The Confectioner's Coup

The Confectioner Chronicles #2

by Claire Luana

Out of the frying pan, into the fire...

Wren thought things were bad when her boyfriend's father tried to frame her for murder. But that was before a hostile army showed up at the city gates, ready to swallow Maradis whole. And before guild members began disappearing one by one--including the Confectioner's Guild's newest Gifted recruit.

Wren, suspecting the king is to blame for the disappearances, undertakes a dangerous investigation that sets her on a collision course with old and new enemies alike. Will she be able to find the missing guild members before tensions boil over into outright rebellion? Or are the guilds willing to go further than she ever realized to rid themselves of the king's tyranny...

Don't miss this thrilling Book 2 in the Confectioner Chronicles!

The Confectioner's Exile is a young adult fantasy mystery perfect for fans of Maria Snyder, Erika Johansen, and Gail Carriger.

Genres: Fantasy, Magic, Young Adult, Romance, Young Adult Fantasy, High Fantasy, Ebooks

284 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 13, 2018

About the author

Claire Luana grew up reading everything she could get her hands on and writing every chance she could. Eventually, adulthood won out, and she turned her writing talents to more scholarly pursuits, going to work as a commercial litigation attorney at a mid-sized law firm. While continuing to practice law, Claire decided to return to her roots and try her hand once again at creative writing.

She has written and published five series, the Moonburner Cycle, the Confectioner Chronicles, the Mythical Alliance, the Knights of Caerleon, with Jesikah Sundin, and the Faerie Race, with J.A. Armitage. She lives in Cle Elum, Washington with her husband and two dogs. In her (little) remaining spare time, she loves to hike, travel, binge-watch CW shows, and of course, fall into a good book.

Check her out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/claireluana/

Reviews

[*❆ Kαɾҽɳ ❆* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second Read Nov 2020
Buddy Read with my Darce darling, love you girl and thanks for buddy reading this with me 💕🤗
Man second time reading this exactly 2 years ago and yet it honestly felt like I was reading it for the first time!
I didn’t even remember 85% of the things that happened in this book, which was good because it was like reading the raw material and feeling all those emotions pour out of my bleed heart!

What a roller coaster ride we are in for, second book and just got better, I cannot wait to read more and I really need to jump into the final book. I think I didn’t want to know what happens next after what happened to everything at the end, but now it’s time to find out and face it and who knows maybe, hopefully there’s a happy ending?
Fingers cross!

Thank you Darce for this BR and I really want to read the end with you, so if you’re up for it, it’s drop everything and read book 3 time!

First Read Nov 2018
Wow, just wow. There's just no words to explain what I'm feeling right now.
I cannot believe what it has taken for this world to become apart of my own.
This series so far has made my heart soar, has made my heart jump with fright and fear, has made my heart cringe with awkwardness, it has made my heart sing for joy and it has made my heart broken with sadness and sorrow.
And I believe for this novel alone, it has accomplished all of these, but mainly the last one

This book really hits you hard with sadness and anger, you'll want to rip your hair out and scream at the screen because of the decisions that many of the beloved characters have done!

There's just so much to learn about what happens to these characters, and how to apply it to our own lives.
True we aren't trying to dethrone anyone or fight pirates but there are some of us who want vengeance on someone, who want to fight for what we believe in. And sometimes because of our anger, we are clouded by it that we don't see reason and make stupid mistakes.
It's a lesson we have all gone through and yet we can try to make it different by seeing what others go through
I believe this series has really touched my thoughts. It definitely has made me think about the kind of people we are.

And same for Wren and her family, her allies. She and her crew will go through so much laughter and trouble in this book. Finding a new recruit with the Gift, and then fighting for their lives from the King again.
It's easy to be lost in this story and how it all unfolds and connects to other events, including Wren's dark past.
But will they all be able to resist their strong need for vengeance, will they all stay true to who they are, or will they become someone they don't know ?

I have loved every minute spent reading this series, even when I've had to do uni assignments, it has all been worth it.
We are left with such an epic conclusion that I can't wait to jump onto the final book!

