Hysteria

Reign #2

by Lily Blake

France is aflame with rumors of witchcraft and treachery. Who will be burn for their transgressions? Find out in this haunting original novel based on the hit CW television show, Reign.

Something sinister has been sweeping the villages surrounding the French court. Rumors of Satan's horsemen traveling the countryside and claiming the souls of villagers have sent the people reeling into a religious frenzy and soon fear and suspicion lead them to accuse a young girl of witchcraft. After the prisoner is brought to the palace for questioning, Mary, Greer, Kenna, and Lola work to prove her innocence. But there are others who will stop at nothing to see the girl and her secrets silenced forever...

Genres: Historical, Historical Fiction, Fantasy

224 pages, Paperback

First published May 12, 2015

Reviews

[Lauren Krichbaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Hysteria, I felt a little let down. I had very high expectations for the book and Hysteria didn't live up to them. I do admit it was full of action, adventure romance and history, but it doesn't compare to the first book. I have seen the TV series before and I fell in love with the character development, but the book just doesn't set the right mood.
The series takes place in France in the late 1500s, around the time Mary (Queen of Scots) and Francis (King of France) ruled the thrown. The book is based off the lives of the royal trapped in the castle walls. I usually would never choose a historical fiction novel but something about the catchy series caught my eye.
The book is filled with a lot of mixed emotions that don't always set the right "mood" for the story. If you haven't watch the TV show I would not recommend this book for you. Without seeing the CW version I think you will lose interest in the book quickly. It's not that I dislike the book I just find it poorly written. In conclusion I would not recommend this book to everyone only present "Reign" fans.

[Jamie Coudeville · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not really a Mary & Francis fan so I didn't love this. He definitely got on my nerves in this book. I did love the tidbits of Mary & Bash. Glad the author didn't forget them like the show did.
Also, wtf Catherine?! That was cold.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story. Not particularly well written but it serves its purpose of helping us get over the hiatus. You learn more about Francis and Mary during the first part of season 2. If you can get enough fan fiction (same as me), this book is like a long well written fic, it tells the story from the perspective of both Francis and Mary and it gives you an insight of their relationship during this firsts part of season two (right before the unthinkable happens in the show). Add to this a great deal of Kenna and Bash love story and a little bit of mystery and Catherine schemes. You got a written chapter of the tv show.

[Adriana · Rating 4 out of 5]

By far my favorite book from the series, maybe because it was a more original work than the others. The author really grasped the essence of every character and you can't help but to love them or to love to loath them, the story was thrilling and never dull.

[Nadia Hana Hana · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You don't want to believe it. But people are capable of terrible things. Even good people can commit atrocities, if pushed."

Somehow the book feels a little bit more light-hearted compared to the show even though there is a pressing issue and that being a religious frenzy and witchcraft. Probably because the shows focuses heavily on the drama and the intense story-telling, but this book, the writing style is a little bit more light-hearted and the pacing is great. I love how the girls are working together here, this is what The Reign is all about, which is friendship. France and Mary here are trying really hard to be good leaders and pushed aside their personal conflicts but I love how Kenna and Bash are so good at working together

[Jackie Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the final book that Lily Blake wrote that goes along with CW's Reign. It was written fantastically and she really had the characters' voices down!

I would have loved to see this book as an actual episode. Especially given the shenanigans that Kenna gets her and Greer into (Side note: I now picture Greer as Rapunzel 😂) and especially the Frary related bits in the story!

Unfortunately, it's been about a year and a half since I watched seasons 1 and 2 of the actual tv show so I'm not quite sure as to which episodes this would coincide with if you wanted a full experience with the books and television show.

[Emma Rossi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.5 stars.

I was looking for a fun short read to read in between books. I found this one to be light and fluffy and exactly what I needed.
I am a huge fan of the tv show and agree with many of the other reviews that you definitely needed to know the characters well and have prior knowledge of the tv show before reading this.
This book centers around Mary, Francis, Bash and Kenna. Also featured Greer and Catherine, however, not much Lola. I think the characters well written and seemed like the same characters on the tv show.
Definitely something to read if you’re a fan of the tv show and looking for a nice quick read.

[margarida anjos · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is for the Mary and Francis ships and Mary and Francis ships only (I’m not one, so there’s a slight chance that I was somewhat disappointed when I finished this last book of the series). It’s way more original than The Prophecy, I guess, but it gets tiring to read - in this very specific series, the tv show wins by a great amount.

(Bash, you’ll always be famous)

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stars: 3.8/5

Spice: 0/5

Genre: Historical Fiction of sorts

Feelings the book gives: Reign, Mary Queen of Scotts, Witches, plots

Other thoughts: This one was much better than the first one. I love the TV show so it’s hard to not love the novella. She stated true to the characters in this one.

[Cherlynn | cherreading · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this better than the first book. The storyline was way more interesting and completely new, instead of being expanded upon like what was done with the first book.

The characters were also more true to the show. Catherine was in her element and the best character with her sharp dialogue and epic comebacks. Oh and yay Greer!

[EJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars
Very entertaining, a very light and short read!

[Jorayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good. I wasn't completely pleased with how they portrayed Francis but other than that I liked it.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book I enjoyed.Loved reading about the continuing adventures of King Francis, Queen Mary, Bash, Kenna, Lola, and the other Reign characters I love from the CW show.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was enough to satisfy until the show came back on.

[Solane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good storyline, characters were acting as we know them from the TVshow, some nice surprises here and there. Overall quite an quick fun read.

[Czari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This made me fall in love with reading! I reread it multiple times.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like 2.5 stars, reasonably enjoyable way to kill time but nothing special.

Francis is so breathtakingly stupid. Such a weak, fragile baby-man.

Otherwise, this book can be summed up by Jake: