The Queen's Rising by Rebecca Ross

The Queen's Rising
by Rebecca Ross
Read: October 20 - 24, 2017
Published: February 6, 2018 by HarperTeen
Source: Egalley from Edelweiss (TY!)
Category: YA, fantasy, kingdoms, spies, secret identities, 
Find: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Indiebound

Book Description: 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 for such a life. 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, 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.

Months later, her life takes an unexpected turn when a disgraced lord offers her patronage. Suspicious of his intent, and with no other choices, she accepts. But there is much more to his story, and Brienna soon discovers that he has sought her out for his own vengeful gain. For there is a dangerous plot being planned to overthrow the king of Maevana—the archrival kingdom of Valenia—and restore the rightful queen, and her magic, to the northern throne. And others are involved—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?
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I had no idea where The Queen's Rising would end up when I started reading it. I really like stories that do this. Books that start as one thing, and then expand into a much bigger plot with political intrigue, rebellions and hidden princesses, all of which this one does. In the beginning of the story when Brienna is spending her time at school attempting to discover her passion, I had no idea the adventure that was to come, and it was so much fun to watch it all unfold. 

However, with all the ground the story covers and the fact that Brienna travels to several different places, I didn’t feel like I became close to many of the characters besides her. I wanted more friendship with her passion sisters and Luc and Isolde, as well as more romance. Speaking of romance, there is a sweet and slow one that’s present here. I liked the direction of it, and was more anticipatory to see it happen than surprised about the direction it eventually takes. But I wanted more to happen between them earlier (no too soon, I get why it was the way it was, but sooner than the very end.). But overall this is a good debut, and I'm looking forward to seeing what else this author writes.

I enjoyed The Queen's Rising, and the ending is one that feels settled for Brienna. However, according to Goodreads it's the start of a trilogy. In light of the ending, I hope this will be a companion series instead of one with the same narrator/character arc. Brienna’s story is well wrapped up by the end, and I like the idea that every character's fantasy adventure doesn't have to be a series. But time will tell on that! 

Love Triangle Factor: none
Cliffhanger scale: Standalone