Format: ebook
Published: April 9th, 2024
Age: Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 5/5 Stars
I loved this. I think sometimes a second book can not-quite-hit in a series. There’s a lot it has to do – continuing the story from the previous book, introducing new elements to keep it a little fresh, raise the stakes and keep you hooked enough you want to read the next one. It’s a lot, and sometimes a writer can pull it off, sometimes they can’t. Here, I very much think Whitten does.
Lore finds herself at the king’s right-hand side, but while Bastian sets about changing things, Lore is struggling with her new role, not to mention the voice whispering in her head and the nightmares she’s having, as well as the distance between her and Gabe. The nobles, on the whole, aren’t happy with the way things have played out, not to mention those who have been banished or put under house arrest. It’s a lot for the new king and his deathwitch to deal with, and it turns out Lore isn’t the only one who’s hearing voices.
The love triangle between Lore, Gabe and Bastian deepens here, and remains a compelling part of the series, as all three clearly care for one another, yet have their reasons for keeping a distance. As well as the difficulties she’s facing, Lore is still navigating court life, though it’s very different with Bastian as king rather than a carefree prince. Things do take an even darker turn here, leading on from the events of the first book and really nicely leading into the events of the third, which I really, seriously can’t wait for. I love Lore as a character, and find her and the dynamics with other characters really fascinating. It’s got romantic elements, and the love triangle as mentioned above, and although this is a key element, the romance itself isn’t the driving force of the plot.
Instead, it’s balanced well with the more political elements and the intrigue of what, exactly, is unfolding around Lore and Bastian. I also really liked how the world was expanded through the book, taking us beyond the city walls and into the past, the world unpeeling around us and Lore.
I definitely think this is an excellent sequel to The Foxglove King – if you’ve read the first book, you’ll enjoy the second, and if you haven’t yet started this series, it’s a strong recommendation from me to do so.
Reading Challenge
Musicals Reading Challenge 2025
Prompt: Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again – Knowing Me, Knowing You – Book 2 or onwards in a series you’ve previously started
Progress: 3/24
Unwrapping Words 