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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
Another great audiobook with my kids! I think I agree with all the other reviewers who say they like this second book even better than [b:The Demon King|6342491|The Demon King (Seven Realms, #1)|Cinda Williams Chima|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1379482652s/6342491.jpg|6528619].
The worldbuilding continues in layers and, since we got such a good foundation in the first book, the richness of it really shines through here. I love that Chima continues to deliver very thorough independent stories for both Han and Dancer and for Raisa and Amon. This means that by the time Han and Raisa actually meet up (quite a ways into this book) they each feel like fully realised and independently strong characters.
My kids certainly enjoyed this as much or more than the first book. Normally we listen to audiobooks while driving in the car but towards the end of this, they were both wanting to listen to it at home just to see how it was going to end. Needless to say, we started book 3, [b:The Gray Wolf Throne|9409469|The Gray Wolf Throne (Seven Realms, #3)|Cinda Williams Chima|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1312142235s/9409469.jpg|14293500], immediately on finishing this one.
This is a great series so far, with a lot of depth and an interesting story and characters. It's perfect for both younger audiences as well as those who enjoy YA fantasy, and an excellent choice to read or listen to together.
The worldbuilding continues in layers and, since we got such a good foundation in the first book, the richness of it really shines through here. I love that Chima continues to deliver very thorough independent stories for both Han and Dancer and for Raisa and Amon. This means that by the time Han and Raisa actually meet up (quite a ways into this book) they each feel like fully realised and independently strong characters.
My kids certainly enjoyed this as much or more than the first book. Normally we listen to audiobooks while driving in the car but towards the end of this, they were both wanting to listen to it at home just to see how it was going to end. Needless to say, we started book 3, [b:The Gray Wolf Throne|9409469|The Gray Wolf Throne (Seven Realms, #3)|Cinda Williams Chima|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1312142235s/9409469.jpg|14293500], immediately on finishing this one.
This is a great series so far, with a lot of depth and an interesting story and characters. It's perfect for both younger audiences as well as those who enjoy YA fantasy, and an excellent choice to read or listen to together.
medium-paced
4.25 stars.
I really love this series! Both Han & Raisa are such complex, interesting characters with flaws and strengths and of course exciting adventures. I especially enjoy that both of them star in the story not just one.
I found the beginning a bit slow - especially Raisa's part where she was obsessing over Amon, etc. It was much better when she focused on training and other things.. Anyway, it is the way of a YA novel to fixate on these things and it is a small part of the book compared to most YA novels so I shouldn't complain too much!
I also really enjoyed Han's training. I love how he can reinvent himself and not give a crap what anyone thinks of him. He's my favorite! I also enjoyed the grumpy, enigmatic Crow.
I can't forget Firedancer who also grows from a grumpy teen to a cool almost adult in this book.
I really love this series! Both Han & Raisa are such complex, interesting characters with flaws and strengths and of course exciting adventures. I especially enjoy that both of them star in the story not just one.
I found the beginning a bit slow - especially Raisa's part where she was obsessing over Amon, etc. It was much better when she focused on training and other things.
Spoiler
I dislike that Amon seems doomed to only love her... um, no. I really dislike that trope of the lovesick champion. Why can't he wait like a little bit longer and try and find someone he loves to marry? I mean like a rational person. Instead he just decides to settle. I get family obligation and all. I prefer books that have more than one ship and one heroine everyone fixates over. Anyway rant over.I also really enjoyed Han's training. I love how he can reinvent himself and not give a crap what anyone thinks of him. He's my favorite! I also enjoyed the grumpy, enigmatic Crow.
I can't forget Firedancer who also grows from a grumpy teen to a cool almost adult in this book.
Oof. Where to start? Raisa's near constant agonizing over boys that she knows she can't be in relationships with is boring and tedious to read. I did not sign up for a teen romance book - this is supposed to be a fantasy adventure novel but literally half of this book reminds me of a bad Twilight fanfic (or, you know, just the og Twilight series). I only finished it because Han, although he has his occasional romantic detours, generally gave me what I wanted: magic and intrigue, murderous plots for revenge and just overall interesting things actually happened with him. With Raisa, it was "oh I'm working on this *insert vague classwork description* but I can't take my mind off of Micah/Amon/Han and their kisses!".
I'm hoping number three will be better.
I'm hoping number three will be better.
Slow start, but I really enjoyed the second half and it definitely redeemed the book for me. I probably would've liked this more if I hadn't taken two years between the first book and this one.
Great news! The Exiled Queen is much better than The Demon King! This series is so good because I’m finally starting to find elements of fantasy that I haven’t seen in a long time. This series is basically my life line.
Of course, just like the last book, the pacing in this was slow. At certain parts I was really enjoying this and at others I was hoping for this to speed up more.
Great things about this series(!):
The romance is not the focus. Thank the Gods above, Ms. Chima knows what she’s doing! Yes, there is romance, but is it the focus of the book? Of course not! There are so many other things that are talked about! :D
There are fantasy elements that are shown, not told. Whenever a new concept of the Seven Realms world is explained, it’s shown throughout a lesson, discussion, communication method—anything! But it’s not paragraphs of info-dumping!
Han Alister is a freaking badass in his own right. I CALLED IT! HAN IS MINE! HE IS MINE! *drools and stumbles* M-I-N-E. FOR ANY OF YOU THAT READ THIS SERIES AFTER, I ALREADY HAVE HIM. Okay, wait, let me explain! Han has a brain and he actually uses it. I’m being serious guys. He does.
Raisa ana’Marianna proves you don’t need to live in a female-dominated world to be a strong and independent woman. Can we all just sit down for a second? I think Raisa may be one of my favorite female characters! From the last book, we see how she starts a foundation for education, and how she changes in disguise because she cares for her people! Can we all appreciate this?! No, Raisa is not a warrior, but she can stand up for herself and has learned enough defence to protect herself. I. LOVE her.
I think one of my favorite parts of this book were the revelations revealed from the last one! :D
I just want to say that the Seven Realms series is one of the most refreshing series that I’ve read in a long time. It has a little bit of everything and manages to mix it into a perfect blend of realistic characters, and a fantastical world that has so much to offer! The last time I’ve felt this way about a series was probably from Mistborn!
Overall, The Exiled Queen is a great second book in the Seven Realms series, and still includes all elements of fantasy that you are sure to love! The only problem with this series is probably how slow it is at some parts. But then the badass-ery and action make up for it.
Of course, just like the last book, the pacing in this was slow. At certain parts I was really enjoying this and at others I was hoping for this to speed up more.
Great things about this series(!):
The romance is not the focus. Thank the Gods above, Ms. Chima knows what she’s doing! Yes, there is romance, but is it the focus of the book? Of course not! There are so many other things that are talked about! :D
There are fantasy elements that are shown, not told. Whenever a new concept of the Seven Realms world is explained, it’s shown throughout a lesson, discussion, communication method—anything! But it’s not paragraphs of info-dumping!
Han Alister is a freaking badass in his own right. I CALLED IT! HAN IS MINE! HE IS MINE! *drools and stumbles* M-I-N-E. FOR ANY OF YOU THAT READ THIS SERIES AFTER, I ALREADY HAVE HIM. Okay, wait, let me explain! Han has a brain and he actually uses it. I’m being serious guys. He does.
Raisa ana’Marianna proves you don’t need to live in a female-dominated world to be a strong and independent woman. Can we all just sit down for a second? I think Raisa may be one of my favorite female characters! From the last book, we see how she starts a foundation for education, and how she changes in disguise because she cares for her people! Can we all appreciate this?! No, Raisa is not a warrior, but she can stand up for herself and has learned enough defence to protect herself. I. LOVE her.
I think one of my favorite parts of this book were the revelations revealed from the last one! :D
I just want to say that the Seven Realms series is one of the most refreshing series that I’ve read in a long time. It has a little bit of everything and manages to mix it into a perfect blend of realistic characters, and a fantastical world that has so much to offer! The last time I’ve felt this way about a series was probably from Mistborn!
Overall, The Exiled Queen is a great second book in the Seven Realms series, and still includes all elements of fantasy that you are sure to love! The only problem with this series is probably how slow it is at some parts. But then the badass-ery and action make up for it.
For some odd reason I felt overly annoyed with Raisa. I have no idea if it's me or how she's written. I got no idea. I feel like I should love her and worship her on an extreme level like Wonder Woman... But I don't. Overall the writing was amazing and a blessing to my eyes. The ending wasn't as big as the ones in the heir series but it was better than the ending in the first because that one was very predictable. Fire Dancer is definitely a fave for me. Overall it was good book. This isn't much of a reveiw but it's what I got.
I know this is going to be a really tough book for me to review.
I loved this book, just like the Demon King, but there were definitely some parts of it that I liked less... but then again I really did love seeing our characters in new places and finally working a lot more with magic. So there were some aspects that I sort of enjoyed MORE I guess.. I don't really know.
I've heard a lot of people say that this book was slower than The Demon King, and unfortunately I agree with them. Although, it still didn't take me long to read.
It seems that one of the major turning points in this book YET AGAIN was Raisa getting kidnapped... that girl needs to learn to carry some pepper spray or something!
I'm definitely not happy about the cliff hanger... I'm really glad I already checked out book three from the library!
I loved this book, just like the Demon King, but there were definitely some parts of it that I liked less... but then again I really did love seeing our characters in new places and finally working a lot more with magic. So there were some aspects that I sort of enjoyed MORE I guess.. I don't really know.
I've heard a lot of people say that this book was slower than The Demon King, and unfortunately I agree with them. Although, it still didn't take me long to read.
Spoiler
I was disappointed that we never learned anything else about Crow. WHO is he?! I really thought that there was going to be some HUGE revelation at the end when Han realizes who it was... Hopefully we learn more about him later...It seems that one of the major turning points in this book YET AGAIN was Raisa getting kidnapped... that girl needs to learn to carry some pepper spray or something!
I'm definitely not happy about the cliff hanger... I'm really glad I already checked out book three from the library!
The Exiled Queen was a fantastic read. It raised the stakes set out in book one, The Demon King. I loved the setting of the different schools at Oden's Ford. The worldbuilding and inter-realm politics were even more interesting in this one, probably because I was familiar with the names and places. The characters all face new challenges and interactions with each other that bring about their development. This series is so intricate, and I can't wait to see what happens next!