HE CHOSE HER. BUT WILL THE FLAMES OF VENGEANCE CLAIM THEM BOTH?
The Vengeful Queen is the much-awaited second instalment in Meg Humble's debut, New Adult romantasy series.
Containing some adult themes and sexual references, this book is suitable for a new adult - adult age range.
FROM THE BACK COVER
Blaise Sunseeker finally knows what she is. But learning the truth of her identity after nineteen years has by no means set her free. Battling to contain the dark powers she unwittingly unleashed last winter, Blaise is not only fighting her own mind, but her enemies at every turn, too.
Kaspian vowed to make Reili a safe place for all beings, but if his own best friend won’t support his decision, how can he win over an entire kingdom? With the safety of Blaise and her family depending on his success, the new king is determined not to give up until peace is agreed.
But, with neighbouring kingdom Harensarra keen to start a full-blown war, and Blaise’s mother—Agnes the Wicked—hellbent on taking Reili’s throne and overthrowing humanity, the newly engaged couple are thrown into turmoil as they try to keep their crowns, and protect everyone they love.
With darkness pressing in from all sides, threatening to tear the pair apart, choosing between love and vengeance has never been deadlier.
I was lucky enough to have received the ARC for The Vengeful Queen from the wonderful author Meg Humble.
The second instalment from the Cursed Queen series was absolutely fantastic! Fantasy done 👌 - world-building, action, romance/spice, betrayals and a shit ton of magic ✨️
The story starts right where The False Queen ended. Blaise is struggling with the rejection of the kingdoms people as her role of Queen - especially with Cole - aswell as trying to control the dark magic that is brewing inside of her.
Kaspian is desperate to have peace between humans and witches, all whilst waiting on the imminent attack from Agnes the Wicked.
With the introduction of new characters, one of which is an elf named Torben (who i love!) and the absolute cliffhanger Meg has left us with, The Vengeful Queen is one hell of a page turner!
Im so looking forward to book 3 - who will come out on top?? Im not sure im ready for that emotional rollercoaster..
The first book was absolutely amazing and I loved it so much but the second one has been a bit of a struggle. Blaise acts really juvenile in this book and I really do wish she’d grow up a bit 😅 and it was a tad predictable at times (still not finished so I will definitely update my review and change the rating if things pick up). I really want more storyline for her sisters 😍 I find them both so fascinating and I’m really rooting for Cole and Luna’s relationship.
The book has been okay so far but not as good as the first one but I’m 50% through. I’ll definitely update my review when I’ve finished and hopefully I’ll be eating my words because I absolutely adore this author.
Okay, so I finished this last night. My rating hasn’t changed. The story was interesting enough and I will be reading the next one as I really want to find out what happens but this one just didn’t have the same spark as the first. I did find it to be predictable, which tbh isn’t always a bad thing as I enjoyed reading the story anyway. It did give Throne of Glass, Heir of Fire vibes and Nesta vibes in Silver Flame but I love both of these series, so I wasn’t complaining.
I’d still definitely recommend if you want to know what happens to Blaise and Kas. I’d still love more stories on the other characters too as they really held this story together for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Being the second of a New Adult fantasy romance trilogy, you know things are about to get a little dark, and they do! I adore Blaise and Kas and their developing relationship, but the side characters (both old and new) really get a chance to shine in this installment and I loved it! This one ends on a REAL cliffhanger, and I cannot wait for the conclusion of this excellent trilogy!
Thank you to the author for facilitating me with a review copy of this book at no cost and with no obligation. I reviewed this book voluntarily, and all opinions are my own.
Oh how I've been looking forward to The Vengeful Queen by Meg Humble! After the cliffhanger of book one, The False Queen, Blaise is navigating life as a queen her people don't want, being rejected at every turn and her relationship with the witches who she doesn't know if she can trust anymore. Kaspian needs to gain back control after all that's happened and you can see him juggling his relationship with Blaise and Cole clearly not knowing how to fix either. I got major 'Chaol' vibes from Kaspian, his character development took a JOURNEY. Also I don't wanna say too much about it but we meet Torben, an elf who helps train Blaise with her magic. This story took such a turn I'm still reeling tbh 😅 Highly recommend for lovers of witch stories and plot twists you don't see coming.
