At the advent of betrayal, the Queen became the Queen Who Sleeps - not dead, but not alive either.

Generations ago, the True Father deposed the Queen and seized power. It’s the bare bones of a wonderfully detailed and engrossing world, but I’m going to give it my best shot.

My brief accounting of the premise isn’t going to do the story justice. You have been warned, romance readers (but still read this because the romance is very good). All I know is that it doesn’t happen within this book. I’m fairly confident that the characters’ fates will wrap up happily in the next book, but I’m not sure. It is set in the same time frame but follows different characters and 2) I’ve seen some people classify this book as a fantasy romance while I agree that the romantic element is essential, this book ends in a cliffhanger. Two essential things to know: 1) Whispers of Shadow & Flame is #2 in a series, but can be read without reading Song of Blood & Stone. Issues with the POV shifts aside, it’s an exquisite fantasy with a central romantic element, unparalleled world-building, gorgeous prose, and thought-provoking political commentary. You know that sensation when you’re reading something and you can just feel the joy bubbling within because it’s so freaking good? That’s what reading Whispers of Shadow & Flame felt like. I had DNFed ten books within the first chapter before starting Whispers of Shadow & Flame, and I’m so grateful for this read for pulling me out of every book lover’s worst nightmare. Genre: Fantasy/Fairy Tale Romance, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy

Vicious Reign by Penelope Black