What do you think?
Rate this book
The Nine Realms #4
The Cerulean Queen: The Nine Realms, Book 4
Sarah Kozloff's breathtaking and cinematic epic fantasy series The Nine Realms, which began with
A Queen in Hiding
, comes to a thrilling conclusion in
The Cerulean Queen
.
The true queen of Weirandale has returned.
Cerulia has done the impossible and regained the throne. However, she's inherited a council of traitors, a realm in chaos, and a war with Oromondo.
Now a master of her Gift, to return order to her kingdom she will use all she has learned - humility, leadership, compassion, selflessness, and the necessity of ruthlessness.
A Macmillan Audio Production from Tor Books
The Nine Realms series
A Queen in Hiding The Queen of Raiders A Broken Queen The Cerulean Queen
The true queen of Weirandale has returned.
Cerulia has done the impossible and regained the throne. However, she's inherited a council of traitors, a realm in chaos, and a war with Oromondo.
Now a master of her Gift, to return order to her kingdom she will use all she has learned - humility, leadership, compassion, selflessness, and the necessity of ruthlessness.
A Macmillan Audio Production from Tor Books
The Nine Realms series
A Queen in Hiding The Queen of Raiders A Broken Queen The Cerulean Queen
Audible Audio
First published April 21, 2020
190 people are currently reading
1631 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Kozloff
17 books320 followersSarah has spent her life immersed in literature, narrative, and film.
After a degree in English at Dartmouth she worked in film production in NYC. She earned a Ph.D. from an interdisciplinary program at Stanford University, joining the Film Department of Vassar College in 1988. In 2009 she was awarded the William R. Kenan Jr. Endowed Chair.
In 2012, while teaching a senior seminar on American Women Directors, she realized that neither the books nor films of Lord of the Rings could pass the Bechdel Test. That summer, she grabbed her laptop and started imagining a world that awaited the return of the queen.
She didn’t know then that this leap into creative writing would spark a new career. Her epic fantasy quartet, The Nine Realms, was published by TOR on a rapid publications schedule. All four books, A Queen in Hiding, The Queen of Raiders, A Broken Queen, and The Cerulean Queen, came out from January through April 2020.
She lives in the Hudson Valley with her husband and a shifting menagerie of pets, who mistakenly believe they are suitable replacements for grown sons.
After a degree in English at Dartmouth she worked in film production in NYC. She earned a Ph.D. from an interdisciplinary program at Stanford University, joining the Film Department of Vassar College in 1988. In 2009 she was awarded the William R. Kenan Jr. Endowed Chair.
In 2012, while teaching a senior seminar on American Women Directors, she realized that neither the books nor films of Lord of the Rings could pass the Bechdel Test. That summer, she grabbed her laptop and started imagining a world that awaited the return of the queen.
She didn’t know then that this leap into creative writing would spark a new career. Her epic fantasy quartet, The Nine Realms, was published by TOR on a rapid publications schedule. All four books, A Queen in Hiding, The Queen of Raiders, A Broken Queen, and The Cerulean Queen, came out from January through April 2020.
She lives in the Hudson Valley with her husband and a shifting menagerie of pets, who mistakenly believe they are suitable replacements for grown sons.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
April 20, 2020
A satisfying conclusion to an extremely well-written series.
I was very happy to see the way Sarah Kozloff focused on what is usually glossed over once the main character defeats their enemies and returns to power. The war and internal conflicts raged too long and changed not only Cerulia, but her subjects as well. Now that she is the queen, she needs to re-build her state and make it functional again. Similarly to the previous three instalments, we see great character development and masterful story-telling.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Tor Books for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
I was very happy to see the way Sarah Kozloff focused on what is usually glossed over once the main character defeats their enemies and returns to power. The war and internal conflicts raged too long and changed not only Cerulia, but her subjects as well. Now that she is the queen, she needs to re-build her state and make it functional again. Similarly to the previous three instalments, we see great character development and masterful story-telling.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Tor Books for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
July 11, 2025
Sarah Kozloff’s The Cerulean Queen is a triumphant and emotionally satisfying conclusion to the Nine Realms series, earning a well deserved five stars for its sweeping scope and character driven storytelling. Cerúlia’s return to the throne is not just a victory, it is a reckoning, as she confronts political betrayal, war torn chaos, and the burden of leadership with grace, intelligence, and quiet ruthlessness. Kozloff masterfully balances action and introspection, allowing Cerúlia’s growth to shine through as she navigates diplomacy, loyalty, and the complexities of power. The richly imagined world, immersive prose, and nuanced supporting cast elevate the narrative, while the final chapters deliver a powerful emotional payoff that honors the journey of a queen forged in exile. With its cinematic pacing and heartfelt resolution, The Cerulean Queen closes the series on a high note, leaving readers both fulfilled and wistful for more.
I received this ARC copy of The Cerulean Queen form Tor Books - Macmillion. This is my voluntary and honest review. The Cerulean Queen is set for publication April 21, 2020.
I received this ARC copy of The Cerulean Queen form Tor Books - Macmillion. This is my voluntary and honest review. The Cerulean Queen is set for publication April 21, 2020.
January 23, 2021
Check out my review of The Nine Realms series on Booktube!
May 9, 2020
3.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2020/05/05/...
Following a whirlwind release schedule, the four-part Nine Realms series has finally come to a close, and quite honestly, I’m a bit torn as to how I feel about this concluding volume. While it was both invigorating and satisfying enough for an ending, the path the overall story took wasn’t like anything I expected and it’s possible that may have biased me from the start.
The Cerulean Queen by Sarah Kozloff picks up right after the end of the previous book, and Princess Cérulia is broken no more. In fact, she wastes no time taking back her throne and cleaning house. Ever since her mother’s death, the ruling class of Weirandale has become even more corrupted, leaving Cérulia in a bind because she has no idea who she can trust.
On top of that, many of her loyal subjects had been castigated, imprisoned, or outright killed, resulting in the realm in chaos and families torn apart. The war with the Oros is also ongoing, with their army on Cérulia’s doorstep. She now finds herself in over the head, trying to be a good ruler while relearning all the intricacies of palace etiquette. She hasn’t forgotten either that, as queen, she is expected to marry quickly and produce a daughter to carry on the royal line, especially with her so precarious.
Fortunately though, Cérulia need not carry the burdens of her duties all alone. There are still a few advisors at the palace loyal to her, and she has also regained full control over her gift of communicating with animals, recruiting the palace dogs to literally sniff out any remaining traitors. Her adoptive family has given her their support as well, and Cérulia is overjoyed to be reunited with her loved ones. Sometimes she can almost forget that Weirandale is still a mess, and that as queen, everyone is counting on her to keep them safe. Her time in exile has taught her many things, but sooner or later, a time will come where her resolve will be tested.
I will say this right off the bat—the best parts of the book were in the first hundred pages and the last hundred pages, which leaves a good chunk of this 500-page novel that I thought was just okay. First off, I had not expected Cérulia to take back her throne so quickly; I had thought we would get a nice steady build up to the big battle, but all this pretty much took place in the intro. What came next was a lot of what I called “administrative drama” or the subtleties of running a kingdom. From the weeding out of Cérulia’s enemies to the tracking down the secret prisons where many of her supporters were held, I understood why these developments were important—but the truth was they also dragged down the whole book. I also didn’t think these sections needed to be so detailed. After the umpteenth courtroom scene or conversation about Cérulia’s wardrobe, my patience wore thin and I simply wanted the story to get moving.
To the author’s credit, I did like how the themes of The Cerulean Queen unified the series. Cérulia’s experiences in the last three books have given her the wisdom and skills to be a good queen, as well as taught her how to handle all kinds of challenges in her fledgling reign. Kozloff also continues to expand upon the world-building, detailing the spiritual realm of the gods and the nature of the protagonist’s gift. Several of the characters Cérulia encountered on her journey are back to support her, which speaking of, one of the major side arcs includes her reunion with Thalen and the development of their romantic spark. All these threads converge as the last section of the novel sees pacing pick up again, building up to the final showdown—and thank goodness for that, because that climax may have single-handedly won me over to the ending, making up for the sluggish parts in the middle sections.
All in all, I was happy with the way The Cerulean Queen concluded the Nine Realms series. If the epilogue was a bit cheesy and wrapped things up a little too neatly, at least it put a smile on my face. This final volume has also cemented Sarah Kozloff’s status as an able storyteller and a talented builder of fantasy worlds and systems on a grand scale. I’m impressed by the saga she has crafted here, and I’ll be sure to be there for her next project.
Audibook Comments: After reading the first three books in print, I came to this fourth one in audio and I won’t lie, it was a bit jarring to switch formats this late in the game, but I enjoyed the narrator Imogen Church’s performance. Some of her voices were a bit on the goofy side, but for a series with so many characters, I understood the need to differentiate between them, and she was able to cover an impressive range of accents and tones.
Following a whirlwind release schedule, the four-part Nine Realms series has finally come to a close, and quite honestly, I’m a bit torn as to how I feel about this concluding volume. While it was both invigorating and satisfying enough for an ending, the path the overall story took wasn’t like anything I expected and it’s possible that may have biased me from the start.
The Cerulean Queen by Sarah Kozloff picks up right after the end of the previous book, and Princess Cérulia is broken no more. In fact, she wastes no time taking back her throne and cleaning house. Ever since her mother’s death, the ruling class of Weirandale has become even more corrupted, leaving Cérulia in a bind because she has no idea who she can trust.
On top of that, many of her loyal subjects had been castigated, imprisoned, or outright killed, resulting in the realm in chaos and families torn apart. The war with the Oros is also ongoing, with their army on Cérulia’s doorstep. She now finds herself in over the head, trying to be a good ruler while relearning all the intricacies of palace etiquette. She hasn’t forgotten either that, as queen, she is expected to marry quickly and produce a daughter to carry on the royal line, especially with her so precarious.
Fortunately though, Cérulia need not carry the burdens of her duties all alone. There are still a few advisors at the palace loyal to her, and she has also regained full control over her gift of communicating with animals, recruiting the palace dogs to literally sniff out any remaining traitors. Her adoptive family has given her their support as well, and Cérulia is overjoyed to be reunited with her loved ones. Sometimes she can almost forget that Weirandale is still a mess, and that as queen, everyone is counting on her to keep them safe. Her time in exile has taught her many things, but sooner or later, a time will come where her resolve will be tested.
I will say this right off the bat—the best parts of the book were in the first hundred pages and the last hundred pages, which leaves a good chunk of this 500-page novel that I thought was just okay. First off, I had not expected Cérulia to take back her throne so quickly; I had thought we would get a nice steady build up to the big battle, but all this pretty much took place in the intro. What came next was a lot of what I called “administrative drama” or the subtleties of running a kingdom. From the weeding out of Cérulia’s enemies to the tracking down the secret prisons where many of her supporters were held, I understood why these developments were important—but the truth was they also dragged down the whole book. I also didn’t think these sections needed to be so detailed. After the umpteenth courtroom scene or conversation about Cérulia’s wardrobe, my patience wore thin and I simply wanted the story to get moving.
To the author’s credit, I did like how the themes of The Cerulean Queen unified the series. Cérulia’s experiences in the last three books have given her the wisdom and skills to be a good queen, as well as taught her how to handle all kinds of challenges in her fledgling reign. Kozloff also continues to expand upon the world-building, detailing the spiritual realm of the gods and the nature of the protagonist’s gift. Several of the characters Cérulia encountered on her journey are back to support her, which speaking of, one of the major side arcs includes her reunion with Thalen and the development of their romantic spark. All these threads converge as the last section of the novel sees pacing pick up again, building up to the final showdown—and thank goodness for that, because that climax may have single-handedly won me over to the ending, making up for the sluggish parts in the middle sections.
