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smithrachaelynn's review
3.0
Definitely surprised by the plot of this book. It was an interesting read but the things that made me the most frustrated about the characters in the first book were on full display here. So because of that it was hard to enjoy. Although I loved seeing the development with Kash!
jasmynreads's review against another edition
3.0
"I will always forgive you, because there is nothing else, not for me, but also because you are a queen and you acted as such. You didn't need to apologize, but I love you and I thank you for doing what I so selfishly needed." - Zadicus
Listen, i Prefer my characters to be morally grey but.. Audra was hypocritical, selfish and prideful for the entirety of the two books. A Queen So Cold might've been a little more fitting of a title for book 1. I liked the story itself, they were interesting and were different from a lot of the fantasy romance I've read recently; I just did not care for her.
Spoilers below
The Stray Prince in a nutshell: Audra was kidnapped by Zadicus's brother, the fae king, in order to lure him back to the fae lands. Unfortunately, Zadicus hadn't shared his past with her yet.
Okay, that really sucks when you're looking at the situation simply.
HOWEVER, there are Things to consider, bear with me. Zadicus had a couple reasons for his decision to wait;
1) He thought they had more time. He had made a deal with his brother, which was supposed to have ensured he was left alone in the human lands as long as he gave up a precious piece of himself (his wings) and his claim to the throne. Which leads to reason #2...
2) He was waiting for the Right time to have this conversation. I don't think he was necessarily putting it off, but they were in the middle of a shit show already. The timing hadn't been great. This would be a huge revelation and needed to be brought up when they had the time and mental energy to really discuss it.
3) He wasn't ready yet. He wasn't ready, and thought he had time to become ready. No one wants to be rushed into having to disclose something that haunts them. That didn't mean he planned to keep this secret forever, he had intended on sharing this with Audra. One thing she failed to consider was that it was going to be just as hard for him to revisit his dark past as it would be to accept. Selfish thinking IMO.
After his secrets were brought to light, she told Zadicus that she didn't think she would ever be able to forgive him for this secret. This had her ready to throw him away, her mate. Even after he explained the reasons I mentioned, she was dead set on looking at this as the ultimate betrayal. Meanwhileeee, she's out here doing her own thing, making her own plans, and inevitably got Zadicus and her friends hurt. This was a common theme throughout both books. Not considering the consequences of her actions or simply not giving a f about those consequences.
The breaking point for me was her making the deal with the fae king. If her intentions had been pure when she made the deal, this wouldn't have been my final straw - I would have sacrificed more straws for this twat. Alas, her inner monologue made it clear that she was doing it out of spite for Zadicus's secrets. Zadicus said it himself, he intended no harm with his actions. Adura's actions were meant to cause him pain, under the guise of granting him his wings back.
Zadicus may forgive you, Audra. I don't.
courtney_saba's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up. Not as good as the first, but I loved Ryle. There were missed opportunities with him tho. RTC.
hottalaus's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
candeanne's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.25
ameserole's review
4.0
Okay, I think I needed The Stray Prince in my life because it made me like Zad way more than I originally did. So, yes, I am very happy that I took a chance on this one because Zad and Audra have serious chemistry and I just love their connection. Even if they frustrate me to no end making horrible decisions without communication it first. BUT DETAILS.
Now this had it's fair share of drama. It also had a ton of action and a lot of it I wasn't expecting. Fae's can be very mysterious and can probably charm the pants off of you. Yet, they are very devious and they don't always mean what they say. Or is it say what they mean? Either way, one can easily be confused like I was for some things.
Didn't stop me from falling even more in love with Audra's black heart. She is fearsome and consistently tries to do the right thing. Even if one doesn't always agree with her methods. She is extremely faithful to Zad and vice versa. They are definitely two peas in a pod and I just love their sass when it comes to certain things.
In the end, I definitely enjoyed the crap out of this one. The epilogue was also really cute because I'm so happy that her and the other king found their happiness. They also started to build their own families. So so cute.
Now this had it's fair share of drama. It also had a ton of action and a lot of it I wasn't expecting. Fae's can be very mysterious and can probably charm the pants off of you. Yet, they are very devious and they don't always mean what they say. Or is it say what they mean? Either way, one can easily be confused like I was for some things.
Didn't stop me from falling even more in love with Audra's black heart. She is fearsome and consistently tries to do the right thing. Even if one doesn't always agree with her methods. She is extremely faithful to Zad and vice versa. They are definitely two peas in a pod and I just love their sass when it comes to certain things.
In the end, I definitely enjoyed the crap out of this one. The epilogue was also really cute because I'm so happy that her and the other king found their happiness. They also started to build their own families. So so cute.
cierra_mccauley_cierrascorner's review
5.0
Another Earth Shattering Read!
Fields has done it again! Another Amazing Book! I’ll never tire of her books or the places they take me! I was so excited to learn the Cold Queen had a sequel. I really love these characters and know their story didn’t end with the first book was the best news! I was so excited to jump back into this world of magic and chaos that is Audra’s life. Once again I found myself holding my breath and riddled with anticipation for what would unfold. I never saw things coming. This was such a heart pounding read with so much angst. I was sure any moment my heart was going to give out. AHHHHH!!! It’s just so good! I was scared, disgusted, angry, squealing, paralyzed and then hit with it all in a loop. The thing I love most about fields writing is she really just puts you right into the story, you get so consumed and forget everything else. My favorite kind of read! These characters are so beautiful and I won’t be forgetting them anytime soon! Zadicus is mine! He’s my Currently my New Book Boyfriend, and I don’t see me giving him up anytime soon. I highly recommend this series, it’s incredible. I look forward to reading more from Fields, I’ve been raving about her and her books to anyone who would listen this week!
Fields has done it again! Another Amazing Book! I’ll never tire of her books or the places they take me! I was so excited to learn the Cold Queen had a sequel. I really love these characters and know their story didn’t end with the first book was the best news! I was so excited to jump back into this world of magic and chaos that is Audra’s life. Once again I found myself holding my breath and riddled with anticipation for what would unfold. I never saw things coming. This was such a heart pounding read with so much angst. I was sure any moment my heart was going to give out. AHHHHH!!! It’s just so good! I was scared, disgusted, angry, squealing, paralyzed and then hit with it all in a loop. The thing I love most about fields writing is she really just puts you right into the story, you get so consumed and forget everything else. My favorite kind of read! These characters are so beautiful and I won’t be forgetting them anytime soon! Zadicus is mine! He’s my Currently my New Book Boyfriend, and I don’t see me giving him up anytime soon. I highly recommend this series, it’s incredible. I look forward to reading more from Fields, I’ve been raving about her and her books to anyone who would listen this week!
pamgodwin's review
5.0
This is everything I’m forever searching for in a romance (I’m convinced she wrote this story just for me LOL). The world-building, the angst, the cruelty, the polished writing, the undying, soul-bleeding love, with a cutthroat, badass heroine and a side of horror… Gah! It’s so hard to find ADULT fantasy books like this with the right balance of spice and plot. Ella Fields writes magical perfection, and I’m addicted.
I almost didn’t read this second book because I thought there was no way the author could blow me away twice. Oh man, she did. Book 2 was even better.
I almost didn’t read this second book because I thought there was no way the author could blow me away twice. Oh man, she did. Book 2 was even better.
renaes01's review
5.0
This book was so goddamn painful and I like the previous book I loved it.
The plot in this book was insane and I did not see it coming from where we ended off in the first book. This book continued to be full of action, politics and dark themes. Most importantly, the relationship between Audra and Zad was put to the fucking test let me tell you.
The angst between my babies was insane and there were so many things that kept them apart or one of them was doing something to protect the other but was unintentionally hurting them. It was just painful to the point that at some points I was literally bashing the book against my head. But their love was beautiful, explosive, passionate and loving and I loved watching them grow together.
That ending was so perfect as well.
The plot in this book was insane and I did not see it coming from where we ended off in the first book. This book continued to be full of action, politics and dark themes. Most importantly, the relationship between Audra and Zad was put to the fucking test let me tell you.
The angst between my babies was insane and there were so many things that kept them apart or one of them was doing something to protect the other but was unintentionally hurting them. It was just painful to the point that at some points I was literally bashing the book against my head. But their love was beautiful, explosive, passionate and loving and I loved watching them grow together.
That ending was so perfect as well.