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katara
The Stolen Throne (Dominions #2) by Abigail Owen
Sypnosis
My twin sister is the true queen of Aryd. She survives, hiding and clinging to life in the desert, while I reign as the false queen alongside the monstrous King Eidolon. There’s only one escape from this gilded prison: Reven. My Shadowraith. My heart. Only the shadows that he struggles to control are growing more sinister, more powerful.
It’s just a matter of time before they turn on him…and on me.
Even escape doesn’t mean true freedom, though, when we’re still on the run from Eidolon’s unstoppable armies. And when we discover there’s a traitor among us, I have no choice…I must become the queen I was never meant to be.
Because as one evil hunts me, the other loves me more than himself.
And my fate lies with both.
Review:
What makes a book good or great?
Characters
Storyline
World-building
The realism of Romance (if romance is present)
The characters are meant to draw you in, have you invest in them, and make sure that once the book is over, you still think of them. Without these qualities, the characters have no charms which makes the story less interesting for the reader. Yet, this does the opposite. The characters are ones you become invested in, drawn to and connect with, and think of when the story is over. Each character is flawed and that makes them more human. Meren is fearless, determined, compassionate, and flawed. A shadow princess is meant to stand in for her sister if she becomes sick or unable to remain on the throne. She has lived outside the palace and has seen the world with different eyes. This is what makes Meren a far better candidate for queen. Tabra is weak-willed, naive, and sweet. She would be used immediately by the court and even by other dominion-ruling families because of it. When she accepts something that causes Meren to try to dissuade her from it, Tabra ignores it and wears it anyway. She should have been suspicious and cautious when accepting something from a King known to be cruel and dark. Now Meren has to find a way to heal her sister and keep Eidolon from taking the throne belonging to the generations of her family. This is placed heavily upon her shoulders but Meren is a strong character and resourceful character that won't stop the fight. Reven is flawed and yet perfect at the same time. A shadow wraith shed and born with the abilities to move through the darkness and yet unable to contain the power he has. He does everything to protect Meren and help her fight against Eidolon. There is just something about him that makes him the anti-hero that is compatible with Meren.
World-building is unique, filled with a lush world steeped in history and yet still flawed with dangers. The beautiful imagery and the secondary characters are what make this world unique and complex. This is what this book has done. It is everything in world-building and lush visuals that offer glimpses into each world and its characters. You feel part of it be it scenery or secondary characters that charm you. This is the world-building you want. The world-building that makes a story complete and lush. It is everything that is in this book and I love it. Every bit of it is great and I enjoyed every second of it.
The storyline is a puzzle weaved with intricate details that help develop not only the characters but draw the reader deep within the world and keep them glued to the very end of the story. Authors want their readers invested in their work and characters. If you are pulled into the story, invested in how it ends, and continued page-turning, the author has done his or her work. This is what this book does. All characters have developed since the first book and the storyline has developed since. The story is twisting and turning and the reader has no way of knowing how it will end. This is what the author wants and it works here in this story. I absolutely love it when a story cannot be put down. I was like this with the first and second books of this series. No matter how many times I needed to do something I was always drawn back to this book. I wanted to know how it would end. I wanted to know where the character development would go. I am so invested in this series that I NEED THE LAST BOOK! I WILL SELL MY SOUL TO THE AUTHOR OF THAT BOOK. xD Sorry I cannot contain myself with this series.
The romance between Meren and Reven is the chef's kiss. It is not too over-powering to the story. To be honest, it does not even saturate the story. It is slowly built and although the two characters, Meren and Reven, should not have happened it does and you cannot help but be invested. Reven wants nothing more than to protect Meren. And then there is Cain. Don't get me wrong I would have gladly been his supporter had he been the main interest but come to think of it, I just don't feel he is right for Meren. Their relationship feels more like friends than the thought of being lovers or in any romantic relationship. The romance between Meren and Reven feels right, meant to be, and personally, you become invested in it. I need more of them. I need to see their ending and revel in the beauty of their romance. I want their ending to be everything I can envision. Don't fail me!
But in all honesty, I am invested in this story and its characters. I love all of it. Every aspect of this story is superseding. I cannot wait for the final book in this series. I am super excited to see how the author wraps this story up in a neat little package.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Genre:
Historical Fiction, Mythology, LGBTQ+, Romance, Fantasy, Historical, Retellings, Greek Mythology, Queer, Folklore, Young Adult, Novella, Netgalley
Stars:
4.8 out of 5
