This was a spectacular second book for this series. So much happened and I cannot even fathom what is going to happen next. I really hope we get some saving for Bastian, I think Gabe will have a much more prominent influence on the next book.

The Hemlock Queen-The Nightshade Crown #2

By-Hannah Whitten-I read book #1 TFK and gave it 4 ⭐

Publication date 4/9/24 , read 5/12/24

📃 Page count: 470 kindle

Summary: King August is dead and Prince Bastian and Lore have taken control of Dellaire. Lore has the power of life and death and Gab the newly Priest Exalted, believes she has chosen Bastian over him because of his betrayal, but they keep having quiet moments together. Bastian0 has changed becoming something evil that Lore has to figure out how to save him, the country, and herself.

🤷🏾‍♀️ What to Expect:
⭐ ️romantic fantasy
⭐️ love triangle
⭐️ court politics
⭐️gods/goddesses
⭐secret identities

🤔 My Thoughts: This installment doesn't have a lot of action but its Lore, Bastian, and Gab trying to save themselves. Lore, Bastian, and the others (Malcolm, Alie, & Gab) have gods and goddesses inhabiting their minds, making decisions. The connection between Lore, Bastian, and Gab is as strong as ever. I can't wait for the final book!

Rating: 4/5⭐⭐⭐⭐

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley and Orbit Books for this ARC💚! I voluntarily give an honest review and all opinions expressed are my own.

It took me longer to get into this book than the first one, but I am so glad I finished this and I cannot wait to see what the final book in the trilogy brings! The world-building, plot, and characters are all so well written. I really enjoyed this book! 4.5/5

Hannah Whitten is absolutely in my top 5 authors. I loved the Wildwood duology and so far, the Nightshades have not disappointed. In both the Foxglove King and the Hemlock Queen, she has this way of writing where I feel Bastian, Lore, and Gabe’s emotions equally. I love the relationship between the three of them and really enjoy it being a focal point. Although we kinda figured out why they felt like they knew each other, I’m interested to know how much deeper the relationship gets. I don’t know if I can wait another ear with this cliffhanger. Ugh.

Thank you to Orbit Books and NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review. Also, for not making me wait until release date to read this beauty!

I wanted to love this book so bad you guys but sadly I ended up dnfing at 30%. I loved book 1 so much and the 3 main characters but in this one I felt really annoying with everyone's choices and then Lore. Well idk I felt like Lore was just all the time in her head trying to figure out which guy she liked the most. There were other things going on that made the story a bit more interesting but I just couldn't get past Lore and her boy crisis.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an arc in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 stars

4.5 stars

The Hemlock Queen basically starts off right where The Foxglove King left off. Our characters are still dealing with everything that happened at the end of the first book. Betrayal, politics, and magic have changed a lot. They're still not sure if they can trust each other and emotions run high.

I feel like we definitely get more of the magic in this world and the consequences it has for Lore and Bastian. We learn more about the gods and the prophecy that's talked about in book one. This is definitely an important part of the story and sets up a lot for the third book. I was a bit confused at the beginning of this book until about halfway through, but I think it was kind of fitting, because Lore was confused as well.

Besides the politics and magic aspects of this story, there is a romance going on. Well maybe two, because the love triangle that started in book one is still very much a part of this story. I'm not a fan of those, but I'm kind of hoping Lore doesn't have to choose. We also learn a lot more about Bastian and my heart broke for him at times and I really want him to get a happily ever after. I do feel like Gabe was a bit on the back burner in The Hemlock Queen and I hope we see more of him in the next book.

Lore was still a very interesting character. While she did really still fight for her needs, I feel like she also just let a lot happen. Which I can completely understand. I can't imagine how overwhelmed she must be with everything going on.

All in all, The Hemlock Queen was everything I wanted in the second book of this gothic romantasy. The last 100 pages had me hooked and I needed to know what happened. This author pulled me in and wouldn't let me go. I'll be anxiously awaiting the release of the third book. I definitely need more of this world and characters.

My review will also be posted on https://thebookdutchesses.com on May 25th.

In this second book of the Nightshade Crown, it continues with Lore, and now the new Sainted King Bastian. Lore has gone from poison runner/spy, to Deathwitch and Bastians right hand. It continues on their quest to save their city of Dellaire and the impending war with the neighboring empire of Kirythea. But there it is more than what it seems as a voice calls to Lore in her mind and her dreams, and perhaps, she is not the only one hearing voices.

The beauty of this books is that it did not by any means suffer from second book syndrome. The characters continued to gain depth and flaws that made them all the more relatable. Here the books is able to explain more back story and history that is not able to be delved into in the first book. This gives the world, the people, and the events more depth and you become more engrossed in the world that had already been captivating in the first novel. The twists again were there at just the right time and the pacing was on point. Miss Whitten has a knack for keeping things just enough but not too much, and it never felt rushed or pressured. It also ended with enough of a cliffhanger to make the reader anxious for more.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is was great sequel. I really enjoyed this book and it was wonderfully written.

I was anxiously awaiting this sequel and it did not disappoint! The character growth is superb, and the romance keeps you on your toes. I’m still torn on which direction I want the story to go, and honestly I don’t think there any any bad options. The plot was great, the characters and banter enjoyable, and the ending perfectly set up for book 3!

I really, REALLY loved Hannah's first Wildwood fantasy series but I just can't seem to get invested in this new Nightshade Crown series. Romantasy isn't always my go-to genre but I do still enjoy it from time to time. While this book wasn't my cup of tea I would recommend it for Sarah J. Maas and Stephanie Garber fans. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read an early digital copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This book.. wow! I need the third one immediately. The unique magic system, fascinating characters, and blend of fantasy, mythology, and mystery in this series is addictive.

The plot: Prince Bastian has become king-to-be after the violent death of King August, and he intends to make Auverrine a better place with his "deathwitch" Lore by his side. Dissent is rising around them with unhappy nobles and Kirytheans ready to bring war, adding more pressure for the young prince. Ahead of his coronation, Bastian becomes reckless and ruthless, leaving Lore and their friends concerned about his rule. In the back of Lore's mind, she knows there's more to the story...and that she needs to take action to protect Bastian, her country, and herself before everything is irrevocably damaged.

My opinion: I love these imperfect characters -- everyone is flawed in their own ways and this sequel brought even more dimension to their motivations & actions. Lore, Gabe, and Bastian make it tough to look away. The plot propelled forward with the right balance of giving hints at the broad contours of the story arc while maintaining mystery and surprise in the details. This book is a masterful blend of high fantasy magic, thrilling storytelling, and mythology - this series feels truly "new" and Whitten skillfully avoids missteps by other books aiming at similar heights. I cannot wait for the sequel - I'm sure I will read it within the first day I get my hands on it.

Thanks NetGalley and Orbit Books for this ARC!

Listen, I am writing this review so that I don't get dinged on Netgalley for being so late with writing...this review...
I haven't even read it yet. I have started it but I am scared. People I am scared. I loved The Foxglove King immensely so I know I will love this book. I just have to get the courage to read it. I WILL update this as soon as I finish.

But honestly you know Hannah Whitten always writes a banger so why should I even need to come back? I know I am going to love it.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the digital galley in exchange for my honest review!

After the ending of The Foxglove King, I was very excited to find out what would happen in The Hemlock Queen. This book certainly delivers on the twists—though some of them are forecasted perhaps a bit more than is required—and there is a lot of action on the page.

However, I find myself missing the character-centered stories in her previous series. There are many points in The Hemlock Queen when I found myself asking why the characters were making the choices they were making, beyond the requirements of the plot. This particularly impacted the romance, when it was difficult to understand why Lore was so torn between these two men. Her feelings and their evolution took a backseat to the plot and worldbuilding. Given that Whitten has demonstrated in previous novels that she's more than capable of depicting characters' emotional development, it was disappointing to feel this lack in The Hemlock Queen.

That said, the story and world have hooked me, and I will be looking forward to reading the final installment in the trilogy.

This is going to take place 2-3 weeks from where The Foxglove King leaves off. I immediately felt a shift in the story. It wasn't as fast paced and definitely had slowed down a bit from the first book. I felt like maybe the story got away from the author a little bit. air definitely like to me there was a little redundancy in Lore's actions and the same things kept happening or the same things were being said over and over again. I was still enjoying myself and as I've said I absolutely adore these characters so I was enjoying my time with them but I just felt like the story was a little lost. It definitely pulled through towards the end. The writing regarding the Lore's magic especially when she's using Spiritum to save lives kind of felt muddled and convoluted and was hard to follow so when it came to those times I just pushed through and held out for the result. The epilogue is absolutely worth it. I cannot wait for the next book. If the author can get the story back in line with the energy of the first book then we are in for a treat.

I received this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.


I really like the direction this book took in what I thought was a duology but I know realize from that cliffhanger that it is at least a trilogy if not longer.

This book really expands on the lore of the world and the characters and features a fair use of flashbacks. The flashbacks had some of the most interesting parts, and while some of the book was not as action packed, I can see how it was designed for the tone of the book and setting up for the third one.

In this book you will find: the duality of man, betrayal, polyamory, multiple deaths (some on page), life and death magic, and so much more.

This was a good second installment to Hannah Whitten's, The Nightshade Crown series. I love the overwhelming tension between characters in this series, plus the magic system and religious themes. The characters are so flawed, yet so likeable. I will say, I waited a YEAR for THE moment with Gabriel Remaut and I still didn't receive it. If anything, by the end, I felt even farther away from getting that moment. My main reason for rating this book 3 stars is that the world-building/backstory with the gods felt way too overdone. I felt bombarded with information, flashbacks, and lore (no pun intended) and felt that the actual plot was pushed aside. This was very confusing for me at times, and I had a hard time understanding what was going on at certain points. It was too much. I also felt that the romance was lackluster, but maybe that is just because I didn't get my deeply longed for romance with Gabe. I really hope that the final installment does not take a "throuple" or threesome route. I really don't think that is what the people want. We just want Gabriel. Seriously. I'm looking forward to 2025.

This book wasn't bad, but I loved the first one in the series so much this felt like something of a letdown. The situation with the gods seemed like it was supposed to be more mysterious, but felt too obvious, and the relationships between Lore, Bastian, and Gabe were pretty disappointing after the tension in The Foxglove King. All the political intrigue also felt somewhat tired. I'll read the next book in the series, but I'm not dying for it to come out.

Hannah Whitten has done it again. When I read The Foxglove King last year it literally had me in a chokehold right up until the very end. The Hemlock Queen picks up where that book left off and has the exact same effect. This is simply a series that once you start it’s hard to put it down. The Hemlock Queen continues the story of Lore, Bastien, and Gabe as they navigate the world of royal intrigue and also the will of the gods. It builds beautifully on the foundation of the first book and keeps you guessing right up to the very end.

What I loved:
🌹EVERYTHING!

🌹Lore’s development: At the start of this book Lore has allowed Bastein to dictate many of her decisions as she navigates the lingering trauma left by the events of book one. There is definitely a journey she must go on in this book to find her bravery once more and it leads to a cliffhanger that had me wishing the next book was already available.

🌹The way the author alluded to things in book one as needed. It means if you’re like me and didn’t have time to do a re-read of The Foxglove King, you can still enjoy this book without being confused. Personally I always appreciate when there are small reminders of what happened in previous installments, as long as they don’t slow down the story. Whitten navigates this extremely well making for an enjoyable reading experience that allows the book to flow.

🌹The spice! I think one of my only complaints in book 1 was that there was very little spice. Finally, as I had hoped, Lore finds herself giving into passion and there are allusions to what might happen in book three that have me on the edge of my seat.

Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

I absolutely love The Nightshade Crown series, and The Hemlock Queen is an excellent continuation of the story. It will keep you guessing as you go along for the ride with Lore, Bastien, and Gabe and desperately wishing for the recently teased The Nightshade God.

I have undying respect for any author who successfully avoids the dreaded 'Middle Book Syndrome' by delivering a second chapter that doesn't feel like the characters are filling time until the grand finale. Hannah Whitten's The Nightshade Queen—the second book in the Nightshade Crown Series—further deepens the world and conflict in the city of Dellaire.

Lore, Bastian and Gabe return in the aftermath of The Foxglove King. With Bastian on the throne and a devoted council of advisors to guide the young royal, the foremost concern for the court is to temper the expansion desires of the Kyrithean Empire. The only things complicating an easy transition of power are the ongoing political machinations of discontented nobles and dark whispers from once-dead gods — typical issues for any government.

Whitten crafts an engaging story of courtly politics that mixes magic and desire without ever sacrificing the smaller character moments between our main cast. There are plenty of characters to keep in your head, but the novel never feels overburdened by extraneous voices or plotlines that just twiddle away in the corner.

To give much away about the central conflict would be spoiling the mounting tension and twisting narrative that Whitten writes, but it's easy to tell there's a clear vision for book three—and possibly more. This time around, everything about Lore's world is deepened. The rules that govern her society, the gods they follow and the magic she contends with are each further developed and intertwined to create a world that serves as more than a backdrop for Whitten's narrative. Often, readers still get a snippet or excerpt of a legend, hymn, or text that gestures toward a greater work just outside of the margins. Instead of feeling limited, these small pieces create a grander world without making Lore's personal struggles feel irrelevant in the process.

Instead of an acceptable middle chapter that bridges the gap until the third book, The Hemlock Queen is—if anything—more engaging and twist than The Foxglove King before it.

I loved the first installment, The Foxglove King, but really struggled with this one. The veiled yet constantly referred to impending doom was pushed too much, and it moved too slowly. I'm invested in the character dynamics and relationships, but just wish it had moved along a bit faster, and with less dancing around the point.

The end of the story did pick up and pull me back in, it was mostly just the middle I struggled with. I am excited for the next one.