#Review - Return of the Vengeful by Queen C.J. Redwine #YA #Fantasy

Series: Rise of the Viscous Princess # 2
Format: Hardcover, 352 pages
Release Date: April 30, 2024
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Source: Library
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy / Romance

The second book in a thrilling fantasy duology about a fierce princess determined to bring lasting peace to her kingdom regardless of the cost to her heart—from C. J. Redwine, the author of the New York Times bestselling Ravenspire series

The stunning conclusion to the fantasy series that began with Rise of the Vicious Princess. Perfect for fans of These Violent Delights, And I Darken, and Ash Princess!

Charis Willowthorn is a queen without a throne. A Rakuuna invader holds Charis's kingdom of Calera captive, leaving her desperate—and ruthlessly committed to vengeance. But with her allies reluctant to intervene and her enemies hunting her across the open sea, Charis is left with only one choice: forge a temporary alliance with Tal Penbyrn, the boy who betrayed her—and, at all costs, keep him out of her heart. 

Tal is imprisoned, both by the Rakuuna's isolated castle and the weight of his guilt. Though he once betrayed his love, he knows that he can help turn the tide in Charis’s favor, if only he can regain her trust. But the Rakuuna have an ally of their own—one who knows Charis’s every move and will stop at nothing to see her destroyed.

With threats closing in and every allegiance in doubt, Charis must be stronger, faster, and more vicious than her enemies to reclaim her kingdom—and her future. 

Return of the Vengeful Queen, by C.J. Redwine, is the final installment in the Rise of the Vicious Princess duology. The story picks up 3 weeks after exiled Princess, soon to be Queen, Charis Willowthorn and 62 others survived a brutal attack by monstrous creatures called the Rakuuna who made a deal with the Rullenvor. Charis and her people are hoping to find help from Solvang only to learn that there is a bounty out on her head, and any country who helps her, might be the next to be attacked. 

Charis and a small group of survivors soon heads to a far off country that hardly anyone visits. Embre is said to be the source of something that can kill the dreaded Rakuuna. But they refuse to align themselves with Charis for fear of retaliation. After Charis is captured by the Rakuuna, she quickly learns that Tal Penbryn, the boy who betrayed her, is also a captive. She also learns that she is to be brought back home to face the person sitting on her throne. The Queen of the Rakuuna.

Prince Percival Talin Penbryn, the younger son of King Alaric of Montevallo, is imprisoned by weight of his guilt and the Rakuuna. Though he once betrayed the woman he loves, he knows that he can help turn the tide in Charis’s favor, if only he can regain her trust. But the Rakuuna have an ally of their own—one who knows Charis’s every move and will stop at nothing to see her destroyed. With threats closing in and every allegiance in doubt, Charis must be stronger, faster, and more vicious than her enemies to reclaim her kingdom—and her future.

*Thoughts* The story tends to do a lot of traveling to Solang, Embre, the Basilisk Cave's and back to Charis home where she awaits judgement. I thought the final chapters of this book wrapped up things nicely. The book reveals the awful betrayal that cost the lives of thousands of people including Charis mother and father, merchant ships, her navy, and anyone who happened to be friends with Charis and her family. All because of political power and lies. So many innocent people die in this story. Charis really grows as a character. She is a capable and fearsome heroine, with a reputation for violence. But she is also a Queen determined to carve out her own path and care for the citizens who depend on her. I appreciated it didn't take that long for her to realize that Tal deserved to be forgiven for his actions in the previous installment. 

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