Queen

Thrall #3

by K.A. Riley

The story continues in the third instalment of the Thrall series...

Genres: Fantasy

462 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2024

About the author

K. A. Riley is a writer of speculative and science fiction, dedicated to creating worlds just different enough from our own to be entertaining, intriguing and a little frightening all at once. For Riley, writing isn't a job. It's a laboratory where readers can wander into a land of ideas; it's a playground where they can scamper around, giggling, gasping, and freaking out to their hearts' content.

Riley is the top-secret pen-name of a NYT and USA Today best-selling author.

Reviews

[Amanda Blanche · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m gonna start this by saying that K.A Riley made a TikTok apologizing for making people cry with her words - and I am one of those people and I do not accept. (Ok I do, all is forgiven, please keep writing forever). This is the third book in the Thrall series - about a world of people with powers (tethered) and people without (normals). The tethered are servants and lessers to the normals. This book picks up with Shara escaping from the King and Prince. Now looking for her mate, Thorne, who has been sent to the Capitol. Half in ruins, ruled by a Magistrate and the mysterious Shadow, Shara struggles to find her place while also feeling powerless to change the constant struggle of her people. We also get to meet Rivenna and other side characters that brought the story to life. It was everything I wanted. The next books will be a branch off of this story, focusing on another character - I’m not telling, no spoilers!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great ending to a solid story! This book was such a ride but it kept me guessing all the way through. I thought she wrapped this story really well. I’m also intrigued to see where she takes this spin off in Bound, but knowing she’s loosing basing it on Jane Eyre is keeping my interest!

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

This book definitely did not disappoint. Through most of the book, I felt as though I was on an emotional coaster. I loved the ending, and desperately hope this next book that centers on Soleia will be just as good as this last look.

[Katie Lanier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this series! The plot, the secrets, the political intrigue - everything!

The twists and turns in this particular book were UNHINGED in the best possible way. I kept waiting for this other shoe to drop with Thorne where he would end up a villain, and I’m so glad he didn’t, because the way the story went was AMAZING!

I highlighted so many amazing lines (I read on Kindle) that I could reread for years and still get the feels because it just hits you so hard. Riley has an incredible way with words that keeps you reading until you’re finished!

I did discover while reading this third installment, that I don’t particularly LOVE any of the characters. This is probably due to the fact that we meet them exactly where they are. We don’t really get any background on them, as if nothing ever happened in their pasts. We do get little tidbits here and there, but it doesn’t really help to deepen our understanding of them as people. I say that, but it didn’t stop me from reading, because again, the PLOT IS EVERYTHING.

My only other vice with this book is that if you took out the spicy scenes from book 2 and 3, you probably could’ve fit those two books in one. I’m not a hater of spicy scenes, it just felt as if they weren’t contributing to the plot and were just there to fill pages.

Don’t know if I’ll continue with the next two, as the arc is changing, but I look forward to reading more from this author!

[El | libro.vermo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am actually dying. No, I’m already dead. It’s not at all what I typically read (m/f spicy romance heh) but I love this dystopian series so much. K.A. Riley is just a bombass writer. She’s too good. This is the third book in her Thrall series and also the longest, but that didn’t stop me from reading it in one sitting just as I did with the other two.

So I won’t lie, there was a point about a quarter of the way through where I thought I had a lot of the plot figured out and I was a little disappointed because I was like “man this feels pretty predictable” and holy shit was I wrong wow I’m such an idiot, like I’m seriously embarrassed for my past self. Queen had some great twists and turns and I cannot believe I had the audacity to think I knew what was going on so early in the book.

The Thrall series has been so fun to read and while I know the fourth book is going to be pretty different, I’m super excited because I have every confidence that it will be just as great!

[MJ Symmonds · Rating 5 out of 5]

How does this author do it? I was kept guessing throughout this whole book and I did not see it coming! You want to talk about being gobsmacked. I was completely & thoroughly gobsmacked. I will give nothing away about about this book because you all need to go in and feel all the feels, get completely crushed (because you will) and then, bam! Everything will eventually make sense but you will be questioning what the hell this author was thinking by writing what she wrote.

If you haven't started this series I urge you to do so. It is just so special. I want to see Shara and Thorne on the big screen along with some of their new friends. This series is made for the screen!!

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Capitol is so bleak and we were introduced to a lot of new characters, so it took me awhile to really get into this book...but then I really, really did, and I think it was my favourite so far. It kept me guessing the whole time. I cried so much when a certain character died but was not expecting the twists and turns that followed
Only thing was, I don't think we ever found out what was going on with her maude unit. Who programmed it in the Tower and again later? Who was downloading the info to the isles thus making Maude act strange? Who was responsible for maude shocking her when she said too much in front of Kith and her father?

