Silivia spent a year training and fighting to locate a sister who not only blames her for her kidnapping, but also doesn't want to be saved. Deciding to let her sister go for now, Silivia turns to the challenge of securing a new home. The Kingdom of Rifka is her birth right, but it won't be so simple to take it back from the monarchy currently accompanying it. Determined to prove her claim to the throne, Silivia is given five trials to complete, each more difficult than the last, but it's not just her title that is at stake. The fate of Rifka, and Fenriel as a whole, is dependent on her success.
If that wasn't enough, the tension between the two males she finds herself drawn to is coming to a head. Soon she may have no choice but to choose between the male who has always loved her, and the scarred male who used to be her enemy, but who may actually be her soulmate.
With hidden adversaries and soul crushing betrayal stalking her every step, will Silivia make it out with her rightful crown and true mate? Or will the world bring the Dragon King's Heir to her knees for good.
Shaquilla (shuh-kee-luh) M. Lunsford, or better known as the "Dragon Queen", is known for writing fantasy worlds full of romance, magic, and majestic creatures. She enjoys the complexity and creativity required to develop an entirely new world with its own set of rules and characters. With her love of dragons, they usually make an appearance in her writing or daily life. She also draws inspiration from Greek and Roman mythology to create some creatures and characters, and sheer imagination for others. Despite Shaquilla's passion for fantasy, poetry is her first love, and those incorporated in her books are usually her own.
Shaquilla currently lives in North Carolina with her "mini zoo", consisting of three types of reptiles, a cat, and a dog.
This was such a good second book in the series! I loved seeing Silivia's power come to life during the battle against the Queen to take her rightful place on the Throne.
Silivia's trials were fun. I was not too fond of the love triangle (which carried on from book 1) but glad that it got sorted because I would have been so sad if it wasn't GHOST (Daniel Lokswood) 🥵
The few spicy scenes omg!!
I'm so in love with these characters and I desperately NEED BOOK 3!! I need to know what becomes of her sister😭😭
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⊹ 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽 ⊹ ❥moderate spice ❥enemies to lovers ❥claiming the throne ❥forced prox ❥adventure ❥magic ❥action packed ❥fmc can call animals ❥spiritbond (fated mates) ❥fae ❥talking dragons ❥shapshifters ❥fmc can call animals ❥magical creatures ❥strong FMC
Thank you for the ARC, Shaquilla! _________________________________ After the Fall of the Dragon King | Review Rise of the Phoenix Queen | Review
5 🌟 2 🌶 "When the land shudders and is watered by blood and tears, only then will she be born. Risen from the ash as ice and flames, all that is winged will answer to her call. And only when the shadows and snow bond as one will the land be healed again." Second book in The Fall of the Dragon King series, this book continues Silivia's journey to find her place in this new world she now calls home. I loved the journey of her deciding who she would be with, the safe choice Tyrian, or the King of Shadows himself, Ghost. And the trials she endures to solidify her place as the true ruler and Queen.
This is book two in the Fall of the Dragon King Trilogy by Lunsford. I read the first and did a review a few months ago. I will say this, I loved it! I have loved both books so far. I mean…dragons, fantasy, another world, fae, demi-fae, and more. What more do you need? Well, enter a blue phoenix. Silvia is now on a mission to take her rightful place as heir to the throne of Rifka. So in order to do this the current Queen, evil one at that, informs her that she must complete five trials. The trials vary and take place all over the kingdom. As the group goes through them they begin to realize that things in the kingdom are not what they seem and that the evil Blood Clan are getting in much easier than they should be. I will not divulge any more.
Through the trials we see Silvia grow. We also see her begin to realize that Ghost is very important to her and that he is not only spirit bonded to her, but possibly he is more than that. Is she willing to risk her heart? She also connects with her sister who was taken by the Blood Clan and this meeting is not what she had hoped for. Let me just say…I’m waiting on bated breath now for book three to see how this all plays out. Silvia has grown so much, and she is a fierce woman, and I love her! She’s an amazing character.
4.5 Stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Once again the author created a slow burn that drives to mad. This is the second book in the series and the author delivered. I am looking forwsrd to the third book and continue this journey.
