#Review - Dreams Lie Beneath by Rebecca Ross #YA #Fantasy

Series: Standalone
Format: Hardcover, 496 pages
Release Date: November 2, 2021
Publisher: Quill Tree Books
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy

This lush and layered stand-alone romantasy from Rebecca Ross, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Divine Rivals, explores magic and the captivating power of dreams.

Clementine Madigan understands that her future holds only one thing: taking over for her father as a magical territory warden. Every new moon, magic flows down from a nearby mountain into Azenor, bringing nightmares to life. Though she secretly yearns to study the wild side of magic, Clementine is resigned to a future of protecting her town from its citizens’ worst dreams.

But when two magicians challenge her father for his domain—and he loses—Clementine’s future is upended. She seeks revenge on Phelan, one of the challengers who took over her father’s territory, but as she gets closer to the vexingly handsome magician, secrets begin to rise. Once keen on vengeance, Clementine instead finds herself drawn into a century-old conflict. She must unite with Phelan to face the realm’s curse, which seems to be haunting her every turn.

Dreams Lie Beneath by Rebecca Ross is a captivating standalone YA fantasy that weaves a tale of magic, vengeance, and dreams. Set in the fictional realm of Azenor, where a curse transforms dreams into tangible nightmares every new moon, the story follows Clementine “Clem” Madigan, a determined and fiery young magician with a personal vendetta driving her forward. What unfolds is a tale of revenge, resilience, and unexpected alliances, set against a unique magic system and a creepy world where nightmares are all too real. 

In Azenor, dream wardens—magicians tasked with protecting their towns from the nightmares that spill into reality—are both revered and burdened by their duty. Clem, trained by her father, the dream warden of Hereswith, is poised to inherit his role until a shocking betrayal upends her life. A rival family, the Vesper brothers—Phelan and Lennox—challenge her father for his position, exploiting a loophole in the town’s laws. When the dust settles, Clem’s father loses everything, and she’s left burning with a desire for retribution.

Months later, disguised after giving up part of her heart, and armed with her magical prowess, Clem returns to Hereswith under the pretense of assisting Phelan, now the town’s warden, as he struggles to contain the escalating nightmare threat. Her plan? Sabotage him and reclaim what’s hers. But as secrets unravel and the curse’s origins come to light, Clem’s mission becomes far more complicated—and personal—than she ever anticipated. The concept of nightmares materializing—whether as monstrous creatures, haunting figures, or twisted landscapes—is vividly realized, with each new moon bringing a fresh wave of tension. 

The magic system, tied to dream manipulation and combat, is a standout feature. Wardens use enchanted tools and spells to enter and defeat these dreamscapes, and Ross describes these battles with cinematic flair, striking a balance between visceral action and emotional stakes. Clem’s skill as a magician, honed through years of training, makes her a compelling protagonist—flawed yet fiercely capable, her anger tempered by moments of vulnerability. Clementine herself is the heart of the story, a character who embodies both strength and complexity. 

Her rage at the Vespers is palpable, driving her to cunning and morally gray decisions that keep readers questioning her path. Yet, her interactions with Phelan, the kindest and most conflicted of the brothers, add depth to her arc. Their relationship evolves from wary antagonism to a slow-burn romance that feels earned rather than forced, grounded in mutual respect and shared burdens. Phelan, with his quiet intensity and guilt over his family’s actions, serves as an effective foil to Clem’s boldness, though his brother Lennox remains a more one-dimensional antagonist, his cruelty overshadowing any nuance. 

The supporting cast, including Clem’s father and the spectral figure of Mazarine—a mysterious woman tied to the curse’s history—enriches the narrative. Mazarine’s backstory, revealed late in the book, ties the plot together thematically, exploring grief, sacrifice, and the consequences of unchecked power. As the stakes rise and the curse’s origins are unveiled, Clem must make a choice of who to trust. After all, her father had lied to her for years, her mother had kept the secret, and she had only had Phelan to support her. Now, she had to be the one to find a way to break a centuries-old curse before the wrong person ruined everything.   

