Scan barcode
natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
As irresistibly plot twisty and thrilling as its predecessor, Queen of Gods was one of my most anticipated reads for 2023 (having absolutely devoured the first book, Daughter of Darkness last year), so imagine my excitement when I was offered an early copy (which, obviously I accepted.)
And I’m glad I did, because the expansion of the setting (which sees our intrepid protagonists explore beyond the underworld) and the exquisite attention to detail that I’ve come to love in Katharine and Elizabeth’s writing, really added an immersive element that brought this world (and it’s endearing, depth-filled characters) to life.
Deina, having only recently discovered her parentage (and having bound herself to the underworld in order to save her friends) is still coming to terms with what it means to be a Demi-god and all the powers that come with it, which is something I found really intriguing. As was the emotional character progression we see Deina embark on (that’s initially spurred by her conflicting feelings for Theron and Nat), but which ultimately delves into the themes of nature vs. nurture, ethics and what it means to be human.
But don’t worry about things getting too philosophical, as the non-stop action leads us into Poseidon and Zeus’ domains— on a perilous quest that even Percy Jackson would think twice about undertaking. Though I admit I was utterly entertained by the scheme used to enter (and snoop through) Olympus.
I should also warn that the love triangle dynamics between Deina, Theron and Nat are even stronger (and more central to the plot) this time around so do bear this in mind if that’s something to don’t enjoy. I loved that we got to see more of Thanatos (Nat) and explore his past, emotional vulnerabilities and fraught relationship with brother Hypnos in more depth.
In fact, we get to meet a lot of new characters like Hypnos—Gods and Demi-gods alike, and I really enjoyed exploring the complex (and often dysfunctional) nature of their immortal family ties. A few of my standout faves had to be Tyche (the surprisingly schemey goddess of fortune) and Chronos (father of the Olympian Gods who still doesn’t feel remorse for swallowing them as babies.)
The ending was fantastic and the plot, though inspired by Greek mythology, weaves a wholly unique and compelling tale that has me eager for more stories set in this fabulous world. So, if you’re a YA Fantasy lover or Greek Myth aficionado, you definitely need to add to their TBRs immediately!
*I just wanted to note that this is a sequel, so if you haven’t checked out the first book, Daughter of Darkness then I highly recommend doing so before reading this
Also, a huge thank you to Pippa over at Hot Key Books for the physical copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Violence, Murder, and Stalking
More...