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arrk33's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 ⭐️
The twist at the end of the last book made this one much harder to stomach from the sheer grief it invokes. The characters have to make much harder decisions and those decisions make them much less likable.
Mairah is an interesting new character as is Norah, but I hated both, though I felt pity for them at times. Delnamal horrendous, sulky, and idiotic and while seeing what the villains think is sometimes fun, in this book it is just repulsive. I liked Kailee and Chanlix remained one of my faves, as did Ellie and Zarsha.
The plot is complicated but intriguing, though more based in politics than magic in this book which I found less exciting. Because our points of view are from “important” people in the different countries, they spend more time ruling and less time practicing and developing magic. The focus of the magic we do get to see is either with Mairah which was self-serving and embedded with hate or the impotency cure for Tynthanal which brought up so many complicated feelings for myself and the characters.
Some cons: Delnamal is fat and that’s a big deal…to the point of feeling fat-phobic reminiscent of Uncle Vernon in Harry Potter. We don’t get a scene from him without hearing of his “girth” or how tight his clothes are.
There’s still no lesbian or LGBTQIA+ rep at all, which I thought would definitely start here. Kailee and Mairah’s relationship seemed to be great place to explore those feelings, but it is never even hinted that it might happen.
All in all, still really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to see how this trilogy concludes. The world is still rich and the magic system interesting. The characters are realistic, even if not likable at times. Where all the threads end in this book seem heightened. Not as good as the first book but a solid sequel.
The twist at the end of the last book made this one much harder to stomach from the sheer grief it invokes. The characters have to make much harder decisions and those decisions make them much less likable.
Mairah is an interesting new character as is Norah, but I hated both, though I felt pity for them at times. Delnamal horrendous, sulky, and idiotic and while seeing what the villains think is sometimes fun, in this book it is just repulsive. I liked Kailee and Chanlix remained one of my faves, as did Ellie and Zarsha.
The plot is complicated but intriguing, though more based in politics than magic in this book which I found less exciting. Because our points of view are from “important” people in the different countries, they spend more time ruling and less time practicing and developing magic. The focus of the magic we do get to see is either with Mairah which was self-serving and embedded with hate or the impotency cure for Tynthanal which brought up so many complicated feelings for myself and the characters.
Some cons: Delnamal is fat and that’s a big deal…to the point of feeling fat-phobic reminiscent of Uncle Vernon in Harry Potter. We don’t get a scene from him without hearing of his “girth” or how tight his clothes are.
There’s still no lesbian or LGBTQIA+ rep at all, which I thought would definitely start here. Kailee and Mairah’s relationship seemed to be great place to explore those feelings, but it is never even hinted that it might happen.
All in all, still really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to see how this trilogy concludes. The world is still rich and the magic system interesting. The characters are realistic, even if not likable at times. Where all the threads end in this book seem heightened. Not as good as the first book but a solid sequel.
pandaplantain's review
adventurous
dark
fast-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? Yes
4.0
ameserole's review
4.0
Queen of the Unwanted is the second installment of The Women's War series. Just like the first book, I'm completely invested in this world and the characters within it. If I'm still being honest here, I'm really mad and disappointed in myself for waiting so long to jump into it. Now, I'm super excited to jump into the next book to see how it all ends.
Even though the pace was a bit slower than the first book, a lot actually happens. I liked getting to meet all the new people but following the ones from before was more special. Just because they were going through so much that I would have been disappointed if we didn't see them in this one. In a way, each character is definitely tested throughout this and it's always interesting to see the women adapting and growing from it all.
With so much bravery and strength, one can only imagine what will happen in the next book. Especially when we get more twists, turns, and secrets revealed. So, in other words, I'm very excited to jump into the third book. Hoping that everything turns out for the better for some people, but I have a feeling not everything will be peaceful either.
Even though the pace was a bit slower than the first book, a lot actually happens. I liked getting to meet all the new people but following the ones from before was more special. Just because they were going through so much that I would have been disappointed if we didn't see them in this one. In a way, each character is definitely tested throughout this and it's always interesting to see the women adapting and growing from it all.
With so much bravery and strength, one can only imagine what will happen in the next book. Especially when we get more twists, turns, and secrets revealed. So, in other words, I'm very excited to jump into the third book. Hoping that everything turns out for the better for some people, but I have a feeling not everything will be peaceful either.
dabbledev's review
3.0
Still really disliked the new characters of Myra and Nora. We spent so much time with these terrible people and it really brought the whole story down. Its too bad because I gave the last book 5 stars and it really stuck with me. I was so looking forward to seeing where these characters went, but they really didnt do much at all. With all the focus being on new characters. I was really looking forward to this book, feel a bit let down by the result.
paleontologa's review
3.0
Given the subject matter (fantasy feminism), I would have hoped that this series would be more intersectional, but it primarily focuses on the women of royal families and aristocracy. Even the Abigails, the unwanted and 'tainted' women who are ostricized, are primarily formerly aristocratic women. We don't see how class, race, sexuality, plays into the sexism in this fantasy world.
I loved the concept of the magical system, with gendered magic. I kept hoping that it would be used to explore the complexities of gender, sex, and trans and nonbinary people and how they interact with the magic system. Unfortunately there is no LGBT presence in this series thus far.
I appreciate that the main driver of events, the Blessing/Curse, is not a turning of the tables, but a sudden shift that equalized the power of men and women. It is kind of what I wanted 'The Power' to be. The women don't get to suddenly subjugate men. It feels like a more realistic and less hyperbolic exploration of a power shift like that.
Overall I have enjoyed the first two books, but I do find the world building lacking, since we really only see the world through the eyes of the aristocracy, especially for a book with feminist themes.
I loved the concept of the magical system, with gendered magic. I kept hoping that it would be used to explore the complexities of gender, sex, and trans and nonbinary people and how they interact with the magic system. Unfortunately there is no LGBT presence in this series thus far.
I appreciate that the main driver of events, the Blessing/Curse, is not a turning of the tables, but a sudden shift that equalized the power of men and women. It is kind of what I wanted 'The Power' to be. The women don't get to suddenly subjugate men. It feels like a more realistic and less hyperbolic exploration of a power shift like that.
Overall I have enjoyed the first two books, but I do find the world building lacking, since we really only see the world through the eyes of the aristocracy, especially for a book with feminist themes.
juliannegern's review
4.0
I liked this book less than the last in the series. I really liked the main characters in the last book and they were featured a lot less and showed little growth in this one. Unfortunately, the new viewpoint character was pretty odious for most of the book with only brief moments of redemption. I thought this was a solid three star until the end which I really liked. Looking forward to the next one!
taylorthiel's review
3.0
A little more frustrated with this one than the first. Again I appreciate that it’s more political than violent however
Really lame that each female character is being set up to have a male romance interest.
All the new characters were really aggravating and kept making choices that were “the only choice” but really weren’t.
World building also fell apart a little. All of a sudden there’s multiple languages just to help move the plot along? And now seers have to drink dangerous potions?
Gonna finish the third one because I wanna know how it ends but the writing itself just isn’t strong.
Really lame that each female character is being set up to have a male romance interest.
All the new characters were really aggravating and kept making choices that were “the only choice” but really weren’t.
World building also fell apart a little. All of a sudden there’s multiple languages just to help move the plot along? And now seers have to drink dangerous potions?
Gonna finish the third one because I wanna know how it ends but the writing itself just isn’t strong.