Queen's Catacombs

January 1, 2023
The second entry in the Frean Chronicles sees its protagonist trying to redefine her role as the queen of an unequal queendom. Former country girl Jacqueline is the new Queen of Frea, and only four months after winning the grueling Contest of Queens, she must now contend with the ins and outs of ruling. She soon realizes she is but a puppet for the powerful women in the Council of Four, doing their bidding in exchange for news about her mother and her mentor, Master Leschi, both kept captive in a location unknown to her. The councilors are the ones who hold the real power in the queendom and who are standing in the way of Jacs' enabling real change to bring equality to the Lower Realm, but brewing discontent among young men and an underground movement threaten the peaceful facade of the Upper Realm. Along with Connor, her boyfriend and Royal Advisor, plus her loyal group of courtiers and Queensguard knights, Jacs must uncover the queendom's hidden secrets before it collapses around her. Featuring a multinarrative structure, compelling female characters, intriguing magic, and the politics of an unjust matriarchal society, this sequel follows Jacs' ongoing journey toward empowerment, with momentum growing toward the open ending. However, the gender dynamics of the worldbuilding feel superficially conceived and unconvincing. Main characters are assumed White; most of Jacs' friends are queer women. Bumpy worldbuilding but otherwise a compelling sequel. (map) (Fantasy. 14-18)

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June 1, 2023

Gr 9 Up-The second book in the "Frean Chronicles" finds Jacs trying to change what it means to be queen in an essentially unequal society. Jacs now rules over the Upper and Lower Realms, and while the Contest of Queens was grueling, her new position is just as hard. If readers can get past the uneven worldbuilding, they'll find a delightful cast of characters trying to put the queendom on the right path. While the novel tries to challenge the patriarchy in its matriarchal society, it relies on gender essentialism to do so. Cast is presumed white, with queer women in Jacs's circle of friends. VERDICT Consider for collections where the first book has found readers.

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