All in all, I was happy with the way The Cerulean Queen concluded the Nine Realms series. If the epilogue was a bit cheesy and wrapped things up a little too neatly, at least it put a smile on my face. This final volume has also cemented Sarah Kozloff’s status as an able storyteller and a talented builder of fantasy worlds and systems on a grand scale. I’m impressed by the saga she has crafted here, and I’ll be sure to be there for her next project.
Audibook Comments: After reading the first three books in print, I came to this fourth one in audio and I won’t lie, it was a bit jarring to switch formats this late in the game, but I enjoyed the narrator Imogen Church’s performance. Some of her voices were a bit on the goofy side, but for a series with so many characters, I understood the need to differentiate between them, and she was able to cover an impressive range of accents and tones.
April 30, 2020
In The Cerulean Queen, the exciting fourth and final book in the Nine Realms series, author Sarah Kozloff details the fate of Cerulia, Weirandale, and the Free States. Last we saw, Cerulia was back in Weirandale under the guise of Wren – her adopted childhood name. Her foster sister was marrying Lord Matwyck’s son, the same Lord Matwyck who seized control of Weirandale after Cerulia’s mother fled. Thalen’s Raiders have just finished a battle with the Oromandos, who are resetting their army and making strategic decisions. There is so much to look forward to in the finale, as all of the storylines crash together in one decisive volume.
As reader, you can look forward to more of the same from Kozloff in this book. The author’s biggest strength is writing descriptive scenes, and there is no lack of description, here. This is what originally made me fall in love with the series. My review of the first book called it “immersive”, and that has never changed. Through each volume of the series, I have allowed myself to dive deeper and deeper into this world Kozloff created by letting those descriptions wrap themselves around me and take over my imagination – so much so that I did not much want to leave. The Cerulean Queen only cements that feeling even more; in fact, there are many times in this book where I thought the descriptions may have been overkill. Certain scenes dragged a little, and I found myself asking once or twice if we could move the plot along a little. But, I would rather have that than a book that skims over scenes, barely touching the surface as it gets to the end. Kozloff has written this book as a series of deep dives, leaving no detail untouched.
The same goes for the characters. They are so well-written throughout the whole series that it has become so easy to care about where they end up. We have watched Cerulia and Thalen grow up from timid youngsters to become confident leaders, and the same goes for players like Gunnit and Percia. And, while they are all really great, Cerulia steals the show. As the story is told through several perspectives, the reader spends more time with Princella than anyone else; which is no surprise, as this is her story. We get to hear every thought, capture every feeling, absorb every experience. The Cerulean Queen takes that to the extreme, as Cerulia takes the throne and now her decisions will decide the fate of her country and its people. This is a different side of the now-Queen: she is no longer in day-to-day survival mode. She has power, an army, retainers, and body guards all at her command. Every one of them willing to die for her on a whim. It is important that the reader see how she handles that power. Will she use her power to exact revenge on those who have wronged her, sacrificing the lives of her people in the process? Will she be a gracious queen or will regaining the throne boost her ego? Without giving too much away, I am happy to report that Cerulia does not disappoint.
I was really satisfied with the way the book ended. It took longer than I wanted to get there, but I did not necessarily mind hanging out with Cerulia for a while as the other storylines played out. When the climax hit, it hit hard – the story ends in a splash, proving Kozloff’s ability to write big scenes and tie a story up nicely.
The Cerulean Queen is a nearly perfect ending to what has been a fantastic series. I recommend this book (and the whole series) highly to any and all fantasy readers. I am sad the adventure had to end, but Sarah Kozloff has made a fan out of me. I am excited to read what she writes next.
As reader, you can look forward to more of the same from Kozloff in this book. The author’s biggest strength is writing descriptive scenes, and there is no lack of description, here. This is what originally made me fall in love with the series. My review of the first book called it “immersive”, and that has never changed. Through each volume of the series, I have allowed myself to dive deeper and deeper into this world Kozloff created by letting those descriptions wrap themselves around me and take over my imagination – so much so that I did not much want to leave. The Cerulean Queen only cements that feeling even more; in fact, there are many times in this book where I thought the descriptions may have been overkill. Certain scenes dragged a little, and I found myself asking once or twice if we could move the plot along a little. But, I would rather have that than a book that skims over scenes, barely touching the surface as it gets to the end. Kozloff has written this book as a series of deep dives, leaving no detail untouched.
The same goes for the characters. They are so well-written throughout the whole series that it has become so easy to care about where they end up. We have watched Cerulia and Thalen grow up from timid youngsters to become confident leaders, and the same goes for players like Gunnit and Percia. And, while they are all really great, Cerulia steals the show. As the story is told through several perspectives, the reader spends more time with Princella than anyone else; which is no surprise, as this is her story. We get to hear every thought, capture every feeling, absorb every experience. The Cerulean Queen takes that to the extreme, as Cerulia takes the throne and now her decisions will decide the fate of her country and its people. This is a different side of the now-Queen: she is no longer in day-to-day survival mode. She has power, an army, retainers, and body guards all at her command. Every one of them willing to die for her on a whim. It is important that the reader see how she handles that power. Will she use her power to exact revenge on those who have wronged her, sacrificing the lives of her people in the process? Will she be a gracious queen or will regaining the throne boost her ego? Without giving too much away, I am happy to report that Cerulia does not disappoint.
I was really satisfied with the way the book ended. It took longer than I wanted to get there, but I did not necessarily mind hanging out with Cerulia for a while as the other storylines played out. When the climax hit, it hit hard – the story ends in a splash, proving Kozloff’s ability to write big scenes and tie a story up nicely.
