The Queen's Rising (the Queen's Rising #1)

Synopsis

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. While some are born with a talent for one of the five passions- art, music, dramatics, wit, and knowledge- Brienna struggled to find hers until she chose knowledge. However, despite all her preparations, Brienna's greatest fear comes true: 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, she reluctantly accepts. but there is much more to his story, for there is a dangerous plot to overthrow the king of Maevana- the rival 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, Brienna must choose which side she will remain loyal to- passion or blood. Because a queen is destined to rise and lead the battle to reclaim the crown. Who will be that queen?

With gorgeous description and detailed rendering of a world where not everything is what it seems, debut author Rebecca Ross weaves an intricate tale of revenge, loyalty, and ultimately, self-discovery.

Loved

• First of all can we talk about that cover? Stunning.

• The passions. In this world, young teens choose a "passion," or a certain field in which to dedicate your study. The five passions are art, music, dramatics, wit, and knowledge. I loved this idea and adored being at the boarding school and watching the girls develop their different passions. I also liked that Brienna didn't fit with any of the passions until she chose knowledge- it made her relatable that she wasn't naturally good at all the other ones :)

• Brienna. I really like that Brienna is brave and bold, but kind. She's not brash or bratty like many teenage heroines. I also love that even though she's devastated when she doesn't get a patron, she is supportive of her passion sisters and doesn't let that ruin her relationships with them.

• The world. This is a beautiful, intricate world full of history and culture. The two kingdoms, Valenia and Maevana, are so different but each have unique customs and history that are fascinating to read about. I loved how extensive the history is, and since Brienna is studying knowledge, we learn so much history along with her.

• The writing. "I entered a pool of shadows, my dress whispering elegantly over the patterned tiles . . . " I loved this lyrical writing draped with gorgeous imagery. The writing style very much fit the world of which it was telling- gripping, beautiful, and intriguing.

• The flashbacks. Throughout the story, Brienna has flashbacks of her ancestor, and through those memories she learns about the history of some important objects and intrigue that happened in the past. I thought this was an interesting way to learn some history, and it also gave Brienna strength as she becomes a resource to those trying to bridge the errors of the past. 

Didn't Love

• The romance felt a little insta-lovish to me at first, but it grew on me. This isn't a spoiler because you learn this in the first chapter- but the romance is between Brienna and her teacher, who is quite a bit older than she is. At first this felt too weird, but the romance grew on me their relationship added to the story, and Cartier is wonderful :) 

Content

• Language: 
• No swearing in this story.

• Sexual content: 
• A few kisses, not much described.
• Man dresses a woman's wound under her breast. He removes her corset and tries to keeps her covered, but has to have her stomach bared to examine the wound.
• Mention of man staring at woman's décolletage.

• Violence:
• Two men rob characters while on the road. They are both killed- one described as getting stabbed in the kidney and blood spewing out. 
• Mentions of heads put on spikes as warnings.
• Man threatens a woman with a knife to her throat. She takes the knife and aims it at his crotch. He takes it back and stabs her under the breast- not to kill, but to punish and cause pain.
• One man killed by a dog maiming him.
• Disturbing descriptions of bodies killed by magic- limbs broken in pieces, faces split in two with the skin peeled back.
• One person is shot in the eye with an arrow.
• Battle at the end has many mentions of deaths and injuries by stabbing, arrows, hitting, and axes. Blood described, but not very graphic or gory.

 Overall Thoughts

I wanted to read this book for more than a year before I read it, and it did not disappoint. I quickly fell in love with these kingdoms and their different histories and cultures. Just like the world, the writing was beautiful and fascinating. I adored the beginning seeing the girls develop their different passions at the school, and loved Brienna's journey to reclaim Maevana. There isn't a magic system, just magical objects and historical queens who wielded power in battle, but it feels magic with its lyrical writing and culturally-rich world. Definitely recommend this adventure full of intrigue, history, romance, and a dash of magic.