Member Reviews

This is a fun story but it is very "tweeny", So it doesn't necessarily have that fluidity to be enjoyed by all age-groups like some YA books do.

Because I'm not the intended audience, I can't really give it a bad review because it actually has a wonderful story line and the sisters are fantastic. I also feel like the villains are compelling as are the romances.

I do think this is heavy on the YA side but enjoyable overall and a great sequel. I also think The Liar's Crown has similar vibes and is a little more Upper YA for people who may not dig the Twin Crowns series. Just saying.

Was this review helpful?

I received this ARC from NetGalley. This sequel to Twin Crowns follows the twin queens as they work to rule thier country and save their family. This was a great sequel.. I love the characters who are though very different are both strong female characters. The male love interests are swoon worthy. I also really love the magic system in this book. If you enjoy magical fantasies with romance, you will enjoy this book.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for an e-arc of this book!

First off: SCREAMING AND CRYING.

Yeah.

The book was that good.

So very good. Wren still remains my favorite twin. I love her so much. Also, I 100% have a new favorite character in this book. Alarik, in case you didn't know.

Also all THE TENSION in this book, my goodness! The duo did a great job at making you sit on the edge of your seat.

There was some angst of course in this book, but there was also a lot of humor. And of course, the romance. We get the continuation of Rose and Shen's story arc, but Wren also gets her own romantic subplot...love triangle...thing. Normally I hate them. But this one -- yes, this one so far I am enjoying immensely. I can't wait to see what happens next in the series.

I thought the plot was brilliant, the pacing was excellent, and I just loved this book. It was a much more light-hearted fantasy than other books, and it was such a unique perspective on twins ruling and ancient curses.

I enjoyed it so much, and I cannot wait until I can read the next book. This is going to be a series I'll want to reread because it is spectacular! If I could give it 10 stars I would.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Harper Collins for sending me an arc in exchange for review.


I had a feeling after finishing the first book and enjoying it immensely that I would not enjoy the second book not nearly as much because the writing took a drastic downward turn and this world is so magical but why do you have these supposed powerful witches and don’t make them do anything that shows how powerful they are ? this book was just a big let down for me.

Was this review helpful?

As with this first installment, this follow up is a fun fantasy romp. If you don't go in with lofty expectations for world building and originality, these books are breezy and cute.

Was this review helpful?

This was a fun, fast-paced sequel. I enjoyed it just as much as the first book.

Right when I got invested into one twin’s story, the perspective would change and then I’d couldn’t stop reading until I knew what happened! That’s how I spent most of this book: “Just one more chapter… oh DARN, well, I can’t stop now!”

It’s hard to review more in-depth without spoiling the first book, so I’ll say if you enjoyed the first book, you’ll definitely like the sequel.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Was this review helpful?

I loved the first book so much I have been so excited to read this since I finished the first book and let me just say this book did not disappoint in any way. The plot the characters the writers style of writing it was all amazingly done

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed reading Twin Crowns, and this sequel didn't disappoint at all.

I like Rose's character development, even though sometimes I still think that she was kinda spoiled but she showed her mature side more in this book, hopefully her character will grow more. Her relationship with Shen was also very sweet! I really am looking forward to how Rose and Shen will end up after the big reveal, it was very exciting I liked the twist. But one thing that bothers me, Rose was too forgiving to Shen. She should have made him beg for forgiveness. Shen better be kind to Rose after this ha!

Wren was still as reckless as she was in book 1 but I found myself to be invested more in her chapters especially toward a certain person in her POV. I'll say that I have a new ship because in my eyes Wren seems to have more chemistry with him than Tor.

Lastly, let me show my appreciation to the cover, because the cover not only as gorgeous as the previous book but also represents very fun scenes in the book!

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Rose and Wren are Queens now. Their kingdom is still getting used to what's going on but not everyone is sold on the idea of Queen witches.


Rose is more natural and groomed to be queen and Wren speaks as she wants. In this way, Rose is a little annoying. Always correcting Wren and how a Queen should and shouldnt act. She is a little pushy and there are moments you just want to tell her to give Wren some slack.

Wren is trying to be a Queen but she is also more worried about Banba and getting her back. Wren takes matters into her own hands and goes after Banba herself, while leaving Rose to handle the royal tour on her own.

Rose goes on the royal tour and its nothing like she expected. People aren't crowed around to show love and loyalty. People are still angry of having a witch on the throne. What Rose really didn't expect was to be grabbed and then she and Shen get pulled into finding the Sunless Kingdom.

While Wren is working to free Banba. She learns there's more than just anger and ruthless with King Alarik. She spends time with the Queen and makes her laugh again. Alarik may even have a heart and shows kindness and care to Wren. But his condition to send both her and her grandma home is high.

Separately each Queen has their own thing happening.

Rose and Shen find the hidden kingdom, which Shen is the heir to. An attempted murder to the heir, secrets reveled, and a plot on the way against the queens.

Wren does forbidden magic and uncovers someone who looks just like her. Now a broken curse, magic free and fully restored.

After a battle and coming together to show their people compassion. Both Queens and are on their way to uniting everyone and peaceful kingdom. A new Royal Tour begins and this time is full of people waiting to meet and greet the twin queens.

How long will this last until the original twin queen returns...

Was this review helpful?

This was even better than the first book! The twins are once again on separate journeys - this time Rose is on a royal tour trying to win over the people, and Wren is sneaking off to Gevra to save her grandmother. Just like the first, it’s fast paced, funny, and easy to read, but also has its heartbreaking moments. It’s still very YA but does have a bit of darker subject matter this time around.

Wren’s POV was my fave, I loved the ice palace setting and the romance - I don’t want to give anything away but I LOVED the direction it’s going in. Rose and Shen don’t really do it for me but they’re still alright. The twists were really exciting and I’m looking forward to how they play out in the next book!

Thank you to HarperCollins Children’s Books for the review copy!

Was this review helpful?

Solid 3.5 stars for me.
I found Wren to have no character growth whereas Rose did progress. Rose was still making decisions that didn't quite match her as a character and I found her and her motives distracting front the book.
Wren and Tor... ugh... not a fan.
The character that I was surprised to really like in this book was Alarik, he had great character growth and development.
Although I like YA this series is very young YA and I think that's where a lot of my problems lie.
I'm not sure if I will continue with this series or just let it be.

Was this review helpful?

I really loved this book! I loved the first book and was so excited for this book! I devoured it and even read it a second time but actually took my time that time. I love the story and characters this author has created!

Was this review helpful?

Content warnings: necromancy, blood magic, attempted murder, grief, loss of a family member

Note: This review contains spoilers for the first book in the series, Twin Crowns.

Identical twin queens Rose and Wren are still reeling from the events at the end of Twin CrownsTwin Crowns. Rose is concerned about her people and how they are reacting to a world where magic isn't evil and having two witches on the throne of Eana. Wren is learning about being a queen when all she wants to do is go to Gevra and save her grandmother Banba, who was captured at the end of the last novel.

A royal tour of Eana is scheduled to make the people fall in love with their queens, but dissension is brewing. A faction called the Arrows is against witchcraft and threatens the queens' safety in their own country. Wren leaves for Gevra before the royal tour can start, and Rose discovers a mission of her own that will take her away from the tour. Can the twin queens save their grandmother, fight against the Arrows, and unite their kingdom before the Arrows ruin everything?

Recommended for readers of YA fantasy and romance.

Representation: lesbian couple, kingdom based on the Middle East and Asia

Was this review helpful?

Twin Crowns follows Rose and Wren after the events of book one, with Rose trying to quell a brewing rebellion by searching for the Sun Kissed Kingdom and Wren trying to free her grandmother from the Gevrans by making a promise to the king that will have serious consequences.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters, both old and new, are fleshed out and fun to follow, the themes around loss, loyalty, and family ties are strong throughout the book, and there were plenty of twists that took my by surprise.

If I had to give a criticism, I would say that some conflicts are solved a little too easily. There is so much going on throughout the book, both with Rose and Wren, that some things didn't get quite enough time to brew. Still, the story was well paced and the points that are fully fleshed out are well done.

Thank you for allowing me to read and review an ARC!

Was this review helpful?

Hold on, BRB, gotta go sob in the corner for a few minutes.

Listen, when I tell you that I SCREECHED like a velociraptor when I saw that I was approved for an ARC of this book, I am NOT exaggerating. Why? Because, my friend, the last book left off in some VERY kind of stressful way. and I was ANXIOUS to see how things were going to play out.

I still cared more about Wren's POV and goings on than I did Rose's, at least until closer to the end. But at the same time, I liked Rose's character better than I did Wren... Which is very confusing. Wren had a lot of emotional trauma that she was dealing with, and she didn't always make the right choices. (I mean, Rose did the same thing, but you know...) I liked seeing how Rose and Wren balanced each other out. This still had hints of that Fantasy RomCom that attracted me to the first book, but this one had a lot more serious undertones.

We learn a lot more about SO MANY of the characters too. And I can't wait for you all to read about it! And know the same things that I do now...

Thank you so so much to Harper Collins, Catherine Doyle, Katherine Webber, and Netgalley for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This review is currently posted on Goodreads, and will be posted to my Blog on Monday March 20. I will also post it on Amazon on the publication date

Was this review helpful?

This book had me stupidly smiling to myself the whole time! It definitely did not fall prey to the second book curse. I loved the first one, but I loved the second book even more. I appreciated getting to know more about the land of Eana and the people that live there. The plot twist at the end had me yelling out loud in shock. The romance was just so sweet. I love seeing Rose and Shen’s relationship grow through tough times because that’s how life is. I also enjoyed getting to know Alarik more and seeing life inside Gevra. This is a can’t miss book and I am dying for the third one! Well done!! I received this book as an ARC copy and am leaving my uninfluenced feedback of my own free will.

Was this review helpful?

Cursed Crowns

A slower start but it picked up quickly. However, if would have know this was more than a duology I don’t think I would have noticed that. I was expecting the story to be wrapping up, not building on more. But oh my gosh! I love where this story is taking us.

There are several plot lines happening and from the separate POVs of the sisters like we had in the first book. I do have a favorite, and I’ll just come out and say it, Wren. She has so much spunk and is constantly getting herself into scraps but I her anyway. Plus I prefer her romance and boy did it get interesting in this book.

There is some character development but the plot is really where this story shines and it kept me on the edge of my seat. I can’t wait for the next book!

Content: fade to black romance , dark magic, violence, death of a parental figure

Was this review helpful?

I told myself I was not interested in reading book 2 in the series and yet I requested it anyway. My original thoughts were correct. The sequel was a mess of different plot lines, new characters, a villain turned love interest, a two new villains and a new hidden/lost kingdom. Rose and Wren are the new queens and powerful witches, but they make the worst decisions and are constantly in danger and needing to be rescued. This series is poorly written and boring.

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed this book and would recommend. My teen daughter also likes it. I will be buying it to add to our home library.

Was this review helpful?

This series is really really good. And what I loves the almost about is how entertaining and engaging it is, but at the same time the writing style is so phenomenal that one can’t help but rather love vicariously through these characters! I highly loved and enjoyed it

Was this review helpful?