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veraann's review
5.0
Book 2 of the Seven Realms Series. This series must be read in order as it builds the characters, story and world. It has so far been a direct continuation from the previous book. I like the way the characters are growing in these books. While they still have the self-centered ideas of the world as a typical YA fantasy character would, they aren't as whiny or devastating as many are. The pacing was fine, but it can be a bit slow. I expect that from a second in series though. There is a lot of character and relationship build in this one. While it was a bit mundane and slow, it was enjoyable to read and made me interested in picking up the next book to see where things will develop.
indihannajones0224's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lyakimov's review
4.0
4.5 stars.
This series really got its groove in this book!! It was so much more expansive than the first, and so many things were happening.
I love how the stories of Han and Raisa play out separately and then the strands converge a bit at the end, but then separate again (this happened in book 1 too, but this book had a little more excitement because there's more lore to the world and more conflicts). I absolutely LOVE the story structure; it really makes for an extremely fun book and also shows two completely different realities from two people who both grew up in the same place and how different life is based on class divides. The themes are presenting themselves and I love it!
Another reason I liked Han and Raisa being separate for most of the book was the character development. Both of them had the ability to grow as people, develop their goals, find their own way, and THEN start to introduce romance much later in the book. Thank you for the character development, and allowing them to choose their own paths regardless of romance, Cinda Williams Chima!! I do like the romance, but Raisa being to the point where she loves Han is unbelievable to me. I think it's definitely plausible for them to LIKE one another, but I don't think they've known each other long enough and spent enough time together to be in love.
The friendship between Han and Dancer was one of my favorite things. I have no words for how much I absolutely LOVE their dynamic. This has got to be one of the best friendship dynamics in a YA book I have ever read. They tell each other most everything, they don't get angry at each other for stupid stuff, and they ALWAYS have each other's back, no matter what. My heart warmed every single time they defended each other from the other students. I also loved their banter, their joking. Then, when Cat is added into the mix, that's a golden trio. Their group dynamic is just incredible, and funny as hell too. I really liked the introduction of Cat into the main cast of characters, and think she grew significantly throughout this book.
This series has an incredible plot structure. I was constantly kicking my feet and giggling about the directions that the plot went, and how more and more kept getting thrown at us so the book feels fast-paced, but at the same time allows all the threads of plot to feel manageable for the reader to not be confused. Oden's Ford provides an amazing setting for so many shenanigans to happen and for all the cast to constantly be circling each other and add tension to every sub-plot. I also love how the humor keeps everything light-hearted, even when so many dark things were happening.
One thing I was not expecting was for nearly 40% of the book to be solely about TRAVELING to Oden's Ford. The end of book 1 showed us that the whole cast of characters was going to go there, and I thought it was just going to be a couple chapters of traveling, but my gosh. These poor kids!! Raisa was mostly fine because she had Amon and a bunch of guards, but Han, Dancer, and Cat were STRUGGLING. They were fighting for their LIVES out on the roads, getting kidnapped and threatened and nearly killed a bunch of times. I think that kidnapping and imprisonment is build-up for the next book, especially since the kidnappers reappear at the end of the book, but targeting Raisa and the Bayars instead. I love how all the threads are converging and developing; it is masterfully done, truly.
I think this series is a perfect example (so far) of a well-developed, well-written, expansive high fantasy world. I'm very excited to read the next book and see where it takes the story and the characters!
This series really got its groove in this book!! It was so much more expansive than the first, and so many things were happening.
I love how the stories of Han and Raisa play out separately and then the strands converge a bit at the end, but then separate again (this happened in book 1 too, but this book had a little more excitement because there's more lore to the world and more conflicts). I absolutely LOVE the story structure; it really makes for an extremely fun book and also shows two completely different realities from two people who both grew up in the same place and how different life is based on class divides. The themes are presenting themselves and I love it!
Another reason I liked Han and Raisa being separate for most of the book was the character development. Both of them had the ability to grow as people, develop their goals, find their own way, and THEN start to introduce romance much later in the book. Thank you for the character development, and allowing them to choose their own paths regardless of romance, Cinda Williams Chima!! I do like the romance, but Raisa being to the point where she loves Han is unbelievable to me. I think it's definitely plausible for them to LIKE one another, but I don't think they've known each other long enough and spent enough time together to be in love.
The friendship between Han and Dancer was one of my favorite things. I have no words for how much I absolutely LOVE their dynamic. This has got to be one of the best friendship dynamics in a YA book I have ever read. They tell each other most everything, they don't get angry at each other for stupid stuff, and they ALWAYS have each other's back, no matter what. My heart warmed every single time they defended each other from the other students. I also loved their banter, their joking. Then, when Cat is added into the mix, that's a golden trio. Their group dynamic is just incredible, and funny as hell too. I really liked the introduction of Cat into the main cast of characters, and think she grew significantly throughout this book.
This series has an incredible plot structure. I was constantly kicking my feet and giggling about the directions that the plot went, and how more and more kept getting thrown at us so the book feels fast-paced, but at the same time allows all the threads of plot to feel manageable for the reader to not be confused. Oden's Ford provides an amazing setting for so many shenanigans to happen and for all the cast to constantly be circling each other and add tension to every sub-plot. I also love how the humor keeps everything light-hearted, even when so many dark things were happening.
One thing I was not expecting was for nearly 40% of the book to be solely about TRAVELING to Oden's Ford. The end of book 1 showed us that the whole cast of characters was going to go there, and I thought it was just going to be a couple chapters of traveling, but my gosh. These poor kids!! Raisa was mostly fine because she had Amon and a bunch of guards, but Han, Dancer, and Cat were STRUGGLING. They were fighting for their LIVES out on the roads, getting kidnapped and threatened and nearly killed a bunch of times. I think that kidnapping and imprisonment is build-up for the next book, especially since the kidnappers reappear at the end of the book, but targeting Raisa and the Bayars instead. I love how all the threads are converging and developing; it is masterfully done, truly.
I think this series is a perfect example (so far) of a well-developed, well-written, expansive high fantasy world. I'm very excited to read the next book and see where it takes the story and the characters!
annatherbook's review against another edition
5.0
I'm just loving this series so much! I'm flying through them all!
ewillis2's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
4.0
magencorrie's review
5.0
My Thoughts:
Now a days it is very rare, and hard, for me to get lost in a high end fantasy book. I used to adore them when I was younger, not so much now. Sad, I know. So, to find a fantasy book that enthralls me, captures my attention, and leaves me craving more is an amazing thing. The Seven Realms series is just that kind of fantasy I love to get lost in.
The Exiled Queen was just as amazing as the first book in the series, maybe even more so. The development of the story, the world, the characters, and the plot is even more in-depth than the first book. More mysteries come into view, new characters, and even a bit of intense adventure. Don’t forget the hardcore politics, and the sizzling romance. All in all, this is a fantasy book that garbs me by the toes and completely made me remember why I love fantasy!
The book picks up, of course in an amazing way, but not long after the first book ended. I was just as enthralled and completely immersed back into the world created by Cinda as I was by the first book. The characters are all there and I can tell they have grown so much since the last time.
Han, the ex-street lord, now turned wizard, really has a lot on his plate. Now, he is entangled up in the clans, the war he never wanted a part of, the wizards, and a darkness he isn't really prepared for. Han got tested a lot in this one, and he really is an amazing character. Though it still seems bad luck is always knocking on his door. The growth in him is amazing to watch, and it made me really like his character even more than I did in the first book. But he still has a long way to go.
Raisa, like Han, has been tossed into a world she wasn’t really prepared for. Since the last book, Raisa’s whole world has been turned upside down. She is a strong character, and the kind of female character I love. Strong, determined, and a bit stubborn, she never gives up and doesn’t back down. Now, despite the fact that Raisa kind of falls for almost every guy, I couldn’t really not like her character. She even explains that she is a romantic at heart. It made me understand her more. But when she really falls in love, she knows it. She also shows good growth in this book as well.
All the characters are well-developed and well-rounded. Each has a story, and each make a great addition to the book, bringing in more depth to the already largely built world that Cinda has created.
Now, the book isn’t only just romance, but the bit of romance that was thrown in was done well. I enjoyed the meeting and the developed of both Raisa and Han; how they grow together. The development of their feelings is natural and slow.
As I mentioned, the book is not just romance, it a great dose of adventure, gripping suspense, twist and turns, and some mystery. Events that took place in the first book finally become clear; however, even more mysteries do arise. The world in this book is detailed, well-developed, and mixed with intriguing characters, landscapes, alluring magic, captivating action, and enthralling adventure. To me, the book never lagged or felt to be moving too slow.
Cinda knows how to tell a story and her writing is magical! She really created another world, very in-depth, but not so confusing I’m totally lost.
The Exiled Queen was even better than the first book. Intense politics, amazing twists and turn, beautiful romance, and an overwhelming adventure. I definitely recommend this book to those who love a good high end fantasy read!
Now a days it is very rare, and hard, for me to get lost in a high end fantasy book. I used to adore them when I was younger, not so much now. Sad, I know. So, to find a fantasy book that enthralls me, captures my attention, and leaves me craving more is an amazing thing. The Seven Realms series is just that kind of fantasy I love to get lost in.
The Exiled Queen was just as amazing as the first book in the series, maybe even more so. The development of the story, the world, the characters, and the plot is even more in-depth than the first book. More mysteries come into view, new characters, and even a bit of intense adventure. Don’t forget the hardcore politics, and the sizzling romance. All in all, this is a fantasy book that garbs me by the toes and completely made me remember why I love fantasy!
The book picks up, of course in an amazing way, but not long after the first book ended. I was just as enthralled and completely immersed back into the world created by Cinda as I was by the first book. The characters are all there and I can tell they have grown so much since the last time.
Han, the ex-street lord, now turned wizard, really has a lot on his plate. Now, he is entangled up in the clans, the war he never wanted a part of, the wizards, and a darkness he isn't really prepared for. Han got tested a lot in this one, and he really is an amazing character. Though it still seems bad luck is always knocking on his door. The growth in him is amazing to watch, and it made me really like his character even more than I did in the first book. But he still has a long way to go.
Raisa, like Han, has been tossed into a world she wasn’t really prepared for. Since the last book, Raisa’s whole world has been turned upside down. She is a strong character, and the kind of female character I love. Strong, determined, and a bit stubborn, she never gives up and doesn’t back down. Now, despite the fact that Raisa kind of falls for almost every guy, I couldn’t really not like her character. She even explains that she is a romantic at heart. It made me understand her more. But when she really falls in love, she knows it. She also shows good growth in this book as well.
All the characters are well-developed and well-rounded. Each has a story, and each make a great addition to the book, bringing in more depth to the already largely built world that Cinda has created.
Now, the book isn’t only just romance, but the bit of romance that was thrown in was done well. I enjoyed the meeting and the developed of both Raisa and Han; how they grow together. The development of their feelings is natural and slow.
As I mentioned, the book is not just romance, it a great dose of adventure, gripping suspense, twist and turns, and some mystery. Events that took place in the first book finally become clear; however, even more mysteries do arise. The world in this book is detailed, well-developed, and mixed with intriguing characters, landscapes, alluring magic, captivating action, and enthralling adventure. To me, the book never lagged or felt to be moving too slow.
Cinda knows how to tell a story and her writing is magical! She really created another world, very in-depth, but not so confusing I’m totally lost.
The Exiled Queen was even better than the first book. Intense politics, amazing twists and turn, beautiful romance, and an overwhelming adventure. I definitely recommend this book to those who love a good high end fantasy read!
manduuhkay's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mistydawnwaters's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
This almost lost me with the lengthy traveling that occurred during the opening, but I’m glad I held on.
Loving the romantic conflict, and I’ll forever be a sucker for a love triangle.
The world building is spectacular.
Hoping the next book amps things up quite a bit more. I wouldn’t say I’m super drawn in yet.
This almost lost me with the lengthy traveling that occurred during the opening, but I’m glad I held on.
Loving the romantic conflict, and I’ll forever be a sucker for a love triangle.
The world building is spectacular.
Hoping the next book amps things up quite a bit more. I wouldn’t say I’m super drawn in yet.
bluejaybooks's review
4.0
Third Read Through
Second Read Through
I'm surprised to hear that the author was inspired to write this fictional world by Game of Thrones. It seems more reminiscent of The Wheel of Time to me, but then, I've only read the first Game of Thrones book, so maybe I'm wrong.
___
Note: This review is for the Seven Realms series as a whole, but contains no spoilers.
This series took a little while for me to get into the first book, but after I finished The Demon King I was hooked and marathoned the rest of the books.
My favorite aspect of this series was probably the world building. Often in YA fantasy novels the world seems very underdeveloped, but that was not the case here. I enjoyed reading about all of the seven realms various cultures and the tensions between them though the name of this series is somewhat deceptive as it manly focuses on one of the seven kingdoms in this world known as the Fells.
This series often references historical events in the seven realms. I really like when fictional historical events help shape the present in fictional universes because it makes them feel more realistic. Though, as most of the events referenced happened a thousand years ago, it was somewhat unrealistic that so little had changed since then, but this is a common occurrence in fantasy novels so I’m willing to ignore this fact. The ways that the historical facts had been distorted with time made me think a lot about how our own history has been manipulated.
I liked that the romance in this series never overshadowed the fantasy elements. The romance gradual in development which is something I really appreciated, though I do somewhat wish Hans and Raisa had spent more time together in the early books.
Many of the characters were very well developed. Our male main character, Hans, was probably my favorite. I found his backstory as a reformed thief fascinating.
These books just seemed to get better and better as the series went on. Each book seemed to expand upon the scope of the world a little more, and the plot progressed nicely with several twists. It’s not often that I feel the urge to read all the books in a four book long series in a row, but this series continued to feel fresh and engaging throughout.
Spoiler
I've always thought that there was a timing inconsistency between this book and book 4. After reading this book twice, I can see that there does seem to be. Book 4 mentions Han and Raisa having spent a "few months" at Oden's Ford and spring term being in session, but in this book, they're nearly finished with exams for spring terms by the end of it, and I think Han might even mention he has taken all of his. I wonder if the author realized while writing book three that she needed to speed up the timeline to keep the characters in the YA age group? Either that, or I've misinterpreted how much time has passed and it's been almost a full year.Second Read Through
I'm surprised to hear that the author was inspired to write this fictional world by Game of Thrones. It seems more reminiscent of The Wheel of Time to me, but then, I've only read the first Game of Thrones book, so maybe I'm wrong.
___
Note: This review is for the Seven Realms series as a whole, but contains no spoilers.
This series took a little while for me to get into the first book, but after I finished The Demon King I was hooked and marathoned the rest of the books.
My favorite aspect of this series was probably the world building. Often in YA fantasy novels the world seems very underdeveloped, but that was not the case here. I enjoyed reading about all of the seven realms various cultures and the tensions between them though the name of this series is somewhat deceptive as it manly focuses on one of the seven kingdoms in this world known as the Fells.
This series often references historical events in the seven realms. I really like when fictional historical events help shape the present in fictional universes because it makes them feel more realistic. Though, as most of the events referenced happened a thousand years ago, it was somewhat unrealistic that so little had changed since then, but this is a common occurrence in fantasy novels so I’m willing to ignore this fact. The ways that the historical facts had been distorted with time made me think a lot about how our own history has been manipulated.
I liked that the romance in this series never overshadowed the fantasy elements. The romance gradual in development which is something I really appreciated, though I do somewhat wish Hans and Raisa had spent more time together in the early books.
Many of the characters were very well developed. Our male main character, Hans, was probably my favorite. I found his backstory as a reformed thief fascinating.
These books just seemed to get better and better as the series went on. Each book seemed to expand upon the scope of the world a little more, and the plot progressed nicely with several twists. It’s not often that I feel the urge to read all the books in a four book long series in a row, but this series continued to feel fresh and engaging throughout.