The Queen and the Knave is masterfully written. Eden really outdid herself with this book! Highly recommend The Queen and the Knave, as well as the entire Dread Penny Society series.

The plot throughout The Queen and the Knave is incredibly nuanced and detailed. So many different elements of the earlier books in the series come back into play and are woven together beautifully. This bit of my review will be a bit spare so as to avoid spoilers, but I can say that I was incredibly impressed with how many seemingly insignificant details were actually quite significant; the subtlety made for a compelling read.

As with the earlier books, the included Penny Dreadful stories -- as penned by 'Mr. King' and 'Chauncey Finnegan' -- complement the main story of the book perfectly. I loved how Mr. King's "The Queen and the Knave" mirrored much of Moirin and Fitz's story, while also adding some magical elements (I loved the pine marten queen especially!). "Poisie and Pru: Detectives for Hire" showcased so much of Moirin's humor and cleverness in a lovely way too. I absolutely loved how both penny dreadfuls were interwoved with the main story -- it made The Queen and the Knave a very hard book to put down!

My absolutely favorite part of this book was getting to know both Moirin and the Dread Master so much more. Both had independently been such compelling characters throughout the series. I'd been rooting for Moirin to get her own book since the beginning -- she was one of my favorite characters very early on. Getting to experience her thoughts and feelings while reading the book was an absolutely lovely journey. I so enjoyed her relationship with Fitz too -- so often, love finds a way even when circumstances are quite unfavorable.

Thank you to Netgalley, Shadow Mountain, and Sarah M. Eden for the eARC copy. All opinions are my own.

The exciting conclusion to this wonderful Dread Penny Society series was phenomenal!

This is a series that will be best appreciated if read in order. I loved that this final installment included so many past characters and was a culmination of everything that's been building up, resulting in a showdown between The Dread Penny Master and The Tempest. Not only were loose ends neatly wrapped up, but the twists, turns, and anticipation left me breathless.

Moirin and Fitz (aka Parky) were the perfect combination to wrap this series up. While technically a proper romance, the main focus is on the mystery and suspense, but the sweet romance was the icing on the cake. I was so eager to see how things would end and I love all these characters--it was a treat to see them together again.

Sarah Eden is a master storyteller. The two Penny Dreadfuls told within (stories within the story) were so entertaining and creative. I loved it all from beginning to end and I'm completely satisfied with this finale.

Content: mild romance; mild+ moments of peril/death/violence

An excellent wrap to a phenomenal series. Sarah Eden is the absolute master of historical fiction. I don’t understand how she can seemingly effortlessly write a story within a story. I have loved the journey these Dread Penny novels have taken us on. The story she writes within is just as excellent as the story without the penny novel. She never disappoints!

Wow, what an incredible ending to a phenomenal series. It is amazing to me how someone can come up with in such interesting and fascinating ideas. But then to be able to research and learn all of the intricate details, and then put it all into a spell binding story. Sarah M Eden is one of those authors. This final installment in the Dread Penny Society, hits all the right marks, mystery adventure, suspense, a little bit of fantasy, magic and horror and best of all sweet romance. There are two penny dreadful stories in this book that are very entertaining, but the climax of the DPS solving the ultimate crime was gripping. The story was solid and the characters intriguing. I cannot wait to see what the author has in store for us next. She reminds me of Moirin, because she is always one step ahead of everyone else.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was such a good wrap up for the Dread Penny Society series!! I loved Moirin from the moment she appeared in the series and I’m so happy she finally got her time to shine. I also liked Fitz and his personal journey and how it intertwined with the rest of the mystery. This is definitely a series to read in order as each book’s mystery leads into the mystery of the next with an overarching mystery. But the ending was so great. I also loved both of the Penny dreadful stories interspersed throughout, but especially the two elderly detectives’ story. I am sad this series is over, but it was really fun to read!

I have enjoyed this series from the beginning! I have loved the idea behind the Dread Penny Society and how each member fights for a different worthy cause. I think that this was a good ending to the series. My main drawback was that the Tempest was one step ahead basically the entire series until she wasn't and it just didn't quite work for me. I'd still definitely recommend the book and I'll read it again!

thanks to NetGalley for the eARC

⭐️=4 | 😘=2 | 🤬=1 | ⚔️=2.5 | 14+

summary: The Dread Penny Society book five

thoughts: actually my favorite of the series! imo had the most compelling couple (that I actually cared about and had, like actual chemistry, unlike some of the others) and it did a great job of raising the stakes compared to the other books––like it was still in the same style as them, but absolutely felt like a grand finale.

New Release!

In my non official opinion, this is Sarah's mic drop of a series finale. Yeah if you have read this series, you know what I am talking about.

I am attempting something different and it's reviewing this book by song lyrics.

1. A Beautiful Game by Ed Sheeran

"Out of the embers we'll rise from the ashes."

This song just aligns with Moirin and the Dread Penny Society members.

2. All I Know So Far- Pink

"But I can show you how to live like your life is on the line."

The whole song makes me believe that Moirin would be this type of role model. The chorus is just perfect for a powerful punch of courage she shares with others.

3. Long Live- Taylor Swift

"'Cause for a moment, a band of theives in ripped up jeans got to rule the world."

Honestly, the Dread Penny Society are a band of writers in ripped up London attire, but you get my point. Ugh this song just reflects the family that has been created to fight figurative London "dragons."

4. Wonder- Shawn Mendes

"To live in a world that isn't black and white"

Fitzgerald Parkington is just so beautifully written. He does not shy away from his feelings about Moirin. I don't know what it is about this song that just makes me think of him. I just do. It's a feeling thing on this one.

"I wonder what it's like to be loved by you!"

#thequeenandtheknave #sarahmeden #bookreview #arc #netgalley #songlyrics #seriesfinale #dreadpennysociety #rufflethepages

First, you need to know that this is not a stand-alone book. You’ll need to read the first four books in the series if you want to have any hope of following and truly enjoying this one.

The Queen and the Knave is a fast paced and fascinating conclusion to the efforts of the Dread Penny Society and their attempts to make London a better and safer place for “the least of these.” As is typical of this series, the author intersperses two different Penny Dreadfuls into the mix of the story that is unfolding. I really enjoyed that juxtaposition along with the story of the society itself. I was happy with the conclusion and recommend the series to those who like a little mystery mixed in with a bit of comedy and romance.

I received a free digital copy of this novel in exchange for sharing my honest opinion.

This was a fantastic conclusion to the series! Having all of the loose threads come together in a super climatic ending and a happy resolution was everything I was waiting for. The relationship between Fitz and Moirin was so sweet and real and funny. Her love for the DPS members and their families and everything she was willing to sacrifice for them made Moirin the true queen. I absolutely loved it!

This was a wonderful conclusion the the Dread Penny Society series. As sad as I am to see it end, this book makes it all worthy it. I loved how the characters all came together to conquer evil. I loved how we were never sure until the end how everything would work out. I loved that I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and that I couldn’t put it down. Make sure to read the other books first but this series is AMAZING!

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

✧:･𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬･:✧
•victorian england
•series finale
•penny dreadfuls
•dual pov
•sewer dates
•forbidden romance
•opposites attract
•the tempest vs. the dread master
•strong sibling bonds
•”parky”
•mysterious twists and turns
•who can you trust?!
•satisfying ending

“𝘊𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳, 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴. 𝘓𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘰 𝘧𝘢𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘴𝘰 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯’𝘵 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘴𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘺. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦, 𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘔ó𝘪𝘳í𝘯 𝘋𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘢 𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘪𝘹𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴.”

it should be noted that this is the fifth and final book in the dread penny society series and needs to be read in order, but i promise this series is worth it for this satisfying conclusion!!

it’s truly hard to review this book without spoiling anything. i gasped at the end of the last book and i couldn’t wait for all of the answers that we would finally get in the queen and the knave. it didn’t disappoint. this story was filled twists and turns and the sweetest romance. i loved seeing móirín (maureen) and fitz finally get together after it being hinted at for so long. it was also super satisfying to have the dread master and the tempest go head to head. i can’t recommend this series enough!

“𝙒𝙚 𝙙𝙤 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙩. 𝙒𝙚 𝙙𝙤 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙩. 𝙒𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙋𝙚𝙣𝙣𝙮 𝙎𝙤𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙩𝙮.”

thank you to shadow mountain for an arc. my thoughts are my own.

I couldn’t put it down! This is the fifth and final book in the Dread Penny Society series. The books in this series need to be read in order because each book builds on the previous book. This book focuses on Moirin Donnelly trying to protect the Dreadfuls - especially her brother Brogan and defeat The Tempest with the help of Constable Fitzgerald Parkington. She risks her own safety many times in the process.

Like the rest of the series, installments of two Penny Dreadful stories are interspersed with the chapters of this book.

The first is The Queen and the Knave by Mr. King. Eleanor’s father recently died making her the new queen. All the barons are gathering for a unification ceremony that is held every 10 years. Reynard Atteberry is her guard and was a childhood friend. She is turned into a pine marten during the day to prevent her from fulfilling her duties by evil Dezmerina who wants to be queen.

The other is Posie and Pru Detectives for Hire by Chauncey Finnegan. This is probably my favorite of all the penny dreadful stories throughout the series. It was really cute and funny. Two women in their 70s decide to be detectives and work to discover who killed Mr Flanagan and why. I would love to read another book about them.

This book was very well done and is the perfect end to the series. There was a lot of suspense, so many surprises, loveable characters, fun banter, and even romance. I couldn’t put it down. Content warning: there is violence on and off the page. Thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing for an advanced copy to use for my review.

This book contains all the action you expect from a high stakes mystery. The tension grows as people are kidnapped, plans are made, and criminals show themselves.

Moirin is a strong, intelligent woman whose secrets from the past are coming to light. As she tries to keep her secrets hidden and battle a criminal mastermind, she finds herself falling in love with a constable. Fitz and Moirin make a great team and they are easy to root for.

As with the previous books in this series, this one is light on romance. Although, it is satisfying. The mystery is the main focus and it’s conclusion is heart pounding and kept me turning the pages.

This contains two penny dreadfuls interwoven throughout the story. They are both enjoyable, but break up the pacing of the main story.

Be sure to read this series in order since every book builds on the last.

This is a clean read.

The Queen and the Knave by the incomparable Sarah M. Eden is the fifth and final in the series. And what a series it is! Nail biting, alluring, beguiling, mysterious, witty and original are just some words to describe my reading experience. Though it is unfortunate it is over, it ended with a bang instead of meekly drifting off into oblivion. It is also one of the few series I would re-read and believe I could get more richness out of it each time.

What enchants me the most is the writing itself which is pure genius. It is beyond me how Eden intricately knits together and unravels plots and storylines while simultaneously entertaining with the interspersed Penny Dreadful stories. The books feature different characters and storylines yet all have a purpose are seamlessly brought together with pizazz and panache in the grand finale.

In Victorian England the Dread Penny Society changes. Alarmed Móirín is concerned with goings on and investigates with Detective Constable Fitzgerald Parkington. They run into pickles and jams of all sorts while they learn more about each other. Bantering abounds yet in a respectful way where equality is important. They are bright, innovative and really care about the future of the DPS. Enter The Tempest, secrets galore and snippets of clean romance. Adventure upon adventure gives me the Robin Hood vibe and though a few darker topics are explored, it is done with care and thoughtfulness. I like that the romance is lowkey and that the characters nearly pulsate with personality. The vernacular and historical bits are fabulously done. My kind of book!

If you hanker after the epitome of the perfect immersive series, do get entangled in this one.

My sincere thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this highly-addictive and unforgettable novel.

This was an exciting conclusion to the much anticipated Dread Penny Society story as Móirín Donnelly and the members of this covert crime fighting organization must outwit their biggest foe, The Tempest. Ms. Eden has brilliantly woven several stories into this book to keep you totally engrossed.

Móirín Donnelly was my favorite character as she not only must pit her wits to stop The Tempest, but she must also protect all of those who rely on her to keep them safe. There were several scenes where I was holding my breath, not sure how things were going to work out. Having Constable Fitzgerald Parkington and other members of the Dread Penny Society help was so fun! Fitz and Móirín have this tension between them that is almost palpable. The password that he must use to be granted access to safe houses had me laughing.

If you enjoy mystery, suspense, a bit of humor, and romance, you will love this series. Since the characters have been introduced in previous books I recommend you read the others before reading this particular story. The good news is that this is the final book and you can binge read aaall of them!

Things I loved:
Victorian era
Valiant men and women
Fighting injustice
Foiling The Tempest
The Queen and the Knave short story
The Dread Master
Plot twists

I'd love to see this series made into a TV mini series. It's that amazing!

Favorite Quote: "For the poor and the infirm, the voiceless and the hopeless, we do not relent. We do not forget. We are The Dread Penny Society."

I was given a copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. A positive review was not required.

This is a wonderful conclusion to a great series! Loved the characters and the group all fighting the fight!!

Cute love story, too!

Wow, what a conclusion to a great series. As others have said this is a series that you have to read from the beginning, but it is worth it. This has been such a great suspenseful series. The ending keeps you guessing through the entire book. Moirin and Fitz's relationship was great. I loved their banter and wit even in really rough spots. Yet they had some tender moments that I hadn't been expecting.

The Penny Dreadfuls in this book were interesting. I always enjoy Mr. King's stories and this one was no different. I'm really amazed how Ms. Eden is able to write these with different writing techniques. That's true talent. I've enjoyed these throughout the series as well.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Netgalley and this is my honest review.

I love this series a lot and this was no exception, the author has built a great world and kept it throughout. I have never been into the actual penny dreadful exercerpts throughout the stories but I know they are thoughtrfully written and connected to the stories.

Holy Moly!!! What an ending to this series!! I've loved all of the books in this series and wondered how it would end but never did I imagine what Sarah M. Eden came up with! Heads up, this is a series you HAVE to read in order because the story builds in each book and this is the fantastic end we've all been waiting for.

The Dread Penny Society is in danger from the Tempest, and despite their best efforts and various secret hiding places they start to disappear. This forces Móirín Donnelly to team up with Detective Constable Fitzgerald Parkington, a friend she kids around with and seems to be sweet on but because of what led her to come to London she's kept him at arm's length. Now, because of the Tempest's actions Móirín must trust Parkington (aka Parky or Fitz) with some of her secrets--secrets even her brother doesn't know.

This one hooked me from the beginning and didn't let go. I was with Móirín and Parky as they went all over and under London trying to find the missing DPS members. The penny dreadfuls included in the book were a welcome relief from the anxiety the Tempest was giving me over the beloved DPS characters. I don't want to give anything away so I'll list what I liked about the book.

The dual pov of Móirín and Parky, getting to see all the DPS members from the previous books, the penny dreadful stories, the slow-burn romance between Móirín and Parky, the kisses, and of course the climatic ending where the Tempest gets what she deserves!! I loved seeing everyone find someone to love--they all deserve it. I'd love to go back and binge read/listen to this series so I see all the little things I missed the first time I read them.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.