Scan barcode
e_funk44's review
5.0
“The two sisters didn't come wailing. They came quietly, holding on to each other. As if they needed no one's comfort but the other's. As if, as long as they were together, there was nothing to be afraid of.”
The Caged Queen is one of my favorite reads of 2018. I don’t know why I took so long to read this! I seem to be on the unpopular opinion side because I liked The Caged Queen a lot more than The Last Namsara. While I enjoyed The Last Namsara, there was something missing for me. The Caged Queen completely enwrapped me and I couldn’t put it down! I loved the romance, the politics, and the love and friendship of two sisters. And it is very heavy on the romance and has my favorite trope, hate-to-love.
The Caged Queen is more of a companion novel than a sequel as it focuses on two side characters that were introduced in the first book, Roa and Dax. If you’re expecting to see a lot of Asha and Torwin and dragons, then you might be disappointed. However, I fell in love and connected with the characters more so in this book than I did with The Last Namsara.
Roa (leader of the rebels or the scrublanders) and her sister Essie share a magical and strong bond that is really at the root of the plot. There was an accident when they were young and now Essie’s soul is trapped. Dax, the heir to the throne, was responsible for this accident and while Roa swore to hate him and never speak to him again. However, Dax came to her begging for her help to overthrow his cruel father and make her Queen and also free her people, she couldn’t refuse. You might remember this rebellion from the first book. However, there is an opportunity to not only get her revenge on Dax and free her sister she knows she must do everything in her power to do this, even if it means killing her betrothed.
I really loved the bond that Essie and Roa share. It transcends all and is the motivating factor for Roa. She is willing to do anything or her sister, which leads her to not always make the best decisions or not see what is right in front of her. It made me reaaaally frustrated at times with Roa. But a love for a sister is so strong which I relate to. Roa is strong, passionate, and is willing to do anything for the people she loves. Although another super frustrating part about Roa is that she was oblivious about Dax’s feelings and kept looking for the bad in him WHEN HE IS JUST LOVELY.
Speaking of which, I completely fell in love with Dax and he is now one of my favorite book boyfriends. I’m so sad he wont be a main character in the third book. Dax is so clever and smart and charming and handsom and UGH JUST SO WONDERFUL!!! I don’t want to ruin anything for anyone but that twist?! I freaking love Dax!!!!!
“Like a sailor who needs the heavens to find his way home, you were my own star, burning in the night. Helping me find my way.”
Overall, I really enjoyed The Caged Queen and I’m looking forward to the third book in this world even though I’ll miss these characters. One theme that is reoccurring through these books are the strong, badass women and I am. Here. For. It.
The Caged Queen is one of my favorite reads of 2018. I don’t know why I took so long to read this! I seem to be on the unpopular opinion side because I liked The Caged Queen a lot more than The Last Namsara. While I enjoyed The Last Namsara, there was something missing for me. The Caged Queen completely enwrapped me and I couldn’t put it down! I loved the romance, the politics, and the love and friendship of two sisters. And it is very heavy on the romance and has my favorite trope, hate-to-love.
The Caged Queen is more of a companion novel than a sequel as it focuses on two side characters that were introduced in the first book, Roa and Dax. If you’re expecting to see a lot of Asha and Torwin and dragons, then you might be disappointed. However, I fell in love and connected with the characters more so in this book than I did with The Last Namsara.
Roa (leader of the rebels or the scrublanders) and her sister Essie share a magical and strong bond that is really at the root of the plot. There was an accident when they were young and now Essie’s soul is trapped. Dax, the heir to the throne, was responsible for this accident and while Roa swore to hate him and never speak to him again. However, Dax came to her begging for her help to overthrow his cruel father and make her Queen and also free her people, she couldn’t refuse. You might remember this rebellion from the first book. However, there is an opportunity to not only get her revenge on Dax and free her sister she knows she must do everything in her power to do this, even if it means killing her betrothed.
I really loved the bond that Essie and Roa share. It transcends all and is the motivating factor for Roa. She is willing to do anything or her sister, which leads her to not always make the best decisions or not see what is right in front of her. It made me reaaaally frustrated at times with Roa. But a love for a sister is so strong which I relate to. Roa is strong, passionate, and is willing to do anything for the people she loves. Although another super frustrating part about Roa is that she was oblivious about Dax’s feelings and kept looking for the bad in him WHEN HE IS JUST LOVELY.
Speaking of which, I completely fell in love with Dax and he is now one of my favorite book boyfriends. I’m so sad he wont be a main character in the third book. Dax is so clever and smart and charming and handsom and UGH JUST SO WONDERFUL!!! I don’t want to ruin anything for anyone but that twist?! I freaking love Dax!!!!!
“Like a sailor who needs the heavens to find his way home, you were my own star, burning in the night. Helping me find my way.”
Overall, I really enjoyed The Caged Queen and I’m looking forward to the third book in this world even though I’ll miss these characters. One theme that is reoccurring through these books are the strong, badass women and I am. Here. For. It.
roobie's review
3.0
⭐3 stars⭐
"Never reveal yourself. It's the second rule of gods and monsters." She looked up at him. "Do you remember the first?"
"Pay attention."
"Yes! Very good."
"No," said Dax. "I mean: pay attention, I'm about to win the game."
Roa frowned.
"Want to know the third rule of gods and monsters? Just made it up.
Never underestimate a fool."
"Never reveal yourself. It's the second rule of gods and monsters." She looked up at him. "Do you remember the first?"
"Pay attention."
"Yes! Very good."
"No," said Dax. "I mean: pay attention, I'm about to win the game."
Roa frowned.
"Want to know the third rule of gods and monsters? Just made it up.
Never underestimate a fool."
lorimarnahyr's review
3.0
Not as good as the first one, but good enough. Roa seems very powerful and strong in The Last Namsara, but when we see the story from her perspective she's nowhere near Asha's strength. Had to admit I wanted to slap her once or twice, but that's also part of the journey. She had a lot to learn... and trust.
bookishtiff's review
5.0
Loved this book. Why don't more people know about this series. Come on people there are dragons in it!
tandemshelves's review
3.0
I adored Dax and Roa’s story so much but this book needed to be a bit longer with more of their moments together
macnchz's review
4.0
I would give this around a three and a half. I definitely enjoyed it, it was a quick and fun read, but the plot mostly hinged on miscommunication which I find annoying.
booksandlemonsquash's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the story of Roa and Essie, along with Dax. I did miss Asha, and the dragons - there are definitely not enough dragons in the Caged Queen - but I thought it was a great follow up, and an interesting one for not following Asha.
Roa is great as a lead - she’s so protective and fiery and headstrong, and her love for her sister and her people is on every page. I liked that we saw Dax through Roa’s eyes, but I would have liked more of who he really is, i found the snippets we got really intriguing!
I did find it a shame to step away from the story telling culture and the Namsara and Ishkari legends, but I loved getting to see the scrublanders and see their side of the story - especially as in the last Namsara you only get a specific view.
I also love the politics and backstabbing. I always do ;)
I really enjoyed the story of Roa and Essie, along with Dax. I did miss Asha, and the dragons - there are definitely not enough dragons in the Caged Queen - but I thought it was a great follow up, and an interesting one for not following Asha.
Roa is great as a lead - she’s so protective and fiery and headstrong, and her love for her sister and her people is on every page. I liked that we saw Dax through Roa’s eyes, but I would have liked more of who he really is, i found the snippets we got really intriguing!
I did find it a shame to step away from the story telling culture and the Namsara and Ishkari legends, but I loved getting to see the scrublanders and see their side of the story - especially as in the last Namsara you only get a specific view.
I also love the politics and backstabbing. I always do ;)