A fitting continuation of the Scorpica series, flipping gender norms on their heads and exploring new areas of a unique world. Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schrager for the ARC

Another strong entry in the Five Queendoms, I had enjoyed the first book Scorpica. It does a great job in keeping the fantasy elements going and I really enjoyed getting back to the world. The characters worked so well in this universe and worked as real people. I enjoyed G.R. Macallister's writing style and it's only improved from the first book. I can't wait to read more from G.R. Macallister.

"Eminel had dressed in a robe the color of bone, paler than her skin, embroidered enough to fit her station but not particularly showy or fine. The neckline of the robe crossed low on her chest in a deep V, framing the blue snake necklace, with elegant golden threads swirling and repeating a snakelike pattern. Only her position above the crowd made her stand out; otherwise her bone-colored shape would have been lost in the sea of dyed blues, pomegranate reds, greens as bright as cedar leaves fanned out in full sun. She was a peahen in a sea of peacocks."

An unput-downable fantasy tour de force as good as the first book and I hope this isn’t the last or even close to the last book in the series! I just finished the second book and already I’m panting for the next one. Hurry, Hurry!