The Queen Is Dead (The Immortal Empire, #2)

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The Queen Is Dead (The Immortal Empire #2)

4.18 of 5 stars 4.18 · rating details · 457 ratings · 94 reviews

Nothing lasts forever---and immortality isn't all its cracked up to be.

When her brother Val gets in over his head in an investigation of Half-Blood disappearances and goes missing himself, it's up to Xandra, newly crowned Goblin Queen, to get him back and bring the atrocities to light. Xandra must frequent the seediest parts of London, while also coping with what she is, t...more

Hardcover, 352 pages

Published February 5th 2013 by Orbit

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May 09, 2013 Colleen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: steampunk, urban-fantasy

3.75

Can I just say how much I love Vex? Tall, dark and sexy aside - I love the way that he can be supportive, but not mollycoddling. I love the whole "I will support you whatever you decide but, woman, making a damned decision!" and "Would you like me to get you a cross you can nail yourself on, dear?" (Paraphrasing).

I'm a little less enamored with Xandra, though I do like her, overall.

That said, I still have some issues with the book. (Of course.):

* It's a little overly repetitive. Most of this...more

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Feb 23, 2013 Jeffrey rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: alternate-history, read-in-2013, urban-fantasy, supernatural

Kate Locke's second book in the Immortal Empire trilogy is a bloody good scream of fun set in a monster filled alternative England where Queen Victoria, the ruler of the place is a vampire, the human league is involved in terrorist attacks against the werewolves and a new queen of the goblins is rocking the joint. Its pretty good too. I missed the first book, but just bought it on Amazon and expect to read it shortly. So you have to get the back story while reading this novel.

It seems that Xandy...more

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May 31, 2013 Nab rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy, fantasy

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Another great addition to the Immortal Empire series, a lot has changed since the first book.

Now considered a Queen of her own right, Xandra struggles with her family's approval, her subject's approval, conflicting parental interests and politics between the different species. With the only thing keeping her sane, is her werewolf boyfriend, she needs to find out what happened to her missing brother (it is a curious thing that in each book, a sibling of hers goes missing).

Add i...more

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Mar 10, 2013 Jenny rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: shifters-wolves, vamps, read-2013, royalty, steampunk-ish

I was very excited to revisit the somewhat disturbing world that Kate Locke has created and I wasn't disappointed, although this book wasn't quite as good as the previous book, it was still a really entertaining read.

I'm pleased to see that Xandra is beginning to come into her own somewhat. I still think that she is too impulsive and doesn't always think things through, but she is 22 so a lot of that is understandable.

One thing I quite like about this series is that I don't necessarily think o...more

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Feb 17, 2013 Viccy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal

Xandra Vardan, newly recognized as the Goblin Queen, gets drawn into her brother's investigation for Scotland Yard. Val has disappeared while investigating the kidnappings of various halvies from the famous club, Freak Show. Avery, their sister, came to Xandra to ask her help. Along with her boyfriend, Vex, the werewolf alpha, and her plague of goblins, led by Prince William, Xandra begins to realize the kidnappings are a cover for more sinister undertakings. The vampires are trying to breed a b...more

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Apr 17, 2013 Fangs for the Fantasy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Xandra has had a lot of changes in her life – from half-blooded Royal guard to goblin queen. Despite being monarch, she seems to have lost a lot; her family no longer trusts her, she’s lost her job, she’s lost her home, she’s earned the enmity of Queen Victoria herself, she’s become a tabloid sensation – and universally feared. And she still doesn’t know what she wants to be or become – she’s not ready to make those decisions.

But she doesn’t have much time to delay, not with her brother going m...more Xandra has had a lot of changes in her life – from half-blooded Royal guard to goblin queen. Despite being monarch, she seems to have lost a lot; her family no longer trusts her, she’s lost her job, she’s lost her home, she’s earned the enmity of Queen Victoria herself, she’s become a tabloid sensation – and universally feared. And she still doesn’t know what she wants to be or become – she’s not ready to make those decisions.

