What do you think?
Rate this book
The Queen Rises
Fiana Willowbark has lost everyone important to her.
Her mother sold her soul to a demon, her grandmother is dead, and her father is in prison for a crime he did not commit.
Worse yet, she lives in a dystopian Elven Kingdom where the King has made it the law for males to steal magic from females. She's barely making ends meet as a second class citizen in a dangerous patriarchy, but she does have a talent for sneaking into places she really shouldn't be.
So as a last ditch effort to get her family back, she starts trying to break her father out of prison... only to get caught by the absolute worst male she can imagine: a viciously powerful High Guard warrior, who's also the right hand to the King.
It's a high stakes game of cat and mouse that leads to several unexpected consequences... life or death, betrayal and romance, and getting tangled in a web of secrets that makes it difficult to know who to trust.
But the secrets aren't all bad... in fact some of them lead Fiana to believe that there's potential to overthrow the King and restore magic back to all of the female elves.
The Queen Rises is a faced paced, page-turning romantic fantasy and is the first in a series that explores deeper psychological themes of overcoming feelings of powerlessness, learning how to trust and depend on others (not just yourself), unraveling toxic masculinity and femininity, and finding the divine balance between the two.
The Vibes:
- FMC is in her mid 20s... and she's good at sneaking into places she really shouldn't be
- MMC is both dark/mysterious and hilariously funny
- unique magic system
- found family, animal friends + mythical creatures
- secret societies / organizations
- slow burn forbidden romance
- plot-driven spicy scenes
Early reader mini reviews:
“The smut is smuttin!!”
"Plot to smut ratio is chefs kiss."
“Okay so I’m obsessed when FMCs get manhandled for their own good lmao.”
“I’m in love with all of these animal characters. She’s like a little Snow White.”
“I was going to read for like thirty minutes max and over an hour later my hubby was like ‘are you still reading Kristen’s book?’ I legit didn’t realize how long it had been lmao.”
"I read the first 3 chapters a few days ago and I'm not even kidding you when I say I CANNOT STOP THINKING ABOUT IT. My heart yearns for the rest of the book. It's such a unique story and I LOVE your writing style!"
"The story is seriously so good Kristen. Your writing is blowing it out of the water. I can't wait for the rest of booktok to get their hands on this!"
"Lmao the cliffhanger is giving me a heartache... like... WHAT DO YOU MEAN? Like, my mouth dropped."
The Queen Rises launches February 1st and is the perfect Valentine's Day read for romantic fantasy readers!
Her mother sold her soul to a demon, her grandmother is dead, and her father is in prison for a crime he did not commit.
Worse yet, she lives in a dystopian Elven Kingdom where the King has made it the law for males to steal magic from females. She's barely making ends meet as a second class citizen in a dangerous patriarchy, but she does have a talent for sneaking into places she really shouldn't be.
So as a last ditch effort to get her family back, she starts trying to break her father out of prison... only to get caught by the absolute worst male she can imagine: a viciously powerful High Guard warrior, who's also the right hand to the King.
It's a high stakes game of cat and mouse that leads to several unexpected consequences... life or death, betrayal and romance, and getting tangled in a web of secrets that makes it difficult to know who to trust.
But the secrets aren't all bad... in fact some of them lead Fiana to believe that there's potential to overthrow the King and restore magic back to all of the female elves.
The Queen Rises is a faced paced, page-turning romantic fantasy and is the first in a series that explores deeper psychological themes of overcoming feelings of powerlessness, learning how to trust and depend on others (not just yourself), unraveling toxic masculinity and femininity, and finding the divine balance between the two.
The Vibes:
- FMC is in her mid 20s... and she's good at sneaking into places she really shouldn't be
- MMC is both dark/mysterious and hilariously funny
- unique magic system
- found family, animal friends + mythical creatures
- secret societies / organizations
- slow burn forbidden romance
- plot-driven spicy scenes
Early reader mini reviews:
“The smut is smuttin!!”
"Plot to smut ratio is chefs kiss."
“Okay so I’m obsessed when FMCs get manhandled for their own good lmao.”
“I’m in love with all of these animal characters. She’s like a little Snow White.”
“I was going to read for like thirty minutes max and over an hour later my hubby was like ‘are you still reading Kristen’s book?’ I legit didn’t realize how long it had been lmao.”
"I read the first 3 chapters a few days ago and I'm not even kidding you when I say I CANNOT STOP THINKING ABOUT IT. My heart yearns for the rest of the book. It's such a unique story and I LOVE your writing style!"
"The story is seriously so good Kristen. Your writing is blowing it out of the water. I can't wait for the rest of booktok to get their hands on this!"
"Lmao the cliffhanger is giving me a heartache... like... WHAT DO YOU MEAN? Like, my mouth dropped."
The Queen Rises launches February 1st and is the perfect Valentine's Day read for romantic fantasy readers!
576 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2025
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 16, 2025
4⭐️ !!
I am so impressed by this debut romantasy!!! I LOVED that it was elven & dystopian vibes. & it was so fast paced!
Highs😍
- Fiana was a bad ass & I love how flirty & bantery she is!!
- Evander is a TOP TIER book boyfriend😭 he literally made the whole book for me. I’m actually obsessed!!! He was so emotionally intelligent & didn’t get mad about things for no reason. Such a good communicator! Literally a dream
- The author did a really good job making us really HATE certain characters really quickly. & creating twists with characters that I wasn’t expecting!
- The overall plot was so cool & certain parts were SO unique (the school!!!)
- it was super fast paced which I loved! Truly SO MUCH happened in this book
Lows🫣
- Some plot points were pretty rushed & could have been really cool with so much build up but were like 2 paragraphs. I wanted MORE !! 😂
- It felt like things happened a little too easily. Like suddenly, this new power would be uncovered which would help in certain situations, or things would just work out on the first try with little consequence. I buddy read this my friend Amanda & she said the magic system seemed “limitless” & I totally agree with that!
Overall, this was a great debut & I think it’s a perfect romantasy for beginners to the genre! Definitely will be reading book 2😍
I am so impressed by this debut romantasy!!! I LOVED that it was elven & dystopian vibes. & it was so fast paced!
Highs😍
- Fiana was a bad ass & I love how flirty & bantery she is!!
- Evander is a TOP TIER book boyfriend😭 he literally made the whole book for me. I’m actually obsessed!!! He was so emotionally intelligent & didn’t get mad about things for no reason. Such a good communicator! Literally a dream
- The author did a really good job making us really HATE certain characters really quickly. & creating twists with characters that I wasn’t expecting!
- The overall plot was so cool & certain parts were SO unique (the school!!!)
- it was super fast paced which I loved! Truly SO MUCH happened in this book
Lows🫣
- Some plot points were pretty rushed & could have been really cool with so much build up but were like 2 paragraphs. I wanted MORE !! 😂
- It felt like things happened a little too easily. Like suddenly, this new power would be uncovered which would help in certain situations, or things would just work out on the first try with little consequence. I buddy read this my friend Amanda & she said the magic system seemed “limitless” & I totally agree with that!
Overall, this was a great debut & I think it’s a perfect romantasy for beginners to the genre! Definitely will be reading book 2😍
March 13, 2025
I want to thank the author for sending me a copy of this book! So appreciated. Rating-wise, this is somewhere between 3.75 & 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ because I did in fact have a damn good time with this — a good vibes read for suuuuure. Also, let’s be real I’m in love with the MMC of this book & if you want to swoon, pick this up. Additionally, I think this is a great like, easy intro romantasy & is a fun ride. Was I really surprised by anything that happened? No not really. Do I care? Also no. Plot, pros, & cons below 👇🏼
PLOT
Fiana’s — & all other females’ — magic was stolen at 5 years old by the king to feed into the males of his kingdom. In addition to losing her magic, she lost her access to the outside world as her mom was taken over by demons & left, & dad fiercely protected her. Until 1 day he went to prison for murder. Years later, Fiana is trying to figure out an escape for him when she’s caught by the king’s #1 guard. This book has:
- elven magic, unique magic, demons/dark magic, & dragons
- she can sense the pain of animals
- magical bonds
- love triangle with 2 flirty males trying to get our girl
- tension & flirrrrrrting
- patriarchal society
- trigger warnings include attempted SA & attempted murder
- med spice
PROS
- This was such an easy, quick read. It is constantly moving & things are happening left & right & there were really no slow moments. Like, an absolute shit ton happened in this book but it never dragged. It moved more YA-paced to me, which isn’t a bad thing at all.
- Can we talk about the MMC? No for real I’m in love with him. & he is - imo - pretty well fleshed out for a book 1 romantasy. A lot of times we just get “broody male who won’t admit his feelings” & honestly this MMC was rather refreshing. & I love a shameless flirt what can I say? For me, he was the absolute highlight of this book. Your honor, I love him.
- Fiana was a mostly good time to follow too. She made me laugh out loud a couple times & I just had fun with her. I also liked how she either just funnily insulted men or TEASED MEN BACK. I’ve been dying for this level of returned flirting from a main girly!
- The author REALLY made us despise some people pretty easily so kudos.
- I really like “dissolving” as a means of transportation. I think the term was kind of awesome.
- Interesting ending!
- Good spice 🌶️
MIDS
- The magic system is really cool but at times it felt a tad convenient. I think it might just need to be explored more in the next book to see how it folds out. It read a little limitless at times, which isn’t mundane because then where’s the challenge? But that could be because of the players at hand. So we will have to see in the next book.
