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The Fey #6
The Black Queen
From one of the most acclaimed creators of fantasy fiction comes the epic tale of the Black Throne, a stirring saga of tumultuous conflict set in a magical world, in a powerful family, and in the tortured and divided mind of its monarch.
The Fey Empire has been at peace for fifteen years. But Queen Arianna, who holds the Black Throne, has become increasingly troubled by a mysterious presence that is waking in her mind. It is a force of ruthless power, determined to seize the throne even if it means destroying Arianna's very essence in the process. And when the queen's body is not her own, it spells trouble for a warlike empire already beginning to chafe under the strictures of peace.
Worse, it seems that the only person who can help Arianna is her brother, Gift, the legitimate heir to the Black Throne--and the one the Throne itself has chosen as ruler. To refuse its summoning could bring disaster, but to accept it could be more dire still. So while his sister is locked in a battle to save her very soul, Gift must use his incomplete knowledge of magic in a desperate fight to discover a solution. At stake is the fate of the entire world--which stands poised on the brink of unimaginable chaos.
The Fey Empire has been at peace for fifteen years. But Queen Arianna, who holds the Black Throne, has become increasingly troubled by a mysterious presence that is waking in her mind. It is a force of ruthless power, determined to seize the throne even if it means destroying Arianna's very essence in the process. And when the queen's body is not her own, it spells trouble for a warlike empire already beginning to chafe under the strictures of peace.
Worse, it seems that the only person who can help Arianna is her brother, Gift, the legitimate heir to the Black Throne--and the one the Throne itself has chosen as ruler. To refuse its summoning could bring disaster, but to accept it could be more dire still. So while his sister is locked in a battle to save her very soul, Gift must use his incomplete knowledge of magic in a desperate fight to discover a solution. At stake is the fate of the entire world--which stands poised on the brink of unimaginable chaos.
448 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 3, 1999
15 people are currently reading
287 people want to read
About the author
Kristine Kathryn Rusch
1,365 books721 followersKristine Kathryn Rusch is an award-winning mystery, romance, science fiction, and fantasy writer. She has written many novels under various names, including Kristine Grayson for romance, and Kris Nelscott for mystery. Her novels have made the bestseller lists –even in London– and have been published in 14 countries and 13 different languages.
Her awards range from the Ellery Queen Readers Choice Award to the John W. Campbell Award. In the past year, she has been nominated for the Hugo, the Shamus, and the Anthony Award. She is the only person in the history of the science fiction field to have won a Hugo award for editing and a Hugo award for fiction.
In addition, she's written a number of nonfiction articles over the years, with her latest being the book "A Freelancer's Survival Guide".
She has also published as:
Sandy Schofield (collaborations with husband Dean Wesley Smith)
Kristine Grayson - romances
Kathryn Wesley (collaborations with husband Dean Wesley Smith)
Kris Nelscott - mysteries
Kris Rusch - historical fiction
Kris DeLake - romances
Her awards range from the Ellery Queen Readers Choice Award to the John W. Campbell Award. In the past year, she has been nominated for the Hugo, the Shamus, and the Anthony Award. She is the only person in the history of the science fiction field to have won a Hugo award for editing and a Hugo award for fiction.
In addition, she's written a number of nonfiction articles over the years, with her latest being the book "A Freelancer's Survival Guide".
She has also published as:
Sandy Schofield (collaborations with husband Dean Wesley Smith)
Kristine Grayson - romances
Kathryn Wesley (collaborations with husband Dean Wesley Smith)
Kris Nelscott - mysteries
Kris Rusch - historical fiction
Kris DeLake - romances
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 23, 2015
If I were to describe this book in one word it would be "tense". Through most of the book not much actually happens, but a lot of things are set up, and unlike the previous books in the series this one really doesn't stand alone. It's all setup, like the first part of a TV two-parter. I'm no longer worried that characters I like will die, since there aren't really any left that I care about as individuals, but the whole situation feels like things could go very badly wrong very easily.
I'm somewhat disappointed to see Rugad back as the villain (and unlike the early books, there's a definite villain in both this and the previous one), but on the other hand he did kind of get taken out by deus ex machina last time, so it might be worth it to see him get his due. I was hoping we'd get more about the internal politics of the Fae empire this time though, rather than this fate of the world stuff.
But despite that, this series continues to deliver and I'm looking forward to the next book, though not quite as much as I'm looking forward to the prequel - because that one's about Solanda and I always liked her.
I'm somewhat disappointed to see Rugad back as the villain (and unlike the early books, there's a definite villain in both this and the previous one), but on the other hand he did kind of get taken out by deus ex machina last time, so it might be worth it to see him get his due. I was hoping we'd get more about the internal politics of the Fae empire this time though, rather than this fate of the world stuff.
But despite that, this series continues to deliver and I'm looking forward to the next book, though not quite as much as I'm looking forward to the prequel - because that one's about Solanda and I always liked her.
Read
December 6, 2016This book wasn't anywhere near as bad as I thought it was going to be. Indeed, there is a lot of interesting imagination invested into this novel. I likely shouldn't have started reading her The Fey books at #6, but I thought it was book one of a series. Knowing the back story isn't vital, but probably would have helped me be more patient in the beginning. However, I doubt I'll run out to grab the next one.
June 20, 2017
The Black Queen is moderating the Fey
But will the Fey stand for that? Particularly Fey leaders or the past?
Rusch does a great job of moving the story forward with surprises and unexpected direction. She continues to fill in the magic system which gets more and more detailed as it goes.
All this while carrying on the under story of magic verses religion and along with the under story of prejudice and love. Minimal to no violence in this volume.
But will the Fey stand for that? Particularly Fey leaders or the past?
Rusch does a great job of moving the story forward with surprises and unexpected direction. She continues to fill in the magic system which gets more and more detailed as it goes.
All this while carrying on the under story of magic verses religion and along with the under story of prejudice and love. Minimal to no violence in this volume.
November 11, 2021
I started and stopped this book repeatedly, and I've owned the paper back for more years than I care to admit. I finally just listened to the audiobook to find out what happens, and while it dragged a bit, it turned out to be a good story. Is it as good as the first part of the series? No, but it's hard to beat the beginning when you're first introduced to the world of the Fey.
September 13, 2019
I love the fact, the hints aren't leading to what you think.
September 3, 2013
Excelent fantasy book. Its story has all aspects that I love in fantasy and combines them to one very compelling story.
Books sets after Kathryns The Fey series, but it you don't need to read it to get in this book (as haven't I get into this book easilly). Books metions happenings in Fey series books and so you probably get deeper experince if you have read it, but all reference are historical, so they work to make world more wholesome thing, but aren't that important for the plot, because all character motivations are explained in this book as well other things that happen.
Plot is told from multiple points of view and every character has very unique feel in them and every one has their own motivations to do things.
Main idea of plot is that Fey nation that has constantly gone from to conquest to new conquest has decided under new rule that they will stop constant waring and will be content with what they have now. And for 15 years it seem to work fine, but then danger rises from absolute unexcepected source, which causes need to people act or lose everything what they did fight for in last war notwithstanding who side they fight.
Book will not finnish its story arc and story will continue in next part of the Black Thorne series.
Books sets after Kathryns The Fey series, but it you don't need to read it to get in this book (as haven't I get into this book easilly). Books metions happenings in Fey series books and so you probably get deeper experince if you have read it, but all reference are historical, so they work to make world more wholesome thing, but aren't that important for the plot, because all character motivations are explained in this book as well other things that happen.
Plot is told from multiple points of view and every character has very unique feel in them and every one has their own motivations to do things.
Main idea of plot is that Fey nation that has constantly gone from to conquest to new conquest has decided under new rule that they will stop constant waring and will be content with what they have now. And for 15 years it seem to work fine, but then danger rises from absolute unexcepected source, which causes need to people act or lose everything what they did fight for in last war notwithstanding who side they fight.
Book will not finnish its story arc and story will continue in next part of the Black Thorne series.
December 31, 2009
I did enjoy this book. The world that Rusch created was wonderful. There was too much going on sometimes. Those who are fantasy lovers will like it....can't wait to read book #2 and see what happens to all the characters...
October 12, 2013
15hrs:1mn
August 20, 2008
This is one of my all-time favorite fantasy series!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews