Chrissy’s Review: The Caged Queen by Kristen Ciccarelli

The Caged Queen (Iskari #2)
written by Kristen Ciccarelli
published by HarperTeen, 2018

find it here: (affiliate links) Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Apple Books, Target, Walmart, Kobo, Book Depository, Goodreads

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Did I enjoy this book? I did enjoy this Iskari book. It moved a bit slower than the first book, The Last Namsara, but that’s OK. I put it aside for a little while, but it always called me back. Then it picked up the pace about halfway through, and I couldn’t put it down.

I loved learning Roa’s backstory. The author does a nice job weaving the history into the book by telling it as a story in sections separate from the narration. I didn’t always like Roa, but I think that’s the point. She’s a complex character. While I’d love to go into detail, that would spoil the book. And Dax, oh Dax, I liked him, but I was infuriated by him. I wanted him to just stand up and take charge. To not live up to what others say about him or to how others see him. I wish there was more of Asha and Torwin in this book, but it was not their story.

I can’t wait to see how the next book, The Sky Weaver, goes! I started it as soon as I finished The Caged Queen.

Would I recommend it? Yes, I would. Read book 1, The Last Namsara, first. And if The Caged Queen seems slow to you in the beginning, stick with it.
 

 
About the book – from Goodreads: Once there were two sisters born with a bond so strong that it forged them together forever. Roa and Essie called it the hum. It was a magic they cherished—until the day a terrible accident took Essie’s life and trapped her soul in this world.

Dax—the heir to Firgaard’s throne—was responsible for the accident. Roa swore to hate him forever. But eight years later he returned, begging for her help. He was determined to dethrone his cruel father, under whose oppressive reign Roa’s people had suffered.

Roa made him a deal: she’d give him the army he needed if he made her queen. Only as queen could she save her people from Firgaard’s rule.

Then a chance arises to right every wrong—an opportunity for Roa to rid herself of this enemy king and rescue her beloved sister. During the Relinquishing, when the spirits of the dead are said to return, Roa discovers she can reclaim her sister for good.

All she has to do is kill the king.

 

 

 

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** This post first appeared on Every Free Chance Books (everyfreechance.com) on April 3, 2020.