Publisher: Starling Publishing
Published: 4/2/15
Source: From author for review
Nelay never wanted to be queen.
Poised to become the most powerful priestess in Idara, Nelay doesn’t have time to become a pretty bauble for the king. She’s too busy saving her people from the invading army sweeping across her kingdom.
But in defeat after defeat, Nelay begins to realize a bigger power is at play than that wielded by mere mortals. Only she can stand between the cinders of her once-great nation and the vengeance of a goddess.
My thoughts:
First, let me comment about the cover. While I LOVE the cover, I wished Nelay would have been darker skinned as she is in the book. Otherwise I think the cover is stunning.
This is Nelay's story. Her country is besieged with the Winter Queen's territorial inhabitants. They are punishing the Summer Queen's populace with the idea for reparations to the atrocities a king, who is no longer in power. Of course this leads to hypocrisy and they are becoming the thing they hate. While all this strife is going on we find ourselves on a journey with Nelay, the girl we met in the novella, Fire and Ash. She is on a journey to find out what happened to her parents and hopefully rescue them. While on this journey she finds out more about herself and where her strengths lie. She is drawn into political intrigue both in the human realm as well as the fae realm. What she choses not just decides her fate but the fate of all citizens under the Summer Queen's rule.
As much as I liked the first book, I have to say that I enjoyed this one more. While there were spots that were a bit slow, it does not stay that way. It actually felt that sometimes there was almost too much action. Mostly because it felt like she needed a break and would have collapsed more than she did while on the adventure. Of course the reason she could go on so much was covered and was fully explained in the book. I just felt so sorry for how much she had to go through. It isn't really a criticism, but more like an empathetic response. :)
I give this book 4 stars. It is a great addition to the series. I would also consider this one either older YA, or NA/Adult. There is a lot of death and it just "feels" like a older book. There is no cliffie, but an open story arc so you know more adventure is coming. I look forward to the next addition.
Bloggy note:
The author is letting me give away the novella, Fire and Ash (Fairy Queen #1.5). This is the beginning of Nelay's adventure and you can read it without reading the first book. In fact you aren't lost reading this book without reading the first book. The links are below which takes you to a download area.
Her other series, Witch Song (YA genre) has the first book free at Amazon.
Oh that looks amazing Melissa! The cover really is a stunner. Love when the follow up book is even better than the first. Very nice of her to give away a download of the novella. Totally taking yall up on that. Thank you :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy! This was a fun book.
DeleteLove it when the second book in a series is better than the first! And I completely understand what you said about there being almost too much action, I've read a few books like that and my whole body hurts after reading them because I've tensed every muscle:)
ReplyDeleteCan we count it as exercise? ;)
DeleteThis sounds amazing! Glad you're enjoying the series more and more. I do hate when covers don't stay true to the character's appearance, but other than that it is lovely. Great review!
ReplyDeleteOther than the skin color, it is quite accurate. Perhaps I'm just being picky. :)
DeleteI agree, I LOVE this cover! I'll have to make sure to check out the first book and novella.
ReplyDeleteI agree about staying true to a characters description. And if she's dark skinned in the book she definitely should be on the cover. But still, love it!
Oh I think you'll like her writing.
DeleteIt's always so awesome when a second book ends up being better than the first, especially when you have high expectations to begin with! And covers so rarely do the characters justice... look at Kate Daniels, or Ann Aguirre's Dred books. I know she's almost always upset about it.
ReplyDeleteI know! Still it is a good cover here at least. :)
DeleteI am loving that cover
ReplyDeleteIt's purty, right? :)
DeleteSounds like a winner! When the second book is even better than the first, you know you're onto a good thing. And what a stunning cover!
ReplyDeleteCover looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see that this one was better than the first one! I didn't know about it but the cover is really pretty, I agree with that.
ReplyDeleteOh cool. This sounds so neat. And thank you for the Novella. :)
ReplyDeleteThe cover TOTALLY grabbed my attention!
ReplyDelete