A review by bookswithjk
A Dark Queen Rises, by Ashok K. Banker

adventurous dark slow-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

2.5

While lush and vivid in its prose and worldbuilding, I was a bit disappointed at how pushed back the women in this book were. The title of the book is “A Dark Queen Rises”, and yet we spend a long time focusing on male violence and male conquests. I had to skim pages of Tyrak’s fights at the end of the book because I wanted to see more of Krushni. 

I am still looking forward to the finale though (is it true this series was changed from 10/12 books to just three books?!). I’d love to see the princess from the first book meet up with the dark queen. Based on the title, I will assume they are! 
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