A pretty fitting ending considering everything that Clem goes through in this book.                                                             

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#Review - Sisters of Sword and Song by Rebecca Ross #YA #Fantasy

Series: Standalone
Format: Hardcover, 480 pages
Release Date: June 23, 2020
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy

From the author of The Queen’s Rising comes a thrilling YA stand-alone fantasy about the unbreakable bond between sisters. Perfect for fans of Ember in the Ashes, Sky in the Deep, and Court of Fives.

After eight long years, Evadne will finally be reunited with her older sister, Halcyon, who has been proudly serving in the queen’s army. But when Halcyon appears earlier than expected, Eva knows something has gone terribly wrong. Halcyon is on the run, hunted by her commander and charged with murder.

Though Halcyon’s life is spared during her trial, the punishment is heavy. And when Eva volunteers to serve part of Halcyon’s sentence, she’s determined to find out exactly what happened. But as Eva begins her sentence, she quickly learns that there are fates much worse than death.

 

Author Rebecca Ross's Sisters of Sword and Song is a tale of two sisters, Evadne, and Halcyon. It has been 8 years since Evadne last saw her older sister Halcyon. Halcyon was chosen to become part of the Common Court as well as being one of the Queen's Bronze legion hoplite soldiers (heavily armed ancient Greek foot soldier whose function was to fight in close formation) when she was just 12 years old. But, the long expected reunion will be tossed aside with a stunning revelation that Halcyon is in big trouble.

Halcyon is a fugitive accused of murdering the Commander Straton's son Xander and then running away instead of facing the consequences. It's not as simple as it sounds. Trust me. When Halcyon is finally caught by her own legion, Straton demands punishment for her crimes. Halcyon is sentenced to (5) years working in a quarry, (5) years in prison, and (5) more years in service to Straton’s household. Not wanting to lose her sister again, Evadne risks her freedom to give Halcyon a chance at surviving. She agrees to serve the (5) years in Straton’s household on her sister’s behalf.

So, while Halcyon is sent to do 5 years of hard time, Evadne is sent to work for Lord Commander Straton's household. A household that resents her and is very angry at her sister for what she allegedly did to her own shield mate. Evadne is the closest thing readers get to an "ingenue", and she's so much more than that. She was hopeful of having magic, only to learn that she's been passed by. Her sister left her behind and she walks with a pronounced limp thanks to an injury that didn't heal properly.  

It is very easy to see Evadne as naive and out of her depth, but in reality, she's clever, and plays under the guise of being weak and therefore harmless. Evadne's lifelong desire to have magic leads her to becoming a magician's scribe, and even being able to wield a magical relic. When Eva and Damon get together as magician and scribe, there is a bit of a connection. The connection slowly grows as the two of them take up a difficult journey to collect an artifact that can be used to help the Queen survive. 

Meanwhile, Halcyon is sent to a quarry where she struggles each day to stay alive. Here she faces life and death and enemies willing to do whatever they can to force Halcyon to revealing what really happened and what her mission was that ended in tragedy. This is where we slowly start to learn about what really happened between Halcyon and Xander and the need to keep it away from certain eyes. The story alternates between the two sisters perspectives in a third person narrative. I would have preferred to have it first person just to gain more understanding as to what the sisters were going through. 

This was an interesting book with definite ancient Greek/Hellenistic influences especially with the clothing and the Gods and the olive trees which are relevant to Greece. I mostly liked Evadne's story since she often struggles with walking after suffering a long ago injury to her foot that never healed properly. This is a world of relics; relics which are not suppose to fall into the hands of non-magically born. But, there are relic hunters willing to scour the Earth in order to bring fame and fortune to their families.

1. Magda (mother goddess of the sun) – the Sunstone Ring (grants enchanted healing to its bearer)
2. Irix (father god of the sky) – the Sky Cloak (grants power over weather and elements)
3. Ari (goddess of the night) – the Shawl of Stars (grants protection to its bearer; is impenetrable and rebounds weapons)
4. Nikomides (god of war) – the Devouring Sword (grants dominion over enemy weapons, turning them into dust; also cuts down enchantments)
5. Acantha (goddess of fate and knowledge) – the All-Seeing Crown (grants its bearer protection from enchantments and enables them to see the past, present, or future of the one they look upon)
6. Euthymius (god of earth and beasts) – the Golden Belt (grants animal allegiance to its bearer)
7. Loris (goddess of water and sea) – the Pearl Earrings (grants the power to breathe underwater)
8. Pyrrhus (god of fire; trapped beneath the earth) – the Ember Stone (grants fire effortlessly when the stone is breathed upon)
9. Kirkos (god of the wind; fallen god) –the Winged Necklace (grants flight to its bearer)

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#Review - The Queen’s Resistance by Rebecca Ross #YALIT #Fantay

Series: The Queen's Rising # 2
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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Friday #Review - The Queen's Rising by Rebecca Ross #YALit #Fantasy

Series: Untitled # 1
Format: E-Book, 464 pages
Release Date: February 6, 2018
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Publisher via Edelweiss
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy / Epic

When her seventeenth summer solstice arrives, Brienna desires only two things: to master her passion and to be chosen by a patron. Growing up in the southern kingdom of Valenia at the renowned Magnalia House should have prepared her. While some are born with an innate talent for one of the five passions—art, music, dramatics, wit, and knowledge—Brienna struggled to find hers until she belatedly chose to study knowledge. 

However, the solstice does not go according to plan, and she is left without a patron. Months later, Brienna’s life takes an unexpected turn when a disgraced lord offers her patronage. Though she’s suspicious of his intent, she has no other option, and must accept. But she soon discovers that he has big plans for her future. For there is a dangerous plot being planned to overthrow the king of Maevana—the rival kingdom of Valenia—and restore the rightful queen, and her magic, to the northern throne. The question is, who will be that queen?

The Queen's Rising is the first installment by debut author Rebecca Ross. It is the first book in what is a trilogy, but there really isn't any verification as to the validity of this statement made on Goodreads. As the story opens, 10 year old Brienna, the illegitimate daughter of an man who her grandfather claims is not respectable and refuses to name, is given the rare opportunity to become an arden of the arts at the prestigious Magnolia House in Valenia. 

An arden is basically an apprentice who is supposed be become a master of one of five main passions -art, music, dramatics, wit, and knowledge. Each student is given a mentor who stays with the student for the entire 7 years that they are expected to be at the school. Upon completion of their 7 years, each will be given a cape with the color of their passion. Brienna is rare among the other 5 girls who she attends school with. She carries a dual citizenship between Valenia (mother) and Maevana (unknown father). 

Brienna's own issues become apparent when we learn that she's basically wasted 7 years of her life hoping that one of the passions would catch on. For the past 3 years, she choose to excel at the passion of knowledge under Master Cartier. As her seventeenth summer solstice arrives, Brienna desires only two things: to master her passion of knowledge, and to be chosen by a patron. However, despite all her preparations, Brienna’s greatest fear comes true—the solstice does not go according to plan and she is left without a patron. 

Shortly thereafter, she is offered a patronage with a man who may have ulterior motive for asking to become Bri's patron. Brienna has a curious ability as well as we learn after she is given a book from Cartier. Brienna has the rare ability of remembering life experiences of her ancestors. Brienna’s ability means that she is uniquely poised to help overthrow the current northern king, a usurper. That is if she can find the lost scroll and a certain stone that holds the real queen's powers. 

Others are involved as well. Some closer to Brienna than she realizes. With war brewing between the two lands, Brienna must choose whose side she will remain loyal to—passion or blood. Because a queen is destined to rise and lead the battle to reclaim the crown. The ultimate decision Brienna must determine is: Who will be that queen? Inspired by Renaissance France, the rich, beautiful setting combined with all the complex political intrigue and a touch of magic make for an enjoyable read. 

Rebecca Ross weaves an intricate tale of revenge, loyalty, and, ultimately, self-discovery. There is also the curious attraction between Brienna and Cartier that doesn't suffocate the story. You know there is an attraction, but it doesn't take away from the nuisances of Bri's new life, her determination to see the rising of a true queen, and her own part that is yet to play out. I will end my review by saying this, The Queen's Rising could be considered as a standalone even though it is being sold as a trilogy. There is a beginning, plenty of action, twists, suspense, and romance, and an ending. The good thing about there being an ending, we don't have to wade through a cliffhanger ending and then wait another year to see what happens next. 

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