But she doesn’t have much time to delay, not with her brother going missing, possibly falling victim to the same conspiracy that her mentor was part of; experimenting on unusual half bloods to see if they can be used to increase aristo numbers and tip the balance of power. With her own unprecedented goblinhood and her sister giving birth to a full blooded vampire, her family are prime targets for experimentation.

And, of course, Victoria is breathing down her neck, with the police following Xandra trying to find out what happened to her mentor. Being harassed by the police and demonised by the press doesn’t make investigating any easier

This series has one of the most original world settings we’ve come across in Urban Fantasy. The idea of a modern Steampunk – a 21st century world, with the immortal vampire Queen Victoria ruling over it – creates a really fascinating world when it comes to tone theme and aesthetics. We have many of the elements of the modern world and a similar level of technology, but all with a Victorian twist as the elites of the society are still from that era. So we have minidresses – with corsets. The technology is subtly different, there are mores of etiquette in high society that still have to be upheld. Yet all of this is done without a lot of info dumping, this different feel is given with a few descriptions of clothes, the way people talk and different words for things like motorbikes and mobile phones that make it clear what they are while still having a strong hint of a more steampunk aesthetic.

There’s a lot of research that has gone into this book making sure that the places visited are very close to actual London with the necessary changes for the setting. I particularly like references to obscure things like the church of St. Andrew by the Wardrobe.There is also a generally good maintenance of tone, keeping the Britishisms intact and the new vocabulary from the setting. Occasionally it does go over the top though – like the details of the geography are very accurate but also long winded and not strictly needed. Or a generally well done Xandra will spout long string of slang and profanity that is just a little excessive and fake – like her Britishness is really trying to be rammed home. I don’t know how noticeable it would be to someone who isn’t English, however.

There are a number of POC in this book and a lesbian couple who are just included without fanfare. They may not have a massive role, but they are there and fully integrated without undue comment or inference as well as a natural assumption that they’re going to get married and there’s no issue with that. While they’re background characters to a large degree, they’re refreshingly free from problematic tropes.

There’s also Penny, a transwoman. Penny isn’t a background character by any stretch and she plays a pretty major role in the story and is very valued by the whole cast, despite that she is a mixed bag of good points and fail points

On the plus side, none of the main characters misgender her or ever question her gender; anyone who does is seen as being extremely out of line and in strong need of a slap. Similarly the transphobia from her father is presented the same way. It’s also clear that her gender is not based on whether she is taking hormones or has had – or is pursuing - surgery or not.

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Feb 26, 2013 Van rated it 4 of 5 stars

4 1/2 stars.

In the latest installment of The Immortal Empire series, Xandra is still coming to terms with her sister Dede’s death, death of her mentor Churchill, and finding out she isn’t a havie but an entirely new breed of goblin that’s able to walk in the daytime. Prince William and most of the goblin den have declared their loyalty to Xandra, and hope she agrees to be their official Queen. But before Xandra can even contemplate the matter she finds out her brother Val has been nabbed by a co...more 4 1/2 stars.

In the latest installment of The Immortal Empire series, Xandra is still coming to terms with her sister Dede’s death, death of her mentor Churchill, and finding out she isn’t a havie but an entirely new breed of goblin that’s able to walk in the daytime. Prince William and most of the goblin den have declared their loyalty to Xandra, and hope she agrees to be their official Queen. But before Xandra can even contemplate the matter she finds out her brother Val has been nabbed by a couple of Betties (humans that drink vampire blood). With the DI on her tail about the death of Churchhill, she’ll need to draw as little attention to herself as possible…like that’s going to be easy with her red hair, yellow-green eyes, title of the Goblin Queen, and her boyfriend is the Lord alpha of the werewolves.

This was another great addition to Immortal Empire series narrated by Xandra Vardan, who I absolutely adore! Xandy is a feisty-headstrong female lead that isn’t afraid to speak her mind or protect her friends, family and innocent bystanders. Xandy is viewed as the Goblin Queen (although she hasn’t officially accepted the title yet) but feels like she isn’t ready to step in such a big role/title. I love that the Plague (goblins) are extremely devoted to Xandy, doing everything to protect their lady. Everyone fears the goblins thinking they’re the worst-lowest group but what readers see is that the goblins are far better than the Aristo, and humans combined. Although Xandy is uncertain whether or not she’ll take the role as queen, or be a ‘goblin’ for that matter; she eventually gets over her fears and embraces her inner goblin. There were a lot of time in the book she’d ‘Gob-out’ where her face re-shifted and fanged out, had crazy spider- like climbing ability, her thirst for blood, and the coolest detail was finding out that goblin blood is toxic to others!

