When I was reading The Foxglove King in February I was really enjoying myself and decided that I couldn’t wait for the sequel. So while I was reading, I requested The Hemlock Queen on Netgalley. I was excited that I was approved. The Hemlock Queen released on April 9th, and today I want to tell you about this book and what I thought!
Be aware, this is a sequel, I’ll try to keep my review spoiler free, but the synopsis could spoil a bit of book one. Also, a big thank you to Netgalley and Orbit for providing me with an eARC to read and review. This doesn’t influence my opinion in any way.
In the second installment of New York Times bestselling author Hannah Whitten’s lush, romantic epic fantasy series, a young woman who can raise the dead must navigate the dangerous and glamorous world of the Sainted King’s royal court.
The corrupt king August is dead. Prince Bastian has seized the throne and raised Lore—a necromancer and former smuggler—to his right hand side. Together they plan to cut out the rot from the heart of the sainted court and help the people of Dellaire. But not everyone is happy with the changes. The nobles are sowing dissent, the Kyrithean Empire is beating down their door, and Lore’s old allies are pulling away. Even Prince Bastian’s changed. No longer the hopeful, rakish, charismatic man Lore knows and loves, instead he’s reckless, domineering and cold.
And something’s been whispering in her ear. A voice, dark and haunting, that’s telling her there’s more to the story than she knows and more to her power than she can even imagine. A truth buried deep that could change everything.
With Bastian’s coronation fast approaching and enemies whispering on all sides, Lore must figure out how to protect herself, her prince, and her country before they all come crumbling down and whatever dark power has been creeping through the catacombs is unleashed.
Review
The Hemlock Queen basically starts off right where The Foxglove King left off. Our characters are still dealing with everything that happened at the end of the first book. Betrayal, politics, and magic have changed a lot. They’re still not sure if they can trust each other and emotions run high.
I feel like we definitely get more of the magic in this world and the consequences it has for Lore and Bastian. We learn more about the gods and the prophecy that’s talked about in book one. This is definitely an important part of the story and sets up a lot for the third book. I was a bit confused at the beginning of this book until about halfway through, but I think it was kind of fitting, because Lore was confused as well.
Besides the politics and magic aspects of this story, there is a romance going on. Well maybe two, because the love triangle that started in book one is still very much a part of this story. I’m not a fan of those, but I’m kind of hoping Lore doesn’t have to choose. We also learn a lot more about Bastian and my heart broke for him at times and I really want him to get a happily ever after. I do feel like Gabe was a bit on the back burner in The Hemlock Queen and I hope we see more of him in the next book.
Lore was still a very interesting character. While she did really still fight for her needs, I feel like she also just let a lot happen. Which I can completely understand. I can’t imagine how overwhelmed she must be with everything going on.
All in all, The Hemlock Queen was everything I wanted in the second book of this gothic romantasy. The last 100 pages had me hooked and I needed to know what happened. This author pulled me in and wouldn’t let me go. I’ll be anxiously awaiting the release of the third book. I definitely need more of this world and characters.
After that ending, I’ll definitely be reading the next book in this series. I love when books pull me in so much I just can’t put them down. Have you read any books like that recently? Let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear from you.
