rachelle0217's review against another edition
3.0
Overall a good story, it had been a year since I read the first book so it took me a bit to remember all the characters and nuances of the world. I liked Archie and Adira but the main conflict was over way too quickly. Oh there's the bad guy, never mind he's dead.
lucypkeen's review against another edition
5.0
***4.5 stars but rounding up because no half stars***Book 2 was even better than Book 1! I was able to jump right in. Was still very invested in this series. Learned more about the world, there were more fantasy plots lines in TSQ among the romance plot lines. Also, we were introduced to new characters and a new love story. This one had slightly darker themes for the characters’ backgrounds, so I felt like there was more character development for the FMC/MMC (and I loved character driven stories). Remained well paced, I was never bored and story didn’t drag. I loved this MMC more than the FMC, but definitely enjoyed their enemies to lovers storyline. Great side characters. Still good spice! Maintained good banter between all characters. Found family feels and the best pet names remained in Book2! Went right into book3. Would recommend this series!
jillsbooknook's review against another edition
4.0
4 - ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
"He pulled her even closer as they danced and wished he could bottle this feeling to keep forever."
The Spring Queen is the second novel with the Royals of Rodina series, which is a New Adult Fantasy Romance. We see in this novel a ramp of character plot, tension, and spice. As mentioned prior the world of Rodina is ruled by four powerful and immortal kings, each ruling a season of the realm. Each of these kings has a soul mate, known as a Compeer, that they will one day meet and bind with. The Compeer gives this king and his realm power and a true love that any person would yearn for. Yet, a war is coming as one of the Kings has become corrupted and seeks to control all Rodina himself, and he knows the key to bring down the other Kings is their Compeers. The Rulers of Rodina must build their strength for the fight against the Summer King to save the realm.
This novel follows the characters of Adira and Archer. Adira has been named the new Spring Queens after the death of the previous heir at the hands of the enemies. She struggles to find her place as she was raised all her life to be an item her mother would barter for wealth and prestige. Yet to be a true Queen Adira must become a warrior to assist in the battle to come. Archer, the Summer King, is tasked with the job to help train Adira for this role and while he is married and loves his wife he feels something towards her he can’t place.
“He tried to suppress a smile. ‘You are something fierce, Spring Queen’”
This novel very, VERY carefully balances the line of a love triangle in a way that actually made me comfortable reading it (as I hate love triangles and cheating). Just to be clear, there is no cheating in this novel. There is a lot of angst in this romance compared to the previous book. Archer is struggling with a lot on his shoulders and his reactions to Adira are often dramatic, most likely because he didn’t want to accept what he felt for her. I hated when he hurt her but to see the ways he grew and recompensed for his actions made me understand him a lot more. Spoiler here if you would like to know. Adira is quite mouthed about her struggles but there is a fragility brimming under her surface that we see. Both characters need each other and the journey for them to find that place was enjoyable. The spice in this novel was also increased from the last one but done, once again, appropriate to the progression of the characters.
The over arching plot across the novels felt a little rushed towards the end but, admittedly, I was mainly here for the romance and I loved what I read. The primary reason to fight against the summer king wasn’t a huge battle that I anticipated. I also wish we got more of Adira and Archer just living together - to see them happy and enjoying each other.
Overall, I found this book to be a pleasant read if you’re looking for an angsty, spicy, fantasy romance with compelling characters. I am very curious to see how the next novel plays out!
Also, check your trigger warnings.
"He pulled her even closer as they danced and wished he could bottle this feeling to keep forever."
The Spring Queen is the second novel with the Royals of Rodina series, which is a New Adult Fantasy Romance. We see in this novel a ramp of character plot, tension, and spice. As mentioned prior the world of Rodina is ruled by four powerful and immortal kings, each ruling a season of the realm. Each of these kings has a soul mate, known as a Compeer, that they will one day meet and bind with. The Compeer gives this king and his realm power and a true love that any person would yearn for. Yet, a war is coming as one of the Kings has become corrupted and seeks to control all Rodina himself, and he knows the key to bring down the other Kings is their Compeers. The Rulers of Rodina must build their strength for the fight against the Summer King to save the realm.
This novel follows the characters of Adira and Archer. Adira has been named the new Spring Queens after the death of the previous heir at the hands of the enemies. She struggles to find her place as she was raised all her life to be an item her mother would barter for wealth and prestige. Yet to be a true Queen Adira must become a warrior to assist in the battle to come. Archer, the Summer King, is tasked with the job to help train Adira for this role and while he is married and loves his wife he feels something towards her he can’t place.
“He tried to suppress a smile. ‘You are something fierce, Spring Queen’”
This novel very, VERY carefully balances the line of a love triangle in a way that actually made me comfortable reading it (as I hate love triangles and cheating). Just to be clear, there is no cheating in this novel. There is a lot of angst in this romance compared to the previous book. Archer is struggling with a lot on his shoulders and his reactions to Adira are often dramatic, most likely because he didn’t want to accept what he felt for her. I hated when he hurt her but to see the ways he grew and recompensed for his actions made me understand him a lot more. Spoiler here if you would like to know.
Spoiler
Archer's wife dies in the early part of the bookThe over arching plot across the novels felt a little rushed towards the end but, admittedly, I was mainly here for the romance and I loved what I read. The primary reason to fight against the summer king wasn’t a huge battle that I anticipated. I also wish we got more of Adira and Archer just living together - to see them happy and enjoying each other.
Overall, I found this book to be a pleasant read if you’re looking for an angsty, spicy, fantasy romance with compelling characters. I am very curious to see how the next novel plays out!
Also, check your trigger warnings.
Spoiler
This novel contains self harm and references to eating disorders so be kind to yourself.rosie_books's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.0
ashpattreads's review against another edition
4.0
Loving this series so far and can’t wait for the third book. I loved the first book more than this one for a couple reasons: As typical with these types of stories that follow a different character relationship in each new book, I have a hard time letting go of Winnie and Thad. While I loved that they still predominantly were featured in this book, it was still more so about Adira and Archie and I honestly didn’t love their relationship. While the whole book (and overall series so far) is super fast paced. The ending/climax also felt a little to anticlimactic and seemed to wrap up in one page. Still giving it a 4 since I do like the overall series and characters.
thesyisyi's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this story way more then the first book. The plot and characters were way better.
elyssa_greene's review against another edition
3.0
This was slower than book 1, and I was disappointed that all the action happened in the last 10% it seemed like much of the middle could’ve been removed and the climax could have been expanded.
Some things I think would have improved this installment:
-More of Archie and Adira together
-More of the big bad Summer King’s POV
-Pregnancy trope moved to seasickness rather than the random “getting sick after smelling a craving”
-I was really bothered by the LGBT+ representation. It felt really forced to introduce it in a page just to never see the characters again.
-Epilogue also seemed forced… a 25 year jump saying that one of the main figures in the group stayed away the whole time?
Will I read the next one? Yes, immediately. Do I hope it has the pacing of Compeer? 100%
Some things I think would have improved this installment:
-More of Archie and Adira together
-More of the big bad Summer King’s POV
-Pregnancy trope moved to seasickness rather than the random “getting sick after smelling a craving”
-I was really bothered by the LGBT+ representation. It felt really forced to introduce it in a page just to never see the characters again.
-Epilogue also seemed forced… a 25 year jump saying that one of the main figures in the group stayed away the whole time?
Will I read the next one? Yes, immediately. Do I hope it has the pacing of Compeer? 100%
meghanlew_'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
fayettejill's review against another edition
3.0
The more I think about this book the angrier I get. The story was good, but the thing I can’t get past is the main conflict being resolved in less than a page. Why have this giant build up if it’s going to be over in an instant? I also didn’t feel like connection between the two love interests.