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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
I can't believe I never wrote a review for this, so here it is. Here are all of my thoughts on this beautiful sequel and unfortunate ending of a duology that I love so much.
Basically, I would recommend this duology to anyone who is looking for a YA fantasy that is more plot and character driven rather than romance driven. The romance in these books, while present, isn't nearly as prevalent in the story compared to other books in this genre. It's more of a subplot, but it is fully developed within the story and definitely not insta-lovey if that's not your thing.
The Queen's Resistance picks up straight away where The Queen's Rising left off, and we continue to follow Brienna through her struggle to reclaim Maevana and restore the queendom. Much of the same cast from the first book returns and helps her on her quest, and many more secrets that were established in the first book are revealed here.
Something I really enjoyed about this sequel is the fact that it didn't introduce too many new things that weren't mentioned in the first book. I notice sometimes that the second books are sometimes vastly different than the first books and start to explore territories that seem almost out of character within the context of the first book. The Queen's Resistance explores the same topics presented in the first book, but with more depth and intrigue instead of introducing new topics.
I also really love the growth of the characters from the beginning of the first book and throughout towards the end of the second book. Everything is very cohesive and it's very gradual character development, rather than all of it happening at once or awkwardly throughout. Something I also really appreciated was the fact that while Brienna is the main character, she isn't exactly the hero of the story. She's not the one who becomes Queen and she doesn't rule over everything. I feel like in most books, the main character is the one who wins it all and ends up on the very top. But with this book, Brienna is more of a secondary character, helping the hero meet their goals and come out on the top.
Overall, I really loved this book and found it to be really entertaining and a bit more action-packed than the first book. I wouldn't say this series is very action-y, though, so if you're looking for something fast paced and full of action, I wouldn't recommend this book. But if you're looking for a YA fantasy full of political and familial intrigue and drama, then this is the perfect book for you.
Basically, I would recommend this duology to anyone who is looking for a YA fantasy that is more plot and character driven rather than romance driven. The romance in these books, while present, isn't nearly as prevalent in the story compared to other books in this genre. It's more of a subplot, but it is fully developed within the story and definitely not insta-lovey if that's not your thing.
The Queen's Resistance picks up straight away where The Queen's Rising left off, and we continue to follow Brienna through her struggle to reclaim Maevana and restore the queendom. Much of the same cast from the first book returns and helps her on her quest, and many more secrets that were established in the first book are revealed here.
Something I really enjoyed about this sequel is the fact that it didn't introduce too many new things that weren't mentioned in the first book. I notice sometimes that the second books are sometimes vastly different than the first books and start to explore territories that seem almost out of character within the context of the first book. The Queen's Resistance explores the same topics presented in the first book, but with more depth and intrigue instead of introducing new topics.
I also really love the growth of the characters from the beginning of the first book and throughout towards the end of the second book. Everything is very cohesive and it's very gradual character development, rather than all of it happening at once or awkwardly throughout. Something I also really appreciated was the fact that while Brienna is the main character, she isn't exactly the hero of the story. She's not the one who becomes Queen and she doesn't rule over everything. I feel like in most books, the main character is the one who wins it all and ends up on the very top. But with this book, Brienna is more of a secondary character, helping the hero meet their goals and come out on the top.
Overall, I really loved this book and found it to be really entertaining and a bit more action-packed than the first book. I wouldn't say this series is very action-y, though, so if you're looking for something fast paced and full of action, I wouldn't recommend this book. But if you're looking for a YA fantasy full of political and familial intrigue and drama, then this is the perfect book for you.
The Queens Rising and The Queens Resistance get so little coverage and they really deserve more!
This has got to be one of my favourite duologies to date and Rebecca Ross has easily become an auto buy author.
I cannot wait to read her latest book and if you have not picked up these two yet you absolutely should...like, right now!
I promise you will love the characters, the world, its dark in places, often brutal, and just so good. The ending is everything you know you want but you would not be mad if you were given more, just so you could visit!
This has got to be one of my favourite duologies to date and Rebecca Ross has easily become an auto buy author.
I cannot wait to read her latest book and if you have not picked up these two yet you absolutely should...like, right now!
I promise you will love the characters, the world, its dark in places, often brutal, and just so good. The ending is everything you know you want but you would not be mad if you were given more, just so you could visit!
adventurous
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Sin duda mejoró muchísimo en esta segunda entrega. El primer libro me costó trabajo terminarlo. No porque fuera malo, si no porque lo empecé a sentir pesado. Y ésta entrega es TOOOODO LO CONTRARIO. La intriga y el crecimiento de los personajes creció considerablemente. Sin duda un gran cierre para esta interesante duología. Pude sentir las emociones e impotencia de los personajes a cada página que pasaba. Una gran historia que sin duda alguna recomendaría.
I was provided an ARC of this via Edelweiss+ in exchange for an honest review.
I'll be honest, I've had the ARC of this for quite some time, but I put off reading it. One because the release date wasn't until March of 2019 and two because I've been let down by so many other YA follow-on's. Let me tell you I should not have put this off for so long. I really enjoyed The Queen's Rising and this one did not disappoint. I read it in about 2 days once I settled in. I pretty much couldn't put it down.
This picks up immediately after The Queen's Rising ends, with Brienna now a Mistress of Knowledge and a daughter of MacQuinn by adoption. She is comfortable with the first role and not as comfortable in the second as the people of MacQuinn know who her biological father was and he wasn't exactly kind to the MacQuinn house under the prior king. Brienna gets some good advice that if she is true and stays the course, the people will come to love her. This is harder work that it seems, but Brienna is strong and willing to take on the challenge and help her people heal. She also acts as friend and advisor to Isolde, who is to become the new Queen.
The other perspective we follow in the book is Cartier also known as Aodhan, who is a Master of Knowledge, Brienna's former teacher, a long lost Lord of Maevana, and Brienna's love interest. Aodhan/Cartier must put his own castle back together as he is the Lord of Morgane and help his people come together after the tyranny and wounds they have suffered. He must also help the Queen build alliances and figure out which houses are loyal to her and which are trying to overthrow her. In the midst of putting his house together and making political alliances, Cartier finds a boy squatting in his castle. He immediately takes the boy in and nurses him back to health and finds work for him while never knowing his true identity. We eventually learn the boy's true identity as well as much of the family history between Cartier and the Lannon family.
I really loved that we get a ton of back story in this book. We get a history lesson of what happened to Aodhan/Cartier's family on the day the Lannon's overthrew the Morgane, MacQuinn, and Kavanagh houses to take the throne. There is a ton of political intrigue and a lot of twists and turns I didn't expect. There is a huge focus on family in this book both blood relation and the family you choose. I really liked that. I was so engaged in reading, that I didn't want to put the book down. I was intimidated by the size of the book as it is quoted at nearly 500 pages but I tore through it it just a few sittings.
I will say I wanted a little more of the magic system. It takes a backseat to the plot. I do like that the romance element between Cartier and Brienna was there but it was very slow burn and also takes a back seat. They know they care for each other and want to be together and that's it. There is no drama or sappy bits. I also love the Macquinn tradition with the ribbon in the tapestry. You'll understand when you read the book. That was a nice touch. Overall, I loved this. The writing was excellent as was the pacing. This was a great follow up.
I'll be honest, I've had the ARC of this for quite some time, but I put off reading it. One because the release date wasn't until March of 2019 and two because I've been let down by so many other YA follow-on's. Let me tell you I should not have put this off for so long. I really enjoyed The Queen's Rising and this one did not disappoint. I read it in about 2 days once I settled in. I pretty much couldn't put it down.
This picks up immediately after The Queen's Rising ends, with Brienna now a Mistress of Knowledge and a daughter of MacQuinn by adoption. She is comfortable with the first role and not as comfortable in the second as the people of MacQuinn know who her biological father was and he wasn't exactly kind to the MacQuinn house under the prior king. Brienna gets some good advice that if she is true and stays the course, the people will come to love her. This is harder work that it seems, but Brienna is strong and willing to take on the challenge and help her people heal. She also acts as friend and advisor to Isolde, who is to become the new Queen.
The other perspective we follow in the book is Cartier also known as Aodhan, who is a Master of Knowledge, Brienna's former teacher, a long lost Lord of Maevana, and Brienna's love interest. Aodhan/Cartier must put his own castle back together as he is the Lord of Morgane and help his people come together after the tyranny and wounds they have suffered. He must also help the Queen build alliances and figure out which houses are loyal to her and which are trying to overthrow her. In the midst of putting his house together and making political alliances, Cartier finds a boy squatting in his castle. He immediately takes the boy in and nurses him back to health and finds work for him while never knowing his true identity. We eventually learn the boy's true identity as well as much of the family history between Cartier and the Lannon family.
I really loved that we get a ton of back story in this book. We get a history lesson of what happened to Aodhan/Cartier's family on the day the Lannon's overthrew the Morgane, MacQuinn, and Kavanagh houses to take the throne. There is a ton of political intrigue and a lot of twists and turns I didn't expect. There is a huge focus on family in this book both blood relation and the family you choose. I really liked that. I was so engaged in reading, that I didn't want to put the book down. I was intimidated by the size of the book as it is quoted at nearly 500 pages but I tore through it it just a few sittings.
I will say I wanted a little more of the magic system. It takes a backseat to the plot. I do like that the romance element between Cartier and Brienna was there but it was very slow burn and also takes a back seat. They know they care for each other and want to be together and that's it. There is no drama or sappy bits. I also love the Macquinn tradition with the ribbon in the tapestry. You'll understand when you read the book. That was a nice touch. Overall, I loved this. The writing was excellent as was the pacing. This was a great follow up.
I think I may have enjoyed this more than the original! I hadn't realized how much I missed these characters until I started reading about them again. Sad that this is only a two part series, but loved being in this world again.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Why is this series so good? How are there people who claim to love fantasy books without reading this series?
I was SO worried (but excited) about this second book and it did not disappoint. The realities of what comes after an uprising in this magnificent world Ross has created. Can't wait to read this again and again!!❤️
I was SO worried (but excited) about this second book and it did not disappoint. The realities of what comes after an uprising in this magnificent world Ross has created. Can't wait to read this again and again!!❤️
4.5 stars
What happens after the Queen rises in power? This book deals with the aftermath of the governmental overthrow and the difficulties of "starting over." Family secrets are also revealed. This was a surprising and enjoyable duology.
What happens after the Queen rises in power? This book deals with the aftermath of the governmental overthrow and the difficulties of "starting over." Family secrets are also revealed. This was a surprising and enjoyable duology.