Review: Queen of Ruin (Grace and Fury #2) by Tracy Banghart

*Review contains slight spoilers from previous book.

Queen of Ruin

(Grace and Fury #2)

by Tracy Banghart

July 2, 2019
336 pages

Goodreads      Indigo

Goodreads Summary:
A fierce sequel full of sisterhood, heart pounding action, betrayal, and intrigue in the royal court in a series that "breathes new life into the feminist story of oppression and resistance" (Publisher's Weekly).

Banished by Asa at the end of Grace and Fury, Nomi and Malachi find themselves powerless and headed towards their all-but-certain deaths. Now that Asa sits on the throne, he will stop at nothing to make sure Malachi never sets foot in the palace again. Their only hope is to find Nomi's sister, Serina, on the prison island of Mount Ruin. But when Nomi and Malachi arrive, it is not the island of conquered, broken women that they expected. It is an island in the grip of revolution, and Serina--polite, submissive Serina--is its leader.

Betrayal, grief, and violence have changed both sisters, and the women of Mount Ruin have their sights set on revenge beyond the confines of their island prison. They plan to sweep across the entire kingdom, issuing in a new age of freedom for all. But first they'll have to get rid of Asa, and only Nomi knows how.

Separated once again, this time by choice, Nomi and Serina must forge their own paths as they aim to tear down the world they know, and build something better in its place.

The stakes are higher and the battles bolder in Tracy Banghart's unputdownable sequel to Grace and Fury.
 

Review

Even since finishing Grace and Fury I've been in a state of anticipation for Queen of Ruin. I blew through the book when I received an early copy (thank you HBG Canada!) and wished I'd slowed down (but I really couldn't). Queen of Ruin checked every box for me!

I love the direction this sequel took: Nomi on a quest to rectify her mistakes and save her brother while Serina learns to be in control of her life and lead the women of Mount Ruin. Both sisters exhibited even more growth in this exhilarating follow-up to my favourite debut from last year.

Serina led the Mount Ruin crew with compassion and equality. Even though their situation was far from ideal, she tried her best and did right by everyone. Although racked with guilt and regret, Nomi too, fought back with courage and determination to right the wrongs. Major things happen and it was just really amazing to be able to witness the changes. All the women have come far.

I shipped both romances so hard! They were really only side plots but whenever we got a peek of the couples together my heart did happy dances. The bond between Serina and Val definitely grew stronger. While there was some pushing and pulling between Nomi and Malachi I was beyond ecstatic to see them work out. Both pairs were great fits. The subtleness of their romance was everything.

There is some real sister/sibling solidarity between Serina, Nomi and Renzo. They were all so extremely supportive and encouraging of each other. I adored them.

I'm not sure if Queen of Ruin is the last of the Grace and Fury storyline but this second book ended on a perfect note. Conflicts were resolved and happily ever afters were seen. However, I certainly wouldn't mind a third book (detailing the progress of the changes) should there be one announced!

*I received an Advance Reading Copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not affected in any way. Any quotes included in my review were taken from the ARC I received.