Reviews with content warning for War - The Inadequate Heir

Move over Aren and Lara… there is a new IT couple in the works of
Danielle L. Jensen!!!

(Spoilers if you havent read The Traitor Queen)

It takes a real brilliant and amazing author to write a plot that most readers already know a fair few of the plot points (since this book runs parallel to the events of the end of Book 1 most of Book 2) and STILL finds a way to tell a brand new and unique story that makes you sit at the edge of your seat in anticipation, excitement and dread for what these characters go through.

This was an intricate web of multiple plans and plot points that had seeds sewn into the story from the first line of Book 1… and amazingly these lines just come together in a chefs kiss of beauty…

Amazing book!!! Amazing Banter!!!
This is one of those books that stick with you for a while after reading it!!!

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dkgreads's review against another edition

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adventurous 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

3.75

Though the heat level went up several notches from its predecessors (not complaining), I wasn’t nearly as invested in this book as I was the previous two. I think it’s because A) The Traitor Queen ended in such a way that I feel like there’s still so much of Lara and Aren’s story left to tell and I wasn’t ready to move on to new characters, and B) the majority of the events of this book take place simultaneously with that of the end of The Bridge Kingdom and the entirety of The Traitor Queen, so I felt like I already knew the outcome of most of the plot and just didn’t become invested in Keris and Zarrah’s story. In fact, I wasn’t really all that interested until the last three chapters of the book, when NEW plot was finally added. Now I’m definitely looking forward to the second half of Keri’s and Zarrah’s duet, even if it looks like the plot smacks heavily of similarity to The Traitor Queen.

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aniwisniewski's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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forgottencupoftea's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious 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? No

3.0

I think I struggled with this one? I didn't find it as good as the first two books? It might be because the main characters aren't Lara and Aren any longer, or the fact that we "go back in time" as the action starts with events happening at the very end of book #1.
It took around 170 pages to get to the good stuff. It shouldn't take this long for a book to get interesting! It's a real shame, as I was very intrigued by Keris and was interested in learning more about him! (I, unfortunately, can't say the same about Zarrah...)

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psydneigh's review against another edition

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slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I wanted to love this book, but I just didn’t. I wished it had picked up at the end of book 2. We already knew they had a thing going, I didn’t need to see this part. It took me so long to get through and I didn’t realize this book is essentially set up for book 4. Will continue the series still.

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maira_h's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark fast-paced

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

3.0

The thing I loved about The Bridge Kingdom and The Traitor Queen was the balance between the plot and the romance. I felt like The Inadequate Heir focused a bit more on the romance than I would have liked that the plot felt kind of... flat. While reading, I found myself constantly getting distracted. I wasn't properly invested in the characters or the plot.

Zarrah and Keris were pretty average, to be honest. Zarrah was described as a well known warrior/ general but not much of her skills was being displayed. Same with Keris, he was said to be really clever but not much of his wit was being showcased. Their relationship was not really believable nor memorable, to me. They were constantly mentioning their desire for each other to the point that it felt more like lust rather than love– not that there's anything wrong with lust but I would have preferred more of an emotional connection first. (There was a spicy scene that took place through a window and I was a bit put off by it, to be honest.)

The plot at least was enjoyable to read about, mostly because this book took place right at the end of The Bridge Kingdom and spanned throughout the timeline of The Traitor Queen. Seeing glimpses of Aren and Lara was super fun. They stole the show even when they were not the main characters. Other than that, since we already knew what happened, I wasn't really surprised or shocked by certain revelations.

I was contemplating whether to continue on with the series but the last 3 chapters of the book was pretty interesting, so I guess l'll give the next one a chance.

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