There were a lot of great memorable characters who are unique, and bring something to the ever expanding world of Steampunk-Victorian London. There’s Penny Dreadful, the fabulous trans that works at Freak Show and Val’s maternal sibling, Vex, Xandra’s boyfriend whose not your typical alpha male, or William the Goblin Prince, a noble leader of his kind…just to name a few. In regards to Xandra’s brother being taken as the main plot line, there were also other interesting subplots, one of which was everyone wanting Xandra to be aligned with their group…the werewolves, her mother, and even Queen V herself. Overall, this book was a great expansion of the Immortal Empire world, diving deeper into the characters/history and adding to a detail about experiment labs from the first book as well. Something happens to Xandra near the end of the book, and I’m wondering if this will be a game-changer in the next book.I really enjoyed The Queen is Dead, great world and characters, witty and heart-felt dialogue, and lots of action and blood! I highly recommend this series, starting with the first book, God Save the Queen. The third book in the series, Long Live the Queen is coming out this October…I can’t wait!!
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Feb 24, 2013 Sara rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Queen Is Dead is the second book in the Immortal Empire series by Kate Locke. Xandra Vardan investigates the disappearance of her brother while dealing with the aftermath of the events of the first book.

Warning, spoilers for The Queen Is Dead and God Save The Queen ahead...

What I Liked:

Xandra - The evolution of her character continues in this book. She has undergone a lot of personal growth in the first two books.

Vex - He is rapidly becoming one of my favorite werewolves - only Adam and Jere...more

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Feb 23, 2013 Owlcat Mountain added it

I don't use star ratings, so please read my review!

(Description nicked from B&N.com.)

“When her brother Val gets in over his head in an investigation of Half-Blood disappearances and goes missing himself, it's up to Xandra, newly crowned Goblin Queen, to get him back and bring the atrocities to light. Xandra must frequent the seediest parts of London, while also coping with what she is, the political factions vying for her favor, and the all too-close scrutiny of Queen Victoria, who wants her...more I don't use star ratings, so please read my review!

(Description nicked from B&N.com.)

“When her brother Val gets in over his head in an investigation of Half-Blood disappearances and goes missing himself, it's up to Xandra, newly crowned Goblin Queen, to get him back and bring the atrocities to light. Xandra must frequent the seediest parts of London, while also coping with what she is, the political factions vying for her favor, and the all too-close scrutiny of Queen Victoria, who wants her head. Add this to a being a suspect in a murder investigation, a werewolf boyfriend with demands of his own, and a mother hell bent on destroying the monarchy, and Xandra barely knows which way is up. One thing she does know is that she's already lost one sibling, she's not about to lose another.”

In real life, I’m not much for politics, but give me a sci-fi or fantasy novel with some complicated political maneuverings and I’m a happy reader. This book made me very happy indeed. Xandra’s status as the queen of the goblins is a hot point that causes all kinds of machinations to be put into motion. Thus, with her world established in the first book, Locke can concentrate on fleshing out more of how society functions and how the races interrelate.

Xandra is a strong main character, and even though she’s in a romantic relationship (as are so many female leads these days), she doesn’t lean on her partner or let him take over for her. She’s very much a take-charge person, one who’s willing to take risks and stick her neck out for those she cares about. And speaking of romance, I really love how the interactions between Xandra and the Goblin Prince have remained on the level of friendship and mutual respect. It’s not that a relationship between them would be weird or icky, but it is nice to see a male-female friendship that feels natural. I also appreciate the lack of a love triangle as well.

The author takes full advantage of the London setting to frame her story, and it’s the stage on which a lot of action takes place. There are chases and explosions, crowded bars and narrow alleyways, dilapidated buildings and creepy asylums—all of them detailed so well that you can almost smell the smoke and garbage of London’s streets.

The other really neat part about the setting is how the author has extrapolated what our current technology would look like (and what it would be called) if it had been developed in this world. There are still things like cell phones and computers, but they have a distinct air of steampunk style about them. While I sometimes quibble with steampunk’s need to create machinery for its own sake, I think Locke’s gadgets fit in very well. With an immortal queen (and a mostly immortal or long-lived aristocracy), it’s completely within the realm of possibility that the Industrial Revolution’s elements hung around to the present day.

The Queen is Dead is another stellar addition to one of the most imaginative alternate histories on the shelves. Locke leaves no detail unexplored as she draws readers deeper into her vampire and werewolf inhabited London. Vivid settings and interesting characters make this novel one that you won’t want to put down.

This review originally appeared on Owlcat Mountain on February 23, 2013.(less)

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Feb 17, 2013 Brianna rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really, really liked this book. It was a great second installment in this series, and I cant' wait for the next one to come out.

I love Xandra more than I already did in the first book. SHe's one of the best heroines I've read about. There were times when I felt she ran away from her problems too much, but she eventually got over it, and the book became even better. I love how Xandra says what's on her mind, and isn't afraid of action. I'd definitely want her to be on my side within a fight wi...more

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May 29, 2013 Mello ❣ Illium ✮Harry✮ ☀Myrnin☀ Torin Ichimaru rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: action, adult, awesome-heroines, hawt-heroes, romance, paranormal, urban-fantasy, vamps, werewolves, commence-insanity, dat-twist, did-that-just-happen, goblins, kate-locke, mystery, read-in-2013, sassy-heroines, the-immortal-empire, alternate-history

Synopsis:

When her brother Val gets in over his head in an investigation of Half-Blood disappearances and goes missing himself, it's up to Xandra, newly crowned Goblin Queen, to get him back and bring the atrocities to light. Xandra must frequent the seediest parts of London, while also coping with what she is, the political factions vying for her favor, and the all too-close scrutiny of Queen Victoria, who wants her head. Add this to a being a suspect in a murder investigation, a werewolf boyfri...more Synopsis:

When her brother Val gets in over his head in an investigation of Half-Blood disappearances and goes missing himself, it's up to Xandra, newly crowned Goblin Queen, to get him back and bring the atrocities to light. Xandra must frequent the seediest parts of London, while also coping with what she is, the political factions vying for her favor, and the all too-close scrutiny of Queen Victoria, who wants her head. Add this to a being a suspect in a murder investigation, a werewolf boyfriend with demands of his own, and a mother hell bent on destroying the monarchy, and Xandra barely knows which way is up. One thing she does know is that she's already lost one sibling, she's not about to lose another.
Xandra Varden is the newly crowned Goblin Queen of England. But her complicated life is by no means over.

There are the political factions vying for her favor, and the all too-close scrutiny of Queen Victoria, who for some reason wants her head. Not to mention her werewolf boyfriend with demands of his own, and a mother hell bent on destroying the monarchy. Now she's the suspect in a murder investigation --- and Xandra barely knows which way is up.

What she does know is that nothing lasts forever---and immortality isn't all its cracked up to be.

My Thoughts:

Kate Locke keeps up the action in this sequel quite well. Xandy and her family just can't stay out of trouble. Things are going okay for Xandy, except people keep nailing dead rats to her front door. She does track down the perp of the latest offense and soon finds out that an aristo put a young human boy up to doing it. Thankfully, our Xandy is a better person that to completely take things out on the poor human. Good thing too since that works out to her advantage later in the book.

Xandy's new problem comes from the fact that her brother has seemingly gotten himself into some trouble. He's been kidnapped by some betties and Xandy is pretty sure this has something to do with the experiments that aristos have been performing on halvies and is determined to find her brother before it's too late. Insanity commences from here.