CONS
- Because of the fast pace, some things seemed rushed. We were like “oh okay that’s decided/done with guess we are moving on” or “oh this is brand new information that didn’t seem hinted at but really matters right now got it.”
Thank you again to the author & whenever book 2 comes out, count me in!
PLOT
Fiana’s — & all other females’ — magic was stolen at 5 years old by the king to feed into the males of his kingdom. In addition to losing her magic, she lost her access to the outside world as her mom was taken over by demons & left, & dad fiercely protected her. Until 1 day he went to prison for murder. Years later, Fiana is trying to figure out an escape for him when she’s caught by the king’s #1 guard. This book has:
- elven magic, unique magic, demons/dark magic, & dragons
- she can sense the pain of animals
- magical bonds
- love triangle with 2 flirty males trying to get our girl
- tension & flirrrrrrting
- patriarchal society
- trigger warnings include attempted SA & attempted murder
- med spice
PROS
- This was such an easy, quick read. It is constantly moving & things are happening left & right & there were really no slow moments. Like, an absolute shit ton happened in this book but it never dragged. It moved more YA-paced to me, which isn’t a bad thing at all.
- Can we talk about the MMC? No for real I’m in love with him. & he is - imo - pretty well fleshed out for a book 1 romantasy. A lot of times we just get “broody male who won’t admit his feelings” & honestly this MMC was rather refreshing. & I love a shameless flirt what can I say? For me, he was the absolute highlight of this book. Your honor, I love him.
- Fiana was a mostly good time to follow too. She made me laugh out loud a couple times & I just had fun with her. I also liked how she either just funnily insulted men or TEASED MEN BACK. I’ve been dying for this level of returned flirting from a main girly!
- The author REALLY made us despise some people pretty easily so kudos.
- I really like “dissolving” as a means of transportation. I think the term was kind of awesome.
- Interesting ending!
- Good spice 🌶️
MIDS
- The magic system is really cool but at times it felt a tad convenient. I think it might just need to be explored more in the next book to see how it folds out. It read a little limitless at times, which isn’t mundane because then where’s the challenge? But that could be because of the players at hand. So we will have to see in the next book.
CONS
- Because of the fast pace, some things seemed rushed. We were like “oh okay that’s decided/done with guess we are moving on” or “oh this is brand new information that didn’t seem hinted at but really matters right now got it.”
Thank you again to the author & whenever book 2 comes out, count me in!
January 29, 2025
When I tell you I DEVOURED this book.
I got an ARC and am so happy to be able to FINALLY review this incredible story. I’m writing a spoiler free review for once 😉
World? Built 🗺️
Characters? Developed 🧚
Spice? Spicy 🌶️
I can’t express how much I enjoyed reading this book. The world building was fun and engaging, and the characters are have depth which is so refreshing. I LOOOOVE our MMC so much and would quite literally do anything for him, while our FMC is a bad bitch in the best way 💕
The writing was so intelligently done and the twists in this story are soooo much fun.
I’m not even going to waste time comparing it to other romantasy books because this stands on its own. Cannot WAIT for the second one! This got me out of a recent book slump and I’m forever grateful. I can’t wait to be able to buy my physical copy to add to my bookshelf ❤️
I got an ARC and am so happy to be able to FINALLY review this incredible story. I’m writing a spoiler free review for once 😉
World? Built 🗺️
Characters? Developed 🧚
Spice? Spicy 🌶️
I can’t express how much I enjoyed reading this book. The world building was fun and engaging, and the characters are have depth which is so refreshing. I LOOOOVE our MMC so much and would quite literally do anything for him, while our FMC is a bad bitch in the best way 💕
The writing was so intelligently done and the twists in this story are soooo much fun.
I’m not even going to waste time comparing it to other romantasy books because this stands on its own. Cannot WAIT for the second one! This got me out of a recent book slump and I’m forever grateful. I can’t wait to be able to buy my physical copy to add to my bookshelf ❤️
January 1, 2025
WOW… I genuinely don’t have the words to express how amazing this book is. I had the privilege of receiving an ARC copy in exchange for my review, but let me tell you I would have written a 5 star review regardless!!
This book is so unique and SO REFRESHING. The plot, characters, and world building are completely new & different from any other fantasy book I’ve read. The Queen Rises is over 600 pages and it doesn’t even feel like it because the story kept me so enthralled- never a dull moment! I have not only fallen in love with the main characters, Fiana and Evander, but the side characters as well! Each character is so well written, and the amount of detail in this book is incredible. I can’t get enough of this world!!
Kristen Cipriano is a brilliant writer and I am so excited to see what she has in store for the second book!
P.S… I can’t WAIT for booktok to discover this!!!!!
This book is so unique and SO REFRESHING. The plot, characters, and world building are completely new & different from any other fantasy book I’ve read. The Queen Rises is over 600 pages and it doesn’t even feel like it because the story kept me so enthralled- never a dull moment! I have not only fallen in love with the main characters, Fiana and Evander, but the side characters as well! Each character is so well written, and the amount of detail in this book is incredible. I can’t get enough of this world!!
Kristen Cipriano is a brilliant writer and I am so excited to see what she has in store for the second book!
P.S… I can’t WAIT for booktok to discover this!!!!!
January 15, 2025
Edited to 5 stars
I received an ARC of this for my review, and here it is.
I really liked this book. The book may be a bit lengthy, but I didn't really notice because of how well paced it was. Everything flooded in a seamless manner. A perfect embodiment of the saying "One more chapter" as we go through the twists and curves of this book. The further in you get the harder out is to put it down. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
After much thought and not being able to get this from my mind, I'm giving it a 5 star. It's now living rent free in my head.
I received an ARC of this for my review, and here it is.
I really liked this book. The book may be a bit lengthy, but I didn't really notice because of how well paced it was. Everything flooded in a seamless manner. A perfect embodiment of the saying "One more chapter" as we go through the twists and curves of this book. The further in you get the harder out is to put it down. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
After much thought and not being able to get this from my mind, I'm giving it a 5 star. It's now living rent free in my head.
March 23, 2025
I read this quickly earlier in the year and should’ve written my review then. :) I m like the storyline, unique magic and society, loved the MMC!!
February 14, 2025
I read this as an ARC. Let's start with that this is her debut novel. Kristen, where has your writing been all my life?! The writing style is an avid reader's dream. The plot a fantasy lover's wet dream. You are fully submerged into the world she has created. The characters and details feel real, and are so well developed and described that you can see it all play out like a movie as you soak in each chapter. I've read it twice now and found myself more in love the second time through. The only down side is the painstaking wait for the next installment.
February 15, 2025
Fabulous Debut
I love the story. The way she grabs your mind and throws you right in the book from the start and keeps you wanting more with each chapter but at the same time not wanting it to end. I would recommend this book to any MA 13+ reader as it does have some mild sex scenes. I can't wait for more adventures from Kristen Cipriano.
I love the story. The way she grabs your mind and throws you right in the book from the start and keeps you wanting more with each chapter but at the same time not wanting it to end. I would recommend this book to any MA 13+ reader as it does have some mild sex scenes. I can't wait for more adventures from Kristen Cipriano.
January 29, 2025
I read this book as an ARC. It has a fast paced plot, sassy characters, and a cute owl. It truly has it all! The plot has you constantly wanting more and not able to put the book down. I thought the dynamic between the main characters was very fresh, engaging, and humorous. Can’t wait for the next book!
April 5, 2025
3.75⭐️ This was a fun read, with so much happening throughout the book. Evander the MMC was my favourite. If you like Luther from Spark of the Everflame you will like Evander. Overall good debut! I do think some parts were a bit rushed but I did enjoy it. I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next for these characters.
April 30, 2025
What an epic romantasy ride! This book completely swept me away with its phenomenal world building, heart-pounding action, and a romance that had me absolutely swooning.
Fiana’s character arc was a standout - powerless in a world where magic is stolen from women, yet she grows into a fierce, determined force who is ready to take on the fate of the world. Her journey was both powerful and inspiring, and I loved watching her rise. And the MMC? Pure perfection. He’s flirty, protective, emotionally intelligent, powerful - and yes, impossibly swoon-worthy. I was hooked on their dynamic from the very beginning.
The pacing was spot on - fast-moving without ever feeling rushed - and everything flowed so smoothly. This is one of those stories that plays like a movie in your head, vivid and totally captivating. And that ending? A wild, heart-racing finale that left me desperate for the next book!
Fiana’s character arc was a standout - powerless in a world where magic is stolen from women, yet she grows into a fierce, determined force who is ready to take on the fate of the world. Her journey was both powerful and inspiring, and I loved watching her rise. And the MMC? Pure perfection. He’s flirty, protective, emotionally intelligent, powerful - and yes, impossibly swoon-worthy. I was hooked on their dynamic from the very beginning.
The pacing was spot on - fast-moving without ever feeling rushed - and everything flowed so smoothly. This is one of those stories that plays like a movie in your head, vivid and totally captivating. And that ending? A wild, heart-racing finale that left me desperate for the next book!
March 7, 2025
What a fantastic read! This is a new to me author and I can’t wait to read future books by her.
She created an amazing world with some wonderful characters. There are of course, the characters you can’t wait to be rid of! Magical!
She created an amazing world with some wonderful characters. There are of course, the characters you can’t wait to be rid of! Magical!
March 9, 2025
Such an amazing book, could not put it down and so ready for book 2!! You will not regret reading this book, so many great twists that have you on the edge of your seat. This author knows what she is doing and it’s so well written. Highly recommend!!!
April 19, 2025
There is so much to love about TQR, I truly don’t know where to start! I was not sure I was going to like this book, and I suppose I was correct, because I absolutely LOVED it. The phenomenal settings, the well developed characters, THE PLOT, the unique and realistic magic system, everything just kept getting better and better and my husband was SO annoyed that I could not put this book down. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and I am SO ready for the sequel! I can easily see this story becoming a film, it is brilliant and I can’t wait for more!
January 23, 2025
Okay. I don't have words for how much I loved this book.
I feel like I need to mention the cover too- It's so beautifully done and I feel like it gives so many nods to the kingdom and it's iciness.
I couldn't put it down. The plot twists were phenomenal, the spice had an incredible buildup (and points for creativity!!!) the character development was so so good, and I'm hanging on the edge of my seat for Kristen's sequel to this incredible adventure in 2026.
I was blessed to be a part of the advanced reader team for this book.
The world building Kristen built within this novel was so much fun. Kristen's storytelling is phenomenal and the main character, Fianna, is one you can relate to so deeply. She is powerful, beautiful, spicy, intense, and has morals that allow you to emotionally connect to her, her life story and her mission very deeply. The love in this story, is a true love story, filled with passion, the quality of the love is heart warming, tear jerking at many parts even, and we'd all be blessed to see a love story like the one illustrated here by Kristen.
The spice scenes- as I said, points for creativity, this is not run of the mill, does not leave anything to be desired, is thorough, and you can emotionally connect into it, too. Phenomenal, truly.
This book is also all about female empowerment in the best way. You can really get behind Fianna and her movements for change, and her fight to return power to the females of the kingdom. You're on your toes with this one, the whole time, whether it's the spicy scenes, the twists, the AUDACITY, you're on your toes waiting to see what happens next.
So many parts of this book are so moving, too- You'll be laughing, crying, wanting to hit certain characters, being delighted when they maybe do get hit, and most of all, in awe of the beautiful love shared. There's also a lot of spirituality in this book, too, in how the magical abilities for the characters work, how the wisdom is shared... you truly feel like you can fully see it all, in how incredibly Kristen describes it and there's an incredible bond and community built between these characters. It's quite moving. And did I mention the plot twists. Make sure you get a good snack reading this and everything you need for like two days because you aren't going to want to put it down.
As you can see, I finished it in two days. Not that it wasn't a good amount of length. It's just that good.
I really cannot wait for 2026.
I feel like I need to mention the cover too- It's so beautifully done and I feel like it gives so many nods to the kingdom and it's iciness.
I couldn't put it down. The plot twists were phenomenal, the spice had an incredible buildup (and points for creativity!!!) the character development was so so good, and I'm hanging on the edge of my seat for Kristen's sequel to this incredible adventure in 2026.
I was blessed to be a part of the advanced reader team for this book.
The world building Kristen built within this novel was so much fun. Kristen's storytelling is phenomenal and the main character, Fianna, is one you can relate to so deeply. She is powerful, beautiful, spicy, intense, and has morals that allow you to emotionally connect to her, her life story and her mission very deeply. The love in this story, is a true love story, filled with passion, the quality of the love is heart warming, tear jerking at many parts even, and we'd all be blessed to see a love story like the one illustrated here by Kristen.
The spice scenes- as I said, points for creativity, this is not run of the mill, does not leave anything to be desired, is thorough, and you can emotionally connect into it, too. Phenomenal, truly.
This book is also all about female empowerment in the best way. You can really get behind Fianna and her movements for change, and her fight to return power to the females of the kingdom. You're on your toes with this one, the whole time, whether it's the spicy scenes, the twists, the AUDACITY, you're on your toes waiting to see what happens next.
So many parts of this book are so moving, too- You'll be laughing, crying, wanting to hit certain characters, being delighted when they maybe do get hit, and most of all, in awe of the beautiful love shared. There's also a lot of spirituality in this book, too, in how the magical abilities for the characters work, how the wisdom is shared... you truly feel like you can fully see it all, in how incredibly Kristen describes it and there's an incredible bond and community built between these characters. It's quite moving. And did I mention the plot twists. Make sure you get a good snack reading this and everything you need for like two days because you aren't going to want to put it down.
As you can see, I finished it in two days. Not that it wasn't a good amount of length. It's just that good.
I really cannot wait for 2026.
January 27, 2025
I have a rule that I don’t read ARC copies of books, simply because of my work in the publishing space and the fact that I used to get bombarded with review requests that I could never keep up with.
I also rarely review books that I do enjoy unless I really, truly, love the book.
But I’ve made an exception for The Queen Rises, by Kristen Cirpiano… and I’m so freaking glad I did.
There are so many good things I have to say about this book, and because I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, I will be honest in saying… I was duped by this book. Absolutely duped. Because I didn’t think I was going to like it.
When I read the first three chapters, which are available for free when you join Kristen’s newsletter, I initially wasn’t 100% sure. This is Kristen’s debut novel, and the first three chapters felt a bit info-dumpy for me (which is something I see a lot in newer writers).
So while it was good for a debut, it hadn’t quite hooked me for obsessed yet. Still, I have heard this book be compared to Throne of Glass by SJM, which is one of my favourite series of all time, so I was inclined to keep reading out of curiosity when I got the ARC copy.
Please, for the love of God, do yourself a favour and continue reading past chapter three.
I really started to get into it around chapter five, and I want to reiterate that this is officially one of my favourite books of all time. I was pleasantly proven wrong by my initial hesitations. I actually put down Lauren Roberts’ Powerless for this and don’t plan on picking Powerless back up because this book was just so much more enjoyable for me personally.
The protagonist, Fiana, has this amazing scene in the bar where she kicks absolute ass, and without spoiling too much of the plot, that’s where her character started to win me over. Other characters are introduced at that point that I also loved and have since grown quite fond of.
I also did NOT expect this book to go in many of the directions that it did, and each twist just got better and better.
Here’s just a couple of things I really loved and want to highlight:
Calimo – this character kept me SO engaged. I could *not* figure out if he was a good guy or a bad guy, and there were vulnerable parts of his character that I really loved. It kept me guessing all the way to the end.
Haldric – Fiana’s owl companion is definitely one of my favourite characters. I did not expect to get so attached to a freaking owl, of all things. But I loved him so much more when we got to hear him TALK (not saying anything more - lips zipped!)
The plot twists be twistin – like, I still can’t believe this is a DEBUT NOVEL. This plotline plots better than half the YA novels I’ve seen come out in the past decade. It is incredibly well developed, with twists that I did not see coming a mile away. I was absolutely shook when I finally started to catch on to what was happening.
Worldbuilding – the history of the world that Kristen has built is really important to the plotline, and I felt that the more I uncovered about the world, the more interesting the story became. Things definitely make more sense as you read on, everything feels well thought out and reasoned, and this is one of those books where I really appreciated the gradual reveal of information as we went from setting to setting – this is a BIG world that Kristen has created and I kept thinking to myself “holy sh*t, there’s MORE? And it’s ALL this well developed?”
The magic system – not only was the magic system really easy to follow despite being quite big, but it’s SO unique how it works, while also keeping some key, beloved factors of fae fantasy that romance readers will love and appreciate.
The animals – I really can’t say much about this without spoiling a ton, but I have so much appreciation for how much thought went into this aspect of the story and magic system.
The romance – okay, usually this is my main reason for reading and enjoying a book. Surprisingly, it’s the thing I enjoyed the least in this book – but that means everything else was EXCEPTIONALLY good to outrank the romance. It also doesn’t mean the romance isn’t good (everything is there - the plot twists, the tension, the smut) but I didn’t *love* Evander’s character in the first half. It’s 100% a personal preference, and he DID start to grow on me a lot around the halfway point. I also loved how beautiful the romance was towards the end, it was very emotionally pulling, so definitely not bad! Just a personal thing.
There are, of course, some other things I didn’t enjoy, and things I think Kristen will improve at as she grows as a writer, but they really don’t deter from a good book. I don’t even want to mention them in this review because they’re so miniscule and it’s honestly an experience thing, you simply get better the more you write.
There’s also more to say on what’s good, but it’s all in spoiler territory. Honestly, just read it. You will understand what I mean. There’s a mystery in this book and it kind of just keeps happening. In a good way. There is so much going ON in this book, and it never feels like it’s too much or too fast paced. It’s an incredibly solid read. It’s the kind of book I read for hours straight and couldn’t put down, and the kind of book I keep thinking about days afterwards.
One last thing I want to say… I really haven’t read anything like this in a very long time. It ticks all the boxes for a fantasy… and it will still feel so unlike anything you’ve read before. I cannot wait for book two.
I also rarely review books that I do enjoy unless I really, truly, love the book.
But I’ve made an exception for The Queen Rises, by Kristen Cirpiano… and I’m so freaking glad I did.
There are so many good things I have to say about this book, and because I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, I will be honest in saying… I was duped by this book. Absolutely duped. Because I didn’t think I was going to like it.
When I read the first three chapters, which are available for free when you join Kristen’s newsletter, I initially wasn’t 100% sure. This is Kristen’s debut novel, and the first three chapters felt a bit info-dumpy for me (which is something I see a lot in newer writers).
