Return of the Vengeful Queen

 

Return of the Vengeful Queen
by C.J. Redwine

Book: Rise of the Vicious Princess #2
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pub Date: April 30, 2024
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Romance
Format: Print
Source: Bought 
Book Links: Goodreads  Amazon  Bookshop 

Charis Willowthorn is a queen without a throne. A Rakuuna invader holds Charis's kingdom of Calera captive, leaving her desperate—and ruthlessly committed to vengeance. But with her allies reluctant to intervene and her enemies hunting her across the open sea, Charis is left with only one forge a temporary alliance with Tal Penbyrn, the boy who betrayed her—and, at all costs, keep him out of her heart.

Tal is imprisoned, both by the Rakuuna's isolated castle and the weight of his guilt. Though he once betrayed his love, he knows that he can help turn the tide in Charis’s favor, if only he can regain her trust. But the Rakuuna have an ally of their own—one who knows Charis’s every move and will stop at nothing to see her destroyed.

With threats closing in and every allegiance in doubt, Charis must be stronger, faster, and more vicious than her enemies to reclaim her kingdom—and her future.

 

My Review: Mehhh.

I had high hopes for this book after reading the first one.

Charis is supposed to be vengeful, but she doesn't come off as such. Least not enough to make it worth while. She is more along the lines of a really mad Queen who wants her home and kingdom back but without the oomph of vengefulness. 

It was also a little boring for a while. While it was building up, providing a little more backstory and settling in another kingdom while figuring out the next move, it wasn't super exciting. It wasn't giving me anything except the I want to close this book now its so boring.

It took about 70% of the book to finally grab me and it was just barely enough. It wasn't until the very end where it finally was good enough for me to push through and finish the book. 

Charis finally showed her power as a queen. Finally put the Everlys in their place, finally proved who the Rakuuna were really reporting to, finally proving to her people she is the rightful queen and she didn't have anything to do with what happened, etc. Too bad it was at the very very end of the book. 

The ending itself was nice. The wedding happens, Charis is watching her kingdom slowly rebuild and come back to it's former self even though there is still a ways to go. Putting her parents to rest. Just finally having things fall into place and gives you an idea that all will be just fine.

Overall, it was simply just okay. It wasn't as good as the first book and I had high hopes but it was one that just didn't turn out as expected until the very end.

My Rating:

✪✪✪