The Hidden Princess

Hidden Among Us #2

by Katy Moran

For five years, the Gateway has been closed and Hidden and mortals kept apart. For five years, Connie has believed her older sister dead. And for five years, Lissy has been the Swan King's captive. But every day the Swan King's power grows stronger and his thirst for vengeance greater. If Lissy is to keep the people she loves safe, she must risk everything by facing up to her birthright and fulfilling her hidden destiny... A fast-paced, atmospheric and chillingly beautiful novel about love, family and loyalty.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

320 pages, Paperback

First published May 15, 2014

About the author

Katy Moran began writing BLOODLINE while she was still in college. A former children’s book editor, she now spends her days writing in her garden shed in London.

Reviews

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hidden Princess is the second book in the Hidden Among Us series and is written in varying perspectives, depending upon which character that chapter is about. I really loved learning about each individual character and seeing everything from their eyes, rather than focusing on one person and them being in full control of the story.

I absolutely adored Connie and the love she possesses for her sister, Lissy, even though she has been forced to believe a lie. She is also influenced into doing something in which will, without a doubt, cause a huge amount of trouble, for both her and everyone within the area.

Another character I loved was Nicolas although he didn't appear as much as other characters did. He is very loyal and up until almost the end, was a background character. I was filled with joy when he finally was brought to the forefront of the story and came into his own. Personally, Nicolas was the one character that really stood out the most for me.

Now onto the weird and wonderful Hidden. They are very intriguing and definitely some of the most original characters I have read about. At the start of the story they are lead by the Swan King, someone I wish I knew more about, but this changes as the book progresses. At certain points of the story I was extremely disturbed by them, but that is probably the reason why I loved them as much as i did. Their characteristics and mannerisms were a breath of fresh air.

This book, although for children up to the age of 12, would probably appeal to a much wider audience. I have not read a book quite like it, and the originality made it shine above others within the same genre. I would most definitely recommend it!

[shona · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the first one so much even thought i don't reamber evry detail Hidden Amoug us was great. I didn't know there was a second one I was lucky to get as a presant or I would have never known. I realy wish this book go more hype.
Spoiler Alert!!!!!!!




I really wish there was more about Nicoles I was really was interested by his charter and I wish that he didn't try kill Connie but I still love his charter and at time you could see love and kindness in him and you could see anger and hatered in him.

So Joe's charter really fustrated me. He fell in love with Lissy when he barly knew her and he thought she felt the same which we all knew wasn't going to happen. He also made me mad when he wouldn't listen to Connie about her dreams they wouldn't have been it the situation.

I love Lissy sooo much I think she was badass in this one. I loved when she through Baire or what ever his name was across the forest when he was all over Connie. When she killed the Swan King you could she that she didn't want to kill him even thought he was an evil asshole he was still her father and she loved him deep down. I was happy when she became the Halk Queen because she is a great leader and could keep the Hidden in line. I'm kinda confused but I think in the end Nicoles and Lissy end up together.

Connie... Oh Connie I loved her so much and I feel so sorry for her imagine coming home from hospital after having blood posioning and being told your sister was dead even though she wasn't , Then not beliving it and then your parents sent you to a conceler and you think you crazy and have wired dreams for years ,I understand why she was so pissed off. I have to confess that I did cry when her dad died and then Nicoles came to the rescue. I'm soooooo happy her and Blue end up together.

One more thing I LOVE was when Larksuper[sorry if I spelt it wrong] and Iris have a baby because I felt so sorry for Iris even thought she betray and lied to Lissy. I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH !!!!!!!!!!! -Shona

[Zoë Marriott · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Sobs forever*

[Hibatoallah Samal · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't understand !!! it was so complicated !!!!

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apparently this is a sequel, which I did not realise until I went to add this book on Goodreads and it was listed as #2 of the Hidden Among Us series. It isn't written anywhere on the book itself that it's part of a series. I don't know if it would have improved my reading experience to read the other book first.

The story was mildly engaging in places. I liked the prologue, which was interesting and actually gave me a reason to side with Nicholas. The rest, unfortunately, was a bit bland. Each chapter is from a different character's perspective, and the constant jumps in time and setting were jarring. I found I didn't actually care about what happened to any of the characters, possibly because the constant jumping between characters stopped me getting to know any of them properly.

The book has been edited properly (though I did spot one typo of gong instead of going) so at the very least the prose isn't sloppy, but I was just honestly a bit bored the whole time I was reading.

[Isla Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I preferred this to the first book in the 'Hidden Among Us' series. I found it somehow more of a compelling read and I found myself picturing the various settings and characters featured. Some of the chapters are quite short and snappy which I liked and I thought it was probably more immersive than the first book too. If your a younger reader keen on fantasy then this isn't a bad read, although I should perhaps point out that there is a part of the plot which involves the threat of sexual violence, which I was surprised to read what I believe to be a YA read - the word rape was never used, although 'ravaged' is used. To me what is described seemed pretty obviously the threat of violence at the least and so I would recommend parents be a bit cautious of giving this to especially young teens to read but otherwise it was a good read.

[Eimer Allott · Rating 2 out of 5]

Actual rating 1.5*.
If it wasn't so fast paced, I would have DNF'd it. Also turns out it was a sequel lol.
All of the characters were unlikable and frustrating apart from Connie, who was treated horribly by them all. Yet there was no catharsis or even retribution for anyone's actions. The ending was incredibly rushed too.

[Marie-José · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing storyline although it took me quite some time to get into the story. I should have read it’s prequel first I guess. A lot of flipping between the characters which created a lot of questions... worth reading though.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

I picked up the first book in The Works for a light read and was hooked and had to get this one.

[Hannah Jennings · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up ages ago and thought it would be a nice quick read - i was right but I didn't realise it was a sequel

[Amy Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book! Beautifully written too! Not going to lie, I did cry in the end! Well worth the read if you can get a copy! Thank you Katy Moran for such a beauty!

[Laiba M · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was amazing

[Beth Kemp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set five years after the events of Hidden Among Us, this brilliant sequel continues the story of Lissy, the Hidden and her mortal family. Again making excellent use of multiple narrators, Katy Moran has produced another lyrical and yet starkly written tale of the clash between humans and the fae in their original folkloric form as glamorous, unsettling and unearthly.

The main narrators for this novel are Connie (now aged 14) Lissy and Joe, but just like in the first book, there are also occasional chapters in other voices, offering a range of perspectives. I really like the multiple voices, which provide us a clear 360 degree view of the plot angles – not to mention dragging our sympathies in every direction! For me, it really is the best of all worlds – the close-up intimacy of first person, but also the overview and ‘we know something you don’t know’ element that is the main advantage of third person.

In terms of plot, the novel is tightly wound and skilfully controlled. I’m not going into specific plot details here – this blog is spoiler-free – but the events of the text lead us on a tense ride, which ratchets up the stakes with pitch perfect control. I must also comment on the ending, as my pet hate at the moment is endings that leave me feeling cheated. It’s the kind of ending that you couldn’t necessarily predict, but which is obviously ‘just-so’ once you’ve finished.

I must also comment on world-building, as these novels shine in that regard also. Thanks to the long lifespan of the Hidden, we get to see our world both now and in the past, both of which are richly evoked, while also experiencing (enjoying is definitely the wrong word!) the Halls of the Hidden in full technicolour.

All in all, I absolutely recommend this pair of novels as a great example of well-written fantasy, strong use of multiple narrators and excellent adaptation of faery lore.

[Fae Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Follows on from the first book, a few years later; focusing more on Connie than Lissy. We see an old reign die with a mix of chaos that leads into a new reign with more of a peaceful ending. Favourite characters are Larkspur and Nicolas mostly because I liked how they were outcasts throughout the books. (Nicolas appearing in the second book only.)

[Vir · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a bunch of crap.

[Mette Nilsen Syversen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the second book. I am still new to reading but I liked alot of the things that happend