Title: Thorn Queen
Author: Richelle Mead
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Bantam Books
PublicationDate: 13 Aug 2009
Paperback: 480 pages
Rating: 8/10
Summary (Book Cover)
Eugenie Markham is a shaman for hire, paid to bind and banish creatures from the Otherworld. But after her last battle, she’s also become queen of the Thorn Land. It’s hardly an envious life, not with her kingdom in tatters, her love life in chaos, and Eugenie eager to avoid the prophecy about her firstborn destroying mankind. And now young girls are disappearing from the Otherworld, and no one—except Eugenie—seems willing to find out why.
Eugenie has spilled plenty of fey blood in her time, but this enemy is shrewd, subtle, and nursing a very personal grudge. And the men in her life aren’t making things any easier. Her boyfriend, Kiyo, is preoccupied with his pregnant ex, and sexy fey king Dorian always poses a dangerous distraction. With or without their help, Eugenie must venture deep into the Otherworld and trust in an unpredictable power she can barely control. Reluctant queen or not, Eugenie has sworn to do her duty—even if it means facing the darkest—and deadliest—side of her nature…
Review:
Eugenie Markham is half human and half faery and is still trying to balance her life of two worlds and two lovers. Now she is the Thorn Queen of Thorn Land and life is getting more difficult as she is spending more time in the Otherworld. Her powers are getting stronger and more deadly. But is this what she wants?
Thorn Queen is the second book in the Dark Swan series and having just read the first, Storm Born, I was able to drift straight back into the story with ease. The writing is easy going and the story grabs you from the first few pages. As with the first book the worlds described are vivid and the characters are well rounded and likable. There is plenty of action, in the bedroom as well at out of it, combined with lots of suspense. Eugenie grows into her powers more, although she is still uncertain if she actually wants them.
Thorn Queen is a bit more serious than Storm Born, there are a few humourous touches but not many. It is slightly darker too, but this only adds more depth to the story and I found myself becoming further involved with Eugenie’s character and subsequently liking her more and more.
Verdict:
Eugenie is a terrific heroine; feisty, strong and sexy too. I look forward to reading more about her as the series progresses. I definitely recommend this book. It’s a really great read!
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8 Comments
This sounds really good! Gotta love a bit of adult para-romance
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I've been meaning to pick up Storm Born forever! Perhaps today I shall!
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I haven't heard of this one before now. It sounds like a good read!
Thanks for anotoher great review/recommendation.
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I liked your review. And I love Richelle Mead! Will have to put this one on my wishlist. Thanks!
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Awesome! I'd like to read this. =)
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Nice review. I'm glad you mention the flow and language/characterization, because that can potentially make/break a book to me.
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Thanks for the review. I got this book on kindle for free about a month ago… I hope I get to read it before the year is over.
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Thorn Queen really blew me away. Storm Born was good – you review is right on about the humor there – but Thorn Queen has so much meat to it.
As you mentioned, the increasing characterization of Eugenie fleshed her out wonderfully, and we saw a lot of Dorian's other side(s) as well.
I was a little disappointed with Kiyo, though. I wanted to get a better feeling for him as a person, not just a boyfriend.
Incidentally, my apologies for wandering in here so late. I'm a bit behind the curve with the whole review blog thing.
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