Jennie's Reads

“Every fiber of her body protested—she needed him. She needed them to be one, not just in body, but in mind and heart. They had to be one to overcome the world against them, their own kingdoms against them, the gods against them. Mikael was hers, and no one would take him from her.”

⭐️ 4
🌶 2.5
👑 Villain Gets the Girl
👑 Fated Destinies
👑 Multiple POV’s
👑 Morally Grey Characters
👑 Warring Kingdoms & Court Politics
👑 TOUCH HIM AND DIE

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**Warning, spoilers possible ahead**

WOW. I really enjoyed reading Shadow Queen- so much more so than North Queen! The character development in this book is 100% next-level, and I’ve grown to LOVE Soren. (Remember, I said I’m not so sure how I feel about him in my previous review? Well, Soren’s basically my grumpy, give-it-to-me-straight, bully bestie- and I will forever and always #StanSoren.

Alright, let’s address how Nicola Tyche in this book is no longer obsessed with making sure Norah eats, let alone anyone else. Maybe just the occasional reference of Salar, Salara, Salara-Mae, Soren (wow, ok- just realized these are all S’s, lol!) at breakfast/dinner. But the explicit mention of EATING and DINING had totally almost disappeared here. *le sigh* Maybe I was reading into it too much, and was hoping something to come of it…

So let’s dive into the review- basically we start with Norah on the throne of Kharav and Mercia. “It wasn’t easy choosing between what she wanted and what she needed, what was best for her and what was best for Mercia.” We know Norah is irrevocably in love with Mikael, yet also in love with Alexander. Norah comes to love Kharav and sees it as a home, more so than Mercia. (Remember, she lost all her memories and remembers nothing of her past).

Norah has enemies in Kharav, namely Captain Artem, who seems to want to rid of Norah under the guise of “following orders”. I was glad to see him speared through by Soren. One of the many attempts on Norah’s life in this book. This also sets the scene for the how the nobles view her on the throne as Salara.

We once again breech the realm of seers and how much they are revered when Norah goes to see the seer herself. After Mikael and Soren are so affected by the visions the seer show them. “The seer shook his head. “You cannot change fate.”” The fated destiny looming over everyone’s head in Shadow Queen is the catalyst for so many misunderstandings and political movements – no matter how much Norah and Mikael attempt to change fate.

“When you asked me to marry you, did you really believe it would change your fate?” “I wanted to believe.” She pulled back and looked up at him. “Did you, though?” He shook his head. “Not truly, no.” Her heart hurt. “But you still married me. Why?” “Because I needed you.” He threaded his hand back into her hair. “I still need you.”

I love that Nicola Tyche turns nature into a force itself. Having the Wild- the fox, Sefir, the wind, the wild beings. I hope that nature comes to the forefront more in the next book- becomes an even bigger force to be reckoned with.

Norah’s character development within this book is phenomenal. She goes from second guessing herself to full on SHADOW QUEEN, TOUCH HIM AND YOU WILL DIE (towards all that are in her care, not just Alexander really). This is in part from the support and love from Salar as well as… SOREN.

Soren is the main character without meaning to be the MMC, and HIS character development has me grumbling and on my knees. There is so much I want to say about Soren. He’s literally your grumpy, too-honest, hard-hitting, no-beating-around-the-bush, bully bestie. I LOVE that he did what he did for Adrian, that he molded Adrian into what he did as well as Salara. When Salar made Soren hers- I had expected backlash, but holy, moly- he just EMBRACED and ran with it. Much to his dismay, I’m sure- because she done did grow on him! “But he didn’t like Salara crying. Worry sat heavy in his chest. He had never wanted to be gentle. Kind. Safe. Not until now. Curse this wretched woman for making him feel things.” When Soren gave Norah the Cusco & Cavaatsa; my respect for him grew even more. (NOT ME BAWLING MY EYES OUT AT THE END OF THE BOOK. Nicola, you did us real dirty there. I almost TOSSED my kindle!)

Also, ADRIAN?! CASPIAN?! I absolutely squealed learning about them. The fact that Adrian is so well respected and loved by Soren and the Kharav’s forces + the Mercian Army!? OOoooooomph baby. I need some fan art of Adrian. THEN CASPIAN AND TAHLA?! I shall say no more. Howeeeeeever, I do think that sometimes Caspian + Tahla’s romps and adventures come too quick and hurried. I felt like they deserve a little more than just the occasional romp between the pass.

Let’s chat Salar… Mikael’s obsession with his seen fate really had me feeling so sad for him the entirety of the book. He made so many decisions based on that fate, and holds himself to such a standard. There’s a part where he gives into the mania of knowing that his death is looming over him, and it absolutely breaaaaaks me. Also, his love for Norah despite it all? “Then they’d see how their salar loves their salara.” He bent to kiss her cheeks. “How he worships her.” He trailed his mouth back to her lips. “How he sees to her every need.” Straight poetic.

Lastly, ALEXANDER. About DAMN TIME he moves on. JEEEEEEEEEZ. Sometimes I wanted to smack Alexander myself in this book. His insistence on everything Norah was extremely frustrating. And Norah & Alexander’s pull toward each other- it’s undeniable, but damn if it isn’t also disruptive at times.

Both Salar and Lord Justice do all that they can to protect their Queen, while Soren rides beside her as confidant.

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Over all, Shadow Queen really dives deep into the world of court politics and the challenges that Norah finds in her continual rise to power. (Note, the Mercian council can just… go. I have no patience for old men in power who believe they know everything *cough *cough*). We explore the growing relationship between Soren and how he plays a INSTRUMENTAL part in the success of this book. We see that even those in power have their vices- and can be swayed by emotion. We learn of deceit and betrayal- we learn of love gained and lost.

“She remembered so long ago, seeing the vision of herself on the Shadow throne. She hadn’t thought she could be that woman, that woman who sat so tall amid the darkness. Now she couldn’t imagine herself as anything else. It was where she belonged. It was who she was.”

10/10 recommend this book, I could NOT put it down.

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