The Queen's Resistance (the Queen's Rising #2)

Synopsis

At long last, Brienna is a mistress of knowledge and is settling into her role as the daughter of David MacQuinn, the disgraced lord who returned to Maevana to reclaim his House. Though she's just survived a revolution that will finally put a queen back on the throne, she faces yet another challenge: acceptance by the MacQuinns. But as Queen Isolde Kavanagh's closest confidant, she'll have to balance serving her father's House with serving her country. And then there's Cartier.

Aodhan Morgane, formerly known as Cartier Evariste, is adjusting to the stark contrast between his pre-rebelling life in Valenia and his current one as lord of a fallen House. During his castle's restoration, he discovers Tomas, a young boy whose past is a mystery. So when Brienna is as taken with Tomas as he is, Cartier lets his mind wander- what if he doesn't have to raise him or his House alone?

However, Brienna and Cartier must put their love aside and stay focused on the most vital tasks at hand- the Lannons' trial, forging alliances, executing justice, and ensuring that no one halts the queen's coronation. But resistance is rumbling among the old regime's supporters, who are desperate to find weakness in the rebels' forces. And what makes one more vulnerable than love?

In this epic follow-up to The Queen's Rising, Rebecca Ross weaves political intrigue, complicated relationships, and undying love to create a story that readers won't be able to put down.

Loved

• Cartier and Brienna. I think my favorite part of this story was watching Cartier and Brienna take their places in their new roles and learn to be leaders. They both grow so much as they lead their long-exiled people and nourish them back to a healthy life. I also loved their relationship in this book. Let's be honest, in the first book I wasn't completely sold on their romance, mostly because Cartier was Brienna's teacher and a lot older, but by the second book I was over that. I felt like their romance became deeper and more meaningful as they individually grew stronger and more mature. Their relationship grew deeper throughout the book, even though they put each other on hold to focus more on their new roles as leaders.

• The characters. Brienna and Cartier are wonderful of course, but we also have so many awesome secondary characters- Sean, Luc, Merei, Jordain- they all kept surprising me with how selfless and loyal they are throughout the story.

• The plot. After the ending of the first book, I was a little confused at what story there was to tell- that ending seemed pretty final to me. So going into the second book I was worried it would feel stretched out or contrived, but I thought the plot was really interesting. Declan Lannon added an intensity that kept me on my toes, as well as the intrigue and betrayal related to the Lannons. The plot felt very natural after the first book- of course after changing everything in the kingdom in the first book there would still be repercussions to deal with and loyalties to be won, which made it feel more realistic.

• Again, the writing. This writing is just stunning. Riveting storytelling with beautiful, lyrical imagery. I love her luscious descriptions that are vivid and gorgeous, but not over-the-top at all.

• The world. I just adore these kingdoms, like I talked about in my review of the Queen's Rising. I mean one look at that pedigree chart on the first page, and you know you're in for some serious world building. This world is so extensive, with fascinatingly detailed history, people and cultures. I love the Kavanaugh women and their history of powerful queens. I love the custom that men must find a silver thread in a tapestry in order to marry a MacQuinn woman. I love the differences between Maevana and Valenia, and how Brienna bridges the two kingdoms with her love of both, and her passion for knowledge. This is a very thorough world that I can't wait to visit again someday.

• The magic. The magic system was a little confusing in the first book- I felt like it was very vaguely described and we never really knew what it did or how it worked. But I felt like we got a better understanding of it in this book. I love how the characters helped each other regulate their magic so it was used for good instead of destruction, and the ability to use magic thus became revered and respected instead of feared.

Didn't Love

• There wasn't much I didn't like about this story. I do wish we had a little more detail about the magic system, because at times it was vague what the magic really does. I felt like the magic was definitely secondary in the story, and it might have been cool to see more of it, but I did really enjoy how the characters used the magic in this book.

Content

• Language: 
• No swearing in this story.

• Sexual content: 
• Some kissing. Described as her hands moving up his back and taking fistfulls of shirt, his hands in her hair. Mentions wanting to "surrender to her completely" and "wanting to hear her say my name in the dark."
• A scene where women are found chained to a bed in a brothel. The characters speculate about what the women went through during their imprisonment.
• References to affairs and concealing children born out of wedlock.

• Violence:
• There is quite a bit more violence in this book than in the first. 
• A character learns of his past- his mother was killed in battle and her head was brought on a pike to her husband. His young sister was tortured- a young boy forced to break every bone in her body until she died.
• Child talks about being beaten and forced to beat others.
• Many mentions of beatings, torturing and killing by a past tyrant. Including beheading women and cutting their bodies up to pieces to be displayed on the castle parapets.
• One man gets shot with an arrow and gets his "face mangled." Injuries described as another character treats them.
• One character is gagged, kidnapped, and tortured- hair cut out, beaten, chained, punched teeth out, and a knife dragged down the face.
• A character's tongue is cut out and she is made a prisoner.
• Memory of a character being tortured by having his limbs broken.
• Many mentions of injuries and killing by stabbing with the sword- in the stomach, chest, throat. Blood briefly described.

 Overall Thoughts

This was a breathtaking, intense and satisfying ending to the duology. I absolutely loved stepping into this intricate world brimmed with detailed history, lineage, customs, memories, and cultures- all told through lyrical prose and stunning imagery. The characters were strong and bold, but compassionate and loyal to each other, and the characters developed and became so strong in this second book. Overall I loved this series and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys detailed world building, political intrigue, beautiful writing, and a dash of romance.