Today on my blog, I’m delighted to bring you my review of The Caged Queen by Kristen Ciccarelli and I’d like to thanks Harperteen and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this spectacular book. The book releases today in ebook format on all major platforms and in paperback in 2019. Below you will find the cover and description followed by my review.

The Caged Queen by Kristen Ciccarelli

WHAT WOULD YOU SACRIFICE FOR LOVE? DEATH-DEFYING, WORLD-ALTERING LOVE?

Roa and her sister Essie were born with a bond so strong that it forged them together forever. It was a magic they cherished – until the terrible day Essie died and her soul was trapped in this world.

Dax, the heir to the throne of Firgaard, was responsible. Roa swore she would never forgive him – yet when he came begging for her help to dethrone his cruel father, Roa made him a deal. She’d give him the army he needed if he made her queen.

Now she is royalty, but an outlander; far from home and married to her enemy. And even after everything she has sacrificed, Dax’s promises go unfulfilled. Roa’s people still suffer.

Then a chance to right every wrong arises – 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 can reclaim her sister for good.

All she has to do is kill the king. . .

The Caged Queen takes readers back to the lush, immersive world of The Last Namsara with a stunning story about the unbreakable bond between two sisters and the sacrifices we make for love.

The Caged Queen – My Review

What can I say? From the first sentence, I was drawn into this amazing world and story and all the characters. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I know it won’t be my last. I have to admit, I didn’t realize this was book 2 of a series when I accepted an advanced copy from the publishers on Netgalley. It didn’t matter though because the book can be read as a stand-alone and is a complete story. I loved the tale of the sky weaver and how she takes the threads of departed souls and turns them into stars.

This book tells the story of Roa and Dax, king and queen, and the struggles they both face. I particularly enjoyed the little chapters that took me back to their time together as children in the kingdom of Sky and I held my breath waiting to hear how Roa had lost her beloved sister Essie and why she blamed Dax.

The characters are well developed and the plot is great and there’s plenty of action as well as lust and love as Roa struggles with what she must do in an effort to bring back her sister and right the wrong that was done. I was rooting for Dax the whole way through the book and at times I wished Roa would tell him about Essie and what she needed to do. The character of Rebekah was very well done and I hated her. I loved the questions that parts of this story brought and the doubts that were placed in the reader.

The ending was beautifully done and the message that love is stronger than even death. This book is now among my favourite books so far this year, right up there with The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert and To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Cristo.

I look forward to reading more books in this world and I will definitely be adding Kristen Ciccarelli to my must-read authors.

The Caged Queen ebook is available now from Amazon and the paperback will release on the 2nd of May 2019.

Until next time,

Keep reading and writing,

Amanda