What do you think?
Rate this book
Empirium #2.5
Queen of the Blazing Throne
In Kingsbane, you met Obritsa Nevemskaya—the mysterious child-queen of Kirvaya. Now, in this thrilling novella, learn more about Obritsa’s story and how her fate became intertwined with those of Rielle, Audric, Ludivine, and Corien.
Twelve-year-old Obritsa is a temple maidservant, loyal to a novice firebrand who hopes to be named Queen of the Blazing Throne. When Kirvaya’s magisters choose Obritsa as queen instead, the country erupts with fury.
But Obritsa doesn’t care what they think. She has her own secrets, her own agenda—and outrage is the least of her problems. In the capital city, more children go missing every day. Whispers fly through the streets of a great danger brewing in the far north. And some Celdarian girl she’s never heard of has been named Sun Queen.
As Obritsa unravels these mysteries, she soon realizes the war she thought she was fighting is part of something much bigger—a conflict centuries in the making—and that her power could decide who wins, and who loses.
Twelve-year-old Obritsa is a temple maidservant, loyal to a novice firebrand who hopes to be named Queen of the Blazing Throne. When Kirvaya’s magisters choose Obritsa as queen instead, the country erupts with fury.
But Obritsa doesn’t care what they think. She has her own secrets, her own agenda—and outrage is the least of her problems. In the capital city, more children go missing every day. Whispers fly through the streets of a great danger brewing in the far north. And some Celdarian girl she’s never heard of has been named Sun Queen.
As Obritsa unravels these mysteries, she soon realizes the war she thought she was fighting is part of something much bigger—a conflict centuries in the making—and that her power could decide who wins, and who loses.
103 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2020
38 people are currently reading
6497 people want to read
About the author
Claire Legrand
30 books5,087 followersClaire Legrand is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of fourteen novels, including the Empirium trilogy, the Middlemist trilogy, SAWKILL GIRLS, and SOME KIND OF HAPPINESS. She is one of the four authors behind THE CABINET OF CURIOSITIES, an anthology of dark middle grade fiction.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
September 24, 2021
This was such a great novella! Rtc.
Read
June 19, 2024CZY W 3 TOMIE BĘDĄ SMOKI?!
December 12, 2020
4.5 stars. This novella is such an excellent addition to the world of the Empirium trilogy. Despite being less than 100 pages, the characterization of Obrista is artfully done, the world is expanded in intriguing ways, and I overall enjoyed seeing a fresh perspective on a story I love.
Obrista is such an interesting character. I already knew that Claire Legrand is writing some of the most complex female characters in fantasy right now, and this novella only reinforces that. I loved Obrista's agency, despite being a young girl, stemming from her own self-awareness of being a pawn and deciding to use the power that she has been granted for her own goals too. Her fascinating relationship with Artem is one I haven't seen captured on page before, and I loved the tension between their queen-servant dynamic clashing with their deeper child-parent relationship.
Really just a brilliant novella all around. I hope that eventually this becomes more widely distributed so more fans of the trilogy can read it.
Obrista is such an interesting character. I already knew that Claire Legrand is writing some of the most complex female characters in fantasy right now, and this novella only reinforces that. I loved Obrista's agency, despite being a young girl, stemming from her own self-awareness of being a pawn and deciding to use the power that she has been granted for her own goals too. Her fascinating relationship with Artem is one I haven't seen captured on page before, and I loved the tension between their queen-servant dynamic clashing with their deeper child-parent relationship.
Really just a brilliant novella all around. I hope that eventually this becomes more widely distributed so more fans of the trilogy can read it.
April 11, 2022
This was a great companion that I stumbled upon while midway through Lightbringer. Perfect timing, as the scenes with Obritsa had just ended in that book, and this brought us back to when we first meet her in Kingsbane. Seeing all this action through her eyes takes her from the passive victim of Corien from Kingsbane and shows that she has a real stake in this war, and what she’s trying to do to help the kidnapped children and stop the angels from invading. Short but a perfect balance for the series.
June 6, 2021
A great, tragic addition to this dark fantasy saga, one that does not hold back in its brutality. Obritsa has a ruthless, sad past that twisted her character in ways I could barely comprehend. But watching her use her magic and struggle with right and wrong made for a compelling read.
The book is filled with drama and magic, all written in Legrand's beautiful style. I found her to be very complex and interesting, despite how short her story is. There were plenty of familiar faces, and it became clear how deeply connected Obritsa was to the main heroes of the story.
This is a great companion piece for anyone who loves this dark fantasy story and wants to learn more about its world!
The book is filled with drama and magic, all written in Legrand's beautiful style. I found her to be very complex and interesting, despite how short her story is. There were plenty of familiar faces, and it became clear how deeply connected Obritsa was to the main heroes of the story.
This is a great companion piece for anyone who loves this dark fantasy story and wants to learn more about its world!
May 4, 2023
The empirium trilogy is full of women who have suffered at the hands of old white men.
It’s so interesting to get insight into Obritsas mindset before all the events of lightbringer.
It’s so interesting to get insight into Obritsas mindset before all the events of lightbringer.
December 29, 2024
3.75 stars rounded up
April 5, 2023
I love Artem and Obritsa so much
January 15, 2024
Well, this wasn't necessarily... necessary.
I am in love with the Empirium triology so far and Legrand's writing style and this wasn't bad by any means... I simply didn't need this in my life?
None of the main characters are in this story, though Rielle, Audric, and Ludivine star briefly.
This story is about a side character (Obritsa, the child queen of Kirvaya, to be exact) and it was kind of interesting to witness certain events from some else's point of view, but I wouldn't love this triology any less if this didn't exist and I don't love it any more just because it does.
I am in love with the Empirium triology so far and Legrand's writing style and this wasn't bad by any means... I simply didn't need this in my life?
None of the main characters are in this story, though Rielle, Audric, and Ludivine star briefly.
This story is about a side character (Obritsa, the child queen of Kirvaya, to be exact) and it was kind of interesting to witness certain events from some else's point of view, but I wouldn't love this triology any less if this didn't exist and I don't love it any more just because it does.
November 22, 2021
3 stars. A new character was introduced that I assume will be included in the final book? Otherwise, unless I missed their vague mention in book 2, I do not understand the point to that haha. I adored the royal/bodyguard trope mentioned in book 2, but I don't think I knew Obritsa IS TWELVE?!?!?!? Could never tell if romantic interest was being implied or not, which would have been cringey as hell, so felt cringey in all the scenes hoping nothing romantic happened lmao.
August 25, 2023
An interesting look into the mind of our 12 year old marque queen - definitely a different perspective on why some things happened!
May 26, 2023
Although this book was a short 100 pages I would recommend reading it when you read the emporium triology. It was a good addition to the books. We got a greater insight into what Corian is plotting and we also got to see the behind the scenes or Obritsas. She is mentioned by Rielle and Ludevene in Kingsbane. They had went to her home to visit and in the night she had been visited by Ludevene. We knew this because we had gotten Ludevenes perspective in kingsbane during this part. Now we get to see how Obriska was raised by someone named Sasha to be a part of the revolution, she was the destroyer. She was a Marque but they had attacked her back to make her look like a normal girl. No one knew she had any powers she wasn’t a typical elemental. Ardem had been her guard all those years and the one who had changed her bandanges when she was being beaten and abused. Ludevene asked Obriska to go figure out what the angels are planning. We knew this part. We also had known that Obriskas men who are supposed to obey her have been seen helping abduct the children. Ludevene helps Obriska remember this considering she had been drugged to forget. Arden is angry that Obriska agreed but he will not let her go alone. When they get to the village they can hear the screams but don’t know what they’re from. That night Obriska drugs Ardem so she can go back alone and investigate, she is trying to figure out how to get inside where the screams are coming from when a boy tells her not to scream and to follow him. His name was Leevi and his dragon was named Valdis. Obriska got to meet her first dragon. Leevi told her he had tunnels that would get her to safety and away from this place and that has has saved 15 children in the 4 years he’s been there. Obriska begins to quiz him for information. She finds out that the angels are rapidly breeding the dragons and that they are taking over the elemental children and magically bonding them to the dragons. The dragons can’t live without the drugs that the angels have. Levi’s town was attacked (he’s a dragon keeper) and his fellow dragon keepers and dragons were brought here. They know the keepers won’t leave as long as the dragons are there. They are bonded. Obriska agrees to help Leevi. She breaks into the room where the medicine is so that Leevi can fly Valdis away with the medicine and go back to his village and tell them what’s going on in hope there is a village left to go back to. Obritsa watches them fly away and is about to go back to Ardem when he appears she has herself in his embrace when he changes and she knows he’s been taken over by an angel. When she awakes it’s to Arden’s awful screams. Corien put a different angel inside Ardem and he is torturing him badly. Corien tells Obritsa he needs her marque powers and it would be best if she does so without needing to be over powered. She agrees at the end due to the pain Ardem is being put through. We know that she is how Corien gets to Rielle and Ardrics wedding and ruins it. Corien tells Obriska him and her are the same, making their decisions out of love. From this story we were able to see why Corien was stealing elemental children and what the camp he was building was for. He’s building an army. We had never got to completely piece this together in the other books so this information was handy. This book wasn’t great and it was short but I definitely feel as if it was a good addition to the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2022
I have at last read this stunning short story set in the Furyborn world. Meant to be read after Kingsbane, before Lightbringer. Which I have just done. And it was so good. Sigh. Five stars, of course. Only wish it had been longer, to be honest. Will do my best to write a short review, as this was not long. But so good.
This short story tells the story of twelve year old Obritsa. The young new child queen of Kirvaya. We met her first a few times in Kingsbane. And I adored her so then. This time I very much loved her. Sigh. But I'm also so worried that her ending will be brutal. Gosh, I hope not. I'm so still not ready for Lightbringer.
In this story we get to know Obritsa more. And I loved that very much. She is so young. But so very much grown and incredible. She has not had an easy life. And reading about all of that just broke my heart. The way she was brought up from age two. It was not kind. And I hope the person who did all those things to such a young child will have a very painful death. But despite all the cruel things that happened to her, Obritsa was still such a sweet and kind person. Mostly. I truly loved her relationship with her guard, Artem. Nothing romantic, at least not yet. I'm not sure if I ship them or not. I'm thinking yes, though she's still too young. But oh, their love for each other was the best. They are each other's only family. And protect each other very fiercely.
A lot of what happened in this story we already know, from Kingsbane. It is a lot of the same scenes, only told from Obritsa's point of view. But I very much loved that. As this young girl was all kinds of amazing and I adored her so. And I so loved reading a story about her. Wish there had been more. But oh, how I hope her ending is good. Ack. But there were new scenes too. When she went to the north. And those scenes were pretty brutal. Those poor dragons and children. Shudders. I very much need to know more.
Queen of the Blazing Throne was a most excellent short story. And I am so happy that I got to read it at last. I feel like it is a must read in this most wonderful world created by Claire. But oh, now I need to finally start Lightbringer next. And I am not at all ready for it. All the pain and heartbreak to come. Yet all of the hope and love to come as well. I know I will love it the very most. But so nervous, haha. This world is truly the best. And I am certain I could read all the short stories from it. Hoping there might be more, someday.
---
This review was first posted on my blog, Carina's Books, here: https://carinabooks.blogspot.com/2022...
This short story tells the story of twelve year old Obritsa. The young new child queen of Kirvaya. We met her first a few times in Kingsbane. And I adored her so then. This time I very much loved her. Sigh. But I'm also so worried that her ending will be brutal. Gosh, I hope not. I'm so still not ready for Lightbringer.
