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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
THE BEWITCHED READER: THE QUEEN'S RESISTANCE (THE QUEEN'S RISING #2) BY REBECCA ROSS
*Disclaimer: This book was given to me by the publisher for review via Edelweiss; all thoughts and opinions are my own.*
Brienna has finally become a mistress of knowledge and is trying to fit in her new family and court with the MacQuinns but it is not easy to fit in when everyone hates you. Surviving a rebellion is starting to seem easy when compared with the challenges of living in this new society after everyone discovered who her biological father was. However, Brienna is the new Queen's, Isolde Kavanagh, closest confidant and friend, so she must learn to succeed in the gut-wrenching world of politics in an unstable nation that has no respect for her. She must assert herself through might, not violence, and show everyone what she is capable of.
As unexpected things start to happen in Maevana, both political and personal wise, Brienna has to learn how to deal with Cartier, now known as Aodhan. Relationships are never easy, but they become especially harder when you are trying to establish a new governmental regimen. Contrary forces start to rise and Brienna has to join forces with her friends to fight against those of the old regimen who believe they can overthrow the new Queen and put the cruel old king back in the throne. Justice can be cruel and Brienna needs to forge new alliances and learn to play the game or she may die.
This sequel to The Queen's Rising picks up immediately after the end of the previous book: there is almost no gap in the narration between the two. In a way, it feels like you are reading the second part of the same book. Now that the reader has been introduced to the wondrous and very complex world of Maevana, it is possible to observe the inner workings of the kingdom, to get to know its people and more of its traditions. This a nation of warrior women and it is beautiful to see it unfold in this novel's pages.
This book's complex plot not only discusses the post-rebellion politics of establishing Queen Isolde's reign but also speaks to all the societal levels found in Maevana. The reader gets to know how the people feel, how the servants and the guard feel, how the new queen feels, no one escapes this scope. Besides the political and knowing how the characters feel, there are very important themes discussed throughout this story. Some of these themes are: balanced romantic relationships, being accepted for who you are and not what people think of you, trusting yourself, building trust, building your own family, amongst others. Some very poignant points about family and friendship are made in the story.
Throughout this book, the reader gets to see the characters evolve throughout the story. After a first book (in the series) that seemed to wrap all of the action, the reader gets a gut-punch and bucket of cold water spilt on top: nothing that seemed simple actually is. This is definitely one of the kinds of plots I like to call "onion plot" because of all of its layers and underlying complexity. Besides watching amazing personal progress from everyone - and also the Maevan society as a whole - you get to see Brienna and Aodhan's (formerly known as Cartier) relationship flourish, as well as her friendship with her new family and also her new people and servants.
This is definitely a very underhyped and underappreciated YA (Young Adult) and Fantasy book. The world building and character construction always take me away and, if you think the first book was enough, think again!
THE BEWITCHED READER: THE QUEEN'S RESISTANCE (THE QUEEN'S RISING #2) BY REBECCA ROSS
*Disclaimer: This book was given to me by the publisher for review via Edelweiss; all thoughts and opinions are my own.*
Brienna has finally become a mistress of knowledge and is trying to fit in her new family and court with the MacQuinns but it is not easy to fit in when everyone hates you. Surviving a rebellion is starting to seem easy when compared with the challenges of living in this new society after everyone discovered who her biological father was. However, Brienna is the new Queen's, Isolde Kavanagh, closest confidant and friend, so she must learn to succeed in the gut-wrenching world of politics in an unstable nation that has no respect for her. She must assert herself through might, not violence, and show everyone what she is capable of.
As unexpected things start to happen in Maevana, both political and personal wise, Brienna has to learn how to deal with Cartier, now known as Aodhan. Relationships are never easy, but they become especially harder when you are trying to establish a new governmental regimen. Contrary forces start to rise and Brienna has to join forces with her friends to fight against those of the old regimen who believe they can overthrow the new Queen and put the cruel old king back in the throne. Justice can be cruel and Brienna needs to forge new alliances and learn to play the game or she may die.
This sequel to The Queen's Rising picks up immediately after the end of the previous book: there is almost no gap in the narration between the two. In a way, it feels like you are reading the second part of the same book. Now that the reader has been introduced to the wondrous and very complex world of Maevana, it is possible to observe the inner workings of the kingdom, to get to know its people and more of its traditions. This a nation of warrior women and it is beautiful to see it unfold in this novel's pages.
This book's complex plot not only discusses the post-rebellion politics of establishing Queen Isolde's reign but also speaks to all the societal levels found in Maevana. The reader gets to know how the people feel, how the servants and the guard feel, how the new queen feels, no one escapes this scope. Besides the political and knowing how the characters feel, there are very important themes discussed throughout this story. Some of these themes are: balanced romantic relationships, being accepted for who you are and not what people think of you, trusting yourself, building trust, building your own family, amongst others. Some very poignant points about family and friendship are made in the story.
