*4.5 stars*

This was an excellent follow up the The Foxglove King! I really enjoyed the background and world building we got in this sequel. The atmosphere was dark and lush as only Hannah Whitten can do. I enjoyed this even more than the first book!

I liked the dynamic between Lore and Bastian, and Lore and Gabe in this book but I would have liked to have seen more between Bastian and Gabe. I hope we’ll get to see that in the final book.

The gods backstory was engaging, I hope we get to see a little more of their relationships in the next book as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this work. All opinions in this review are my own.

This book felt HEAVY. I really struggled to rate this in the best way.

When I read the first book I devoured it and eagerly was waiting for the sequel. However, diving into this was hard. The character emotions are so vivid you feel them yourself, and the weight of the consequences of their actions. I struggled through the first half but putting it down I was still drawn back to the world, to the characters.

Some of my cons; The love triangle is still going strong but felt stunted in this book. I think I've flipped team allegiance, purely because the other relationship felt awkward somehow. It was a bit slow at times, and just needed a little more in the first half to get going.

At the end of the day I still love the world, themes, tropes (mostly), and am cautiously optimistic for the final book.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Hemlock Queen by Hannah Whitten is the second installment in the Nightshade Crown series. Starting off where the first left off, the story ended up going down a completely unexpected path and I loved not being able to predict what would happen next.

While the book started off slow for me (I think this could have been avoided if there had been some sort of recap or Star Wars-esque intro to get me back in the groove), by the halfway point it picked up its pacing and I found I couldn't put it down. I was desperate to know what would happen next. Also, as someone who despises a love triangle, this is the first book that handles it in a way that left me rooting for all three to get together and I can't wait to see how she handles their relationships in book three.

Overall, I gave this book four-stars because I loved world the author created, was enthralled again by the unique magic system, and found it to be consistently unexpected which was refreshing. This series is definitely worth the read.

The Hemlock Queen brings us back into this dark romantic epic fantasy series. The story continues with Lore as she navigates the royal court. Prince Bastian has assumed the throne, and Lore, a necromancer, has taken a position of power by his side. Together, they aim to purge the corruption within the court. However, their efforts face challenges as dissent brews among the nobles. This story takes us on a new adventure where Lore grapples with an unsettling whispers that urge her to uncover hidden truths about her own powers and the events unfolding around her.

The beginning was a little slow for me, but then it really picked up and was fast-paced and action packed. This sequel also continued the romantasey and dark atmospheric vibes that I loved from the first book. We still have the love triangle that started in the first book, but we get a little more spice in this one. I did like how the story continued to evolve and build up to the next installation. The story and development of characters kept my interest to see where this story with the Gods is going, but, at the same time, I think this book suffered the second book syndrome. It felt like a middle book to me and there was a lot of setting up for the next installment. But I enjoyed it all the same and I can’t wait to see how it continues in the next book.

Thank you to NetGallery and Orbit Books for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Note for publisher/Editor (not included in my goodreads review) I did find one spelling error when Lore and Basian were in bed together. It said she put her back against her chest. I think it should be "his" chest.

Book Name: The Hemlock Queen
Author: Hannah Whitten

ARC
Thank you to NetGalley and **Orbit Books, Orbit** for an ARC of Hannah Whitten’s The Hemlock Queen

Stars: 5
Spice: 2

Book
- Book 2 in the Nighshade Crown Series:
- Cliffhanger
- FMC POV
- High Fantasy
- Similar Vibes to Shephard King Duology

- Thoughts.
- Could use a Recap Page Honestly
- No Sophomore Slump Here
- Whitten Gets Better and Better
- All the Stakes are Higher
- Slow Burn
- Hidden Memories
- Secrets and Twists
- Fighting “Fate?”
- Love Triangle

I wish these books came out faster but it takes time for perfection and these books are perfect every time. Whitten has learned from the Wilderwood series and has gotten stronger and better with each book. I didn’t think Foxglove King could get better but DAMN! I just cant say enough good things about this book. If you haven’t started this series do it NOW

Ooooo loved this! It took a different turn than I was expecting for a second book and I enjoyed the new conflict/ challenge presented to the characters.

It’s hard to put into words how much I absolutely LOVED this book. Almost upset I received the ARC since I know I’ll have an even longer wait for the third. Absolutely gorgeous writing, an incredible second to this trilogy. Easily becoming my favorite series!

Favorite Quote: Don’t let him make His own selfishness someone else’s burden to bear.

Story Synopsis: Lore is now ensconced in court life with Bastian, the new king, at her side. Together, they can channel both life and death magic, making them nearly unstoppable. However, Bastian begins to behave differently toward Lore. Simultaneously, Lore can’t shake the pull she has toward Gabe, her old friend, and the new Priest Exalted. When the voice in Lore’s head grows louder and becomes impossible to ignore, she must make difficult decisions about her future and the future of her country.

Why does this book beguile?: I was excited to get approved for this ARC! In the review for The Foxglove King, I said, “I hope there’s a second book,” and here it is! I’ve learned this will be a trilogy and I’m super excited about it. Unlike other second books of trilogies, The Hemlock Queen does an excellent job of telling a story within a broader story. The cliffhanger at the end is so good that I squealed with excitement and frustration! The characters continue to develop more as do their relationships with each other.

🥀 Magic
🥀 God's
🥀 Fate
🥀 Prophecies

Rating 4.5 but rounded up to 5.

The Hemlock Queen picks up right where the Foxglove King leaves off. Bastian is now the Sainted King, Lore the Death Witch and Gabe the Exhalted Priest.. We get to learn more about how their lives intertwine. Repeated history.

The Hemlock Queen is utilized to give the reader more background on the 6 gods and how their origin. It also gives more into the love triangle of Bastian, Lore and Gabe.

I cannot wait to see what happens in the third book and to see where the story goes

Thank you netgalley and Orbit for the ARC for an honest review.

WOW. The Hemlock Queen had me in such inner turmoil…while the main characters had their own inner turmoil. I’m going to try to keep this spoiler free. If you’re hoping for more information on the prophecy and the gods after finishing book 1, read this. If you’re hoping for more spicy scenes, read this.

The deception from the first installment was essentially skin deep compared to what comes to light here and that propels this plot forward. While there were a few things I guessed, what I loved was that most of it hit me right at the reveals and I couldn’t believe what all was going on. I’m ready for one h*ll of a ride in the next book.

As much as I loved the first book in this series, the Hemlock Queen just didn't hit for me! I think what threw me the most is that the plot line is *so* similar to Two Twisted Crowns - another book in the same genre that just came out. I really missed the courtly politics involved in the first book, and wasn't terribly excited by the romance on any side of the "love triangle." The poison element was also completely missing. I'm hoping the third book in the series will turn it back around!

3.5/5 ⭐️
The second book in a trilogy is always hit or miss for me. This one was definitely harder to get into than I wanted it to be.

In the first book, it was a slow start but I ripped through the last third, so I assumed starting the second, that momentum would continue, but it felt slower than I wanted.

I enjoyed where the story went by the end of the book, but it definitely took 65-70% if the way through the story to get invested. However, I will definitely finish out the series when the third book comes out. I need to know what happens with Lore and Bastian and Gabe!

Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced copy!

Thank you net galley for this arc! !!! I looooooove this series. This second book was so amazing, it didn’t have the normal middle book syndrome. The action was perfect, the character development was amazing and the ending was a bombshell. I can’t wait for this next book. I would be ok with this series being very long. I can’t wait for the next one!!

An excellent second installment. Nothing felt like it came out of nowhere, it was all well planted in the first book. Answers were given, new questions brought up and I'm really hoping that in that third book the rest of the characters get a chance to shine (no pun intended). Similar to other stories that deal with gods, we learn some are fickle and petty and selfish. And complicated.. This book is heavy on backstory and placing pieces. And half measures. I hope the third goes all in.

I had the opportunity to read the ARC thanks to netgalley. I love the world building this author provides and how she goes about telling the story. We’re left dealing with the events that took place in book one which definitely causes some tension between the three core characters. The second book of the trilogy unfolded in a way that I didn’t expect, and kept me excited to keep reading. It has been a bit since I had read the first book, so some things were a bit murky, but I found it easy enough to remember most of the large details and follow along.

I’m not a huge fan of love triangles/why choose, but that is really the only thing that knocks this story down just a little bit for me. I officially cannot wait for the final book of the series to be released.

I can quite honestly say The Hemlock Queen is the best second book in a trilogy I’ve ever read! It picks right up where The Foxglove King left off and the action does not stop. The magic, the world building, the angsty lover’s triangle - everything is bigger and better. We get 10x the myths, even more displays of magic, and finally finally some of the smut. In this sequel, Hannah Whitten does no wrong, it is literal perfection. Now if only I could immediately get my hands on the third book…

Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit Books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars, spice: 2/5
A beautiful, tantalizing sequel to the Foxglove King. Lore must move forward, knowing that her inability to choose has cost her. Torn between Gabriel and Bastian, she finds that not all is as it seems and that her deference to being protected comes with a cost. Will she be able to leave the past Lore behind, and find her happily ever after? Or will she need to buckle down and turn back to relying on herself, even though it hurts? Omissions, betrayal, and Gods galore. This book expands on the story and lore so well and I found myself demolishing this book in a day. Not all is what it seems.


Thank you to Orbit for choosing me for the opportunity to read the Hemlock Queen. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I cannot wait to see where Lore and the fount lead us!

3.5/5 ⭐️
Honestly, I don’t know what to say about this book. It was okay. There were definitely intriguing moments that carried me through the entirety of the book, but often I wanted to DNF. I think the main problem was that Lore was a passenger to this story, not really an active participant. She wasn’t really steering the car, she was being dragged along, scraping against the road. But here are some of my other notes I took while reading this:
They all think bastion’s action as irrational but they all seem perfectly reasonable to me. Maybe the rest of y’all need to get your heads out of your asses & learn to play in the Game of Thrones big leagues. Everyone but sometimes bastion felt like little kids playing at big powerful adults. It was annoying.
Are we going to do a throuple? Although, honestly, the love triangle is only living on in Lore’s head in my opinion. Like Gabe who? He only shows up in her internal monologue.
Can’t tell how to categorize it? Comes off with the tone of YA, yet content & language of adult. Yet lacking the gravatous of an adult. Although the tone and style of writing reminds me of ACOTAR.
I think I would’ve liked a few subtle reminders about past events & character details from the last book here. Like do it in a way that it doesn’t feel like an aside but I would’ve liked it cause I was so lost and didn’t feel like rereading the first book.
The use of “fuck” thrown around didn’t really add anything to story, rather it felt like a teenager first learning the word & using it flippantly
There’s certain details like lamps and lighters and gas lamps that don’t mesh with like the 1700s Louis XIV vibes I thought this world was.
I think I would’ve liked a few subtle reminders about past events & character details from the last book here. Like do it in a way that it doesn’t feel like an aside but I would’ve liked it cause I was so lost and didn’t feel like rereading the first book.
Overall, it wasn’t the worst book. It was fine. But to me, I think it had the serious potential to have been excellent if a few things were different.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for providing an advance reader copy of this book for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for sending me this ARC!

When I read The Foxglove King in December, I quickly fell in love with the story and the characters in this beautifully different magical world. I was so excited to read rhetorical sequel in this trilogy when it came out in April of this year. I was blessed with the advanced readers copy before its official release, and I was not disappointed.

Lore is just as kick butt of a female lead as I remember, actually even more so! I love the romantic dynamics and how much messier they get in this book, of course. It’s written so perfectly.

The plot is even spicier than the first book! So much happens in this installment that kept me constantly engaged and tense wanting to know how everything would be resolved. The magic system gets even more complicated in a great way! There was no info dumping, but I easily kept up with it all as it kept leveling up.

The writing is so palatable and easy to fly through. I had never read a single Whitten book before The Foxglove King, but after that book and now this one I am obsessed with Whitten’s writing style and storytelling. It is flawless! I cannot wait for the third book in this trilogy to find out what happens!

It comes out April 11, 2024 so get excited! If you haven’t read The Foxglove King yet, then you have plenty of time to prepare for this release!

HANNAH I AM SCREAMING. I loved this book so incredibly much. The worldbuilding, the plot, the characters… all absolutely amazing. I can’t wait to see what happens for our trio and their friends next!