I could not put this one down! I loved reading more on Silvia’s story and her developing relationship with the other characters and herself! Fantastic story and can’t wait for the next one!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — The Phoenix Queen lit my soul on fire, then made me beg for more. Okay, deep breath because I have thoughts and feelings and possibly singed eyebrows from how hard I fell into this book. Rise of the Phoenix Queen is not just a sequel—it’s a full-on ascension. If After the Fall of the Dragon King broke the ground beneath Silvia, this one sets it ablaze. Let me tell you straight from my dragon-heart: Silivia is my girl. She’s scrappy, haunted, angry, and glorious. Book one ended with heartbreak and the kind of bittersweet growth that stays with you, but book two? It’s her evolution into something greater—a Queen who doesn’t beg for power, she earns it with every bloodied step. She spent a year chasing after a sister who resents her (and ouch, the emotional wounds in that dynamic cut deep), only to be met with rejection. That alone? Would’ve crushed the old Silivia. But this Silivia? She lets her sister go—and turns to reclaim Rifka, the kingdom that should’ve been hers all along. Not handed to her. Fought for. And holy hell, the trials? Each one a brutal test of strength, soul, and sanity. I was gripping my Kindle like it owed me answers. This wasn’t some “prove you’re pretty and sweet” kind of coronation—it was life or death, for her, for Rifka, for all of Fenriel. Now let’s talk about the guys. Because Shaquilla Lunsford writes love triangles that hurt so good. We’ve got the steadfast one who’s always loved her (and let’s be honest, that kind of quiet loyalty is a whole thing), and the broken, scarred former enemy who sees all of her—especially the parts she hides. The way she’s torn between them? Relatable AF. But this time around, it’s not about choosing the “better” man—it’s about choosing the one who matches her fire. Also… betrayal? Yeah. It hurts. I won’t spoil, but damn—trust is a fragile thing in a world full of shifting allegiances and power plays, and Silivia learns that the hard way. Again. What I love most is that this isn’t a story about perfect people. It’s about flawed survivors, trying to build something out of ashes. It’s about learning that claiming a crown is one thing, but deserving it? That’s the real battle. If you’re like me and crave: 🔥 Slow-burn, high-stakes fantasy 🔥 Trials that test more than strength 🔥 Soul-crushing betrayal that makes you SCREAM 🔥 A heroine who chooses herself first 🔥 And two very different but equally swoon-worthy males to ruin your emotions... … then Rise of the Phoenix Queen is going to grab your heart and refuse to let go. Silivia didn’t just rise—she transformed. And I’d follow my Queen through fire.
Rise of the Phoenix Queen is the second book in Lunsford's Fall of the Dragon King trilogy. This is a fantasy romance featuring Silivia Briar, the first born daughter of King Fariel, former king of Fenriel. She is the rightful heir to the throne. Unfortunately the current queen, her step-mother, Queen Isrella, is not interested in stepping down and sends Silivia to complete five trials to prove herself.
She must travel to the Fanged Mountains, the Valley of Whispers, the Forest of Dreams and the Silent Hills, before returning to Aurevel for the fifth and final task. The queen sends her son, Prince Reece Auner Briar, to inform Silivia where she must go, and witness the completion of each trial, each harder than the last. Silivia is accompanied by Ghost Lokswood, Tyrian Vorkan, Teslia Sorrell, along with her newly discovered brother.
Silivia is highly motivated to reclaim the crown as the more time she spends in Fenriel, the more it feels like home. She knows that her people are suffering under the current reign and she is determine to remove the Blood Clan from the land, and help them heal. While on this odyssey, she is continuously pushed past her limits, forced to work through her feelings for both Ghost and Ty, and determine how far she is ready to go when confronting her sister, Dalacia, who has turned against her and is now aligned with the enemy.
This was a really fun and captivating read. The story is filled with action and adventure, dragons, Galaton owls, Bohr eagles, fae, wondrous magic and fascinating abilities. I was thrilled to learn that this series is a trilogy as I was dreading parting ways with these endearing characters. I'm intrigued by the Seven (Aux, Hesper, Hemera, Sirius, Rose, Raiden and Barak) and would love to learn more about them. I am looking forward to seeing what comes next. Will she be able to save her sister, and who is the Blood King? I don't know when the final installment is expected, but I'll be eagerly watching and waiting.
The second book in The Fall of the Dragon King series is a wild, captivating ride from start to finish, cementing Silivia’s place as a heroine you can’t help but root for. Silivia’s journey to reclaim her birthright—the Kingdom of Rifka—is fraught with danger, and intense trials, each more challenging than the last. Her struggle to prove she is the rightful queen of Rifka is not just a test of her strength and magic but a battle for the fate of her kingdom and the entire realm of Fenriel.
What sets this sequel apart is the depth of Silivia’s character growth. While she’s powerful and determined, her moments of vulnerability and self-doubt make her relatable. She is pushed to the brink both physically and emotionally, and you feel every ounce of her struggle as she navigates the trials, betrayals, and choices that will shape her destiny.
The romantic tension between Silivia, Tyrian, and Ghost continues to simmer, adding an emotional layer to the action-packed narrative. Although the love triangle carried over from the first book, it finally reaches a resolution in a way that will leave readers either swooning or screaming with joy.
The trials themselves are thrilling, testing Silivia’s magic, wits, and resilience. Every challenge is a spectacle, pushing her to new heights and keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The pacing is fast, with enough twists to keep you guessing, even if some moments are predictable. The action is fierce, the stakes are high, and Silivia’s journey is filled with heartbreak, triumph, and just the right amount of spice.
The ending leaves you craving more—Silivia’s path is far from over, and with her sister’s fate still hanging in the balance, book three is an absolute must-read. This installment is a perfect blend of action, adventure, and romance, making it even better than the first.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book for a fair review.
Rise of the Phoenix Queen is part two of the Fall of the Dragon King series and honestly, I enjoyed it much more than the first one!
In two parts, Silivia manages to complete 5 trials to prove her worthiness as her father's heir. During this journey, she must face harsh realities about what it means to be Fariel's daughter and the Queen of the Winged, as well as someone who has a spiritbond and a royal half-sibling. She relies on all the people in her life to complete these trials successfully and grows as an individual as well as a leader. By the end of the narrative, she becomes the kind of person who could feasibly rule a country that requires both a love of the people and potent magical ability. There is some spice, but it didn't detract from what was going on in the book.
I enjoyed the writing itself more in this second installment. It was less difficult to get distracted by typos and odd phrasings. There weren't a bunch of cliches repeated in the narrative; it was easy to get lost in the plot and root for the characters and their relationships. I specifically enjoyed some of the more subtle relationship-building in this book and the adventurous plot for most of the narrative. The epilogue leaves me content with this second book by itself, but I know I'll finish the series to discover what happens with the larger fate of the Blood Clan and Fenriel.
In this second instalment, Silivia must prove herself to be worthy of her right to the throne by completing five trials to demonstrate that she is the true heir. Not only does she have to convince the current Queen, potential new allies, and her own flesh and blood, but also herself as self doubt frequently rears its ugly head.
The trials are intense and push Silivia to the limit on several occasions testing her physical, mental, and emotional strengths as well as her magical abilities.
We continue to see Silivia’s growth throughout this book, however she still has several moments where her immaturity and naivety held her back, especially when it came to her love triangle. I found this story line dragged on a little too long for my liking, however I had to keep reminding myself that the FMC was only 18 years old and therefore it would be normal to second guess how she was feeling, especially with everything else going on around her,
I thought the trials were exciting and the pacing of the overall story was good. While some of the plot was predictable, the journey of how we ultimately got there was still enjoyable. Another quick and easy read (although still some typos and grammatical errors found in my copy of this book).
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Thank you Shaquilla for allowing me to read these amazing series. She is the Queen of Dragons, more like the Queen of Slowest Burn. And I am so here for it! These books have enemies-to-lovers, love triangle, slow burn, fated mates, found family, adventure, talking dragons, trials, and so much more!
I was hooked from the beginning to end and was so invested in the world building and journey. Throughout the first book, Silvia learns how to train and control her powers as she wants vengeance on The Blood Clan for murdering her parents and kidnapping her sister. The way the author built tension between Silivia and Ghost was so good!
In the second book, Silivia has to journey through Fenriel and complete 5 trials to prove The Queen of Rifka that she is fit to be the next ruler.
“A wolf is nothing without its pack. A queen is strengthened by her king”.
I cannot wait to read the 3rd book, and I hope we get to see more of Silivia and her sister’s relationship and if it rekindles.
A lovely continuation of Silivia's quest to find and rescue her sister, and reclaim the kingdom that is her birthright. She's coming even more into her power and her complex relationship with... well, there's two of them. And that's a problem. The relationships between Silivia and her found family deepen, and on her journey that family expands into what should be her future kingdom. The journey isn't without strife and chaos, however, and it will keep you on the edge of your seat!
The plot is intriguing and keeps you going. The formatting (I read on Kindle) made it challenging sometime to determine who was speaking, and there were quite a few grammatical errors that distracted from the main story. However, if you can get past those this is a fun story that you'll want to follow through the rest of the trilogy!
This book in one word WOW! I was not expecting that twist, I usually don’t read the description of a book I choose to read (I don’t want to ruin the story by reading it), but after reading what happened in this book I had to go back and read it. I have an older sister and even though we have our issues I can say with 100% certainty that if we were in Silivia and her sister's shoes it would have transpired quite differently. I would never hold something like this against my sister especially if she went through as much as Silivia did in order to find her sister. This book had me wondering what was going to happen next and I without a doubt enjoyed the ending and Iook forward to reading book 3 in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I absolutely loved the second book in this series. Even more heart felt confessions, shocking revelations, brotherly rivalry and a lot more fighting and action throughout the entire book. The trails she had to face were some tough times and she made it out stronger than ever. Bringing a lot of people together in a short period of time and shocking a lot of people who had no belief in a half human half fae. I was routing for silivia all the way through this but there was times I doubted whether what I thought was gonna happen would. Especially when her sister made an appearance and threw everything in a completely different direction. Still loved it though.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I am enjoying this trilogy the more it continues. I feel the world building and magic is coming more to light as we continue.
Silivia is on her journey to take her rightful place. In order to do so she has to complete five trials. This was intriguing as they take her all throughout the kingdom. The love triangle continues until Silivia realizes who she is suppose to be with.
I enjoyed how this story was entertaining and kept my attention. I feel the growth in the writing style had me connecting more with the characters. I feel the pace of the storyline was good, although the slow burn was strong! Which I was all for that! Eager for book 3 to find out if Silivia will be able to save her sister and how her story ends.
"The princess reign will end, long live the queen." This book is what? 500+ pages? Yeah, I might have read it in less than 24 hours! I mean, I know we are dealing with a queen that can command fire but, this series has the sloooowest slow burn in history. You were killing me Ms. Lunsford! But Silivia finally chooses her mate; therefore, breaking the love triangle. I found the beginning a bit slow as it provided background to those that may not have read the first book in the series (which, by the way, if you didn't, what's wrong with you?!) but it quickly picks up with not only romance but, battles, adventures, and, of course, our favorite dragons are back, and they've brought friends!
Rise of the Phoenix Queen”, the highly anticipated second installment in Fall of the Dragon King trilogy, picks up directly after the heart-stopping cliffhanger of its predecessor, “After The Fall of the Dragon King”. For anyone diving into this sequel, reading the first book is essential—its conclusion sets the stage for the riveting journey that unfolds here.
Shaquilla continues to excel in character development, crafting a compelling narrative that showcases the growth of her protagonists. The female main character (FMC) is a breath of fresh air: strong, capable, and fiercely independent. She doesn't need saving; instead, she thrives in her role as a self-reliant heroine. This refreshing portrayal is balanced beautifully by her relationship with the male main character (MMC), who, while possessing a tantalizing aura of dark secrets and a passionate nature, respects her strength. Their dynamic is a highlight, with the MMC known as the King of Shadows embodying the perfect blend of charm and intensity.
The world-building remains one of the book's standout features. Shaquilla strikes a commendable balance between rich detail and allowing readers the freedom to visualize the expansive landscapes filled with Fae, dragons, and elemental magic. The storyline unfolds with unexpected twists, keeping readers on their toes and heightening the suspense. It’s a slow burn, with the FMC and MMC taking their time to acknowledge their feelings—a journey that will test the patience of even the most ardent romantic fans. However, the payoff is worth it, culminating in moments that artfully blend love and desire without crossing into overly explicit territory.
Despite the engaging narrative, the book is not without its flaws. The editing could use some tightening; a number of grammatical errors occasionally disrupt the reading flow. Additionally, the dialogue can be convoluted, making it challenging to follow conversations at times, especially with the multiple points of view. Readers may find themselves backtracking to clarify who is speaking, which can break immersion.
That said, “Rise of the Phoenix Queen” concludes with a satisfying resolution that leaves enough threads dangling for the anticipated third book. Shaquilla has set the stage for possible new directions, perhaps even paving the way for a follow-on series that explores the journeys of supporting characters.
Overall, “Rise of the Phoenix Queen” is a gripping continuation of the trilogy that I wholeheartedly recommend to fans of fantasy. If you enjoy tales rich with mythical creatures, elemental magic, sibling rivalries, and slow-burn romance, this series should be on your reading list. It’s a captivating blend of adventure, character growth, and magical intrigue that promises to keep you enthralled until the very last page.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I absolutely loved Rise of the Phenix Queen. Honestly I found that I preferred this book compared to the first book in the The Fall o the Dragon King series. The only thing that I found confusing was that with some parts I didn’t know who was speaking. Now saying this overall it was an amazing book to read. Rise of the Phenix Queen by Shaquilla Lunsford was an exciting page turner and I didn’t want to put the book down. I felt like you also got to know that characters a little better in the sequel. I was never disappointed with how the book played out. I was just sad that the book ended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Silivias adventure continues in the second book where she must undergo a series of trials to claim back what's rightfully hers.
This book was definitely better than the first book and you can see the author's growth. While there are still some dynamics I would identify with a YA book, there are a few steamy scenes that are definitely not YA appropriate. It's an improvement on the first but still could be improvement with more dramatics. The overall story line is good, and not much of a cliff hanger to wait for the 3rd book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Silivia, Ghost, Ty, and Teslia are now headed to the heart of the city so Silivia could claim her throne, only it isn't going to be that simple. A corrupt queen is currently on the throne and she wants Silivia to prove that she's the rightful heir by completing trials only the true heir would be able to complete. New enemies, new friends, surprises, and adventure make up the sequel of this series. Plus, Silivia finally figures out whether Ty or Ghost is the own that has her heart. You won't regret picking up a copy of this engaging read. It will keep you on the edge of your seat and wanting more. I can't wait until the third book is released.
Much like Book 1, the book is well written (ignoring the typos), and benefits from the magical world building.
The book has a good plot and epic adventure scenes, with loyal characters. I was hoping to see a little more of character development for Sylvia and her immaturity frustrated me at times ( agreed that she is 18, but going through so many adventures is expected to change a person).
I was glad to see the love triangle sorted, though it's still one of the tropes I try to avoid.
I received an advance copy of the book and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The second book in this trilogy is as good as the first if not better. Silivia and Ghost once again take on the evil Blood clan along with Teslia and Tyrian. She finds she has a half-brother who gradually allies himself with her. All of the characters are well developed and engagt.And the world building, ever changing in this book is absolutely fantastic. There is lots of action and twists and turns, along with a few surprises along the way. So far I love this trilogy and I absolutely recommend reading it! I can't wait for the next book!
Book 2 of Silva's story is just as compelling as book 1, if not more. Silva and her crew are once again again fighting against the evil Blood clan. She discovers a half sibling that quickly aligns themselves with her. Amazing action scenes, twists & turns, drama, and a fair share of surprises. The characters are well developed and the world building has expanded even more. Read this book….and if you're like me, you're eager to know how this story ends! ❤️❤️.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a real pager after binging the first book I had to read the next the plot the character growth and storyline kept me hooked.
The battle of accepting who you all of you not just the little piece we allow out really hit home there's nothing more powerful than self belief and this really highlights that. It's a little spice than the first but not so it's in your face constantly brilliant book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book was better than the first! While the focus on the first book was the world building, this one was around the trials. Lots of different challenges that led to more development of the characters was great! Loved the spice level in this book! Glad that the love triangle was sorted, as it was the only carry over from the first book that I was happy to be done with. Lots of open ended plot threads to allow for a next book - looking forward to what is to come!
Still thoroughly enjoying this series. (It helps that we got more dragons!!) If book one is a training montage, book two is the teen angst on a quest story. And what quests! Great pacing and character development. (The kids grow up so fast, don’t they?)
My only critique is the extensive use of “male” and “female” (nearly 250 to book 1’s 127…) when describing each other/others.
I received a free ecopy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved this book! It followed book one very well, the progression moved along quickly. Very happy Ghost and Silivia worked their issues out! The twists were very clever, I loved that she set up her brother's character in book one and then hes back here to stir things up. Only to realize who the actual villain is in this story and come to terms with it. Looking forward to book three when it's available 😄
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Oh my WOW! This story was better than the first. By far my favorite but there is still one more to go. I cannot deny how this grasped and pulled at your heartstrings. The ups and downs and highs and lows. This story was everywhere. You learned so much more of our MFC and the struggles she has to go through, but you see her growth throughout the story and you gain a sense of happiness. This was pearlfect! Thank you for this story!
The storyline of this book and character arcs have been an absolute blast to read over the second book in the series! It was far better than the first and had wonderful action sequences along with it flowing smoothly as far as the storytelling goes. If you like books with dragons, magic, and enemies to lovers romance, check it out for sure!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.