Review Wednesday: The Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine

Title: The Shadow Queen (Ravenspire #1)

Author: C.J. Redwine
1st Date of Publication: February 16, 2016

ISBN: 9780062360243
# of Pages: 387

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Age Rating: 13+

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Book Description:
Lorelai Diederich, crown princess and fugitive at large, has one mission: kill the wicked queen who took both the Ravenspire throne and the life of her father. To do that, Lorelai needs to use the one weapon she and Queen Irina have in common—magic. She’ll have to be stronger, faster, and more powerful than Irina, the most dangerous sorceress Ravenspire has ever seen.

In the neighboring kingdom of Eldr, when Prince Kol’s father and older brother are killed by an invading army of magic-wielding ogres, the second-born prince is suddenly given the responsibility of saving his kingdom. To do that, Kol needs magic—and the only way to get it is to make a deal with the queen of Ravenspire, promise to become her personal huntsman…and bring her Lorelai’s heart.

But Lorelai is nothing like Kol expected—beautiful, fierce, and unstoppable—and despite dark magic, Lorelai is drawn in by the passionate and troubled king. Fighting to stay one step ahead of the dragon huntsman—who she likes far more than she should—Lorelai does everything in her power to ruin the wicked queen. But Irina isn’t going down without a fight, and her final move may cost the princess the one thing she still has left to lose.

Setting: Fictional world of several kingdoms
Point of View: 3rd person- Lorelai Diederich, Kolvanismir Arsenyevnek, and Irina

Goodreads Rating: 3.79

My Rating: 4.30

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: The cover is very interesting in a disturbing way. Why is the apple black and dripping as if it is poisoned? It seemed like a Snow White allusion.
View on Title: Who is the "Shadow Queen?" Is it the heroine or is it the villain (who are obviously both females)?

Pros:

• This book was not a let down at all. I really liked the twist on Snow White and the of being a mardushka, in other words "witch." She has the ability to control anyone she touches and uses magic with, which is neat.
• The protagonists are great and I really enjoyed this despite not being a fan of third person point of view books. C.J. Redwine pulled off a difficult task.
• Lorelai's character is the semblance of Snow White but she is so much more than Snow White ever was. She has the power of magic but she is one with nature. 
• She can protect herself and has a great sense of responsibility. She is great with animals and even has a "pet" gyrfalcon which I wish I had one.
• Kol's character shows a lot of strength since he "accidentally" becomes the king of his land in Eldr, which are people who turn into dragons (So freaking cool!). He is given a great deal of responsibility that he was not signed up for and never planned on having to deal with the responsibility of a king, but he takes it on very humbly. 
• Irina is a mardushka like her niece, Lorelai, and is the evil queen who usurped the throne. But, her story is actually sad and you can sympathize with her character.
• The love story, which was bound to happen, was actually sweet and unusual in a good way. Plus, it wasn't completely predictable. The couple in this book are what you would say is the real book power couple in my opinion.
• The world inside the book is interesting because it is fictional and shows several kingdoms. In my version of the book, the map of all the kingdoms are drawn inside the cover.

Cons:

• I felt that the ending became rushed so quickly. I read one chapter where there was conflict and struggle and then all of a sudden it's the end of the book where the build up could have been better and a little more satisfying.

Critics' Reviews:
“Forget everything you think you know about Snow White. There are no shrinking violets here, just a bold and cunning princess determined to save a kingdom that’s rotting beneath dark magic…. A gripping addition to the retelling genre.” -Marissa Meyer, author of the Lunar Chronicles
“A perfect addition to the fractured fairy[tale] genre…the princess does not need any saving in this tale.” -VOYA
“Filled with complex characters, imaginative and horrible consequences, and sharp twists." -Booklist
“An action-packed retelling of “Snow White”...Great fun” -School Library Journal
“A fully imagined fairy tale landscape.” -Publishers Weekly

C.J. Redwine's Website:
http://cjredwine.blogspot.com/

Other Recommendations:

Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows
Reign of Shadows by Sophie Jordan