[Asis’ Review] The Queen’s Rising by Rebecca Ross

The Queen's Rising
Series: The Queen's Rising #1
Pages: 439
Published by HarperTeen
Release Date: February 6, 2018
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, YA
Source: Retailer
Format Read: eBook, Hardcover
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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. While some are born with a talent for one of the five passions—art, music, dramatics, wit, and knowledge—Brienna struggled to find hers until she chose knowledge. However, despite all her preparations, Brienna’s greatest fear comes true: 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, she reluctantly accepts. But there is much more to his story, for there is a dangerous plot to overthrow the king of Maevana—the rival 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, 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. Who will be that queen?

With gorgeous description and detailed rendering of a world where not everything is what it seems, debut author Rebecca Ross weaves an intricate tale of revenge, loyalty, and, ultimately, self-discovery.

This is the first book I ever read of Becca’s and I love it just as much now as the day I read it.

Even here you can see how she was already the queen of worldbuilding. The two kingdoms we found ourselves in are so well built, so different, and full of places I yearn to visit. Not only that, we get to see a Divergent/Hogwarts style of sorting people at a school according to the traits they both choose and are good at. I adored this aspect and the way she handled it.

The main character is sweet and strong, in all the different ways you can be those things. She has an amazing development and I loved accompanying her on her journey. She is also incredibly smart, which is the trait that is highlighted for her as knowledge is her chosen passion.

The romance in the story is very present. We get an amazing love story, full of passion, forbidden romance, an age gap and a wonderful team of two people who know each other and make the other better. Our love interest is, as I said, older than Brienna, and he was her tutor at the school. He is brave, incredibly intelligent, political and polite, and super super protective. I loved him so much.

This story subverts a couple of tropes and I loved seeing that. Our main character is not the chosen one, she is not a secret queen or the one meant to rule. She is what would usually be a secondary character in the rebellion plot. And yet this is HER story.

And an incredible highlight for me was the female friendships and sisterhood we encounter here. This book was the epitome of girls supporting girls and I am so here for that. This is something I love to see in all books I read and Becca did it wonderfully here.

The plot is full of twists, mystery, romance and all kinds of fantasy related scenarios -we get the training, the battles, the politics, the traveling… it’s all there and you all need to read it. It’s a good place to start with her books but if you already love the author and her writing, you cannot miss The Queen’s Rising.