Scan barcode
taliatalksbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
The Queen’s Secret by Melissa De La Cruz was faster paced than the first book in this duology, but it still felt longer than it actually was. I felt like overall it was fairly progressive for a fantasy, but there were some moments that just felt dragged out and over described. During the times when the Queen is locked in her room it felt like I, too, was locked up, which can definitely be atmospheric in some instances, but unfortunately it didn’t quite come across that way here. I liked the characters, but I didn’t love them, and I think that was the major issue I had with these books. I wanted to love them, but I really felt like the names were too on the nose and didn’t quite fit the characters they were meant to be. I liked the ending, but I think the amount of time spent talking about the queen’s duty to bare children was really heavy handed to a point of being almost creepy. Maybe it’s just because the thought of being forced to a.) have a child and b.) have said child with someone you don’t like, never-mind love, is just really creepy to me, but I think there was a lot more of this conversation than necessary. I wish more time was spent on the magic, the threat to the kingdom, and the overall resolution rather than just a bunch of men telling Lilac to have a baby with the king because it’s her duty. I think the story was enjoyable, I just would have been happier with it (as a strictly personal preference) if it had been less about forcing too people to have sex for the purposes of a royal heir and more about…well…the Queen’s Secret
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism
More...