In this story we get to know Obritsa more. And I loved that very much. She is so young. But so very much grown and incredible. She has not had an easy life. And reading about all of that just broke my heart. The way she was brought up from age two. It was not kind. And I hope the person who did all those things to such a young child will have a very painful death. But despite all the cruel things that happened to her, Obritsa was still such a sweet and kind person. Mostly. I truly loved her relationship with her guard, Artem. Nothing romantic, at least not yet. I'm not sure if I ship them or not. I'm thinking yes, though she's still too young. But oh, their love for each other was the best. They are each other's only family. And protect each other very fiercely.
A lot of what happened in this story we already know, from Kingsbane. It is a lot of the same scenes, only told from Obritsa's point of view. But I very much loved that. As this young girl was all kinds of amazing and I adored her so. And I so loved reading a story about her. Wish there had been more. But oh, how I hope her ending is good. Ack. But there were new scenes too. When she went to the north. And those scenes were pretty brutal. Those poor dragons and children. Shudders. I very much need to know more.
Queen of the Blazing Throne was a most excellent short story. And I am so happy that I got to read it at last. I feel like it is a must read in this most wonderful world created by Claire. But oh, now I need to finally start Lightbringer next. And I am not at all ready for it. All the pain and heartbreak to come. Yet all of the hope and love to come as well. I know I will love it the very most. But so nervous, haha. This world is truly the best. And I am certain I could read all the short stories from it. Hoping there might be more, someday.
---
This review was first posted on my blog, Carina's Books, here: https://carinabooks.blogspot.com/2022...
March 25, 2025
In many ways I liked this better than the first two books in the trilogy, even if it was only a novella. I think the knowledge of how Rielle's story goes has made me unable to connect with her, and having her not really be a part of this really helped my enjoyment.
I technically like Rielle and her storyline, but because I know that she turns her back on Audric and Ludivine for Corien when it really matters, I just can't feel connected to her, to her romance with Audric or her friendship with Ludivine.
In this, we are inside the mind of Obritsa, the child queen we meet in book two, and because I didn't know whose side she was on, I was able to connect with her, her motivations, relationships and inner struggles in a way that has simple been impossible for me with Rielle, and also difficult with her daughter.
Corien is a terrifying villain as usual, and this book has actually inspired me to finally finish the trilogy and read Lightbringer.
I technically like Rielle and her storyline, but because I know that she turns her back on Audric and Ludivine for Corien when it really matters, I just can't feel connected to her, to her romance with Audric or her friendship with Ludivine.
In this, we are inside the mind of Obritsa, the child queen we meet in book two, and because I didn't know whose side she was on, I was able to connect with her, her motivations, relationships and inner struggles in a way that has simple been impossible for me with Rielle, and also difficult with her daughter.
Corien is a terrifying villain as usual, and this book has actually inspired me to finally finish the trilogy and read Lightbringer.
February 15, 2021
coming back to this world after so long.. i’m a puddle of tears? cried like 3 times just thinking (reading) about audric as the prince as opposed to the king he now is, and how him and rielle are so, so in love everyone around them could see it🥺🥺 it made me want to weep thinking how they never actually got time to simply be together, because of everything else that goes down later. that said, i’m so unbelievably grateful for this book because i missed audrielle so so so much and anything, even a few pages of them, is a wonder to me😭 everyone say thank you miss claire legrand
i didn’t like the second half as much as i did the first, but that’s only because it centered about c*rien being a psychopath (again) and god i cannot stand that man at all
i didn’t like the second half as much as i did the first, but that’s only because it centered about c*rien being a psychopath (again) and god i cannot stand that man at all
September 7, 2021
This was a nice short novella about Obritsa and the revolution as well as how she came into Corien’s clutches. It was a nice story and there wasn’t anything to hate. Reviewing this now, after having finished the entire series, I just wish that the revolution was touched on more in the other books. It was made to be such a big part of the novella but we didn’t see any mention of it till the last chapter in the last book which was a bit sad.
September 16, 2024
I can't believe I really read this. I was so frustrated by Kingsbane, so hopeless, but then it reminded me of everything I love in this world. All the characters development, all the deepness around this story, this world. I wish we could have more, more novels, more stories to know. The author made me love it, and honestly, since I read the first two or three phrases of it, I knew I couldn't stop my reading.
October 15, 2025
The pacing felt all over the place, with long stretches of introspection followed by chaotic bursts of action that didn’t always land.
One thing I did enjoy was the added backstory for Obritsa. Her role finally feels fleshed out, and it gave some much needed depth and intrigue to the larger mythology.
I realized after reading book 2 in this series, that I don’t like the series, but here I am, still going to finish it out of some misplaced sense of duty.
One thing I did enjoy was the added backstory for Obritsa. Her role finally feels fleshed out, and it gave some much needed depth and intrigue to the larger mythology.
I realized after reading book 2 in this series, that I don’t like the series, but here I am, still going to finish it out of some misplaced sense of duty.
April 1, 2022
Maybe this short story didn’t totally work for me because it’s set within a book I’ve already read and the fact that it follows a character that really didn’t get a ton of development in said book 🤷♂️
It was still fine. I didn’t hate it at all and there were some interested twisty things but I’m definitely excited to FINALLY get to the third and final book!
It was still fine. I didn’t hate it at all and there were some interested twisty things but I’m definitely excited to FINALLY get to the third and final book!
February 19, 2025
I thought this novella was an interesting addition to the Empirium trilogy, but I did not find myself too invested. Maybe I do not know enough about Obritsa yet, but I found myself not caring too much about her perspective. Hopefully everything explained will come to an exciting head in Lightbringer.
March 22, 2025
This was like a side quest that just got us a bit more familiar with a couple characters. It ended really abruptly so I needed to pick up book 3 immediately to see how it tied in. This is def not a stand-alone - it's just a brief interlude between books. Still not sure what I think... But I'm already on book 3 Lightbringer so I'm excited to see how the series ends.
April 24, 2025
I loved learning more about Obritsa! It's hard to believe she's only twelve years old. She's already been through so much and is so intelligent and articulate. I'd read an entire series about her, honestly. Would love to see who she grows up to be and how her life turns out. That is...if she survives the next book. I stg, if you kill her, Claire...
August 19, 2022
This novella gives us some of Obritsa's backstory from how she became the Kirvayan queen to what led to her being forced to work with Corien. I enjoyed it and it was interesting seeing things from her perspective. I definitely wouldn't mind reading a longer spin-off book about her.
August 22, 2023
I should've read this right after reading the trilogy. It wasn't a bad novella but because I couldn't remember most of what happened in the trilogy, I couldn't make the connection here and I'm sure there's a lot that I missed because of it.
January 27, 2024
This was ....fine, I guess? Half of this is scenes that we already saw from a different characters POV in book 2 and I'm not sure seeing them from Obritsas POV added anything significant. So... meh. Dragons are nice, though, I like dragons.
March 13, 2024
Review:
Interesting short story. I do so wish I had read it in the correct order, and not after finishing the series.
Not that it mattered much, but reading it after made it a bit indifferent, where I think reading it as supposed to would have been better. That on me.
Interesting short story. I do so wish I had read it in the correct order, and not after finishing the series.
Not that it mattered much, but reading it after made it a bit indifferent, where I think reading it as supposed to would have been better. That on me.
January 13, 2021
It was neat to see Obritsa's side of things. I keep forgetting she's only 12 and has been through so much.
February 16, 2021
This was such a fantastic read, loved getting to see this time from Obritsa's perspective! Though that ending, man, that was hard to read!
September 22, 2021
It was a nice short story and I can't wait until I get book 3 of this series!! :)
October 15, 2021
This was a good novella between books! Loved getting to know Obritsa more. My only complaint was that it was too repetitive from the events that happened in Kingsbane.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews