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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
ENGLISH BELOW
Let op: deze recensie bevat spoilers voor De terugkeer van de koningin!
Ik zal eerlijk bekennen, ik was een beetje bang om in “Het verzet van de koningin” te beginnen na de spetterende finale van boek 1. Hoezeer ik ook genoten heb van “De terugkeer van de koningin” dat nog steeds een aantal jaar later één van mijn favoriete boeken is, was ik huiverig om hierin te beginnen. Met name omdat ik bang was dat het voornaamste dramatische conflict in de relatie tussen Cartier en Brienna zou zijn, zoals in veel duologiën het geval is, maar daar hoefde ik in dit boek niet bang voor te zijn. Natuurlijk waren er obstakels en ook onzekerheid, maar alles werd op een volwassen manier uitgepraat, en de relatie groeide er alleen maar door en dat is wat ik denk ik het meest waardeerde in dit boek. Of nee, als ik heel eerlijk ben: de POV van Cartier (we krijgen hoofdstukken vanuit zijn gezichtspunt). Oh, Cartier... ik heb niet vaak een book crush, ik kan ze letterlijk op één hand tellen, en Cartier zit ertussen. Of Aodhan, zoals hij nu heet. Hij is simpelweg geweldig - en nu nog geweldiger nu je zijn gedachten kent.
Maar goed, om op het verhaal terug te komen: ze hebben de revolutie gewonnen, de Lannons zijn afgezet en zitten in de kerker te wachten op hun lot en Isolde is klaar om koningin te worden, maar dat betekent niet dat alles meteen goed is. Er is veel onrecht gebeurd onder het bewind van de Lannons, en vervallen kastelen zijn makkelijker te repareren dan gebroken mensen. Isolde, de nieuwe koningin heeft slechts weken de tijd om zich op te stellen als koningin, de edelen aan haar kant te krijgen en alle sluimerende tegenstand de kop in de drukken. Dat klinkt als meer dan een dagtaak en dat is het ook, zeker als alles niet zo zwart wit blijkt te zijn als je eerst dacht maar veel ingewikkelder waar goede beslissingen soms niet bestaan. En dat is de kracht van dit boek: waar het in het vorige boek ging om intrige en de revolutie om de echte koningin op de troon te krijgen, zie je hier de nuances die dit met zich meebrengt. Vooral Cartier heeft het hier moeilijk mee als het hem persoonlijk raakt en de grote vraag is: kies je voor gerechtigheid of kies je voor genade? Voor mij was dit een heel mooi thema in het boek. En het thema licht en donker was ook zo goed aanwezig, Isolde is een geweldig goed uitgewerkt personage, maar daarnaast is ze ook echt het symbool van licht na de duisternis, en van genezing na zoveel pijn. Brienna was haar briljante zelf, al worstelt ze veel met haar net ontdekte identiteit en haar plaats in haar geadopteerde familie en hoe ze de toekomst voor zich ziet.
Er zijn heerlijke politieke intriges die zowaar spannend zijn en totaal niet saai, Brienna’s briljante ideeën zijn een feestje om naar te luisteren, owww in de eerste scene met het wandkleed heb ik geapplaudisseerd! Zo fijn om eens te lezen over personages die gewoon dingen goed plant in plaats van zich overal in te storten. Maar er komt ook nog echte tegenstand en actie, en geloof me: dan kun je echt niet meer stoppen met lezen. Het heeft voor mij een perfect mix tussen interessante personages (en ook veel nieuwe personages! Neeve! Tomas!) en spannende scenes! Het heeft eigenlijk hetzelfde gevoel van boek 1, ook met bijzondere plot twists dus dat is super positief en owww het einde... ik had geen beter einde kunnen bedenken. Wat een geweldige afsluiter.
