Kingsbane by Claire Legrand

Reviewed by Sam!

---

Synopsis

In this sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller Furyborn, two queens, separated by a thousand years, connected by secrets and lies, must continue their fight amid deadly plots and unthinkable betrayals that will test their strength—and their hearts.

Rielle Dardenne has been anointed Sun Queen, but her trials are far from over. The Gate keeping the angels at bay is falling. To repair it, Rielle must collect the seven hidden castings of the saints. Meanwhile, to help her prince and love Audric protect Celdaria, Rielle must spy on the angel Corien—but his promises of freedom and power may prove too tempting to resist.

Centuries later, Eliana Ferracora grapples with her new reality: She is the Sun Queen, humanity’s long-awaited savior. But fear of corruption—fear of becoming another Rielle—keeps Eliana’s power dangerous and unpredictable. Hunted by all, racing against time to save her dying friend Navi, Eliana must decide how to wear a crown she never wanted—by embracing her mother’s power, or rejecting it forever.

Synopsis from Goodreads

---

What I drank prior: A bunch. I went on my first first date in a long time. So we had dinner and some drinks and then I went home and drank some more. Not that it was a bad date but the first dem pres debate was on and you guys know how much I love drinking to my debates. Two glasses of vino with dinner plus a beer then 2-3 glasses of vino when I got home. It counts.

Spoiler-free Overview: so this is the sequel to Furyborn. So if you don’t wanna be spoiled for that one check THIS review out. This is our lady Eliana tryna talk her way out of doin what she was born to do and our main squeeze Rielle tryna not be the blood queen (Lol, good luck hunny).

Spoiler-free Thoughts: I had high expectations for this cause I loved book one and this book did not disappoint as a whole. I’m not over the end. I’ll never be over the end. Don’t @ me.

Characters: is it possible to love them more? While I feel like some of them are stupid (Audric) and blind (Audric), i sorta get it. Claire builds these characters so well that you understand them completely. Which is so hard as an author to do. Even the side characters who make dumb decisions (Audric) and the ones who can’t see past their dicks (Audric and Eliana – no dick for her but same concept), you still understand why. Here are some thoughts

• Rielle: I loved watching her spiral into madness. It happened slowly and all at once. Not a spoiler, we know it’s gonna happen. But like, being in her mind and watching it happen? Fucking brilliant. Also, her and A are horny teens and I love it
• Audric: oh, my poor sweet summer child. He knows but he doesn’t wanna know.
• Ludvine: I wanna like her but I’m so skeptical of Angels and Corien made this whole thing about her intentions and while I don’t like listening to Corien he doesn’t really lie ever? Wow that was a run in sentence.
• Eliana: good lord do I relate to her. Not in the chosen one gotta kill my mom kinda way but in the stress relief kind of way. Needing the physical connection to feel physically connected to the world. Damn I. Get hat.
• Simon: I cannot talk about Simon. I have strong feelings for Simon.

Plot: while I think the middle was a *little* slow, I can’t wait for more. The end to this book was so shocking that even though it was told in two perspectives I needed to read both twice. I couldn’t believe it. I feel so betrayed by my children. HOW DARE? *sobs uncontrollably*

Writing Style: Idk how she does it. Builds worlds and characters and plot all at the same time without it seeming forced. It’s awesome.

World Building: ok but… WHERE do the angels belong? Where do the humans belong? WHATS THE RIGHT ANSWER HERE GUYS?!

---

Spoilerssssss

HOW DARE SIMON DO THIS TO ME?! I feel so betrayed. I LOVED Simon, his broody bad boy, but like, how could he do me so wrong? I had to read it twice to make sure that he really did me like that.

END SPOILS

---

What to pair it with: the deepest if red wines, followed by a shot of tequila. So good and so full bodied followed by BETRAYAL IN THE HIGHEST

Rating: 5/5

COMMENT DOWN BELOW: guys I’m still not overit. I need a support group, who’s in?

Until next time, we remain forever drunkenly yours,
Sam