Reviews

Queen of Ashes by May Freighter

stxrlight's review

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious relaxing tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Queen of Ashes is the second book in this YA fantasy story about reincarnation into a fantasy, ancient era novel, so if you haven't read Queen of Deception yet - go do that immediately! You won't regret it, and feel free to read my review on the first book as well.

My love for the characters grew even more in this book, they are complex and fun to read about. The storyline is interesting and keeps you at the edge of your seat. There's really not much to say other than that this series has it all; from magic, interesting dynamics, foes, political schemes, characters depth and so much more. Honestly? I can't wait to continue in book 3 and I'm surprised not more of you lovely readers are reading this series 👀 hint hint 👀📖✨

chzypotatogrl's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I really want to like this series because I like still like the premise of this book - as I did for the first one - but it ended up feeling rushed & confusing. I don’t like leaving series unfinished, so I plan on reading the next book, but I’m really hoping for a lot of loose ends/thoughts to be tied up.

sammiiee's review

adventurous lighthearted slow-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

3.75

As usual May Freighter did not disappoint, with another amazing book in the series.

“You are perfect as you are, Emilia. After the things you have been through, you deserve to be happy. I will help you achieve your dream, whatever it may be.”“Have you accidentally stumbled upon a book of poetry somewhere?”“I mean it. As your friend and mentor, I will stand by you.”

The Characters are just so loveable but the one who truly has my heart is Clayton! He's just perfection formed in my mind. 

This is the second book of the series following on from the first Queen of Deception. 

"If only I could bottle that smile and those looks, it would make a fortune among the single ladies." 

I look forward to reading the Queen on Hope! If you enjoy YA fantasy I definitely recommend this series to you.

🖤 YA Fantasy 
🖤 Mythical 
🖤 Multiple POV 
🖤 Second book of the series.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

chapterswithrae's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Queen of Ashes is book two in May Freighter’s Empire of Shattered Crowns series. I had the pleasure of reviewing the ARC of book one, and I’m quite happy to share how much I enjoyed the second installment!

Usually a fantasy series suffers from second-book-syndrome, but Queen of Ashes did not disappoint! The action was exciting and the plot moved forward in a way that made sense for the overarching series. 

What I loved: 

• The characters felt genuine and just like the first book. Sometimes characters suffer from re-characterization after the first book in a series, but that was not the case here. A the entire cast felt realistic and true to themselves. 
• Clayton!!!!! He must be protected at all costs. I need more on-page interactions between him and Emilia. I won’t say more so I don’t spoil anything, but I! LOVE! HIM!
• Dame Cali reminds me of General Amaya from The Dragon Prince TV series. This is a huge compliment and I can’t wait to see more of her in the next book. 
• I did not expect the major plot twist in the last quarter! I expected something big to happen, but I definitely did not see that coming. Well done, Freighter!
• I love the vibe of this series. It feels like a D&D campaign in the best possible way!

Room for improvement:

• I wish we got more information on Emilia’s past life. I understand why her character is written this way, but the suspense is killing me!

Overall, I am quite happy with Queen of Ashes and am rating is 4.5 out of 5 stars. Thank you to the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange  my honest and unbiased review!

ashstevensonisreading's review

4.0

"Queen of Ashes" takes readers on a thrilling and complex journey through a vividly imagined world where alliances are forged, secrets are unveiled, and sacrifices are made in the name of the greater good.

The story revolves around Prince Thessian, who must navigate the treacherous waters of politics and power as he strives to strengthen alliances with the Dante Kingdom. At his side is the strong-willed regent, Emilia, who grapples with her own fears and insecurities as the weight of leadership falls upon her. The narrative is skillfully woven, balancing political intrigue with personal dilemmas.

One of the standout aspects of this book is the rich character development. Emilia and Thessian are multi-dimensional protagonists who face moral quandaries and inner conflicts. Emilia, in particular, is a compelling character, haunted by nightmares and the fear of losing her friends. Her vulnerability adds depth to her leadership, making her relatable and endearing.

May Freighter excels in world-building, painting a detailed and immersive picture of the continent in which the story unfolds. The introduction of powerful mages and well-kept secrets adds an element of mystery that keeps readers engaged and eager to uncover the truth.

The pacing of the story is well-crafted, with a delicate balance between action-packed scenes and moments of introspection. The tension steadily escalates as the characters confront challenges, both external and internal, and make choices that could reshape their world.

"Queen of Ashes" is a tale of sacrifice, not only in terms of physical bravery but also the sacrifices of trust, loyalty, and personal desires. It explores the complexities of leadership, duty, and the consequences of one's decisions. As the story unfolds, readers will find themselves questioning what they would be willing to sacrifice for the greater good.

May Freighter's writing is engaging and descriptive, pulling readers into the heart of the story. If you enjoy fantasy novels with intricate world-building, well-drawn characters, and a plot that keeps you guessing, "Queen of Ashes" is a must-read. Prepare to be captivated by a world where alliances are fragile, secrets are dangerous, and the cost of power is high.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

lizzuplans's review

fast-paced

4.0

I flew through book 2 in the Empire of the Shattered Crown. Again, I really liked it but I did not love it.

But, another gorgeous cover!

It was fun to hang out with Emilia, Thessian, Laurence, and their merry band of misfits again.
While I would have thought the story would continue in Emilia and Thessian working towards their goal of becoming a good regent and/or emperor, this book was more focussed on the “colouring in” of a lot of the magical elements of this new world. Which was fun but which was also a bit chaotic at times. The amount of added magical creatures was interesting to read about, but at the same time had me wondering when the focus went back on the lot.
Perhaps the next book will be the one to neatly tie everything together. 

Regarding the prophecy that made Emilia into the Cursed Princess, I wonder if it is a self-fulfilling prophecy in a way?
***NOTE. Not SPOILERS per se, but some PLOT MUSINGS in this paragraph.***

Our world/adult Emilia (though I bet she would have a different name originally) read about this side character, princess Emilia, in the fantasy series called The Cruel Empire. The church of that book had deemed the princess to be cursed as she would bring about the end of the country or perhaps even the world. 
Of course all valid for a magical world. 
BUT. What if princess Emilia only received this prophecy because “our Emilia”, the reincarnated!adult!Emilia, is indeed the one to bring about the end? As in, helping Thessian? Our Emilia has been actively working on this since she was a child, so it would make sense to me. Plus, about halfway in the book, a raving follower of the church’s teaching says, “You are a calamity, a demon, a being that should <b>not exist in this world</b>.” (Emphasis mine.) Which is not really true for princess Emilia but I feel it is true for reincarnated!adult!Emilia! 
It will be cool if we get to find out more about how and why she was transported to this magical land…

***Done with thinking out loud.***

3.5 stars rounded up. Looking forward to book three in this series, Queen of Hope!

I received an ARC of this book (thanks!) and these are my own opinions.

nfuscaldo7's review

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

4.0