Queen of the Unwanted (The Women’s War, #2) by Jenna Glass – Review

Tags

3 stars, Book Review, fantasy, feminist, Jenna Glass, magic, series

About Queen of the Unwanted by Jenna Glass

Alys may be the acknowledged queen of Women’s Well—the fledgling colony where women hold equal status with men—but she cares little for politics in the wake of an appalling personal tragedy. It is grief that rules her now. But the world continues to turn.

In a distant realm unused to female rulers, Ellin struggles to maintain control. Meanwhile, the king of the island nation of Khalpar recruits an abbess whom he thinks holds the key to reversing the spell that Alys’s mother gave her life to create. And back in Women’s Well, Alys’s own half-brother is determined to bring her to heel. Unless these women can all come together and embrace the true nature of female power, everything they have struggled to achieve may be at risk.

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Review of Queen of the Unwanted

After reading The Women’s War, I wasn’t keen on continuing the series.  The cliffhanger ending was brutal and left me emotionally exhausted and angry.  But like giving birth, the memories of the pain faded and I decided to try again.

Queen of the Unwanted is an adequate follow-up to The Women’s War.  There is a lot of development of the political climate of the world of the Seven Wells. I can only assume this is meant to set you up for the next book in the series.  I kept waiting for the women (Alys and Ellin) to prosper in this area, but it did not happen.

Alys and Ellin are still the main protagonists, but there was not a lot of growth of their characters.  I was disappointed they did not play a larger role in this book.

The two characters that seemed to have the biggest roles and, indeed, ended up in the climactic scene that was very near the end, were the characters with the least amount of brains.  Selfish, self-destructive and totally not worth caring about.

And that was the biggest problem for me with this book.  Because Alys and Ellin appeared on too few pages, I did not have a character that I wanted to sympathize with. That, for me, is very important.

Here’s the thing.  It is still a pretty good story and many that loved The Women’s War will like this one too.  So, don’t let my negative comments affect you if you are one of those readers.

Do read The Women’s War before you read Queen of the Unwanted.

Through Netgalley, the publisher provided a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Cry of the Raven (The Ravenwood Saga, #3) by Morgan L. Busse – Review

Tags

5 stars, Book Review, Christian Fiction, fantasy, magic, Morgan L. Busse, romance, series

About Cry of the Raven by Morgan L. Busse

Lady Selene Ravenwood has come into her full power as a dreamwalker just as the war with the Dominia Empire begins. Working with the other Great Houses, Selene and Damien use their gifts to secure the borders and save those devastated by the war. But conflict, betrayal, and hatred begin to spread between the Great Houses, destroying their unity as the empire burns a path across their lands. At the same time, Damien Maris starts to lose his ability to raise the waters, leaving the lands vulnerable to the empire’s attacks.

The only one who can unite the houses and restore her husband’s power is Selene Ravenwood. But it will require that she open her heart to those who have hurt her and let go of her past, despite the one who hunts her and will do anything to stop her power.

Will Selene survive? Or is she destined to fall like the dreamwalkers before her?

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Review of Cry of the Raven

A few details about the story:

Lady Selene Ravenwood and Lord Damien Maris are a newly married couple that don’t know each other very well. Each has the gift the Light bestowed on their families many years ago. Selene is a dreamwalker. Damien has mastery over water. The enemy is knocking at the backdoor after colluding with two of the great houses. One of those betraying great houses is led by Selene’s mother Lady Ragna. Lady Ragna’s consort, Caiaphas, has secretly been working with Damian to unite the houses. The houses are struggling to find common ground.

I presented those details to illustrate the potential for a lovely, complex, magical fantasy with a couple that will struggle with each other before they realize how much they love each other.

The Christian theme throughout the series perfectly meshed with the character development and the plot. Light versus Dark is a common theme in fantasy, but does not always have direct religious connotation. In this case the Christian subtext is easily identified, making plain who is good and who is bad.

That is not to say that the good were perfect. Indeed, when the history of the major houses is revealed to Selene, the betrayal she feels threatens to overwhelm her. Secrets are rampant. Trust is nearly impossible. Forgiveness is necessary – but oh so difficult.

I have really enjoyed seeing the young Selene develop as a character. She has learned so much along the way. Really, she was always open to the thoughts and feeling of those around her, as much as her mother tried to stomp out Selene’s empathy. Once she embraces who she is, Selene will blossom and her gift will mature to become what it is meant to be.

Damien also struggles with his gift and it will take more than just force of will for him to overcome his problems. Selene and Damien and their individual relationships with the Light will become significant in the overall battle against the enemy.

Cry of the Raven is the final installment in the three-book Ravenwood Saga. I loved the entire series, starting with Selene’s rising powers in book 1 to the final battle with the enemy in book 3. Each book stands alone, but read them all if you get a chance.

Thanks to the publisher who sponsored the Goodreads giveaway where I won my copy of this book.  My review is my honest opinion.

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A Touch of Darkness (The Towers of the Earth, #3) by Nita Round – Review

Tags

4 1/2 stars, Adventure, airship, Book Review, lgbtq, magic, Nita Round, ravens, Steampunk

About A Touch of Darkness by Nita Round

In the shadows, treachery and betrayal grow unseen.

The state funeral of Princess Olivia at Port Ruth marks the end of the Queen of the Desert’s reign of terror. As Lucinda, Magda and Ascara attend this grand ceremony, all is not as it seems. A storm of secrets and lies emerge from the shadows and the darkness threatens to destroy them all.

No matter where Magda goes, her heritage calls to her. Even when they make their way home, peace and safety are still not theirs. Malice and betrayal, hidden and out of sight, finds the three women and threatens to pull them under the waves of death and pain once more.

For the Trinity of Truth: Raven, Fire and Ice, there can be only one way forward, but at what price?

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Review of A Touch of Darkness

My favorite book in the series, so far. The trinity of Raven, Fire and Ice continue to encounter dark powers and plotting. The story moves quickly from Port Ruth, where the last story ended, back to Verity, my favorite airship. Verity makes an excellent stage for adventure, espionage, romance and danger.

A Touch of Darkness further explores the closeness of the three friends Lucinda, Magda and Ascara. This is a slow burning romance that is moving at just the right pace, with flirting mostly. But finally, there is an outright serious relationship conversation, with hints of what may come.

This book also explores the background of Magda and Ascara a bit more, and sets them on future paths that are sure to be formidable. One of these paths means the trio heads for Magda’s home float (a group of boats gathered to form a community). Naturally, it won’t be a straightforward trip. I would be so disappointed if there was not some peril. I was not disappointed.

A Touch of Darkness does end on a cliffhanger. So minus ½ star for that. Only ½ because the author has stated the next book is not far behind. If you don’t mind a bit of a cliffhanger, and you do like steampunk adventure, great characters and the best airship in steampunkdom, this your book.

Thanks to the author who provided a copy of her book in exchange for my honest review.

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