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A review by jillsbooknook
The Spring Queen by Jamie Applegate Hunter
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.