A review by literaryelle
The Hemlock Queen by Hannah Whitten

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

5.0

Thank you to Orbit Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy for review!

Reviewer’s Note: This review may include minor spoilers for The Foxglove King. If you have not read the first installment in this series… go do that now! What are you waiting for? 
 

The Hemlock Queen is a stunningly fun follow-up to The Foxglove King. The dynamic, deeply believable relationships between our main trio gain even more depth in this sequel as they adapt (wink wink) to their new reality. 

This novel seamlessly jumps back into the aftermath of the first book. We follow Lore as she unravels the mystery left behind by the chain of events from the previous novel. The eclipse rustled up more mystique and more consequences than she, Bastian, and Gabe could have ever imagined. 

This installment is more salacious than the first and it’s a welcome change. I’m so obsessed with the dynamics of this love triangle, and I must take a break from my usual review style: 

GABE REMAUT, HEYYYYYYY  

Back to your regularly scheduled programming: 

Whitten has blended elements of mystery and horror into the story perfectly. There were some absolutely gruesome moments that felt so well-placed in this world. This was such a fun read because I felt like a detective trying to piece together the clues that were laid out. Once this story hooked me, I was in and finished the rest of the book in one sitting. 

I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants a romantasy with believable characters that you want to root for with believable dynamics. There’s enough God drama, boy drama, and court drama to make for a perfectly juicy fantasy novel. The story is so unique and a 10/10 sequel. 

I screamed when I got approved for this ARC because The Foxglove King was one of the first books that I posted about on my Instagram page. Feels like a sweet, full-circle moment. Thank you again to Orbit Book and NetGalley for the advanced copy!