[Serena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this series! It was incredibly engaging and filled with unexpected twists in the best possible way. There were several moments where I was genuinely surprised by the direction the story took, which kept me on the edge of my seat. The plot was so well-crafted that, once I finally had the chance to sit down and really dive in, I couldn't put it down. I found myself racing through the chapters, eager to see what would happen next. It's rare to find a story that keeps you guessing like this one did. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a thrilling, unpredictable read!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was pretty disappointing. The whole time my mind was spinning with possibilities like Kith was impersonating Thorne, or Joy being Rivenna, or Thorne being ancient like Rivenna from sharing reaping powers and somehow being connected to the first king. So what actually happened fell kind of flat. They all kept so many secrets from Shara, saying they would tell her when the time was right, it just felt like there would be so much more. Also, it was never answered how they knew absolutely everything about Shara.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time! I came up with a million theories and discarded them a few pages later and the ending still managed to surprise me. This was such a wild, emotional ride and I admit, there was a moment I felt so tempted to chuck my kindle against the wall.
This was an amazing ending to the frist trilogy and I really can't wait to read about Shara's little sister in the next book!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC

Dystopian Romance, Mates, Powers

Shara (FMC) escapes the Royal family to search for her mate Thorne (MMC). Shara finds new friends and family , but who can she trust?

I love this series. I love this author. She makes you love the characters and makes you cry. Always second guessing where things are going and then "poof" throws you for a loop.

If you have not read this you NEED it!!

[Maggie Noll · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m happy to be done with this book series. It just wasn’t good in my mind. It took forever to get good, and even then it was just so stretched out that I wanted to put the book down more times than I wanted to keep reading. I’m happy that the other two books in the series are about someone else because I don’t think I could read another 2 books like this. I have it 3 stars because it did have good action and good plot twists, but I still was so bored with it I can’t give it 4.

[Angelina Bartel · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️ while it kept me reading, there was no “it factor”…underdeveloped characters are my biggest criticism and a plot that somehow moved too fast and too slow at the same time. I wasn’t a fan of some of the “twists” in the story and don’t feel particularly eager to find out what happens next. That said, the romance between the FMC and her S/O did find some depth in this installment (finally), but lots of room for growth, still.

[Laura Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to recieve an advanced copy of this book, thank you to K. A. Riley and team for that. This was such a great book. I was very curious to see where things would go after the end of Broken, and this book did not disappoint. There’s lots of twists in this one. definitely worth a read and can’t wait for the next.

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This seties, which started off with me wanting just to read a trashy standalone book has led me to one of the best series ive read recently. Tears may have been shed and i gave up at trying to guess exactly what was going on. Obviously,there was going to be a plot twist but for once i couldn't see what that was. While not perfect, it's as close to perfect as i've read in recent years.

[Andrea Holley · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Queen Will Save Us All 👑
This one was my favorite of the series so far. Shocking and twisty. It hit the spot.
Shara + Thorne
All they want is a quiet life in a little house with a white fence, a porch swing and a rose garden.
But with the fate of the world on their shoulders, is anything but death in their future?
Have you read this one yet? What did you think?

[Melisse I Bridges · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best of all the Thrall

This book brought everything together and (spoiler alert) when Thorne was punished for doing something he didn't do I had tears for Shara. Couldn't put the book down and read all night.
Great series and semi-ending.

[Chrysti Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!! What a rolercoaster of emotions! I did expect the twists in this book, nor the complete and utter heart break! How am I giving a book 5 stars that broke my heart? You have to read it yourself! This series is incredible and a must read!

[Michelle Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

great series

This author is amazingly brilliant with the creative plot. Things happen you don’t see coming. Great characters. Great end to the story. But I love there’s a next book to continue your fav characters.

[Astrid Novak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too hot to put down!

Yet another fantastic book and I am so glad to see a 4th in the works. Now, waiting is going to suck. This book was great, good plot twists and satisfying ending.

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need a minute. Maybe a stiff drink. I read all night and would give Queen 4 glimmer of lust stars, 5 stars for pure originality, and 5 stars for stopping and breaking my heart multiple times throughout the book.

Book three: I did not see all that intensity coming.

[Christine Cazeneuve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great finish

This one really played with my emotions and I loved it! Wrapped up the story nicely. There is another book after this which starts another story arc but I think I'm going to end this series here.

[Britnee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twists that will leave your head spinning

This series is absolutely great and I can’t wait for what’s to come but those twists really threw me. I had to put this down several times to get my head on straight. Sad and sweet. Now onto what’s next.

[Alba Heras · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjable read

I have enjoyed Shara and Thorn's journey and love history. It was a nice enough reading which I have enjoyed, however in my opinion, it lacks emotion and intensity, which is why I cannot give it 5☆

[Chelsea Warnimont · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve discovered I am not a fan of this author’s writing. The FMC was insufferable to me. Everyone praising her but to me she was sooooooo boring. Idk I’m ending their series here and will not be continuing.

[Ayrie Peddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun series!

My favourite characters- the dog and the mouse! I really enjoyed Tallin’s story arc! I did eventually get tired of the sex scenes- for a while it seemed that was all there was to the story- without any movement forward. However- over all really interesting story.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

This was a fantastic story with A character, Shara, that is great. She has come so far and it is good to see.

[Amber Wright · Rating 2 out of 5]

Finished it because I wanted to know the ending. This one felt very much like “bad acting” on the writing front. Did not like it.

[Debby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm hooked on the series

I hope Bound wraps the series up with a red bow. I feel the ending of Queen fell a bit flat.

[Rachel Piontek · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars