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Betrayal Prophecies #2
The Second Son
An epic clash of deities explores the two facets of pain—rage versus sadness—in this rousing conclusion to the Betrayal Prophecies, a dark crown fantasy duology with a sweeping sapphic romance.
The centuries-old prophecy has been fulfilled at last: the New Maiden has returned to Velle. Unfortunately, so has a malicious demi-god, whose elusive prophet is intent on converting the New Maiden’s followers. The Second Son is a vengeful, angry deity, whose psalm resonates with the disenfranchised.
With Elodie on the throne and Sabine in her own unique position of power, it should be easy enough to track down the culprit. Yet even as they're falling in love, both girls are keeping dangerous secrets from each other. While the cult of the Second Son threatens to overthrow not only the Church of the New Maiden but also Velle’s monarchy, Elodie and Sabine must navigate impossible odds to dismantle the root of his power, all while their lives hang in the balance.
The centuries-old prophecy has been fulfilled at last: the New Maiden has returned to Velle. Unfortunately, so has a malicious demi-god, whose elusive prophet is intent on converting the New Maiden’s followers. The Second Son is a vengeful, angry deity, whose psalm resonates with the disenfranchised.
With Elodie on the throne and Sabine in her own unique position of power, it should be easy enough to track down the culprit. Yet even as they're falling in love, both girls are keeping dangerous secrets from each other. While the cult of the Second Son threatens to overthrow not only the Church of the New Maiden but also Velle’s monarchy, Elodie and Sabine must navigate impossible odds to dismantle the root of his power, all while their lives hang in the balance.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published July 16, 2024
14 people are currently reading
1282 people want to read
About the author
Adrienne Tooley
5 books748 followersAdrienne Tooley grew up in Southern California, majored in musical theater in Pittsburgh, and now lives in Brooklyn with her wife and dog, six guitars, and a banjo. In addition to writing novels, she is an occasional singer/songwriter who has currently released three indie-folk EPs. Find her @adriennetooley.
author photo by Jaclyn Le
https://www.lejaclyn.com
author photo by Jaclyn Le
https://www.lejaclyn.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
July 2, 2024
Got an arc from Edelweiss
A satisfying conclusion to the story that not only answered my one major question about the first book, but was also surprisingly anti-monarchy, an unexpected delight. This is such a powerful series in the way it turns emotion, especially the ugly ones, into literal magic, in a way that’s so important in how it reminds us to be kinder to ourselves. I really love this series!
A satisfying conclusion to the story that not only answered my one major question about the first book, but was also surprisingly anti-monarchy, an unexpected delight. This is such a powerful series in the way it turns emotion, especially the ugly ones, into literal magic, in a way that’s so important in how it reminds us to be kinder to ourselves. I really love this series!
July 14, 2024
This is the second and final book in the Betrayal Prophecies duology. The first book, The Third Daughter, was a quick read that explored emotions, duty, family, and power. The Second Son continued with the same themes, but raised the stakes. The sapphic romance between two very powerful, yet often equally as powerless young women continued to develop, as they both faced threats and pushback that put their lives in jeopardy. Lots of juicy secrets, betrayal, deities, and power plays at work here.
The Second Son's power is an allegory for men who were never allowed to feel or show their emotions, and the damage that can do. I think this is a great YA book to exhibit a lot of lessons and open the eyes of readers to things they may not have realized, understood, or thought about before.
This was a satisfying conclusion and an enjoyable read!
The Second Son's power is an allegory for men who were never allowed to feel or show their emotions, and the damage that can do. I think this is a great YA book to exhibit a lot of lessons and open the eyes of readers to things they may not have realized, understood, or thought about before.
This was a satisfying conclusion and an enjoyable read!
Read
July 30, 2023If it's Adrienne Tooley, i'm reading it. 💜
June 24, 2024
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Plagued by self-doubt, The Second Son is about what we do with power. Now that we have a slice of power, how do we reconcile these new abilities? Because power inspires envy and can we hold onto our power when it's being threatened from all sides? How can we become a good leader? Is it in the loyalty we demand or the love we foster? At the same time, The Second Son is about the allure of feeling seen. And what that recognition or that illusion will inspire in us.
Plagued by self-doubt, The Second Son is about what we do with power. Now that we have a slice of power, how do we reconcile these new abilities? Because power inspires envy and can we hold onto our power when it's being threatened from all sides? How can we become a good leader? Is it in the loyalty we demand or the love we foster? At the same time, The Second Son is about the allure of feeling seen. And what that recognition or that illusion will inspire in us.
January 22, 2025
Really liked but the ending and plot twist? Reveal? Was so quick and so predictable. Could have been a longer book 😕
September 15, 2024
I cannot begin to describe how much I loved this book.
January 21, 2026
Adrienne could publish her grocery list and I would read it.
December 12, 2024
I really enjoyed this. The hidden message about embracing who you are was very timely. Al lovely book.
July 23, 2024
I thought I really enjoyed The Third Daughter and then this book sort of blew that out of the water. Absolutely stunning, amazing sequel and conclusion to a series. I like it when the last book feels like the last book; where plots are all neatly tied up and the endings all make sense. But still there’s that sense where you could very well spend 3 more books in this universe. That was me with this series – fantastic ending but I wouldn’t mind spending more time here.
That’s definitely due to the characters. Tooley fully shines in her characters – dialogue, development, just how they live in the world. It was even better than the previous book. Especially with the two main female characters – Sabine and Elodie – how they interacted with everyone around them, whether friends or enemies. How they interacted with each other – so sweet and special, I loved every second. And even with themselves as they try to navigate their new roles and their purposes in life.
I really liked Sabine and Elodie in the first book and I liked them even more in this one. Reading the first book’s review I said I liked Sabine’s chapters more, and here I liked Elodie’s chapters more – so that was interesting. Both of them had changed so much with all they’ve been through and they continue to go through so much more this time around. To me their personalities were better in the sequel – maybe because Tooley spent more time with them or they’re put through rougher circumstances in here.
Either way, it just works so well and I was here for it all the way. I want to dive into Grace’s other books because of how well she writes these characters. I can only hope that the characters in her other books are as well-written as in here. The side characters in here are so well-written too that they don’t feel like they’re actually side characters. They’re fully fleshed out, you see their emotions clear on their faces and dialogue. You know their personalities even though they’re only seen in a few scenes. That’s what I love to see in a book.
The plot rolls over from the previous book but it also brings up new plot points and Grace balanced them all very well. I really like a good balance of typing up the old plot points from the previous book and dealing with new ones. To me that’s the mark of a good author as it shows not only that they’re able to juggle it all but they do it well enough so that you, the reader, understands it all.
That’s definitely due to the characters. Tooley fully shines in her characters – dialogue, development, just how they live in the world. It was even better than the previous book. Especially with the two main female characters – Sabine and Elodie – how they interacted with everyone around them, whether friends or enemies. How they interacted with each other – so sweet and special, I loved every second. And even with themselves as they try to navigate their new roles and their purposes in life.
I really liked Sabine and Elodie in the first book and I liked them even more in this one. Reading the first book’s review I said I liked Sabine’s chapters more, and here I liked Elodie’s chapters more – so that was interesting. Both of them had changed so much with all they’ve been through and they continue to go through so much more this time around. To me their personalities were better in the sequel – maybe because Tooley spent more time with them or they’re put through rougher circumstances in here.
Either way, it just works so well and I was here for it all the way. I want to dive into Grace’s other books because of how well she writes these characters. I can only hope that the characters in her other books are as well-written as in here. The side characters in here are so well-written too that they don’t feel like they’re actually side characters. They’re fully fleshed out, you see their emotions clear on their faces and dialogue. You know their personalities even though they’re only seen in a few scenes. That’s what I love to see in a book.
The plot rolls over from the previous book but it also brings up new plot points and Grace balanced them all very well. I really like a good balance of typing up the old plot points from the previous book and dealing with new ones. To me that’s the mark of a good author as it shows not only that they’re able to juggle it all but they do it well enough so that you, the reader, understands it all.
June 30, 2024
I absolutely loved this sequel/conclusion to The Third Daughter! The Second Son is just as fast-paced and answered all the questions I had at the end of the first book.
First and foremost, this story explores the dangers of toxic masculinity. Those feelings of unworthiness, insecurity, and self-doubt that boys and men are told not to show, so instead they turn them inward, left to fester into something cruel and full of darkness. I appreciated the addition of Tal’s point of view, allowing for better understanding of his thoughts and actions.
I loved watching Sabine’s and Elodie’s relationship grow as they both grappled with the challenges of their new roles and took on the common threat of the Secons Son. The Warnou and Anders siblings play a larger role in this story, which was a complaint I had in the first book. Although there’s a couple loose ends not tied up at the end, I thought the conclusion was perfect. In all the lightness and darkness, sadness and rage, goodness and indifference, “all any of us can do is survive, one day at a time.”
If you’re looking for fantasy with LGBTQIA+ representation and highly creative religious, magical, and political systems, look no further than the Betrayal Prophesies duology!
Thank you to Netgalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers/Christy Ottaviano Books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
First and foremost, this story explores the dangers of toxic masculinity. Those feelings of unworthiness, insecurity, and self-doubt that boys and men are told not to show, so instead they turn them inward, left to fester into something cruel and full of darkness. I appreciated the addition of Tal’s point of view, allowing for better understanding of his thoughts and actions.
I loved watching Sabine’s and Elodie’s relationship grow as they both grappled with the challenges of their new roles and took on the common threat of the Secons Son. The Warnou and Anders siblings play a larger role in this story, which was a complaint I had in the first book. Although there’s a couple loose ends not tied up at the end, I thought the conclusion was perfect. In all the lightness and darkness, sadness and rage, goodness and indifference, “all any of us can do is survive, one day at a time.”
If you’re looking for fantasy with LGBTQIA+ representation and highly creative religious, magical, and political systems, look no further than the Betrayal Prophesies duology!
Thank you to Netgalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers/Christy Ottaviano Books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
did-not-finish
July 21, 2024DNF AT 70%. Way too much going on and yet predictable. However I did not read the first book so maybe my rating would be different if I had.
April 1, 2025
I LOVE this duology!!
February 17, 2024
The second book in the Betrayal Prophecies duology took me by surprise. Even though I did find the first book an enjoyable, quick read, I did not expect to be as invested and immersed in the story as I was. If the The Third Daughter was exploration of the mental health topics with Sabine's darkness being an allegory for depression and anxiety, The Second Son is a parallel between anger and sadnesss, a story of loneliness, but also a story of acceptance and learning to live with the darkness without letting it define or devour you.
*Thank you to Christy Ottaviano Books and Hachette Book Group for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
*Thank you to Christy Ottaviano Books and Hachette Book Group for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
September 21, 2024
I adored the first book in this series it was a 5 star read, this one though was a disapointment.
Firstly the level of sexist disrespect that is shown to both Sabine and particularly Elodie was insane and was far too frequent that it felt unrealistic, this is not the first queen they've had and the church has always been led by a woman so why are they constantly disrespected and dismissed by the men around them. At one point early Elodie is in a council meeting with a letter from another ruler threatening to invade if she doesn't marry him and what does her council do? Tell her she's being silly and that this isn't worth paying any attention to and she's silly for even bringing up the possibilty the threat is real. I'm sorry what? Are you serious, another ruler is threatening to invade and you're not even considering that it might be on some level a legitimate threat and treating your QUEEN like she's being a silly little girl for it? Wild.
The other big problem I had is the plot feels really predictable and it feels like Elodie and Sabine are just being stupid and not seeing what is right in front of their faces, especially when it comes to the motivation of a character who we, and the characters already know is untrustworthy as shit, Sabine literally calls out that he's likely a traitor early on and then just... Forgets that and is shocked when the betrayal happens.
On the plus side did enjoy the romance scenes between Sabine and Elodie but their characters were diminshed thanks to the treatment by the other characters and their stupidity.
Overall it was a half decent read but was a drop in quality for me from the first one.
Firstly the level of sexist disrespect that is shown to both Sabine and particularly Elodie was insane and was far too frequent that it felt unrealistic, this is not the first queen they've had and the church has always been led by a woman so why are they constantly disrespected and dismissed by the men around them. At one point early Elodie is in a council meeting with a letter from another ruler threatening to invade if she doesn't marry him and what does her council do? Tell her she's being silly and that this isn't worth paying any attention to and she's silly for even bringing up the possibilty the threat is real. I'm sorry what? Are you serious, another ruler is threatening to invade and you're not even considering that it might be on some level a legitimate threat and treating your QUEEN like she's being a silly little girl for it? Wild.
The other big problem I had is the plot feels really predictable and it feels like Elodie and Sabine are just being stupid and not seeing what is right in front of their faces, especially when it comes to the motivation of a character who we, and the characters already know is untrustworthy as shit, Sabine literally calls out that he's likely a traitor early on and then just... Forgets that and is shocked when the betrayal happens.
On the plus side did enjoy the romance scenes between Sabine and Elodie but their characters were diminshed thanks to the treatment by the other characters and their stupidity.
Overall it was a half decent read but was a drop in quality for me from the first one.
August 8, 2024
I really enjoy Adrienne Tooley’s writing, but the story didn’t click with me like I hoped it would, although I did appreciate the themes. I think I went into this with different expectations compared to what the book actually delivered.
July 18, 2024
I read this book as part of the blog tour hosted by TBR & Beyond Tours. Special thanks to Christy Ottaviano Books for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 3.5 stars rounded up
TL;DR: Objectively, I think this was a well-written story. It has an engaging plot, complex characters, and compelling relationships. While I wouldn’t say anything surprised me as I saw the twists and reveals coming from a mile away, I appreciate how Tooley formed her story around the chosen themes. The way she weaves emotion into faith was unique and I think the way it was written allows readers flexibility in how they interpret the story. Ultimately, I think The Second Son is a great conclusion to a dark-tinged fantasy duology.
I’m going to start by saying that what I found missing in the first book, which was a deeper emotional connection to the characters, was also an issue for me in this second book. I can’t lie and say this didn’t affect my reading experience with the duology as it meant I didn’t feel as invested as I’d expect to be with a story that has so many intriguing moving pieces and that I know should be emotionally charged. I’m not sure what exactly made the emotional depth feel lacking but I was still able to appreciate what the author did with this story.
There’s the political aspect that tackles issues like having a monarchy vs democracy and I liked how Tooley dissects this through Elodie and the Warnou siblings’ experiences. While I wasn’t always the biggest fan of Elodie, I appreciated the complexity of her character and her relationships with her siblings, Tal, and the citizens of Velle. Elodie experiences a steep learning curve as both a monarch who wasn’t prepared to rule but also as a young woman raised by a ruthless woman who loved herself more than her children or anyone else. She endures many hardships as a young leader and that too a young woman leader. As the story progresses, Tooley examines gendered roles and societal expectations and how harmful the impact can be on society as a whole, not just the girls and women in it. This message hit and I think anyone who has experienced this in any form IRL will be able to relate.
The second perspective comes from the religious pov with Sabine as the New Maiden. Sabine also experiences so much change following what happens in book one as she learns what it means to shoulder this monumental task. Something that I don’t recall from the first book is how big a role emotion plays in our character’s arcs but also the faith of this story. The importance of allowing yourself to feel emotions, particularly to embrace the darkness in you and to thrive not in spite of it but in coexistence with it, was a huge part of what Sabine learns. Also, the importance of learning to let go of ego and fear to ask for help when needed. I thought the way Tooley presented this through the deities' manifestations was unique and perhaps my favourite part of this story!
We get one other POV at the end of each part, but I won’t expand on this cos spoilers. That said, I liked the additional POV but also felt that more could’ve been done to bring depth to one of the plot lines. However, the weaving of everything was done very well and it kept the momentum moving at a solid and fast clip. A lot happens over a short period which means there’s little room for boredom while reading, lol.
The Second Son was a satisfying conclusion to the Betrayal Prophecies duology. While I recognise this story might not be for everyone, and though I also had some issues with it, I would still recommend it to those who enjoy their fantasies that are both political and philosophical with heavy leaning towards the latter. It was a unique blend!
TL;DR: Objectively, I think this was a well-written story. It has an engaging plot, complex characters, and compelling relationships. While I wouldn’t say anything surprised me as I saw the twists and reveals coming from a mile away, I appreciate how Tooley formed her story around the chosen themes. The way she weaves emotion into faith was unique and I think the way it was written allows readers flexibility in how they interpret the story. Ultimately, I think The Second Son is a great conclusion to a dark-tinged fantasy duology.
I’m going to start by saying that what I found missing in the first book, which was a deeper emotional connection to the characters, was also an issue for me in this second book. I can’t lie and say this didn’t affect my reading experience with the duology as it meant I didn’t feel as invested as I’d expect to be with a story that has so many intriguing moving pieces and that I know should be emotionally charged. I’m not sure what exactly made the emotional depth feel lacking but I was still able to appreciate what the author did with this story.
There’s the political aspect that tackles issues like having a monarchy vs democracy and I liked how Tooley dissects this through Elodie and the Warnou siblings’ experiences. While I wasn’t always the biggest fan of Elodie, I appreciated the complexity of her character and her relationships with her siblings, Tal, and the citizens of Velle. Elodie experiences a steep learning curve as both a monarch who wasn’t prepared to rule but also as a young woman raised by a ruthless woman who loved herself more than her children or anyone else. She endures many hardships as a young leader and that too a young woman leader. As the story progresses, Tooley examines gendered roles and societal expectations and how harmful the impact can be on society as a whole, not just the girls and women in it. This message hit and I think anyone who has experienced this in any form IRL will be able to relate.
The second perspective comes from the religious pov with Sabine as the New Maiden. Sabine also experiences so much change following what happens in book one as she learns what it means to shoulder this monumental task. Something that I don’t recall from the first book is how big a role emotion plays in our character’s arcs but also the faith of this story. The importance of allowing yourself to feel emotions, particularly to embrace the darkness in you and to thrive not in spite of it but in coexistence with it, was a huge part of what Sabine learns. Also, the importance of learning to let go of ego and fear to ask for help when needed. I thought the way Tooley presented this through the deities' manifestations was unique and perhaps my favourite part of this story!
We get one other POV at the end of each part, but I won’t expand on this cos spoilers. That said, I liked the additional POV but also felt that more could’ve been done to bring depth to one of the plot lines. However, the weaving of everything was done very well and it kept the momentum moving at a solid and fast clip. A lot happens over a short period which means there’s little room for boredom while reading, lol.
The Second Son was a satisfying conclusion to the Betrayal Prophecies duology. While I recognise this story might not be for everyone, and though I also had some issues with it, I would still recommend it to those who enjoy their fantasies that are both political and philosophical with heavy leaning towards the latter. It was a unique blend!
February 9, 2025
Absolutely life changing.
Even as someone who loves to ramble so much, I'm having a hard time figuring out how to convey just how much I loved this book. I had a few, minor, complaints about the first book (mostly me wanting more out of it) and this book fixed literally every complaint I had--and even gave me more than I could have expected.
Elodie and Sabine are just... I just love their connection. They only had a few moments in the book that really showcased their relationship, but they were all really special. Their love and support of one another is tender, and I can't tell you how relieved I am/was that Tal never got between them.
Tal. I didn't feel connected to him in the slightest in book 1. I thought he kind of came out of nowhere, but he quickly became one of the stand out characters in book 2. His relationships with Elodie and Sabine were intricate and complicated, and I think the addition of his connection with Sabine is life changing. So, so brilliant.
Silas being the fourth Warnou daughter was so gratifying and I just loved it. I didn't really expect it but I'm also notoriously bad at noticing foreshadowing haha.
I loved the humanization of Sebastian, Isolde, and even Terra. I could go on and on about it, but I won't bore you with my praise. It was really well done, and subtle enough that it didn't feel forced.
I loved Sabine's final confrontation with Tal. The way that it wasn't really about them at all. That their conflict was bigger than them, almost echoing generational trauma. That Sebastian and Isolde spoke to each other through them. It was a very delicate, intricate confrontation. I absolutely loved everything about it. And Tal showing up at the end, and him and Sabine reconciling was incredibly special.
I loved that Elodie gave up the crown. Having her give up the one thing she'd thought she'd wanted, had almost killed her sister for, because she realized she wasn't doing it for herself but for the expectations of her dead mother...
I could keep going. Everytime I think I've covered the highlights from the book, I think of something else. But this is already long, so, let me wrap this up.
Mental health struggles hang over this duology like a cloud, and I once throught it might become a tiring analogy. I was so, so wrong. It ended up making the conflicts of the book(s) feel really personal.
Elodie struggling with her beliefs around love and control. Sabine struggling with not knowing who she was without her darkness.
I will be thinking about these books, and very specifically this book, for a long time.
Reverently, even.
Even as someone who loves to ramble so much, I'm having a hard time figuring out how to convey just how much I loved this book. I had a few, minor, complaints about the first book (mostly me wanting more out of it) and this book fixed literally every complaint I had--and even gave me more than I could have expected.
Elodie and Sabine are just... I just love their connection. They only had a few moments in the book that really showcased their relationship, but they were all really special. Their love and support of one another is tender, and I can't tell you how relieved I am/was that Tal never got between them.
Tal. I didn't feel connected to him in the slightest in book 1. I thought he kind of came out of nowhere, but he quickly became one of the stand out characters in book 2. His relationships with Elodie and Sabine were intricate and complicated, and I think the addition of his connection with Sabine is life changing. So, so brilliant.
Silas being the fourth Warnou daughter was so gratifying and I just loved it. I didn't really expect it but I'm also notoriously bad at noticing foreshadowing haha.
I loved the humanization of Sebastian, Isolde, and even Terra. I could go on and on about it, but I won't bore you with my praise. It was really well done, and subtle enough that it didn't feel forced.
I loved Sabine's final confrontation with Tal. The way that it wasn't really about them at all. That their conflict was bigger than them, almost echoing generational trauma. That Sebastian and Isolde spoke to each other through them. It was a very delicate, intricate confrontation. I absolutely loved everything about it. And Tal showing up at the end, and him and Sabine reconciling was incredibly special.
I loved that Elodie gave up the crown. Having her give up the one thing she'd thought she'd wanted, had almost killed her sister for, because she realized she wasn't doing it for herself but for the expectations of her dead mother...
I could keep going. Everytime I think I've covered the highlights from the book, I think of something else. But this is already long, so, let me wrap this up.
Mental health struggles hang over this duology like a cloud, and I once throught it might become a tiring analogy. I was so, so wrong. It ended up making the conflicts of the book(s) feel really personal.
Elodie struggling with her beliefs around love and control. Sabine struggling with not knowing who she was without her darkness.
I will be thinking about these books, and very specifically this book, for a long time.
Reverently, even.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2024
As excited as I was for this book, I struggled with it and ultimately DNF at 53% (Chapter 18).
One of the biggest hurdles was that it’d been a year since I’d read The Third Daughter, so I was having trouble remembering what had previously happened and who everyone was. I definitely recommend tackling both books in this duology back-to-back because this book dives right into things without any reminders to refresh the reader’s memory.
While I eventually warmed back up to the characters, the story still fell flat for me because I wanted more decisive action from both of the protagonists.
Both the queen and the New Maiden seemed strangely powerless in their stations. I’m not convinced either of them were fit for the roles they were born into, which made the Second Son’s seem like he had a valid point that the New Maiden should step down. Even taking into account her lost magic, the New Maiden still could’ve done so much more with her position of authority. And despite being queen, Elodie’s M.O. seemed to be ignoring threats and hoping they’d go away.
After the identity of the Second Son was revealed, I grew frustrated with Elodie for not locking him up in a dungeon so he couldn’t meddle more or cause harm. The plan they decided upon instead felt rushed and rash. It undermined the New Maiden’s already precarious position and was overly reliant on the Second Son’s lust. Plus I didn’t understand why both Elodie and Sabine kept blabbing about their ruse to everyone they knew—a move almost guaranteed to backfire.
Politics are hard to pull off well in YA, and I’ve only felt like it was handled smoothly in Holly Black’s the Folk of the Air series and Audrey Coulthurst’s Of Fire and Stars duology. I probably would’ve enjoyed this more if it’d focused more on romance and magic, like my favorite book by this author, Sweet & Bitter Magic.
The cover and prose were beautiful, and I enjoyed the tiny glimpse of romance. While I loved the magical system in the first book, reaching the halfway mark without any magic whatsoever was disappointing. While I don’t doubt that magic makes a reappearance at some point, it seems like wasted world building to leave it out of the story for so long.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the author’s next book won’t be quite as politically driven and will be more my cup of tea.
I received an advanced copy from the publisher and am voluntarily leaving this review.
One of the biggest hurdles was that it’d been a year since I’d read The Third Daughter, so I was having trouble remembering what had previously happened and who everyone was. I definitely recommend tackling both books in this duology back-to-back because this book dives right into things without any reminders to refresh the reader’s memory.
While I eventually warmed back up to the characters, the story still fell flat for me because I wanted more decisive action from both of the protagonists.
Both the queen and the New Maiden seemed strangely powerless in their stations. I’m not convinced either of them were fit for the roles they were born into, which made the Second Son’s seem like he had a valid point that the New Maiden should step down. Even taking into account her lost magic, the New Maiden still could’ve done so much more with her position of authority. And despite being queen, Elodie’s M.O. seemed to be ignoring threats and hoping they’d go away.
After the identity of the Second Son was revealed, I grew frustrated with Elodie for not locking him up in a dungeon so he couldn’t meddle more or cause harm. The plan they decided upon instead felt rushed and rash. It undermined the New Maiden’s already precarious position and was overly reliant on the Second Son’s lust. Plus I didn’t understand why both Elodie and Sabine kept blabbing about their ruse to everyone they knew—a move almost guaranteed to backfire.
Politics are hard to pull off well in YA, and I’ve only felt like it was handled smoothly in Holly Black’s the Folk of the Air series and Audrey Coulthurst’s Of Fire and Stars duology. I probably would’ve enjoyed this more if it’d focused more on romance and magic, like my favorite book by this author, Sweet & Bitter Magic.
The cover and prose were beautiful, and I enjoyed the tiny glimpse of romance. While I loved the magical system in the first book, reaching the halfway mark without any magic whatsoever was disappointing. While I don’t doubt that magic makes a reappearance at some point, it seems like wasted world building to leave it out of the story for so long.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the author’s next book won’t be quite as politically driven and will be more my cup of tea.
I received an advanced copy from the publisher and am voluntarily leaving this review.
August 17, 2024
The Second Son (Betrayal Prophecies Book #2)
✍️ By: Adrienne Tooley-I read The Third Daughter and gave it 4⭐
🗣️ Narrator: Rebecca Lee voices all characters. The narrator's voice fits the characters. The reading style brought the text to life, and the author and narrator worked together perfectly. The pacing and flow allowed me to get lost in the story. The narrator paused and announced new chapters and there was a table of contents which helped me follow along with the E-book and audiobook.
Format: e-book, 314 pgs. | audiobook run time 7:55
🗓️ Publication Date: 7-16-24 | Read: 8-16-24
🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers| Christy Ottaviano for this e-ARC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions expressed are my own.
Genre: YA, Romance, Fantasy
🌏Setting: Velle
Tropes:
-Sapphic romance
-LGBTQ+ rep
-slow burn
-friends to enemies
POV: multiple, 3rd person
💭 Summary 💭Sabine and Elodie have to work together to defeat the Second Son who will destroy Velle.
Heroine: Elodie-Queen of Velle,17
Heroine: Sabine-The New Maiden,17
🎭Side cast:
* Sebastien-the second son
*Tal-Elodie's friend but loyal to the 2nd son
*Silas-the new bishop and later Chaplain
*Brianne-Elodie's younger sister, The Third Daughter who was put in a deep sleep so Elodie could ascend the throne
* Cleo-Elodie's middle sister
*Rob-Elodie's brother
*Edgar DeVos-Senator of the Sixth Republic-wants to marry Elodie and won't take no for an answer
* Tera and Duke Antony-Elodie's parents- her mother is deceased, father estranged
*Orla Anders, Artur, and Katrynn-Sabine's mother, brother, and sister.
🤔My Thoughts: At the core, Tal, Sebastien, Elodie, and Sabine pushed down their darkness. Sebastien and Tal both had abusive fathers and mothers who didn't care about them. Elodie sacrificed her little sister to take the throne and Sabine sold sadness before becoming the Maiden. Sabine took away Tal and Sebastien's pain, but she learned that she wasn't meant remain the Maiden. Elodie knew she wasn't meant to be Queen, so she changed Velle from a monarchy to a democracy, Maxine-the Velle's military commander- was my MVP because she took charge and did her duty.
Range of emotions: 😬🤔🙄
🌶️: Spice 2/5-off page, 1 scene between Elodie and Sabine
🎧: Narration 4/5
😭: Emotion 4/5
❤️: Couple 4/5
⭐️: Rating 3.5/5
✍️ By: Adrienne Tooley-I read The Third Daughter and gave it 4⭐
🗣️ Narrator: Rebecca Lee voices all characters. The narrator's voice fits the characters. The reading style brought the text to life, and the author and narrator worked together perfectly. The pacing and flow allowed me to get lost in the story. The narrator paused and announced new chapters and there was a table of contents which helped me follow along with the E-book and audiobook.
Format: e-book, 314 pgs. | audiobook run time 7:55
🗓️ Publication Date: 7-16-24 | Read: 8-16-24
🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers| Christy Ottaviano for this e-ARC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions expressed are my own.
Genre: YA, Romance, Fantasy
🌏Setting: Velle
Tropes:
-Sapphic romance
-LGBTQ+ rep
-slow burn
-friends to enemies
POV: multiple, 3rd person
💭 Summary 💭Sabine and Elodie have to work together to defeat the Second Son who will destroy Velle.
Heroine: Elodie-Queen of Velle,17
Heroine: Sabine-The New Maiden,17
🎭Side cast:
* Sebastien-the second son
*Tal-Elodie's friend but loyal to the 2nd son
*Silas-the new bishop and later Chaplain
*Brianne-Elodie's younger sister, The Third Daughter who was put in a deep sleep so Elodie could ascend the throne
* Cleo-Elodie's middle sister
*Rob-Elodie's brother
*Edgar DeVos-Senator of the Sixth Republic-wants to marry Elodie and won't take no for an answer
* Tera and Duke Antony-Elodie's parents- her mother is deceased, father estranged
*Orla Anders, Artur, and Katrynn-Sabine's mother, brother, and sister.
🤔My Thoughts: At the core, Tal, Sebastien, Elodie, and Sabine pushed down their darkness. Sebastien and Tal both had abusive fathers and mothers who didn't care about them. Elodie sacrificed her little sister to take the throne and Sabine sold sadness before becoming the Maiden. Sabine took away Tal and Sebastien's pain, but she learned that she wasn't meant remain the Maiden. Elodie knew she wasn't meant to be Queen, so she changed Velle from a monarchy to a democracy, Maxine-the Velle's military commander- was my MVP because she took charge and did her duty.
Range of emotions: 😬🤔🙄
🌶️: Spice 2/5-off page, 1 scene between Elodie and Sabine
🎧: Narration 4/5
😭: Emotion 4/5
❤️: Couple 4/5
⭐️: Rating 3.5/5
July 15, 2024
📚The Second Son (Betrayal Prophecies 2)
🖋️Author: Adrienne Tooley
🗂️Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
📆Publication date: July 16
🖌️Publisher: Christy Ottaviano Books
Pages: 320
ARC REVIEW
5/⭐️
📌Summary:
An epic clash of deities explores the two facets of pain—rage versus sadness—in this rousing conclusion to the Betrayal Prophecies, a dark crown fantasy duology with a sweeping sapphic romance.
The centuries-old prophecy has been fulfilled at last: the New Maiden has returned to Velle. Unfortunately, so has a malicious demi-god, whose elusive prophet is intent on converting the New Maiden’s followers.
The Second Son is a vengeful, angry deity, whose psalm resonates with the disenfranchised. With Elodie on the throne and Sabine in her own unique position of power, it should be easy enough to track down the culprit. Yet even as they’re falling in love, both girls are keeping dangerous secrets from each other.
While the cult of the Second Son threatens to overthrow not only the Church of the New Maiden but also Velle’s monarchy, Elodie and Sabine must navigate impossible odds to dismantle the root of his power, all while their lives hang in the balance.
Content warnings:descriptions of anxiety and depression, depictions of self-harm, parental death (off-page), parental neglect, physical abuse at the hand of a parent, religious trauma
📌Review:
This is the second book of the series “Betrayal Prophecies” and it’s an example of how the sequel can be even better than the first one in the series. I got so invested in the character’s life and how the author really managed to convey their feelings. One of the best elements of the book is the worldbuilding.
📌Thoughts:
If you love young adult fantasy, you should definitely check out this duology.
📌Book Links:
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/031...
📌Author’s links:
http://www.adriennetooley.com/
https://www.instagram.com/adriennetoo...
https://tbrandbeyondtours.com/2024/06...
#TheSecondSon#TBRBeyondTours #AdrienneTooley#BetrayalProphecies
🖋️Author: Adrienne Tooley
🗂️Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
📆Publication date: July 16
🖌️Publisher: Christy Ottaviano Books
Pages: 320
ARC REVIEW
5/⭐️
📌Summary:
An epic clash of deities explores the two facets of pain—rage versus sadness—in this rousing conclusion to the Betrayal Prophecies, a dark crown fantasy duology with a sweeping sapphic romance.
The centuries-old prophecy has been fulfilled at last: the New Maiden has returned to Velle. Unfortunately, so has a malicious demi-god, whose elusive prophet is intent on converting the New Maiden’s followers.
The Second Son is a vengeful, angry deity, whose psalm resonates with the disenfranchised. With Elodie on the throne and Sabine in her own unique position of power, it should be easy enough to track down the culprit. Yet even as they’re falling in love, both girls are keeping dangerous secrets from each other.
While the cult of the Second Son threatens to overthrow not only the Church of the New Maiden but also Velle’s monarchy, Elodie and Sabine must navigate impossible odds to dismantle the root of his power, all while their lives hang in the balance.
Content warnings:descriptions of anxiety and depression, depictions of self-harm, parental death (off-page), parental neglect, physical abuse at the hand of a parent, religious trauma
📌Review:
This is the second book of the series “Betrayal Prophecies” and it’s an example of how the sequel can be even better than the first one in the series. I got so invested in the character’s life and how the author really managed to convey their feelings. One of the best elements of the book is the worldbuilding.
📌Thoughts:
If you love young adult fantasy, you should definitely check out this duology.
📌Book Links:
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/031...
📌Author’s links:
http://www.adriennetooley.com/
https://www.instagram.com/adriennetoo...
https://tbrandbeyondtours.com/2024/06...
#TheSecondSon#TBRBeyondTours #AdrienneTooley#BetrayalProphecies
July 30, 2024
9.43/10
Characters-10
I loved the characters in this novel. Elodie and Sabine were fantastic and had a great dynamic. There were also supporting characters in this book, like Cleo and Brianne, that I enjoyed reading about. Sabine and her family had an interesting dynamic because they all had different personalities and worked together. Tal brought an interesting dynamic to this book, which I loved.
Plot-9
This story was interesting. I enjoyed how the themes of family, war, and personal thoughts played a role in this story. I liked how the dynamics between the characters played a role in the story. A sense of duty, doing what you want versus what you should do for your kingdom, was also a theme of this story, which I enjoyed. The Second Son had religious undertones to this story, and I enjoyed how this world's religious system worked.
Writing-10
Adrienne Tooley is a great writer. I was drawn into the writing style of this book, and I wanted to read more. There were many heavy themes in this book, and the tone of the story was reflected in that which I loved. There were some lighter moments in the story, and I loved that because you could tell the characters were enjoying themselves. The world-building in this duology was great, and in this book, we got to see more of the world the characters live in. From the castle to the harborside, I loved seeing how this world came together. This was a book with a lot of inner monologue and dreams where you find out what the characters are thinking, and how they're feeling, which I enjoyed.
Enjoyment-9
I enjoyed this book. I had a great time reading it even if it was heavier at times. The characters were wonderful, and I was rooting for them over the course of the story. The plot was interesting, and I was engaged in the story.
Characters-10
I loved the characters in this novel. Elodie and Sabine were fantastic and had a great dynamic. There were also supporting characters in this book, like Cleo and Brianne, that I enjoyed reading about. Sabine and her family had an interesting dynamic because they all had different personalities and worked together. Tal brought an interesting dynamic to this book, which I loved.
Plot-9
This story was interesting. I enjoyed how the themes of family, war, and personal thoughts played a role in this story. I liked how the dynamics between the characters played a role in the story. A sense of duty, doing what you want versus what you should do for your kingdom, was also a theme of this story, which I enjoyed. The Second Son had religious undertones to this story, and I enjoyed how this world's religious system worked.
Writing-10
Adrienne Tooley is a great writer. I was drawn into the writing style of this book, and I wanted to read more. There were many heavy themes in this book, and the tone of the story was reflected in that which I loved. There were some lighter moments in the story, and I loved that because you could tell the characters were enjoying themselves. The world-building in this duology was great, and in this book, we got to see more of the world the characters live in. From the castle to the harborside, I loved seeing how this world came together. This was a book with a lot of inner monologue and dreams where you find out what the characters are thinking, and how they're feeling, which I enjoyed.
Enjoyment-9
I enjoyed this book. I had a great time reading it even if it was heavier at times. The characters were wonderful, and I was rooting for them over the course of the story. The plot was interesting, and I was engaged in the story.
November 4, 2024
Though this was a gripping follow-up to The Third Daughter and I had a good time reading it, The Second Son is decidedly underdeveloped and rushed in comparison to its predecessor, despite being roughly the same length. I think that's because the second book arguably has to cover more ground with both the uprising of the Second Son's followers and then the main characters' final stand. All of the build-up with the Second Son was appropriately sickening and pervasive—perhaps too much for its own good, because the resentment and hatred seemed far too deep-rooted to be batted away with a couple of confrontations. Logistically, I'm not even sure how that conflict resolved. The allegorical elements are also a little iffy, particularly concerning characters' relationship to darkness/pain. But the writing was solid and I really like how Tooley uses magic and fantasy to explore societal and mental struggles.
September 15, 2024
A satisfying second installment by Tooley
I’m so glad Sabine embraces her power, or lack there of …
Elodie is a fierce and brave as ever
We FINALLLLY find them confirming their romance and love for eachother (screams in sapphic joy)
Interesting take on emotions as raw power here — loved the wielding of rage by women
It is fascinating that this cult following the second son is mainly men angry at the world and embarrassed at themselves and want to burn it down for everyone else (this feels very fitting for US political climate …)
The siblings all finally got more air time and I loved it — now I want a 1. sequel of democratic rule in Vella and 2. Prequel of the former Queen Mother as she was vilified here but she kept peace and separation of church and state (clearly a big challenge given the whole premise of the book)
If you liked this, I recommend the Dorsa Chronicles by Eliza Andrews (books) and The Serpent Queen (show)
I’m so glad Sabine embraces her power, or lack there of …
Elodie is a fierce and brave as ever
We FINALLLLY find them confirming their romance and love for eachother (screams in sapphic joy)
Interesting take on emotions as raw power here — loved the wielding of rage by women
It is fascinating that this cult following the second son is mainly men angry at the world and embarrassed at themselves and want to burn it down for everyone else (this feels very fitting for US political climate …)
The siblings all finally got more air time and I loved it — now I want a 1. sequel of democratic rule in Vella and 2. Prequel of the former Queen Mother as she was vilified here but she kept peace and separation of church and state (clearly a big challenge given the whole premise of the book)
If you liked this, I recommend the Dorsa Chronicles by Eliza Andrews (books) and The Serpent Queen (show)
July 21, 2024
I really loved the ending to this one. It definitely could have gone one way, and I’m happy about the route chosen.
At it’s core, the book is about the power of emotions and how important it is to feel. When bottled up, the damage can be catastrophic. Released, it can be powerful. The men don’t show their emotion, which is why the Second’s Son armies were so numbered. On the other hand, the Maiden does show emotion, and her power stems from that.
There’s a lot of loneliness, anger, and betrayal in this book, but also communication (eventually). While executed as a fast paced and thrilling narrative of a monarchy on the brink of collapse, I think the underlying meaning shines through just as much and is very important.
Thank you TBR and Beyond Tours for having me on this tour and for the copy of the book.
At it’s core, the book is about the power of emotions and how important it is to feel. When bottled up, the damage can be catastrophic. Released, it can be powerful. The men don’t show their emotion, which is why the Second’s Son armies were so numbered. On the other hand, the Maiden does show emotion, and her power stems from that.
There’s a lot of loneliness, anger, and betrayal in this book, but also communication (eventually). While executed as a fast paced and thrilling narrative of a monarchy on the brink of collapse, I think the underlying meaning shines through just as much and is very important.
Thank you TBR and Beyond Tours for having me on this tour and for the copy of the book.
November 21, 2025
4.25 stars
This was such a wonderful duology. Exactly what I needed right now. It’s easy to read with compelling characters and a plot that’s never dull.
I adored Sabine and Elodie. Their strength and passion and love and anger and loyalty and sadness shone through these pages and hooked my heart. For two girls from incredibly different worlds, they had so much in common. I loved their individual journeys but also their journey together, slowly falling more and more in love across these pages.
The men in this book infuriated me. So much. Oh my gosh. The anger I held towards all these men, to this bratty Second Son, to all these entitled little boys. Hooooboy. I was so glad to see women triumph.
The depression metaphor was really solid. I felt it so deeply as Sabine talked about her darkness. It was really beautifully crafted.
This was such a wonderful duology. Exactly what I needed right now. It’s easy to read with compelling characters and a plot that’s never dull.
I adored Sabine and Elodie. Their strength and passion and love and anger and loyalty and sadness shone through these pages and hooked my heart. For two girls from incredibly different worlds, they had so much in common. I loved their individual journeys but also their journey together, slowly falling more and more in love across these pages.
The men in this book infuriated me. So much. Oh my gosh. The anger I held towards all these men, to this bratty Second Son, to all these entitled little boys. Hooooboy. I was so glad to see women triumph.
The depression metaphor was really solid. I felt it so deeply as Sabine talked about her darkness. It was really beautifully crafted.
February 14, 2025
Much like the other book in this duet, I read the final 100+ pages in one sitting. Absolutely loved how this story all turned out. This book had SO much to say about power, religion, family, mental illness…the themes felt extraordinarily resonant in our current climate. Though I expect no less from Adrienne Tooley, I think it’s incredible to be able to pen a love story where each woman is able to stand alone with strong main character vibes. Very few love stories do that, but Tooley does it effortlessly. Character building is her gift.
My favorite quote of this book, but likely in the top ten quotes of all books ever: “You misunderstand." She smiled softly. "I think She made sure that when it was our time to feel sadness, we did not do so alone."
My favorite quote of this book, but likely in the top ten quotes of all books ever: “You misunderstand." She smiled softly. "I think She made sure that when it was our time to feel sadness, we did not do so alone."
October 9, 2024
3.5 stars
Still lamenting the fact that Adrienne Tooley wrote a duology instead of a standalone. This wasn't a bad follow up to the first book, but it took me a while to get into it because I couldn't necessarily remember what happened. We got there by the end, though!
There are some twists and turns in the plot in this one, and I think I would have liked a little more from Elodie and Sabine's relationship. But Tooley digs into the emotional side of the conflict, and that was probably the best aspect of the book for me. All in all, not a bad duology!
Still lamenting the fact that Adrienne Tooley wrote a duology instead of a standalone. This wasn't a bad follow up to the first book, but it took me a while to get into it because I couldn't necessarily remember what happened. We got there by the end, though!
There are some twists and turns in the plot in this one, and I think I would have liked a little more from Elodie and Sabine's relationship. But Tooley digs into the emotional side of the conflict, and that was probably the best aspect of the book for me. All in all, not a bad duology!
July 17, 2024
I enjoy this series a lot and I'm sad to see it as a duology. I loved the worldbuilding, the relationship between the two powerful and yet so different characters. This second volume shows more of their romance, but also how they restore/attribute matriarchal power to institutions that were basically patriarchal. I felt it was calmer than the first volume but more mature and confident writing. I love both covers as well. Tal is a great character to balance the others.
November 14, 2024
I really enjoy the way the author examines so many relevant issues (politics, toxic masculinity, separation of church and state, same sex relationships, the power of female rage, etc.)
I feel that the characters are well developed, and that the world around them is similarly well developed. At times, the pace of the story feels a bit inconsistent. Overall, a very enjoyable read with powerful messages.
I feel that the characters are well developed, and that the world around them is similarly well developed. At times, the pace of the story feels a bit inconsistent. Overall, a very enjoyable read with powerful messages.
November 20, 2024
At this moment I cannot summon the proper words to describe the feeling this book leaves you with. That will stay between my book diary and me. I can only say that I love this author. I've already fell in love with Sweet and Bitter Magic and I hope I can continue on reading everything she writes. This is not only a book to reflect on to our emotions, what they mean to us; but so much more regarding figures of power, our priorities and our peace.
I hope you give these duology a chance. 💙♥️
I hope you give these duology a chance. 💙♥️
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