The Reluctant Queen by Sarah Beth Durst.

The Reluctant Queen (Book Two of The Queens of Renthia) by Sarah Beth Durst.

In The Queen of Blood, Daleina used her strength and skill to survive the malevolent nature spirits of Renthia and claim the crown. But now she is hiding a terrible secret: she is dying. If she leaves the world before a new heir is ready, the spirits that inhabit her realm will once again run wild, destroying her cities and slaughtering her people.

Naelin has the power necessary to become an heir, but she couldn’t be further removed from the Queen. Her world is her two children, her husband, and her remote village tucked deep in the forest. But when Ven, the Queen’s champion, passes through her village, Naelin’s ambitious husband tells him of his wife’s ability to control spirits—magic that Naelin fervently denies. She knows embracing her power will bring death and separation from those she loves.

But Ven must find the best possible candidate to protect the people of Aratay. As the Queen’s power begins to wane and the spirits become emboldened, the only way Naelin can keep her son and daughter safe is to risk everything.

I had read book one during lockdown and now that the library has opened again I borrowed book two.

Just like Queen of Blood, The Reluctant Queen really balances the story well. The pacing is just right. The character development is organic and engaging. 

In book one the protagonist, Daleina, is the underdog. She is not naturally strong and through hard work she proves herself capable. In book two we get the other trope. Naelin has more natural power than she can control, but what is different about this trope is that she is a woman and a mother. I loved that. So often the mom is pushed to the side and the daughter gets to be the star of the story. Here the woman, the mother, is our heroine. 

Hamon’s mother, Garnah, I both liked her because she proved some humor, but I also like the way she abused/manipulated people. Especially Arin. I do love how Arin came into her own and got more to do in this book. 

There is some romance. It’s a slow build and it takes a backseat to the main and important part of the story, which I appreciated.

The end and the new mystery leaves me wanting to how it all wraps up in Book three. So I’ll be reading that soon.

I took off half a point because I did find the person who did…something predictable. Still, the way it all played out was excellent. 

4.5 out of 5 Dumbwaiters.