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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
Oh god this one had one of my fave tropes - adopting lost children.
Definitely enjoyed it more than the first.
Definitely enjoyed it more than the first.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Rating: 4 stars
Spice: 🌶️
Spice: 🌶️
Tropes:
👑 Hostage/Kidnapping
👑 Found family
👑 Dark secrets
👑 Court intrigue / politics
👑 Capers & Heists
This one, for me, definitely tops the first. All the relationships are already at play, all the history and lore with the various clans established, and so this one just lets us really take off with the characters and the story.
Found family remains the shining element to this entire story, but in particular in this book. The friendships between the MCs and the side characters, the theme of having a family you choose vs a family of blood, is just beautifully done without being high-handed.
The world-building and plot being absolutely chock-full of political intrigue is just chef’s kiss. The slow build of tension in the plot until the final climax was really well executed. The ending was satisfying and tied everything up in a neat little bow.
My only minor complaints are these — the FMC is a tiny bit too perfect, she never makes a single mistake the entire series. I don’t mind smart, capable FMCs but she just pushes belief a tiny bit too far. And then also, what were her adopted family/the rebels even doing before she came along?? You’re trying to tell me this fairly large group of adults, experienced political people, couldn’t manage to stage one single successful coup until this 18-year-old with none of the same dances in? Yeah.
But these are tiny complaints. Like I said, overall, this series is really well done and very entertaining. Definitely worth checking out.
adventurous
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
This book is like poetry to the soul. Such a well thought out plot and characters that will stay with you for a while.
I just don't see a point in the book. The story felt resolved after the first one and the point of this one seems to only be to keep the characters apart.
This book is significantly better than its predecessor. Queens rising had bits I had a hard time enjoying but this sequel really brought the story together and displayed such an improvement in writing and development. While there are still a handful of things I could complain about, I won’t. I liked it, I don’t regret reading it, and it was better than the first which is impressive in my book.
Wow what an amazing sequel! Pleasant surprises and unexpected enemies, I loved reading every word of this book. Very well written with an intricate storyline. Brienna is a strong and intelligent heroine who's brave and despite how others treat her because of her biological father, she still stands by her morals and does what's right. Gah! So good!! I need more from this author please!
This was a fun read. It’s a sequel and I didn’t love the beginning of the first book, but I kept going. And then had to find out what happened to the characters. Ultimately, I enjoyed it and liked how it ended.
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No