Xandy is also struggling with accepting her place as goblin queen. I can't really blame her. She's grown up her entire life believing that goblins were nothing but monsters that ate children. She's come to learn quite a lot about goblins over the past few months, though. She's much more accepting of them, but she can't quite bring herself to truly be one of "them." She eventually gets over that, though. I'm sure the plague inviting her to see the goblin newborn helped with that. That scene was precious. Xandy is also continuing her relationship with Vex (who I think is really good for her) and dealing with her feelings for him, not to mention what associating with him means. Vex obviously doesn't want to be with Xandy for the political implications of there being an alliance between the goblins and the weres, though. Xandy is insecure enough at times to think that, but he always reminds her that that isn't the case. Vex is a straightforward kind of guy. I can't see him having Xandy on. It seems the issue he has been having with the pack with regards to his relationship with Xandy has been solved as well. She still has issues with others wanting the goblins to throw in with them, though. Namely her mother and Victoria. Good luck dealing with those bitches, Xandy.

Luckily, Val does get found without too much damage done to him, but Xandy does learn a bit more about the higher ups in charge of the halvie experiments. Though she ends up running into a bit of a dead end once things are said and done. I'm sure she'll learn more in the next book. It's been implied that Victoria is running that whole show, but now that I've met her son Bertie, I'm starting to wonder... That guy seems like he may be gungho for a war with humans. I don't like him at all.

One unexpected development seems to be that Xandy and Fee are becoming more sisterly towards each other. I'm glad for them, though I really didn't care much for Fee's attitude in book 1. I just hope something doesn't develop between her and a certain not-so-dead someone as that would be just weird.(less)

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Apr 19, 2013 Amyiw rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: z-uf, 2013, series, a-short-or-novella-2013, z-a-title, z-a-character, z-13books

4 1/2 but I'm bumping it up to 5. I actually like this slightly better than the first.

Vex and Xandra's relationship grows but without the drama of romance novels. Xandra questions things but she gets her answers pretty quickly and straight forward. None of this hidding things and miscommunication to further the plot. Xandra is also dealing with accepting the position of the Goblin Queen, really this and the question of where her brother is were the main plot of the book.

A new character is introd...more

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Mar 06, 2013 Elizabeth rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is fastly becoming one of my favorite series. I hope that this will be more than a trilogy but truthfully I'all take what I can get.

Xandy is back for another installment in this strange new world. One where Queen Victoria is still alive, and a vampire to be exact. Oh we musn't forget the Goblin Prince, or the were wolf Alpha Vex either as they make many apperances.

After her brother Val is napped, and Xandy is charged to find him. She find herself in a plot so twisted she will have to use a...more

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Feb 15, 2013 Monica Williams rated it 5 of 5 stars

This series is great fun. Fiesty Xandra Vardan returns in her next adventure. In her last outing she learned that she is a goblin. Not exactly what she wanted to hear, but she is beginning to find her place in the Plague and finds acceptance from the Goblins. Her relationship with Vex handsome werewolf alpha is going well too. Of course there is always bad news. Her brother Val is missing. It is up to Xandy to find him. She discovers a much larger plot at work and begins to work out who is respo...more

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Feb 23, 2013 Chris Bauer rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is the second book in the new series by Kate Locke and I loved it more than the first. The setting is a very cool hybrid steampunk+urban fantasy which simply works exceptionally well.

All the characters have their own well-defined motivations, drives, desires, fears and foils which makes reading about them a very vibrant experience.

There are way too many subthemes to explore in this review; but they all work.

This latest book combines the following elements of fantasy fare in perfect proporti...more

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Apr 21, 2013 Nymeria rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: cookie-book, wasted-potential

When I finished this book, I felt like not much happened. It seemed almost like a novella.

And I don't know if I'll continue with the series. The concept is interesting but I don't think the excution does it justice. The books barely scratch the surface of both this alternate universe and the characters' psyche. It could be so much more complex and interesting.

Plus I'm not really interested in the romance. It's way too easy and angst free. Not that a relationship necessarily needs to be nurtered...more

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Mar 03, 2013 Cameron rated it 4 of 5 stars

I read this on my Kindle, I re-read the first in the series (which I enjoyed when I initially read it). I find it to be Unique in the sense that it is vampires/UK/Political Intrigue in a very interesting alternate history.

The only problem I have is I feel some of the relationships to be somewhat shallow and weak, the story itself isn't *too* predictable, but it has the right twists and turns along the way to make it interesting. I'd say it is worth a read if you like Kim Harrison Novels - or wan...more

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Mar 28, 2013 Letitia Jones rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Nitty Gritty: The Queen is Dead is the literary version of 5 Hour Energy drink with a Redbull chaser.

In her sophomore outting Alexander Varden as been fired from the Royal Guards. Only "halvies" can be Royal Guards and since William outed her during her knighting ceremony everyone knows she is The Goblin Queen. Even if Xandra doesn't. During this tale Xandra's older brother Val has disappeared In the midst of a trail of vanishing patrons from the devilishly funhouse circus, Freak Show. Its u...more

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Feb 02, 2013 Katherine rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: steampunk, urban-fantasy

This review also posted at A Bookish Compulsion

Second books often either expand upon the genius of a first work or bury it; I am happy to be able to say that The Queen is Dead did not dig its own grave but rather marked yet another stunningly original and creative journey into The Immortal Empire.

Picking up two months after the ending of God Save the Queen this book was an amazingly fun ride from page one. Addressing all of the loose ends left in the first book, this story had amazing range cove...more

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May 23, 2013 Christine.livingston rated it 4 of 5 stars

So this book should be a about a 3.5. I would like to say I really liked it, but there were points during the book that I thought it was repetitive and a little dull. There was a twist or two that I didn't see coming, which I liked, and the further development of Xandra, Vex, Val and Avery as well as more on the Penny front I did like. The world got a bit more convoluted and not as clear cut. Prince William (in my mind) still reminds me as a cross between Splinter (TMNT) and Yoda, which is at ti...more

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Apr 25, 2013 Jen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: pcpl-read, stars-5-outstanding-or-amazing, 2013-pan-pnr, 2013-ufa-creature-comforts, 2013-04-pan-critters, features-fae, features-werewolves, features-vampires, genre-paranormal-romance, 2013-pan-titles-a-z, alternate-history, to-buy, reviewed

This sequel to God Save the Queen was most excellent! Xandra is a compelling protagonist and it was wonderful to see her in action once again, and to grow with her as she adjusted to being a goblin - and the goblin's queen. Vex is still the sexy and intriguing man/wolf we met in the first book, and being with him again in this outing was great, too. It was fascinating to see more into the world of the goblins, and to learn more about Xandra's family and the threats and dangers to living in their...more

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Feb 08, 2013 Michelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: alternate-reality, alternate-history, steampunk, vampires, shifters, goblins

What a fantastic continuation to a gripping series.

I couldn't put down this London-based steampunk/contemporary/urban fantasy mash-up. Xandy is a heroine whose life is in transition. Happily admitting she doesn't want to deal with all the life changing choices she has, the hunt for her missing brother is the driver of this book.

It's actually refreshing to read a story with a supportive lover, the brilliant and sexy Vex. As Alpha of the werewolves he has his own internal battles to deal with, yet...more

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Feb 20, 2013 Sarah rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-or-review-copy, contemporary, orbit, read-in-2013, steampunk

The Queen is Dead is a fun, fast moving follow up to God Save the Queen. The characters are easy to sympathize with, and the series is, overall, turning into one of those fun series that somehow manages to be brain candy, despite (maybe “because of” would work better here) its stereotypical notes. Xandra is a character that is easy to love, and though I find the sheer volume of her accomplishments rather unbelievable. While many of the other plot points are fairly been-there-done-that, if you ne...more

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Apr 16, 2013 ❉Olivia ツ rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, 2013, books-i-love, steampunk

Awesome! This story just sucked me right in. Xandra is trying to face her new role as goblin Queen and at the same time she's trying to find her brother Val and other halvies that have gone missing. I love the world that had been created. A mix of Victorian and steampunk. Xandra is so fierce and kick ass! I really like that she can hold her own and although it would easy and safe to hide behind her Goblins or Vex, she doesn't.

