but I'm going to for this author because the book filled the void out there in terms of commercial epic fantasy that doesn't marginalize female characters (or make them male fantasies in disguise), includes the right balance of gore/sex to be tasteful, and has a compelling plot.
There's not a ton of magic (non-high ranking women are powerful because of unusual strength/swordplay as opposed to being sorceresses) or religion, though both play minor supporting roles. This is a plot-driven novel that hangs together well, includes enough world-building to make it interesting, as well as minor culture clashes and romantic drama (both lesbian and heterosexual).
This is clearly part of a series, but the ending is satisfying enough that you don't have to wait until the next book is out to buy and enjoy this one. This is a fast-paced story that is every bit the equal of any big budget, traditionally published epic fantasy I've read. It is NOT a YA novel, a clean & wholesome romance, or erotica. There are scenes of violence & sex, but the author steered clear of the graphic, blow-by-blow narration that sometimes infects adult fantasy. I've been looking for a female-focused classic fantasy series for a LONG while, and this fits the bill in every way. I'm actually kind of shocked I found it for free on Book Sirens (an advance review copy (ARC) website where you get books for free in exchange for honest reviews). This is hands-down the BEST ARC I have ever read. I don't like subscribing to reader lists, but I'm going to for this author because the book filled the void out there in terms of commercial epic fantasy that doesn't marginalize female characters (or make them male fantasies in disguise), includes the right balance of gore/sex to be tasteful, and has a compelling plot.
nerdyforbooks_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Ohhhh boy, I went into this one hoping I’d love it. Wasn’t certain when it started (it’s slow and very bogged down with details or plot points that don’t yet make sense) & then about 20% in was like OKOKOK.
This book isn’t perfect. There’s some strange set ups for things, it occasionally jumps without realizing it did. Almira is also a bit of a naive character for wanting to be queen of all (I guess that’s a point in this - she needs to “grow up”). There’s also a lot of predictable points as well. However, it kept me interested and reading. It’s not a bad story at all.
I wasn’t sure if I would continue this series as it sounds like Hira becomes more of a MC & she makes my eyes roll into my head hard. But like now I’m invested and need to know what happens 🤷🏼♀️ maybe she’ll be better in book 2.
This book isn’t perfect. There’s some strange set ups for things, it occasionally jumps without realizing it did. Almira is also a bit of a naive character for wanting to be queen of all (I guess that’s a point in this - she needs to “grow up”). There’s also a lot of predictable points as well. However, it kept me interested and reading. It’s not a bad story at all.
I wasn’t sure if I would continue this series as it sounds like Hira becomes more of a MC & she makes my eyes roll into my head hard. But like now I’m invested and need to know what happens 🤷🏼♀️ maybe she’ll be better in book 2.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Violence, Sexual assault, Death, Child abuse, and Rape
zulroman's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This was pretty good.
This is a character driven book and I enjoyed every single POV we have going on. Alton might be favorite character and considering everything he’s been through I’d say he is the one most deserving of happiness. Almira, Hira & Sanaa were some insanely strong women that drove this whole book.
My biggest struggles were the world building and plot. This was fairly predictable at times where we could see who was going to turn against who and exactly what was going to happen after certain decisions were made.
However I still enjoyed the book and will definitely pickup the next one.
This is a character driven book and I enjoyed every single POV we have going on. Alton might be favorite character and considering everything he’s been through I’d say he is the one most deserving of happiness. Almira, Hira & Sanaa were some insanely strong women that drove this whole book.
My biggest struggles were the world building and plot. This was fairly predictable at times where we could see who was going to turn against who and exactly what was going to happen after certain decisions were made.
However I still enjoyed the book and will definitely pickup the next one.
heyehs's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this. She was strong most of the times and the love story was sweet.
nannersreads's review
5.0
Thank you to Katie and Brey PA and Isabelle Olmo for providing me with a digital copy of this book. This is my honest review. I read this book over a month ago with my friends and I have been foaming at the mouth since then to post my review.
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I fell head over heels for this book immediately. The prose was so incredibly poetic and vivid that everything else fell away. I could smell the streets. I could see Almira and her Queen’s Guard with minimal effort. One of my favorite things about fantasy novels is the power they have to transport you and reading this book was so incredibly immersive.
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Queen & Conqueror is led by strong women of color who play second fiddle to no one. They wield weapons, both verbal and physical, with confidence and grace. It doesn’t hurt that they’re all easy to fall in love with. Captain Sanaa anyone?
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I fell head over heels for this book immediately. The prose was so incredibly poetic and vivid that everything else fell away. I could smell the streets. I could see Almira and her Queen’s Guard with minimal effort. One of my favorite things about fantasy novels is the power they have to transport you and reading this book was so incredibly immersive.
-
Queen & Conqueror is led by strong women of color who play second fiddle to no one. They wield weapons, both verbal and physical, with confidence and grace. It doesn’t hurt that they’re all easy to fall in love with. Captain Sanaa anyone?