The Cerulean Queen is a nearly perfect ending to what has been a fantastic series. I recommend this book (and the whole series) highly to any and all fantasy readers. I am sad the adventure had to end, but Sarah Kozloff has made a fan out of me. I am excited to read what she writes next.
June 25, 2020
This book could have been tightened up quite a bit. Actually, that's true for all the books. The last two I resorted to reading the ebook after listening to the first halves because they were soooo slow.
There's an actual whole chapter on how unhappy Cerulia is with her dresses for the Festival and how Stahlia figures out how to make them better. Because the renowned dressmaker, the Expert in Fashion and Style, couldn't figure it out. A whole chapter on fucking dresses. This did not advance the plot or give us greater insight in the characters.
Also, I've been bothered by how the Oros could get such a huge army if their water is poisoning everyone. Wouldn't the army also have been poisoned? And all the recruits should have had lots of ailments and be weak from drinking all that poisoned water all their lives.
And I don't understand why some animals would give their lives for her. She can talk to them, but what do they get out of it? The animals who are her friends (dogs, horses, catamounts) yes, but seagulls?
There's an actual whole chapter on how unhappy Cerulia is with her dresses for the Festival and how Stahlia figures out how to make them better. Because the renowned dressmaker, the Expert in Fashion and Style, couldn't figure it out. A whole chapter on fucking dresses. This did not advance the plot or give us greater insight in the characters.
Also, I've been bothered by how the Oros could get such a huge army if their water is poisoning everyone. Wouldn't the army also have been poisoned? And all the recruits should have had lots of ailments and be weak from drinking all that poisoned water all their lives.
And I don't understand why some animals would give their lives for her. She can talk to them, but what do they get out of it? The animals who are her friends (dogs, horses, catamounts) yes, but seagulls?
October 1, 2020
The series is highly bingeable, if not particularly polished. Plot points get resolved too quickly or are elided entirely, and the fourth book is mostly boring denouement. But it’s an easy page-turner.
March 19, 2021
Rating as full series: 3.75 stars
January 19, 2024
Wowowowow. This series had me invested from the beginning. There was action until for very end. The ending gave me such happy feels. I’d 100% recommend this series to anyone who likes world building books, especially when there are multiple plots that merge together. 5/5!
February 16, 2021
This book was problematic for me to rate.
Things I think went well in this book:
-The book focuses more on Cerulia.
-Most of the plots get tied up.
-There is actual conversation instead of accusations to resolve issues between two characters.
Things I didn't think went well in this book:
-There were POVs that weren't needed.
-The book could've been tightened up by cutting a lot of scenes that didn't advance any plot or sub-plot. There was also a sub-plot just to get characters out of the city and it felt weak.
-There were character deaths that weren't needed, especially ones to get a love interest out of the picture. I consider this lazy writing.
-Too much time was spent describing clothing. It felt very YA to me and I think this series is marketed as adult? It was at least in the adult section at the book store and at the library.
-The epilogue was unnecessary.
Things I think went well in this book:
-The book focuses more on Cerulia.
-Most of the plots get tied up.
-There is actual conversation instead of accusations to resolve issues between two characters.
Things I didn't think went well in this book:
-There were POVs that weren't needed.
-The book could've been tightened up by cutting a lot of scenes that didn't advance any plot or sub-plot. There was also a sub-plot just to get characters out of the city and it felt weak.
-There were character deaths that weren't needed, especially ones to get a love interest out of the picture. I consider this lazy writing.
-Too much time was spent describing clothing. It felt very YA to me and I think this series is marketed as adult? It was at least in the adult section at the book store and at the library.
-The epilogue was unnecessary.
December 13, 2022
If you've seen my reviews for the other three installments, I really don't have much else to add now that I've completed the series.
Kozloff's strengths lie in her ideas. The actual execution leaves a lot to be desired. I'm particularly disappointed in the character work. Relationships are incredibly superficial, and I did not believe a single emotion. There are good characters here, but they are buried under terrible dialogue and an over extended and disorganized plot.
While I appreciate the fact that this last book takes place mostly after Cerulia takes back her throne, the plot structure is meandering and usually fails to have a point. Sure, there are a few conflicts, but each one comes out of no where and most of them are resolved quickly.
This isn't a terrible series. It was incredibly readable considering how lackluster I felt towards picking it up every night. If you are trying to find a bridge between YA and adult, and you are a more plot/idea driven reader, I'd give this a shot. That said, I'll be unhauling my copies and hopefully someone else can find a spot of honor for them in their collection.
Kozloff's strengths lie in her ideas. The actual execution leaves a lot to be desired. I'm particularly disappointed in the character work. Relationships are incredibly superficial, and I did not believe a single emotion. There are good characters here, but they are buried under terrible dialogue and an over extended and disorganized plot.
While I appreciate the fact that this last book takes place mostly after Cerulia takes back her throne, the plot structure is meandering and usually fails to have a point. Sure, there are a few conflicts, but each one comes out of no where and most of them are resolved quickly.
This isn't a terrible series. It was incredibly readable considering how lackluster I felt towards picking it up every night. If you are trying to find a bridge between YA and adult, and you are a more plot/idea driven reader, I'd give this a shot. That said, I'll be unhauling my copies and hopefully someone else can find a spot of honor for them in their collection.
November 12, 2020
The long awaited final book, OK so it only took a few months to come out, which I loved about this author. She made sure that each book came out a month after the next. No waiting years between I think that is one of my favorite things about her, as well as get fantastic ability to make you feel like your part of the story.
The cerulean queen was the icing on the cake. This story was about Cerulia becoming queen and how she honored all those who fought with her parents as well as herself. But the final twist is definitely was totally not seen. I enjoyed the story so much, I wish there were more books to this series because it was so good, but definitely a must read!
The cerulean queen was the icing on the cake. This story was about Cerulia becoming queen and how she honored all those who fought with her parents as well as herself. But the final twist is definitely was totally not seen. I enjoyed the story so much, I wish there were more books to this series because it was so good, but definitely a must read!
January 31, 2021
An excellent finish to an excellent series.
LOVED the quick release of the completed series!
With the exception of a few misses that an editor should have helped with, I am super impressed with this series and looking forward to reading more from Kozloff.
Not only is the writing superb but the audiobook narrator is one of the best around. So thoroughly enjoyed listening to and reading this whole series.
LOVED the quick release of the completed series!
With the exception of a few misses that an editor should have helped with, I am super impressed with this series and looking forward to reading more from Kozloff.
Not only is the writing superb but the audiobook narrator is one of the best around. So thoroughly enjoyed listening to and reading this whole series.
January 31, 2022
This rating is more like a 3.7, but am rounding up.
I honestly loved this series. The characters are great, and it honestly seemed like every action and character development plot line was very well thought out throughout the series. My one qualm about this last book is that the first half of the book drags on… and then suddenly it seemed that almost halfway through the book, so much stuff had to be crammed into the end. Not just action sequences, but like character relationship plot lines were rushed through as well. Again, I loved these books and the characters, and don’t want to be nit picky because I really thoroughly enjoyed reading this series - and if that is the only thing that bothered me, then that’s not bad!
I honestly loved this series. The characters are great, and it honestly seemed like every action and character development plot line was very well thought out throughout the series. My one qualm about this last book is that the first half of the book drags on… and then suddenly it seemed that almost halfway through the book, so much stuff had to be crammed into the end. Not just action sequences, but like character relationship plot lines were rushed through as well. Again, I loved these books and the characters, and don’t want to be nit picky because I really thoroughly enjoyed reading this series - and if that is the only thing that bothered me, then that’s not bad!
September 29, 2020
This review and rating are for the series as a whole. Each book would rate 4-4.5 stars but overall I thought the series deserved 5 stars.
I binge read this series - one after the other. What a great boon to have all 4 books released in a period of three months. This was one of those series that I hated to see come to an end. There were struggles, violence, and a lot of characters lost throughout the series - many of whose losses I found heartbreaking.
One thing I really thought well done was the character growth of many of the characters we meet early in the series. Through many trials, they grow not just in maturity and strength but also question the morality of their actions, and the consequences, and grow truly in wisdom and understanding ways they can change the world.
I thought the world was very well fleshed out, and while some villains were of the mustache-twirling variety others were well fleshed out with background and motive.
Well done and I look forward to future books by this author.
I binge read this series - one after the other. What a great boon to have all 4 books released in a period of three months. This was one of those series that I hated to see come to an end. There were struggles, violence, and a lot of characters lost throughout the series - many of whose losses I found heartbreaking.
One thing I really thought well done was the character growth of many of the characters we meet early in the series. Through many trials, they grow not just in maturity and strength but also question the morality of their actions, and the consequences, and grow truly in wisdom and understanding ways they can change the world.
I thought the world was very well fleshed out, and while some villains were of the mustache-twirling variety others were well fleshed out with background and motive.
Well done and I look forward to future books by this author.
July 14, 2020
Oh what a thrill! This series was fantastic that I read it in two-week span. It brought me out of the reading funk, but put me right back in as soon as I had finished this last installment. 😭 I want more of Cerúlia, Thalen, and Catalina. 😍
March 6, 2022
I really enjoyed this series!!
July 5, 2020
*some spoilers ahead*
Stars are for the whole series. This was a vastly imagined, epic adventure with a slow-build climax and a wide array of characters. My favorite of the 4 books was definitely ‘Raiders’ and while I loved the separated-by-fate love story and the final battle, I was disappointed in how easily Sumroth and the Oros were defeated. The series’ loose ends were quickly tied up but felt abrupt and was the reason I took away a star. Overall very readable, enjoyable and I’d read more from this debut author.
Stars are for the whole series. This was a vastly imagined, epic adventure with a slow-build climax and a wide array of characters. My favorite of the 4 books was definitely ‘Raiders’ and while I loved the separated-by-fate love story and the final battle, I was disappointed in how easily Sumroth and the Oros were defeated. The series’ loose ends were quickly tied up but felt abrupt and was the reason I took away a star. Overall very readable, enjoyable and I’d read more from this debut author.
June 4, 2020
Nine Realms is in a way, a traditional fantasy series, but Kozloff has crafted such a rich world, and tries to place less reliance on the conventional characteristics that are found in traditional fantasy works. Her characters are explicitly described with darker skin and in either Book 1 or 2, but the focus from skin colour is diverted to hair colour instead with certain hair colours being more 'desirable' than others, at least in Weirandle where the main character (Cerulia) is from.
Kozloff took great care in creating a syntax and language idiosyncrasies for each of the realms (Green Isles "us islanders don't like to boast ..." or how the Zeillish spoke in a very Yoda-esque speech pattern), the different honourifics peculiar to the realms, all of this was such a joy to read.
I enjoyed Books 1 and 2 the most, 3 came a good second, but oddly enough it was 4 that didn't quite do it for me. Everything came to a ful circle, but by 4, the tying off strings for some characters stories felt hastily done or purely for the sake of closing off the plot.
Other than the few points that fell short, overall I did enjoy the series by Sarah Kozloff for the world building, the mythology of the world, linguistics, and slow-burn of a fantasy epic.
Kozloff took great care in creating a syntax and language idiosyncrasies for each of the realms (Green Isles "us islanders don't like to boast ..." or how the Zeillish spoke in a very Yoda-esque speech pattern), the different honourifics peculiar to the realms, all of this was such a joy to read.
