Return of the Vengeful Queen

by C. J. Redwine

Overview

From C. J. Redwine, the author the New York Times bestselling Ravenspire series, comes the stunning conclusion to the fantasy duology 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 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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062908995
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	04/30/2024
Pages:	352
Sales rank:	89,857
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.40(d)
Age Range:	13 - 17 Years

About the Author

C.J. Redwine is a New York Times bestselling author of speculative fiction, a diehard lover of going to the movies, and a believer in fairytales. She keeps a six-foot tall Loki figure in her office and will argue the merits of Batman vs. Superman with anyone she meets. She once accidentally punched herself in the face on a ride at Disneyland. She doesn’t recommend it.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for RISE OF THE VICIOUS PRINCESS: "Redwine skillfully crafts well-rounded characters and an action-packed plot, resulting in a nuanced political fantasy that’s rife with court intrigue. Charis—fierce and formidable, yet altruistic—is exquisitely drawn, and her tender, developing relationship with bodyguard Tal adds emotional complexity to the breathlessly paced tale." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Praise for RISE OF THE VICIOUS PRINCESS: "With a promising opening—featuring a protagonist reminiscent of those in Kristin Cashore’s Graceling and Marie Rutkoski’s The Winner’s Curse—plus a zinger of an ending, this should have no trouble finding an audience. An engaging introduction to a female-forward fantasy world." — Kirkus Reviews

Praise for RISE OF THE VICIOUS PRINCESS: "A real treat to readers with an appetite for intense, carefully maneuvered political conversations conducted while dancing in gorgeous gowns." — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Praise for RISE OF THE VICIOUS PRINCESS: “C. J. Redwine has woven a tale of political machinations, devastating plot twists, and the most heartbreakingly delicious slow-burn romance I’ve read in a very long time. I tore through this book in a day, mourned when I ran out of pages, and flipped right back to the beginning to start again.”  — Livia Blackburne, New York Times bestselling author of Feather & Flame

Praise for RISE OF THE VICIOUS PRINCESS: “Stand aside, ye softhearted, gentle maidens. Princess Charis is here to kick ass and take names.”  — Tricia Levenseller, Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author of The Shadows Between Us

Praise for RISE OF THE VICIOUS PRINCESS: “Smart, tense, and swiftly paced. This book is absolutely captivating.”  — Jodi Meadows, author of Nightrender and coauthor of the New York Times bestseller My Lady Jane

Praise for RISE OF THE VICIOUS PRINCESS: “A wildly lush fantasy ruled by a fascinating and ruthless heroine makes this slow-burn romance story pure magic. C. J. Redwine has outdone herself!”  — Mary Weber, bestselling author of Storm Siren and To Best the Boys

From the Publisher

2024-04-20
In the aftermath of an invasion, a newly crowned queen must save her kingdom—and her heart—in this follow-up to 2022’s Rise of the Vicious Princess.

Raised to rule, Charis understands leverage and how to manage the many factions within her kingdom, but now she’s in exile. The inhuman Rakuuna took over her kingdom, killed her parents, and kidnapped her guard and beloved, Tal, in the process revealing him to be a spy and prince from rival kingdom Montevallo. Charis, accompanied by her cousins, who are also her heirs, must find a weapon that can defeat the Rakuuna, outwit those who wish to see them fail, rally their allies, and accomplish all this with nothing but their wits. Featuring far less romance than the first volume and with much of the excitement relegated to the third act, this duology closer may not please all fans. Charis, whose political acumen and ruthless facade pretty much define her, nearly misses some significant villainous plotting by supposed allies; at key moments her success owes almost as much to chance as any intentional action on her part, other than a final heart-first decision that solves the romantic subplot. The world is racially diverse and largely egalitarian regarding gender roles; despite some subtle potential queer coding of dashing cousin Holland (who tends to steal any scene he’s in), all depicted relationships are heterosexual.

Unremarkable. (map) (Fantasy. 13-18)

Kirkus Reviews