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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
dark
tense
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Honestly I fucking hated this book. But it was also so good
I gave it a 3 because it was really slow but i liked the plot twist at the end
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
For more reviews and bookish thoughts, check out my blog booksovereverything.com
**Disclaimer, the below review contains spoilers of the first book in this series, Furyborn by Claire Legrand.**
Title Kingsbane
Author Claire Legrand
Description from Amazon
Rielle Dardenne has been anointed Sun Queen, but her trials are far from over. The Gate keeping the angels at bay is falling. To repair it, Rielle must collect the seven hidden castings of the saints. Meanwhile, to help her prince and love Audric protect Celdaria, Rielle must spy on the angel Corien―but his promises of freedom and power may prove too tempting to resist.
Centuries later, Eliana Ferracora grapples with her new reality: She is the Sun Queen, humanity’s long-awaited savior. But fear of corruption―fear of becoming another Rielle―keeps Eliana’s power dangerous and unpredictable. Hunted by all, racing against time to save her dying friend Navi, Eliana must decide how to wear a crown she never wanted―by embracing her mother’s power, or rejecting it forever.
Initial Thoughts
I was so excited to finally get my hands on a copy of this book. I’ve been eagerly awaiting the sequel to Furyborn since I read it in January.
Cover Art
I love, love, love the cover of this one. It matches with Furyborn so well and it’s red! So much symbolism in the cover. Before I read the book, I was super curious about what the sceptor in the center of the crowns was. Now that I have finished it, I am very satisfied that the image came full circle (and I know who it belongs to).
Series Value
The ending of this book destroyed me. I am desperate for the next book to come out. And, from what I’ve seen on Claire Legrand’s Instagram feed, she hasn’t even finished writing it yet! This series has me so hooked. I can’t wait to see what the next book has in store.
How Will I Occupy My Time While I Wait for [Unnamed] Empirium 3?
Counting the seconds until it comes out
Borderline insta-stalking Claire Legrand’s feed for updates and hints
Inventing a time machine to carry me forward to a day when Empirium 3 is published and ready for me to read
Final Thoughts
Overall, this book was incredible. The already rich story became so much more. I did a total 180 on several characters and that’s what makes this series so great. It keeps you on your toes always. There were some elements that I wasn’t crazy about (but they are minor in comparison to the overall story). Additionally, I’d like to point out that while this is a YA novel, it contains material not suitable for younger audiences.
Recommendations for Further Reading
The Caraval Series by Stephanie Garber – more specifically, Finale. The last book in the series is told from multiple perspectives and has many of the same themes of family, prophecy, and magic.
Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan – another trilogy set in a fictionalized version of Europe. While Wicked Saints more closely resembles Russia and Kingsbane is France, these stories share similar writing style, magic, and political intrigue.
Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch – elemental magic, prophecy, and lost royals are just some of the reasons that these books are relatable. If you haven’t read this series, give it a try if you liked Furyborn and Kingsbane.
**Disclaimer, the below review contains spoilers of the first book in this series, Furyborn by Claire Legrand.**
Title Kingsbane
Author Claire Legrand
Description from Amazon
Rielle Dardenne has been anointed Sun Queen, but her trials are far from over. The Gate keeping the angels at bay is falling. To repair it, Rielle must collect the seven hidden castings of the saints. Meanwhile, to help her prince and love Audric protect Celdaria, Rielle must spy on the angel Corien―but his promises of freedom and power may prove too tempting to resist.
Centuries later, Eliana Ferracora grapples with her new reality: She is the Sun Queen, humanity’s long-awaited savior. But fear of corruption―fear of becoming another Rielle―keeps Eliana’s power dangerous and unpredictable. Hunted by all, racing against time to save her dying friend Navi, Eliana must decide how to wear a crown she never wanted―by embracing her mother’s power, or rejecting it forever.
Initial Thoughts
I was so excited to finally get my hands on a copy of this book. I’ve been eagerly awaiting the sequel to Furyborn since I read it in January.
Cover Art
I love, love, love the cover of this one. It matches with Furyborn so well and it’s red! So much symbolism in the cover. Before I read the book, I was super curious about what the sceptor in the center of the crowns was. Now that I have finished it, I am very satisfied that the image came full circle (and I know who it belongs to).
Series Value
The ending of this book destroyed me. I am desperate for the next book to come out. And, from what I’ve seen on Claire Legrand’s Instagram feed, she hasn’t even finished writing it yet! This series has me so hooked. I can’t wait to see what the next book has in store.
How Will I Occupy My Time While I Wait for [Unnamed] Empirium 3?
Counting the seconds until it comes out
Borderline insta-stalking Claire Legrand’s feed for updates and hints
Inventing a time machine to carry me forward to a day when Empirium 3 is published and ready for me to read
Final Thoughts
Overall, this book was incredible. The already rich story became so much more. I did a total 180 on several characters and that’s what makes this series so great. It keeps you on your toes always. There were some elements that I wasn’t crazy about (but they are minor in comparison to the overall story). Additionally, I’d like to point out that while this is a YA novel, it contains material not suitable for younger audiences.
Recommendations for Further Reading
The Caraval Series by Stephanie Garber – more specifically, Finale. The last book in the series is told from multiple perspectives and has many of the same themes of family, prophecy, and magic.
Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan – another trilogy set in a fictionalized version of Europe. While Wicked Saints more closely resembles Russia and Kingsbane is France, these stories share similar writing style, magic, and political intrigue.
Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch – elemental magic, prophecy, and lost royals are just some of the reasons that these books are relatable. If you haven’t read this series, give it a try if you liked Furyborn and Kingsbane.
I am so furious. I had a whole review for this book planned but I just read the ending and I'm seeing red. I'm mad that Rielle acted like everyone should forgive her for all the shit she pulled, I'm mad about all the cheating Rielle did, but that does not even come CLOSE to how mAD I am about the ending of this fucking book. Oh my GOD. I just read this book for like 600 pages literally for no one else but Simon and I have just been done so dirty. I am ANGRY. There's no way in hell I'm finishing this trilogy, sorry folks!!!!!! Fuck this!!!!
Esta segunda entrega mejora bastante con respecto a la primera. Personalmente, sigo con la sensación de que no conecto demasiado con la historia de Rielle y me gustaría que la narración se centrara más en Eliana, pero entiendo que la mezcla de las dos líneas temporales es una propuesta interesante.
Se han hecho bastantes revelaciones en esta novela, algunas se veían venir y otras no; en conjunto mantiene la intriga y te hace querer saber más. Eso sí, creo que la historia de Rielle se está alargando demasiado, las mitad de las pruebas se las podrían haber saltado y haberme dado más información sobre Eliana o Simon, otro personaje que me parece digno de más desarrollo.
Se han hecho bastantes revelaciones en esta novela, algunas se veían venir y otras no; en conjunto mantiene la intriga y te hace querer saber más. Eso sí, creo que la historia de Rielle se está alargando demasiado, las mitad de las pruebas se las podrían haber saltado y haberme dado más información sobre Eliana o Simon, otro personaje que me parece digno de más desarrollo.
Hello!
I guess I forgot to write this review, but here I am.
I really liked the first book and I was a little bit disapointed with this one. This one is good, but the thruth is that I liked the other one more.
In this book, the author continues with the incredible world building!
I don't think that this is common, but I like the characters even if some are not what we are expecting them to be! Nevertheless, there were times when they were so annoying. I think it was the bad choices they made that led them to be hated by many readers.
I really like the author's writing. It's simple and enthralling.
And that clifhanger! OMG
It took me so much time to read this book. I really feel this book could have less pages. There are a lot of unnecessary episodes and this makes the book annoying in certain parts. I wish that I could say I really loved this book, but there here moments I was really tired of it because the book develops slowly, has a slow pace.
Other thing I must refer is the fact that there were some "romantic" parts that made me cringe a lot ...Could be easily cut.
I really don´t know if I am going to continue reading this book series!
I guess I forgot to write this review, but here I am.
I really liked the first book and I was a little bit disapointed with this one. This one is good, but the thruth is that I liked the other one more.
In this book, the author continues with the incredible world building!
I don't think that this is common, but I like the characters even if some are not what we are expecting them to be! Nevertheless, there were times when they were so annoying. I think it was the bad choices they made that led them to be hated by many readers.
I really like the author's writing. It's simple and enthralling.
And that clifhanger! OMG
It took me so much time to read this book. I really feel this book could have less pages. There are a lot of unnecessary episodes and this makes the book annoying in certain parts. I wish that I could say I really loved this book, but there here moments I was really tired of it because the book develops slowly, has a slow pace.
Other thing I must refer is the fact that there were some "romantic" parts that made me cringe a lot ...Could be easily cut.
I really don´t know if I am going to continue reading this book series!