Released Date: March 1, 2011
Publisher: Zebra
Pages: Paperback (352 pages)
Age Group: Adult
Series: Dark Swan #3
Genre: Fantasy
Author Website: http://www.richellemead.com/
Overall Rating: (5 out of 5 stars)
Description: Shaman-for-hire Eugenie Markham is the best at banishing entities trespassing in the mortal realm. But as the Thorn Land’s queen, she’s fast running out of ways to end the brutal war devastating her kingdom. Her only hope: the Iron Crown, a legendary object even the most powerful gentry fear…
Who Eugenie can trust is the hardest part. Fairy king Dorian has his own agenda for aiding her search. And Kiyo, her shape-shifter ex-boyfriend, has every reason to betray her along the way. To control the Crown’s ever-consuming powers, Eugenie will have to confront an unimaginable temptation--one that will put her soul and the fate of two worlds in mortal peril…
Book Trailer:
Memorable Quotes:
"Because I’ve come to ask for your help. I need you to find out who killed me."
"I haven’t killed any of your people, Eugenie. You know I haven’t. Let me do something to him. Please.” “He’s under a truce flag,” replied Shaya automatically. Protocol was her specialty. Dorian turned toward her. “Damn it, woman! I’ve told you to stop letting them in with immunity."
My Musings: This book blew my mind away. If you have been a fan of Richelle Mead, you will notice the trend that the third book in each of her series turns the entire story into a cluster mess of disaster. This series is not any different. I went through a roller coaster of emotions as new revelations began to unfold. I can't wait til the next installment to come out (which is the final one for this series).
Eugenie Markham is in for some major surprises in this installment. As a shaman and a Faery queen, she has to make many tough choices on how to deal with her crazy love life, as well as taking care of her people in the massive war that she is in. She suffers as many of her civilians/soldiers are dying to keep the upper hand against Katrice (a queen with a vengeance). Though they are winning, Eugenie can't help but feel depress with all the blood being shed.
One of the central plot arcs is the crazy love triangle she is in with Dorian (the sexy Oak King) and Kiyo (the buff Kitesune). What is a a girl to do when she can't decide who is telling her the truth and who is out for their own vices? Honestly, I believe they both love her, but they also have their own personal agendas at stake as well.
In hopes of not being spoilery, something very big happens at the end of the book. It had me yelling out load as I read it. I should have been expecting it, but didn't want to accept or believe that it would happen.
Cover Art: I always felt that the covers had the potential to be better. The UK version is a million times better than the US one.
Reading Order:
Storm Born
Thorn Queen
Iron Crowned
Untitled #4
2 comments:
Gosh I am so glad you noticed that about her books too! (every third book) I was starting to wonder is she did that on purpose.
I am hesitant to read the third book because i heard people didn't like it but i think i might give it a chance now that i read your review.
Thanks for posting. :)
I just finished reading this book on Monday and i'm still thinking about the ending. I was completely blown away, I was shocked and wanted to throw the book because I can't wait on Jan to find out what happens next. Okay, I'm over my little hissy fit :) New follower.
Have you read the Georgia Kincaid series?
my WOW:
http://inthenameofbooks.blogspot.com/2011/03/waiting-on-wednesday4.html
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