#Review - Return of the Vengeful by Queen C.J. Redwine #YA #Fantasy

Series: Rise of the Viscous Princess # 2
Format: Hardcover, 352 pages
Release Date: April 30, 2024
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Source: Library
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy / Romance

The second book in a thrilling fantasy duology about a fierce princess determined to bring lasting peace to her kingdom regardless of the cost to her heart—from C. J. Redwine, the author of the New York Times bestselling Ravenspire series

The stunning conclusion to the fantasy series that began with Rise of the Vicious Princess. Perfect for fans of These Violent Delights, And I Darken, and Ash Princess!

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 choice: 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. 

Return of the Vengeful Queen, by C.J. Redwine, is the final installment in the Rise of the Vicious Princess duology. The story picks up 3 weeks after exiled Princess, soon to be Queen, Charis Willowthorn and 62 others survived a brutal attack by monstrous creatures called the Rakuuna who made a deal with the Rullenvor. Charis and her people are hoping to find help from Solvang only to learn that there is a bounty out on her head, and any country who helps her, might be the next to be attacked. 

Charis and a small group of survivors soon heads to a far off country that hardly anyone visits. Embre is said to be the source of something that can kill the dreaded Rakuuna. But they refuse to align themselves with Charis for fear of retaliation. After Charis is captured by the Rakuuna, she quickly learns that Tal Penbryn, the boy who betrayed her, is also a captive. She also learns that she is to be brought back home to face the person sitting on her throne. The Queen of the Rakuuna.

Prince Percival Talin Penbryn, the younger son of King Alaric of Montevallo, is imprisoned by weight of his guilt and the Rakuuna. Though he once betrayed the woman he loves, 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.

*Thoughts* The story tends to do a lot of traveling to Solang, Embre, the Basilisk Cave's and back to Charis home where she awaits judgement. I thought the final chapters of this book wrapped up things nicely. The book reveals the awful betrayal that cost the lives of thousands of people including Charis mother and father, merchant ships, her navy, and anyone who happened to be friends with Charis and her family. All because of political power and lies. So many innocent people die in this story. Charis really grows as a character. She is a capable and fearsome heroine, with a reputation for violence. But she is also a Queen determined to carve out her own path and care for the citizens who depend on her. I appreciated it didn't take that long for her to realize that Tal deserved to be forgiven for his actions in the previous installment. 

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#Review - The Blood Spell by C.J. Redwine #YALIT #Fantasy

Series: Ravenspire # 4
Format: E-Book, 448 pages
Release Date: February 12, 2019
Publisher: Balzer + Brey
Source: Publisher via Edelweiss
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy / Epic

A dark and romantic epic fantasy, inspired by Cinderella, about a girl who must team up with the prince she despises to defeat an evil creature in their kingdom. The fourth book in the New York Times bestselling Ravenspire series by C. J. Redwine. 

Blue de la Cour has her life planned: Hide the magic in her blood and continue trying to turn metal into gold so she can help her city’s homeless. But when her father is murdered and a cruel but powerful woman claims custody of Blue and her property, one wrong move could expose her—and doom her once and for all. The only one who can help? The boy she’s loathed since childhood: Prince Kellan.

Kellan Renard, crown prince of Balavata, is walking a thin line between political success and devastating violence. Newly returned from boarding school, he must find a bride among the kingdom’s head families and announce his betrothal—but escalating violence among the families makes the search nearly impossible. He’s surprised to discover that the one person who makes him feel like he can breathe is Blue, the girl who once ruined all his best adventures.

When mysterious forces lead to disappearances throughout Balavata, Blue and Kellan must work together to find the truth. What they discover will lead them to the darkest reaches of the kingdom and to the most painful moments of their pasts. When romance is forbidden and evil is rising, can Blue save those she loves, even if it costs her everything?

 

The Blood Spell is the fourth installment in author C.J. Redwine's Ravenspire series. A series that has seen different lead characters in all four installments. A series that is more likely than not to be a retelling of classic fairy tale. In this case, the retelling of Cinderella takes a curious and enjoyable twist with 17-year old Bernadine de la Cour, Blue to her friends as the would be Cinderella, while Kellan Renard is the would be Prince Charming. 

Blue works as an apothecary while simultaneously hiding her magic from the world. Magic, in fact, is illegal after the actions of an evil witch. Blue is a strong character defined by her iron-clad will to uphold justice, helping less fortunate people and putting her loved ones above all else. When street children begin disappearing, Blue begins to wonder if something nefarious is happening. 

When her father dies, she is thrown into turmoil when her guardianship shifts to a rather cruel woman who is determined to use Blue's abilities to force her to make gold in order to resolve her recent financial ruin. With the help of crown Prince Kellan, whom she has "hated" her entire life, Blue tries to dig deeper into the reason why her father died, the reason behind the disappearance of street kids, and the reason why a woman she deems unjustly cruel, has somehow managed to gain guardianship over her.

Meanwhile, Crown Prince Kellan is nearing his 19th birthday and his imminent betrothal to a girl from one of the 9 families that make up his country. He is also troubled by the loss off his father who should still be ruling the country. Kellan and Blue have a curious relationship. They crew up together, and seemingly she kept him from getting in so many bad situations that it's hard to keep track. Blue has another avenue for assistance. Kellen shares similar values with Blue but with a reckless spirit where Blue's is logical. Working together might actually save them both.

If you have read the previous installments, you will have already met Kellan. He was a supporting cast member from The Traitor Prince, which featured Prince Javan. Redwine has a tendency of planting Easter Eggs in her story so pay attention. You will also find Hansel and Gretel, as well as Thaddeus and Arianna Glavan from Sundraille who share a brief appearance that pretty much includes all of the main characters. I find myself looking for hints as to whom the next featured characters could be. I'm for a loss this time around.

One of the more positive aspects of this story is the addition of Kellan's younger sister Princess Nessa. I absolutely adore her! She is written as a character who is unable to speak, and thus those who know her best, like her mother the Queen, and Kellan, as well as Blue and her father, have learned to sign in order to communicate with her. The cast of the story is as diverse as you can get without pushing the limits of hypocrisy by changing a character to fit a particular narrative.

With the popularity of Sarah J. Maas’s bestselling Court of Thorns and Roses series and dark fantasy like Holly Black’s The Cruel Prince, the always-popular fantasy genre is burning brightly. This gorgeous and action-packed story is just right for fans of the genre. Redwine puts a dark, action-packed, and romantic twist on the famous tale—making it all her own. Cinderella fans won’t want to miss this one.

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Book #Review - The Traitor Prince by C.J. Redwine #YALit #Fantasy

Series: Ravenspire # 2
Format: E-Book, 416 pages
Release Date: February 13, 2018
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Source: Edelweiss
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy / Epic

A dark epic fantasy inspired by The Prince and the Pauper and the fairy tale The False Prince about a determined prince who must fight in a gladiator-style competition to unseat the impostor who’s taken his place. The third book in the New York Times bestselling Ravenspire series by C. J. Redwine.

Javan Najafai, the crown prince of Akram, has spent the last ten years at school, far away from his kingdom. He’s been eagerly awaiting his return home to his ailing father, but his journey there goes dangerously wrong. A mysterious impostor has taken his place—and no one will believe Javan is the true prince.

After barely escaping the impostor’s hitmen, Javan is thrown in the most dangerous prison in his kingdom—Maqbara. The only way to gain an audience with the king and reveal the truth is to fight his way out in the prison’s twice-yearly tournament, which pits inmates against a coterie of the deadliest creatures in the world.

The one person who can help him is Sajda, a strong and secretive girl who has been enslaved by Maqbara’s warden since she was a child. Working with Sajda might be the only way Javan can escape alive—but she’s hiding something.

Together, Javan and Sajda will have to outwit the dangerous warden, outfight hundreds of deadly creatures, and outlast the murderous prisoners intent on killing Javan before he can win—in order to fight for their freedom, and take down the impostor once and for all.

The Traitor Prince, by author C.J. Redwine, is the third installment in the Ravenspire series. If you have read the previous two installments, The Shadow Queen and The Wish Granter, you know that the author has used a different set of characters while also recreating certain folktales. Apparently, The Traitor Prince is based on the novel called The False Prince and The Prince and the Pauper. The Traitor Prince doesn't have just one, or two narratives, it actually has three plus plenty of villains for your reading pleasure. 

Prince Javan has dedicated his training and achievements to his mother who passed away. Unfortunately for Javan, there are others who would like to see him removed from the picture entirely. After avoiding an assassination attempt, a dragon shifter, and running into a boy who is attempting to pass as him, Javan ends up in Maqbara prison where he will have to fight not only for his freedom, but to keep breathing. Maqbara prison is the place where the Warden pushes the inmates into fighting in a gladiator like environment against all sorts of bizarre monsters. In order to survive, Javan must find a way to secure allies, and avoid being cannon fodder for those who to replace the king with someone else.

Sadja is, I dare say, the most interesting character in this entire book. I liked Javan. I did. I understood his struggles and his determination and was heart broken at one point in the story after he tries so hard to return home. However, Sadja is a curious sort. She is a dark elf who works for the Warden in Maqbara prison. She is responsible for feeding the monsters who are brought to the prison where inmates are bet on by the aristocrats. While Javan is genuinely a nice guy, Sadja isn't afraid of anyone. She's badass and can really stand up for herself without anyone else helping her.

I shall briefly summarize the main villain of the story, Rahim. Born to a mother who lives in a desert, a father who refused to acknowledge him until it suited his pleasure. Rahim isn't a nice guy no matter how much you may want to feel a bit of emotion for. There is a whole lot to think about when it comes to the parental aspects of Rahim's mother and father. Once could gather that Rahim didn't much care for his mother or that he has had to scrap for everything. But, see, there are other characters like Sadja who have no desire to remove a king or kill a prince and take his place. 

I have noticed that the author tends to introduce characters for her next book. I, unfortunately, must have missed it because I couldn't tell you who will be featured in the apparent fourth book in this series. This is a book that is action filled whenever Javan is the narrator. Loved the gladiator like environment, plus the appearance of Hansel and Gretel just to make things even more twisted. I've never read the original The Prince and the Pauper, so I can't do a detailed comparison of how similar the plot is to The Traitor Prince. 

I can say, however, that Redwine likes to twist her own story without sticking to a clear connection between the two stories. This story reads as a standalone even though Javan and others mention other characters from distant lands like Ravenspire. The romance is pretty muted. Javan and Sadja have a whole lot of other things to worry about than smashing lips and acting like teenagers at the prom. I'm not a huge fan of characters who use religion as a crutch. I won't judge that the author chooses to do so with Javan. To each their own. 

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#Monday Review - The Wish Granter by C.J. Redwine #YALit #Fantasy @cjredwine @BalzerandBray

Series: Ravenspire # 2
Format: Ebook, 432 pages
Release Date: February 14, 2017
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Source: Edelweiss 
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Retelling

The world has turned upside down for Thad and Ari Glavan, the bastard twins of Súndraille’s king. Their mother was murdered. The royal family died mysteriously. And now Thad sits on the throne of a kingdom whose streets are suddenly overrun with violence he can’t stop.

Growing up ignored by the nobility, Ari never wanted to be a proper princess. And when Thad suddenly starts training Ari to take his place, she realizes that her brother’s ascension to the throne wasn’t fate. It was the work of a Wish Granter named Alistair Teague, who tricked Thad into wishing away both the safety of his people and his soul in exchange for the crown.

So Ari recruits the help of Thad’s enigmatic new weapons master, Sebastian Vaughn, to teach her how to fight Teague. With secret ties to Teague’s criminal empire, Sebastian might just hold the key to discovering Alistair’s weaknesses, saving Ari’s brother—and herself.

But Teague is ruthless and more than ready to destroy anyone who dares stand in his way—and now he has his sights set on the princess. And if Ari can’t outwit him, she’ll lose Sebastian, her brother…and her soul. 

"He'll grant you the deepest desire of your heart, but in ten years he'll return for your soul." 

The Wish Granter is the second installment in author C.J. Redwine's Ravenspire series, and an interesting twist on a German fairy tale called Rumpelstiltskin. The Wish Granter's key characters are Princess Arianna, Sebastian Vaughn, and Alistair Teague, aka the villain aka The Wish Granter. Arianna and Vaughn are thrown together to face off against a man who grants your hearts desire, and then comes back to collect your soul in (10) years. There is no getting out of the bargain you make with Teague. If you try, he will find a way to may you pay.

Arianna and her brother Prince Thaddeus are the bastard twins of the King of Súndraille. After the Queen gives birth to a son, they find themselves being hunted by the Queen's hunters who wants them dead. After their mother is killed, Thaddeus one desire is to make sure that Arianna is safe no matter what. So, in doing what's, he makes a wish and a deal with Teague. (3) weeks later, the Royal family is suddenly dead, and Thaddeus is King of Súndraille, while Arianna, who describes herself  as curvaceous, which terms means she has some meat on her bones, becomes a Princess who is expected to act way beyond what she was born into.

But, in making his wish, Thaddeus is manipulated to the point where he is a King with no real standing. Nobody really trusts Thad. They question whether or not he had anything to do with the Royal families demise. Nobody except for his own sister who finds out about the wish, and Teague, and makes her plans to help Thaddeus break is agreement without losing his soul in the process. Teague now has an in towards all of the (7) Kingdoms that make up this world. Teague is also a Fae who has been living off the high horse for 200 years. He knows everything there is about tricking people into doing what he wants them to do.

I really liked Arianna. I liked that she considers herself a bit on the chunky side. I loved that she is eager to bake, and have fun, as well as find a way to defeat Teague which leads to some interesting twists and surprises. I love that she isn't just thrust into the spotlight, and becomes everyone's darling Princess. I love her connection to her best friend Cleo, and Mama Eleni. Ari is really good at baking, and numbers, and no so good at handling weapons, which makes Sebastian all that more important in the general scheme of things.

Sebastian is a character who knows a thing or two about living in squalor, having a father who is brutal, a mother who is addicted, and losing a brother thanks to Teague's business dealings. He becomes the King's weapon's master where he meets Arianna. Sebastian is a man of little words, but enough experience to understand Arianna's goals. Sebastian is curious about Arianna's request to make certain weapons. He becomes caught up in her desire to help find a way to defeat Teague and break his hold over her brother, and the kingdom of  Súndraille which has seen a dramatic uptick in violence.

The Wish Granter is told in the third person narrative rotating between Ari, Sebastian, and of course, Teague who really is a twisted sort of villain. You can call this a retelling, if you like. Or, you can say that the author made her own tale of a man who grants wishes, and takes souls without any reservation or hesitation. Even though it's not like the original story, Redwine still manages to write about fascinating characters, and twisted villains who face off against those who are more than up to the task of winning. I am all in regarding the romance. It is rather sweet, and yes I know that I normally don't use that word. The romance doesn't hinder the story. It enhances it, and makes it more intriguing to know that two characters can find a way to find chemistry when things are not exactly copacetic. 

While The Wish Granter may be the second installment in Ravenspire series, it is actually a standalone within the series itself. 

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#Saturday Review - The Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine (Young Adult, Fantasy)

Series: Ravenspire # 1
Format: E-Galley, 400 pages
Release Date: February 16, 2016
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Lorelai Diederich, crown princess and fugitive at large, has one mission: kill the wicked queen who took both the Ravenspire throne and the life of her father. To do that, Lorelai needs to use the one weapon she and Queen Irina have in common—magic. She’ll have to be stronger, faster, and more powerful than Irina, the most dangerous sorceress Ravenspire has ever seen.

In the neighboring kingdom of Eldr, when Prince Kol’s father and older brother are killed by an invading army of magic-wielding ogres, the second-born prince is suddenly given the responsibility of saving his kingdom. To do that, Kol needs magic—and the only way to get it is to make a deal with the queen of Ravenspire, promise to become her personal huntsman…and bring her Lorelai’s heart.

But Lorelai is nothing like Kol expected—beautiful, fierce, and unstoppable—and despite dark magic, Lorelai is drawn in by the passionate and troubled king. Fighting to stay one step ahead of the dragon huntsman—who she likes far more than she should—Lorelai does everything in her power to ruin the wicked queen. But Irina isn’t going down without a fight, and her final move may cost the princess the one thing she still has left to lose. 

The Shadow Queen, by C.J. Redwine, is apparently the first chapter in the Ravenspire series even though the story wraps things up rather nicely. Ravenspire could be considered a re-imaging of Snow White and the Huntsman, but without any character who could possibly be mistaken for Kristen Stewart. 17-year old Lorelai Diederich is the fugitive crown princess of Ravenspire, and a budding mardushka. (Mardushka's have the ability to connect with a living heart and gain powers from it.) She, along with her brother Leo, and their mentor Gabril are the only survivors of a coup that killed the King, and brought Queen Irina (think Charlize Theron) to power.

Lorelai, Leo, Gabril, and Lorelai's gyrfalcon Sasha, have been in hiding, stealing supplies from the queen, and training for NINE years to bring Irina down from her ivory tower of deceit, darkness, and corruption. Her reign has brought pain and suffering to the land and its people, and Lorelai plans on changing things once she is ready to face Irina. Lorelai is portrayed as being a cunning strategist, who makes plans and jumps into them without worrying about what happens next. She is also a wonderfully athletic character who can not only fight, but use magic against her opponents. She is also on equal footing to Irina magically speaking, but she isn't swayed by the darkside. I love Lorelai's connection to Gabril who was once her father's lead guard. Let's just say that were it not for Gabril, things could have played out a whole lot differently.

On the flip side of things, meet Kolvanismir (Kol) Arsenyevnek who calls Eldr home. (Think DRAGONS!) Kol is a playboy, a trickster, and one who has been in lots of hot water at his school because of his pranks. But, things change when his parents and older brother are killed by Ogre's and he is named King. Kol's kingdom is at war with the Ogre's, and there doesn't seem to be anyway to stop them from totally taking over his country. Kol, and his friends Jyn and Trugg travel to Ravenspire to request assistance from Queen Irina. After a short meeting with Lorelai, Kol ends up striking a deal with Irina. Let's stop there for fear that I might spoil what happens next.

Ravenspire is a captivating story with plenty of action, and suspense, and yes, even a bit of romance. For those thinking about whether to read this book or not based on a lower than 3 star rating, use your own discretion. If you liked Snow White and the Huntsman, you will like this book. If you like Once Upon a Time, you will find yourself pleased with both Lorelai, and Kol. Each has a path to follow. Each wants what's best for their Kingdom's. While Lorelai has spent more timing fighting back, Kol has his good and bad traits. I don't care that there has been similar stories already told. Ravenspire needs to be given credit because of the dragon dynamics that are not included in other re-tellings of Snow White. 

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