I enjoyed Books 1 and 2 the most, 3 came a good second, but oddly enough it was 4 that didn't quite do it for me. Everything came to a ful circle, but by 4, the tying off strings for some characters stories felt hastily done or purely for the sake of closing off the plot.
Other than the few points that fell short, overall I did enjoy the series by Sarah Kozloff for the world building, the mythology of the world, linguistics, and slow-burn of a fantasy epic.
December 1, 2020
I feel like this series has a lot of potential, but it was missing something. If I were to summarize the major plot points, you'd think the series is fun, action-packed, and clever. Unfortunately, while reading, it felt underwhelming. The pacing was very uneven, and weirdly, it felt both underdeveloped and overdeveloped. I'm not sure if this is because it was rushed through the process to be released one book/month?
Book 1 was a slog the first 300 pages, and I nearly gave up reading. However the last hundred pages pointed to some potential.
Book 2 was the highlight of the series for me.
Book 3 was a bit slow, mostly setup for book 4. Enjoyed the parts about the resistance in the Free States.
Book 4 was odd. Things you expected would finally have a good payoff were boring or unsatisfying to read.
Ultimately, I was left a little confused over who the target audience of this series is. Perhaps would recommend for middle schoolers? Coming of age epic geopolitical fantasy with a good message that also covers some serious issues, but in a way that won't scar your child for life like Game of Thrones would. Easier entry point for readers than classics like the Hobbit/Lord of the Rings.
(Series - 2 stars with potential to be 4 stars.)
Book 1 was a slog the first 300 pages, and I nearly gave up reading. However the last hundred pages pointed to some potential.
Book 2 was the highlight of the series for me.
Book 3 was a bit slow, mostly setup for book 4. Enjoyed the parts about the resistance in the Free States.
Book 4 was odd. Things you expected would finally have a good payoff were boring or unsatisfying to read.
Ultimately, I was left a little confused over who the target audience of this series is. Perhaps would recommend for middle schoolers? Coming of age epic geopolitical fantasy with a good message that also covers some serious issues, but in a way that won't scar your child for life like Game of Thrones would. Easier entry point for readers than classics like the Hobbit/Lord of the Rings.
(Series - 2 stars with potential to be 4 stars.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2021
As a finale, I thought this was weak. I didn't care for the tiresomely predictable side plot with Ciello; I thought the entire deal with Belcazar felt pastede on yey to force people to move when the author couldn't figure out how else to do it; the way Mikil's story ended felt so diminished and unnecessary. Also Sumroth, who was so understandable and seemed tragic to me in book 1, had become a pointless braying villain by this point.
Overall I feel like most of the characters in this series are set pieces intended to move the plot, not real people. There was so much death and general Bad Things Happening that it wasn't worth it to be interested in or care about anyone in the series because they were just going to die or get fucked up, and the worst part is that those losses are not really treated with dignity. There's lip service to the idea of honoring your fallen, but since everyone just has to run run run run and do things (despite the fact that the series stretches over some fifteen years) it doesn't feel like those losses are meaningful. And so many characters exist exactly as long as they're useful to the plot and then get killed because it's a war story, I guess. I'm sure that's fine if you like war stories, but not to my personal taste.
Overall I feel like most of the characters in this series are set pieces intended to move the plot, not real people. There was so much death and general Bad Things Happening that it wasn't worth it to be interested in or care about anyone in the series because they were just going to die or get fucked up, and the worst part is that those losses are not really treated with dignity. There's lip service to the idea of honoring your fallen, but since everyone just has to run run run run and do things (despite the fact that the series stretches over some fifteen years) it doesn't feel like those losses are meaningful. And so many characters exist exactly as long as they're useful to the plot and then get killed because it's a war story, I guess. I'm sure that's fine if you like war stories, but not to my personal taste.
June 4, 2020
This is it! I reached the final installment! What to do? What to do next? I am lost without the Nargis Queen and her Raider Commander. What an exciting journey it had been! I followed Cerulia from a young age fleeing the night of assassins, as to the day of finally reclaiming her throne. A difficult journey against some formidable foes. Some likeable characters lost, wishing they’ll rise from the dead, and some unlikeable can definitely remain dead, dead! Thank you Ms Kozloff for an amazing adventure. I am looking forward to another exciting, swashbuckling, magical fighting, quirky animal participants, and a romantic new series.
October 22, 2023
(originally reviewed at
thelibraryladies.com
)
Well, we’re finally here. “Finally” being the debatable word. Yes, it’s been a full four months of reading to get to this point, but also no, because we’re getting the last book in an epic fantasy series within, again, only four months since the first book came out! I get that not many authors write in a way that would make this type of publication style an option, but I do love me some binging in pretty much any media format! This final book successfully ties up a lot of loose strings while also going into details that I hadn’t expected. Overall, it’s a satisfying conclusion to this series.
After years and years, Cerulia has finally returned home and reclaimed the throne that was hers. But what should be a celebration soon turns into one conflict after another. Fighting her own doubts about the role of monarchy in her country, Cerulia must also contend with a council whose loyalties remain unclear, a war, and the general upheaval of a country that has quickly experienced big changes. With the future before her, now is the time for Cerulia to step up and establish what type of ruler she wants to be.
Overall, I was satisfied with this conclusion to the story. At this point, after three fairly long books, I’m pretty invested in Cerulia’s story. I’ve also highlighted that the villains have often been complex and well-realized and that carries over here in the end. Between Cerulia herself and these interesting antagonists, I remained interested in the story even when it took a few turns I wasn’t expect. For example, Cerulia gets her throne back very fast. Like, super fast. The majority of this story is then spent with her figuring out how to rule, weeding out the traitors from around her, and dealing with the tremulous state of a realm that isn’t quite sure how it feels about aristocrats anymore. To be fair, the book description itself hints at these points being a big part of the story, but for some reason my brain was still expecting more on the front end of things with her actual struggle to regain the throne. I’m not saying it went a bad route with how this was dealt with, just an unexpected one.
For the most part, I did very much enjoy the turn towards the ins and outs of what ruling would really be like for a newly established queen who’s living in a court full of people who may or may not have supported the previous ruler. I enjoy political fantasy often, so I found this aspect of the story to be interesting, especially when paralleled with the general state of uncertainty that the entire kingdom now faces with regards to its monarchy. Cerulia’s challenges operate on the micro and macro levels. The author also wisely paces the story between action scenes and emotional moments to ensure that the story never lags.
There were times, perhaps, when it became a bit predictable with Cerulia’s decisions always turning into the correct ones. But I’m not sure what else could really be done at this point; it is a last book in a series, and a series that has devoted quite a lot of time to the development of Cerulia’s decision-making. She should be doing well by this point and, while a long wrap up, a wrap up this book is. We don’t want added mysteries and conflicts at this point.
I did have a few quibbles with the end of the book, as, strangely, it was here that I felt the pacing did seem to stutter a bit. For a series that had such a strong opening chapter, I wanted a bit more from the final pages of this book. But, in the end, I was very satisfied with this conclusion to the series! And don’t forget to check out our giveaway for this book!
Rating 7: A satisfying end to a wild ride over the last four months!
Well, we’re finally here. “Finally” being the debatable word. Yes, it’s been a full four months of reading to get to this point, but also no, because we’re getting the last book in an epic fantasy series within, again, only four months since the first book came out! I get that not many authors write in a way that would make this type of publication style an option, but I do love me some binging in pretty much any media format! This final book successfully ties up a lot of loose strings while also going into details that I hadn’t expected. Overall, it’s a satisfying conclusion to this series.
After years and years, Cerulia has finally returned home and reclaimed the throne that was hers. But what should be a celebration soon turns into one conflict after another. Fighting her own doubts about the role of monarchy in her country, Cerulia must also contend with a council whose loyalties remain unclear, a war, and the general upheaval of a country that has quickly experienced big changes. With the future before her, now is the time for Cerulia to step up and establish what type of ruler she wants to be.
Overall, I was satisfied with this conclusion to the story. At this point, after three fairly long books, I’m pretty invested in Cerulia’s story. I’ve also highlighted that the villains have often been complex and well-realized and that carries over here in the end. Between Cerulia herself and these interesting antagonists, I remained interested in the story even when it took a few turns I wasn’t expect. For example, Cerulia gets her throne back very fast. Like, super fast. The majority of this story is then spent with her figuring out how to rule, weeding out the traitors from around her, and dealing with the tremulous state of a realm that isn’t quite sure how it feels about aristocrats anymore. To be fair, the book description itself hints at these points being a big part of the story, but for some reason my brain was still expecting more on the front end of things with her actual struggle to regain the throne. I’m not saying it went a bad route with how this was dealt with, just an unexpected one.
For the most part, I did very much enjoy the turn towards the ins and outs of what ruling would really be like for a newly established queen who’s living in a court full of people who may or may not have supported the previous ruler. I enjoy political fantasy often, so I found this aspect of the story to be interesting, especially when paralleled with the general state of uncertainty that the entire kingdom now faces with regards to its monarchy. Cerulia’s challenges operate on the micro and macro levels. The author also wisely paces the story between action scenes and emotional moments to ensure that the story never lags.
There were times, perhaps, when it became a bit predictable with Cerulia’s decisions always turning into the correct ones. But I’m not sure what else could really be done at this point; it is a last book in a series, and a series that has devoted quite a lot of time to the development of Cerulia’s decision-making. She should be doing well by this point and, while a long wrap up, a wrap up this book is. We don’t want added mysteries and conflicts at this point.
I did have a few quibbles with the end of the book, as, strangely, it was here that I felt the pacing did seem to stutter a bit. For a series that had such a strong opening chapter, I wanted a bit more from the final pages of this book. But, in the end, I was very satisfied with this conclusion to the series! And don’t forget to check out our giveaway for this book!
Rating 7: A satisfying end to a wild ride over the last four months!
December 19, 2020
The thing I love about Sarah's writing style and storytelling is that it wraps you up like a warm blanket. Not because it's over indulgent or fuzzy or anything like that, but because you become fully encompassed within what she's created and sometimes you can just sit back, relax, and just bask in what you've been transported to.
Sometimes there's a strong 'traditional fantasy' feel to her books, but anyone who's reading the review to the last book in the series knows that already. However, Sarah doesn't shy away from the violence and grit that war and conflict are capable of creating. Some terrible things have happened to the people who chose to follow Cerulia, and I think that's what makes investing in her bid for the throne that much easier.
This book, just like the other three, is a slow burn. It really nails down the details in a scene, which I think in the moment I occasionally struggled with but overall really contributes to that warm blanket feeling. I liked the political intrigue and nuance that balanced out the conflict, which some people might not like, but which I think is a realistic approach to stories like this and really fleshes out the story and, again, utterly immerses you. Without giving out spoilers, I'll say that the series wraps up nicely while giving opportunities to tell other stories set within that world, and I think that's usually the best way to end a fantasy.
Sometimes there's a strong 'traditional fantasy' feel to her books, but anyone who's reading the review to the last book in the series knows that already. However, Sarah doesn't shy away from the violence and grit that war and conflict are capable of creating. Some terrible things have happened to the people who chose to follow Cerulia, and I think that's what makes investing in her bid for the throne that much easier.
This book, just like the other three, is a slow burn. It really nails down the details in a scene, which I think in the moment I occasionally struggled with but overall really contributes to that warm blanket feeling. I liked the political intrigue and nuance that balanced out the conflict, which some people might not like, but which I think is a realistic approach to stories like this and really fleshes out the story and, again, utterly immerses you. Without giving out spoilers, I'll say that the series wraps up nicely while giving opportunities to tell other stories set within that world, and I think that's usually the best way to end a fantasy.
October 18, 2021
A much appreciated conclusion!
Queen Cerulia has officially reclaimed the throne of Cerulean. Now in charge, she sets out to right the wrongs and to establish respect, but with traitors, spies and ongoing war still ever present that is not an easy task. Yet, the relationships gained during her years of exile means allies are just as present and willing to fight alongside the Queen.
As I began reading this final book, I was conflicted. I wanted to read so much more about the characters and the way of life in the realms. However, I was also ready for the many turbulent years to end, and to reach a happy ever after. Each book has been a roller coaster of a ride, but enjoyable nonetheless. In particular, this fourth book started off on a rush, but the entire middle and majority of the end was slow. I did feel a bit let down on how and what the conclusion entailed. I expected, more. More of what, I do not know.
This final book was thoughtfully written. It stayed true and expanded upon the three that came before it. The conflicts, secrets and relationships all presented endings that did feel natural and fitting (even if I wanted more). My most concerning questions were answered, but of course I would gladly read any further book(s) that visited the realms and/or characters that worked their way into my book loving heart.
Queen Cerulia has officially reclaimed the throne of Cerulean. Now in charge, she sets out to right the wrongs and to establish respect, but with traitors, spies and ongoing war still ever present that is not an easy task. Yet, the relationships gained during her years of exile means allies are just as present and willing to fight alongside the Queen.
As I began reading this final book, I was conflicted. I wanted to read so much more about the characters and the way of life in the realms. However, I was also ready for the many turbulent years to end, and to reach a happy ever after. Each book has been a roller coaster of a ride, but enjoyable nonetheless. In particular, this fourth book started off on a rush, but the entire middle and majority of the end was slow. I did feel a bit let down on how and what the conclusion entailed. I expected, more. More of what, I do not know.
This final book was thoughtfully written. It stayed true and expanded upon the three that came before it. The conflicts, secrets and relationships all presented endings that did feel natural and fitting (even if I wanted more). My most concerning questions were answered, but of course I would gladly read any further book(s) that visited the realms and/or characters that worked their way into my book loving heart.
July 28, 2022
I really loved this series! This was certainly not as strong as previous books but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I enjoyed getting to see the post-revolution politics more than I thought I would. Getting to see how Cerulia had to transition from warrior to queen was very interesting, and I enjoyed reading about cleaning up the city after Matwyk destroyed it. Usually after a government collapse plot I want to know more about how they fixed it, and this book answered it, kind of slowly, but not badly. I did like that it picked back up in the end, we got to see Cerulia combine her former raider personality with her new queen personality and it felt like a fitting end to the book. I was satisfied with the ending, the heart of the raiders was as strong as ever, and seeing Cerulia reunited with her adopted family was so sweet. I don't know if I love or hate how little conflict Cerulia and Thalens love story had in this book. It was refreshing to see them stand together finally but it felt just a little too easy. Overall, if you've already read the first three, finishing the series with this book is a must. You finally get to round out the characters and story lines, with the same love and heart you've felt through the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2021
The fourth and final installment of the Nine Realms series and the story of Cerulia and her eventual return to power as the queen Weirandale. Although it seemed that her troubles should be over now that she is finally queen, they are just beginning, as she must gain the trust of her people, discover the loyalty (or lack there of) of those around her, and help put into place many of the changes that she dreams of for her country. Not to mention that her heart still belongs to the Freestater commander, Than, who only knew her as Skylark. But although the task seems insurmountable, with the help of her gods and her trusted friends and family, she may just be able to face whatever treachery is in her path.
I loved the completion of this series, and that it showed how things don't all magically fall into place, but take hard work. And I got the ending I was hoping for. (Side note, there was occasional use of the F-word in this installment, which caught me off guard when it would happen. Wish it hadn't been there.)
I loved the completion of this series, and that it showed how things don't all magically fall into place, but take hard work. And I got the ending I was hoping for. (Side note, there was occasional use of the F-word in this installment, which caught me off guard when it would happen. Wish it hadn't been there.)
January 28, 2022
This book wraps up The Nine Realms series in a very satisfying manner. Cerulia announces her return and assumes the powers of the Queen. She has immediate resistance from the wicked Regent and his allies. There is also a group of the populace that begrudge her years of absence when they could have used her help. The storytelling is magnificent and so much thought into little details that would matter. She slowly learns how to dress and act like a queen while surrounding herself with trusted advisors. I laughed, I got chocked up, there were tears. After all she had gone through in the other books, this book makes her suffering worthwhile. The section where she explained to a suitor prince how the matriarchy of the Cerulean queens works with them producing daughters with their own talents really contrasted with the "normal" patriarchy of father to son and the problem of ruling their two realms. This series would be worth a reread in a couple of years with more attention to the characters and details. A cast of thousands.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2022
It took me an entire week to get over this and wallow in the after effects and knowledge that the journey has ended :’) Couldn’t bring myself to pick up another book for a week although I have another series ready to be started on. I’ve enjoyed the entire journey of watching and following Cerulia grow into the person she is at the end, and how she handles all the challenges in her way. Sad about the war losses but I thought the way things planned out was really well done, although I would have definitely desired a more grisly revenge on the ‘regent’ hahaha. And the epilogue/ending? Left me with goosebumps. Full circle! I’m so very glad to have come across this series. The experience has really been enjoyable, the kind where you soak yourself into a different world, not too fast paced such that you get whisked away and blaze through plot holes, but also slow and enjoyable and absorbing at times. Also really loved how the focus was shared across the whole cast of characters, adding a lot of depth to the experience.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews