The Queen’s Resistance – Rebecca Ross – The Queen’s Resistance #2 – HarperTeen – Published 5 March 2019
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Synopsis
Finally, Brienna is a mistress of knowledge and is settling into her role as the daughter of Davin MacQuinn, a disgraced lord who returned to Maevana to reclaim his house. Though she’d just survived a revolution, one that will finally return a queen to the throne, she faces another difficult challenge. She must prove herself trustworthy to the MacQuinns. But as Queen Isolde Kavanagh’s closest confidant, she’ll have to balance serving her father’s house as well as her country. And then there’s Cartier, a wholly separate but desirable factor in her new life.
Aodhan Morgane, formerly known as Cartier Évariste, is adjusting to the stark contrast between his pre-rebellion life in Valenia as a master of knowledge and his current one as the lord of a fallen house. During his castle’s restoration, he discovers a ten-year-old boy named Tomas, whose past and parentage are a complete mystery. So when Cartier’s former pupil Brienna is as taken with Tomas as he is, he lets his mind wander—what if he doesn’t have to raise him or his house alone?
As the Lannon trial rapidly approaches, Brienna and Cartier must put their feelings aside to concentrate on forging alliances, executing justice, and ensuring that no one interferes with the queen’s coronation. But resistance is rumbling among the old regime’s supporters, who are desperate to find a weakness in the rebels’ forces. And nothing makes a person more vulnerable than deep-seated love.
My thoughts
Stunning. Truly beautiful and heart-capturing, The Queen’s Resistance is an epic sequel to The Queen’s Rising and everything I was daring to hope it would be. The Queen’s Rising was my surprise book of 2018. Surprise, because it totally took me by surprise with how amazing it was, how much I enjoyed it, and the beauty of the world Rebecca Ross created. So, the sequel, The Queen’s Resistance instantly became one of my most anticipated reads for 2019. And it did not disappoint. The Queen’s Resistant is stunning. It is beautifully crafted, the threads of intrigue, alliances, betrayal and deception are carefully woven with strands of love, family, justice and a thrilling quest to right the wrongs of the past. This is by far one of my all-time favourite fantasy series, and I can not recommend it highly enough.
Just three days have past since Brienna and her newly-formed family rode into battle to assert the rightful queen upon the throne of Maevana. Now Brienna, her adopted father Lord MacQuinn, Cartier, and Isolde must determine who are their allies and who would seek to oppose Isolde as Queen. Each must also deal with the challenges of returning to Maevana after so many years away and reestablishing themselves in their Houses, while also seeking the justice against the people who stole so much from them.
It is so very easy to fall in love with the cast of amazing characters in this series and it’s captivating world – part Renaissance France and part a mix of ancient Scotland and Ireland. It was such a pleasure to plunge once again into Brienna’s world and I loved that The Queen’s Resistance picked up straight after The Queen’s Rising left off. I wasn’t sure what to expect from the plot of The Queen’s Resistance. Brienna’s story could easily have concluded at the end of the first book, and by her own word, the author indicated that she never meant to continue Brienna and Cartier’s story. But I am so glad she did. There was so much more to tell, and while the synopsis sounds a little vague and perhaps promising the events in the book will border on the mundane, the plot of The Queen’s Resistance is full of intrigue, twists I did not see coming, sweet stolen moments of joy, kisses, great challenges and heartbreaking secrets laid bare, an epic quest for justice, fights, and celebrations. It is the perfect sequel.
Will there be a third book? On Rebecca Ross’s website FAQ she says that she has signed a three book deal with HarperTeen. However, there is also an explanation for how the concept for The Queen’s Resistance very greatly developed and changed. What book three will look like, whether it will follow Brienna and Cartier or be a true companion novel as initially planned, perhaps with a matching world and different main characters, is still to be revealed. In any case, I can’t wait!! It is sure to be stunning, and, as shown by the development of The Queen’s Resistance, reflect Rebecca’s commitment to the heart of this series, her characters and her world through the beauty of her writing.
The Queen’s Resistance is everything an excellent sequel should be and perfectly captures the heart and beauty of this epic and amazing YA fantasy series. I highly, highly recommend it.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
More information
Category: Young adult fiction.
Genre: Fantasy.
Themes: Justice, magic, romance, family, royalty, revenge, love, mercy, knowledge, music.
Reading age guide: Ages 14 and up.
Advisory: References to and descriptions of torture, beheading, injury, blood, death, rape.
Published: 5 March 2019 by HarperTeen.
Format: Hardcover, paperback, ebook, audiobook. 480 pages.
ISBN: 9780062471383
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Great review! This was a 5 star read for me, too.
Thanks. It truly is a very beautiful book.