alyssa_l's review against another edition
4.0
It was pretty good for what it was. It was very much a book centered on the school setting but it did a nice job developing both main characters and setting up action and intrigue for the next book.
rachelduxbury's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
I really enjoyed this book, not quite as exciting as the first one but I’m enjoying the build and I’m looking forward to the rest of the series
I really enjoyed this book, not quite as exciting as the first one but I’m enjoying the build and I’m looking forward to the rest of the series
edluback's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I think this book was mostly a setup for the next book. Not too much happening, expanding relationships & learning new skills for the characters.
jessicatamm92's review against another edition
5.0
I know this is going to be a really tough book for me to review.
I loved this book, just like the Demon King, but there were definitely some parts of it that I liked less... but then again I really did love seeing our characters in new places and finally working a lot more with magic. So there were some aspects that I sort of enjoyed MORE I guess.. I don't really know.
I've heard a lot of people say that this book was slower than The Demon King, and unfortunately I agree with them. Although, it still didn't take me long to read.
It seems that one of the major turning points in this book YET AGAIN was Raisa getting kidnapped... that girl needs to learn to carry some pepper spray or something!
I'm definitely not happy about the cliff hanger... I'm really glad I already checked out book three from the library!
I loved this book, just like the Demon King, but there were definitely some parts of it that I liked less... but then again I really did love seeing our characters in new places and finally working a lot more with magic. So there were some aspects that I sort of enjoyed MORE I guess.. I don't really know.
I've heard a lot of people say that this book was slower than The Demon King, and unfortunately I agree with them. Although, it still didn't take me long to read.
Spoiler
I was disappointed that we never learned anything else about Crow. WHO is he?! I really thought that there was going to be some HUGE revelation at the end when Han realizes who it was... Hopefully we learn more about him later...It seems that one of the major turning points in this book YET AGAIN was Raisa getting kidnapped... that girl needs to learn to carry some pepper spray or something!
I'm definitely not happy about the cliff hanger... I'm really glad I already checked out book three from the library!
everthereader's review against another edition
4.0
So on some aspects, I had a much better time reading the sequel. There is more info on the magic system and new characters are introduced, there's more interactions with the two main characters. The first 200 pages did drah and I found them to be very boring, but I overall really enjoyed both Han and Raisa's experience at Oden's Ford.
lycheecha's review against another edition
4.0
Everyone makes their way to Oden's Ford and starts their terms at their respective academies. We definitely see some maturing from Raisa here; she's starting to see not everything has as simple of a solution as she thinks, and soon gets wrapped up in some more serious machinations at court that start when she fled at the end of book 1. Han's time at the academy isn't as smooth sailing as he'd like; he gets wrapped up in some revenge plot with others wanting to use him and his powers and he's stuck learning magic in a really constricted way. We also get to see these two interact again, and they get close quick, not knowing who else they can trust. There's a lot more stuff set up for the next two books and I'm looking forward to it.
kodermike's review against another edition
4.0
The second volume of Chima's Seven Realms series begins right on the tail of volume one. Haunted by the loss of his mother and sister, Han heads south to study in Oden's Ford at Mystwerk House. But leaving the Fells doesn't mean leaving the danger behind, as Han quickly discovers when he learns that his fellow students include the Bayar twins, scions of the High Wizard.
Meanwhile, Princess Raisa has escaped to Oden's Ford, looking to hide from those that would try and force her on a path that is not in her best interests. In Oden's Ford she lives an assumed identity, hiding from those that would force her into a marriage that would break the thousand year old laws that bind the Fells.
The Exiled Queen is a story of false pretenses and politics, framed within the lives of Han (17) and Raisa (16). This second volume of the series starts off much more strongly than the first, and could easily be broached by readers new to the series. Chima does a great job of refreshing our memory of the plot points without too much backtracking, letting the story carry us forward on its own merits.
The Exiled Queen is a solid volume in terms of story. The first book of the Seven Realms introduced us to these two characters, making it clear that they were going to be interlinked some day, but focussed largely on world building. This second volume explores their development as individuals, giving us more depth and intertwining their stories as individuals, focussing on character over scenery. Most of the time in Oden's Ford is glossed over with a few brush strokes, focussing instead on the characters thoughts and emotions. In each character we see the shade of the adults they will become developing, at the expense of the story at large moving along.
For that, this book earns some criticisms. Where the first volume focussed on the world around the characters more than it did on the individuals within it, this second volume takes the exact opposite approach. As a consequence, the action is fairly predictable to anyone that's ever read a fantasy hero/heroine novel before. The state of affairs in the Seven Realms at the start of the book is the same as it is at the end of the book, with only a few pawns moving around on the outskirts of the story. The real story is about us watching Han and Raisa make the decisions that will affect the rest of their lives.
Meanwhile, Princess Raisa has escaped to Oden's Ford, looking to hide from those that would try and force her on a path that is not in her best interests. In Oden's Ford she lives an assumed identity, hiding from those that would force her into a marriage that would break the thousand year old laws that bind the Fells.
The Exiled Queen is a story of false pretenses and politics, framed within the lives of Han (17) and Raisa (16). This second volume of the series starts off much more strongly than the first, and could easily be broached by readers new to the series. Chima does a great job of refreshing our memory of the plot points without too much backtracking, letting the story carry us forward on its own merits.
The Exiled Queen is a solid volume in terms of story. The first book of the Seven Realms introduced us to these two characters, making it clear that they were going to be interlinked some day, but focussed largely on world building. This second volume explores their development as individuals, giving us more depth and intertwining their stories as individuals, focussing on character over scenery. Most of the time in Oden's Ford is glossed over with a few brush strokes, focussing instead on the characters thoughts and emotions. In each character we see the shade of the adults they will become developing, at the expense of the story at large moving along.
For that, this book earns some criticisms. Where the first volume focussed on the world around the characters more than it did on the individuals within it, this second volume takes the exact opposite approach. As a consequence, the action is fairly predictable to anyone that's ever read a fantasy hero/heroine novel before. The state of affairs in the Seven Realms at the start of the book is the same as it is at the end of the book, with only a few pawns moving around on the outskirts of the story. The real story is about us watching Han and Raisa make the decisions that will affect the rest of their lives.
ghada_24's review against another edition
3.0
I feel like not much happened in this book. I hope the third one will be better.