Received a copy from the author herself, for an honest review, thank you!

[Darcey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buddy read with the sugar sweet Karen in the Buddy Reads group!

This series is SO DAMN CUTE. The characters and storyline and world are just so wholesome that this series is a welcome break from the dark and intense stuff I often read, and there is not a single thing I can complain about. The romance is ADORSABLE (now I look at the word ‘adorsable’ and see ‘adore Sable’…. which isn’t too bad, because I definitely do adore Sable), the magic food is brilliantly depicted and the characters are so much fun to read about!

Now, I’m not saying this series shouldn’t be taken seriously, because it definitely should be. The characters are still three-dimensional, despite their light and happy vibes, and the storyline can actually be surprisingly dark, involving corrupt governments and the hard choice between the evil you know and the possible-evil that you don’t. But god, this series is about magic treats and the bond between friends and the pain of losing someone you love, and I love it all!

I can’t wait to read book 3! Thanks to my girl Karen for making me continue this series, and for recommending it in the first place❤.

[Sylvia Mercedes · Rating 5 out of 5]

RTC -- But yeah, I totally loved it! (And jumping right into the final book!)

[SamiJo McQuiston · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you love a story that’s non-stop action from beginning to end, this is for you! You hardly have time to breathe. It’s not my style though. To me, the story feels rushed. Like you’re running from scene to scene and don’t have the time to build the care or relationship with the characters that you should.
The plot is solid, and I love the whole idea, I just wish it was longer. Also, I didn’t care for Hale’s character arc in this book. It didn’t feel earned. Didn’t love this as much as the first book, but I will be reading the third!

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a wonderfully delicious series! I was excited to get into the second book after enjoying the first so much.
After solving the mystery of her Guildmaster's murder, and acquitting herself, Wren still can't relax. Gifted guild members, including one of their own, are going missing and Wren is determined to rescue them.
Once again I could not wait for the final book in the trilogy.

[Izzy | _bookstage_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Não estava preparada para este livro, nem para o que nele aconteceu.

Sim, chorei, e sofri com vários acontecimentos e acho que nunca os vou superar.

Só pergunto PORQUÊ? PORQUE NÃO DIFERENTE?

Não sei o que pensar, fiquei com triste mas ao mesmo tempo percebo o andamento do enredo e a onde isto os levará mas ainda assim…

Tanta decisão estupida neste livro que nem sei por onde começar, tanta traição e vingança.

Eu juro que quero imenso ler o próximo livro mas ao mesmo tempo tenho tanto medo daquilo que vai acontecer. PORQUE EU SEI QUE IREI SOFRER MAIS.

Ai, e estes personagens… era quem lhes atirasse com um rolo da massa à cabeça e ver se ela passava a funcionar direito.

Mas pronto, o livro é incrível, e tem plots muito bons dos quais não estava à espera e recomendo imenso a lerem, se leram o primeiro e não têm a certeza que querem continuar. Confiem que compensa sofrerem para ver o desenvolvimento da história e dos personagens!!

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Confectioner's Coup by Claire Luana is the second book in the Confectioner Chronicles series. I recommend having read the first book first because this picks up the story from the first book. The story continues for Wren and things are not looking good for her and others in the guild. Guild members are going missing and the King is out of control. I have enjoyed this as well as the first book and the novella. The writing is well written and entertaining. This is a twist and turn thriller that at times kept me on the edge of my seat. I like the characters and the story is interesting and well thought out. I look forward to reading the next book in the series and seeing where the story goes.

[Jana (HokuGirlReads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my goodness I didn’t not expect the crazy twists this story took! I was hooked and couldn’t put it down which made this a quick binge worthy read. The narrator did a great job with the characters. I can’t wait to listen to book three!

[Rosie Rizk · Rating 5 out of 5]

After such a great first book, I was afraid the second wouldn't be able to compete. Happily, this book builds on the previous and introduces new complexities to the plot, and among the characters' relationships.

One of my favorites with this series so far, is the characters. They have a comfortable camaraderie that makes one think of happy family banter around campfires. But they also have intense moments, where trust and loyalty is questioned. And not all answered as expected.

