Review of The Queen’s Rising by Rebecca Ross (digital arc)

 

 

The Queen’s Rising by Rebecca Ross

 

When her seventeenth summer solstice arrives, Brienna desires only two things: to master her passion and to be chosen by a patron.

Growing up in the southern Kingdom of Valenia at the renowned Magnalia House should have prepared her for such a life. While some are born with an innate talent for one of the five passions—art, music, dramatics, wit, and knowledge—Brienna struggled to find hers until she belatedly chose to study knowledge. However, despite all her preparations, Brienna’s greatest fear comes true—the solstice does not go according to plan and she is left without a patron.

Months later, her life takes an unexpected turn when a disgraced lord offers her patronage. Suspicious of his intent, and with no other choices, she accepts. But there is much more to his story, and Brienna soon discovers that he has sought her out for his own vengeful gain. For there is a dangerous plot being planned to overthrow the king of Maevana—the archrival kingdom of Valenia—and restore the rightful queen, and her magic, to the northern throne. And others are involved—some closer to Brienna than she realizes.

With war brewing between the two lands, Brienna must choose whose side she will remain loyal to—passion or blood. Because a queen is destined to rise and lead the battle to reclaim the crown. The ultimate decision Brienna must determine is: Who will be that queen?

My thoughts:

 

I just finished The Queen’s Rising and I loved it!  I am very surprised to see that this is Rebecca Ross’ debut novel.  The writing was beautiful and the story kept my attention throughout the whole book.  I didn’t want to put it down.

 

Brienna grew up with her grandfather.  Her mother had passed away and she never knew her father.  She only knew that her mother was from Valenia and her father was from Maevana.  Maevana used to be ruled by women only.  The Kavanaugh family ruled with magic.  But their stone was stolen and it later started to be ruled by a cruel king, Lannon.  Lannon was not a good leader and often killed anyone who didn’t follow him as he wanted.

 

Brienna’s grandfather brought her to Magnalia, partially to hide her.  She was accepted as a 6th student when they usually only take 5.  Brienna spent this time with her “sisters” trying to get her passion.  She is taught for the last 3 years by Master Cartier.  Brienna becomes close to her master and another sister, Merei.  I loved all three of them.  Brienna and Merei’s friendship was so strong.  It broke my heart when they had to be separated.

 

Brienna doesn’t receive a patron when the other girls do.  She stays on at Magnalia.  During the end of her stay, right before the other girls left, Brienna started having visions of the past, including some on how the magic stone disappeared.  Brienna tells the master at Magnalia and she finds a patron to adopt Brienna.  But Brienna must go with him to help find the missing stone and bring the proper queen to Maevana.

 

There is a little bit of romance in the book, but it’s more focused on friendship, family, justice, and strong females.   The fact that women rule and are more powerful intrigued me.  I loved this part of the story and reading about the past before King Lannon took over.

 

“We are ready because of sisterhood, because our bonds go deeper than blood.  We rise for the queens of our past, and for the queens to come.”

 

I honestly didn’t find any faults in this book (for me).  It’s definitely an early favorite for the year.

 

Thank you to Edelweiss and Harper for my digital copy for review.  The quote above is from an arc and may change for final printing.

 

Kindle Edition, 464 pages

Expected publication: February 6th 2018 by HarperTeen

 

 

Have you read this one yet?  If not, I highly recommend it.  I already ordered my copy.