Once again King kept me reading until the end with this action packed story. Her powers are developing more but still aren't 100% reliable. We are introduced to some new characters and see some of the ones from the first. It was hard to determine who to trust and who was telling the truth in this one. Once again there is a tournament and the participants all have power over an element. I liked that the elements were used instead of weapons. I liked Prince Ashwin and look forward to seeing what he does with his destiny. The ending was fantastic. Can't say much without giving it away but all I can say is about time! I received a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Oh, man. This one was a ride.

I really enjoyed The Hundredth Queen and, of course, anticipated this book a great deal (thank you, Netgalley). I made the prediction in my review of book one that there may be a love triangle and I was partly right. It wasn’t between the two brothers, nope, instead, it was between Deven and Prince Ashwin. I’ll mini rant about this in a sec.

In this book, there is another tournament. I was skeptical about it because at first it seemed repetitive as compared to the plot of book one, but I did enjoy it since the trials were different. Kalinda handled herself in a much different way (as in pausing to help her competitors—which was a little annoying but selfless, I know. I was like, “Kalinda just go go go. Leave them to die. It’s what they would do to you.”) But it worked out for her relatively easy.

Plot wise, I really enjoyed most of what happened. The end of the book is fun and full of action. The world is in danger. Everything looks uncertain. Havoc is descending. Good stuff right there. No idea how everything is going to be resolved in book three, The Rogue Queen. I’m looking forward to it.

But the love triangle. I do not enjoy love triangles. I hate when my pick isn’t chosen. Not going to lie sometimes it feels like plot filler. I thought Deven was okay in book one, but now I don’t really like him at all. He’s basically anger and jealousy personified now. I hope he dies or goes away. I love and adore Prince Ashwin. I have a hard time actually liking male love interests (it’s a pattern), and yet he moves my loveless heart. He’s everything. I can’t even explain. Prince Ashwin, I feel, has more substance than Deven. We knew from the moment Deven was introduced in book one what his purpose was (obvious love interest) and since then he’s been wrapped around Kalinda’s finger. I just don’t buy into their love that much.

I mean look at this:
“… I’m a monster. They fear me, but you don’t.”
“I do,” he whispers. “I fear the hold you have on my heart.”

Can Deven even compare to this? No. Prince Ashwin is precious. PRECIOUS. I am 100% seduced.
#ProtectPrinceAshwin2k17

Deven, who? I don’t know him.

One of the best things about this book? That I didn't have to wait an entire year for it! I love that King is pushing them out every four months. Please that become more of a thing in the book world.

So, this is the middle book of a trilogy, and as such, had potential to fall flat. While it does suffer a little from "Middle Book Syndrome" in that the plot doesn't move much, it was still captivating with its own contained story, and had big things happen that are important to the overall plot.

I would say the main purpose of this book was character development. Kalinda comes to terms with who she is and events that took place in The Hundreth Queen. She definitely comes into her own and becomes a much stronger person. I would have liked to see her struggle a bit more with learning how to master her powers, but it was also emphasized that it was part of her and should be intuitive.

There was ANOTHER competition this time, and I like that even Kalinda was like "seriously, I have to fight AGAIN?!?!" because that's a little bit of how I felt. Luckily, this trial/competition was very different than the one in the first book, and Kalinda only faced off against three other girls. Plus it kind of rode in the background of the story, serving more as a means for Kalinda to grow, and also to spur along other plot elements, rather than being the main focus. I also liked the female friendships Kalinda forms, rather than having catty girls that hate each other.

We also got to see things from Deven's point of view, which I liked. We saw his struggles as a man who loves a very powerful woman and lets her fight her own fight. Plus, through his view we saw the way the refugees from their country are being treated.

I also liked seeing more of the world that Kalinda occupies. Other nations and cultures and peoples, remeniscent of some Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern cultures (Though King makes it clear that the religion is based on ancient Sumerian deities and that the cultures in the book aren't meant to reflect any real-life cultures). The politics happening between all the different countries made the world feel more real and have more depth.

Overall an imaginative, lush, and thrilling second novel in a wonderful series! Definitely recommend!

This picks up where the Hundreth Queen left off, in the aftermath of the massacre. I did really enjoy both this book and the previous one but something isn't quite connecting for me and I can't put a finger on what it is. That said I love the magic system in this world. I enjoyed Kali and Deven's relationship atrained though it was. The book was fast paced and entertaining. I look forward to book 3.

An immersing wave of action and mystery. I was super excited to get my hands on a copy of this book. I loved the first story, The Hundredth Queen and this one was right up there.

The book follows our favorite fire wielder, Kalinda as she is thrown into another round of trials to prove her worth. At first I was a little disappointing that the story was going along the same route as the first, but my thoughts quickly changed when the action started. There were different trials and the mystery of the Buddha continued with a new kingdom and new secrets.

I really enjoyed this book. It was right up my alley and I think people who like a good paranormal fantasy will like this one.

This novel was a great sequel to the first novel in the series. I enjoyed the first book and could not wait to see where Kalinda and Deven's adventure would lead them to. The book is first person point of view, from Kali and Deven's perspectives. The story continues from where the first book left off. You need to read the first novel to understand why they are risking everything to save the empire.
Kali was named the hundredth queen, but she killed the emperor in order to save the people from him and herself. Kali is a burner bhuta, which people of the empire despise, but she guards her secrets closely. Kali and Deven escape with others from the city after it has been taken over. Many people do not like bhutas, since they are descended from gods.
Deven was a former captain if the imperial army, but feel in love with Kali and she with him. They saved each other and Deven's moth and half-brother as the fled, seeking Prince Ashwin. They find him, but he is with another kingdom who has ulterior motives. I found Ashwin to be no always perceptive. He thinks, but lacks strength at times. Deven and Kali are separated, each struggling about the other, but trying to do what is best for the throne. They even question themselves about their relationship. Ashwin has his own plans for Kali.
New characters are introduced, each with different motives and some characters return from the previous novel. All of this is unraveling as they try to keep the Zhaleh, a book that can release the Voider, out of enemy hands. Everyone wants the book, but Kali keeps it hidden.
Kali and Deven have their own battles to fight that will greatly impact the war that is brewing. They both learn information and begin to put the pieces together, but have difficultly communicating the knowledge due to their separation. Kali is still the kindred, which carries a burden that she must accept if she wants the kingdom to survive the upcoming war. I cannot wait to read the next novel in the series!!

nice follow up, hopefully it'll be under audiobook soon!