I think it's such an interesting world, there's all this political intrigue, characters with complicated relationships who possibly want to murder each other, hidden secrets.all of which should be great! But there was so much buildup to have things resolved in just a few pages. *sigh* This was disappointing because I LOVED the first book and high hopes for A Queen of Gilded Horns, but while it has a lot going for it (love the world, the characters, the ideas.) the middle of the book moved at a glacial pace and the ending felt really rushed and underdeveloped with a few things that didn't totally make sense. And without Baccha to guide and train her magick, Eva must find a way not only to survive her own metamorphosis, but to unite all the people of Myre, including her sister, by finally taking the Ivory Throne. With the two princesses on the run, the Queendom of Myre is on the brink of a revolution. This perhaps provides an opening for a truce and a more hopeful future for both the sisters and the queendom, if only Isa would see reason and give up the battle for the throne. Since the Entwining ceremony, Eva's and Isa's lives have been bonded, and each can only die by the other's hand. Despite their history, Eva is convinced that to survive the growing unrest in the queendom, she and her sister must make peace. Princess Isa is a difficult, unremorseful captive, and Eva knows better than to trust her sister, but she wants to. Along with Aketo, a small contingent of guards, and the sister she could not kill, Eva flees Ternain in hopes of finding friends and allies to the north-not to mention Baccha-to help her decide what to do next.

Now on the run, Eva is desperate for answers about her transformation and her true heritage. In this sequel to A River of Royal Blood, Eva and Isa must find a way to work together if they want to save their queendom in the thrilling conclusion to this royal fantasy duology.

A river of royal blood