The Exiled Queen

September 7, 2011 Uncategorized 0

The Exiled Queen

Author: Cinda Williams Chima
Publisher: Hyperion
Publication Date: September 28, 2010
Pages: 586
Series: Seven Realms, Book Two
Source: Received as part of a blog tour


About the Book: You can’t always run from danger… 

Haunted by the loss of his mother and sister, Han Alister journeys south to begin his schooling at Mystwerk House in Oden’s Ford. But leaving the Fells doesn’t mean danger isn’t far behind. Han is hunted every step of the way by the Bayars, a powerful wizarding family set on reclaiming the amulet Han stole from them. And Mystwerk House has dangers of its own. There, Han meets Crow, a mysterious wizard who agrees to tutor Han in the darker parts of sorcery—but the bargain they make is one Han may regret. 

Meanwhile, Princess Raisa ana’Marianna runs from a forced marriage in the Fells, accompanied by her friend Amon and his triple of cadets. Now, the safest place for Raisa is Wein House, the military academy at Oden’s Ford. If Raisa can pass as a regular student, Wein House will offer both sanctuary and the education Raisa needs to succeed as the next Gray Wolf queen. 

The Exiled Queen is an epic tale of uncertain friendships, cut-throat politics, and the irresistible power of attraction. (goodreads)

My Thoughts: For the record, if I had aspirations as an author* I don’t think I would ever read Cinda Williams Chima’s books. Her world building is so superb that I would be intimidated. Seriously, the woman is amazing. 


The Exiled Queen doesn’t lose any of the momentum created in The Demon King. We pick up with Han, Dancer, Raisa, Amon, and the crew as they are all making their ways back to Oden’s Ford. I was so excited to see where this book would lead and I was not disappointed.

I love that we still get to see what is going on with the different characters from different perspectives. It was interesting to meet knew people and learn more about those I was already attached to. Micah still confuses me and I am 100% team Han. I adore that street lord turned magician! Seriously. His charm oozes off the page. You can’t resist him! Still, my favorite person has to be Raisa. She just seems so real to me. I love her courage and strength and compassion. Such a great female lead! 

If you like high fantasy I cannot recommend this series highly enough. Just don’t get mad at me because you have to wait for more (book  three coming later this month… it’s incredible!)

*so do not! I would write the most unoriginal and terrible stories. Like, they would be the kind to show up on “Can you believe someone submitted this crap?!?!” type sites. 



Random Things I Loved:

*I listened to the audiobook of book one (The Demon King) so it was interesting to see the names actually written down. I would not have pronounced them the same!
*The fact that the coins with Raisa’s image on them are called crowns but referred to as “girlies.” I don’t know why I enjoy that as much as I do.
*The many names of Han… Han, Hunts Alone, Cuffs, etc…
*Cat Tyburn. Yeah, just everything about her.
*Every little thing about this book!

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