Thank you to Meg Humble for allowing me to read early - thoughts are my own
The Vengeful Queen picks up right where the False Queen left off and it does not disappoint. Action packed right from the start and with twist after twist throughout the book. Blaise and Kas are split up early on and the dual POV really added to the story. I also love Luna & Cole as side characters and would love to see more of their story or POV.
There was more magic, more drama and more heartbreak in book 2, what more could you ask for?
Side note: who doesn’t love a moody elf?! I need more Torben in the next book.
If you haven’t picked this book up yet, you need to ASAP!
I was lucky enough to have received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.
My heart hurts, and my emotions are struggling. I don't have much to say. Just like I loved book 1, I also love this book 2. It proper broke me, from beginning to end, and I NEED the next book like yesterday!
Thank you, Meg Humble, for sending me this ARC to read and review. All opinions are honest and my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I was lucky enough to be chosen for an ARC of this second book in the trilogy by Meg Humble.
This book is an amazing follow-up to the False Queen. You get multiple POV to further enrich the experience. It had me so emotional my family was concerned haha.
Can witches and humans live and love together? With magic and emotion on every page this trilogy just gets better and better. Can’t wait for book three!
3.5 I really enjoyed the first book. This one fell a little flat for me. Parts of the story dragged on and the story didn’t pull me in as much. All in all, it was good. Just didn’t feed my expectations following the first book.
This was even better than book one, I am completely obsessed with this series!
We jump right back in following the cliff hanger of ending from book one and the pace didn’t really stop the whole way through. So much was happening but at the same time there was so much world building and I really loved that we learnt more of the history and lore of the world, I found that so interesting and cannot wait to find out more!
The stakes are HIGH and when I tell you Agnes is a proper villain, she is nasty! That is how villains should be written 👏🏼
Blaise had to deal with SO much in this book and you really feel like you’re on the journey with her to understanding her powers so I’m intrigued to see how she develops as a character
We also see more relationships blossoming throughout this book too which I loved and hope that we get some povs in the next book/s for these characters!
And I can’t forget to mention the broody, handsome elf who literally had me giggiling and kicking my feet. I need more of Torben in the next book, please and thank you 🤭
Moving onto book 3 immediately after that ending 🥹
The second book in The Cursed Queen series is even better than the first! I cannot get enough of Blaise and Kas!
I think I felt just about every emotion whilst reading, I laughed, screamed, cried, stamped my feet - it’s fantasy just how I like it, world building, action, politics, comedy and romance (plus some spice!). Filled with characters to love and hate, I even fell in love with some of the smaller side characters (Otto!!) and there’s still so much yet to come from all of them.
As always… Meg’s writing is absolutely INCREDIBLE and I ADORED this second instalment of the Cursed Queen Series!
After the INSANE ending of book one The False Queen I was DYING to get my hands on book two it couldn’t come quick enough😂 and now it’s finally here and i’ve been yet again sucked into this amazing universe that Meg has written beautifully following from the turmoil of book one’s ending!
this second instalment had a Dual POV this time as it follows Blaise AND Kaspian on their journeys throughout this uncertain time following the previous explosive ending and it flows SO smoothly with the continuation of the plot and the world/character progression, which is brilliant!