Kortom, ik kan dit boek echt aanraden, en ik ben ontzettend blij dat het in het Nederlands is vertaald, en dat ik het heb mogen lezen. Ik heb het boek namelijk van de uitgeverij gekregen in ruil voor mijn eerlijk recensie. Waarbij ik als laatste nog even moet opmerken dat ik boek 1 zowel in het Engels en het Nederlands heb gelezen, en ik vind het een uitstekende vertaling die de sfeer goed weergeeft.
—————————————
Be aware that this review has spoilers for The Queen’s Rising!
I will admit I was scared to start The Queen’s Resistance after the amazing finale of book 1. Though I loved The Queen’s Rising, that even after a few years stands solidly among my favorites, I was a bit hesistant to start this book. My main fear was that the relationship between Cartier and Brienna would ne used for further drama, as is often the case in duologies, but this book stays far from this trope. Of course there are insecurities and other obstacles, but these two actually talk and grow stronger together because of it anf that’s what I appreciate in this book. No, actually what I appreciated most were the chapters im Cartiers POV. Cartier... I don’t have a book crush often, in fact my fictional mem can be counted om one hand, and Cartier is among them. Or Aodhan as he is called now. He is simply amazing - and even more amazing now we know his inner thoughts.
So, anyway, they won the revolution, the Lannon’s have been put in the dungeons to await their fates, but this does not mean everything is set right now. A lot of injustice has happened, and crumbled castles are easier to rebuild than broken people. Isolde, the new queen, has a very limited time span to present herself as queen, get the nobles on her side and to suppress all rising resistance. It sounds exhausting, and it is complicated as sometimes there are no right answers. And that is the power of this book: last book was about intrige and revolution and putting the queen back where she belongs, here you see the nuances in the aftermath. Especially Cartier struggles as it hits him personally and the big question is: mercy or justice? I loved this theme. And the light versus dark theme was also really well done, Isolde is an amazing character with her own flaws and personality, but she also symbolizes light after darkness, healing after so much pain. Brienna was her brilliant self though she struggles with her identity and her place among her adopted family.
There is exciting political intrigue which is not boring at all, Brienna’s cunning ideas are fun to read about, and ohh in the first scene with the tapestry I put the book down and slow clapped. Also it’s nice to read about people who actually make plans instead of just going in blind. And there is resistance and action a plenty too, and belief me: you won’t be able to put the book down. For me it’s a perfect mix between interesting characters (and new characters that are amazing! Neeve! Tomas!) and plotting/action scenes. I had the same feeling when I read the first book, with amazing plot twists so that’s very positive and also THAT ENDING. Honestly, it couldn’t have been better.
All in all, I can really recommend this book, and I’m really happy it got translated to Dutch, and that I’ve been able to read it as I got a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I’ve read book 1 in English and Dutch and I think the translation is really well done.
Let op: deze recensie bevat spoilers voor De terugkeer van de koningin!
Ik zal eerlijk bekennen, ik was een beetje bang om in “Het verzet van de koningin” te beginnen na de spetterende finale van boek 1. Hoezeer ik ook genoten heb van “De terugkeer van de koningin” dat nog steeds een aantal jaar later één van mijn favoriete boeken is, was ik huiverig om hierin te beginnen. Met name omdat ik bang was dat het voornaamste dramatische conflict in de relatie tussen Cartier en Brienna zou zijn, zoals in veel duologiën het geval is, maar daar hoefde ik in dit boek niet bang voor te zijn. Natuurlijk waren er obstakels en ook onzekerheid, maar alles werd op een volwassen manier uitgepraat, en de relatie groeide er alleen maar door en dat is wat ik denk ik het meest waardeerde in dit boek. Of nee, als ik heel eerlijk ben: de POV van Cartier (we krijgen hoofdstukken vanuit zijn gezichtspunt). Oh, Cartier... ik heb niet vaak een book crush, ik kan ze letterlijk op één hand tellen, en Cartier zit ertussen. Of Aodhan, zoals hij nu heet. Hij is simpelweg geweldig - en nu nog geweldiger nu je zijn gedachten kent.
Maar goed, om op het verhaal terug te komen: ze hebben de revolutie gewonnen, de Lannons zijn afgezet en zitten in de kerker te wachten op hun lot en Isolde is klaar om koningin te worden, maar dat betekent niet dat alles meteen goed is. Er is veel onrecht gebeurd onder het bewind van de Lannons, en vervallen kastelen zijn makkelijker te repareren dan gebroken mensen. Isolde, de nieuwe koningin heeft slechts weken de tijd om zich op te stellen als koningin, de edelen aan haar kant te krijgen en alle sluimerende tegenstand de kop in de drukken. Dat klinkt als meer dan een dagtaak en dat is het ook, zeker als alles niet zo zwart wit blijkt te zijn als je eerst dacht maar veel ingewikkelder waar goede beslissingen soms niet bestaan. En dat is de kracht van dit boek: waar het in het vorige boek ging om intrige en de revolutie om de echte koningin op de troon te krijgen, zie je hier de nuances die dit met zich meebrengt. Vooral Cartier heeft het hier moeilijk mee als het hem persoonlijk raakt en de grote vraag is: kies je voor gerechtigheid of kies je voor genade? Voor mij was dit een heel mooi thema in het boek. En het thema licht en donker was ook zo goed aanwezig, Isolde is een geweldig goed uitgewerkt personage, maar daarnaast is ze ook echt het symbool van licht na de duisternis, en van genezing na zoveel pijn. Brienna was haar briljante zelf, al worstelt ze veel met haar net ontdekte identiteit en haar plaats in haar geadopteerde familie en hoe ze de toekomst voor zich ziet.
Er zijn heerlijke politieke intriges die zowaar spannend zijn en totaal niet saai, Brienna’s briljante ideeën zijn een feestje om naar te luisteren, owww in de eerste scene met het wandkleed heb ik geapplaudisseerd! Zo fijn om eens te lezen over personages die gewoon dingen goed plant in plaats van zich overal in te storten. Maar er komt ook nog echte tegenstand en actie, en geloof me: dan kun je echt niet meer stoppen met lezen. Het heeft voor mij een perfect mix tussen interessante personages (en ook veel nieuwe personages! Neeve! Tomas!) en spannende scenes! Het heeft eigenlijk hetzelfde gevoel van boek 1, ook met bijzondere plot twists dus dat is super positief en owww het einde... ik had geen beter einde kunnen bedenken. Wat een geweldige afsluiter.
Kortom, ik kan dit boek echt aanraden, en ik ben ontzettend blij dat het in het Nederlands is vertaald, en dat ik het heb mogen lezen. Ik heb het boek namelijk van de uitgeverij gekregen in ruil voor mijn eerlijk recensie. Waarbij ik als laatste nog even moet opmerken dat ik boek 1 zowel in het Engels en het Nederlands heb gelezen, en ik vind het een uitstekende vertaling die de sfeer goed weergeeft.
—————————————
Be aware that this review has spoilers for The Queen’s Rising!
I will admit I was scared to start The Queen’s Resistance after the amazing finale of book 1. Though I loved The Queen’s Rising, that even after a few years stands solidly among my favorites, I was a bit hesistant to start this book. My main fear was that the relationship between Cartier and Brienna would ne used for further drama, as is often the case in duologies, but this book stays far from this trope. Of course there are insecurities and other obstacles, but these two actually talk and grow stronger together because of it anf that’s what I appreciate in this book. No, actually what I appreciated most were the chapters im Cartiers POV. Cartier... I don’t have a book crush often, in fact my fictional mem can be counted om one hand, and Cartier is among them. Or Aodhan as he is called now. He is simply amazing - and even more amazing now we know his inner thoughts.
So, anyway, they won the revolution, the Lannon’s have been put in the dungeons to await their fates, but this does not mean everything is set right now. A lot of injustice has happened, and crumbled castles are easier to rebuild than broken people. Isolde, the new queen, has a very limited time span to present herself as queen, get the nobles on her side and to suppress all rising resistance. It sounds exhausting, and it is complicated as sometimes there are no right answers. And that is the power of this book: last book was about intrige and revolution and putting the queen back where she belongs, here you see the nuances in the aftermath. Especially Cartier struggles as it hits him personally and the big question is: mercy or justice? I loved this theme. And the light versus dark theme was also really well done, Isolde is an amazing character with her own flaws and personality, but she also symbolizes light after darkness, healing after so much pain. Brienna was her brilliant self though she struggles with her identity and her place among her adopted family.
There is exciting political intrigue which is not boring at all, Brienna’s cunning ideas are fun to read about, and ohh in the first scene with the tapestry I put the book down and slow clapped. Also it’s nice to read about people who actually make plans instead of just going in blind. And there is resistance and action a plenty too, and belief me: you won’t be able to put the book down. For me it’s a perfect mix between interesting characters (and new characters that are amazing! Neeve! Tomas!) and plotting/action scenes. I had the same feeling when I read the first book, with amazing plot twists so that’s very positive and also THAT ENDING. Honestly, it couldn’t have been better.
All in all, I can really recommend this book, and I’m really happy it got translated to Dutch, and that I’ve been able to read it as I got a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I’ve read book 1 in English and Dutch and I think the translation is really well done.
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!!! 4/5 because i wanted more Cartier. I'm a sucker for him, true story.
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
I listened to it as an audiobook, now the female who read did an amazing job but I don't know if the male was slightly mumbling or the volume of his voice was decreased but I found he was difficult to hear and it was also sometimes jarring with them using different voices for the same characters depending which pov was read. Though this has nothing to do with my two star rating as I would rate the production quality a 4/5, the first book audible production quality was a 5/5 which was why I continued this story.
Now the reason why I gave this book two stars because when I finished the first book all I thought was "what could possibly happen next to require a whole book" and as it turns out a whole lot of nothing, besides getting the male love interest pov. Which was totally not needed, if anything it made me physically cringe at times as honestly I didn't at all feel connected in their love for each other, and that it only existed for the sake of the heroine having a love interest. The two pov also made the writing style even more cringy, in the first book I found it captivating to listen to but this one it felt forced to fluff every sentence up. Which was often repeated with the alternative pov, the last couple of chapters were basically them declaring there love for each other just by glancing or thinking of the other. I didn't care and just wanted it to end, so it was a major disappointment from the previous book which I found interesting.
This book also had essentially no plot just based off with how the previous books story was setup:
Evil blood thirsty tyrannical king
A prince who will follow in his father's footsteps as king
A queen driven out from her homeland as a child to her the land over the sea which has more classier traditions that didn't include blood
The kingdom in poverty
Lots of displaced people after the failed uprising
The perfect recipe for a successful uprising
Who would honestly try to over throw the queen who doesn't care for blood shed and put the tyrannical king back on the throne. Only the tyrannical king and his allies that's who, but the tyrannical king is in the dungeon how would we ever get a plot from this. Oh no he escapes what a shame. But wait we can't catch him as he's one step ahead of us always. But conviently they manage to catch up to what he's doing and ultimately dies in the final battle. Oh let's through in a plot twist about Cartier's mother because clearly the author knows this book has no point. But wait we still can't and the book there, because we must include the corronation of the queen. And there still more as we must finish up the book with how much the love interests love each other. I forgot to mention the kids oh wait they didn't contribute to this book other then being filler characters with a metaphor of you can't paint every lanan with the same brush (a metaphor which was already used for the allighnar family with Shaun)
Overall I just didn't care, and I really should give it 1 star but the great production of the audiobook deserves its recognition even with my issue with the male voice as I would have skipped his chapters if it weren't for the fact I would miss out on things, not sure what but surely I would have. There were other issues with characters themselves in being poorly developed, such as head strong, problem solver and independent to a silly damsel in distress. But honestly CBF to care.
Now the reason why I gave this book two stars because when I finished the first book all I thought was "what could possibly happen next to require a whole book" and as it turns out a whole lot of nothing, besides getting the male love interest pov. Which was totally not needed, if anything it made me physically cringe at times as honestly I didn't at all feel connected in their love for each other, and that it only existed for the sake of the heroine having a love interest. The two pov also made the writing style even more cringy, in the first book I found it captivating to listen to but this one it felt forced to fluff every sentence up. Which was often repeated with the alternative pov, the last couple of chapters were basically them declaring there love for each other just by glancing or thinking of the other. I didn't care and just wanted it to end, so it was a major disappointment from the previous book which I found interesting.
This book also had essentially no plot just based off with how the previous books story was setup:
Evil blood thirsty tyrannical king
A prince who will follow in his father's footsteps as king
A queen driven out from her homeland as a child to her the land over the sea which has more classier traditions that didn't include blood
The kingdom in poverty
Lots of displaced people after the failed uprising
The perfect recipe for a successful uprising
Who would honestly try to over throw the queen who doesn't care for blood shed and put the tyrannical king back on the throne. Only the tyrannical king and his allies that's who, but the tyrannical king is in the dungeon how would we ever get a plot from this. Oh no he escapes what a shame. But wait we can't catch him as he's one step ahead of us always. But conviently they manage to catch up to what he's doing and ultimately dies in the final battle. Oh let's through in a plot twist about Cartier's mother because clearly the author knows this book has no point. But wait we still can't and the book there, because we must include the corronation of the queen. And there still more as we must finish up the book with how much the love interests love each other. I forgot to mention the kids oh wait they didn't contribute to this book other then being filler characters with a metaphor of you can't paint every lanan with the same brush (a metaphor which was already used for the allighnar family with Shaun)
Overall I just didn't care, and I really should give it 1 star but the great production of the audiobook deserves its recognition even with my issue with the male voice as I would have skipped his chapters if it weren't for the fact I would miss out on things, not sure what but surely I would have. There were other issues with characters themselves in being poorly developed, such as head strong, problem solver and independent to a silly damsel in distress. But honestly CBF to care.
I was a bit sceptical about this book, I loved the first part but was not sure if a sequel was needed, but I really enjoyed it.
It continues right after the first book, and we get to see the challenges in building the new monarchy and keeping the peace as well as the trials. I found it very realistic in this sense, it does not pretend that once the battle is finished all the work is done.
We get to see more into Maevana's political system and other houses, which I found very interesting.
I liked the inclusion of new characters but I thought they were not developed enough, a bit more insight in these characters would have been great.
I also loved the ending and I am happy about how the story finishes. But I missed the feeling I had with the first book of not knowing what was going on and being surprised by all the twists and turns; I felt that everything wass much more predictable in this second book.
It continues right after the first book, and we get to see the challenges in building the new monarchy and keeping the peace as well as the trials. I found it very realistic in this sense, it does not pretend that once the battle is finished all the work is done.
We get to see more into Maevana's political system and other houses, which I found very interesting.
I liked the inclusion of new characters but I thought they were not developed enough, a bit more insight in these characters would have been great.
I also loved the ending and I am happy about how the story finishes. But I missed the feeling I had with the first book of not knowing what was going on and being surprised by all the twists and turns; I felt that everything wass much more predictable in this second book.
What an amazing duology! I loved every bit of it right from the start till the end. It was fast paced, with beautiful world building, a great plot, amazing characters and a good amount of action. Loved Brienna and Cartier and the bonds they shared with other wonderful characters. I finished the books within 2 days coz I just couldn't bear to keep it down. This book made me emotional with the ending and I liked how it concluded. It was amazingly written.