Throughout this book, the reader gets to see the characters evolve throughout the story. After a first book (in the series) that seemed to wrap all of the action, the reader gets a gut-punch and bucket of cold water spilt on top: nothing that seemed simple actually is. This is definitely one of the kinds of plots I like to call "onion plot" because of all of its layers and underlying complexity. Besides watching amazing personal progress from everyone - and also the Maevan society as a whole - you get to see Brienna and Aodhan's (formerly known as Cartier) relationship flourish, as well as her friendship with her new family and also her new people and servants.
This is definitely a very underhyped and underappreciated YA (Young Adult) and Fantasy book. The world building and character construction always take me away and, if you think the first book was enough, think again!
THE BEWITCHED READER: THE QUEEN'S RESISTANCE (THE QUEEN'S RISING #2) BY REBECCA ROSS
Meh. This had it's moments but most of the time it was pretty boring.
And repetitive, telling me plot points over and over. It was okay though.
And repetitive, telling me plot points over and over. It was okay though.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I had misgivings about the fact that this was 1. A sequel to a book I absolutely loved, and 2. It was a sequel to a book I absolutely loved with the love interest’s POV added in. I didn’t let myself set the bar too high because I was scared that I wouldn’t love it, but the only disappointing thing about this book is that THE THIRD ONE ISN’T OUT.
I LOVED The Queen’s Resistance. The Queen’s Rising was one of my absolute favourite books of 2018, and of all time. The way how the story works out, how every detail is relevant to the plot, is testament to Ross’ mastery of her art and how much time she spent on this series. I stayed up at 4am just to read this book, and I did not regret it at all. If you go into this thinking that this is your stereotypical YA fantasy series, THEN YOU WILL BE PROVEN WRONG.
What I loved most about the sequel is that Cartier isn’t treated as an extension of Brienna just as other love interests have been to the main character in other YA books. In The Queen’s Resistance, he is shown to be his own person, with his own storyline, and, just as everyone, is shown to have his own significance to the plot. He does not just sing praises to his love interest the way others do— Cartier is his own character.
One more thing I loved is the nuance and the attention to detail. Like I’ve said before, everything adds up to the plot whether it be a minor character or a detail mentioned in passing, and it makes this read all the more thrilling.
If you’re scared to pick up either this book or its sequel, leave your misgivings at the door. It will blow you away.
I LOVED The Queen’s Resistance. The Queen’s Rising was one of my absolute favourite books of 2018, and of all time. The way how the story works out, how every detail is relevant to the plot, is testament to Ross’ mastery of her art and how much time she spent on this series. I stayed up at 4am just to read this book, and I did not regret it at all. If you go into this thinking that this is your stereotypical YA fantasy series, THEN YOU WILL BE PROVEN WRONG.
What I loved most about the sequel is that Cartier isn’t treated as an extension of Brienna just as other love interests have been to the main character in other YA books. In The Queen’s Resistance, he is shown to be his own person, with his own storyline, and, just as everyone, is shown to have his own significance to the plot. He does not just sing praises to his love interest the way others do— Cartier is his own character.
One more thing I loved is the nuance and the attention to detail. Like I’ve said before, everything adds up to the plot whether it be a minor character or a detail mentioned in passing, and it makes this read all the more thrilling.
If you’re scared to pick up either this book or its sequel, leave your misgivings at the door. It will blow you away.
Excellent. Just the right amount of drama with calmness. I LOVE it more than the first one!!! Amazing I love the romance and the schemes and just the politics and... I can gush about this book so much!
While I liked these books, I felt like the pacing was odd! Book #1 could have been an entire trilogy in and of itself and I felt the same about book #2. So much was crammed into teach book and it lessened the impact of all the major conflicts when crammed together so much. It had the feeling of being an epic series, but it was cut too short and condensed into two books! Overall, it was an interesting story though.
Just finished this sequel, and I was in tears. Review to come!
The Queen's Resistance was a very unique sequel. This story deviated from the plot line I was expecting but it was written and laid out in a really interesting and intriguing way.
This sequel follows the events that follow the Battle of Maevana and the rising of the Queen. It begins with the inner circle debating the fates of the remaining Lannons and other enemy families but takes a sharp turn when things in surrounding territories and don't go as planned.
The story telling and writing style is definately a strong point in this series and the more you connect to the characters it becomes a super immersive experience. The only real negative is that I found it hard to capture the atmosphere and visual aspects of the world which I would have appreciated a lot more.
Overall, a very touching finale to this duology that kept me intrigued until the last page.
This sequel follows the events that follow the Battle of Maevana and the rising of the Queen. It begins with the inner circle debating the fates of the remaining Lannons and other enemy families but takes a sharp turn when things in surrounding territories and don't go as planned.
The story telling and writing style is definately a strong point in this series and the more you connect to the characters it becomes a super immersive experience. The only real negative is that I found it hard to capture the atmosphere and visual aspects of the world which I would have appreciated a lot more.
Overall, a very touching finale to this duology that kept me intrigued until the last page.