The world building from both POVs and the plot progression was brilliant from both sides, and the character development not just from the FMC/MMC but the other characters within this book brought it all together and was a beautiful plot extension into other characters such as Cole And Luna🥹 whilst also meeting new characters like Torben... I ADORE HIM😍 Honestly book Boyf number 2 from this series😂
One thing I do have to instantly mention is the EMOTIONS I WENT THROUGH in this book, there was suspense, tension, shock, PURE heartbreak, grief, turmoil, hatred, heartwarming moments and moments where I was on the absolute EDGE OF MY SEAT READY TO SCREAM AT MY BOOK. It was unreal but absolutely amazing. ONE thing I love from books is how they make me feel when reading and if they can draw these type of emotions from me in a 500 page book then you’ve won me over forever😂🥹 I love when a book breaks me to pieces and puts me back together again😂 and The Vengeful Queen 100% does this!
the spice definitely increases from book one but is still quite mild, but honestly I couldn’t care less because the book was just THAT GOOD. There are so many other deeper intimate moments throughout the book that genuinely makes your heart melt that are very well suited to the plot progression.
AND THE ENDING?? HELLO?? YET AGAIN IM NEEDING THE NEXT BOOK IMMEDIATELY PLEASE HOW CAN YOU TORTURE US LIKE THIS🤣😭 what an explosive & gobsmacking ending and I can’t WAIT to see what happens in book three!
as always Meg the hard work you put into your writing always shows and this second book was outstanding🥰 I appreciate you SO much for allowing me into your team to read this early & into the street team, I adore you and your writing so much❤️
Thanks to the author for allowing me to read an advanced copy!
I read the first book and enjoyed it so much that I requested to be an ARC reader for this one.
What to expect: Morally grey FMC, Reluctant allies, dark magic, sisterhood, let-the-world-burn vibes, found family, witches, humans and elven.
As a reminder, this series is about a woman born of witches and raised to make the king fall in love with her so she can take his kingdom. But there were many lies told and identities hidden along the way.
This dual POV (LOVE THAT!) book starts with the main characters facing serious backlash after a decision that affects the entire kingdom. And things go badly very quickly. Loyalties are tested, new allies are discovered, but no one is really sure who to trust.
I adore the found family in this story. Books that only focus on the main characters just don’t have as much depth as stories like this one, where you really get to know their friends and family too. And I was invested in every little corner of this story. It does such a good job at keeping your attention. That's partially because of the dual POV and partly because of the action, the relationships, and the drama. While I'm not one to enjoy the trope of I still really enjoyed this book. It's such a strong story with strong characters.
You can expect love, friendship, heartbreak, and family drama that will make yours feel completely normal. The way it’s written, I felt like I was holding my breath through so much of it because of how much emotion comes off the page.
I’m curious—will you know who to trust, who to root for, and who will make the ultimate sacrifice?
But be prepared… it ends on a cliffhanger!
Just a fun quote to share: "If I couldn’t summon people, cake really was the next best thing."
Getting to dive back into Blaise’s story felt like coming home, and I was lucky enough to get an early copy. I laughed, I cried, I swore at the pages, and at several points I had to shut the book and just sit there because my heart had been absolutely wrecked. The emotional pull in this one is something else.
The new characters were brilliant, but what really made it for me was getting deeper into the ones we already know and obsess over. The friendships, the loyalty, the sheer level of chaos and intensity had me fully hooked.
And if anyone were to witness my live reactions, you would already know the absolute madness this book put me through. Some standouts from my own notes:
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" which I wrote more times than I care to admit
"KAS NOOO WHY" because emotional damage is now apparently my brand
"PLOT TWISTTTTTTTTTT" because Megan does not let us breathe
"OF DAT DICK" which... look, context was given
"He an ancient daddy" and I stand by it
"Got caught with his cock out, not having a good time our Kas"😭😂
"I swear if she changes her mind I don't know what I'll do, my mind is in loops"
"You got me teary eyed" because I genuinely did
"SNAP SNAP SNAPPP" which felt appropriate
"Do her, damn it" again... context
"I'm glad there was no hanky panky in de piss room", and honestly, I meant that
This book was intense, emotional, hilarious in the unhinged moments, and completely addictive. Blaise comes into her power in a way that is both terrifying and brilliant, and the relationship moments had me absolutely feral. The tension, the devotion, the back and forth, the sheer rollercoaster of it all was chefs kiss.
I adored it, and now I’m stuck waiting impatiently for book three like the rest of you. Megan, you’ve done it again. 🔥👑
Know that I'm currently writing this while crying my eyes out after finishing the second book...
The False Queen was an amazing read, beautifully written - but The Vengeful Queen? I wasn't ready. From the very first chapters, my heart ached for Blaise and Kaspian. They loved each other so deeply, but because of Agnes - and life - they struggled to love without guilt. And then came even more destruction, more sorrow... and yet, they kept fighting for each other.
And then, just when they finally had a moment to talk, to lay it all down - Torben had to go and tell that to Kaspian??? I'm unwell
Agnes continued to be the source of 90% of my anxiety And Cole? I wanted to slap him so many times — he was seriously testing my patience in this book... Luna, though. Sweet, sweet Luna. She deserves the entire world
The Vengeful Queen is definitely more slow-paced, but in the best way. You don't want it to end! Even now, with my heart in pieces, I still want more of Blaise, Kaspian, and this incredible world Meg Humble has created.
I need Agnes to suffer in book 3 (for the heartache she's caused, and for my personal healing). Also, for Torben and Marbella to maybe explore something?? I was getting major enemies-to-lovers energy I need Kaspian to come to his senses and give us the gut-wrenching, emotional, heartfelt confession we all deserve (especially Blaise). I need Luna and Cole to be happy. And Ophelia to keep being her powerful, resilient self despite everything she's been through.
Honestly, I just need therapy now. Preferably group therapy. With all the characters.
I cannot wait for Book 3!
If you haven't read Book 1 yet, what are you even doing??
First of all, huge thanks to Meg Humble for the opportunity to read the ARC of The Vengeful Queen! I absolutely loved The False Queen and was beyond thrilled to be approved for this ARC.
The Vengeful Queen picks up three months after the end of the first book. We’re back in Reili with Kas and Blaise, who are dealing with the existing hatred toward witches. But that’s not the only problem, there’s a war with Harrensarra, and the fact that Agnes is still alive continues to cast a shadow over everything.
I genuinely loved The Vengeful Queen. I adore Blaise, she’s morally grey, follows her own rules, and is brutally honest and clever. I also really enjoyed learning more about the other characters, and there’s one new character in particular who completely stole my heart 😍 I’m absolutely in love.
Around the 25% to 50% mark, the pacing slowed down quite a bit. It wasn’t a very long stretch, but I did find myself putting the book down a few times during that part. Looking back, I wish I hadn’t, because things really picked up afterward and the story fully drew me back in.
The writing style, just like in the first book, was absolutely fantastic. Meg has such a talent for creating characters and a world that feel real, raw, and magical all at once. Reading this was such a joy, and I honestly can’t wait for the third installment. I’m more than just excited. I’m dying to know what happens next.
A definite must-read! The False Queen is available on Kindle Unlimited, and The Vengeful Queen will be released on June 20, 2025. If you haven’t yet, read the first book and then dive straight into the second!
HE CHOSE HER. BUT WILL THE FLAMES OF VENGEANCE CLAIM THEM BOTH?
This was absolutely an outstanding read. I love when a book absolutely vonsumes me to the point that I lose sleep over it. That's when you know the author wrote a phenomenal story and this story is no exception.
This is the second book in the cursed queen series and I dare say I love this one better than the first one., The False Queen. I gave that book 4 stars, but this one is definitely a 5 star read for me. Here's why! You have evil in magic.
You have witches and humans; Gods and elves. This book messes with your emotions and all of the best ways. You'll find yourself smiling and laughing and then screaming and yelling and sometimes even gaspring. But one thing is for certain, you're goimg to love the emotional journey. The characters are so well written that you really can resonate with them and feel for them. This book was written in a way that you almost feel like you're alongside them.
I was so sucked into the story that I literally couldn't put the book down and for me that's how I know this was a five star read. This is definitely an amazing series and I can't wait for the next book to come out. I had never heard of Meg Humble until The False Queen but after reafing that book and now this book, I am definitely a fan of her work. This is definitely a book and series that you want to add to your TBR list.
4.5 🌟 I don't even know where to begin. The first book was amazing and this one has managed to follow that beautifully! Straight away it kicked off at 100 speed diving straight into some action that gets you fully hooked and invested in the first 5 percent.
Ive been giggling, crying, happy and shocked. When you think the emotional roller coaster is done.... devestation comes in 🤣 .
For me, the characters are so lovable, you're swept into their lives and Megs writing makes you care for them and not want anything bad to happen to them. It made for tense , on the edge of your seat reading and it was bloomin brilliant.
Fuming at the end. Not in a bad way but in a way where I didn't see it coming and if the characters heart breaks, so does mine. If they're happy, I am too 😅. YOU ARE LEFT HANGING HIGH AND DRY FOR BOOK THREE. Please write it soon, my heart needs fixing 😅.
Thank you to Meg Humble for providing me an ARC copy. This review is my own opinion.
Second books in a series sometimes feel like their only purpose is to bridge a gap between book one and book three; they can be forgettable because they lack the excitement of starting a new series and have miles to go before a conclusion. The Vengeful Queen avoids all these problems and is a worthy successor to The False Queen.
I was captivated by the continuation of Blaise and Kas’s story. The book switches between their perspectives, and it was great to have both of their insights on their new romance and the increasingly desperate situation. This is a tough read at times—pay attention to the trigger warnings and have tissues ready—but the depictions of violence do not feel exploitative or solely there for shock value. In all, an exciting and emotional read with the perfect amount spice and danger that has me feral for the next book.
"The Vengeful Queen" picks up right where Book 1 left off, and what a wild ride it is. Meg Humble really outdid herself with the villain in this one — absolutely vile, in the best or most extremely evil way possible. It's the kind of storytelling that makes you stop and go, "Wow, now that's how you craft a truly evil character." And honestly, the stronger and more evil the villain, the harder the good guys have to fight, and that struggle makes the story so much more gripping. At one point, I just wanted to devour the pages faster, but my reading speed somehow did not get that memo.
The romance between Kaspian and Blaise sort of takes a bit of a back seat this time, as both have their own intense paths to walk. But the scenes they do share more than make up for it as they are packed with full of spice and heart. The supporting characters get more spotlight, especially Torben, a new character, (sigh) a new favourite of mine. But brace yourself, the cliffhanger is a doozy. If you're a Romantasy fan, this is one you cannot miss.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, and these are my genuine thoughts.
The sequel to the False Queen is impressive. It’s one of those books that leaves you emotionally drained after investing so much of yourself in the story.
While it is a romantasy, the world is at war and the primary focus of the book is not on Kas and Blaise together. Despite this, their relationship is the centre of all of the conflict and impacts everything.
There is spice in this book (not lots, but it’s there). As such, it’s definitely an open door story. The book is a sequel and cannot be read as a standalone (trust me, I tried). There are definitely things that will trigger some readers in this book.
This is the Empire Strikes Back moment of this series - the darkness prevails and it is hard to see how the light can win. But there is still hope, even if it is faint and I am eagerly anticipating the Return of the Jedi moments. All romantasy fans should be reading this *debut* series - it’s really something special.
This is Book 2 in the Cursed Queen Series, and, my gosh, what a wonderful contuation of the story!!
I laughed, I cried, I fell in love, I was confused (😜👌), I wanted to fight, I was in shock. I found it extremely hard to put down as there was never a dull moment nor a predicable one. It was truly a fantastic read.
So if you like:
🔥 Evil Matriarch 🔥 Dark Magic 🔥 Witches Vs Humans 🔥 She's Morally Grey 🔥 Let the World Burn 🔥 Found Family 🔥 Dual POV
This one is DEFINITELY for you. As I said, this is the second book in the series, so you'll want to get your hands on The False Queen first.
I am so so grateful to Meg for letting me ARC review this. I am absolutely chomping at the bit for book 3 🤩
I’ve been looking forward to this since I flew through book one, and was lucky to get an ARC for this too.
It’s taken me a while to get through but I’m not sure why as I did enjoy it. I think I preferred the pacing of book one, while a lot happens this can feel slow at times.
We meet a lot of new characters, and the plot and character relationships develop a fair amount with twists that were a surprise but also some I saw coming.
There were some relationship development tropes that really bug me but that is a personal preference! And one part with Kas saying his human eyes couldn’t see … then he proceeds to describe the emotions behind someone’s eyes in the place he couldn’t see clearly. 😅
Wow. Wow wow wow… fuck! Thank you Meg Humble for giving me the opportunity to read The Vengeful Queen early! This book.. I have no words. Romantasy is my thing, it’s my comfort - and this book had EVERYTHING. The romance in this one felt like it took a bit of a seat back, but the longing and the pining was all there and I devoured it. The character progression in our fmc especially, was THE BEST development I’ve read this year. My heart breaks for her, but she’s still such a badass and I love that. The chapters were short and snappy, gripping you instantly and keeping the story so interesting you just had to read the next part - and then before I knew it I was 400 pages deep in what felt like no time at all. ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐.5
5 stars! I really loved this book. It’s the second one in the series and honestly, it’s even better than the first. The story is full of magic, action, and strong emotions, I laughed, cried, and got totally hooked. Blaise and Kaspian are amazing characters, and their struggles with dark magic and trust kept me on edge the whole time. The new characters, like Torben, added so much more to the story. I liked how the book shows found family and complex relationships, making it feel very real and deep. The dual POV helped me connect more with both main characters. Be ready for a big cliffhanger that left me desperate for the next book. Thank you so much to the author for giving me the opportunity to read the book in advance, I received this for free and I'm leaving an honest review.
Well I didn’t think I could love Kas more after book one, but this line killed me.
Meg didn’t again with another 5 star read. You fall in love with the characters, this book was an emotional rollercoaster - crying, screaming, laughing (sometimes blushing lol). The world and character development following book 1 was exciting, detailed and everything I needed. To meet new characters and more of the magic world, and a new level of magic.
The question is.. who will come out on top?
Witches. Witch hunters. Elves. Humans. Gods. Magic. Found family. War.
"He chose her... but can love survive a war built on blood and betrayal?"
The Vengeful Queen is everything I hoped for in a sequel—and more. Meg Humble raises the stakes with brutal emotional twists, fierce battles, and a romance that feels both epic and fragile under the weight of war. Dark magic, deadly queens, and a love that could save—or doom—the realm. This is new adult romantic fantasy at its finest.
Bring on Book 3. I’m not ready to leave this world.
I thoroughly loved the first book so when the 2nd was available, I knew I had to read it. I was not disappointed. The feminine rage in the book did me in. I love how strong all of the female characters are and how much the reader is routing for them to get their revenge or comeuppance the whole time. I struggled with the fact that a lot was being held back from the main character by those around her and hate when people want to 'protect' someone by leaving them ignorant, but it worked in the overall arc. I can't wait for book 3. I loved watching the relationships develop, especially between Luna and Cole and was pleased by the little extra chapter at the end.
This second installment of The Cursed Queen series is just E V E R Y T H I N G, like seriously, I could not put it down and literally devoured the first draft in one Sunday evening, which then flowed into the early hours of Monday!
If you loved The False Queen (like me obvs) then you will absolutley adore her darker sequel that is The Vengeful Queen! Double the adventure, double the fantasy and double the spice 🔥 I laughed, I cried, I felt my cheeks flush and fell in love all over again with this magical world and everyone in it.