The plot is ever bit as unexpected and captivating as in the first book. The book was excellently written, with dark political machinations that keep you on the edge of your seat.

I highly recommend this series. Can't wait to read the next! (And also a bit worried. There were some major issues left open between our main characters...)

Disclaimer: I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Jennifer Lil'n Dunski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I'm blown away with the second book! It was not what I was expecting. The thrills, the love, the betrayals....it was so insane, it incredible! The storyline was even better than the first book, the characters grew and are outstanding and I didn't think the world building could get any better! I'm looking forward to reading book 3!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second novel in this series; and it has it all. High action, romance, happiness, vengeance, emotional trauma and a cliff hangar. This novel really tests the characters that we meet in the first novel. We are also introduced to new characters that are integral to this world. Claire is one of my favourite authors. She really knows how to create an amazing world as well as fantastic characters.

[Paper · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the idea of magical food presented in the first book. Cheese that can make you more intelligent for a brief period, cupcakes for luck? What a cool idea! However, there is literally 0 magic in this book besides in the first chapter I believe. What is the point of having characters with special abilities if they are not going to use them? Did the author forget? I thought as the series progressed, we would meet more people with different abilities and see how they could be used. There were plenty of scenes where I thought to myself, "Having good luck would come in handy, and our MC just so happens to be able to have that exact ability. She's definitely gonna make some chocolates." But nope. It did not happen.

What's left is a series with a cliche evil king, sieges, betrayals, a one dimensional character in love and nothing else matters, etc. I have read all these themes before. I am thoroughly disappointed.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Confectioner's Coup (Confectioner Chronicles Book 2) by Claire Luana is a fantasy  story that should not be missed. Claire weaves her magic with just the right amount of  mystery and suspense, action and danger, romance and intrigue, heartache and love,  humour and fun. I enjoyed the story so much that it finished before I was ready and I  didn’t even notice because I was so enthralled to find out what was going to happen  next.     Wren was falsely accused of murder and barely survived, now she is having to face  enemies, both old and new as she tries to solve the mystery behind disappearing Guild  members.     There are some twists and turns that sneak up on you but once again it is a book that  should be on everyone's to read list.  

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wren Confectioner hopes life will go back to normal at her guild, now that the murderer of the previous guild master has been caught and she is freed from all suspicion for that horrifying act. Indeed, life seems pleasant now- a steady boyfriend, regular lessons with her grandmaster at the guild, and a new gifted confectioner, with magic like Wren, who has just been persuaded to join the guild. But underneath the facade of normalcy, tensions between the guilds and the royal palace are growing more intense every day. The king hopes to control the guild’s powers, harness all their magic in service of his own agenda, an idea which goes against the independence all the guilds hold dear. When legal negotiations go poorly, guild members start disappearing, one of whom is the newest member of Wren’s guild. Wren and her friends at the guild suspect the king, but their attempts to persuade others of his treachery and rescue the missing gifted guild members are beset by a slew of obstacles and betrayals. To make matters even worse, an enemy army advances upon the city, dead set on conquering Alesia for their own. To save her guild, and save her city, Wren will have to make some complicated decisions and find the right allies, otherwise she and everyone she knows may not make it out alive.

The Comfectioner’s Coup brings us back to the city of Alesia, very shortly after the events of the first book. Pretty much immediately the tensions start building, with the attempted and then eventually successful kidnapping of the newest confectioner at Wren’s guild, along with the disappearance of other key guild members and rising discontent between the guilds and the king. In between these initial issues, the plot swings wildly between a couple key romances and the smattering of confectionary lessons that keep the barest hint of magic in this book. Then, the invading army becomes yet another problem the main characters must confront, which leads to more betrayal, more danger, and incredible upheaval among the character groups established this far. The series keeps developing in unexpected ways, and while I’m not necessarily disappointed in the story we’re given in this book, the magic and wonder of enchanted food and the chances to learn about the different guilds and their creations is even more scant than in the first book. This feels more like a standard wartime fantasy, and the fallout from the events of this book will surely take over much of the final book. Sometimes it feels like this series is trying to be a lot of things, maybe too many things, and I hope the various threads can all be brought together into some sort of satisfactory resolution in the series conclusion.

[Amanda Evans · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am liking this series less with each book.

I hope we don't have to deal with Hale in the next book. I am so done with him. He has had what, 27 new Hales in the last 2.5 books? They last like an hour then he's back to the old Hale and there was no difference seen.

I am not certain why Wren was so shocked when he turned on her. He already showed that he's untrustworthy. He has already tried to kill her, he's started fights with everyone, he breaks rules and does dumb stuff constantly, why would he change suddenly and not just do whatever the hell he wants?

I can't feel any sympathy for him losing Sable. He's had years with her and never did anything, he just kept chasing tail and ignoring her.

On the note of Sable, I was upset that she's not in the books anymore. I had hoped that she would evolve as a character, but from start to finish she was little more than an 'enigmatic' piece of arm candy. She never did anything that didn't involve flirting with men. The entire discussion she had with Wren about having to work harder and build a good network because she was a woman was so promising. I thought 'yes, finally we are going to get a female character that's got something going on other than men and clothes.' Nope. They just removed one of the 3 women in the story, and Olivia is only ever about men and clothes.

Wren seemed dumber in this book than in the first. I don't know if it was just because it wasn't her life on the line. Her ideas and plans were downright silly and yet people just followed them. I still can't fathom why all these powerful men (always men) seem to listen to her so much and give her so much importance. Guild heads that by all rights shouldn't even acknowledge her are throwing themselves at her feet, giving her the rule of most of the guildhalls.

I feel like there are very, very few members in the confectioners guild, yet it seems like one that would be full of people, granted mostly ungifted, but still, there are only 2 other guild members mentioned.

I thought the plot was quite silly and made little sense, but it's really the characters that are making the books turn sour like cream left in the sun all day.

[Joanne Roberts · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is painful to write this review. I'm a fan of book #1 and reread it right before diving into book #2. The two don't even compare. I wanted to love this book, but it let me down in so many ways. It contains a lot of important changes for book #3, so don't skip it if you're planning to finish the series. Unfortunately, it feels rushed. The kindle edition is riddled with errors. The writing is sloppy and full of repetition. The author leans on purple prose (during a tense climactic scene: "His ebony hair hung about his ears and over his forehead, his proud coif now just a straggle of locks.") Some scenes are lovingly crafted like the card game scene which has absolutely nothing to do with the story. Others, like crucial life and death scenes, are glossed over. The characters, especially the main character Wren, go through a lot of motions, but don't act in authentic ways. They say they love and hate and hurt and forgive as real people do, but often as an afterthought to "the good stuff"—kissing, sarcastic dialogue, food descriptions. When a character leaves the stage, it's like they stop moving until the author has time to use them again. The same with pieces of world-building (magic, anyone?) There is lots of action, but not a lot of tension. There are tons of obstacles, but they aren't dependent dominoes—and many are just complications. Like in a crucial scene, Wren drops the keys...for no reason. Did the writer think it would be more suspenseful? (oh no she dropped the keys, oh wait, she picked them up in the next sentence. whew!) And Wren can't decide what kind of character she wants to be. I would be more invested if she was consistently written—even if that means consistently inconsistent! At least she could cause her own mistakes and grow from there. I was looking forward to the story in the description—full of intrigue like the first one. Instead it felt much more like a transition from the plot the author wanted in the first book to the plot the author wanted in the third book. It does include everything in the flap copy, just not in a way I found immersive. It's easy to write a bad book. It's easier to write a bad review. This author has good ideas and plenty of blocks to build a story on. I simply didn't find the one I was hoping for.

[Nia Dragin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published November 19, 2018, by Live Edge Publishing The Confectioner's Coup by Claire Luana is the second novel in her YA fantasy Confectioner’s Chronicles that follows Wren on her most daring adventure yet.

