This book lives up to the first in the series. I love reading stories that include an alternate voice on history. The inclusiveness of the characters make the story so much richer. This story makes you want to pick up your own sword and go fight injustice.

Wonderful sequel to “Queen Bee” which wraps its story up nicely while illuminating the unique personalities of Zia and Ravi. I appreciate Howard’s research of the time period and her reflection on the challenges of being female during this age and realizing your true self.

This one was so cute. It is always so clear how much research goes into Amalie's historicals. Even if I knew a lot of it, I always learn something new. I know I wasn't the actual target audience for this book (as it had a tendency of feeling like an after school special at times), but I really see a lot of younger girls really resonating with this book, as Zia is truly a pinnacle of fighting for women and girls everywhere.

Thank you to NetGalley for this Arc. I would rate this book 4.5 stars and 1 chili pepper for spice. This was another amazing story by Amalie Howard! While this is the second book in the series, it’s a companion novel and can be read as a stand alone. I read Queen Bee first and this story was a great continuation. I loved Lady Zenobia and Rafi’s rebellious relationship. Zia is a strong and smart fmc trying to save her finishing school and connected orphanage. Rafi is an heir trying to further his love of painting which is not an appropriate profession for a noble. The tension in their relationship stems from Rafi being Zia’s brother Keston’s best friend and the fact that he keeps catching Zia in illegal and dangerous situations with her group of blue stocking classmates. I believe this is considered a YA novel so there isn’t much heat with only a few kissing makeout scenes, but the story is wonderful. You can still feel the passion and longing without the need for spice. I love the attention to historic detail that Amalie writes in her stories. In this series each chapter starts with a quote from Mary Wollstonecraft. At the end of each book is an explanation of all the literary and historical references written in the book, which is amazing and so fascinating. My only negative critique is that I wish this story was longer because I could have kept reading about Zia and Rafi for another 100 pages.