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The Unchosen #2
The Rose Court
The old order crumbles. New battle lines are drawn. With enemies at the gate, the last thing Dacia needs is a contender for the crown.
Nicoleta Aurelian’s official coronation is fast approaching, but she’s having doubts about being recognized as Empress of Dacia.
As a scholar’s daughter, she has little understanding of the machinations of the Rose Court, let alone the political skills needed to run a kingdom. With the nobility abandoning her, a possible traitor in her inner circle, and the surrounding kingdoms alert to any weaknesses, Nikka must consider her every move.
Her desperate gambit to end the Lilac Plague may have saved Dacia, but without the sickness to keep rivals at bay, it also made her kingdom vulnerable to invasion. And her attempts to improve the lives of the most vulnerable put the entire kingdom at risk of economic collapse.
Between Auripo’s war-like future queen, the powerful and ambitious Theracian Emperor, and the magical Norte, it’s impossible to know who to trust. Nikka must rely on old allies and her instincts to keep Dacia safe from threats within and without. But what if that means handing over the crown to the mysterious heir of Odon? Who would you choose when every alliance means making an enemy?
The sequel to The Lilac Plague, with ancient magic, thorny political intrigue, mystery, and romance will leave you clamoring for the final book in The Unchosen trilogy.
Nicoleta Aurelian’s official coronation is fast approaching, but she’s having doubts about being recognized as Empress of Dacia.
As a scholar’s daughter, she has little understanding of the machinations of the Rose Court, let alone the political skills needed to run a kingdom. With the nobility abandoning her, a possible traitor in her inner circle, and the surrounding kingdoms alert to any weaknesses, Nikka must consider her every move.
Her desperate gambit to end the Lilac Plague may have saved Dacia, but without the sickness to keep rivals at bay, it also made her kingdom vulnerable to invasion. And her attempts to improve the lives of the most vulnerable put the entire kingdom at risk of economic collapse.
Between Auripo’s war-like future queen, the powerful and ambitious Theracian Emperor, and the magical Norte, it’s impossible to know who to trust. Nikka must rely on old allies and her instincts to keep Dacia safe from threats within and without. But what if that means handing over the crown to the mysterious heir of Odon? Who would you choose when every alliance means making an enemy?
The sequel to The Lilac Plague, with ancient magic, thorny political intrigue, mystery, and romance will leave you clamoring for the final book in The Unchosen trilogy.
- GenresFantasyYoung Adult
568 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 14, 2019
About the author
Kristin J. Dawson
10 books103 followersI am a chocolate and romantic English movie lover who reads and writes fantasy and science fiction. You can find me most often indulging in my favorite things at 2 am -- night owls unite! I write epic fantasy with political intrigue, complicated families, and unique magic systems. When I'm not writing, toting kids on mountain adventures, or cleaning out the chicken coop, I'm probably trying to talk author friends into more shenanigans.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 8, 2021
AHHH soo good!! <3
January 27, 2022
Court intrigue aplenty as the Golden Protector assumes the throne!
There is a lot of action, intrigue, and lies in The Rose Court, which can almost get frustrating because EVERYONE is keeping secrets! This book plays out like a murder mystery, lots of intrigue and lots of characters in play to suspect. The hints of who the traitor was throughout the story were a bit obvious to me, so much that I wanted it to just be discovered already and get on with it! But even knowing some of that, there was misdirection and plenty of treachery to go around.
This was all about the intrigue, playing sides, backstabbing, and general mind games within the Rose Court as Nicoleta adjusts to court life and prepares for her coronation as Empress. Representatives from the surrounding kingdoms of Auripo, Norte, and Theracia make their way to Dacia to meet the Golden Protector, negotiate alliances, and attend the coronation, but all of them have ulterior motives and none of them can be trusted! There's so much going on and so many people involved that Nikka becomes entangled in assassination attempts, nobles abandon their posts in the governing of the empire, and negotiations with the delegates become "which arranged marriage will best protect our kingdom from the others?"
Nicoleta struggles with learning how to be a leader and decision-maker, lacking the education and preparation that nobles are raised with. She actually does pretty well at stepping into her responsibilities and doing them with (maybe feigned) confidence that she has the authority to do so. She picks up on the customs and royal protocols rather well and is quick to observe and learn from everyone around her. Only a few times does she doubt that she is the right person to rule and protect Dacia, but she cares about the safety and prosperity of all her people more than anyone else would, and receives several confirmations that she is the only True Heir who can unite the people as the wizard's curse intended.
The main thing that drove me crazy was the need for better editing, specifically for continuity. There were many times where I was pulled from the flow of the story: a character is sitting and talking to someone and then is suddenly standing across the room without mention of them moving (and not because it's magic); or two characters are in a room and you think they're alone but then someone else chimes in as if they were there the entire time, which would change the way a conversation was perceived if you thought they were alone; or two characters are together and then very clearly go separate ways, only to inexplicably be found together again on the next page with no explanation of what happened. It was frustrating and confusing for a reader to have to decipher which alternative of the mixed up narrative was intended to be the version that remained in the final product. For all the editors and beta readers listed in the acknowledgements, these things should have been fixed before publishing. Sorry, but it had to be said. I still liked the book, but for everyone's sake, catch the errors and inconsistencies first!
Common sense: Contents of this book include murder, assassins, disappearances, political intrigue and coercion, betrayal, imprisonment, wars and threats of attack, swordfighting, magic, plague, etc. The main character is learning to accept and push through her anxiety, fears, and speech impediment, but still suffers from occasional panic attacks and lack of sleep from her mental/emotional health issues caused mostly by traumatic experiences. I would suggest The Rose Court is for older teens who can understand and deal with these heavy topics.
There is a lot of action, intrigue, and lies in The Rose Court, which can almost get frustrating because EVERYONE is keeping secrets! This book plays out like a murder mystery, lots of intrigue and lots of characters in play to suspect. The hints of who the traitor was throughout the story were a bit obvious to me, so much that I wanted it to just be discovered already and get on with it! But even knowing some of that, there was misdirection and plenty of treachery to go around.
This was all about the intrigue, playing sides, backstabbing, and general mind games within the Rose Court as Nicoleta adjusts to court life and prepares for her coronation as Empress. Representatives from the surrounding kingdoms of Auripo, Norte, and Theracia make their way to Dacia to meet the Golden Protector, negotiate alliances, and attend the coronation, but all of them have ulterior motives and none of them can be trusted! There's so much going on and so many people involved that Nikka becomes entangled in assassination attempts, nobles abandon their posts in the governing of the empire, and negotiations with the delegates become "which arranged marriage will best protect our kingdom from the others?"
Nicoleta struggles with learning how to be a leader and decision-maker, lacking the education and preparation that nobles are raised with. She actually does pretty well at stepping into her responsibilities and doing them with (maybe feigned) confidence that she has the authority to do so. She picks up on the customs and royal protocols rather well and is quick to observe and learn from everyone around her. Only a few times does she doubt that she is the right person to rule and protect Dacia, but she cares about the safety and prosperity of all her people more than anyone else would, and receives several confirmations that she is the only True Heir who can unite the people as the wizard's curse intended.
The main thing that drove me crazy was the need for better editing, specifically for continuity. There were many times where I was pulled from the flow of the story: a character is sitting and talking to someone and then is suddenly standing across the room without mention of them moving (and not because it's magic); or two characters are in a room and you think they're alone but then someone else chimes in as if they were there the entire time, which would change the way a conversation was perceived if you thought they were alone; or two characters are together and then very clearly go separate ways, only to inexplicably be found together again on the next page with no explanation of what happened. It was frustrating and confusing for a reader to have to decipher which alternative of the mixed up narrative was intended to be the version that remained in the final product. For all the editors and beta readers listed in the acknowledgements, these things should have been fixed before publishing. Sorry, but it had to be said. I still liked the book, but for everyone's sake, catch the errors and inconsistencies first!
Common sense: Contents of this book include murder, assassins, disappearances, political intrigue and coercion, betrayal, imprisonment, wars and threats of attack, swordfighting, magic, plague, etc. The main character is learning to accept and push through her anxiety, fears, and speech impediment, but still suffers from occasional panic attacks and lack of sleep from her mental/emotional health issues caused mostly by traumatic experiences. I would suggest The Rose Court is for older teens who can understand and deal with these heavy topics.
November 11, 2019
Oh how I love this series and this author. If you’re looking for a clean ya masterfully magical thriller of a fantasy with twists and turns and so many surprises this is the series for you.... Wow that was a mouthful 😉 I loved book 1 in this series The Lilac Plague . I’ve been saying since it read it that it is one of my most favorite reads this year. Well I’m here to amend that statement. Book 2 in The Unchosen Series is AMAZING! It is fast paced and effortlessly wonderful. Nikka is a heroine that everyone can relate to. If you’ve ever wondered how hard it would be to win a broken kingdom from a tyrant and then try to make it whole again, while being thrust into a world you know nothing about and surrounded by magic you have never possessed, Nikka does it all and more. I’m trying to describe a complicated, torrid world, full of danger and magic created with such vivid imagination that you find yourself completely enamored throughout and bewildered when you realize you’ve reached the end. Kristin Dawson is amazing and this book is wonderful. I cannot wait to see what comes next for this series and whatever else this author writes!!
July 1, 2021
Nikki is trying to settle into being a empress and is having trouble in this section of her story. It is just as good as the previous book.
July 2, 2026
3.25 stars
This review is for the trilogy.
I really liked the adventure in book 1 and the last 1/2 of book 3. I learned through this trilogy that I am not a fan of political fantasy.
Nicoleta is our heroine. Nikka by her friends.
I liked some of the side characters a lot, unfortunately, they died. I won't spoil who.
I was not a fan of Marcus or Asander at all. I thought one too creepy and the other too distant.
I loved Midnight and Blaise (spelling might be incorrect; I listeded to the trilogy.
We see a plague designed by a very strong sorcer in book 1. This lays the foundation for the story.
A king has 2 sons. He wants both sons to have a turn to rule. If one of the sons refuses to release the throne, the plague is released on the land. Horrid, I know! Especially since those affected didn't choose this.
Nicoleta comes along with a ton of secrets and unknown giftings.
Book 1 was my favorite!
Book 2 was "what napkins would you like at dinner, Empress?" And meeting after meeting; social event after social event. It was really tedious to read about the politics of court. Again, I learned from these books, this is not for me.
Book 3 was, "you made people upset, Empress. On to war!" More or less. She wants to keep her empire separate. The plague was a blessing and a curse. Blessing in that it kept neighboring kingdoms from invading. Curse in that the people were dying.
I have to give it to KJ though. While this trilogy wasn't for me, it was well written. The story was interesting. I feel like it jumped a bit. Things like, "I don't know how to weild a sword" to "You're mighty in battle!" almost overnight.
Content: some adult language, no-spice, broken engagement, will they/won't they, new magical system, loss, grief, death, blood, battles, there were some lighter moments but they were few and far between. It was heavily political and all that entails in grave details.
Overall, the resounding Goodreads reviews are very positive. While this wasn't my cuppa, try it!! It could be a great fit!!
This review is for the trilogy.
I really liked the adventure in book 1 and the last 1/2 of book 3. I learned through this trilogy that I am not a fan of political fantasy.
Nicoleta is our heroine. Nikka by her friends.
I liked some of the side characters a lot, unfortunately, they died. I won't spoil who.
I was not a fan of Marcus or Asander at all. I thought one too creepy and the other too distant.
I loved Midnight and Blaise (spelling might be incorrect; I listeded to the trilogy.
We see a plague designed by a very strong sorcer in book 1. This lays the foundation for the story.
A king has 2 sons. He wants both sons to have a turn to rule. If one of the sons refuses to release the throne, the plague is released on the land. Horrid, I know! Especially since those affected didn't choose this.
Nicoleta comes along with a ton of secrets and unknown giftings.
Book 1 was my favorite!
Book 2 was "what napkins would you like at dinner, Empress?" And meeting after meeting; social event after social event. It was really tedious to read about the politics of court. Again, I learned from these books, this is not for me.
Book 3 was, "you made people upset, Empress. On to war!" More or less. She wants to keep her empire separate. The plague was a blessing and a curse. Blessing in that it kept neighboring kingdoms from invading. Curse in that the people were dying.
I have to give it to KJ though. While this trilogy wasn't for me, it was well written. The story was interesting. I feel like it jumped a bit. Things like, "I don't know how to weild a sword" to "You're mighty in battle!" almost overnight.
Content: some adult language, no-spice, broken engagement, will they/won't they, new magical system, loss, grief, death, blood, battles, there were some lighter moments but they were few and far between. It was heavily political and all that entails in grave details.
Overall, the resounding Goodreads reviews are very positive. While this wasn't my cuppa, try it!! It could be a great fit!!
January 17, 2021
(𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬)
𝐁𝐲 𝐊𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧 𝐉. 𝐃𝐚𝐰𝐬𝐨𝐧
Looking for a clean YA fantasy that is completed? I would recommend checking out The Unchosen Series. Enjoyed the journey this story takes the read and the twists were great.
The way everything wrapped up was fantastic and that ending!
So if you like.....
✅YA Fantasy
✅Romance
✅Politics
✅Magic
✅Clean
(1)The Lilac Plague
(kindle unlimited)
(2)The Rose Court
(3) The Canina Thorn
Synopsis Book One:
" 𝐀𝐧 𝐨𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐝.
𝐀 𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬-𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞.
𝐀 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.
In a world of magic, Nicoleta is unremarkable, except for her cursed, stuttering tongue. No special powers, no renowned apprenticeship, just the terrible, stammering aftereffects of the Lilac Plague.
Until she opens a gift from her mother -- a ghostly blue vision."
𝐁𝐲 𝐊𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧 𝐉. 𝐃𝐚𝐰𝐬𝐨𝐧
Looking for a clean YA fantasy that is completed? I would recommend checking out The Unchosen Series. Enjoyed the journey this story takes the read and the twists were great.
The way everything wrapped up was fantastic and that ending!
So if you like.....
✅YA Fantasy
✅Romance
✅Politics
✅Magic
✅Clean
(1)The Lilac Plague
(kindle unlimited)
(2)The Rose Court
(3) The Canina Thorn
Synopsis Book One:
" 𝐀𝐧 𝐨𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐝.
𝐀 𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬-𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞.
𝐀 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.
In a world of magic, Nicoleta is unremarkable, except for her cursed, stuttering tongue. No special powers, no renowned apprenticeship, just the terrible, stammering aftereffects of the Lilac Plague.
Until she opens a gift from her mother -- a ghostly blue vision."
May 29, 2020
Great Second Installment
Learning more about Nicoleta's life as Empress while she prepares for her official coronation is an adventure full of political intrigue, poisonings and amazing fight scenes, not to mention a secret epilogue available as a receiver of the author's e-newsletter. Definitely worth your time. Can't wait for the final installment coming later this year.
Learning more about Nicoleta's life as Empress while she prepares for her official coronation is an adventure full of political intrigue, poisonings and amazing fight scenes, not to mention a secret epilogue available as a receiver of the author's e-newsletter. Definitely worth your time. Can't wait for the final installment coming later this year.
July 30, 2022
Hard choices
Nikka is now Empress-a job she has no training for. She must rely on her advisors, who have their own secrets and plans, as neighboring kingdoms eye Dacia. The author does an excellent job of character development. The court intrigues and attempted assassinations keep the plot moving.
Nikka is now Empress-a job she has no training for. She must rely on her advisors, who have their own secrets and plans, as neighboring kingdoms eye Dacia. The author does an excellent job of character development. The court intrigues and attempted assassinations keep the plot moving.
March 19, 2020
I need the next book!
I have enjoyed this so much. This is not like the sappy romances that I hate. It is a story about heroes who put others before themselves. it does have romance but it is not the total focus.and I like that.
I have enjoyed this so much. This is not like the sappy romances that I hate. It is a story about heroes who put others before themselves. it does have romance but it is not the total focus.and I like that.
October 15, 2020
JUST WOW!! If you loved book one you are going to die for book two. Its like here is my wallet just give me this book now!! I know that I could not put this one down!! I loved every single thing about it and really you just need to grab it and read it. And how about a soul for book three?
January 28, 2022
More action and intrigue.
I enjoyed this book more than the first one. New fresh characters and more happenings makes for more action and intrigue. I’m interested to see where Nicoleta and Asander end up and what’s going to happen to Marcus.
I enjoyed this book more than the first one. New fresh characters and more happenings makes for more action and intrigue. I’m interested to see where Nicoleta and Asander end up and what’s going to happen to Marcus.
November 23, 2019
As Nicoleta's coronation approaches, the danger and intrigue of the palace intensifies. Little did she know when she made her way through the machinations of Darcia that she would be queen, and as dignitaries and important people begin showing up for the coronation, danger arrives with them.
Some of the nobility begin stepping away, wanting nothing to do with this "common" queen while Nicoleta weeds through visitors to the court who could be allies and possibly friends. Relationships are strained, and realizations are uncovered as she works toward the only end possible if she is to save Darcia from an enemy as mysterious as it is potent.
This story continues to wow the imagination and tease the senses as Nicoleta wades through her duties and her feelings in her journey toward her coronation and the safety of her kingdom. We learn of the magic surrounding the Rose Court and what she is willing to sacrifice for the safety of her people. This story is a stimulant for the mind and a tale of love and loss that pulls at the heartstrings. I cannot imagine where the author will lead us next, but I'm willing to hang on tightly and see where this adventure takes us.
Some of the nobility begin stepping away, wanting nothing to do with this "common" queen while Nicoleta weeds through visitors to the court who could be allies and possibly friends. Relationships are strained, and realizations are uncovered as she works toward the only end possible if she is to save Darcia from an enemy as mysterious as it is potent.
This story continues to wow the imagination and tease the senses as Nicoleta wades through her duties and her feelings in her journey toward her coronation and the safety of her kingdom. We learn of the magic surrounding the Rose Court and what she is willing to sacrifice for the safety of her people. This story is a stimulant for the mind and a tale of love and loss that pulls at the heartstrings. I cannot imagine where the author will lead us next, but I'm willing to hang on tightly and see where this adventure takes us.
December 31, 2019
The first book in this series (THE LILAC PLAGUE) is a true heroine's journey with determination and pluck in spades. The second book, THE ROSE COURT, ups the ante tenfold. This high fantasy has everything you want in a book that you can't put down. Just like Nicoleta, I was trying to figure out who to trust and how to navigate the Rose Court. Every time I thought I had something or someone figured out, the story went off in unexpected and surprising directions. The magical elements were used in fantastic ways, but the real story was in the strong heroine, the well drawn characters, and their relationships. And, now I can't wait for the third book! I can't imagine what's in store next.
November 29, 2019
Just wow
This book was amazing. The world that has been built here is spectacular. Honestly, I think this is some of the best world building I have ever read. Just every detail is so well thought out and so well done. This book was intense. It constantly kept you guessing on what was going to happen next. The twists and turns kept you flipping through the pages so fast because you had to find out what happened next. I love following Nikkas story and I can’t wait to see what comes next for her and Dacia.
This book was amazing. The world that has been built here is spectacular. Honestly, I think this is some of the best world building I have ever read. Just every detail is so well thought out and so well done. This book was intense. It constantly kept you guessing on what was going to happen next. The twists and turns kept you flipping through the pages so fast because you had to find out what happened next. I love following Nikkas story and I can’t wait to see what comes next for her and Dacia.
November 23, 2019
I don't like weak women and she was being kept weak by poison. Eventually she woke up and became the leader she was meant to be.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews