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The Reluctant Queen

(The Queens of Renthia #2)

Sarah Beth Durst (Goodreads Author)

4.04 · Rating details · 2,973 ratings · 477 reviews

Everything has a spirit: the willow tree with leaves that kiss the pond, the stream that feeds the river, the wind that exhales fresh snow . . .
And those spirits want to kill you.
It’s the first lesson that every Renthian learns.

Not long ago, Daleina used her strength and skill to survive those spirits and assume the royal throne. Since then, the new queen has kept the Everything has a spirit: the willow tree with leaves that kiss the pond, the stream that feeds the river, the wind that exhales fresh snow . . .
And those spirits want to kill you.
It’s the first lesson that every Renthian learns.

Not long ago, Daleina used her strength and skill to survive those spirits and assume the royal throne. Since then, the new queen has kept the peace and protected the humans of her land. But now for all her power, she is hiding a terrible secret: she is dying. And if she leaves the world before a new heir is ready, the spirits that inhabit her beloved realm will run wild, destroying her cities and slaughtering her people.

Naelin is one such person, and she couldn’t be further removed from the Queen—and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Her world is her two children, her husband, and the remote village tucked deep in the forest that is her home, and that’s all she needs. But when Ven, the Queens champion, passes through the village, Naelin’s ambitious husband proudly tells him of his wife’s ability to control spirits—magic that Naelin fervently denies. She knows that if the truth of her abilities is known, it will bring only death and separation from those she loves.

But Ven has a single task: to find the best possible candidate to protect the people of Aratay. He did it once when he discovered Daleina, and he’s certain he’s done it again. Yet for all his appeals to duty, Naelin is a mother, and she knows her duty is to her children first and foremost. Only as the Queen’s power begins to wane and the spirits become emboldened—even as ominous rumors trickle down from the north—does she realize that the best way to keep her son and daughter safe is to risk everything.

Sarah Beth Durst established a place of dark wonder in The Queen of Blood, and now the stakes are even higher as the threat to the Queen and her people grows both from within and beyond the borders of Aratay in this riveting second novel of the Queens of Renthia series. ...more

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Kindle Edition, 368 pages

Published July 4th 2017 by Harper Voyager

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Sep 05, 2016 Emily May rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, arc, young-adult, 2017

I'm just going to say it: I think this series is REALLY good and should be read by more people.

There's so much bad in YA fantasy. So much recycled I-pretend-the-world-is-in-danger-but-really-I-just-need-to-choose-between-two-hot-boys nonsense. I personally really feel this series is a hidden gem in a huge pile of the same. It sounds familiar, with the usual titles like "The Queen of ___" and "The ___ Queen", but, for me at least, the story is something different.

Maybe it's just that so much time I'm just going to say it: I think this series is REALLY good and should be read by more people.

There's so much bad in YA fantasy. So much recycled I-pretend-the-world-is-in-danger-but-really-I-just-need-to-choose-between-two-hot-boys nonsense. I personally really feel this series is a hidden gem in a huge pile of the same. It sounds familiar, with the usual titles like "The Queen of ___" and "The ___ Queen", but, for me at least, the story is something different.

Maybe it's just that so much time has passed, but I feel like I liked this sequel even more than the first book. Daleina is now queen, struggling to control the spirits, but she soon finds out a terrible truth: she is dying. If she dies without an heir, Aratay will be overrun by spirits and fall into chaos. Two races are on in this book - Hamon's race to find a cure for Daleina's incurable illness, and the champions' race to produce a worthy queen before it is too late.

As if this wasn't all dramatic enough, the queen of Semo (and Daleina's old friend) appears to be moving her soldiers into Aratay. It's all very exciting. AND then it turns out that something else may not be as it first appeared, which leads us toward a very compelling mystery and, I thought, a surprising resolution.

I think this book has a lot of crossover appeal and could easily be sold as adult fantasy. The characters are all adults and, though PG-13, the book carries a maturity with it. Daleina never becomes distracted by some hot dude and always remembers what is really important - protecting the throne and, through it, the people of Aratay.

In The Reluctant Queen, we meet some fabulous new characters. Naelin is a woodswoman who has spent her whole life hiding her power away so she can have a normal life with her children and husband. When the safety of her children is threatened, she emerges into the spotlight. I also thought the manipulative and evil Garnah was a fantastic character. She was a great villain because, for some reason, she wasn't entirely unlikeable. Maybe because she was so smart and cunning that it was hard to not have a certain admiration for her.

This is just entertaining, fast-paced fantasy exactly the way I like it. Mysteries, murder, royal politics and betrayals, and just the tiniest bit of romance.

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Youtube ...more

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Feb 24, 2017 Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, fantasy

$2.99 Kindle sale, March 16, 2018, for this second book in a very good fantasy series. The third (and final, I believe) book in this series will be published in May 2018. Final review, first posted on Fantasy Literature. Some spoilers for the first book in this series here:

Sarah Beth Durst continues the saga of the QUEENS OF RENTHIA in The Reluctant Queen, the second book in this series (definitely read the first book, The Queen of Blood, before this one). Renthia is in a world where everything ...more

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Jul 07, 2017 Jessica rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: firstreads, fantasy, own

As a mom who is just starting to get some gray hairs, it is very, very pleasing to read a fantasy book starring a mom who is starting to get gray hairs. It is very, very pleasing to read about a "Chosen One" who is like, "No. I didn't want this. I don't want fame or glory. I don't even care about saving the world. I only care about my family, MY life."

I was like, YEAH. You go, girl!

Too often moms in books are relegated to being the kindly farm lady who raised the Chosen One, taught them manners ...more

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Jan 12, 2019 Maggie ☘ (Wonderland-Reader) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: amazing-female-leads, magic, favourites, amazing-reads, high-fantasy, intriguing-world-building, tbr-or-to-buy, charismatic-characters, underrated-gems

Once again, being in this magical yet bloodthirsty world was an amazing experience. I love the setting and the magic system so so much.

Everything has a spirt - the earth, the wind, water, fire, ice or the wood of the great trees themselves on which the people of Aratay live. And those spirits crave one thing - violent death of all humankind. The only thing standing between their wish is the Queen of each land, who gains the ultimate power over them in a sacred ritual. But what if the Queen's ...more

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Aug 04, 2017 Mogsy (MMOGC) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, review-copy

4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2017/08/15/...

The opening volume of the Queens of Renthia series, The Queen of Blood, was one of my most surprising reads of last year, both in how the story turned out as well as how much I enjoyed it. As a book that contained many elements of your average Young Adult fantasy, I confess I hadn’t really expected much from it at all, though ultimately I came out of it very satisfied and impressed. Needless to say, I’m glad I picked up 4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2017/08/15/...

The opening volume of the Queens of Renthia series, The Queen of Blood, was one of my most surprising reads of last year, both in how the story turned out as well as how much I enjoyed it. As a book that contained many elements of your average Young Adult fantasy, I confess I hadn’t really expected much from it at all, though ultimately I came out of it very satisfied and impressed. Needless to say, I’m glad I picked up The Reluctant Queen because, like its predecessor, this sequel was a breath of fresh air, surpassing my expectations once again.

Following the shocking events of the previous novel, Daleina has become queen, though in her eyes, the price of her taking the throne was much too high. Still, despite her devastation at all that had happened, the citizens of Aratay are depending on her to keep the volatile spirits of the natural world in line, and Daleina is determined to do all she can to keep her people safe.

But now, the future of her realm is in jeopardy, for Daleina has just received some terrible news: it turns out that the ill effects she has been experiencing lately are the symptoms of a fatal inherited disease, and she may not have long to live. Worse, if she dies without someone to take her place, the land will be left without a protector to control the spirits, leaving them to run wild over the settlements, destroying and killing everything they touch.

And so, in her desperation to find an heir, Daleina sends her champions out into the world to track down the most promising and talented candidates to bring them back for training—even if they have no aspirations to become queen, for not all girls with the affinity to manipulate spirits wind up at the academies to learn how to use their powers. Some manage to stay under the radar, especially if they simply want to live a humble, quiet existence. Naelin is one such person, who has kept her powerful abilities a secret ever since she was a little girl. She’s content with her life in her remote village in the forest, married to a woodsman and raising their son and daughter. However, when Daleina’s champion comes calling, Naelin’s days of hiding may be over. Now that the truth has been revealed, the spirits have marked her as a threat, and despite her strong reluctance to leave her old familiar life behind, becoming the queen’s heir may be the only way she can protect her children.

I love it when a series evolves, and there’s no question about it—this one is maturing in more ways than one. First of all, the story has grown richer with the addition of a new POV character, and I have to say Naelin is one of the best characters I’ve had the pleasure of meeting in a book. Much like how Daleina was in the previous novel, Naelin is not your typical “Chosen One”; she’s a middle-aged woman and a mother, whose only desire to provide a safe, stable home for her children. She loves the simple yet rewarding life she has built, and is content with the way things are. Furthermore, unlike The Queen of Blood which at times had the feel of a young adult novel because of the age of its protagonist as well as some of its adolescent “magic school” themes, The Reluctant Queen shines the light on topics which are more geared towards adulthood (such as parenting and marital issues), imbuing this series with a certain weightiness that certainly wasn’t there before.

This also makes the novel’s conflicts seem more significant somehow, because Naelin has so much more to lose. Her charming, adorable children are her entire world, and Sarah Beth Durst should be applauded for doing such an excellent job getting readers to engage and sympathize with this little family. They wanted nothing more than to live their lives in obscurity and peace, but instead they are thrust into the limelight, and Naelin is given the most difficult choice of all, which really made me appreciate the author’s exploration into the many different roles of women by featuring a predominantly female cast. On the surface, we have Daleina, whose duty is to provide safety to her people, as well as Naelin, who is a mother fully devoted to her children, but nothing is ever so clear cut or simple. Whether it’s queen, protector, wife, mother, daughter, sister—some characters must bear the burden of a great number of responsibilities and take on multiple roles. The timeless themes of family and sacrifice woven through this story are very powerful and touching, and frankly I wish there were more books like these out there.

Last year, The Queen of Blood made it onto my list of books that I felt were deserving of more attention, and I maintain that more than ever, especially with how good The Reluctant Queen turned out. I really can’t wait to see what happens next. The Queens of Renthia is shaping up to be an excellent series, and I definitely won’t make the mistake of underestimating it again. ...more

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Feb 04, 2017 Justine rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2018-read

An excellent sequel, this book was very different from The Queen of Blood. We get a good follow up on established characters, plus introduction to some interesting new ones.

I loved the new central character introduced in this book, Naelin. We don't often get older women, particularly mothers, taking a such a central and positive role in YA fantasy - and here we even get a little bit of romantic tension! Honestly, she really made the book for me.

Durst is doing something different here, and as a ...more

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Oct 31, 2019 Catherine rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 4-stars, fantasy, young-adult

1) The Queen of Blood

"The two things that a true queen needs are the instinct to survive and the instinct to protect."

After finishing the second book of this trilogy, I'm even more confused about the reason this series isn't as popular as others YA fantasy on goodreads. I could understand if after the first book it became bad, but it's the opposite. This universe and the characters are amazing. I honestly have no idea why it's so underrated, maybe because the covers aren't attractive for many ...more

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Jun 10, 2019 Zoe Stewart (yerabooknerdzoe) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: default

I think I almost like this one better than the first? Maybe? I don't know, but I love them both. This definitely doesn't suffer from second book syndrome, which is all I ever ask for. We see so much more of this world and from such different perspectives, but it doesn't take away from everything we've learned from the last book. It sets it up perfectly to learn even more about the wider world in the third book, and I am READY

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Dec 01, 2019 Tammie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: adult, trilogy, favorite-covers, adult-fantasy, high-fantasy, fantasy, owned-hard-cover

Everything has a spirit: the willow tree with leaves that kiss the pond, the stream that feeds the river, the wind that exhales fresh snow . . .
And those spirits want to kill you.
It’s the first lesson that every Renthian learns.

It took we a while to get back to this series, even though I enjoyed the first book when I read it. It had been a while so I wasn't sure if I was still going to be into the story, but I shouldn't have worried, this ended up being just as good as the first book. That ...more

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Dec 31, 2016 Taylor rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2017-books, fantasy, favorites

"What did you want?" Still cradling her children, Naelin watched the guardswoman clean her blade and then splash water on her face and neck. Patches of dirt turned into mud that dripped over her shoulders.

She shrugged. "Not that life. Far too boring."

"Peaceful isn't boring."

"I wanted to matter. For my life to matter. So many people die and no one knows they ever existed. They're ripples in a stream, disappearing when the wind blows."

...

The Reluctant Queen by Sarah Beth Durst is the second book ...more

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Apr 24, 2018 Hollis rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: heroes-to-root-for, not-all-the-feels-but-some, 2018-reads, fantasy, finished-in-april-2018, library-read, not-a-bunch-of-twenty-somethings, seriously-kick-ass-lady-protag, romance, men-in-uniform

I'm fluctuating a bit on this one. THE RELUCTANT QUEEN had a slow start that nonetheless completely enthralled me by the end. We shift gears quite a bit coming out of book one and into this middle installment of the Queens of Renthia series and I was hesitant about that shift after everything that had been earned in THE QUEEN OF BLOOD. But I like where this is going -- or at least where I think this is going. And again, that ending/build to the big climax was fantastic.

"They're no longer ...more

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Oct 18, 2016 Idil marked it as to-read · review of another edition

As long as Merecot is in this one, I'm happy.

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Dec 16, 2018 Cori Reed rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This series is so underrated.

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May 01, 2018 Bob rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy-epic

The Queens of Renthia is very much a traditional fantasy, full of elemental spirits, forest settings, and a legitimate sense of wonder. It is also surprisingly violent, with the dark, bloody, treacherous climax of The Queen of Blood genuinely impressing me.

While I felt the first half of The Reluctant Queen was too much a repeat of the first book, with yet another heir being trained to take the throne, there were enough differences to keep me intrigued, giving Sarah Beth Durst time to orchestrate The Queens of Renthia is very much a traditional fantasy, full of elemental spirits, forest settings, and a legitimate sense of wonder. It is also surprisingly violent, with the dark, bloody, treacherous climax of The Queen of Blood genuinely impressing me.

While I felt the first half of The Reluctant Queen was too much a repeat of the first book, with yet another heir being trained to take the throne, there were enough differences to keep me intrigued, giving Sarah Beth Durst time to orchestrate a few big reveals that drive the second half toward a much bigger conflict. Had I read it first (as she apparently wrote it), I suspect this second volume would have been my favorite, but that familiarity holds it back, placing it in "just as good" territory, rather than "better than the first."

Let me start by talking about those differences, which are significant. With Daleina as the protagonist, the first book was very much a young heroine's coming of age tale, complete with training montages, innocent adoration, and first-love romance. The sequel takes a much more mature approach, selecting Naelin - a wife and a mother - as the new protagonist. That choice shifts the focus significantly, adopting a reluctant heroine and getting deeper into themes of family, responsibility, and accountability.

As for the second half of the novel, it echoes the betrayals of the first, but this time the conflict comes from without, which further teases the wider word-building of the first book. Similarly, the story once again forces us to ask if the ends ever justify the means, but this time on a smaller scale, with the introduction of Hamon's mother, an amusing, if entirely amoral, sociopath. It's just as uncomfortable a story as the first, and perhaps even more so for the human motives involved, with a betrayal that carries a far heavier emotional burden, even if it too is on a smaller scale. The conflict behind the second half is interesting, especially knowing now that it will drive the final volume, and while the climax may not be as shocking, it's still entirely satisfying.

Bring on The Queen of Sorrow, and the tragedies that await.

https://beauty-in-ruins.blogspot.ca/2... ...more

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Aug 23, 2017 Acqua rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: tw-aphobia, fantasy, boring-li, princesses, boring, no-chemistry

This may be the most boring fantasy book I've ever read, and it wasn't even that long. Nothing happened for the first 100 pages, and after that I started skimming.
And I liked the first book! I still like this world, but I'm definitely not continuing the series. This was just terrible.

I didn't hate the protagonist—I liked the idea of her. However, she wasn't that developed, and it took her 100 pages only to decide to start training. At that point, I had already lost interest in her.
The romance ...more

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Jun 16, 2017 Karissa rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

This is the second book in the Queens of Renthia series. I absolutely loved this book and have loved all the books in this series so far. This is a fantasy series; while it is appropriate for YA it features a lot of adult characters.

I love the world and the characters in here. The writing is easy to read and flows well. I have a really hard time putting this book down and ended up reading it very quickly.

I enjoyed seeing Daleina on the throne and struggling through her reign. However, even ...more

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Dec 27, 2017 Lindsay rated it really liked it · review of another edition

A return to Renthia with a new heir being needed almost immediately after the last Queen was crowned.

Naelin has power over spirits that she has denied all her life, but she'll do anything to protect her two children, even reveal that power to Champion Ven when he seeks her out. Meanwhile Daleina is sick with a horrific disease that leaves her unable to control spirits for short periods: catastrophic when the whole country relies on her control.

Naelin is a great character; "mother bear" as Ven ...more

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Jan 09, 2018 Rissa rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2018-favorites, audiobooks

More action, more drama, more death and uncontrollable spirits.

It was absolutely wonderful andni cant wait for the next book!

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Jul 14, 2017 Colleen Houck added it · review of another edition

Shelves: chbc-author, death, colleen-houck-book-club-pick, sickness-disease, fantasy, cover-love, suspense, another-world, setting, forest

Liked this one just as much as the first. The world building in this series is incredible! If you love fantasy, you'll really enjoy this one. I really related to the reluctant heroine and I liked her a lot. Great characters!

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Apr 19, 2018 Ari rated it really liked it · review of another edition

You know, what I realised is that even though I am fond of the general themes (and the genre in itself), I could slowly move on from YA, not because I didn't like this book, but because I liked it MORE.

And that's in part because the characters were older - while some people might have struggled with Naelin, I just loved her for her deep stubbornness. I have a child, he is the world to me, I would do anything for him and if faced with her choices I would be just as reluctant.

Like with Hunger ...more

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Sep 18, 2019 Jashana rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2019

4.5 stars, officially.

I just really love this world. It's so unique!

I was surprised by quite a few things that happened (in a good way!). The characters continue being interesting and fun to read about... the new characters introduced in this installment were great.

I have SO many questions now, though, and I really want to get to the third and final book a.s.a.p.!

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Feb 06, 2018 Claudia ✨ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: four-stars, year-2018

My rating: 4.5 stars

After reading this stunning sequel to one of my favorite fantasy books ever, The Queen of Blood, I am now even more baffled by the fact that this series isn't more talked about.

In this book, the stakes are even higher than in its predecessor. Daleina is now the queen of Aratay, and all should be good - except that she finds herself terminally sick. And if she dies without an heir, all of Aratay will fall to the bloodthirsty spirits. It's up to Champion Ven to try to find an ...more

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Aug 14, 2019 Shelley rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult-fantasy, 2017-release

*Source* Library
*Genre* Young Adult, Fantasy
*Rating* 4.0

*Thoughts*

The Reluctant Queen is the second installment in author Sarah Beth Durst's Queens of Renthia trilogy. This story picks up 6 months from where The Queen of Blood left off. Daleina is Queen of the Forests of Aratay, and the sole survivor of the coronation day massacre. But, she is losing control of the spirits that she is supposed to keep from harming her people and her villages. Killing the Queen would set the spirits free, and boy ...more

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Nov 28, 2017 Beth Cato rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2017, fantasy

This second book in the Queens of Renthia series can stand well on its own, but also works as a strong sequel to The Queen of Blood. At the end of the first book, Daleina has survived a bloody massacre of warring nature spirits and become queen of Renthia. However, it soon becomes clear that she is deathly ill. As the nature spirits rally against her and political woes increase, Daleina must accept that she may be dead within months--and Renthia needs a new candidate for queen. A major problem, ...more

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Aug 20, 2017 Cindy ✩☽ Savage Queen ♔ marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Me when I realize (after just finishing The Queen of Blood) that the second book is not about Daleina...

Like how dare you!? You made me fall in love with the characters from Book 1 and now you're taking them away from me! Ugh....

Sidenote: If the main character is a mother with graying hair and we obviously know Valek is probably an old man by now, shouldn't this book be considered Adult based on the characters? Or is that not how this works anymore? In the first book, Daleina and all her ...more

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Jul 05, 2017 Danielle N rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, ya

*As always this is a review for a sequel. I will try to omit potential spoilers, but recommend visiting at a later time if you have yet to read the first in the series and plan to do so. You can find my review for the first book The Queen of Blood here.

I only recently read and reviewed the The Queen of Blood (The Queens of Renthia #1) in eager anticipation of exploring a new series. I had this lovely arc in my hands and simply knew it was going to be worth my time. While appropriate for the YA *As always this is a review for a sequel. I will try to omit potential spoilers, but recommend visiting at a later time if you have yet to read the first in the series and plan to do so. You can find my review for the first book The Queen of Blood here.

I only recently read and reviewed the The Queen of Blood (The Queens of Renthia #1) in eager anticipation of exploring a new series. I had this lovely arc in my hands and simply knew it was going to be worth my time. While appropriate for the YA audience, an ensemble of well developed characters, plot and world building continues to provide an experience that I feel can be adequately appreciated by all.

Now the Queen of Aratay, Daleina discovers that she has the False Death. Now she struggles to conceal a secret that is killing her and threatening her country. She must find a successor to the throne immediately. But what happens when the only person who can possibly help refuses to do so? Naelin has hidden her powers in fear of losing her quiet, content life with her children. But now she may have to give up everything she has fought for to protect that very life. With an impending invasion, time if of the essence.

The Reluctant Queen is a rare case of a sequel surpassing its predecessor. Packed with a sense of urgency and delivered with a few remarkable new characters, it expands on an intricate story of magic and survival in the best of ways. The plot is familiar but more evolved. We still have a queen who is responsible for maintaining the balance of life and spirits. Now that element has been beautifully heightened by Daleina’s failing health and the dire need for an heir.

Nailen is absolutely stellar in terms of female protagonist. She offers a unique facet with her older age and two children that I found slightly relatable and at times highly admirable. Her motherly instincts drive her and ultimately prove to be her true strength. Forthright in her feelings against training to be an heir, she is humble and supplies a refreshing perspective on life in Aratay. Familiar characters also make a welcomed return as Ven is tasked with finding a new candidate and the very queen he trained is facing uncertainty.

The world building progresses as we are given a glimpse into the castle and throne room. This provides further exploration into how reliant life on Renthia is to having a queen. The magic in The Reluctant Queen continues to prove its worth with a direct yet imaginative system that focuses on nature and its manipulation. I hold a fondness for the emphasis of female power in this book. I love that the magic is gender exclusive. While I am aware that aspect might not fall on the favor of all, I felt it enhanced the female leads and provided an extra dose of originality.

The writing is all that I have come to expect from my time with The Queen of Blood. A fluid yet light prose creates a fast paced read that never feels too dense or complex yet manages to convey a story full of depth. Again, I am recommending this series to all fans of fantasy and magic. My anticipation to continue exploring this series easily rivals that of any past encounters during the last year or two!

*I would like to thank the publisher for this copy. This review is my own, unbiased opinion.

You can also find this review on Books, Vertigo and Tea. ...more

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Aug 02, 2017 Suz rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audio, fantasy

3.75 stars

This one definitely got better as it got farther along. The mystery was engaging, the new female lead is mature and likeable if a bit frustrating in place. This addition to the series had a bit more romance than the first book.

I like the novel resolution to one of the biggest problems facing the MCs.

I had some frustration with some tropes early on, in the last book it was the lack of communication as plot pacing trope that was most vexing. This entry in the series could, in places, ...more

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Jun 06, 2019 Gunjan (NerdyBirdie) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2019

I know I’ve already said this but I’m surprised that more people aren’t talking about this series. The Reluctant Queen has just further confirmed that Sarah Beth Durst has created a memorable work with The Queens of Renthia series.

In my review for The Queen of Blood I mentioned that I felt its purpose was to set up the plot for this current book. And Durst definitely delivered. This book opens up with high stakes, mysteries, and an intense race against the clock for the significant powerful ...more

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Feb 16, 2019 Noor rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: i-own, fantasy, favourite

I don't think I've ever felt this emotional about a book before. Consider me destroyed.

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Sep 11, 2018 Jamie rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: dnf-d

The book is too gruesome for me to continue. I was hoping it'd get better in this book but it didn't

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About Sarah Beth Durst

Sarah Beth Durst

1,939 followers

Sarah Beth Durst is the award-winning author of nineteen fantasy books for kids, teens, and adults, including The Girl Who Could Not Dream, Drink Slay Love, and The Queens of Renthia series. She won an ALA Alex Award and a Mythopoeic Fantasy Award and has been a finalist for SFWA's Andre Norton Award three times. She is a graduate of Princeton University, where she spent four years studying ...more