Title: The Exiled Queen
Author: Cinda Williams Chima
Genre: Fantasy
Book Blurb:
Haunted by the loss of his mother and sister, Han Alister journeys south to begin his schooling at Mystwerk House in Oden’s Ford. But leaving the Fells doesn’t mean that danger isn't far behind. Han is hunted every step of the way by the Bayars, a powerful wizarding family set on reclaiming the amulet Han stole from them. And Mystwerk House has dangers of its own. There, Han meets Crow, a mysterious wizard who agrees to tutor Han in the darker parts of sorcery—but the bargain they make is one Han may regret.
Meanwhile, Princess Raisa ana’Marianna runs from a forced marriage in the Fells, accompanied by her friend Amon and his triple of cadets. Now, the safest place for Raisa is Wein House, the military academy at Oden's Ford. If Raisa can pass as a regular student, Wein House will offer both sanctuary and the education Raisa needs to succeed as the next Gray Wolf queen.
Everything changes when Han and Raisa’s paths cross, in this epic tale of uncertain friendships, cut-throat politics, and the irresistible power of attraction.
Review:
I have come upon a self revelation: I love dramatic irony! Take Legend for example--the fact that I know that Day is who June is hunting after but she doesn't know who Day is kills me. Same goes with The Demon King and The Exiled Queen (The Exiled Queen is the second book in the Seven Realms series--The Demon King is book one.) The fact that Hans, the one of the main character, doesn't know Raisa is the Raisa in line for throne is like exquisite torture. Oh man...the suspense...me waiting for Han to find out who Raisa actually is (and he was so close so many times!)....Gah!
Okay, so in case you haven't guessed, this review is going to be all over the place. I've actually read the entire Seven Realms series just 1-2 years ago. And then a few days ago I got strange urge to reread them because they're so good. And no, not even their daunting page numbers could turn me off. Cuz that's what long weekends are for, right? (reading long fantasy books)
 |
| Be like Hermione. Undaunted by big books. |
Ahhhh! I absolutely love (how many times am I going to use that word in this review?) Han Alister, aka Cuffs. He's like a cross between Day from Legend and Jaron from The False Prince. He has the sarcasm and sharp tongue of Jaron and the nimbleness of a runner. Plus he's a rummy slide-hand! (I also love how the author creates a unique dialect within the novel! ie. slide-hand=pickpocket rummy=really good)
