#Review - Cursed Crowns by Catherine Doyle, Katherine Webber #YA #Fantasy

Series: Twin Crowns # 2
Format: Hardcover, 512 pages
Release Date: May 9, 2023
Publisher: Balzer & Bray/Harperteen
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy

The second book in the swoony and high-stakes fantasy rom-com series that began with Twin Crowns, about twin princesses separated at birth—from bestselling authors Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber.

Twin queens Wren and Rose have claimed their crowns…but not everyone is happy about witches sitting on Eana’s throne.

Coolheaded Rose plans a royal tour to establish goodwill throughout the kingdom. But Wren balks—how can they gallivant around Eana when their grandmother Banba is imprisoned in Gevra?

Impatient Wren steals away on a ship to the icy north, where King Alarik offers a deadly magical bargain in exchange for Banba’s freedom. Desperate, Wren agrees. But her spell has unexpected consequences….

Meanwhile, when Rose's royal tour is interrupted by a mysterious stranger claiming to be from the long-lost Sunkissed Kingdom, the strands of destiny pull her south to the ancient Amarach Towers, where only the Seers of Eana know why the Restless Sands are erupting—and why Shen-Lo himself might hold the key.

But back in Anadawn, rebellion is brewing. And if Eana is to stand a chance at peace, the sisters will need to reunite once more and convince their people to forsake old loyalties for new ones.

Cursed Crowns, by co-authors Catherine Doyle & Katherine Webber, is the second installment in the authors Twin Crowns series. Set against a sweeping world inspired by Doyle's native Ireland and Webber’s childhood in the California desert, this thrilling adventure full of warmth, wit, and sizzling romantic tension will appeal to readers of Sarah J. Maas, Leigh Bardugo, and Kiera Cass. Told in alternating perspectives by twin sisters Wren and Rose, Cursed Crowns combines the best aspects of the high-stakes romance of The Princess Bride with the commercial action of Serpent & Dove. 

Twin sisters Wren Greenrock, and Rose Valhart, who was raised to be Queen while her sister was abandoned and raised by a group of witches by her grandmother, Banba, have found each other but the road ahead is not as smooth as they expect. Their kingdom of Eana is still getting used to what's going on but not everyone is sold on the idea of Queen witches. Rose is more natural and groomed to be queen and Wren speaks as she wants. In fact, it appears as though there is a rebellion happening that is pushing the limits on Wren who desperately wants to rescue her grandmother from King Alarik of Gevra.

After several weeks of trying to be the queen she is expected to be by her fellow witch allies who are causing trouble everywhere they go, Wren decides that Rose can run the country much better than she can. So, Wren takes matters into her own hands and goes after Banba herself, while leaving Rose to handle the royal tour on her own. While Rose goes on the royal tour and its nothing like she expected. People aren't crowed around to show love and loyalty. Her only saving grace is Shen Lo who stands by her like a bodyguard, while also knowing that his heart belongs to Rose.

While Wren is working to free Banba, she learns there's more than just anger and ruthless with King Alarik. She spends time with the Queen and makes her laugh again. Alarik may even have a heart and shows kindness and care to Wren. But his condition to send both her and her grandma home is high. Then there's the consequences of fooling around with magick that she had been warned not to use. Such consequences won't be spoiled except to say that a long lost fabled character from the past will have much more to say in the next installment. 

Meanwhile, when Rose's royal tour is interrupted by a mysterious stranger named Kai who claims to be from the long-lost Sunkissed Kingdom which hasn't been seen in a very long time. The strands of destiny pull her south to the ancient Amarach Towers, where only the Seers of Eana know why the Restless Sands are erupting—and why Shen-Lo himself might hold the key and whether or not Rose and Wren will reunite in order to save the Kingdom from being stolen from them by hostiles who hate witches. 

Let's briefly break down the sisters, shall we? Wren can be reckless. Doesn't think too far ahead because of her temper. But in this book, she sadly learns that there are consequences when one doesn't think before they act. As I said, those consequences are off page just waiting to pounce. Rose she is able to see past her rosy lens of what being a Queen is. She grows into fiercer Rose while also being a merciful, just & kind leader. But nobody better mess with her kingdom if they know what's best for them.

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