After the events of A Touch of Shadows, we continue the story of Wren, Finn, Elodie and Roland. I love having all of their perspectives because our girl Wren still doesn't know a thing. We traveled to more places in the realm and understood the world and magic system even more.

The magic in this trilogy is unique, without giving away the plot of the first book. There are two warring countries who are now at peace but still don't like each other. They each swear an oath to essentially a god - the Nox is dark magic and the Aurum is light magic. The witches of each country serves their respective god, as do the knights. There are prophesies and court scheming, of course!

Elodie has been keeping secrets her whole life, but it would have been nice for her to share what she knows to keep everyone safe! Wren and her reluctant leader tendencies got under my skin at some points.

I loved getting more of Finn's backstory and understanding his family more. This introduced an interesting look at good vs. evil that I'm sure will be explored further in the third book.

I switched to the ebook instead of the audiobook for this sequel and I could highlight and comprehend more of the story and history, but I really missed the narrator. She really brought the story to life for me. So I will switch back to the audiobook for the third book.

The first book had a bit of instalove, but of course there is a reason for it. It's a fantasy book!! So give this one a chance if you enjoy a gothic fantasy with two romances plot points and an atmospheric magic system and setting.

Spice level 🔥🔥
My rating of the book: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I did not and will not be finishing this. I almost DNF’d the first one. The story has potential but just didn’t quite make it.

3.75/5!!

Great sequel! In the second installation of the Lost Queen series, Wren finds herself navigating life at court in preparation for the queen's upcoming trial. In addition, tensions run exceptionally high in the kingdom with the introduction of the Ilanthians and the potential for an internal coup within the reagent's council. With all this, Wren and Finn attempt to navigate their surroundings and fight to keep the Nox at bay.

Ok, so I liked this book more than the first. I felt like despite the first half of the book being slow, we found out more of the backstory and Wren's origins in this book. For the last 30% I couldn't put the book down I was so stressed and curious about what was happening. The cliffhanger? Insane. I feel like I should have seen something like that coming, but I was so sure of Finn. I do wish we got a little more explanation, like whether the Nox is using him or if he was always like this, but I'm sure we'll get that in the next book. Another difference in this book is we got somewhat of straightforward explanations for things, which I really appreciated. I can only guess and speculate so much before I want actual confirmation as to what's going on.

I'm also really excited that we're going to see Ilanthus and Finn interact with his family in the next book. Really hoping we get more of the backstory on Finn and all of his scouting missions back to Ilanthus that were mentioned in the first book- the entire reason he and Wren crossed paths to begin with.

Also random, but I would appreciate a map at the beginning of the book. Several places get mentioned like the College of Winter or other neighboring kingdoms not mentioned by name, but it's hard to keep track of where everything is.

Overall, I can't wait for the next book because after that cliffhanger I MUST KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

A delightful sequel to a great fantasy series! There was a lot to unravel in this one and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a great fantasy romance series for those that are new to the genre and want to dive in, but be sure to start with book 1!

Thank you to NetGalley, Jessica Thorne, and the publisher for allowing me access to the e-Arc.

4.25 stars

This was such a great sequel. I was pleasantly surprised by all the reveals. I would highly recommend this series to readers who are new to fantasy with romance. It is easily digestible. This series does have spice. Just to let you know. I can’t wait to pick up book 3 whenever it comes out. I want to know where the story is going to go.

Oh my goodness! Such a good sequel!

I get so scared with sequels, they can either be amazing or disappointing and this one was certainly not disappointing.

So much information is revealed in this book, we learn more about the characters and their backgrounds and how those backgrounds are twisted together (maybe even in ways that the characters don't even realize).

I especially enjoyed the will-she-won't-she undercurrent that goes throughout the whole story for our main character Wren and the throne.

These characters are so likable, you feel exactly what you're supposed to feel for them. Their emotions and experiences feel real and understandable. And the drama and confusion that their situations cause for these characters was so intriguing and captivating (I'm trying so hard not to spoil since this is a sequel, so I'm sorry if this all sounds so vague).

AND SHADOW MAGIC! The shadow magic was so cool! I loved seeing it in action and hearing the explanations about it. I want more!

I would definitely recommend this series to any fantasy lover! Thank you NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly wrap-up.

“The woman who commanded shadow kin, who drew the night around her like a cloak and had filled him with such blinding light... the woman he loved...
She had done that.
And yet still he ached for her.”

“Any moment with you is never wasted, Wren. I crave you like water, or air, don't you know that? It's so strong, it... it scares me!”

Book two in the lost Queen series. Wren, Finn, Elodie and Roland … it feels good to be back with them. Only this time things are way more complicated than they should have been. This book starts right where book one left off. Of course it did. Because our beautiful Queen was about to stand on trial for abandoning her kingdom in time of need. We have more action. More bursts of power. More light and more darkness. More Aurumn and more Nox. More conflict. More political intrigues. More member of Finn’s family (like we needed more). More secrets Elodie was still keeping. More mother/daughter bonding. More of Wren being confused because people keeping using her for their own gain. But we also have lovers reunited after a long time. And we also have two new lovers with maybe some more time to explore the love and passion they feel for one another. Even tho her power over him is undeniable and it’s strong. I loved how the author brought us plot twist after plot twist. So many turns, sometimes it felt complicated to keep track of them. But by a certain point it felt like they were all puzzle pieces that were supposed to lead us right there. The truth of Wren’s identity. Her power. Elodie’s enormous power. And Finn. And after that TERRIBLE ending that left me with an awful sense of wonder and fear … I need the next book!!! RIGHT NOW !!

“He was hers and she was his and the light flooded through both of them, blinding and terrible, while shadows coiled against their skin, weaving untold enchant-ments, leaving them both enraptured.”

“You are more than life itself, Wren. More than anything. I was lost until now, lost without you. But that was..' He lost himself again, gazing up into her eyes, adoration plain on his handsome face. 'I am yours, body and soul. You know that, don't you?”