Format: Hardcover, 480 pages
Release Date: March 5, 2019
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy / Epic
In this epic follow-up to Rebecca Ross’s YA fantasy debut, The Queen’s Rising, Brienna has chosen passion over blood, but can she put her country before her heart? Perfect for fans of Grave Mercy and Red Queen.
Brienna is beginning to settle into her role as the daughter of Davin MacQuinn, a disgraced lord who returned to Maevana to reclaim his House. Though she’d just survived a revolution, she faces yet another challenge: proving herself trustworthy to the MacQuinns. But as Queen Isolde Kavanagh’s closest confidant, she’ll have to balance serving her father’s House as well as her country.
Aodhan Morgane, formerly known as Cartier Évariste, is adjusting to the stark contrast between his pre-rebellion life in Valenia and his current one as the lord of the fallen House, Morgane. During his castle’s restoration, he discovers Tomas, a young boy whose past and parentage are a mystery. So when Cartier’s former pupil Brienna is as taken with Tomas as he is, he lets his mind wander—what if he doesn’t have to raise him or his House alone?
But now Brienna and Cartier must put their feelings aside and stay focused on the most vital task at hand—forging alliances, executing justice, and ensuring that no one halts the queen’s coronation. But resistance is rumbling among the old regime’s supporters, who are looking for a weakness in the rebels’ forces. And what makes one more vulnerable than love?
The Queen's Resistance is the second installment in author Rebecca Ross' The Queen Rising series. Inspired by Renaissance France, the rich, historical setting combined
with all the complex political intrigue and a touch of magic make for a
thrilling and very satisfying read. Picking up right where The Queen’s Rising left off, Brienna and Cartier (Aodhan Morgane)
try to navigate Maevana politics and heal old wounds as the country
is fundamentally changing and a new Queen is set to rise.
Brienna's journey has been a long one. It began at Magnalia
House, a boarding school where young girls study one of the five
passions (knowledge, art, dramatics, wit or music), to becoming mistress of knowledge, to the heart of a
revolution attempting to overthrow the tyrannical King of Maevenna, to becoming the Queen's confidante, and a person able to stand on her own against even the harshest conditions. This
book switches between Brienna and Aodhan Morgane. Brienna, as a newly adopted McQuinn, must gain trust from her people. Cartier must confront his past and overcome its darkness.
Even after her actions in the previous installment brought the rise of a new Queen to Maevana, Isolde Kavanagh, people still see her as the biological daughter of the enemy who tore so many families apart for 25 years and sent Isolde, Luc, and Aodhan into hiding. Isolde has tasked Brienna with collecting grievances against the Lannon's who will stand trial in a matter of days. But, some of the grievances may fall on the most innocent just because of who they are.
Meanwhile, Aodhan, the Lord of House Morgane, is trying to regain its status, and bring back the people that were treated so horrifically by the previous Lord. In this land, breaking an oath is far easier to do than breaking a long held alliances. But, that is what Brienna, Aodhan, Isolde, and Davin attempt to do in the days leading up to Isolde's coronation. Long held grudges are not as easy to smooth over, and there are those who would use Brienna to stop Isolde from becoming Queen and upsetting the apple cart that they had put into place at the expense of other families.
They don't want the return of magic, nor the restoration of the house of Kavanagh which was literally wiped out with only Isolde and her father escaping. The story really is about family, politics, and the relationships that have been built between Isolde, Brienna, Cartier and Davin MacQuinn. It is the surprises between the pages and the revelations that Brienna isn't really alone any longer now that she has such a solid group of people around her.
It is the relationships and the family that pulls Brienna through some horrible times and gains her much needed respect. Overthrowing the previous regime was easier than putting together an alliance that can stand up to anyone not eager to see Isolde rise to become Queen. It is the building of the relationship, and the discovery of the horror that were committed by the Lannons and their allies that carry much of this book. I absolutely will admit that I swooned at the ending. It was brilliantly done by the author. If this is the end, that is one helluva way to end a series.
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