What an amazing sequel. Following Wren the novel also switches to Hale’s POV, giving the story a broader scope and more depth to the characters and their dynamics. Admittedly, since the story is changing the formula and bringing another character’s point of view into the mix, the story does slow down. It catches the reader off guard because while Hale may have a novella dedicated to him, the idea that the story was going to switch back and forth between the two was unsuspected. While it catches the reader off guard, it is almost as if the story has to regroup and do some character building. Yes, the reader knows of Hale and knows his past, but they do not know who he is now, his motivations and thought process. So for the first half of the novel, while there are tension and character growth there, the pace slightly slows as it gets to the essence of Hale and develops his character for the reader.

Now, once the reader passes the halfway mark of the story, however, the pace and tension start to heat up. The action and intrigue continue to quicken as more and more people go missing in a city under siege. The characters are pushed to their breaking points, creating tension and heartbreak for this band of characters. Now that Hale’s point of view has expanded the scope of the novel, the story is more bountiful. The story has more narrative to it, allowing it to flourish in a way that eventually connects the pasts of both Wren and Hale, offering up something so unsuspecting for the reader.

The story keeps the reader on the edge of their seats with a fantastic plot and character development. So much happens in the novel that ties the characters together. The twists and turns inspire the reader the feel for the characters, to see how they make their choices that define the movement of the plot while also coming from a place of emotion to keep the reader entranced.
The Confectioner’s Coup is, ultimately, a powerful follow-up to the novel.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: The Confectioner’s Coup
Author: Claire Luana
Publisher: Live Edge Publishing
ISBN: B07GZ8Q8PP
Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
The Confectioner’s Chronicles 2
Out of the frying pan, into the fire...

Wren thought things were bad when her boyfriend's father tried to frame her for murder. But that was before a hostile army showed up at the city gates, ready to swallow Maradis whole. And before guild members began disappearing one by one--including the Confectioner's Guild's newest Gifted recruit.
Wren, suspecting the king is to blame for the disappearances, undertakes a dangerous investigation that sets her on a collision course with old and new enemies alike. Will she be able to find the missing guild members before tensions boil over into outright rebellion? Or are the guilds willing to go further than she ever realized to rid themselves of the king's tyranny...

Total Score: 5/5

Summary:
Wren thought being accused of murder and almost dying was terrible, but things are about to get out of control. Wren kept her past hidden until the man responsible for her running for her life turns up as one of the king’s council. Wren already had good reason to despise the king, but this took things to a whole new level. After being invited by Lucas, her boyfriend and one of the King’s sons, the revelation about her past and the king’s part in it makes everything crystal clear for Wren. Add this to the possibility of an invasion and the disappearance of guild members takes Wren and her friends on a desperate search leading to who knows where. All Wren is sure is that the king must have a hand in this.

Is the king really involved with the disappearing guild members? Will Lucas believe Wren or will she loose the one good thing that has come out of the dangers she has endured? If their city of Maradis falls will things become safer or worse for the guild member?

I for one can’t wait to see how everything turns out.

[Laura Furuta · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Confectioner's Coup (Confectioner Chronicles Book 2)
By: Claire Luana
5 out of 5 stars

The story The Confectioner's Coup (Confectioner Chronicles Book 2) by Claire Luana is a fantasy book. It one that has action, danger, romance, and mystery. I found myself turning pages trying to find out what was going to happen next. It is the next exciting book in a wonderful series. Wren has found herself with a bit of time on her hands. She is someone who has always been busy and it is an unusual feeling. Wren has survived being falsely framed for murder. Now situations occur that have her and others in harm’s way. There is a hostile army outside the gates. Will they take over the city? Members of the Guilds begin to disappear. Wren suspects who is behind the disappearances. Her investigation will have her facing old and new enemies. Will Wren find the truth behind the disappearances? Will she find the missing Guild members? How much danger is the city really in? Read this book to find out. I enjoyed reading about Wren and the relationship that she has with her boyfriend. This book has a bit more romance than the last one. This was a book that was a more emotional ride for me. I have grown to love many of the characters since reading the first book and now with this one I was not only rooting for them to succeed in whatever actions they take but also for them to find happiness in their lives. There are moments of suspense that had me having to tell myself to breathe. I love how the story has plenty of detail and I felt like I was right there with the characters. There are some twists and turns that I did not see coming. Once I started reading, I had a hard time putting down. Highly recommended.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read about thinking things through. Wren survived the ordeals of the first novel and is trying to resume her normal life. When her and Callidus are on the trail of a Gifted ice cream maker, they are attacked by mysterious men in black. However, the ice cream maker Thom joins them and is a fast friend. As war looms and tensions rise, Guild members start mysteriously disappearing., including Thom. Can Wren and her friends solve the mystery and find Thom before war threatens them all?
a great read. Well developed plot with twists and turns that I just couldn't put down. I loved the character development of people such as Calliidus, as a kind and caring man underneath it all or Hale not just being a reckless fool which was brilliantly written. Also the King returns as a spinechilling force to be reckoned with. I loved the use of tension throughout the novel, as conflicts arose for Wren in a fantasy world with its own laws and society and politics.
I loved the visual detail throughout the novel and the vivid sense of colour in the blues of the lake and the greens of the islands, and also sun and sand in Hales account of his home later on. Or the wedding scenes with colourful bright and detailed dresses against the dark of the black carriages and Black Guards. which contrasted perfectly.
a great example of building upon a fantasy world in a sequel with the Celestans and their cultures and traditional wedding dresses. Or the Apricans with their Viking like nature and their sea faring ways to explore more to this world outside Maradis. I also loved the use of maps at the start which was a lovely touch and gave a clear location to the reader. Overall, a great read and I would give five stars.

[IM211 -Scattered thoughts- · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received This audiobook from the author Claire Luana,(thank you!!) via a Facebook group giveaway. All my thoughts are of my own.

Political intrigue - with more of Hale, Sable, Wren, Lucas & Callidus... I've come to root for them even more than ever. We even get Hales POV, which was a refreshing and much needed outlook with what was to come in this story.
This sequel starts of with the guild recruiting a new gifted whilst the king is kidnapping the gifted members from every guild meanwhile in the background the threat of the onslaught of The Aprican empire grows.

Asides that we get to see Wren reconciling with Hale, dealing with the kidnappings and struggling with the guild secret as Lucas tries to dive deep into the investigation.

The story felt slow at the start and only picking up when the kidnappings began and there was never a dull moment since then as Wren has to deal both emotionally and practically with threat of Maridus falling and the catipulating of the guilds by both sides.

I'm still reeling from the last 1/3 of the story, the narrator Kesley, has done a good job bringing this story to life and had me teared up at that moment.

Wren wants to save the guild, the gifted members-her friends an her city... But she can't have it all and even with whatever victory she manged the losses leave a scar nevertheless.
The one downside I'd say is there was little confections involved since the internal dispute was surrounding themwhere the king is trying to get hold of the gifted confections after all.

Absolutely love this installment, I usually listen while working but found my self reluctant to stop even after I was done.

[E.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Confectioner's Coup (The Confectioner Chronicles #2) by Claire Luana was just as good as the first and, had me just as engaged and hooked.

The second book in The Confectioner Chronicles we are once again tossed back into the fire. With the happenings all concluded in the first and Wren being aquitted for a crime she didn't even commit, things seems like they're on the up. But, with this world and the way their monarchy works, things don't stay quiet for long.

I will say that I was a little worried that this book may not live up to the first. As that first book was a rare read first installment where things actually concluded, and if the series were to end at that book, even with its loose ends, I would have been content. (As all first books should be). But this book has done what I've been yearning for, it went in and rose the bar. That's right, this book took it up a notch and, man oh man, this was one hell of a ride.

Masterfully written this beautiful dangerous world isn't like anything I have read before. It just keeps hitting me with new fresh ideas and plots, that I can't believe this book, this series, isn't more popular. Not only are we treated with talented writing but, the emotions behind that wiriting gets you right in the feels. The character are more than well rounded they're 3D, believable and multi layer, as is the plot. I can go on and on about how utterly amazing this book/ series is, but I'm going to leave you here, so you can hop along and get this book to experience its greatness for yourself.