Vex. Oh Vex... Alpha with a good head and heart. Love that his relati...more

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Jun 01, 2013 Elvia rated it 4 of 5 stars

I think that each book is getting better. The beginning is a little slow and I'm beginning to see some symbolism regarding class societies which can have some pretty interesting connotations. I think this is what makes it even more interesting. You can use it to analyze the parties that support elitism (because that is just so clear)and the necessity of change.

Xandra Vardan is the Goblin Queen. She is dealing with being herself and the her she was raised to be, and the new powerful Goblin and he...more

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Feb 25, 2013 Emily rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, steampunk

Another great yarn. What I like most about Kate Locke is that she doesn't take the much-traveled low road when she writes about her characters' relationships, especially that of the romantic leads. Here we find no love triangles (view spoiler), and Vex and Xandy actually talk to each other instead of keeping secrets and making assumptions. I love the goblin ang...more

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Apr 27, 2013 Amanda rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: slcl-library, steampunk, urban-fantasy, vampires, werewolves, 2013-reads

I'd only been somewhat looking forward to continuing this series. I only had luke warm feelings for the characters with the exception of Vex. He kept me reading in the first novel because there was just something about him that was interesting. Xandra is still just as emotional and quick to act as she was in the first novel which tends to get her caught up in quite the mess.

In this book much like the first we have a family crisis and it seems only Xandra is the one who can save the day. At least...more

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Mar 30, 2013 Sharon rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: adventure, blood, cop, crime, dark, dark-fantasy, family, genetics, goblins, hit-man, horror, kidnapped, laugh-out-loud, london, magic, murder, obsession, paranormal-fantasy, paranormal-romance, political, read-in-2013, romance, shifter, sleuth, steampunk, suspense, urban-fantasy, vampire, victorian-era, werewolf, witch

Okay I have to be honest I did not enjoy it as much as the first one, I felt there was a lot of repetition of various scenarios and problems regarding the humans reactions to the supernatural,and the missing brother. But saying that the actual characters and storyline kept me going even though it was stretched thin at times. What I do like and looking forward to seeing developed is the up and coming chaos that could break out and how it is going to pan out in the next book. Will definitely be re...more

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Jun 14, 2013 Ang rated it 5 of 5 stars

I can't remember why I gave the first book in this series four stars. This second one was so good, I'm wondering if I rated the first wrongly.

Regardless, this is a rollicking good read. I love Xandra (and Vex! Because how could you not love Vex?) and her crazy life. And the world Kate Locke's created is interesting and fun and well done. Vampires and Weres have been done to death, it's true, but this is a new spin on the genre that really works, I think.

And now I settle in for a long wait until...more

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Feb 07, 2013 Jesslyn rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013-kindle-reads, audio-book, auto-buy-author, auto-buy-series, cat-series-not-a-cliffhanger, cat-series-ongoing, cat-steampunk, reviewed

This was just as good as the first book in the series, if not better. Xandy is finding her place in the world and Kate Locke does NOT shy away from her monster. At all.....

This was one of those books where I kept nervously looking to see how far along I was because I didn't want it to end. I can't wait for the next one.

I have not been a fan of steampunk OR Victorian fantasy, but I guess I've never read it done right. It was a background to the story--not the story. I highly recommend this to any...more

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Science Fiction > Steampunk

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Fantasy > Paranormal

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Paranormal > Vampires

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Fantasy

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Fantasy > Supernatural

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Shapeshifters > Werewolves

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Science Fiction > Alternate History

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Romance

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Mystery

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About Kate Locke

Kate Locke has always enjoyed making things up — a trait that often got her into trouble as a child, but by which she enjoys making a living. Before writing fiction full time she worked as cook, a journalist and in a photo finishing lab where she saw enough pictures of naked people to rival Hugh Hefner. A guy once asked her out after giving her a role of film that he expressly requested she develo...more

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Books by Kate Locke

God Save the Queen (The Immortal Empire, #1)

Long Live the Queen (The Immortal Empire, #3)

God Save the Queen - Free Preview (The First 4 Chapters)

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The Queen Is Dead (The Immortal Empire #2)

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