Review – Kingsbane by Claire Legrand

**Disclaimer, the below review contains spoilers of the first book in this series, Furyborn by Claire Legrand.**

Title Kingsbane

Author Claire Legrand

Description from Amazon

Rielle Dardenne has been anointed Sun Queen, but her trials are far from over. The Gate keeping the angels at bay is falling. To repair it, Rielle must collect the seven hidden castings of the saints. Meanwhile, to help her prince and love Audric protect Celdaria, Rielle must spy on the angel Corien―but his promises of freedom and power may prove too tempting to resist.

Centuries later, Eliana Ferracora grapples with her new reality: She is the Sun Queen, humanity’s long-awaited savior. But fear of corruption―fear of becoming another Rielle―keeps Eliana’s power dangerous and unpredictable. Hunted by all, racing against time to save her dying friend Navi, Eliana must decide how to wear a crown she never wanted―by embracing her mother’s power, or rejecting it forever.

Initial Thoughts

I was so excited to finally get my hands on a copy of this book.  I’ve been eagerly awaiting the sequel to Furyborn since I read it in January.

Cover Art

I love, love, love the cover of this one.  It matches with Furyborn so well and it’s red!  So much symbolism in the cover.  Before I read the book, I was super curious about what the sceptor in the center of the crowns was.  Now, that I have finished it, I am very satisfied that the image came full circle (and I know who it belongs to).

Series Value

The ending of this book destroyed me.  I am desperate for the next book to come out.  And, from what I’ve seen on Claire Legrand’s Instagram feed, she hasn’t even finished writing it yet!  This series has me so hooked.  I can’t wait to see what the next book has in store.

How Will I Occupy My Time While I Wait for [Unnamed] Empirium 3?

• Counting the seconds until it comes out
• Borderline insta-stalking Claire Legrand’s feed for updates and hints
• Inventing a time machine to carry me forward to a day when Empirium 3 is published and ready for me to read

Final Thoughts

Overall, this book was incredible.  The already rich story became so much more.  I did a total 180 on several characters and that’s what makes this series so great.  It keeps you on your toes always.  There were some elements that I wasn’t crazy about (but they are minor in comparison to the overall story).  Additionally, I’d like to point out that while this is a YA novel, it contains material not suitable for younger audiences.

Recommendations for Further Reading

• The Caraval Series by Stephanie Garber – more specifically, Finale.  The last book in the series is told from multiple perspectives and has many of the same themes of family, prophecy, and magic.
• Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan – another trilogy set in a fictionalized version of Europe.  While Wicked Saints more closely resembles Russia and Kingsbane is France, these stories share similar writing style, magic, and political intrigue.
• Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch – elemental magic, prophecy, and lost royals are just some of the reasons that these books are relatable.  If you haven’t read this series, give it a try if you liked Furyborn and Kingsbane.