This book gets my highest of high recommendation and my golden stamp of approval.

Happy Reading.

-E.A. Walsh

[Erin Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Confectioner’s Coup by Claire Luana is the delicious second book in her newest series, the Confectioner Chronicles. The plot thickens in the latest instalment as an army arrives at the gates of Maradis, and the Guilds are thrown into dismay as the King struggles to gain power over them once more. But the Guild members are tired of answering to a blood thirsty King and his demands for Gifted produce from them. With an army fast approaching and Gifted guild members going missing, Wren must join forces with unexpected allies to help save the missing members and stop the King tyranny once and for all.
If only Wren’s life could be a piece of cake, first she’s framed for a murder she didn’t commit and now the possibility of a rebellion and war. The girl needs a holiday, where she can enjoy her delicious baked goods. I really loved this second instalment of the Confectioner Chronicles, Claire’s writing is phenomenal and captivating. She will have you hooked after the first line. All her characters are well developed and constructed, that you can see them as real people. And her descriptions of all the food in this story will have you drooling over your book. Every time I read a passage I immediately start craving baked goods and chocolates, that I have to put the book down and go out and get some. Thankfully I work in a cake shop and chocolate is never hard to come by. Absolutely loved this book and to see how the story continues to get bigger and bigger. I can’t wait to read the third book in the series.
5/5 stars!!

[Kirsty (KayBeth Bookish) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book definitely fell victim to the curse of the middle book. Compared to its predecessor, The Confectioner's Coup, there was a much slower pace to this story, bogged down with plotlines that didn't always make sense and didn't seem to fit together as seamlessly as the first book.

That being said, the emotional impact of this book was intense, and especially towards the end had me outright gasping and trying not to cry as we were exposed to blow after blow, setting up the third installment perfectly. I'm interested to see where it will go next and find out how the emotional ramifications of this book will affect the series finale.

Luana has shown that she can pack a powerful punch when it comes to the atmosphere of her writing, even if the characters themselves aren't as developed as her plotlines and do leave me wanting for a bit more depth. I find that I am more invested in supporting characters like Pike than I am wren, and I will be the first to admit I am still completely uninterested in the romance between Wren and Lucas, mostly because I find Lucas a boring love interest. I'm kind of backing her pairing with another character, but I don't think it's going to happen no matter how much I wish!

If you want a book with meaningful relationships, worldbuilding with a different kind of magic, and political intrigue, this is one for you!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars

The Confectioner’s Coup is the second book in The Confectioner Chronicles by Claire Luana. This book/series is an exceptionally good fantasy story, intricately woven with action, adventure, danger, mystery, suspense, humour, fun, heartache, tension, conflict, hostile enemies, disappearances, investigations, and a sprinkle of romance. I adore Ms. Luana’s books, and this series is no exception- so I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book and continue the story. To say I had high expectations would be an understatement, but I just knew Ms. Luana wouldn’t let me down- and she definitely didn’t.
The story is multi-faceted and incredibly detailed, with wonderful descriptions and masterful world-building bringing the whole story to life right before my eyes. The characters are so beautifully crafted- fully realised individuals who continue to develop and grow over the course of the story. Once again Ms. Luana proves her mastery of language and storytelling, bringing another fascinating and spellbinding story into ‘being’! I was so captivated by this wonderful story, that I read it all in one sitting- completely enthralled from beginning to end.
All I can say is WOW!
Bring on Book #3!

Thank you for creating this wonderful story/series Ms. Luana!

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say first and foremost that the covers that accompany the series of the Confectioner Chronicles are just stunning. In fact it was the cover of the first book, The Confectioner’s Guild, that first drew me into this series and sucked me into the world that Wren lives in. Like I have mentioned this is a series and The Confectioner’s Coup is the second book. I would read the first book as well as the prequel,The Confectioner’s Exile.

I could sit and talk about this book all day. Both storyline and reasons why I loved it. Each one of these books have progressively gotten better than the one before it and this one was not exception to the rule. The Confectioner’s Coup had a bit of it all; mystery, intrigue, suspense, fantasy, and just a sprinkle of romance to top it all off.

The story picks up about a month from where it left off in the last book. Wren faces more trouble in her life just as she finally gets herself out of the mess she found herself in in book one. (That detail would be a spoiler if you don’t read book one.) The King is back and still wreaking havoc. And best of all… there is another perfectly timed cliffhanger that will leave you hungry for that third book, The Confectioner’s Truth, I know I am. Thanks for another great read Ms. Luana.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give The Confectioner's Coup (Confectioner Chronicles Book 2) by Claire Luana, 5 stars.
*This review may contain spoilers from previous books in the series.*

Things just keep getting worse for Wren and her friends. There is an army on their city's doorstep. Now things are happening within the Guild. Guild members are disappearing. But who is behind it? Is it the from the army threatening to attack? Or is it their own king? What can they do to resolve all this madness? At what cost?

I love this series, I have from the first book I read. I did not think it could get any better. But this book proved me wrong. It's absolutely incredible. This book is darker than the rest as more is happening. The story pulls you in right away. There is so much happening. The characters are changing, they are growing up quickly to keep up with what is happening. They also know what they believe in -- helping those they care about. This is such an intense book and you will be unable to put it down until you reach the end. Then you will quickly reach for the next book.

Yes, I completely recommend this book!

[Caralee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Confectioner's Coup (Confectioner Chronicles Book 2) by Claire Luana

5 Stars!!!!!

I am once again no let down. This is the second book in this series and the third book including the prequel to the series that I have read. The author really has such a great way of grabbing the reader and keeping you at the edge of your seat. I really found myself getting lost in this magical confectioner's world she has created.

I have to say that the more I read about Wren's life the more I really find I am drawn to her character. She has gone through so much in her short time in the Guild and then to have to endure more. She is a very strong leading character and the author does such a great job of developing her character around the drama that unfolds. I really felt all the emotions vicariously as Wren went through them and in this book she has a roller coaster of them. She winds up losing so much and yet she still has Lucas. I really felt my heart in my throat as the book came to the ending and once again to have the book on a cliff hanger of sorts really has me anxious for the next book in the series. I will definitely be reading more from this author and the series.

[Anna Hirsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Confectioner’s Coup (Confectioners Chronicles) by Claire Luana
5 Stars

Oh my god, this book was amazing! I could not put it down. It was filled with action, lies, deceit and betrayals. Wren manages to not get executed but ends up in more trouble in this book. Guild members are getting kidnapped and an army is at the gates of Maradis ready to invade. Negotiations for the accord are not going well and there is dissension within the guilds. War is imminent and everything is falling apart, a rebellion might be the only solution.

The action starts right from the beginning and continues straight through until the end. There are so many twists and turns. When I finished reading the book, I was left speechless. Shocking events occur within this book. Characters that I didn’t really like in the first part, I found myself cheering for. Characters that I loved, I’m upset with. My emotions are all over the place. These characters go through so much in this story. Wren’s new found family has fallen apart and she’s adrift in a sea of sorrow. I am right there with her. This series keeps getting better with each additional book, I’m truly blown away. I can’t wait to read part three.

[Sunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

*grips author firmly by the shoulders* Why? Why must you hurt them?

The Confectioner's Coup picks up not long after the first book ended. The Guild is still recovering from the previous events, but they are recovering. They even find another gifted to add to the Confectioner's Guild, a boy named Tom. And he fits right in. Maybe, just maybe, things will be okay...

But then of course they won't.

There is still plenty of scheming and plotting, not the least of which is from their very own king who still has it out for the guilds. Then gifted start to go missing from their guilds, including poor Tom. Wren, Hale, and other concerned guild-members set out to look for their missing brethren. Difficult as that already is, there is the added complication of the fact that the city is currently besieged by an invading army.

It's just one thing after another, isn't it?

If you liked the first book, you'll love this one, too. And, like me, you'll be dying to know what happens in book 3.