What do you think?
Rate this book
Heirs of Chrior #2
The Empty Throne
How do you find the strength to save your kingdom when you’ve lost everything?
Anya has failed in her mission to bring Prince Zabriel back to the Faerie realm of Chrior so that he can ascend his rightful throne. Instead, Zabriel, her prince, cousin and dear friend, is standing trial for crimes committed under the false name William Wolfram Pyrite. Worst of all, the last possible heir to the Faerie throne is Illumina—the cousin Anya suspects of the foulest betrayal possible.
In a desperate last attempt to put things right, Anya must partner with the unlikeliest of allies and venture into ever more dangerous situations if there is to be any hope of peace for her people.
Anya has failed in her mission to bring Prince Zabriel back to the Faerie realm of Chrior so that he can ascend his rightful throne. Instead, Zabriel, her prince, cousin and dear friend, is standing trial for crimes committed under the false name William Wolfram Pyrite. Worst of all, the last possible heir to the Faerie throne is Illumina—the cousin Anya suspects of the foulest betrayal possible.
In a desperate last attempt to put things right, Anya must partner with the unlikeliest of allies and venture into ever more dangerous situations if there is to be any hope of peace for her people.
464 pages, Hardcover
First published January 27, 2015
12 people are currently reading
1786 people want to read
About the author
Cayla Kluver
10 books849 followersCayla Kluver is the author of the Legacy Series (LEGACY, 2011; ALLEGIANCE, 2012; SACRIFICE, 2012). Her new book THE QUEEN'S CHOICE will be published by HarlequinTEEN in winter 2013/spring 2014.
Cayla spends her free time singing, reading, dancing, and horseback riding. Her office is filled with twinkly lights. She travels frequently to speak at middle and high schools, libraries, and book conventions. New York City is one of her favorite places on the planet.
Cayla spends her free time singing, reading, dancing, and horseback riding. Her office is filled with twinkly lights. She travels frequently to speak at middle and high schools, libraries, and book conventions. New York City is one of her favorite places on the planet.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
February 1, 2015
**I received this book for free from (Harlequin HQN) via (NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!! This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**
*Genre* Young Adult, Fantasy
*Rating* 3-3.5
*My Thoughts*
The Empty Throne is the sequel to The Queen's Choice and middle book in the Heirs of Chrior trilogy. Lead protagonist Princess Anya once again finds trouble where ever she goes. She is trying to get used to the idea that she no longer has wings, was most likely betrayed by her own kin Illumina, can never return to her home in Chrior, has lost all abilities as a water born fae, and is also responsible for losing the Fae Queen's dagger Anlace.
Anya faces a life without her cousin Prince Zabriel, the true heir to the crown, and the pirate known as William Wolfram Pyrite, thanks to being betrayed and facing death for crimes of piracy. Anya's desperation leads her to an even more dangerous drug that while leaving those who use it feeling euphoric, comes with a major cost.
*Full Review Posted @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
*Recvd via NetGalley 01/26/2015* Published: January 27th 2015 by Harlequin HQN
*Genre* Young Adult, Fantasy
*Rating* 3-3.5
*My Thoughts*
The Empty Throne is the sequel to The Queen's Choice and middle book in the Heirs of Chrior trilogy. Lead protagonist Princess Anya once again finds trouble where ever she goes. She is trying to get used to the idea that she no longer has wings, was most likely betrayed by her own kin Illumina, can never return to her home in Chrior, has lost all abilities as a water born fae, and is also responsible for losing the Fae Queen's dagger Anlace.
Anya faces a life without her cousin Prince Zabriel, the true heir to the crown, and the pirate known as William Wolfram Pyrite, thanks to being betrayed and facing death for crimes of piracy. Anya's desperation leads her to an even more dangerous drug that while leaving those who use it feeling euphoric, comes with a major cost.
*Full Review Posted @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
*Recvd via NetGalley 01/26/2015* Published: January 27th 2015 by Harlequin HQN
August 21, 2022
Such a fantastic book! Loved it so much, much darker! But it ends on a better note, and not really a cliffhanger, then The Queen's Choice! So good! But I still want more!
August 19, 2015
This review was originally posted on About to Read. For Fairytale fashions, reads, and more visit abouttoread.com
***
The Empty Throne has tons of action and adventure, but it is also character-driven, so it started off a bit slowly. It had been a while since I read The Queen’s Choice and I had forgotten a few of the details, so I had to get reacquainted with the story at the beginning of the novel.
Once I remembered everything that was going on in the story, it just flew by! Kayla Cluver has created an intricate world, and we still have quite a few mysteries to unravel. I’ve loved getting to know about Chrior and the faerie magic, but I’m just as interested in the family dynamics and mysteries behind the fey experimentation.
There are so many layers to this story. So many different aspects of the plot and relations between the characters. It makes the entire story more complex and a bit harder to get into if you’re reading the books far apart, but I just love it. I love the depth, I love the mystery, and I want more.
***
The Empty Throne has tons of action and adventure, but it is also character-driven, so it started off a bit slowly. It had been a while since I read The Queen’s Choice and I had forgotten a few of the details, so I had to get reacquainted with the story at the beginning of the novel.
Once I remembered everything that was going on in the story, it just flew by! Kayla Cluver has created an intricate world, and we still have quite a few mysteries to unravel. I’ve loved getting to know about Chrior and the faerie magic, but I’m just as interested in the family dynamics and mysteries behind the fey experimentation.
There are so many layers to this story. So many different aspects of the plot and relations between the characters. It makes the entire story more complex and a bit harder to get into if you’re reading the books far apart, but I just love it. I love the depth, I love the mystery, and I want more.
July 20, 2021
I know, I know... I really should read a series in order and not just jump into the second book, but I did anyway. This book is engaging and interesting, so I found it pretty easy to pick the central pieces of the story and the characters involved. I have no doubt I would have like the story better if I had read the first book previously, but I still managed figure out much of the book and the fantasy world its set in. Overall, this made for an enjoyable read, and I'm inclined to at least read this author again, if not read the rest of the books in this series.
October 7, 2015
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: Three heirs, one dead, one attacked and stripped of all her magic, the last one is fine….
Opening Sentence: “I paced the floor of my room, tired and on edge, playing the memory of my mutilation over and over again in my head.”
The Review:
Picking up shortly after The Queen Choice’s ends, Anya is stuck in the human realm since she her wings were cut off taking all of her magic. Zabriel is executed for his crimes supposedly committed here in the human realm. Illumina has returned to the Faerie realm in order to let the Queen know what has happened to everyone. Although not long after she leaves Anya begins to suspect that Illumina is the reason she lost her wings.
Anya comes close to getting back the Anlace, however that necklace continues to elude her, but she does find out that Luka has Zabriel and aren’t dead. Zabriel and Anya figure out that the faeries are losing their wings because someone is attempting to cross the Bloody Road. In fact, they are preparing for a war against Faerie itself.
The Queen arrives in the human realm, and Anya and Zabriel update her on everything. Anya informs them that cutting of her wings has effectively made her human. Anya’s love triangle involving Tom and Davic comes to end, probably the shortest and most ineffective love triangle ever.
So the book itself is solidly good, I didn’t love it, it wasn’t quite bad, I just didn’t connect with it. My only real issue is the whole wing thing; I can’t wrap my head around how cutting off wings makes them less Fae. I mean it’s different and that’s cool, but I don’t understand it at all. I know it’s a fantasy book but some things are still supposed to make sense and I don’t see how wings being cut off makes a person less of the race they were born or how it causes them to lose their magic.
That’s probably my biggest major issue with the world building, the book is good, the world building is good, and the writing is good. My only other problem is the love triangle that really isn’t so much a love triangle, but in the first book and most of this book Anya is betrothed to Davic, and in most of the first book she seriously loves him or so we are supposed to think that. Until she meets Tom and then it’s like Davic who? However, I think what the author was going for more than a triangle. For instance, Davic is fae Anya’s love and Tom is the more human Anya’s love.
So to sum it all up this book is good, it’s got some romance, break-ups, death, resurrection, murder, addiction and then some. It’s a book you are either going to love or hate or just possibly be right down the middle like I am.
Notable Scene:
“The Bloody Road was the barrier that kept me from reaching home.”
“So I wouldn’t know what my partner took with him when he left me to die.”
“The Prince is alive.”
“She was there at the bloody road on the night my wings were taken.”
FTC Advisory: Harlequin Teen provided me with a copy of The Empty Throne. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: Three heirs, one dead, one attacked and stripped of all her magic, the last one is fine….
Opening Sentence: “I paced the floor of my room, tired and on edge, playing the memory of my mutilation over and over again in my head.”
The Review:
Picking up shortly after The Queen Choice’s ends, Anya is stuck in the human realm since she her wings were cut off taking all of her magic. Zabriel is executed for his crimes supposedly committed here in the human realm. Illumina has returned to the Faerie realm in order to let the Queen know what has happened to everyone. Although not long after she leaves Anya begins to suspect that Illumina is the reason she lost her wings.
Anya comes close to getting back the Anlace, however that necklace continues to elude her, but she does find out that Luka has Zabriel and aren’t dead. Zabriel and Anya figure out that the faeries are losing their wings because someone is attempting to cross the Bloody Road. In fact, they are preparing for a war against Faerie itself.
The Queen arrives in the human realm, and Anya and Zabriel update her on everything. Anya informs them that cutting of her wings has effectively made her human. Anya’s love triangle involving Tom and Davic comes to end, probably the shortest and most ineffective love triangle ever.
So the book itself is solidly good, I didn’t love it, it wasn’t quite bad, I just didn’t connect with it. My only real issue is the whole wing thing; I can’t wrap my head around how cutting off wings makes them less Fae. I mean it’s different and that’s cool, but I don’t understand it at all. I know it’s a fantasy book but some things are still supposed to make sense and I don’t see how wings being cut off makes a person less of the race they were born or how it causes them to lose their magic.
That’s probably my biggest major issue with the world building, the book is good, the world building is good, and the writing is good. My only other problem is the love triangle that really isn’t so much a love triangle, but in the first book and most of this book Anya is betrothed to Davic, and in most of the first book she seriously loves him or so we are supposed to think that. Until she meets Tom and then it’s like Davic who? However, I think what the author was going for more than a triangle. For instance, Davic is fae Anya’s love and Tom is the more human Anya’s love.
So to sum it all up this book is good, it’s got some romance, break-ups, death, resurrection, murder, addiction and then some. It’s a book you are either going to love or hate or just possibly be right down the middle like I am.
Notable Scene:
“The Bloody Road was the barrier that kept me from reaching home.”
“So I wouldn’t know what my partner took with him when he left me to die.”
“The Prince is alive.”
“She was there at the bloody road on the night my wings were taken.”
FTC Advisory: Harlequin Teen provided me with a copy of The Empty Throne. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
March 12, 2018
Hey guys, so I just finished the Empty Throne, sequel to the Queens Choice by Cayla Kluver. First of all, I must say it was probably better than the first book LOL. I was happy to venture bak into the world of Fae and humans. It definitely had components of mystery, action and adventure, with a touch of romance. Mostly it was about the ramifications that came from the previous events. As well as to try and unravel new notions brought to life. Admittedly, I read through this book rather quickly, either because it was a quick read, presumably, or because I was just so intrigued by the plotline that I just couldn't put it down. Now, I really want to spill my beans about different things that took place in the novel, bit that would be spoiling it duh, so regretfully, I have to keep it to myself. Any questions? :)
March 9, 2015
I have not read the first book in this series. In fact, I did not realize that this was a series. Luckily I was able to quickly pick up on what this series is all about and who Anya and Zabriel were. I felt sorry for Anya and the betrayal that she experienced. While I did want a little more magic. What I mean by this is that Anya and Zabriel are royalty in the fairy kingdom. So I would have liked to have seen them use their powers. Yet, the characters and the world that the author built is what made this book really good. I was so immersed in the story that it flew by and I had just about a third of the book left before I took a break. Which the last third did go by quickly as well. A good ending.
February 5, 2015
definitely second bookitis going on, with clumsy and awkward writing, but still the same likable characters and entertaining plot.
Want to read
January 28, 201628 January 2016: $2.49 on Kindle
August 17, 2021
What the heck?! I wish I'd known before starting these that book 3 doesn't exist, and may never exist! There ought to be a warning label!
The book itself was still kept me interested, and still not sure who the bad guy is. (But maybe the author herself doesn't know! Hahaha)
I wasn't a fan of the drug use/alchohol, but appreciated that the author made it look destructive.
The book itself was still kept me interested, and still not sure who the bad guy is. (But maybe the author herself doesn't know! Hahaha)
I wasn't a fan of the drug use/alchohol, but appreciated that the author made it look destructive.
July 27, 2019
I just couldn't get into it. So, I put it down.
July 2, 2022
forget what i said about the 1st book bieng terrible, i love this series!
October 8, 2024
Eh slower then the first.
July 22, 2023
“Some wounds continue to fester.”
The Empty Throne is more dark and heartbroken than The Queen’s Choice, but it is well written.
The plot of The Empty Throne was filled with unpredictable plottwists, it kept me wanting to read more to find out what would happend. I liked how the characters from the first book was not forgotten, but included in The Empty Throne.
It was interesting to read about the new characters that were introduced and how they fit into the story.
I would love to know how the story ends, but I can not find book 3 anywhere.
I recommend to look up the warnings of The Empty Throne, as the book gets quite dark and deals with heavy themes.
The Empty Throne is more dark and heartbroken than The Queen’s Choice, but it is well written.
The plot of The Empty Throne was filled with unpredictable plottwists, it kept me wanting to read more to find out what would happend. I liked how the characters from the first book was not forgotten, but included in The Empty Throne.
It was interesting to read about the new characters that were introduced and how they fit into the story.
I would love to know how the story ends, but I can not find book 3 anywhere.
I recommend to look up the warnings of The Empty Throne, as the book gets quite dark and deals with heavy themes.
October 22, 2015
Yea! Won this book on Goodreads! Thank you so very much! Can hardly wait to receive it! Looking forward to reading. Will update and post an honest review when I receive and am able to read it.
Update - February 2, 2015.
Just finished reading The Empty Throne this weekend. First, let me say THANK YOU SO MUCH to both Goodreads.. for the book, and then to Cayla Kluver for the wonderful read!!! The Empty Throne is the second book in the Heirs of Chrior series. I was afraid I would be lost as I hadn't heard of this series prior to receiving this copy. I quickly caught on! (thank you Ms. Kluver.) I love fantasy books about faeries, so I had high hopes going in and fortunately I wasn’t disappointed! Empty Throne kept my attention throughout and WOW, what a wonderful writing style.
No spoilers here - but I will give you a snippet - Anya has failed in her mission to bring Prince Zabriel back to the Faerie realm of Chrior so that he can ascend to his throne. Even at the thought of possibly being betrayed by her own kin, to have any hope of bringing peace, she must team up with the unlikeliest of allies and venture into dangerous situations.
I am going to have to get The Queen's Choice now so I can begin AND THEN get to the end of all my unanswered questions. Cayla Kluver just moved into my favorite author category. If you're a fantasy fan and love faeries, this one is an absolutely must read! Can't wait for the next in the series!!
Update - February 2, 2015.
Just finished reading The Empty Throne this weekend. First, let me say THANK YOU SO MUCH to both Goodreads.. for the book, and then to Cayla Kluver for the wonderful read!!! The Empty Throne is the second book in the Heirs of Chrior series. I was afraid I would be lost as I hadn't heard of this series prior to receiving this copy. I quickly caught on! (thank you Ms. Kluver.) I love fantasy books about faeries, so I had high hopes going in and fortunately I wasn’t disappointed! Empty Throne kept my attention throughout and WOW, what a wonderful writing style.
No spoilers here - but I will give you a snippet - Anya has failed in her mission to bring Prince Zabriel back to the Faerie realm of Chrior so that he can ascend to his throne. Even at the thought of possibly being betrayed by her own kin, to have any hope of bringing peace, she must team up with the unlikeliest of allies and venture into dangerous situations.
I am going to have to get The Queen's Choice now so I can begin AND THEN get to the end of all my unanswered questions. Cayla Kluver just moved into my favorite author category. If you're a fantasy fan and love faeries, this one is an absolutely must read! Can't wait for the next in the series!!
January 26, 2017
I was given a free copy in an exchange for a review. I didn't realize before I received the book was the second in the series. There was enough information in the book that I had no problem following along. There was also enough that I really want to read both he first and the third book.
Anya has left the Realm of the Fae to find her cousin, the heir to the throne, in the human land. Anya has lost her wings (first book) and now has to deal with the lost of her magic, thinking she's wanted by the law and thinking Zabreil, her cousin, was executed for being a pirate.
Fortunately, his death was a ruse because he has gone to live with his human relatives. His grandfather is the Governor. If only it made things easier. The Governor and his son, Luka, keep Anya and Zabreil virtual prisoners while they wait for the Queen of the Fae to arrive. This makes it hard for them to continue their investigation into who wants to harm the Fae. Kluver does a good job of keeping the political intrigue going.
There is drug use which is done out of desperation and not glorified. There is drinking as well as binge drinking which is shown as normal. There is also implied sex. If the age of 15 wasn't thrown around it wouldn't be a problem but I rated it down a star for underage drugs/ drinking/ sex between teens (or is it sex between a teen and an adult?).
Anya has left the Realm of the Fae to find her cousin, the heir to the throne, in the human land. Anya has lost her wings (first book) and now has to deal with the lost of her magic, thinking she's wanted by the law and thinking Zabreil, her cousin, was executed for being a pirate.
Fortunately, his death was a ruse because he has gone to live with his human relatives. His grandfather is the Governor. If only it made things easier. The Governor and his son, Luka, keep Anya and Zabreil virtual prisoners while they wait for the Queen of the Fae to arrive. This makes it hard for them to continue their investigation into who wants to harm the Fae. Kluver does a good job of keeping the political intrigue going.
There is drug use which is done out of desperation and not glorified. There is drinking as well as binge drinking which is shown as normal. There is also implied sex. If the age of 15 wasn't thrown around it wouldn't be a problem but I rated it down a star for underage drugs/ drinking/ sex between teens (or is it sex between a teen and an adult?).
June 15, 2015
This book is a primary example of an amazing sequel.
It immediately picks up after events that occurred in "The Queen's Choice" and has our heroine, Anya in one of the most damaging wars within herself.
We see a lot more from the Ivanova perspective, there's more Zabriel, plentiful Tom/Anya chemistry and many surprise appearances.
It's last two chapters were haunting and although the outcome of "The Empty Throne" had been predicted by the Great Redwood in the previous instalment, nothing could've prepared me for the result of the last few chapters, nor could the predictions never have hoped to unveil such an intricately woven plot as fascinating as this.
Please note: Drunk Anya and Ione are amazing!
It immediately picks up after events that occurred in "The Queen's Choice" and has our heroine, Anya in one of the most damaging wars within herself.
We see a lot more from the Ivanova perspective, there's more Zabriel, plentiful Tom/Anya chemistry and many surprise appearances.
It's last two chapters were haunting and although the outcome of "The Empty Throne" had been predicted by the Great Redwood in the previous instalment, nothing could've prepared me for the result of the last few chapters, nor could the predictions never have hoped to unveil such an intricately woven plot as fascinating as this.
Please note: Drunk Anya and Ione are amazing!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2015
I did not read part one so I was worried I would be lost but after a few chapters I was able to gather enough information on what happened in the first book. I was hooked after reading just a few chapters and did not want to put the book down. I loved the way the characters developed and how interacted with each other and also that there were many twists in the story that you did not see coming. The ending made you want to read the final book but it did wrap up the story of this book. I would recommend this book.
January 26, 2024
I won this book on First Reads from
goodreads.com. Thanks Harlequin and Goodreads! I can't wait to read it!
Update:
2/2/15
I received the book and finished in 3 days. I couldn't put it down! I love Sci-Fi And YA so this was hard to put down or stop
Thinking about when I wasn't reading it. Very Well written. I felt very connected to Anya and enjoyed her character. I struggled with her and her choices. Thank you for an excellent story!
goodreads.com. Thanks Harlequin and Goodreads! I can't wait to read it!
Update:
2/2/15
I received the book and finished in 3 days. I couldn't put it down! I love Sci-Fi And YA so this was hard to put down or stop
Thinking about when I wasn't reading it. Very Well written. I felt very connected to Anya and enjoyed her character. I struggled with her and her choices. Thank you for an excellent story!
July 6, 2018
I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
This is much improved from the first book. The characters are less wooden and there's far more intrigue going on.
We finally get to see Anya acting a little like a Royal Princess towards the end, but she does spend most of the book being a petulant child with no regard for consequences. Ugh. At least it was less tiresome in the second book as compared to the first book.
It's a fair book for a teen, but I wouldn't recommend it to an adult.
This is much improved from the first book. The characters are less wooden and there's far more intrigue going on.
We finally get to see Anya acting a little like a Royal Princess towards the end, but she does spend most of the book being a petulant child with no regard for consequences. Ugh. At least it was less tiresome in the second book as compared to the first book.
It's a fair book for a teen, but I wouldn't recommend it to an adult.
February 10, 2015
I love Cayla, and her legacy trilogy was really good. The Queens Choice was fairly interesting too.
However, this book was just meh. After reading two thirds, I skim read the rest, just I'd know what happened. The writing feels pretentious and forced, making me feel like reading it was an up-hill battle. In a forest. In lead shoes.
Sorry Cayla, but you can do so much better than this!
On the upside... The cover is amaaaaaazing. Love it.
However, this book was just meh. After reading two thirds, I skim read the rest, just I'd know what happened. The writing feels pretentious and forced, making me feel like reading it was an up-hill battle. In a forest. In lead shoes.
Sorry Cayla, but you can do so much better than this!
On the upside... The cover is amaaaaaazing. Love it.
Read
January 12, 2016Heirs of Chrior, book 2
May 1, 2015
i loved it and so will you
February 11, 2015
Amazing
I love her books,I can't wait.but also dread.the release of the last.if u like a good true to home fae book.this is for u.
I love her books,I can't wait.but also dread.the release of the last.if u like a good true to home fae book.this is for u.
June 28, 2015
SO GOOD took me forever to read because I hadn't read the first book in a year so I had some re reading to do
May 12, 2015
Enjoyed the first but Anya doesn't do enough growing, moving past her sullenness to do what has to be done. But of a soggy middle but I wanna know how it all ends!
June 24, 2015
Cayla Kluver did a magnificent job! I so happy there wasn't a cliffhanger at the end, but I can't wait for the third book! I know it's going to be great.
December 1, 2015
This was an amazing book. I loved every page! The characters are so alive and real. Can't wait for book 3! I wonder what the twist will be at the end?
September 5, 2016
I had a hard time finishing this book. It just didn't hold my interest. I also was not a fan of the descriptive drug use that was part of Anya's plot as a way to escape her pain.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews