A review by bookswithjelena
The Reluctant Queen by Sarah Beth Durst
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Finally got around to reading a sequel to one of my favorite reads of last year - Queen of Blood. I picked it up to fulfill an ‘Elemental magic’ prompt in this year's r/fantasy bingo. I’m determined to finish one card and at least start another one, wish me luck.
I picked this book up without reading the synopsis so the first portion of the book felt very jarring and a bit sudden. It felt like a rehashing of the same plot from the first book but with different characters. And the best part of the first book for me was the plot and the pace, so when I basically had to read it all over again I was a bit let down. I didn’t really expect to see new characters but they grew on me as the book went on.
Although the climax and the reveal were very surprising. I also loved that we saw some characters from the previous book. And the whole plot thread with the healer's mother is the most interesting and I can’t wait to see where it leads in the next book.
I can’t really say that the new protagonist as much as I loved Daleina. It was all a bit too much mama bear. It felt like her whole personality was her kids. But she provided a really great contrast for how young all of the previous queens really were and what burden was placed upon such young women.
All in all, I really enjoyed it. I’m excited to read the series finale. And if you liked the first book I would still recommend you continue with the series. The pace is still on par with the first book, and if you don't mind a very protective mother as your main character, I'm sure you will enjoy this sequel.
Although the climax and the reveal were very surprising. I also loved that we saw some characters from the previous book. And the whole plot thread with the healer's mother is the most interesting and I can’t wait to see where it leads in the next book.
I can’t really say that the new protagonist as much as I loved Daleina. It was all a bit too much mama bear. It felt like her whole personality was her kids. But she provided a really great contrast for how young all of the previous queens really were and what burden was placed upon such young women.
All in all, I really enjoyed it. I’m excited to read the series finale. And if you liked the first book I would still recommend you continue with the series. The pace is still on par with the first book, and if you don't mind a very protective mother as your main character, I'm sure you will enjoy this sequel.