The Queen's Rise

“What if the evil queen in your favourite fairy tale wasn’t born wicked”

This book did not disappoint! There are three books in The Queen’s Rise, and I’m glad to say that nothing in the story felt dragged out. I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. It’s brilliantly written, and the plot twists get crazier with each book!

The Queen’s Rising started strong with an intriguing world and a compelling protagonist, Jezebel. Betrayed and used by those she trusted, her heartbreak and lost friendships heavily influenced her actions and decisions. Like many fairy tales, the darkest queens aren’t villains in their own stories, and Jezebel’s story is no different. Everyone has their own agendas, and Jezebel had to fend for herself because no one else would. In the end, I genuinely felt heartbreak not just for Jezebel, but for the other characters as well.

I don’t want to give away too much because it’s so much crazier if you guys read it and experience the story as it unfolds with all the wild plot twists. The first book can be a struggle to get through (that’s why it’s not a 5 star for me) but trust me when I say it’s worth it—it’s just the beginning of a wild and twisted fantasy story.

Note: Reviews have been uploaded on Goodreads and Instagram (Readsbyjuli)
I will also be reviewing this on Amazon when it gets released

One of the best books I've read this year!!! So so good. Loved the characters, the plot, the storyline is perfect! I totally recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can.

📚️Book Review 📚️
👑 The Queen’s Rise by Bethany Atazadeh 👑
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A great series for an omnibus format! The three novels in this book were fast reads, making it great to have them all in one book set. Each book has its own identity, yet weaves together as we learn the origin of a villain. I completed this series before the Stolen Kingdom series that inspired it, and was able to enjoy it without having read those.

We follow Jezibel, whose life changes when she becomes empowered by her magic. This series truly explores the question if a villain is born or made. It just may be an answer inbetween!

**Features:**
- Villain origin story
- Non-human main character with shifter abilities
- YA fairytale retellings
- Court intrigue, deception, and the exploration of the nature of evil

**Summary**

For most Jinni, the awakening of their Gifts is something to celebrate. But for Jezebel, blessed with the ability to shape-shift, it is a nightmare. Fearing that they cannot control an ability like hers, those that won’t seek to control her will seek to destroy her. Jezebel’s only option is to keep her true abilities a secret. But when she is inevitably discovered by someone she thought was a friend, she is thrown into a world where trust is a fantasy and freedom can only be one through deceit.

**Thoughts**

I love a good villain origin story and this collection is that and more! It is important to note that this is a YA trilogy and it definitely reads like one. However, it isn’t afraid to go to some dark places and create a main character that is truly morally gray by the conclusion. Each book in this trilogy is a loose retelling of a fairytale in a way that is similar to The Lunar Chronicles but with a much different world and feel. Jezebel’s evolution from scared teenager hiding from the world to a woman trying to control her own destiny is both heartbreaking and satisfying. Despite some of her questionable choices, Jezebel is a character you still find yourself rooting for.

Jezebel is a villain character from “The Stolen Kingdom” series which takes place long after the events of this trilogy. The first book in this trilogy does a wonderful job re-establishing the world for new readers, so I never felt like I was missing something important having not read the previous series. That being said, returning readers will already know how this story ends and I really appreciate that this series doesn’t really try to change or excuse it. Though she shifts freely from ‘hero’ to ‘villain’ in her own story, the series as a whole is more about understanding than it is about redemption. If you are a believer in the saying “villains are made”, then this is the perfect series for you. It’s even better now that you can read it straight through!

Oh my goodness, this book was amazing 🤩👑✨🎉 I'm not a fantasy girl, but books like this one make me want to become one!!

I so desperately wanted everything to turn out alright for Jezebel in the end, but knowing it was a villain origin story, I tried my best to not get too attached 😭 Still, her character arc was beautifully executed, and I was able to relate with her even while I despaired at her choices. I love Koda so much, and I wish things could have turned out better for them, but again, I knew it couldn't 😢

The worldbuilding was phenomenal!! I was able to easily understand how things worked without feeling overwhelmed or like the information was dumped on me 🏰

If you're looking for your next gripping read, add this omnibus to your tbr! I promise it won't disappoint 😉👑

(And just a little side note, I started following this author back when she was writing these books, so finally reading them felt like a full circle moment for me 🥺💕)

5/5 Stars

This is such an immersive story that I couldn't get enough of! Each stage of Jezabel's story took me or a wild ride, and made me understand her a little more. I loved Koda, and started rooting for him. This is fairy tale retellings done right. Readers should be aware this is a omnibus, which means you get three books in one, along with bones materials. In this case that's a chapter from Koda's POV and a chapter set twenty years after the end of the story. It was amazing. I need more from Bethany Atazedeh. NOW.

Book 3, The Secret Curse, was absolutely my favorite, and definitively the strongest of Atazadeh’s books that I’ve read. Thank you NetGalley for providing me a free ARC in exchange of an honest review.