So while it was good for a debut, it hadn’t quite hooked me for obsessed yet. Still, I have heard this book be compared to Throne of Glass by SJM, which is one of my favourite series of all time, so I was inclined to keep reading out of curiosity when I got the ARC copy.
Please, for the love of God, do yourself a favour and continue reading past chapter three.
I really started to get into it around chapter five, and I want to reiterate that this is officially one of my favourite books of all time. I was pleasantly proven wrong by my initial hesitations. I actually put down Lauren Roberts’ Powerless for this and don’t plan on picking Powerless back up because this book was just so much more enjoyable for me personally.
The protagonist, Fiana, has this amazing scene in the bar where she kicks absolute ass, and without spoiling too much of the plot, that’s where her character started to win me over. Other characters are introduced at that point that I also loved and have since grown quite fond of.
I also did NOT expect this book to go in many of the directions that it did, and each twist just got better and better.
Here’s just a couple of things I really loved and want to highlight:
Calimo – this character kept me SO engaged. I could *not* figure out if he was a good guy or a bad guy, and there were vulnerable parts of his character that I really loved. It kept me guessing all the way to the end.
Haldric – Fiana’s owl companion is definitely one of my favourite characters. I did not expect to get so attached to a freaking owl, of all things. But I loved him so much more when we got to hear him TALK (not saying anything more - lips zipped!)
The plot twists be twistin – like, I still can’t believe this is a DEBUT NOVEL. This plotline plots better than half the YA novels I’ve seen come out in the past decade. It is incredibly well developed, with twists that I did not see coming a mile away. I was absolutely shook when I finally started to catch on to what was happening.
Worldbuilding – the history of the world that Kristen has built is really important to the plotline, and I felt that the more I uncovered about the world, the more interesting the story became. Things definitely make more sense as you read on, everything feels well thought out and reasoned, and this is one of those books where I really appreciated the gradual reveal of information as we went from setting to setting – this is a BIG world that Kristen has created and I kept thinking to myself “holy sh*t, there’s MORE? And it’s ALL this well developed?”
The magic system – not only was the magic system really easy to follow despite being quite big, but it’s SO unique how it works, while also keeping some key, beloved factors of fae fantasy that romance readers will love and appreciate.
The animals – I really can’t say much about this without spoiling a ton, but I have so much appreciation for how much thought went into this aspect of the story and magic system.
The romance – okay, usually this is my main reason for reading and enjoying a book. Surprisingly, it’s the thing I enjoyed the least in this book – but that means everything else was EXCEPTIONALLY good to outrank the romance. It also doesn’t mean the romance isn’t good (everything is there - the plot twists, the tension, the smut) but I didn’t *love* Evander’s character in the first half. It’s 100% a personal preference, and he DID start to grow on me a lot around the halfway point. I also loved how beautiful the romance was towards the end, it was very emotionally pulling, so definitely not bad! Just a personal thing.
There are, of course, some other things I didn’t enjoy, and things I think Kristen will improve at as she grows as a writer, but they really don’t deter from a good book. I don’t even want to mention them in this review because they’re so miniscule and it’s honestly an experience thing, you simply get better the more you write.
There’s also more to say on what’s good, but it’s all in spoiler territory. Honestly, just read it. You will understand what I mean. There’s a mystery in this book and it kind of just keeps happening. In a good way. There is so much going ON in this book, and it never feels like it’s too much or too fast paced. It’s an incredibly solid read. It’s the kind of book I read for hours straight and couldn’t put down, and the kind of book I keep thinking about days afterwards.
One last thing I want to say… I really haven’t read anything like this in a very long time. It ticks all the boxes for a fantasy… and it will still feel so unlike anything you’ve read before. I cannot wait for book two.
February 6, 2025
I don’t think I’ve read a book as good as this in a long, long time. Every part of this story is utterly addicting!
World building was done very tastefully. I say this because I’ve read some books where the world building takes up SO much of the book that it gets kinda boring, but TQR is much more intentional with it. Same with the politics and the history behind the present time explained, she does a great job of bringing perspective to the reader without taking excessive time away from the plot. Tasteful!!
The characters are unique and enticing, the plot twists were TWISTING, the spice is sprinkled in perfectly and organically (which, btw, HOT.🥵) I mean it when I say that if I could rate this 10 stars, I would. I finished in 3 days and am SO READY for book 2, especially after the final plot twist….👀
Read this book!!
World building was done very tastefully. I say this because I’ve read some books where the world building takes up SO much of the book that it gets kinda boring, but TQR is much more intentional with it. Same with the politics and the history behind the present time explained, she does a great job of bringing perspective to the reader without taking excessive time away from the plot. Tasteful!!
The characters are unique and enticing, the plot twists were TWISTING, the spice is sprinkled in perfectly and organically (which, btw, HOT.🥵) I mean it when I say that if I could rate this 10 stars, I would. I finished in 3 days and am SO READY for book 2, especially after the final plot twist….👀
Read this book!!
February 3, 2026
The Queen Rises swept me into a world of stolen magic, brutal injustice, and quiet rebellion, and I didn’t want to leave it. Fiana is the kind of heroine you ache for — fierce, wounded, and determined to survive in a world built to break her. Every secret uncovered and every risk she takes feels heavy with consequence, and the slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance only intensifies the stakes. The tension, the longing, and the fight for power are woven together so beautifully that I found myself completely invested in both the love story and the revolution. This book isn’t just about magic — it’s about a woman rising when everything is stacked against her.
May 15, 2026
THE ENDING!! Wow this book is amazing! I cannot wait for book 2!
This story transports you into another world and takes you through all the feels. The author captured emotion so beautifully that I laughed, cried, screamed, blushed throughout the whole book. The character development of the two main characters was exceptional. It was my favorite part. The author did an excellent job at evolving our understanding and trust of the MMC right alongside the FMC learning how to trust and be open too. It allowed me to reflect my own life and relate to the FMC. It's a magical must read! Go get your copy now!
This story transports you into another world and takes you through all the feels. The author captured emotion so beautifully that I laughed, cried, screamed, blushed throughout the whole book. The character development of the two main characters was exceptional. It was my favorite part. The author did an excellent job at evolving our understanding and trust of the MMC right alongside the FMC learning how to trust and be open too. It allowed me to reflect my own life and relate to the FMC. It's a magical must read! Go get your copy now!
April 23, 2025
If you are looking for a romantasy with nice banter, spice, as well as a story that is high stake and magical, then give this a try.
This book is not a stand-alone, and if you are like me, it will leave you with SO MANY QUESTIONS...
I loved the premise of females having their power taken by the males. I also really loved that through this story I was uncertain of who to trust and what the motives were for certain people.
This was a fun romantasy and I enjoyed the read and adventure. I am looking forward to the rest of the story!
This book is not a stand-alone, and if you are like me, it will leave you with SO MANY QUESTIONS...
I loved the premise of females having their power taken by the males. I also really loved that through this story I was uncertain of who to trust and what the motives were for certain people.
This was a fun romantasy and I enjoyed the read and adventure. I am looking forward to the rest of the story!
March 2, 2026
This book was a total breath of fresh air. It is unlike other typical Romantasy books and I love the spin that Kristen put on the unique magic system of this world. She wrote a heroin worth rooting for that was strong and resilient despite the challenges she faced, and Evander is every girls' dream book boyfriend. This was a top read of mine last year when it very first was published. I read the book in a matter of days, it was so good I couldn't put it down. I cannot wait to see what Kristen has up her sleeve with the second book and I look forward to reading it.
January 29, 2025
I received this book as an ARC, and wow! My first ARC read, and I am so glad I was chosen. I was nervous due to the number of pages in the book, but this is a cannot put down the book. This book will have you wanting to read "just one more page"; before you know it, it is tomorrow. The book's descriptions made me feel like I was watching a movie. I am a visual reader, and this book is perfect for those who need it to enjoy it. I am excited for the next book (s) from this author.
April 24, 2025
Such a fun read! I loved it so much. The characters, plot, world, animals, secrets, juicy scenes... I kept turning the pages until I finished the book. It was so cool to see the dynamic develop and change between the two main characters. I absolutely LOVED the ending and can't wait for more books in this series.
January 29, 2025
I started reading and suddenly it was 3 AM. I’m fairly certain my dog was judging me and I definitely had forgotten to even eat dinner haha! 10/10 I would let this book (and the next one!) ruin my sleep schedule again
February 3, 2025
I’ve been so excited to see Kristen bring this book to life! Her passion, creativity, and love for storytelling shines through everything she does. If you love bingeable fantasy worlds filled with romance, adventure and unforgettable characters, you must get The Queen Rises!
March 24, 2025
Must read! Absolutely loved it, I was hooked after the first chapter.
November 23, 2025
I couldn’t read this book fast enough! The twist and turns were exciting and the outcomes satisfying. I can’t wait to read the next one. Thank you, Kristen, for sharing your gift with us.
June 1, 2026
This book pulled me in from the very first chapter. I immediately felt invested in both the world and the characters. The enemies to lovers journey is full of tension and chemistry.
This is easily my favorite read of 2026 so far and I can’t wait for Fallen Kingdom to come out in October.
This is easily my favorite read of 2026 so far and I can’t wait for Fallen Kingdom to come out in October.
November 21, 2025
I devoured this BOOK!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews