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The Ravence Trilogy #2
The Burning Queen
In the thrilling sequel to The Phoenix King, deadly secrets are uncovered, new alliances are forged, and an exiled princess will rise from the ashes of the old world as the burning queen.
"So what will you become, Elena? Villain, hero, or conqueror?"
Ravence has fallen. Her enemies have ravaged her people. And now Elena Aadya Ravence must decide how far she will go to reap her revenge. As she is pulled into a bitter war that will decide the fate of her kingdom, a new tyrant rises to reclaim his home, and Elena finds that perhaps her hunger isn’t enough.
And his knows no bounds.
Praise for The Phoenix King:
“A captivating adventure from a gifted new voice.” —Peter V. Brett
"Come for the science fantasy worldbuilding and stay for the characters you just can’t get out of your head.” —Vaishnavi Patel
"A heady and seamless blend of sci fi and fantasy infused with Indian inspiration. An engrossing read that will have you quickly turning through the chapters." —R. R. Virdi
"So what will you become, Elena? Villain, hero, or conqueror?"
Ravence has fallen. Her enemies have ravaged her people. And now Elena Aadya Ravence must decide how far she will go to reap her revenge. As she is pulled into a bitter war that will decide the fate of her kingdom, a new tyrant rises to reclaim his home, and Elena finds that perhaps her hunger isn’t enough.
And his knows no bounds.
Praise for The Phoenix King:
“A captivating adventure from a gifted new voice.” —Peter V. Brett
"Come for the science fantasy worldbuilding and stay for the characters you just can’t get out of your head.” —Vaishnavi Patel
"A heady and seamless blend of sci fi and fantasy infused with Indian inspiration. An engrossing read that will have you quickly turning through the chapters." —R. R. Virdi
487 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 4, 2025
91 people are currently reading
13931 people want to read
About the author
Aparna Verma
2 books1,375 followersAparna Verma is the author of fantasy and sci-fi books, including The Ravence Trilogy. She graduated from Stanford University with Honors in the Arts and a B.A. in English. In 2021, she self-published The Boy with Fire, which was later republished by Orbit Books as The Phoenix King in 2023.
When she is not writing, Aparna likes to lift heavy (arm days are her favorite), dance to Bollywood music, and find cozy cafes to read myths from ancient worlds. You can connect with Aparna on TikTok at @aparnawrites, and Twitter and Instagram at @spirited_gal.
When she is not writing, Aparna likes to lift heavy (arm days are her favorite), dance to Bollywood music, and find cozy cafes to read myths from ancient worlds. You can connect with Aparna on TikTok at @aparnawrites, and Twitter and Instagram at @spirited_gal.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
Want to read
August 26, 2024Can’t wait to see my girl Elena rage to her heart’s content🥰
December 8, 2025
I think the theme for Aparna Verma’s books is officially trust no one, ever!
Political fantasy, high on intrigue with a splash of romance.
These are heart pounding, heart breaking, and so much fun!
Whats to love…
- Rich world
- high on political intrigue
- TRUST NO ONE level of secrets & betrayals
- romantic subplot
- Feminine rage
Whats not to love…
- Pacing is a little slower, but if you can be patient the payoff is worth it!
Audio Narration: 2.5/5 - The pausing at the end of each sentence was beyond excessive. A full second or more at 1x speed. This makes it very difficult to speed the book up to an enjoyable pace. I felt like I was waiting. So. Long. Each. Time. The. Sentence. Ended. I did not finish this book via audio bc of this issue. If you’re someone that doesn’t mind this — the audiobook performance was otherwise well done. The inflection, pacing (aside from the pausing issue) was consistent, and voice variations were all well done throughout the multiple narrators.
4.5⭐️| IG | TikTok |
Thank you Hachette Audio & Orbit for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
Political fantasy, high on intrigue with a splash of romance.
These are heart pounding, heart breaking, and so much fun!
Whats to love…
- Rich world
- high on political intrigue
- TRUST NO ONE level of secrets & betrayals
- romantic subplot
- Feminine rage
Whats not to love…
- Pacing is a little slower, but if you can be patient the payoff is worth it!
Audio Narration: 2.5/5 - The pausing at the end of each sentence was beyond excessive. A full second or more at 1x speed. This makes it very difficult to speed the book up to an enjoyable pace. I felt like I was waiting. So. Long. Each. Time. The. Sentence. Ended. I did not finish this book via audio bc of this issue. If you’re someone that doesn’t mind this — the audiobook performance was otherwise well done. The inflection, pacing (aside from the pausing issue) was consistent, and voice variations were all well done throughout the multiple narrators.
4.5⭐️| IG | TikTok |
Thank you Hachette Audio & Orbit for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
August 16, 2025
Guys this is so serious I don’t know what to do with myself after reading this, this series has evolved in a way that makes so much sense but was also amazingly unexpected and I WANT MORE
(There was a lot of rage, court-politics and magic and AAAAA proper RTC)
Thank you Aparna for providing an ARC of this lovely book!
(There was a lot of rage, court-politics and magic and AAAAA proper RTC)
Thank you Aparna for providing an ARC of this lovely book!
July 29, 2025
Got my very first ARC with this book and really enjoyed the ride!! Truly felt the world expand with the second book and THE ENDING!!! Sheesh!!! I thought the second book would cure my itch, NOPE. I need the third book tomorrow 😩
My only thought is I didn’t feel as if the rage was there like the book was being marketed as. I felt like the FMC was more ruthless and angrier in the first book.
My only thought is I didn’t feel as if the rage was there like the book was being marketed as. I felt like the FMC was more ruthless and angrier in the first book.
November 15, 2025
This one really dove into the politics
There was very little romance and the story was dense in a lot of places. I’m impressed with the authors creativity and foresight but I don’t often enjoy books that are this meticulous about the government and political machinations of a fantasy society. If you love a good political thriller with a small side of action and suspense and an even smaller dose of romance then you’d probably love it.
🎙️: Duet Narration, it’s immersive and entertaining.
Sci-Fi Fantasy
• Political Suspense
• Queens, Kingdoms, and Renegades
• Gods & Magic
• Small Enemies to Lovers Romance Plot (new love interest)
• Hidden Motivations
• Political Turmoil
• Crime, & Punishment
• War and Devastation
• Morally Grey
❌🌶️: No steam or spice
There was very little romance and the story was dense in a lot of places. I’m impressed with the authors creativity and foresight but I don’t often enjoy books that are this meticulous about the government and political machinations of a fantasy society. If you love a good political thriller with a small side of action and suspense and an even smaller dose of romance then you’d probably love it.
🎙️: Duet Narration, it’s immersive and entertaining.
Sci-Fi Fantasy
• Political Suspense
• Queens, Kingdoms, and Renegades
• Gods & Magic
• Small Enemies to Lovers Romance Plot (new love interest)
• Hidden Motivations
• Political Turmoil
• Crime, & Punishment
• War and Devastation
• Morally Grey
❌🌶️: No steam or spice
November 18, 2025
4.5 ★
hahaha, so book three when? book three when???
but genuinely, THIS is how you do fantasy. expansive worlds, deep lore, entangled politics with conflicting characters. it also helps that i’ve never read fantasy set in this kind of mythology before, so it was all very new and refreshing.
it’s very rewarding to see an author honing their craft right before your eyes. i just read the phoenix king right before this, and while i liked it, it had some shortcomings i couldn’t ignore. but just from the beginning of this book, the writing is better, the prologue is less bumpy, the prose is more beautiful, the characterizations have deepened, the world unfurls in a way it couldn’t in the phoenix king. this is an underrated gem. a hidden treasure. and i hope, if you’re reading this review, to give the phoenix king a chance just so you can read this amazing sequel. just remember to keep in mind that the phoenix king was an authorial debut and so it’s rough around the edges. but where the phoenix king was rough, the burning queen is polished.
samson kytuu….problematic attractive man that i just want punch in the face. he has put me through the ringer like every toxic guy irl does tbh. when he’s being a greedy little bitch, i just want to break his nose. and then he’ll start yearning and i’m being coaxed into thinking, maybe he’s not so bad. and then he’s being a greedy little bitch again. and so forth. basically, somehow he inflicted the same mental warfare in me as he did with elena. i’m always wary of him because just like elena, i feel like i can never trust him.
speaking of: elena, deeply flawed, sometimes also terribly wrong and fucked up, but you understand the reason behind her every move, her every decision. you may disagree with it, but you understand it. that’s the mark of a very well written character and so i couldn’t ask for a better protagonist for this series. she really didn’t catch a break throughout the entire plot, aparna verma wouldn’t step off her NECK.
their relationship is…complicated. enemies to lovers but in the most toxic of sense. i found myself constantly vacillating between rooting for them to not rooting for them as a couple. to rebuking them instead. however i feel about these two (i haven’t made up my mind yet, i think i only can after reading the third book), one thing i can say is that i was entertained throughout it all.
all in all: PLEASE read this, give it a chance, especially if you’re itching to bite into a fantasy of substance. if you’re feeling like the current offerings in the genre are too shallow or inconsequential, like i did—then this might just be what you’re looking for.
(just some clarifications: this is an adult epic fantasy, not a romantasy. it has romance but it’s a subplot.)
hahaha, so book three when? book three when???
but genuinely, THIS is how you do fantasy. expansive worlds, deep lore, entangled politics with conflicting characters. it also helps that i’ve never read fantasy set in this kind of mythology before, so it was all very new and refreshing.
it’s very rewarding to see an author honing their craft right before your eyes. i just read the phoenix king right before this, and while i liked it, it had some shortcomings i couldn’t ignore. but just from the beginning of this book, the writing is better, the prologue is less bumpy, the prose is more beautiful, the characterizations have deepened, the world unfurls in a way it couldn’t in the phoenix king. this is an underrated gem. a hidden treasure. and i hope, if you’re reading this review, to give the phoenix king a chance just so you can read this amazing sequel. just remember to keep in mind that the phoenix king was an authorial debut and so it’s rough around the edges. but where the phoenix king was rough, the burning queen is polished.
samson kytuu….problematic attractive man that i just want punch in the face. he has put me through the ringer like every toxic guy irl does tbh. when he’s being a greedy little bitch, i just want to break his nose. and then he’ll start yearning and i’m being coaxed into thinking, maybe he’s not so bad. and then he’s being a greedy little bitch again. and so forth. basically, somehow he inflicted the same mental warfare in me as he did with elena. i’m always wary of him because just like elena, i feel like i can never trust him.
speaking of: elena, deeply flawed, sometimes also terribly wrong and fucked up, but you understand the reason behind her every move, her every decision. you may disagree with it, but you understand it. that’s the mark of a very well written character and so i couldn’t ask for a better protagonist for this series. she really didn’t catch a break throughout the entire plot, aparna verma wouldn’t step off her NECK.
their relationship is…complicated. enemies to lovers but in the most toxic of sense. i found myself constantly vacillating between rooting for them to not rooting for them as a couple. to rebuking them instead. however i feel about these two (i haven’t made up my mind yet, i think i only can after reading the third book), one thing i can say is that i was entertained throughout it all.
all in all: PLEASE read this, give it a chance, especially if you’re itching to bite into a fantasy of substance. if you’re feeling like the current offerings in the genre are too shallow or inconsequential, like i did—then this might just be what you’re looking for.
(just some clarifications: this is an adult epic fantasy, not a romantasy. it has romance but it’s a subplot.)
August 22, 2025
This book picked up immediately after book one, with the stakes being higher and the “magic” being more epic!
I enjoyed the prose at the beginning of each chapter because it set the tone for what the author would lay out.
The world building is so vast and the author’s words flow seamlessl. Though this book was lengthy, I devoured it within a week! My attention was captured from page one and I really enjoyed The Phoenix King’s recap at the very beginning. Book recaps should be mandatory in fantasy series.
My only con is I feel like Elena didn’t rage as much as she should’ve. In my opinion, she was angrier and steadfast in book one than in book two. Despite this, I’m still eager and excited to read the conclusion of this series!
I enjoyed the prose at the beginning of each chapter because it set the tone for what the author would lay out.
The world building is so vast and the author’s words flow seamlessl. Though this book was lengthy, I devoured it within a week! My attention was captured from page one and I really enjoyed The Phoenix King’s recap at the very beginning. Book recaps should be mandatory in fantasy series.
My only con is I feel like Elena didn’t rage as much as she should’ve. In my opinion, she was angrier and steadfast in book one than in book two. Despite this, I’m still eager and excited to read the conclusion of this series!
October 30, 2025
4.5 !
I absolutely love when a sequel surpasses the first in the series - as was the case with The Burning Queen. I could truly barely put this down, and finished it in a matter of days. I even downloaded the audiobook so that I could tandem read while commuting! Also, I greatly appreciated the recap at the beginning of the novel (I think they should be standard for fantasy books).
In The Burning Queen, the stakes are higher, the magic even more epic, and the pages are full of betrayals, revenge, and a fire which burns, eternal. There is so much yearning between Elena and Samson, such a beautiful slow burn, without it being cheesy or overblown. I could feel the push and pull between them, perfectly!
And...that twist? Whew! I'm ready to read the conclusion of the trilogy!
I absolutely love when a sequel surpasses the first in the series - as was the case with The Burning Queen. I could truly barely put this down, and finished it in a matter of days. I even downloaded the audiobook so that I could tandem read while commuting! Also, I greatly appreciated the recap at the beginning of the novel (I think they should be standard for fantasy books).
In The Burning Queen, the stakes are higher, the magic even more epic, and the pages are full of betrayals, revenge, and a fire which burns, eternal. There is so much yearning between Elena and Samson, such a beautiful slow burn, without it being cheesy or overblown. I could feel the push and pull between them, perfectly!
And...that twist? Whew! I'm ready to read the conclusion of the trilogy!
October 8, 2025
enraaaaaagggesss me that not enough people know about this series. this author is so beyond talented i was at the edge of my seat for every second of this and i hope more people pick up the first book and then this one
December 31, 2025
4.5⭐️ This series is criminally underhyped. I love a good urban fantasy.
July 24, 2025
I got this as an ARC and could barely put it down. From the first chapter I was gripped by the political intrigue, the magic system and way the characters evolved throughout. Aparna does an incredible job of taking the story she began in The Phoenix King and furthering it into one of my favorite series. I can’t wait to reread this and catch all the little nuances that I’m certain I missed while devouring this book the first time.
November 18, 2025
The Burning Queen by Aparna Verma
This book was definitely stronger than the first one, with a bit more romance and tension. She even sets up a love triangle, but as with book one, the romance is so minimal that if you blink, you’ll miss the moments. This installment expands the world and the politics introduced earlier, and while it was marketed as “female rage,” I personally didn’t think Elena was that mad. Honestly, I wish she had been angrier. She makes a lot of choices I find… questionable, but I can’t talk about them without spoiling the entire book, LOL.
Book one focused heavily on world-building and introducing Yassen as a love interest, but book two is all about Samson. Elena and Samson’s relationship is incredibly volatile and toxic—they bicker and fight constantly for an engaged couple who should be working together, but the tension between them keeps fueling conflict. Still, I’m rooting for Samson to end up with Elena, LOL. I LIKE A BAD BOY, and Samson is exactly that. Plus, I think he’s written much better than Yassen.
I switched to the audiobook around 60% because I had to clean up the garden before winter. The audiobook is narrated by Soneela Nankani, Vikas Adam, Deepti Gupta, and Akshay Kumar. I really enjoyed it, and I felt like Soneela stole the show, the emotion in her performance was incredible.
Thank you to Orbit, Hachette Audio, and Aparna Verma for the gifted copy and ALC.
This book was definitely stronger than the first one, with a bit more romance and tension. She even sets up a love triangle, but as with book one, the romance is so minimal that if you blink, you’ll miss the moments. This installment expands the world and the politics introduced earlier, and while it was marketed as “female rage,” I personally didn’t think Elena was that mad. Honestly, I wish she had been angrier. She makes a lot of choices I find… questionable, but I can’t talk about them without spoiling the entire book, LOL.
Book one focused heavily on world-building and introducing Yassen as a love interest, but book two is all about Samson. Elena and Samson’s relationship is incredibly volatile and toxic—they bicker and fight constantly for an engaged couple who should be working together, but the tension between them keeps fueling conflict. Still, I’m rooting for Samson to end up with Elena, LOL. I LIKE A BAD BOY, and Samson is exactly that. Plus, I think he’s written much better than Yassen.
I switched to the audiobook around 60% because I had to clean up the garden before winter. The audiobook is narrated by Soneela Nankani, Vikas Adam, Deepti Gupta, and Akshay Kumar. I really enjoyed it, and I felt like Soneela stole the show, the emotion in her performance was incredible.
Thank you to Orbit, Hachette Audio, and Aparna Verma for the gifted copy and ALC.
November 1, 2025
Advanced reader's copy review
It took me the entirety of part one of this book to get into it. I struggled with Elena, finding her naive; and Samson, finding him cruel. I struggled with how fast the action was happening, not giving time inside either character’s head to understand their emotions, especially Elena’s grief. Yet there were enough hints of character work and other things to come that I stuck with it. And it was well worth it. By part two, I was hooked, rediscovering my love for Elena. I also loved the expansion of the world building in terms of the gods and agni. By part three, I was fully engrossed in this book. I feel in love with Samson, and enjoyed the council politics. Jaya also grew on me, and while I didn’t love her actions, I understood her motivation. Lastly, the ending was brutal in the best way, though I did find Elena a bit naive again, and I predicted one of the big reveals. But it was more than strong enough to leave me counting down the days to book three and the conclusion of this trilogy. So overall I recommend this book and of course book one.
Thank you Orbit Books and Netgalley for the free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
It took me the entirety of part one of this book to get into it. I struggled with Elena, finding her naive; and Samson, finding him cruel. I struggled with how fast the action was happening, not giving time inside either character’s head to understand their emotions, especially Elena’s grief. Yet there were enough hints of character work and other things to come that I stuck with it. And it was well worth it. By part two, I was hooked, rediscovering my love for Elena. I also loved the expansion of the world building in terms of the gods and agni. By part three, I was fully engrossed in this book. I feel in love with Samson, and enjoyed the council politics. Jaya also grew on me, and while I didn’t love her actions, I understood her motivation. Lastly, the ending was brutal in the best way, though I did find Elena a bit naive again, and I predicted one of the big reveals. But it was more than strong enough to leave me counting down the days to book three and the conclusion of this trilogy. So overall I recommend this book and of course book one.
Thank you Orbit Books and Netgalley for the free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
November 16, 2025
The Burning Queen (The Ravence Trilogy, #2) by Aparna Verma
Ravence has fallen and now it is up to Elena to regain control of her beloved land. Samson is a powerful god out to save his people. Elena and Samson cross paths to save the world. There is world politics, action, a bit of romance and much more. What will you be will to do to save your world? What will you do for the greater good? What do you do to save your people? How far are you willing to go? The angst and the pull between Elena and Samson are present. The world comes alive in this book and war is happening all around them. What will happen in the end?
This book gives you a little bit of everything that you would expect from a fantasy book with its world building, set of characters and the political intrigue. So much happening and this book is worth the read if you are a fan of fantasy with some political aspects in the book. I highly recommend this series and cannot wait for book three and the conclusion to this story.
The book was narrated by Soneela Nankani; Vikas Adam; Deepti Gupta; Akshay Kumar who bring this Indian fantasy book alive. They do a great job giving each character a voice.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for a free audio copy of The Burning Queen for an honest review.
Ravence has fallen and now it is up to Elena to regain control of her beloved land. Samson is a powerful god out to save his people. Elena and Samson cross paths to save the world. There is world politics, action, a bit of romance and much more. What will you be will to do to save your world? What will you do for the greater good? What do you do to save your people? How far are you willing to go? The angst and the pull between Elena and Samson are present. The world comes alive in this book and war is happening all around them. What will happen in the end?
This book gives you a little bit of everything that you would expect from a fantasy book with its world building, set of characters and the political intrigue. So much happening and this book is worth the read if you are a fan of fantasy with some political aspects in the book. I highly recommend this series and cannot wait for book three and the conclusion to this story.
The book was narrated by Soneela Nankani; Vikas Adam; Deepti Gupta; Akshay Kumar who bring this Indian fantasy book alive. They do a great job giving each character a voice.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for a free audio copy of The Burning Queen for an honest review.
October 4, 2025
Thank you Netgalley for the digital arc and Orbit for the physical one. Ummmm I’m sorry for how incoherent this review will be. I just finished and this is a freaking masterpiece aghhhhhhh!!! The characters still have me guessing even now and they are so complex it’s so interesting. I’m obsessed with everyone and yet also terrified of them at the same time. THE ENDING??? WHAT WAS THAT? I’m shook to say the least. I also loved the introduction to some new characters in this book and new settings which helped explore the world more. I flew through the last 100 pages and I’m gagged at how crazy and good they were!!! Aparna is such a good writer and I don’t even know how to describe how good this was. Please everyone go read the Phoenix King and then this book because oh my word!!! Aghhhhhhhhh
July 27, 2025
I just finished this book and honestly all I can say right now is just… wow. lol I need to gather my thoughts 😂
Shoutout to netgalley for the ARC 🫶🏻
Shoutout to netgalley for the ARC 🫶🏻
September 29, 2025
Let me be upfront and very clear. This review is all about me convincing you to go read not just The Burning Queen, but the entire Ravence Trilogy! Just an FYI!
Why? Well, it hits. It reaches into you and shakes loose feelings and thoughts and questions that force you to wonder… what would you do?
Do you love your country? Your people? How far would you go to free them? How much would you sacrifice to save your world? What would you do for your world’s greater good?
That is at the core of this story for me.
Ruminating on all of this in this book shows you how quickly you can go from Heroine to Villain to Goddess, and what it would cost you.
Elena is our FMC. She was born a princess into a dynasty of rulers who control fire. In Book 1, The Phoenix King, we see her struggle to understand her path. She wrestles with the decisions her father, the king, makes, and she yearns to do better and more for her people. This book lays a strong foundation, describing the crafty politics, the backroom deals, and the many secrets hidden from her by both her parents. I mean the unraveling there sucks you in. It is devious, shocking, and will have you hurtling towards an unexpected conclusion.
Here is the thing, though. As good as book one was… Book two, The Burning Queen, is a gazillion times better! It just is!
The action starts immediately! Elena has new allies, and the book opens with them trying to recapture an important city. Elena learns quickly that they may be allies, but these people are not her friends, nor are they necessarily in her corner. However, they are happy to use her and her power for their own gain.
After that, Aparna Verma grabs you and flings you off into complete and utter violence and chaos. The kind that made me shout NO!!! in the middle of the night. It was unpredictable. There was so much betrayal. And with the multiple POVs, you see the motivations behind the actions, but the actions still hurt! My soul wrenched with pain and tears after certain twists. Because HOW could you pull those moves and still expect loyalty and trust? And honestly, no one could.
This book was high-stakes politics, slashed together with god powers, filtered with relationships you wanted to believe in, but knew you shouldn’t. I could not stop reading. I could not pick a side. Aparna does a brilliant job of revealing the truth of war and subjugated nations. You could see why some were considered on the one hand terrorists and on the other freedom fighters.
I rooted for everyone but the main horrible dude. He was just awful. Yet, he was vulnerable in some moments. You just know there is more to his story. Which, hopefully, will be revealed in Book three. (Please, Aparna!)
Listen, this series? It is one of the best I have read. You have your strong FMC. MMCs that will confuse but intrigue you. The politics will have you wondering who is right, who is wrong? Plus the side characters and their stories? They make this world more than worth it to dive into, headfirst!
You will not be able to choose sides. And aren’t those the BEST stories ever?
I certainly think so!
Thank you Orbit and NetGalley for this ARC in return for my honest review.
Why? Well, it hits. It reaches into you and shakes loose feelings and thoughts and questions that force you to wonder… what would you do?
Do you love your country? Your people? How far would you go to free them? How much would you sacrifice to save your world? What would you do for your world’s greater good?
That is at the core of this story for me.
Ruminating on all of this in this book shows you how quickly you can go from Heroine to Villain to Goddess, and what it would cost you.
Elena is our FMC. She was born a princess into a dynasty of rulers who control fire. In Book 1, The Phoenix King, we see her struggle to understand her path. She wrestles with the decisions her father, the king, makes, and she yearns to do better and more for her people. This book lays a strong foundation, describing the crafty politics, the backroom deals, and the many secrets hidden from her by both her parents. I mean the unraveling there sucks you in. It is devious, shocking, and will have you hurtling towards an unexpected conclusion.
Here is the thing, though. As good as book one was… Book two, The Burning Queen, is a gazillion times better! It just is!
The action starts immediately! Elena has new allies, and the book opens with them trying to recapture an important city. Elena learns quickly that they may be allies, but these people are not her friends, nor are they necessarily in her corner. However, they are happy to use her and her power for their own gain.
After that, Aparna Verma grabs you and flings you off into complete and utter violence and chaos. The kind that made me shout NO!!! in the middle of the night. It was unpredictable. There was so much betrayal. And with the multiple POVs, you see the motivations behind the actions, but the actions still hurt! My soul wrenched with pain and tears after certain twists. Because HOW could you pull those moves and still expect loyalty and trust? And honestly, no one could.
This book was high-stakes politics, slashed together with god powers, filtered with relationships you wanted to believe in, but knew you shouldn’t. I could not stop reading. I could not pick a side. Aparna does a brilliant job of revealing the truth of war and subjugated nations. You could see why some were considered on the one hand terrorists and on the other freedom fighters.
I rooted for everyone but the main horrible dude. He was just awful. Yet, he was vulnerable in some moments. You just know there is more to his story. Which, hopefully, will be revealed in Book three. (Please, Aparna!)
Listen, this series? It is one of the best I have read. You have your strong FMC. MMCs that will confuse but intrigue you. The politics will have you wondering who is right, who is wrong? Plus the side characters and their stories? They make this world more than worth it to dive into, headfirst!
You will not be able to choose sides. And aren’t those the BEST stories ever?
I certainly think so!
Thank you Orbit and NetGalley for this ARC in return for my honest review.
November 27, 2025
Phenomenal! I’m stunned!
The Burning Queen begins where The Phoenix King ends, and there’s a recap at the beginning of this book, which I loved and needed — all books in a fantasy series should have this! Authors, please do this more 🤩
I loved this sequel even more than the first. I especially loved Elena in this book. Her transformation into Queen Elena Aadya Ravence felt natural and resonant. She went from vulnerable and naive at times to incredibly strong, complex, and brave. Her emotional and spiritual journey into becoming Queen, and her choices in the aftermath of the Phoenix King, stayed with me long after I finished.
I have to admit I really did miss Yassen in this book and found myself yearning for him deeply.
Samson, on the other hand, tested my patience at first. I went from hating to loving him in this book. He’s so morally grey, cruel even, and manipulative, but as the story unfolded, I found myself understanding him more — his grief, his darkness, his impossible choices. He’s messy and flawed, and his connection with Elena was intense, painful, and uncomfortable at times but impossible to tear away from. And that ending!!!!
If you haven’t read this series yet, please do - it’s so good. The political tension, the alliances and betrayals, the angst, the slow unraveling of trust, it all had me on edge. Every character mattered, every choice had weight, and the dual POV gave the story such emotional depth.
The Burning Queen was everything I hoped for and more. Powerful, heartbreaking, and completely captivating. You are amazing @spirited_gal
4.8 stars
The Burning Queen begins where The Phoenix King ends, and there’s a recap at the beginning of this book, which I loved and needed — all books in a fantasy series should have this! Authors, please do this more 🤩
I loved this sequel even more than the first. I especially loved Elena in this book. Her transformation into Queen Elena Aadya Ravence felt natural and resonant. She went from vulnerable and naive at times to incredibly strong, complex, and brave. Her emotional and spiritual journey into becoming Queen, and her choices in the aftermath of the Phoenix King, stayed with me long after I finished.
I have to admit I really did miss Yassen in this book and found myself yearning for him deeply.
Samson, on the other hand, tested my patience at first. I went from hating to loving him in this book. He’s so morally grey, cruel even, and manipulative, but as the story unfolded, I found myself understanding him more — his grief, his darkness, his impossible choices. He’s messy and flawed, and his connection with Elena was intense, painful, and uncomfortable at times but impossible to tear away from. And that ending!!!!
If you haven’t read this series yet, please do - it’s so good. The political tension, the alliances and betrayals, the angst, the slow unraveling of trust, it all had me on edge. Every character mattered, every choice had weight, and the dual POV gave the story such emotional depth.
The Burning Queen was everything I hoped for and more. Powerful, heartbreaking, and completely captivating. You are amazing @spirited_gal
4.8 stars
Want to read
January 12, 2025According to a thread by the author it will have preorder art cards from Ngoc Nguyen; it was noted that "the hero" was inspired by art found by the author apparently from 'a unknown artist' which I recognized from tumblr as user wwifihunters, hopefully they get an acknowledgement.
November 23, 2025
{4.5} okay what the hell?!!!!! i didnt expect to love this at all because book 1 was only able to pull me through leo, and he's not in this book. samson now remains to be the only 'living' character who intrigued me in book 1, and i was under the impression that he wasn't a main character. imagine my delight when i learned he had his own chapters! i read this to see more of him and HE WAS WORTH IT!!!!!
adding samson's point of view was the MOVE. his povs clashes with elena's, yet also mirrors her in such brilliant ways. they are literally fire and water. they are the two sides of the same fucking coin.
as jaya said: "They were both so laughably transparent in their obsession with each other, she almost felt pity for their stubborn blindness."
as samsons mother said: Fire and water create the most beautiful dance. But they will always devour each other in the end.
his pov adds so much depth to the politics of this story, and also to elena, which makes her chapters much more enjoyable now than they were in book one. he slaps us the reality elena refuses to see!!!!! their dynamics make my head spin, i tried my hardest not to ship them because i don't want to set up myself for heartbreak when yassen-elena has clearly more chance of being end game. BUTTT OH MY GOD how could i not ?!!!!!!!!
spoilers ahead ‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️
THE WAY THEY TRY TO OUTSMART EACH OTHER??!!!!! THE WAY THEY MAKE EACH OTHER INSECURE? THE WAY THEY TRY TO KILL EACH OTHER??? THE WAY THEY NEEEEEEED EACH OTHER???!
how could i not ship them when they have a very compelling dynamics. i picked this series up for the "princess x knight/guard" trope but i was also served with a full feast of "reluctant allies/enemies" trope and dare i say... it is so much, SO MUCH, better.
fave quotes about them:
"In that moment, he loved her. It was not a pure, hopeful love, full of promises and beauty and softness. They had hurt each other far too much for that. Their love was carved from cruelty. Wrenched from betrayal, forged by anger. It was monstrous. Unholy. But it was wholly, utterly theirs."
"He was a flurry of motion and fire and god-given rage. A monster, and hers alone."
"She saw his blazing fury, his wrath—and his tenderness. Even in ruin, he had love for her. And it would haunt her forever."
"“You vex me, Elena. Every second, every moment you’re near, I cannot think clearly. And yet I cannot stand it when you stay away. Why must you haunt me so? Why can’t you leave me be? Tell me. Please.”
"They were on the same side, fighting for the same hope. No matter their differences, in this he and Elena were the same. They would do anything to see their homes freed."
"“You are as much a god as me, Elena. You can destroy me too.”
"Gods devour each other"
*
my only issue now is the phasing. again, everytime it gets exciting, it gives you longer dull moments. its anticlimactic. also, the push-and-pull of elena was tiring. she needs to DECIDE. i get it, she's in her hypocrite stage. but man, this is a long book. this is already book 2. the hypocritical tendencies gets tiring especially when she questions other people's morals.
i have a love-hate relationship with her. how could she judge that samson doesn't deserve freedom and redemption? what makes her better than him? the only reason she has less blood in her hands is because leo performed all the hard decisions. samson was making hard decisions for himself since childhood. she pisses me off everytime she pretends she has a higher moral ground. see i wouldn't be pissed if she wasn't edging me with her wicked thoughts, and she actually believes she could free her people without immoral deeds.. but no, she's willing to do whatever it takes just like samson. there are times where i thought "finally, she's gonna unleash her rage." but then she would reel me back.
chapter 41: "Samson was a monster. She just had to be so much worse."
chapter 59: "We are not the same, Samson" — “You’re right. You’re even more ruthless.” — He is wrong, she thought.
also her back-and-forth position on seshar confuses. she doesnt care for them, alright. they arent her responsibility, and yet she questions samson's decisions when it comes to seshar. in fact, i wasn't happy when she decided to be regent of seshar. it is obvious seshar isn't her priority. i genuinely don't believe she should be their saviour.
shes so frustrating. few times, shes giving spoiled brat. i love when samson calls her out:
“I have had many regrets in my life, Elena Aadya Ravence, but this is not one of them. Tell me. Did you feel regret when you destroyed those Jantari mines and set off landslides, crushing the tiny village?”
"You believe that only those like you deserve power. That the rest of us should be forced to kneel. To bend. But you forget one thing, queen. There are higher things than kings, and I am one of them.”
“Your kingdom has been occupied for how many days? A few months? Mine has been ruined for decades. You have only tasted the misery my people have suffered. You can’t even begin to fathom my loss. So, spare me your moral arguments. They have no purpose here.”
dont get me wrong, she's not the main reason im not giving this 5 stars (phasing is my issue!!!!). i do appreciate her character and i know there are main characters meant to frustrate you. i just hope she doesn't run my patience out in book 3 because it would be difficult to root for her then and i rlly want to root for her.
if she wants to be "rage" (since thats how her character is being marketed), then plsplspls commit. enough edging!
*
SAMSON!!!!!!!! 🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡 like leo, he became my favorite because i could TRULYYYY feel the stakes on him. he has clear character motivations. he has very familiar pain. i could see myself, as someone who lives in a once-colonized land, in him.
“So what if your god is a lie? Ravence isn’t. Make Ravence your god. Your country can become your faith. And that faith can become faith in yourself. But you must hunger for it. Crave it, with an appetite that knows no bounds.”
"The Jantari had not just taken away his home. They had taken his dignity. His personhood. Because the man he was today, the butcher she so easily called him, was not a true reflection of himself, but a creature forged to survive under their rule. How different would he be if he had lived in a free land? What would he have been like? Would he carry the same caustic rage he carried now?"
"“You spilled your own blood in the sea for me, Samson, and that’s when I knew. That’s when I recognized the fire in your eyes. You suffered that day and suffer today because you will do anything to see us all free. Your life is not your own, but ours. “Do not question who you are or why you are here. You are our Blue Star. You are the one they call Butcher. Make them fear, and then bring us home.”
*
yassen is back. him being the third fire isnt surprising. i wish his new role lessens his blandness. he and elena definitely a more end-game material, i could see them being king and queen since they balance each other out. i absolutely have no problem with that even though i loved samson-elena dynamics more. but I JUST HOPE SAMSON WOULD BE THE ONE TO SET SESHAR FREE.
adding samson's point of view was the MOVE. his povs clashes with elena's, yet also mirrors her in such brilliant ways. they are literally fire and water. they are the two sides of the same fucking coin.
as jaya said: "They were both so laughably transparent in their obsession with each other, she almost felt pity for their stubborn blindness."
as samsons mother said: Fire and water create the most beautiful dance. But they will always devour each other in the end.
his pov adds so much depth to the politics of this story, and also to elena, which makes her chapters much more enjoyable now than they were in book one. he slaps us the reality elena refuses to see!!!!! their dynamics make my head spin, i tried my hardest not to ship them because i don't want to set up myself for heartbreak when yassen-elena has clearly more chance of being end game. BUTTT OH MY GOD how could i not ?!!!!!!!!
spoilers ahead ‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️
THE WAY THEY TRY TO OUTSMART EACH OTHER??!!!!! THE WAY THEY MAKE EACH OTHER INSECURE? THE WAY THEY TRY TO KILL EACH OTHER??? THE WAY THEY NEEEEEEED EACH OTHER???!
how could i not ship them when they have a very compelling dynamics. i picked this series up for the "princess x knight/guard" trope but i was also served with a full feast of "reluctant allies/enemies" trope and dare i say... it is so much, SO MUCH, better.
fave quotes about them:
"In that moment, he loved her. It was not a pure, hopeful love, full of promises and beauty and softness. They had hurt each other far too much for that. Their love was carved from cruelty. Wrenched from betrayal, forged by anger. It was monstrous. Unholy. But it was wholly, utterly theirs."
"He was a flurry of motion and fire and god-given rage. A monster, and hers alone."
"She saw his blazing fury, his wrath—and his tenderness. Even in ruin, he had love for her. And it would haunt her forever."
"“You vex me, Elena. Every second, every moment you’re near, I cannot think clearly. And yet I cannot stand it when you stay away. Why must you haunt me so? Why can’t you leave me be? Tell me. Please.”
"They were on the same side, fighting for the same hope. No matter their differences, in this he and Elena were the same. They would do anything to see their homes freed."
"“You are as much a god as me, Elena. You can destroy me too.”
"Gods devour each other"
*
my only issue now is the phasing. again, everytime it gets exciting, it gives you longer dull moments. its anticlimactic. also, the push-and-pull of elena was tiring. she needs to DECIDE. i get it, she's in her hypocrite stage. but man, this is a long book. this is already book 2. the hypocritical tendencies gets tiring especially when she questions other people's morals.
i have a love-hate relationship with her. how could she judge that samson doesn't deserve freedom and redemption? what makes her better than him? the only reason she has less blood in her hands is because leo performed all the hard decisions. samson was making hard decisions for himself since childhood. she pisses me off everytime she pretends she has a higher moral ground. see i wouldn't be pissed if she wasn't edging me with her wicked thoughts, and she actually believes she could free her people without immoral deeds.. but no, she's willing to do whatever it takes just like samson. there are times where i thought "finally, she's gonna unleash her rage." but then she would reel me back.
chapter 41: "Samson was a monster. She just had to be so much worse."
chapter 59: "We are not the same, Samson" — “You’re right. You’re even more ruthless.” — He is wrong, she thought.
also her back-and-forth position on seshar confuses. she doesnt care for them, alright. they arent her responsibility, and yet she questions samson's decisions when it comes to seshar. in fact, i wasn't happy when she decided to be regent of seshar. it is obvious seshar isn't her priority. i genuinely don't believe she should be their saviour.
shes so frustrating. few times, shes giving spoiled brat. i love when samson calls her out:
“I have had many regrets in my life, Elena Aadya Ravence, but this is not one of them. Tell me. Did you feel regret when you destroyed those Jantari mines and set off landslides, crushing the tiny village?”
"You believe that only those like you deserve power. That the rest of us should be forced to kneel. To bend. But you forget one thing, queen. There are higher things than kings, and I am one of them.”
“Your kingdom has been occupied for how many days? A few months? Mine has been ruined for decades. You have only tasted the misery my people have suffered. You can’t even begin to fathom my loss. So, spare me your moral arguments. They have no purpose here.”
dont get me wrong, she's not the main reason im not giving this 5 stars (phasing is my issue!!!!). i do appreciate her character and i know there are main characters meant to frustrate you. i just hope she doesn't run my patience out in book 3 because it would be difficult to root for her then and i rlly want to root for her.
if she wants to be "rage" (since thats how her character is being marketed), then plsplspls commit. enough edging!
*
SAMSON!!!!!!!! 🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡 like leo, he became my favorite because i could TRULYYYY feel the stakes on him. he has clear character motivations. he has very familiar pain. i could see myself, as someone who lives in a once-colonized land, in him.
“So what if your god is a lie? Ravence isn’t. Make Ravence your god. Your country can become your faith. And that faith can become faith in yourself. But you must hunger for it. Crave it, with an appetite that knows no bounds.”
"The Jantari had not just taken away his home. They had taken his dignity. His personhood. Because the man he was today, the butcher she so easily called him, was not a true reflection of himself, but a creature forged to survive under their rule. How different would he be if he had lived in a free land? What would he have been like? Would he carry the same caustic rage he carried now?"
"“You spilled your own blood in the sea for me, Samson, and that’s when I knew. That’s when I recognized the fire in your eyes. You suffered that day and suffer today because you will do anything to see us all free. Your life is not your own, but ours. “Do not question who you are or why you are here. You are our Blue Star. You are the one they call Butcher. Make them fear, and then bring us home.”
*
yassen is back. him being the third fire isnt surprising. i wish his new role lessens his blandness. he and elena definitely a more end-game material, i could see them being king and queen since they balance each other out. i absolutely have no problem with that even though i loved samson-elena dynamics more. but I JUST HOPE SAMSON WOULD BE THE ONE TO SET SESHAR FREE.
November 2, 2025
it’s been two weeks since i read this and i still don’t know what to say!!
all my dreams and nightmares came true, and now i’m just left wondering what happens next 🤣🫠‼️
oh this book was so freaking fun.. you are not ready for these characters, especially Elena!!!
i can’t say anything without spoiling, but the burning queen is so much better, darker, emotional, and more unpredictable than the phoenix king. if you think book 1 was good and you totally know what’s going to happen next, nuh uh, you have no idea. this book blew me away. Aparna’s writing and storytelling have evolved so much in this book—it’s sharper, bolder, and more powerful, just like the characters. if book 1 left me speechless, i’ve completely lost my tongue after this one.
there’s so much toxicity and violence in this book; it really picks up the pace from the first. i feel like the phoenix king laid the foundation for the burning queen, because the shift in tone and plot is huge.
as always, my favourite thing is the representation and the bollywood vibes hehe, i was playing my desi playlist on repeat while reading. YALL AREN’T READY FOR THE PAYAL SCENE.
also, like with the last book, i couldn’t bring myself to dislike any of the characters, even the evil ones. i felt sorry for them in book 1 too, and it’s the same with the new villains here. i think it’s the way Aparna writes them, no one is purely evil; everyone has both good and bad, and it’s hard to put them in one category. i just love all the main and side characters so much!
i’m going to completely skip whatever my mind is screaming about the ending. i saw it coming, and IT HURTS. let me just say this without spoiling: if you were waiting for Yassen to show up in this book (like flipping me 😭), you’ll have to wait a few more years 😭😭😭😭
i was so close to giving this book 6 stars (my rating reserved for all-time favourites), but the whole phoenix, great serpent, and gods lore really reminded me of the magic system in the poppy war trilogy, so i kind of guessed the dynamic and ending because of that. i don’t mind the familiar lore, but it didn’t fully set this book apart for me. still, 5 stars means it’s one of the best things i’ve read this year and ever!! (will keep the 6 stars for book 3 fr)
at the end of my phoenix king review i said this book will either drag me in the eternal fire or i will jump willingly.. i guess i am jumping voluntarily!! NOT READY FOR BOOK 3 AT ALL.
all my dreams and nightmares came true, and now i’m just left wondering what happens next 🤣🫠‼️
oh this book was so freaking fun.. you are not ready for these characters, especially Elena!!!
i can’t say anything without spoiling, but the burning queen is so much better, darker, emotional, and more unpredictable than the phoenix king. if you think book 1 was good and you totally know what’s going to happen next, nuh uh, you have no idea. this book blew me away. Aparna’s writing and storytelling have evolved so much in this book—it’s sharper, bolder, and more powerful, just like the characters. if book 1 left me speechless, i’ve completely lost my tongue after this one.
there’s so much toxicity and violence in this book; it really picks up the pace from the first. i feel like the phoenix king laid the foundation for the burning queen, because the shift in tone and plot is huge.
as always, my favourite thing is the representation and the bollywood vibes hehe, i was playing my desi playlist on repeat while reading. YALL AREN’T READY FOR THE PAYAL SCENE.
also, like with the last book, i couldn’t bring myself to dislike any of the characters, even the evil ones. i felt sorry for them in book 1 too, and it’s the same with the new villains here. i think it’s the way Aparna writes them, no one is purely evil; everyone has both good and bad, and it’s hard to put them in one category. i just love all the main and side characters so much!
i’m going to completely skip whatever my mind is screaming about the ending. i saw it coming, and IT HURTS. let me just say this without spoiling: if you were waiting for Yassen to show up in this book (like flipping me 😭), you’ll have to wait a few more years 😭😭😭😭
i was so close to giving this book 6 stars (my rating reserved for all-time favourites), but the whole phoenix, great serpent, and gods lore really reminded me of the magic system in the poppy war trilogy, so i kind of guessed the dynamic and ending because of that. i don’t mind the familiar lore, but it didn’t fully set this book apart for me. still, 5 stars means it’s one of the best things i’ve read this year and ever!! (will keep the 6 stars for book 3 fr)
at the end of my phoenix king review i said this book will either drag me in the eternal fire or i will jump willingly.. i guess i am jumping voluntarily!! NOT READY FOR BOOK 3 AT ALL.
November 25, 2025
Elena is no longer an innocent princess. She is the exiled Ravani Queen and a god.
In The Phoenix King Elena told Samson she would do anything for her kingdom, now in The Burning Queen she has to live up to her words. Most of the world believes that Elena is dead after fleeing her own coronation, but the is far from giving up. Elena and Samson fight for their respective kingdoms, but each is willing to sacrifice the other to protect their own. The second book in the Ravence trilogy, war is coming and the death toll with only rise.
Thank you to Aparna Verma for starting the book with a recap of The Phoenix King. Even though it had not been that long since I had read the first book it was great to get a refresher on the important details. There is also an extensive glossary at the end of the book which should honestly be a requirement for any book with rich world building. I won't lie, when I started the first book in this series I wasn't totally sold but BOY AM I INVESTED NOW. Instead of Yassen's point of view like in the first book, we now get Samson's point of view. Samson slowly became my favorite narrator, which feels odd considering the minor role he played in the first book. Just like with the first book, The Burning Queen is a scifi fantasy with a minor romantic subplot. I won't spoil who the love interest is (you can probably guess though), but it was REAL enemies to lovers, none of this "I kind of hate him/her" sort of way, this is the "I want to end their life and I'll laugh while I do it" sort of way. I am so incredibly excited for the rest of this series.
Thank you to Orbit for the advanced copy.
In The Phoenix King Elena told Samson she would do anything for her kingdom, now in The Burning Queen she has to live up to her words. Most of the world believes that Elena is dead after fleeing her own coronation, but the is far from giving up. Elena and Samson fight for their respective kingdoms, but each is willing to sacrifice the other to protect their own. The second book in the Ravence trilogy, war is coming and the death toll with only rise.
Thank you to Aparna Verma for starting the book with a recap of The Phoenix King. Even though it had not been that long since I had read the first book it was great to get a refresher on the important details. There is also an extensive glossary at the end of the book which should honestly be a requirement for any book with rich world building. I won't lie, when I started the first book in this series I wasn't totally sold but BOY AM I INVESTED NOW. Instead of Yassen's point of view like in the first book, we now get Samson's point of view. Samson slowly became my favorite narrator, which feels odd considering the minor role he played in the first book. Just like with the first book, The Burning Queen is a scifi fantasy with a minor romantic subplot. I won't spoil who the love interest is (you can probably guess though), but it was REAL enemies to lovers, none of this "I kind of hate him/her" sort of way, this is the "I want to end their life and I'll laugh while I do it" sort of way. I am so incredibly excited for the rest of this series.
Thank you to Orbit for the advanced copy.
July 22, 2025
In The Burning Queen, Aparna Verma has woven an epic tale about vengeance and overcoming tragedy.
There are just so many things to love about TBQ! The emotions, the characters, and the cultures. Not to mention the story itself. Let's start with the emotions.
We mainly get to experience the story from the POVs of Elena and Samson, who are very, very emotional characters. They are full, absolutely full, of grief and rage. However, those dark emotions just make the lighter moments shine that much brighter. No matter how beautiful (or at least powerful) the emotions were, they would not land as hard without the lovely development of the characters.
The characters had clear motivations and desires, all of which made them more compelling. Plus, their decisions made sense considering their experiences and wants. Take Elena as an example, her desire to free Ravence and be seen as true queen contributed to a lot of her actions. And Samson, whose desire to avoid being a servant to anyone ever again contributed to his actions. The characters were also products of their environments. The cultures they grew up in shaped them in noticable ways, the same way we are shaped by our culture.
The cultures of the various kingdoms were quite interesting. The culture of Ravence, with it's almost blind faith in the Phoenix. The culture of Jantari and it's obsession with superiority and metal. The Great Serpent being prominent in Seshar's culture. All these cultures played a part in the story, with their respective beliefs being impactful on different characters. Mixed in the worldbuilding and characters were several intriguing themes. Some such themes were about the nature of faith, along with the evils of colonization and inaction. These themes were woven into how the various characters viewed the kingdoms very well, though I don't believe the author was preachy.
All in all, there is simply so much to love about The Burning Queen. Readers looking for a wonderful tale about love and burning rage, vengeance and all consuming grief, mixed in with lush worldbuilding and 3 dimensional characters, then TBQ is perfect!
Biggest thanks to the author, Orbit, and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a honest review! All opinions expressed are my own.
There are just so many things to love about TBQ! The emotions, the characters, and the cultures. Not to mention the story itself. Let's start with the emotions.
We mainly get to experience the story from the POVs of Elena and Samson, who are very, very emotional characters. They are full, absolutely full, of grief and rage. However, those dark emotions just make the lighter moments shine that much brighter. No matter how beautiful (or at least powerful) the emotions were, they would not land as hard without the lovely development of the characters.
The characters had clear motivations and desires, all of which made them more compelling. Plus, their decisions made sense considering their experiences and wants. Take Elena as an example, her desire to free Ravence and be seen as true queen contributed to a lot of her actions. And Samson, whose desire to avoid being a servant to anyone ever again contributed to his actions. The characters were also products of their environments. The cultures they grew up in shaped them in noticable ways, the same way we are shaped by our culture.
The cultures of the various kingdoms were quite interesting. The culture of Ravence, with it's almost blind faith in the Phoenix. The culture of Jantari and it's obsession with superiority and metal. The Great Serpent being prominent in Seshar's culture. All these cultures played a part in the story, with their respective beliefs being impactful on different characters. Mixed in the worldbuilding and characters were several intriguing themes. Some such themes were about the nature of faith, along with the evils of colonization and inaction. These themes were woven into how the various characters viewed the kingdoms very well, though I don't believe the author was preachy.
All in all, there is simply so much to love about The Burning Queen. Readers looking for a wonderful tale about love and burning rage, vengeance and all consuming grief, mixed in with lush worldbuilding and 3 dimensional characters, then TBQ is perfect!
Biggest thanks to the author, Orbit, and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a honest review! All opinions expressed are my own.
November 2, 2025
3.75 rounded up ★
Thank you Orbit and Netgalley for the ARC!
I am so torn on how to rate this one! On one hand, there were moments where I loved it and felt immersed into the plot and world-building, and other times where I felt scenes or certain plotlines dragged on and I felt a little slumped. It did take me a good 40% to really get into it, but also the ending made up for that and thought it set up perfectly for book three. I also love Aparna Verma's writing and feel she does a great job with descriptions, though I did find myself a little confused regarding the religious part regarding the Agni's, prophets, gods, etc.
Now for the main characters:
★Elena - I agree with other reviews that there wasn't as much feminine rage we were all hoping to see from her like it's being marketed as. I admire her strength, determination, and bravery, but felt she made decisions throughout the book that took her away from her goal. Overall, I love her as a character, but at times it was difficult to read her thought processes
★Samson - I am really conflicted with his character! You can see in the beginning of the story (and the first book, actually) the change and development in his mind that leads him to become cruel and think of himself as above others, which I actually loved to see how it happened inside his head. But, I wasn't super convinced of their romance and wasn't really rooting for him and Elena. It felt off, a bit forced, and I expected the two of them to grieve a bit more over the loss of their friend from the first book.
I appreciated the politics in this, the complexity and devastating results of war, and the emotional rollercoaster throughout the book. I do recommend this series to anyone who loves a riveting fantasy, but to keep in mind there's modern aspects involved!
Thank you Orbit and Netgalley for the ARC!
I am so torn on how to rate this one! On one hand, there were moments where I loved it and felt immersed into the plot and world-building, and other times where I felt scenes or certain plotlines dragged on and I felt a little slumped. It did take me a good 40% to really get into it, but also the ending made up for that and thought it set up perfectly for book three. I also love Aparna Verma's writing and feel she does a great job with descriptions, though I did find myself a little confused regarding the religious part regarding the Agni's, prophets, gods, etc.
Now for the main characters:
★Elena - I agree with other reviews that there wasn't as much feminine rage we were all hoping to see from her like it's being marketed as. I admire her strength, determination, and bravery, but felt she made decisions throughout the book that took her away from her goal. Overall, I love her as a character, but at times it was difficult to read her thought processes
★Samson - I am really conflicted with his character! You can see in the beginning of the story (and the first book, actually) the change and development in his mind that leads him to become cruel and think of himself as above others, which I actually loved to see how it happened inside his head. But, I wasn't super convinced of their romance and wasn't really rooting for him and Elena. It felt off, a bit forced, and I expected the two of them to grieve a bit more over the loss of their friend from the first book.
I appreciated the politics in this, the complexity and devastating results of war, and the emotional rollercoaster throughout the book. I do recommend this series to anyone who loves a riveting fantasy, but to keep in mind there's modern aspects involved!
November 4, 2025
This book absolutely finished me, and I don’t know how I’ll wait for the next one. It took me three days to read The Phoenix King but only a few hours to read The Burning Queen. This series is so well done and incredibly addicting. I love the Indian-inspired mythology and magic system. The characters have become so endearing and special to me, I’ve loved watching their growth and transformation across both books.
The series is filled with political intrigue, religious mythology, betrayals, and wonderfully evolving relationships. It was so different from what I expected and completely exceeded my expectations. The many nods to Indian culture felt deeply meaningful and honestly made me a little emotional. It added an extra layer of connection that made reading feel like coming home. The female rage and villain eras are powerful and perfectly executed. There were so many twists and turns and I didn’t predict any of it.
The Burning Queen is a stunning continuation to an already amazing series, I highly recommend it.
Thank you to Aparna Verma, and Orbit for the gifted copy
The series is filled with political intrigue, religious mythology, betrayals, and wonderfully evolving relationships. It was so different from what I expected and completely exceeded my expectations. The many nods to Indian culture felt deeply meaningful and honestly made me a little emotional. It added an extra layer of connection that made reading feel like coming home. The female rage and villain eras are powerful and perfectly executed. There were so many twists and turns and I didn’t predict any of it.
The Burning Queen is a stunning continuation to an already amazing series, I highly recommend it.
Thank you to Aparna Verma, and Orbit for the gifted copy
November 29, 2025
THESE BOOKS HIT SO HARD! I am utterly obsessed with this series. I think I liked the general vibes of the first book better but this one added SO much depth to the characters. I have never met a character like Samson who I was so torn on, peak morally grey. Elena I could never hate but it was incredible watching her truly become a Queen and all the evil that comes with that. I cannot, I repeat CANNOT, wait for the third book!!!
November 6, 2025
5 ⭐️ baby!!!
Are we surprised? We shouldn’t be.
This is book 2 in The Ravence Trilogy. I really can’t go into crazy detail because of spoilers… but if you like epic fantasy with this romantic subplot… baby please pick this up!! The plot is never sacrificed for the romance. It’s political through and through.
Ugh I love this and now I must wait for book 3… please don’t make us wait long Aparna Verma!!
Thank you NetGalley && Hachette Audio for the ALC.
Are we surprised? We shouldn’t be.
This is book 2 in The Ravence Trilogy. I really can’t go into crazy detail because of spoilers… but if you like epic fantasy with this romantic subplot… baby please pick this up!! The plot is never sacrificed for the romance. It’s political through and through.
Ugh I love this and now I must wait for book 3… please don’t make us wait long Aparna Verma!!
Thank you NetGalley && Hachette Audio for the ALC.
November 3, 2025
A perfect sequel. Absolutely love these books, especially the worldbuilding.
Read
November 10, 2025skimmed so won't rate, only interested in yassen
November 28, 2025
The Burning Queen by Aparna Verma.
Thank you to Orbit Books and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.
Let me start by saying: I do not forgive Aparna Verma. Not for this book, not for that ending, and definitely not for the emotional damage I willingly walked into like a fool with my heart in my hands and a Goodreads queue full of delusion. The Burning Queen is not just a sequel—it’s an upgrade, a glow-up, a political-fantasy fever dream where loyalty means nothing, and power will chew you up, spit you out, and then light the remains on fire for good measure.
If you thought The Phoenix King was brutal, buckle up. This book doesn’t ease you in—it dropkicks you straight into the chaos, where Ravence is in ruins and Elena is done playing nice. She’s angry. She’s grieving. She’s rebranding into a full-blown war machine with the eyeliner of a villainess and the morals of a woman who has nothing left to lose. We love that for her. We fear that for everyone else.
Elena Aadya Ravence isn’t just trying to win back a kingdom—she’s deciding what kind of monster she’s willing to become to do it. And honestly? I was rooting for the monster. The female rage in this book is exquisite. Controlled, calculated, wrapped in royal silks and heartbreak. Elena’s fury simmers under every decision, but she never loses her humanity, which makes every power play hurt even more. This is not your typical girlboss revenge arc. This is grief weaponized, compassion buried under layers of politics, and betrayal so sharp it draws blood.
Then there’s Samson Kytuu—former fiancé, current Prophet, and living embodiment of “boy, what is wrong with you?” And yet… I could not look away. He’s a messianic war criminal with a god complex and just enough emotional damage to make you spiral. His chapters are like drinking poison and liking the taste. He’s charismatic, manipulative, painfully devoted to his people—and a walking contradiction. His scenes with Elena are electric. Two broken idealists trying not to destroy each other while secretly wanting to. The tension? Unholy. The betrayal? Frequent. The chemistry? Absolutely illegal.
Together, they are a disaster. The kind you can’t stop reading about. One minute they’re united against a greater threat, the next they’re trading knife threats like love notes. I highlighted more lines during their scenes than in entire other books. One quote that wrecked me, “So what will you become, Elena? Villain, hero, or conqueror?”—you feel that question in your bones by the end. And you have no idea how to answer it.
Let’s talk structure—Verma splits this into three acts, each one a slow burn into oblivion. The world expands: more nations, more POVs, more betrayals than a Shakespearean drama performed at gunpoint. The worldbuilding is richer, more dangerous, and terrifyingly believable. The cultures are distinct, the religions divisive, and every alliance comes with a blade behind the back. Nothing is black and white here—just blood red and morally gray.
And I have to mention the audiobook. If you’re into full-cast productions, this one delivers. Soneela Nankani’s voice as Elena should be preserved in a museum. The narrators brought this world to life so vividly, I had to remind myself that no, I do not have fire powers, and yes, I do need to clock in to work like a normal person.
What makes The Burning Queen stand out in the sea of romantasy isn’t just its rage, or its politics, or even its god-tier enemies-to-lovers tension—it’s the refusal to pick a side. You’re not spoon-fed who’s right. You have to sit in the mess, in the nuance, in the uncomfortable truth that maybe no one wins in war, not really. Elena and Samson are both trying to save their people, and they’re doing it in ways that would make any therapist cry. There are no heroes here—just survivors playing chess with kingdoms.
The ending? I stared at my Kindle for a full five minutes like it personally insulted my lineage. The cliffhanger is criminal. I gasped. I yelled. I immediately started plotting elaborate theories in a journal like a conspiracy theorist with too many tabs open. It’s that good.
This book tore me apart in the best way. It’s not just a sequel—it’s a reckoning. The Burning Queen is for the fantasy reader who wants consequences, who wants complex female leads, who wants to scream about morally gray characters until their group chat is exhausted.
Final rating: 5/5 stars. No notes. I’ll be rereading until book three releases or until the Phoenix itself rises from my Kindle and grants me peace.
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