Review by Booklist Review
Shortly after the conclusion of The Foxglove King (2023), Whitten returns to the city of Dellaire with King Bastian having officially recognized Lore as a deathwitch and his presumed lover, and Gabe as the Priest Exalted. As Lore and Bastian publicly channel their combination of Spiritum and Mortem more frequently, Lore's strange dreams increase along with the persistence of the voice in her head, the goddess Nyxara. Lore is almost managing that situation when she realizes that Bastian's increasingly erratic behavior is due to the god Apollius speaking to him and rapidly taking over, and the four lesser gods may have attached themselves to other members of the court. As Nyxara's memories gradually reveal Apollius's selfish goals, which are contradictory to Bastian's intentions as King, Lore is forced further outside her comfort zone while balancing her mutual attractions to both Gabe and Bastian. Whitten continues to delight readers with detailed world building, understandable character turmoil, and an edge of intrigue while setting the fate of the world in Lore's reluctant hands.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Whitten keeps readers on their toes in this standout romantasy, the second in her Nightshade Crown series. The power has shifted in the kingdom of Auverraine since the events of The Foxglove King: Bastian now sits on the throne with deathwitch Lore as his right hand, while Gabe has risen to fill the vacancy as Exalted Priest, leading the Presque Mort. As the trio adjust to their new roles, the enemy Kirytheans encroach, ready to take advantage of any weaknesses--and Bastian's palace has plenty. Half his court is under house arrest and the acrimony among the remaining courtiers is exacerbated by Lore's presence and her closeness to Bastian. This political tension is matched by the romantic tension between the three protagonists as they struggle with the feelings that run rampant between them. After Lore and Bastian together channel the powerful magical forces of Mortem and Spiritum, Lore starts hearing an unwelcome voice in the back of her mind and Bastian grows increasingly possessive and cold. Whitten keeps the pages flying as prophecies, gods, and heavy secrets impact the central love triangle. This enthralling sequel will leave readers clamoring for more. Agent: Whitney Ross, Irene Goodman Literary. (Apr.)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
What do you do when the voice in your head is real? Lore, Bastian, and Gabe are all still alive following the events in The Foxglove King (2023), despite a ritual meant to take Lore's life and usher in a new age for the god Apollius. But Lore, determined to live despite--or perhaps because of--her deep and unyielding connection to the magical death force Mortem, is unwilling to be used as a tool. Now that Bastian is no longer prince but Sainted King, Gabe is Priest Exalted, and Lore is the king's deathwitch, her safety should be secure. The court, however, distrusts Lore and her uncanny powers, and even more dangerous are the gods, leaning ever closer and perhaps not so separate from the world as a thwarted ritual might imply. Bastian has been changing, able to control Spiritum, Mortem's mirror image, in new and powerful ways, but also acting more erratic and strange. Meanwhile, the voice in Lore's head is growing louder. To make matters worse, Gabe and Bastian can hardly look at each other, while Lore feels torn between the two of them and in need of both. In the second volume of the Nightshade Crown series, things go from bad to much worse, while a familiar gothic atmosphere looms oppressively around the characters. As Lore strives to keep as many people as safe as possible, others scheme with sinister forces and powerful magic. In a tense and atmospheric installment, Lore moves quickly between heart-pounding romantic encounters and adrenaline-filled moments facing danger and death. Dark magic, romance, and divinity. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
