I really enjoyed the first half of The Liar's Crown, but I also found it to drag. I couldn't get myself through it. The captive-captor dynamic didn't work for me and the world building could've been better. I couldn't get to The Stolen Throne.

First and foremost, The Stolen Throne is NOT a standalone read. You are going to need to read the first book, The Liar's Crown to understand what’s happening and who all the characters are.

The Stolen Throne picks up several months, after the events of The Liar’s Crown. Meren, the second born, the twin who has always been looked at as despicable is living with King Eidolon, pretending to be her sister, Tabra, who is actually married to the king. As Meren awaits for her Shadowraith, Reven, to return and rescue her, she plays the part of the dutiful wife, the wife Eidolon thinks he has control over. Never realizing that though her sister is away from Eidolon, she is anything but safe.

I thought The Liar’s Crown was crazy insane. But Abigail Owen upped everything in this book. Deceit is the theme in this cat-and-mouse chess game, where alliances are formed and broken. Where a person you once trusted is a heartbeat away from ending your life. Prepare yourself for twists and turns. All might seem lost…But is it?

The Stolen Throne was at times an intense, page-turning read. Abigail gave a history on the dominions via a surprising character. I loved every moment of this book. The Shadow’s Rule, the third and final book can’t get here soon enough. I’m expecting a magnitude of twists, turns, and surprises.

~ Favorite Quotes ~


“You are worth it.”

“No one decides my fate but me.”

“Knowing the truth will help you make the right decisions.”

“Not everything is as it seems.”

“Books are rare and precious.”

“Promises should be kept.”

“You’re worth it.”

“I’m not used to mattering.”

“You matter more than you think.”

“The gateway to the soul is the eyes.”

“No one person is only one thing.”

Abigail Owen, What have you done to my feelings!!!

The story begins where The Liar's Crown left off. It had been a few months since I read The Liar's Crown, and Owens did a great job of reminding you of important details and events without it being a retelling of the first book. I don't want to give away the story, but this was an emotional rollercoaster. The world building gets more in depth as their world history unfolds and plots are uncovered. The thought and detail put into this story is incredible. Meren really comes into her powers and is such a force to be reckoned with. So long to that girl who just existed to die for her twin. I am looking forward to how this wraps up in the third book, The Shadows Rule All.

Thank you to Abigail Owen, Entangled Publishing, LLC, and NetGalley for a digital copy of The Stolen Throne.

Rating: ⭐⭐💫 (2.5)
Steam Level: 🔥🔥🔥 (one mildly descriptive open door scene)
Trigger Warning: murder

Meren and Reven have been separated, but their love for one another remains. And Tabra, Meren's sister and the true queen, is not herself. Can Reven save Meren from the clutches of the evil king Eidolon? And even if they're reunited, can Meren and Reven be together without putting the lives of others in danger? A dangerous journey will lead them around the dominions in an attempt to save the ones they love and find the key to defeating Eidolon.

Oh boy. Just writing a synopsis for this book was a struggle, and reading it was even harder. I honestly wanted to DNF this by the halfway point but pushed through simply because I felt like I needed to see this through and give the author a chance to redeem herself and give this series a satisfying conclusion. While I really enjoyed book 1, this installment was confusing and dragged on forever. Meren and Reven had absolutely no chemistry until the very end. I actually was okay with there being a love triangle with Meren's friend Cain, but even that lacked tension. The storyline got more complicated as the book went on, and the characters were dragged on what seemed like a wild goose chase. Not to mention the fact that there were so many side characters, I honestly couldn't even keep them straight or be invested in whether they lived or died. There was definitely potential with the plot, but unfortunately it just wasn't executed in a way that worked for me. I really hope book 3 is better🤞

Thank you Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to the publisher for sending me an eARC! The Stolen Throne was another fun read, but I was annoyed by the lack of smut overall. After book one, I thought Meren and Reven would have more of a relationship but it felt like another New-Moon-situation, like I'm not good for you so I'm going to make both of us be in pain while we stare longingly at each other from across the room. I did enjoy it but I was wanting more romance. I am excited to see how the plot progresses in book three.

I loved Book 1 so much. The twists and turns were completely fresh and it felt fresh.

This book was good but also meandered a bit in the middle. We really leaned into a love triangle where one arm clearly had no chance and knew it but we kept circling back. I wish very much that Reven had not pulled back so much and that this book wasn't so hard for him.

I thought the last hour or so of the audiobook was excellent. Action packed and progress was made in leaps in the plot. It wasn't quite enough to drag me back up to the enthusiasm I had for book 1 but that's the nature of the second book in a series sometimes. I know Abigail Owen is capable of excellent endings and I trust her to end this one strong.

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.

Better than the first book!

This book starts right where Liars Crown ends, the world building was fantastic and the fast pacing of the story kept me enthralled every page.

Abigail is just slowly killing me! The suspense, the agony… I just can’t take it anymore! And now I have to wait until April next year to read the final part: The Shadows Rule All.

OMG, I don’t know how to get over this. After The Liar’s Crown, I wondered how Abigail would spin Meren and Raven’s story in this new part. But she did it. She not only spun this story, she just took out your insides as well!

Meren and her band of misfits just can’t take a break: around every corner there is something happening and creating a setback in some way. There was a point where I even started to get depressed: they would never be able to defeat Eidolon.

And then Abigail got me real confused: was Eidolon the real enemy? Surely, Abigail will come up with some answers in the last part, because I’m dying out here. Four out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

The Stolen Throne opens up with a Reven POV chapter and, man, I was thirsty for it!! Why wasn't there more??

The Liar's Crown was such a fun read with with mistaken/switched identity, adventure, lush world building, and a fiery romance. I was really excited to read its sequel, The Stolen Throne!

The Stolen Throne fell a bit into "second book syndrome" where it seems like a bridge book between the first and third novels in a series. And, honestly, there's nothing wrong with bridge books because that's often where a lot more history and world building is established. I think that happens here and is one of the strengths of this series, yet there were times where I was still feeling a bit bored.

I felt like we lost some of that fiery chemistry between Meren and Reven in this story. It's warranted due to the circumstances, but it was such a highlight from the first book so the lack of it in the second was very apparent.

I love that this series has a bit of a found family trope. I want more of Vos and Tziah and BENE!! Bene was specifically such a delight!

I would definitely recommend this series to anyone who enjoys:
- Romantasy
- Upper YA (borderline NA)
- Unique Elemental Magic (our FMC can manipulate and control sand. That's new.)
- A super broody, self-sacrificing MMC who's just a softy, sweet cinnamon roll on the inside (oh, and has shadow magic)
- Short and quick chapters
- themes of identity/self-discovery
- fated mates trope

I'll still be reading the third book when it comes out!

3.5/5 Stars (rounded up)

There was so much going on! It took me a minute to get reacquainted with some of the story but once that happened I was transported back into it all.

As they embark on their quest to stop Eidolon, Meren and her friends have their work cut out for them. Frustratingly, he seems to know their every move.

Before the book ends, Meren will be dealt with a betrayal, plenty of adventure as they travel among the realms and maybe even death.

So prepare for an ending that may shock you a little. I can't wait to see how the story continues!

Thank you so much to the author and Entangled for this ARC to review.

I don't think I've ever read a book with quite so many fascinating characters as this one. Each character is so fully fleshed, lovable, and important to the story.

Meren and Reven continue their fight against Eidelon, a surprising ally that has my whole heart, a betrayal that cut deep, and an ending that had me shaking my fist in the air! This was quite the adventure. Definitely an epic sequel! I can't wait to see how this story wraps up in the next book!

If you enjoy awesome characters and an engaging but easy-to-follow young adult fantasy novel, THE STOLEN THRONE is exactly what you want in your hands.

Reviewed for Fresh Fiction by Annetta Sweetko

https://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=82157

This was a fantastic sequel. The characters and the plot all really developed nicely, and it drew me in just as much as the first book did. I am excited for the next one.

I am always impressed with the creativity that comes out of Owen's mind. She invents these worlds that are so different yet identifiable and believable. These characters may live lives we can't even picture but they're still likable and the reader is invested in their fights and triumphs.

I had not read The Liar's Crown and I really wished I had. I was able to enjoy this story without it but there were so many questions and a lot of references to events from the first book.

The world, the characters, the everyday struggle against evil, the love triangle all made for a fascinating novel that any reader who enjoys paranormal would spend enjoyable hours with.

Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled: Teen for the ARC.

LATE ARC REVIEW
As they say in the dominions, HOLY HELLS. Full of twists, turns and reveals. Omma 🥺. I absolutely loved this more than the first one, and i need the next one already! This was amazing.

Non vedevo l'ora di leggere il seguito di "Il regno delle bugie" (che da poco è stato pubblicato anche in Italia), perchè lo avevo davvero adorato. Il punto forte di questo libro, e di questa serie, sono sicuramente i personaggi.
Son costruiti davvero molto bene e la loro caratterizzazione è complessa al punto giusto.
Sentire il conflitto tra Reven e Meren del dover star lontani, del non poter accettare i sentimenti che ci sono tra loro, mi ha coinvolta in maniera pazzesca nella lettura e non vedevo l'ora che finalmente trovassero il modo di far funzionare le cose (e quei capitoli finaliiii!!!! OMG!).
Ma non solo loro sono interessanti e ben costruiti. Anche i personaggi secondari riescono a entrarti nel cuore. Ho adorato Bene, e come Horus , Hakan e Vos cercassero di proteggerli con tutte le loro forze.
Cain ha avuto alti e bassi.
La costruzione del sistema magico, della storia e del mondo in questo libro si ampliano ancora di più e ne sono davvero soddisfatta perchè è uno dei punti che apprezzo di più quando leggo un libro fantasy.
Ora attendo solo che ci venga raccontato di più di Eidolon e del suo passato. Ci vengono dati dei piccoli indizi in questo libro, ma è ancora troppo poco!

Ho adorato questo libro e spero davvero che molte altre persone ne verranno a conoscenza perchè davvero merita di essere letto. Se vi manca la compagnia di Rhysand e Acotar, allora leggetelo assolutamente, perchè è quello che mi ci voleva da quando ho finito di leggere la serie della Maas. Finora nessuno era ancora riuscito a raggiungere il suo livello.
Gli ultimi capitoli mi hanno distrutta emotivamente (ero in lacrime..al punto di non vedere cosa leggevo!) e spero davvero di poter leggere presto il seguito!!!

GRAZIE GRAZIE Netgalley e Entagled Publishing per avermi permesso di leggerlo!!!

---------------------------

I couldn't wait to read the sequel of "The Liar's crown" (which has recently been published in Italy too), because I really loved it.
The strong point of this book, and of this series, are definitely the characters.
They are built very well and their characterization is complex at the right point.
Hearing the conflict between Reven and Meren of having to stay apart, of not being able to accept the feelings between them, drove me crazy into reading and I couldn't wait for them to finally find a way to make things work (and those final chapters!!!!OMG!).
But not only them are interesting and well built. Even the secondary characters manage to get into your heart. I loved Bene, and how Horus, Hakan and Vos tried to protect them with all their might.
Cain has had his ups and downs.
The construction of the magical system, history and world in this book expand even more and I'm really satisfied with it because it's one of the points I appreciate most when I read a fantasy book.
Now I'm just waiting for us to be told more about Eidolon and his past. We are given little clues in this book, but it's still too little!

I loved this book and I really hope that many more people will know about it because it really deserves to be read. If you miss the company of Rhysand and Acotar, then by all means read it, because that's what I needed since I finished reading the Maas series. So far no one had yet managed to reach her level.
The last few chapters destroyed me emotionally (I was in tears..to the point of not seeing what I was reading!) and I really hope to be able to read the sequel soon!!!

THANK YOU THANK YOU Netgalley and Entagled Publishing for letting me read it!!!

I seriously LOVE this series! I can’t get enough! I’m beyond ready for the third and final book. Meren is such a great character and I love her strength! Meren is now acting as queen while those she care about are hiding in the desert. But Reven and Cain come for her…even though Reven is weak. Once they are back in the desert, Meren sees how sick her sister is. No one knows what to do to help her. But as time and adventure continues, Meren learns more about Eidolon and what she needs to do to try and defeat him. Meren is so strong and holds more power than she thinks! I don’t want to give away much but I can say I highly recommend this series! Absolutely amazing!

thanks to entangled for the arc in exchange for review.


I really wanted to like these books but the writing is just so flat and i don't want to root for any of the characters.

This one is so much faster paced than the first book!! I wish there was a little more of a refresher written into the story, but it starts off right where the first one ends. Love the world she has created! This is such a fun YA fantasy that I will absolutely recommend to our YA patrons.

3-3.5 stars

It took me almost 2 weeks to get through this book. I had a really hard time with it because I feel like it has veered off quite a bit from book one. It would be in a good way if this one weren't so focused on Meren and her need to know if Reven likes her. The other problem I have is that she is still acting like she is the throwaway twin so that makes her more reckless and acts like it doesn't even matter to anyone but herself. Like she is only thinking of herself when she does things, even though it is for others.

There was sooooo much potential for character building on the side characters and even world building but it focused highly on Meren and Reven. It wouldn't be a huge problem if it wasn't 95% "stay away from me", 3% "I need you near me" and 2% "we can be together".

I really wish this focused more on the amulets, what they hold, what could happen if they're released, and what it means for Meren to step up for Tabra truly. She always knew her life was Tabra but acted like she could have her own knowing that her sister may not make it out alive. She was doing what needed to be done but also made it seem like she never would actually sit on the throne. It's so hard to explain what I mean but if you read, maybe you'll understand?

I absolutely love this author but this series is falling flat more me.