In The Hemlock Queen, the worldbuilding really shines. I felt even more connected to the setting and the plot than in the first book, and Whitten does a great job expanding on the magic and politics in this world. That being said, the characters didn’t quite hit the same mark for me this time around. They felt a bit flatter and more two-dimensional compared to the first book. It was almost like the things that made them so engaging—like their chemistry, banter, and strong personalities—took a backseat to all the plot development.
It also felt like the plot itself got a little repetitive after a while. The big reveal about Bastian, for example, was pretty obvious from the start if you’ve read any fantasy novels. While the story definitely had some twists, they didn’t feel as surprising or impactful as I hoped they would. It kind of made the whole thing feel a little overdone.
That said, I don’t want to say I didn’t enjoy the book—because I did. But I think if there had been a little more balance between plot and character development, it could have been even better. I still think The Hemlock Queen has a lot of potential, and even though it didn’t quite live up to the first book for me, I’m still invested in where the series goes next.

Rating: 3.75
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review!

The Hemlock Queen is book two in the Nightshade Crown Trilogy, and at this point I think Hannah Whitten just continues to get better. The book picks up following the events in The Foxglove King and things are feeling pretty unsettled for Lore, Bastian, and Gabe. Not only do we get further insight into our three main characters, but the backstory of the magic and political systems continues to build. Additionally, we may, or may not, get to meet some rather important new characters in this installment. Despite things seeming like they might be trending in a good way at the end of book one, things are not going well for the gang in book two, and it's easy to say that they are not having a great time. Normally I struggle with the second book in trilogy's because they always seem to be filled with angst and slow moving plot that only serves to build book three, however that was NOT the case for THQ. This book kept me guessing and I found myself constantly waiting to pick it back up to see what would happen next. Hannah Whitten is a master at world-building and as always, the banter was wonderful. I can't wait for book three and I am still cheering for things to work out but have a feeling it's going to be a bumpy ride to get there.

The story begins right where the first book left off. While the plot is interesting, I found it somewhat slow since many of the events felt repetitive—being possessed by gods and attempting to fight against it, for instance. However, I really enjoyed the backstory of the gods and how it all began. The ending is intriguing and will definitely leave you wondering how the third book will unfold.

I love some fantasy world politics and this delivers on every mark. The magic system is awesome and I loved how much the world seemed to be clearly explained without the info dump about all of its intricacies .

A transitional world of character evolution and the just romance of fantasy. Worth a read. It has dynamics of world building that brings a colorful picture of understanding.

This sequel to The Foxglove King is a darker, more complex tale. While it maintains the series' signature blend of romance and fantasy, it delves deeper into political intrigue and morally gray characters. It's a captivating read, but be prepared for some twists and turns.

The Hemlock Queen effectively builds on the events of The Foxglove King, transitioning from a slow start to a fast-paced narrative filled with drama and tension. The story delves deeper into magic, politics, and character relationships, particularly highlighting Bastian and Lore's dynamic. While the increasing presence of magic adds complexity to the court, the characters' slow realization of obvious truths can be frustrating. The explosive ending leaves readers eager for the next installment, with anticipation for more perspectives in the future. Overall, Hannah Whitten delivers an entertaining read that successfully engages the audience, despite not breaking new ground in its themes.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher of this book for this eARC.

I LOVED being back in this world! It was so explosive and creepy in the best way!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review an advanced copy of this novel. I highly enjoyed it and will be recommending it.

The Hemlock Queen, unfortunately, was a book that I found to be lackluster in the fantasy department with too much going on and not enough to interest me. I ended up not finishing this book however; I am interested in reading more of Whitten's backlist and upcoming novels not tied to this triology.

I loved this! I have been looking forward to this! I was sucked back in immediately! So freaking perfect!

I loved the first book and this one was as great as well. I love when the story connects so well and there is such a good build up.

I am totally falling in love with Hannah books every time I read a new one.

The first book in this series was so good I definitely had to keep going.

This book had a lot going on; romance, war, gods, backstory and I loved all of it.

The ending was so much, I can't believe the way it turned out. As I got closer to the end I kept dreading it as I know there is another book in this series and I don't want to wait for the next one to find out what happens.

This was such a good book. It definitely kept me guessing as to what was happening. I can’t wait for the next one.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

I was so excited to continue this story I was hooked on the first book and couldn’t wait to get my hands on the second it was so good definitely worth the read

"The Hemlock Queen" is a riveting sequel that deepens the world of "The Foxglove King." The writing is as engaging as ever, with a slow burn that escalates into a gripping climax. The last hundred pages had me completely hooked, reading late into the night.

This installment enhances the world-building, heightening the stakes with looming conflict and expanding on the magical abilities of the characters. The exploration of the gods and their history adds rich context to the narrative.

Character development shines, especially with Lore's journey in her new court role. While Gabe takes a back seat, Bastian’s heartbreaking arc truly resonates. Although marketed as fantasy romance, the romantic elements are secondary to the plot, making the love triangle feel genuine and compelling.

The themes shift to explore the corrupting nature of religious authority and the difference between love and possession. The story powerfully depicts a woman breaking free from an abusive relationship.

Overall, "The Hemlock Queen" is a fantastic follow-up that builds tension and depth, leaving me eager for the next installment.

Bastian has me in a chokehold that dragged me through this entire book, and I kind of enjoyed myself.

The Hemlock Queen picks up where The Foxglove King left off: Bastian is now king, Lore is at his right-hand side as his deathwitch, and Gabe is now Priest Exalted. The second installment of The Nightshade Crown trilogy focuses more on Lore and Bastian's relationship, while Gabe takes on more of a side-character role (which I was completely fine with, as I found Gabe to be kind of, ehem, boring during the first novel). We learn more about the gods, the goddesses, and the magic system, which allowed me to get genuinely invested and interested in the series in general.

My issues with the first book (obvious twists, lackluster plot, and less Bastian) were nonexistent or dramatically reduced. I found myself having a pretty great time while reading The Hemlock Queen - I loved seeing more of Lore & Bastian interacting, I was intrigued by the backstory of the gods and goddesses, and I genuinely wanted things to work out well for Lore, Bastian, and Gabe. Somehow, Hanna Whitten has made me not only okay with a love triangle but actually root for all three of them to get together?

What kicked the book from a 3.5-star read to a 4-star read for me was the dynamic between Lore & Bastian. Without revealing too much, I really enjoyed their relationship growth and found Bastian to be a complex character of coexisting opposites (I also really enjoyed that one scene towards the end of the novel<3).

My qualms: aspects of this book felt like my own personal torture chamber. Slow burn, but prolong it until I want to lay face-down on the floor. Put my favorite character on the train straight to despair forever, with seemingly no way off, and then let me read about it for 400 pages with only brief respites every hundred pages or so. But to be fair, I honestly don't think that there is another way that Whitten could have made this less painful for me while staying true to the main challenges of the series. If it were a little less painful, the respites wouldn't be as relieving. Bastian just better end up happy and healthy at the end of the next novel, or I will riot.

Oh, and there was the casual use of "Shit on the Citadel Wall" as an expression of exasperation that immediately docked a star.

4/5 stars, and I am excited to pick up the next book. Thank you Hanna Whitten, Orbit Books, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Hemlock Queen was an engaging sequel to The Foxglove King, expanding the world-building and pushing the characters through challenging situations. The writing remained captivating, even when the pacing slowed, and the last 100 pages had me completely hooked. The court intrigue and action were well-balanced, with the kingdom’s stability teetering on the brink of collapse and the looming threat of international conflict. The characters’ magical abilities evolved impressively, and the added lore about the gods brought new layers to the story. Lore’s journey adjusting to life at court was particularly compelling, while Bastian’s heartbreaking arc stood out as a major emotional point.

Though these books are classified as fantasy romance, the romantic elements didn’t feel like the main focus. Instead, the relationships between the characters were more about their personal growth and complex connections. The love triangle was refreshingly authentic, with all three characters having real feelings for each other, and I’m hoping they end up together. Thematically, the book explored the balance between love and control, as well as the dangers of religious manipulation, making for a powerful tale of breaking free from toxic dynamics. Overall, it was a solid follow-up, and I’m eagerly awaiting the next book to see how everything concludes.

Disclaimer: I received this book at no cost from the publisher/author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. I am leaving a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.

This story is so infectious! I have been captivated since the first book and this book had a hold on me that was visceral.

I am a huge fan of the creativity in this series. I love all of the elements used in the story. The dark themes such as death magic, necromancy, and poisons are so riveting. I also love the gods and goddesses aspect and how they play into the story. The religious cult, the court intrigue, and the threat of war add so much to the story.

Hannah Whitten is such an accomplished writer. Her writing voice and storytelling are addicting. The words flow beautifully and the plot is assembled flawlessly. Whitten has the reader hanging on every word and craving more. The world-building in this series is incredible. I love how I can slip into the characters' shoes with the atmospheric details guiding the way.

These characters are so complex! The layers of complexity are intense. There is a lot that I want to talk about regarding the characters in this book but due to certain plot points, there would be major spoilers. I will say that these characters will bewitch you. They will have such a strong hold on you and keep you riveted. Each character is unique with a distinct personality, which can be difficult to accomplish with some of the new characters that are encountered in this book but Whitten pulls it off beautifully.

This story has a love triangle that I am here for all day long! It is so compelling. I love how believable Lore's feelings are for both of the men in her life. Convincing love triangles are hard to come by but this book nails it. I truly hope there is a polyamorous ending for this series but I won't hold my breath.

Overall, this is a brilliant follow-up to The Foxglove King. The direction that the story is going is so compelling. I love the originality that the author displays in the story. Whitten has made me feel so passionately about these characters. I am so invested in the outcome of this series. If you are a fan of dark and gritty fantasy that is unputdownable then this series is made for you. I will be waiting with bated breath for the final installment of this series!