Review: The Queen Will Betray You (Kingdoms of Sand & Sky #2)

 

Title- The Queen Will Betray You

Author- Sarah Henning

Series- The Kingdoms of Sand & Sky

Preceded by- The Princess Will Save You

Pages- 352

Publisher- Tor Teen

Genre- Young Adult, High Fantasy

Rating- 5/5

ISBN 13- 9781250237460

Review No.- 52

Synopsis-

KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE CROWN...

After a thousand years of political stability, the realm of The Sand and Sky is up for grabs. Four kingdoms, four rulers vying for the ultimate prize, sovereignty over the entire continent: A ruthless old king spinning webs, whose schemes encompass generations. A widowed queen whose only credo is all kings die. A runaway queen whose unexpected return upends everyone's plans. And a prince-in-waiting determined to wait no more. 

Standing against them are a dispossessed princess and her stable boy love with a surprising claim of his own. Their only hope in the face of unspeakable betrayals, enemies hidden in the shadows, and insurmountable odds is the power of true love...

Review-

I thought the cover couldn't get any better than the first book, but BAMM!!! This book's cover is even more gorgeous. I-could-just-stare-at-it-all-day, drop-dead, breathtaking gorgeous. Charlie Bowater has done an amazing job (AGAIN!!!) and I just can't wait for the next book's cover! In fact, it's kinda killing me that Tor Teen has not revealed the next book's cover yet. 

The story takes on just shortly after the end of the first book where Luca and Amarande barely manage to escape from Pyrenee. Luca and Amarande part ways to build a world were they can live together in peace. Amarande journeys back to Ardenia to reclaim her throne, her title and ask for help to rally against Pyrenee . Luca heads back to Torrent to help the rebels spark a rebellion which will help him reclaim his rightful throne and fulfill his destiny. But things do not seem to be so simple when the Runaway Queen returns with a heir to the throne in toe and Dowager Queen schemes to take over the realm. Will Ama and Luca succeed? Or is the future of the Kingdoms of Sand & Sky doomed for once and for all?

I loved this book even more than the first one. It answers so many questions that I had while reading the previous book. This book offers a much more wider perspective of the Kingdoms of Sand and Sky. There are more action, political scheming, plot twists and badass characters in this book. Even though I felt a lack of realtionship development in the previous book, I absolutely adored Luca and Amarande (in spite of the cheesy dialogues) in this one. The character development was great too. Luca transforms into a leader. Ama goes through a lot in this book too. And  I honestly did not think the I would come to forgive Taillefer, let alone like him, for what he did to Luca. But the redemption was just unbelievable. The side characters were great too.

I highly recommend this book for all High Fantasy fans. I thank NetGalley and TorTeen for giving me this oppurtunity to read one of my most anticipated book of the year almost two months before its release date. And, of course, I thank Sarah Hennings for writing such a wonderful book. I am sooo looking forward to read the next book, but 2022 seems to be a long time away!

Review: Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices #3)

 

Title- Clockwork Princess

Author- Cassandra Clare

Series- The Infernal Devices (Shadowhunter Chronicles)

Preceded by- Clockwork Prince

Pages- 567

Publisher- Walker Books

Genre- Young Adult, Historical, Fantasy

Rating- 5/5

ISBN 13- 9781406321340

Review No.- 51

Synopsis-

Danger and betrayal, love and loss, secrets and enchantment are woven together in the breathtaking finale to the #1 New York Times bestselling Infernal Devices Trilogy, prequel to the internationally bestselling Mortal Instruments series.

THE INFERNAL DEVICES WILL NEVER STOP COMING

A net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute. Mortmain plans to use his Infernal Devices, an army of pitiless automatons, to destroy the Shadowhunters. He needs only one last item to complete his plan: he needs Tessa Gray.

Charlotte Branwell, head of the London Institute, is desperate to find Mortmain before he strikes. But when Mortmain abducts Tessa, the boys who lay equal claim to her heart, Jem and Will, will do anything to save her. For though Tessa and Jem are now engaged, Will is as much in love with her as ever.

As those who love Tessa rally to rescue her from Mortmain's clutches, Tessa realizes that the only person who can save her is herself. But can a single girl, even one who can command the power of angels, face down an entire army?

Danger and betrayal, secrets and enchantment, and the tangled threads of love and loss intertwine as the Shadowhunters are pushed to the very brink of destruction in the breathtaking conclusion to the Infernal Devices trilogy.

Review-

Its been eight months since I last read this book and finished the entire trilogy, but I still remember exactly how I felt. At first, I felt broken. Then, I felt sooooo overwhelmed with so many emotions. This book made me cry a river, grin like an idiot, laugh like a lunatic. In short, it blew my mind and I felt absolutely content and satisfied!

The story begins just months after the end of the last book. After the attack and findings in the last book, the shadowhunters of London are desperate now more than ever to find Mortmain and destroy the army of infernal devices for once and for all before Mortmain strikes. Especially, since Tessa seems to be at the core of his evil schemes. Will the trio sort out their feelings for each other? Will they be able to defeat the Infernal Devices?

The book had me hooked right from the first page. In comparison with the last two books, this book has so much more. More action, more romance, more heartbreak, more beautiful and more complex. I loved how almost every side character had an important roles and helped the story progress. The character development and dynamics were great. I absolutely adored all the pairings but herongraystairs is my heart! The story gained pace toward the second half of the book. The ending was just sooooo perfect and the epilogue was happy but heartbreaking still. My herongraystairs soul finally attained peace!

Overall, I highly recommend this book to all fantasy and/or history fans like me. I still regret and am hitting myself inside my head why I had not read this trilogy ages before. I strongly believe that I will always remember The Infernal Devices trilogy.

Review of Book #1 Clockwork Angel

Review of Book #2 Clockwork Prince