The Reluctant Queen
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Average rating3.8
Filled with political intrigue, violent magic, and malevolent spirits, the mesmerizing second book in Sarah Beth Durst's Queens of Renthia epic fantasy trilogy. Everything has a spirit: the willow tree with leaves that kiss the pond, the stream that feeds the river, the wind that exhales fresh snow ... And those spirits want to kill you. It's the first lesson that every Renthian learns. Not long ago, Daleina used her strength and skill to survive those spirits and assume the royal throne. Since then, the new queen has kept the peace and protected the humans of her land. But now for all her power, she is hiding a terrible secret: she is dying. And if she leaves the world before a new heir is ready, the spirits that inhabit her beloved realm will run wild, destroying her cities and slaughtering her people. Naelin is one such person, and she couldn't be further removed from the Queen--and she wouldn't have it any other way. Her world is her two children, her husband, and the remote village tucked deep in the forest that is her home, and that's all she needs. But when Ven, the Queens champion, passes through the village, Naelin's ambitious husband proudly tells him of his wife's ability to control spirits--magic that Naelin fervently denies -- Provided by publisher.
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3 primary books4 released booksThe Queens of Renthia
The Queens of Renthia is a 4-book series with 3 primary works first released in 2016 with contributions by Sarah Beth Durst.
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Finally got around to reading a sequel to one of my favorite reads of last year - Queen of Blood. I picked it up to fulfill an ‘Elemental magic' prompt in this year's r/fantasy bingo. I'm determined to finish one card and at least start another one, wish me luck.
I picked this book up without reading the synopsis so the first portion of the book felt very jarring and a bit sudden. It felt like a rehashing of the same plot from the first book but with different characters. And the best part of the first book for me was the plot and the pace, so when I basically had to read it all over again I was a bit let down. I didn't really expect to see new characters but they grew on me as the book went on.
Although the climax and the reveal were very surprising. I also loved that we saw some characters from the previous book. And the whole plot thread with the healer's mother is the most interesting and I can't wait to see where it leads in the next book.
I can't really say that the new protagonist as much as I loved Daleina. It was all a bit too much mama bear. It felt like her whole personality was her kids. But she provided a really great contrast for how young all of the previous queens really were and what burden was placed upon such young women.
All in all, I really enjoyed it. I'm excited to read the series finale. And if you liked the first book I would still recommend you continue with the series. The pace is still on par with the first book, and if you don't mind a very protective mother as your main character, I'm sure you will enjoy this sequel.
