Queen of Myth and Monsters
by Scarlett St. Clair
Pub Date: December 20, 2022
Sourcebooks, Bloom
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. Fantasy & Romance (spicy)
The next book in the epic fantasy series by USA Today bestselling author Scarlett St. Clair.

Isolde, newly coronated queen, has finally found a king worthy of her in the vampire Adrian. But their love for each other has cost Isolde her father and her homeland. With two opposing goddesses playing mortals and vampires like chess pieces against one another, Isolde is uncertain who her allies are in the vampire stronghold of Revekka.

Now, as politics in the Red Palace grow more underhanded and a deadly blood mist threatens all of Cordova, Isolde must trust in the bond she's formed with Adrian, even as she learns troubling information about his complicated past.
Here's what I appreciate most about Scarlett St. Clair. She is honestly and sincerely trying to make a different sort of romance heroine, one who doesn't need the man at all and is strong on her own. I don't know that I fully understand all of the mythology and world-building. Well written.
3 stars

Thank you SOURCEBOOKS and NetGalley for the e-arc of Queen of Myth and Monsters by Scarlett St. Clair.

Scarlett St. Claire bring us back to Adrian and Isolde's story with higher stakes, more steamy romance, and enough heartbreak to go around. What I found the most important aspect of the book is the development of Adrian and Isolde's relationship. It has changed from the first book and I thoroughly enjoyed reading their struggle for happiness. St. Claire provides keen insight into the happenings of marriage when it isn't just about passion. Adrian and Isolde are really getting to know each other and how their new roles and trials they face will test the limits of their love.

Isolde is smart and owns how attractive she is. I felt inspired by her intuition and strong mindset to not just accept the choices being made for her. As a woman, it is important to read about other women who do not conform to their new realities and instead choose to shape it their way. She is queen becoming in more ways than one.

It isn't a St.Claire book without the romance and there is plenty of that to be found. To be honest, I almost felt annoyed by the sexier scenese as it felt as though Adrian and Isolde would just avoid their feelings and be physical instead. As I mentioned before, they are still discovering what being married and ruling a kingdom is like together.

There is a lot to discover in this book. The book is the bridge between the first and third book so it is full of new information, side-character highlights, and betrayal that comes at you with an intense force.

Here's what I appreciate most about Scarlett St. Clair. She is honestly and sincerely trying to make a different sort of romance heroine, one who doesn't need the man at all and is strong on her own. I don't know that I fully understand all of the mythology and world-building, but hey, it was a hot book, Adrian and Isolde take no prisoners, let's go, book 3!

I received an ARC through NetGalley and Bloom Books.
Wowwwww this is a book I’ve been looking forward to for awhile. And I liked the nice blend of smut and plot. I love Adrian and Isolde and I loved them in the sequel. I was worried this wouldn’t be as good, but I was pleasantly surprised! There were a lot of plot twists, especially towards the end. I wish maybe there had been a couple but still a good story. I’m curious about the slight cliffhanger and how that resolves with the next book!

Overall, I enjoyed the book. It was extremely "spicy" - but why else are we reading this? Besides that, I kinda felt like nothing but "spice was happening for the majority of the book, it got better around the halfway mark. I was also a little confused about the plot since it's been a while since I read the last one, but I was able to use context clues to piece together what happened in the last one. I'm looking forward to the next one.

This book picked up right where book one left off. I did enjoy the almost seamless transition from book one to book 2. However this book did confuse me more than clarify. While I am a big fan of spicy seasons in books it almost distracted from the plot because of how many steamy scenes there were randomly mixed in. Additionally, I don’t know if the formatting in the final edition will be different however the cutscenes and dreams being mixed in with the general text and story got to be quite confusing. I like the overall storyline and hope that the future books of the series will make it more clear for readers.

I can not tell you how much I love Scarlett St. Clair's writing. It it the BEST and she did not disappoint with this one. I love both Adrian and Isolde. If you love morally grey characters as much as I do than Adrian is the man (vampire) for you. Do you love strong female protagonists? Isolde has got you covered. Their relationship is truly something special. I loved the twists and turns the story took and all the character development and backstories really paid off. Just all around a superb book from an amazing author.

Gritty, powerful and ruthless. What an amazing read! I couldnt put it down! Loved the backstories to these characters. I wasnt expecting the dark turns, but it makes you appreciate the depth of this world.

Queen of Myth and Monsters is the second book of this series. The chapters are either told from Isolde's or Adrian's perspective--although most of the chapters are from Isolde's perspective. At its core, the book confronts concepts of duty, as well as dissecting patriarchal systems. The pacing was good throughout and there were several twists to keep the reader engaged. The twists felt organic to the story and not forced. There are definitely major events that take place in this second novel that significantly alter the lives of the protagonists. The novel definitely does not have an ending that wraps up all loose ends. The ending sets up the next novel. This was a positive reading experience overall. The pacing was good. It is a relatively quick read, with enough form the story to keep the reader engaged throughout. I look forward to finding out how the lives of our protagonists will be further changed by their actions in this novel.

What amazing book how's author took German and scandinavian MYTH And tie them into this story about this woman name L So LDE. She was Queen of this area and she was doing With this monster called RABENA. She was battling with a lot of people and Her husband named VASI LL ERA. She had a main named VIOLETA. And this and she was trying to rid these monsters because they were going to destroy Her kingdom. She had a lot of anger because her mother was killed and her father was gone. She would go to the woods and meet up with these witches who were trying to help her but there was a lot of intriguing going On. Sonia who fell in love with her husband. She had a very interesting part in this book too you know find out how she played really important part of the end of the book. ISO LDE was trying to help her when her maid was killed. The title of the book would you lend you to believe It was going in such. It's not it's a love story told through t And how these women were very strong and how they were running things.

Yet another amazing tale by Scarlett St. Clair. While I admit this book was a lot to take in, filled with disappointing moments, and information dense, it was still a great read. I’m interested to see where she takes this story after the way this one ended, and I am on edge awaiting what will happen next. The only thing I’m slightly disappointed about is the lack of conflict with Ravena after the build up in the first book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

CW: rape (past, side character, not on page), violence, war, murder, vampirism

This is the second book in the series and immediately follows the events of the first book. I reread the first book before diving into this one and felt like that really helped my understanding of events.

Because this is a direct sequel I don't want to give too much away, but there are so many twists and turns and a lot of political intrigue. The characters were all drawn morally grayer and it's difficult to say who to trust at this point. I'm definitely very curious where things are going to go in the next book.

Steam: 4

Queen of Myth and Monsters was a quick read with an interesting plot that pretty seamlessly connects to the first in the series. I did find that the “romance” scenes were a bit much and even though the storyline takes that into account, I wanted more of the non-“romance” story. I think because of the heavy focus on “romance” the characters became a little one-dimensional and lost some of what made them interesting.

So often, middle books of a trilogy are a tough go. The first gets you invested and sets things up. The third rushes to the climax. And the second is often just necessary filler to get you there. Queen of Myth and Monsters was so much better than most! Scarlett St. Clair did a great job of continuing the story she started in King of Battle and Blood. More developing of the love story, more secrets and backstories revealed, more betrayals. And many exciting possibilities hinted at for book to come. This was a very satisfying read and left me anxiously awaiting the final instalment!

When I got this I was so excited because I devoured book one. But sadly this one just wasn't as good and I found myself really just not caring about the story. It felt to me like the story took a back seat to this book being overly spicy. It seemed they were going at it every few pages and that really took me out of the plot of the story.

Where to start with Queen of Myth and Monsters??? This book took me on an emotional journey- one that was heartbreaking and leaving me wanting more. I was heart broken at Sorin's betrayal but I slowly prepared myself for this plot twist throughout the whole book. But I did not see Ana's betrayal coming but once it was known it did make sense. This book has a lot of background and character development, which is very much needed, but it kinda felt that I was reading a lot but not much was being accomplished... that all changes around the 65% mark and I am glad for the slower ramp up. The spicy scenes in this book were fantastic and I am team Isolde/Adrian! The book does end on a major cliff-hanger with some plot stuff still not tied up so I am NEEDING more for my sanity. Scarlett St. Clair did it again!!

Overall: 9/10
Spicy: 3.8/5

I really love Isolde and Adrian. Their story is an interesting one and I’m excited to see where their journey leads. This second book was most definitely a filler book so I am hoping the third book brings it! I enjoyed getting to know some of the characters better and more of their back story. I’m unsure if I really like what was done with Isolde though. Maybe it’s because I’m not sure what purpose it serves. Right now her change felt a little lack but still didn’t take away from the book. I would recommend this book to others to read.

Scarlett broke me with this one and would very much like to be put back together again.

I had a feeling that Sorin was going to be the traitor, but I was not expecting TWO TRAITORS!!! So when the Ana/Raven reveal came especially with everything that happened in this book my heart shattered. Currently in an emotional crisis after just finishing this book so not sure if that is clear or not but I love this series! Also no surface is safe from Adrian and Isolde's nakedness and I'm here for that. I already knew Isolde was a badass but now she is like super-powerful warrior, monster, witch, and a vampire. What can't she do, ohh maybe be happy for more than a couple hours because everything around her is going to shit! Thank you for coming to my rambling TED talk of a review. Honestly great book, if a book can get emotion or feelings out of me and right now there are a lot of them it's a 5 star read. Only critique I can give is it felt like a lot and nothing was happening for awhile reading, that changed drastically at the 65% mark.

A fantastic sequel!! I am already familiar with the world building set in the first book, but I continue to be captivated by this lush world. The main characters have really grown and become more complex since the first book. I cannot help but continue to root for them. The romance is also top-notch and will have you swooning nonstop! I highly recommend picking up this series for anyone who loves fantasy romances.

Picks up where the last one left off. It was good to see the continuation of Adrian and Isolde's relationship, and all the political maneuvering and machinations. There is more complexity and depth in this sequel, and fans of the first will not be disappointed!