The Queen's Secret

February 1, 2021
Romantic fantasy turns into lovelorn politicking in this duology closer and follow-up to The Queen's Assassin (2020). Formerly feisty assassin-in-training Shadow is now Queen Lilac of Montrice, still secretly meeting her lover, Chief Assassin Caledon Holt, while managing to avoid her (nice, hound-loving) husband. But the evil Aphrasian monks are still a threat, and when Cal rides off with attractive apprentice Rhema, 19-year-old Lilac fears she's lost him. Cal's adventures take him back to Renovia and to the frightening Aphrasian stronghold of Baer Abbey; Lilac, previously accustomed to a similarly adventurous life, feels increasingly imprisoned in the Montrician castle. While the somewhat flimsy fantasy world offers some decent adventure and intrigue, most of the alternating narrative (Lilac's in first-person present tense, Cal's from close third-person) consists of the lovers' being jealous and angry while circumstances hold them apart while Lilac works much harder to avoid consummating her year-old marriage than she does to govern. Sometimes-awkward writing, usually due to the limitations of present-tense narration, inconsistent characterization, and uneven pacing plague the text. Physical descriptors are few and far between, but the world is established as diverse in terms of race (for example, Lilac's mother is dark-skinned) and sexuality (Lilac's aunt is in a same-sex marriage). Purely for completists. (map) (Fantasy. 12-16)

COPYRIGHT(2021) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

May 14, 2021
Grades 9-12 While this concluding title in de la Cruz's duology doesn't stand alone and may frustrate readers unfamiliar with The Queen's Assassin (2020), fans of the first title will happily settle in for a quick read that combines fantasy, mystery, and romance. Nineteen-year-old Queen Lilac of Renovia, while in a purely political marriage with King Hansen of Montrice, has managed to bring her lover, Caledon Holt, the Queen's Assassin (i.e., bodyguard) with her to her husband's court. Here they meet up in the titular "secret" room, while King Hansen beds any woman in the court he pleases--which doesn't include Lilac. Alternating chapters from Lilac and Cal provide differing viewpoints of both their committed ardor for each other and their lovers' spats, while advancing a complex plot of conspiracy, magical possession, and sacrifice for one's family and country. Predictable in plot yet satisfying in execution, this may not be de la Cruz's best work, but that won't matter to her loyal readers.

COPYRIGHT(2021) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.