Tuesday Reviews: The Hemlock Queen by Hannah Whitten

 

The glittering and dangerous world of the Sainted King’s royal court is upended when Prince Bastian seizes control and a mysterious dark force begins to take over in the second installment of New York Times bestselling series The Nightshade Crown.

The corrupt king August is dead. Prince Bastian has seized the throne and raised Lore—a necromancer and former smuggler—to his right-hand side. Together they plan to cut out the rot from the heart of the royal court and help the people of Dellaire. But not everyone is happy with the changes. The nobles are sowing dissent, the Kirythean Empire is beating down their door, and Lore’s old allies are pulling away. Even Prince Bastian has changed. No longer the hopeful, rakish, charismatic man Lore knows and loves, instead he’s become reckless, domineering, and cold.

And something has been whispering in her ear. A voice, dark and haunting, that’s telling her there’s more to the story than she knows and more to her power than she can even imagine. A truth buried deep that could change everything.

With Bastian’s coronation fast approaching and enemies whispering on all sides, Lore must figure out how to protect herself, her prince, and her country before they all come crumbling down and whatever dark power has been creeping through the catacombs is unleashed.

"The Hemlock Queen" is a riveting sequel that deepens the world of "The Foxglove King." The writing is as engaging as ever, with a slow burn that escalates into a gripping climax. The last hundred pages had me completely hooked, reading late into the night.

This installment enhances the world-building, heightening the stakes with looming conflict and expanding on the magical abilities of the characters. The exploration of the gods and their history adds rich context to the narrative.

Character development shines, especially with Lore's journey in her new court role. While Gabe takes a back seat, Bastian’s heartbreaking arc truly resonates. Although marketed as fantasy romance, the romantic elements are secondary to the plot, making the love triangle feel genuine and compelling.

The themes shift to explore the corrupting nature of religious authority and the difference between love and possession. The story powerfully depicts a woman breaking free from an abusive relationship.

Overall, "The Hemlock Queen" is a fantastic follow-up that builds tension and depth, leaving me eager for the next installment.