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Thirstwood #2
Cursed Queen's Daughter
A warrior princess falls for a shadow prince in this darkly romantic companion to The Forest King’s Daughter.
Fearless Thea has never known life outside of war. As the favorite daughter of the Sylvan King, she's a relentless fighter who longs to lead his army as First Huntsman, ignoring the pretty clothes and fanciful notions others enjoy. But when a mysterious dress full of dark magic appears on her hearth one evening, Thea doesn’t know how to fight an enemy she can't see or touch. Still, her curiosity builds as a new gown appears each night—until she gives in to temptation and is whisked to a forgotten land of shadows.
The prince of the shadow realm is a handsome host, and while Thea does all she can to resist his charms, it's clear he knows something about the long-ago disappearance of Thea’s mother. All he asks in return is for Thea to dance with him, their dangerous attraction growing each time she returns for more information. Meanwhile, shadows are seeping into the living realm, and Thea may have to embrace her own darkness if she has any chance of saving her beloved sisters and home from an otherworldly threat.
From the author of the Frostblood Saga comes the second book in a spellbinding series about the daughters of the powerful forest king, with simmering romance and plot twists that will leave readers desperate to enter the Thirstwood themselves.
Fearless Thea has never known life outside of war. As the favorite daughter of the Sylvan King, she's a relentless fighter who longs to lead his army as First Huntsman, ignoring the pretty clothes and fanciful notions others enjoy. But when a mysterious dress full of dark magic appears on her hearth one evening, Thea doesn’t know how to fight an enemy she can't see or touch. Still, her curiosity builds as a new gown appears each night—until she gives in to temptation and is whisked to a forgotten land of shadows.
The prince of the shadow realm is a handsome host, and while Thea does all she can to resist his charms, it's clear he knows something about the long-ago disappearance of Thea’s mother. All he asks in return is for Thea to dance with him, their dangerous attraction growing each time she returns for more information. Meanwhile, shadows are seeping into the living realm, and Thea may have to embrace her own darkness if she has any chance of saving her beloved sisters and home from an otherworldly threat.
From the author of the Frostblood Saga comes the second book in a spellbinding series about the daughters of the powerful forest king, with simmering romance and plot twists that will leave readers desperate to enter the Thirstwood themselves.
500 pages, Paperback
Published February 10, 2026
25 people are currently reading
1075 people want to read
About the author
Elly Blake
7 books2,205 followersNYT bestselling author of the Frostblood Saga. Elly Blake loves fairy tales, old houses, and owls. After earning a BA in English literature, she held a series of seemingly random jobs, including project manager, customs clerk, graphic designer, reporter for a local business magazine, and library assistant. She lives in Southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and a Siberian Husky mix who definitely shows Frostblood tendencies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
March 8, 2026
3.5 stars
Thank you Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Elly Blake and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
After the whimsical THE FOREST KING'S DAUGHTER, I was so incredibly excited to get back to Thirstwood. The world was as folksy and eerie as I had left it and it enveloped me all over again. Elly Blake is very good at setting up the environment and describing beautiful scenes that feel immersive and out of a fairytale, and that continues to be the strength of this series.
As for the plot and characters, I found them less compelling than the previous book. The romance utilizes the same star crossed lovers idea as the first one, but it just didn't really come together as well. To begin with, the characters felt underdeveloped and the romantic tension slightly forced despite really cool moments thrown in here and there. I just didn't fully understand their motivations, fears or personalities, so it was difficult to see how they could be coming together or yearning for each other.
The plot has a very convincing, fun villain, who keeps moving it forward. However, it is definitely a slow moving pace. The ending was thrilling and I was really excited to see how Thea would be able to get herself out of a very grim situation and save the people she loves, as well as the whole of Thirstwood. Obviously how the romance gets resolved it was also sweet and I'm curious to see how this series will progress. I just wish that the next sister gets a different romance trope because the stars crossed lovers are fun but hard to beat when the first book did it so well.
Thank you Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Elly Blake and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
After the whimsical THE FOREST KING'S DAUGHTER, I was so incredibly excited to get back to Thirstwood. The world was as folksy and eerie as I had left it and it enveloped me all over again. Elly Blake is very good at setting up the environment and describing beautiful scenes that feel immersive and out of a fairytale, and that continues to be the strength of this series.
As for the plot and characters, I found them less compelling than the previous book. The romance utilizes the same star crossed lovers idea as the first one, but it just didn't really come together as well. To begin with, the characters felt underdeveloped and the romantic tension slightly forced despite really cool moments thrown in here and there. I just didn't fully understand their motivations, fears or personalities, so it was difficult to see how they could be coming together or yearning for each other.
The plot has a very convincing, fun villain, who keeps moving it forward. However, it is definitely a slow moving pace. The ending was thrilling and I was really excited to see how Thea would be able to get herself out of a very grim situation and save the people she loves, as well as the whole of Thirstwood. Obviously how the romance gets resolved it was also sweet and I'm curious to see how this series will progress. I just wish that the next sister gets a different romance trope because the stars crossed lovers are fun but hard to beat when the first book did it so well.
March 4, 2026
The romance in this book was so darn good! I was there for the romance and the romance only. I am sad to say that the world building has only improved minimally, I think it is cause the characters we get the POV of are just as confused as me. I think that this series has a thing for terrible dads🤔. I am so exited for the next book to come out but I will have to wait a while so kinda sad 😞. Damon and Thea are couple goals!
February 13, 2026
3.5/5 stars
This sequel was fun and easy to sink into, even if it didn’t quite reach the emotional depth I was hoping for. After reading the first book, I wanted the story to lean darker and dig deeper. This one still stayed fairly light in execution, which is fine since it's a young adult book.
The mystery surrounding Thea’s mother was the most interesting thread for me, and I really enjoyed the family dynamics and political tension within the Sylvan and shadow court. The worldbuilding continues to be one of this series’ strengths. I found it complex, lush, fairytale-inspired, and atmospheric.
The characters themselves were likable and entertaining, even if they didn’t have as much depth as I wanted. Thea is a capable, driven heroine and Damon is very much a tortured shadow prince. They are both charming and complex. The romance had a fun setup and was fun to watch grow as the mystery unfurled. Their interactions felt dream-like and I loved the magical dresses he sent and how thoughtful they were.
Overall, this felt like a fairy-tale fantasy with themes of choice and forging your own path, wrapped in a fun, readable package. While it didn’t fully hook me on an emotional level, I still had a good time with the story, the setting, and the characters. A solid, enjoyable continuation of the series! Can't wait to see which sister is up next!
Thanks so much to the publisher, the author, and Toppling Stacks Tours for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
This sequel was fun and easy to sink into, even if it didn’t quite reach the emotional depth I was hoping for. After reading the first book, I wanted the story to lean darker and dig deeper. This one still stayed fairly light in execution, which is fine since it's a young adult book.
The mystery surrounding Thea’s mother was the most interesting thread for me, and I really enjoyed the family dynamics and political tension within the Sylvan and shadow court. The worldbuilding continues to be one of this series’ strengths. I found it complex, lush, fairytale-inspired, and atmospheric.
The characters themselves were likable and entertaining, even if they didn’t have as much depth as I wanted. Thea is a capable, driven heroine and Damon is very much a tortured shadow prince. They are both charming and complex. The romance had a fun setup and was fun to watch grow as the mystery unfurled. Their interactions felt dream-like and I loved the magical dresses he sent and how thoughtful they were.
Overall, this felt like a fairy-tale fantasy with themes of choice and forging your own path, wrapped in a fun, readable package. While it didn’t fully hook me on an emotional level, I still had a good time with the story, the setting, and the characters. A solid, enjoyable continuation of the series! Can't wait to see which sister is up next!
Thanks so much to the publisher, the author, and Toppling Stacks Tours for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
December 18, 2025
This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second installment Thirstwood series. I was glad to be back with these characters in a new setting from the first book. I thought Thea was a formidable main character and Damon was certainly a charming lead. I was definitely hooked into finding out how the story would end. At some points I was a little confused and felt like a lot was happening at the same time but I think everything was wrapped up pretty well. I like how relationships plays a really important aspect and not just romantic ones. The bonds these sisters have with each other is so amazing to see and read. A really great book to recommend to younger adults and I’m interested to see where the rest of the series takes us
This is the second installment Thirstwood series. I was glad to be back with these characters in a new setting from the first book. I thought Thea was a formidable main character and Damon was certainly a charming lead. I was definitely hooked into finding out how the story would end. At some points I was a little confused and felt like a lot was happening at the same time but I think everything was wrapped up pretty well. I like how relationships plays a really important aspect and not just romantic ones. The bonds these sisters have with each other is so amazing to see and read. A really great book to recommend to younger adults and I’m interested to see where the rest of the series takes us
March 23, 2026
A solid 3.5 for me. I was very excited for this book after reading the first one to finally find out what happened to the FMCs mother, the Sylvan Queen. The beginning had a similar set up to the first book and a new, darker realm for a different sister to explore. Overall the story was good, albeit slow paced but it just didn’t hit the same way for me as the first book did, especially with the romance. In the first book the enemies to lovers was done really well but in this one the betrayal towards the end kind of killed it for me. Also our Sylvan King was just as useless as in the first book lol. I thought maybe the events in the first book would have changed him a little but he’s still as stubborn and unhelpful as ever.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
a pretty good sequel to the first book, which I loved! this one wasn’t as good for me. It didn’t hook me as much to the characters or on an emotional level, but I found the story surrounding Thea’s mother and the tension between the Sylvans and the shadow court interesting. the ending lost my interest at times and I wish there was more. overall an interesting read with fantasy fairy-tale and dark elements!
a pretty good sequel to the first book, which I loved! this one wasn’t as good for me. It didn’t hook me as much to the characters or on an emotional level, but I found the story surrounding Thea’s mother and the tension between the Sylvans and the shadow court interesting. the ending lost my interest at times and I wish there was more. overall an interesting read with fantasy fairy-tale and dark elements!
February 19, 2026
**Thank you to Little, Brown Books for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!**
I want to start this off by saying I LOVED the first book in this series. Unfortunately, this one was not nearly as enjoyable. Despite being about 100 pages shorter than the first book, The Cursed Queen's Daughter drags like crazy. I had such a hard time forcing myself through the first half of this book. The pacing is not great, and the plot is lacking. Throughout the whole book I did not feel like there were any stakes, except for maybe at the end (just a little).
I found the characters to also be rather flat. Thea was okay, but Damon was literally just shadows and daddy issues. And he talked in an old-fashioned manner sometimes. However, there was no consistency with when he talked in an old-fashioned way, and he stopped altogether about 60% of the way through. The romance was somewhat cute, but since few of the characters had any defining qualities, it fell pretty flat. Also, there were a few really weird lines that were definitely not clean in the romance, but the rest of the book was pretty fade-to-black... I was thrown off because the first book was cleaner.
I still enjoyed the book somewhat and read the last 40% quite quickly. But man, the first half is a struggle.
I want to start this off by saying I LOVED the first book in this series. Unfortunately, this one was not nearly as enjoyable. Despite being about 100 pages shorter than the first book, The Cursed Queen's Daughter drags like crazy. I had such a hard time forcing myself through the first half of this book. The pacing is not great, and the plot is lacking. Throughout the whole book I did not feel like there were any stakes, except for maybe at the end (just a little).
I found the characters to also be rather flat. Thea was okay, but Damon was literally just shadows and daddy issues. And he talked in an old-fashioned manner sometimes. However, there was no consistency with when he talked in an old-fashioned way, and he stopped altogether about 60% of the way through. The romance was somewhat cute, but since few of the characters had any defining qualities, it fell pretty flat. Also, there were a few really weird lines that were definitely not clean in the romance, but the rest of the book was pretty fade-to-black... I was thrown off because the first book was cleaner.
I still enjoyed the book somewhat and read the last 40% quite quickly. But man, the first half is a struggle.
March 19, 2026
I liked the fairy tale atmosphere, but I felt that lots of topics could have been deeper.
April 7, 2026
I am OBSESSED with Damian and the storyline in this book. I don’t know how to describe how much I loved it can’t wait for the rest of the series to be released!
January 13, 2026
*A huge thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for sharing an advanced readers copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.*
This is the second installment in the Thirstwood series. Surprisingly, I ended up enjoying this one so much more than the first book. Book one in the series was a fun, interesting read, but nothing to truly rave about… but this book made me want to recommend the entire series!
💕The relationships
The characters in general throughout this story felt richer. Maybe it’s because the emotional stakes were higher as the plot progressed more steadily than in book one. I found that my previous understanding of the world lent well to allowing Blake to let the characters drive the plot rather than having to explain much of the magic to us. There were moments that the world still felt confusing (more on that later though).
I loved how much more depth we got with Thea and her journey. And Damon was an instant obsession for me… shadow daddy, momma’s boy, thoughtful romantic, yes please! Their relationship progressed authentically and so beautifully in this story. But not only did I love the romance, I loved the bond between the four Sylvan sisters that we really got to see blossom.
🌳The world building
Much of the world building and magic systems were explained to us in book one, but I felt like book two did a better job further clarifying some of the complex systems. Often times though I was still confused by different Old Ones, Ancients, and realm magics. The more I read though, the more I understand. I just wish that explanations could be done a bit better. I’ll give Blake credit though because the way in which she is choosing to create her world requires much in the way of Ancient “gods,” different realms, and a plethora of magical creatures and beings. Creating this world is definitely an undertaking.
👯♀️The Sylvan sisters
I am obsessed with these girls. Being the oldest of four girls myself, I feel so connected to the relationship that each of these sisters have for one another. Book one allowed us to know these sisters existed, but this book truly showcased each girl in a way that’s completely pulled me into the family. I’m so excited to dive further into each of their stories as the series progresses. Blake did an incredible job highlighting the relationship of familial love that exists outside of romantic love.
I would recommend this book to those who are looking for a strong female character who can carry her own, anyone looking for stories about the bond of sisterhood, and readers who are as obsessed with shadow daddies as I am.
This is the second installment in the Thirstwood series. Surprisingly, I ended up enjoying this one so much more than the first book. Book one in the series was a fun, interesting read, but nothing to truly rave about… but this book made me want to recommend the entire series!
💕The relationships
The characters in general throughout this story felt richer. Maybe it’s because the emotional stakes were higher as the plot progressed more steadily than in book one. I found that my previous understanding of the world lent well to allowing Blake to let the characters drive the plot rather than having to explain much of the magic to us. There were moments that the world still felt confusing (more on that later though).
I loved how much more depth we got with Thea and her journey. And Damon was an instant obsession for me… shadow daddy, momma’s boy, thoughtful romantic, yes please! Their relationship progressed authentically and so beautifully in this story. But not only did I love the romance, I loved the bond between the four Sylvan sisters that we really got to see blossom.
🌳The world building
Much of the world building and magic systems were explained to us in book one, but I felt like book two did a better job further clarifying some of the complex systems. Often times though I was still confused by different Old Ones, Ancients, and realm magics. The more I read though, the more I understand. I just wish that explanations could be done a bit better. I’ll give Blake credit though because the way in which she is choosing to create her world requires much in the way of Ancient “gods,” different realms, and a plethora of magical creatures and beings. Creating this world is definitely an undertaking.
👯♀️The Sylvan sisters
I am obsessed with these girls. Being the oldest of four girls myself, I feel so connected to the relationship that each of these sisters have for one another. Book one allowed us to know these sisters existed, but this book truly showcased each girl in a way that’s completely pulled me into the family. I’m so excited to dive further into each of their stories as the series progresses. Blake did an incredible job highlighting the relationship of familial love that exists outside of romantic love.
I would recommend this book to those who are looking for a strong female character who can carry her own, anyone looking for stories about the bond of sisterhood, and readers who are as obsessed with shadow daddies as I am.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I rarely ever find myself finishing a book in less than a day, but I’ll be damned if that’s not what I did with this one. I don’t even think I stopped to acknowledge chapters. The writing in this was so seamless and the story flowed so easily, it felt like watching a movie. The characters were fantastic, the story amazing, and the construction of the worlds were seated in my mind’s eye.
Our shadow prince, Damon, lives in the Netherwhere, where the spirits of the creatures above are harvested to sustain life in his world. He is tasked by his father, the King, with the unfortunate responsibility of harvesting these spirits. The Queen of the land above is imprisoned by the King, her daughter had unknowingly wronged him, and for punishment, the queen had to either give up her daughter to the king for her spirit, or the Queen could sacrifice herself in her place. The Daughter, Thea, is a warrior in the King’s guard. She becomes concerned when more creatures are being taken, and it is not known how or why, but in the same instance, silver gilded trees are sprouting out all over her lands. Our shadow prince lures her to his kingdom and makes a deal with her. He will give her information for the simple trade of a dance. This is where the story begins to unfold and I was whisked away. The world and the magic and creatures in this world were so well developed, and described. But the most interesting piece of the story was the development of the shadows. These shadows were not a part of the being who has them, but instead were their own beings that were drawn to others by their will and their actions and strengths. This development made for an intriguing power struggle between characters, between kings and between worlds. This is the second book in this universe, a companion novel to the first, The Forest King’s Daughter, which I do intend on reading. Thank you @Elly_Blake for this enjoyable work of fantasy and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this story!
If you like great world building, interesting magic, a shadow prince that gives Rhysand vibes and a shadow mommy that is sassy and strong willed, with yearning and tension and a twist that makes you say WTF!, then this story is for you.
Our shadow prince, Damon, lives in the Netherwhere, where the spirits of the creatures above are harvested to sustain life in his world. He is tasked by his father, the King, with the unfortunate responsibility of harvesting these spirits. The Queen of the land above is imprisoned by the King, her daughter had unknowingly wronged him, and for punishment, the queen had to either give up her daughter to the king for her spirit, or the Queen could sacrifice herself in her place. The Daughter, Thea, is a warrior in the King’s guard. She becomes concerned when more creatures are being taken, and it is not known how or why, but in the same instance, silver gilded trees are sprouting out all over her lands. Our shadow prince lures her to his kingdom and makes a deal with her. He will give her information for the simple trade of a dance. This is where the story begins to unfold and I was whisked away. The world and the magic and creatures in this world were so well developed, and described. But the most interesting piece of the story was the development of the shadows. These shadows were not a part of the being who has them, but instead were their own beings that were drawn to others by their will and their actions and strengths. This development made for an intriguing power struggle between characters, between kings and between worlds. This is the second book in this universe, a companion novel to the first, The Forest King’s Daughter, which I do intend on reading. Thank you @Elly_Blake for this enjoyable work of fantasy and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this story!
If you like great world building, interesting magic, a shadow prince that gives Rhysand vibes and a shadow mommy that is sassy and strong willed, with yearning and tension and a twist that makes you say WTF!, then this story is for you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2025
I really enjoyed this book, both the heroine and the world. Thea has a solid voice and a stubborn personality. Upon finding magic clothes left for her in her room with no idea how they got there … Thea doesn’t put them on no matter how lovely they are. When events happen that leave her no choice but to don them and risk the magic they hold, she also adds daggers and a sword. She’s bold, but not feckless. On meeting the stranger with shadow magic she doesn’t swoon or instantly get all hot and bothered; she thinks, she reasons, she realizes she’s being played with and refuses to give in. She has a spine and spirit and I like her.
Thea thinks before she acts (for the most part), and doesn’t trust Damon simply because he’s pretty. She trusts him because he’s proven himself to be a kindred spirit, someone who wants to help others, someone who wants to stop the cruelty of his father and yet finds himself helpless to do anything but obey the man who tortures him for every failure. Damon isn’t blind to the pain his compliance brings to innocent people, and he grieves for them … but he also wants to live, and so does as he must.
Damon doesn’t end up being the hero in this book, the one riding the rescue. It’s Thea with her own skill, her own power, her own willingness to sacrifice herself for others that truly ends up being the hero. Yes, Damon helps a little, but it’s Thea who makes everything possible, and Thea he has to redeem himself to.
This is just a fun, well plotted fairy tale romance — think 12 dancing princesses, only much more fun — and a solid friendship to romance. And if you’re looking for a shadow mommy instead of a shadow daddy, this book might be something worth picking up. Thank you so very much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC!
Thea thinks before she acts (for the most part), and doesn’t trust Damon simply because he’s pretty. She trusts him because he’s proven himself to be a kindred spirit, someone who wants to help others, someone who wants to stop the cruelty of his father and yet finds himself helpless to do anything but obey the man who tortures him for every failure. Damon isn’t blind to the pain his compliance brings to innocent people, and he grieves for them … but he also wants to live, and so does as he must.
Damon doesn’t end up being the hero in this book, the one riding the rescue. It’s Thea with her own skill, her own power, her own willingness to sacrifice herself for others that truly ends up being the hero. Yes, Damon helps a little, but it’s Thea who makes everything possible, and Thea he has to redeem himself to.
This is just a fun, well plotted fairy tale romance — think 12 dancing princesses, only much more fun — and a solid friendship to romance. And if you’re looking for a shadow mommy instead of a shadow daddy, this book might be something worth picking up. Thank you so very much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC!
April 17, 2026
Returning to Thirstwood, The Cursed Queen’s Daughter by Elly Blake follows Thea’s story in a world still reeling from the aftermath of her sister’s attempt to forge a treaty with the Dracu. The ending conflict has left Thirstwood weakened just enough for an ancient, patient enemy to begin rising from the shadows.
As the King’s favoured daughter, Thea has always known her role: to protect her family and her people at all costs. But when threats emerge that she cannot see, or fight, she’s forced to turn to the very magic she distrusts. Her search for answers pulls her deeper into danger, especially when those answers come at a steep price… one collected by a charming, shadow-wielding man who may be as dangerous as he is intriguing. What follows is a story of hidden pasts, false confidence, and a daughter trying to save her mother and herself from a curse as old as the ancient ones.
This book leans into some beloved fantasy tropes: shadowy, powerful love interests and a strong heroine driven by loyalty and love, but does so in a way that remains engaging and fun. Thea’s journey, especially her struggle to reconcile who she thought she was with who she’s becoming, is where the story really shines. I do wish the author had explored the sisters’ relationship more deeply, particularly how enduring love and trust can coexist with unresolved pain and past hurt.
The pacing, familiar tropes, and compelling characters made this an enjoyable return to Thirstwood. It’s a story that feels both comfortable and entertaining, while still leaving room for growth and intrigue.
Quick Take:
✨ Engaging return to a familiar fantasy world 🖤 Classic tropes done well🔮 Intriguing magic and underlying mystery
⭐ 4 – Really enjoyed it, fun and engaging with familiar fantasy vibes.
As the King’s favoured daughter, Thea has always known her role: to protect her family and her people at all costs. But when threats emerge that she cannot see, or fight, she’s forced to turn to the very magic she distrusts. Her search for answers pulls her deeper into danger, especially when those answers come at a steep price… one collected by a charming, shadow-wielding man who may be as dangerous as he is intriguing. What follows is a story of hidden pasts, false confidence, and a daughter trying to save her mother and herself from a curse as old as the ancient ones.
This book leans into some beloved fantasy tropes: shadowy, powerful love interests and a strong heroine driven by loyalty and love, but does so in a way that remains engaging and fun. Thea’s journey, especially her struggle to reconcile who she thought she was with who she’s becoming, is where the story really shines. I do wish the author had explored the sisters’ relationship more deeply, particularly how enduring love and trust can coexist with unresolved pain and past hurt.
The pacing, familiar tropes, and compelling characters made this an enjoyable return to Thirstwood. It’s a story that feels both comfortable and entertaining, while still leaving room for growth and intrigue.
Quick Take:
✨ Engaging return to a familiar fantasy world 🖤 Classic tropes done well🔮 Intriguing magic and underlying mystery
⭐ 4 – Really enjoyed it, fun and engaging with familiar fantasy vibes.
March 14, 2026
A strong follow-up that finally gave me what I’d hoped for—mostly.
I’ll be honest: I struggled with the first book in this series. I pushed myself to finish it because TikTok made it seem like everyone was obsessed, and I kept wondering if I was missing something. So I went into The Cursed Queen’s Daughter hoping the sequel would click with me in a way book one didn’t.
And surprisingly—it did. Not perfectly, but enough that this felt like a solid 4-star read.
Thea is such a compelling lead. Fierce, intense, determined to define herself outside the roles she’s “supposed” to fill. Her voice worked better for me than the previous heroine’s, and the premise—the enchanted gowns, the shadow realm, the mysterious prince who knows more than he’s saying—was instantly more engaging.
The romantic tension is definitely a highlight, with just enough love-triangle energy to keep things interesting without overtaking the plot. The shadow prince brings a darker, magnetic edge to the story, and watching Thea try (and fail) to keep her walls up was genuinely entertaining.
There’s also a stronger sense of danger and momentum this time around. The creeping darkness, sisterly loyalty, and unraveling family secrets all made the stakes feel higher and more grounded.
That said, even with all the improvements, the book didn’t fully blow me away. Some pacing hiccups and predictable beats kept it from hitting that 5-star mark. But compared to the first installment? It’s a noticeable step up, and I’m glad I gave the series another chance.
A dark, romantic, action-filled sequel that delivers enough intrigue and charm to keep me invested in Thirstwood.
I’ll be honest: I struggled with the first book in this series. I pushed myself to finish it because TikTok made it seem like everyone was obsessed, and I kept wondering if I was missing something. So I went into The Cursed Queen’s Daughter hoping the sequel would click with me in a way book one didn’t.
And surprisingly—it did. Not perfectly, but enough that this felt like a solid 4-star read.
Thea is such a compelling lead. Fierce, intense, determined to define herself outside the roles she’s “supposed” to fill. Her voice worked better for me than the previous heroine’s, and the premise—the enchanted gowns, the shadow realm, the mysterious prince who knows more than he’s saying—was instantly more engaging.
The romantic tension is definitely a highlight, with just enough love-triangle energy to keep things interesting without overtaking the plot. The shadow prince brings a darker, magnetic edge to the story, and watching Thea try (and fail) to keep her walls up was genuinely entertaining.
There’s also a stronger sense of danger and momentum this time around. The creeping darkness, sisterly loyalty, and unraveling family secrets all made the stakes feel higher and more grounded.
That said, even with all the improvements, the book didn’t fully blow me away. Some pacing hiccups and predictable beats kept it from hitting that 5-star mark. But compared to the first installment? It’s a noticeable step up, and I’m glad I gave the series another chance.
A dark, romantic, action-filled sequel that delivers enough intrigue and charm to keep me invested in Thirstwood.
February 10, 2026
I really loved the first book in the Thirstwood series, so I was really looking forward to this second installment and it definitely didn’t disappoint. This time around, the focus is on Thea, fearless warrior and favorite daughter of the forest king.
The bones of the story is about Thea fighting to save her kingdom from an unknown, otherworldly threat and family curses, dark magic, and destiny all play a role in her journey. Along the way she meets a boy with shadow magic who gifts her mysterious magic clothes, and I really loved that part of the storyline. Damon, said shadowy boy, knows things about Thea’s mother that she’s determined to figure out, things that could very well help save Thea an her family, and that added another mysterious layer to this tale. There’s also a strong focus on choice, specifically forging one’s own path or the path that’s chosen for you, thanks to family legacies.
All told, I loved being back in this world and seeing yet another aspect to this fantastically layered setting. If you like dark magic, curses, slowburn romance, and a feisty heroine, definitely add this book and series to your tbr. Some additional tropes/elements found in the book:
╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ Dark fantasy that feels like a dangerous fairytale
╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ Cursed royal bloodline
╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ Princess with dangerous magic
╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ Hidden / forbidden powers
╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ Destiny vs. free will
╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ Court politics and intrigue
╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ Secrets that can change *everything*
╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ Coming-of-age…under pressure
*Thanks to the publisher and Toppling Stacks Tours for the review copy!
The bones of the story is about Thea fighting to save her kingdom from an unknown, otherworldly threat and family curses, dark magic, and destiny all play a role in her journey. Along the way she meets a boy with shadow magic who gifts her mysterious magic clothes, and I really loved that part of the storyline. Damon, said shadowy boy, knows things about Thea’s mother that she’s determined to figure out, things that could very well help save Thea an her family, and that added another mysterious layer to this tale. There’s also a strong focus on choice, specifically forging one’s own path or the path that’s chosen for you, thanks to family legacies.
All told, I loved being back in this world and seeing yet another aspect to this fantastically layered setting. If you like dark magic, curses, slowburn romance, and a feisty heroine, definitely add this book and series to your tbr. Some additional tropes/elements found in the book:
╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ Dark fantasy that feels like a dangerous fairytale
╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ Cursed royal bloodline
╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ Princess with dangerous magic
╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ Hidden / forbidden powers
╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ Destiny vs. free will
╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ Court politics and intrigue
╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ Secrets that can change *everything*
╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ Coming-of-age…under pressure
*Thanks to the publisher and Toppling Stacks Tours for the review copy!
March 18, 2026
I really enjoyed The Forest King's Daughter's vibes when I read it, so I was excited to get back to this whimsical world that is Thirstwood.
The Cursed Queen's Daughter brings back this immersive one-of-a-kind universe with the same compelling atmosphere. Elly Blake has a beautiful way of describing everything and making it easy to imagine it all. The storytelling really pulls you in, and you find yourself engrossed in that particular world.
One thing I enjoyed a lot with this new story was how we got more of the side characters. I loved seeing the full family and their strong bonds. There were also the other folks around that played an important part in that story and I especially liked Winter, he was such a fun character.
Thea had a great character arc, I found it very interesting to see her thoughts change throughout this story and how she finally got to understand her little sister and had to trust others more and let people in.
The romance part of the story had similarities to the first book but since it's a favourite trope of mine I'm always in for that. I loved the mystery that was going on with this new underworld and all its specificities. It kept things moving, and the villain was pretty convincing. I was curious to see how things would resolve.
All in all this was a great story, and I'm hoping we get more books in this series because I'm definitely a fan!
Thanks to HBG Canada for the copy. All opinions are my own.
The Cursed Queen's Daughter brings back this immersive one-of-a-kind universe with the same compelling atmosphere. Elly Blake has a beautiful way of describing everything and making it easy to imagine it all. The storytelling really pulls you in, and you find yourself engrossed in that particular world.
One thing I enjoyed a lot with this new story was how we got more of the side characters. I loved seeing the full family and their strong bonds. There were also the other folks around that played an important part in that story and I especially liked Winter, he was such a fun character.
Thea had a great character arc, I found it very interesting to see her thoughts change throughout this story and how she finally got to understand her little sister and had to trust others more and let people in.
The romance part of the story had similarities to the first book but since it's a favourite trope of mine I'm always in for that. I loved the mystery that was going on with this new underworld and all its specificities. It kept things moving, and the villain was pretty convincing. I was curious to see how things would resolve.
All in all this was a great story, and I'm hoping we get more books in this series because I'm definitely a fan!
Thanks to HBG Canada for the copy. All opinions are my own.
March 30, 2026
This was fun, an entertaining read that hinted at darker tones but shied away from actually committing to them, which left this book feeling more frustrated than it should have been, hovering on the edge of a greater tale and higher rating.
The characters were good, our MFC was a delight, a warrior who had locked her own emotions away as best she could, a woman who was far darker and grey than the MMC who was a literal shadow daddy, with plenty of baby shadows of his own.
It moved at a brisk pace and sometimes that pace was at the expense of character development, with some of the lesser, side characters feeling under developed as a result. It was hard to care about the fate of some of them, when we had raced through any scenes they were in an any chance to really get to know them.
This felt like a fairy-tale in many respects, the different races, the promise of deals, of being trapped in other worlds. It was fun, a YA that delivered on its premise and while it was a little more shallow than I would have liked, emotion wise, I was engaged enough to look forward to which sister is going to feature next and how this world and the changes that are being wrought upon them will have fared by the next tale. It gets bonus points with the fact that things are so different, that the changes seem lasting and echo out into later tales.
~thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
The characters were good, our MFC was a delight, a warrior who had locked her own emotions away as best she could, a woman who was far darker and grey than the MMC who was a literal shadow daddy, with plenty of baby shadows of his own.
It moved at a brisk pace and sometimes that pace was at the expense of character development, with some of the lesser, side characters feeling under developed as a result. It was hard to care about the fate of some of them, when we had raced through any scenes they were in an any chance to really get to know them.
This felt like a fairy-tale in many respects, the different races, the promise of deals, of being trapped in other worlds. It was fun, a YA that delivered on its premise and while it was a little more shallow than I would have liked, emotion wise, I was engaged enough to look forward to which sister is going to feature next and how this world and the changes that are being wrought upon them will have fared by the next tale. It gets bonus points with the fact that things are so different, that the changes seem lasting and echo out into later tales.
~thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
February 11, 2026
The Thirstwood series continues with The Cursed Queen’s Daughter, and I have to say—I loved that little recap at the start. It was just enough to jog my memory of book one, which was perfect since familiar faces pop up often here.
This time, the spotlight is on Thea, sister to the previous main character, and her journey pulled me in right away.
Honestly, I enjoyed this sequel even more than the first. There are more action, higher emotional stakes, and characters you can really root for.
The world-building struck that perfect balance of enchanting and dangerous—Thea and her patrols fight to keep threats at bay, all while something darker lurks in the shadows.
Thea herself is such a standout. Her bravery and compassion made me cheer for her every step of the way, and watching her face off against the villain was so satisfying.
Plus, those twists near the end ? One in particular involving the romance completely caught me off guard, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to see how it all played out.
Since the first two books have followed sisters, I’m guessing the next installment will focus on another one—and I’m already curious to see how their story unfolds.
Thank you to Toppling Stacks Tour, author and publisher for giving me an e-ARC of the book and for having me on this book tour. I’m leaving this review voluntarily!
This time, the spotlight is on Thea, sister to the previous main character, and her journey pulled me in right away.
Honestly, I enjoyed this sequel even more than the first. There are more action, higher emotional stakes, and characters you can really root for.
The world-building struck that perfect balance of enchanting and dangerous—Thea and her patrols fight to keep threats at bay, all while something darker lurks in the shadows.
Thea herself is such a standout. Her bravery and compassion made me cheer for her every step of the way, and watching her face off against the villain was so satisfying.
Plus, those twists near the end ? One in particular involving the romance completely caught me off guard, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to see how it all played out.
Since the first two books have followed sisters, I’m guessing the next installment will focus on another one—and I’m already curious to see how their story unfolds.
Thank you to Toppling Stacks Tour, author and publisher for giving me an e-ARC of the book and for having me on this book tour. I’m leaving this review voluntarily!
March 17, 2026
I loved being back in the world of Thirstwood. From the very beginning I felt pulled right back into the dark, enchanted atmosphere of the forest and the complicated lives of the Sylvan King’s daughters.
Thea was such a fun character for me to follow. She’s a warrior through and through—strong, stubborn, and much more comfortable with a sword than with court politics. I really enjoyed seeing her thrown into a situation she couldn’t just fight her way out of. When the mysterious magical dress starts pulling her into the shadow realm each night, it forces her to face something far more complicated than any battlefield.
The shadow world was one of my favorite parts of the story. It felt eerie and magical, and I loved slowly uncovering the secrets hidden there. The tension with the shadow prince kept me hooked too. I kept wanting to know more about who he really was and how everything connected to Thea’s past.
What I enjoyed most was how the story balanced the romance, the mystery, and the larger danger threatening the realm. I was completely invested in how everything would come together by the end.
Overall this was such an immersive, magical read for me. I loved the atmosphere, the strong heroine, and the slow unraveling of secrets. It was an easy five-star read and one I had a hard time putting down. 📚✨
Thea was such a fun character for me to follow. She’s a warrior through and through—strong, stubborn, and much more comfortable with a sword than with court politics. I really enjoyed seeing her thrown into a situation she couldn’t just fight her way out of. When the mysterious magical dress starts pulling her into the shadow realm each night, it forces her to face something far more complicated than any battlefield.
The shadow world was one of my favorite parts of the story. It felt eerie and magical, and I loved slowly uncovering the secrets hidden there. The tension with the shadow prince kept me hooked too. I kept wanting to know more about who he really was and how everything connected to Thea’s past.
What I enjoyed most was how the story balanced the romance, the mystery, and the larger danger threatening the realm. I was completely invested in how everything would come together by the end.
Overall this was such an immersive, magical read for me. I loved the atmosphere, the strong heroine, and the slow unraveling of secrets. It was an easy five-star read and one I had a hard time putting down. 📚✨
Read
October 8, 2025The Cursed Queen's Daughter is the second installment in Elly Blake's Thirstwood series and is every bit as interesting and atmospherically beautiful as its predecessor. Following Thea, the second eldest daughter of the forest king and queen, we finally get to uncover the secrets surrounding the queen and her mysterious illness and disappearance!
I have to admit, at first I was a bit disappointed that the book did not follow Cassia and Zeru, but I appreciated that they weren't shoved into the storyline simply for the sake of having them in the story.
Relationships are truly the strong point of this series (which is saying a lot considering the world is seriously beautiful). Thea's relationship with her sisters is simply one of the best parts of the book and help to ground her character and her decisions in a way that feels real and raw at times. I also quickly fell in love with the love interest Damon and appreciated that despite his feelings for Thea he still had his own motivations.
Overall I found the book to be steadily paced and beautifully written. I loved Thea in the Forest King's Daughter, but love her even more now.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for the free ebook ARC. My review is not required to be positive, and all opinions are my own.
I have to admit, at first I was a bit disappointed that the book did not follow Cassia and Zeru, but I appreciated that they weren't shoved into the storyline simply for the sake of having them in the story.
Relationships are truly the strong point of this series (which is saying a lot considering the world is seriously beautiful). Thea's relationship with her sisters is simply one of the best parts of the book and help to ground her character and her decisions in a way that feels real and raw at times. I also quickly fell in love with the love interest Damon and appreciated that despite his feelings for Thea he still had his own motivations.
Overall I found the book to be steadily paced and beautifully written. I loved Thea in the Forest King's Daughter, but love her even more now.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for the free ebook ARC. My review is not required to be positive, and all opinions are my own.
March 31, 2026
I really wanted to love this one, I was offered it before realizing it was the second book in a series, so I did go in with a bit less knowledge of the world insofar and then had to backtrack and listen to the audio for the first. Unfortunately the audio didn't hook me, and I was hoping reading this one instead of listening might end up with me enjoying it more.
As much as I love a fantasy novel, one of the best - albeit sometimes tedious parts - is the rich worldbuilding. Unfortunately it took such a back seat within the story that I felt like I was floating through it, instead of able to really get into it. From there it felt as though the author took the same approach to the characters emotional development as well, and it ended up being a harder read to invest in. It could just be that I've recently read some really phenomenal YA Fantasy, but this felt lacking in depth and so much of a lighter read than what I expected from the blurb, even while its pacing seemed to drag in spots and had me constantly putting this one down.
All in all, it was an okay book, that ended on a fine note, but nothing to rave about.
*****
I was sent a complimentary advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
As much as I love a fantasy novel, one of the best - albeit sometimes tedious parts - is the rich worldbuilding. Unfortunately it took such a back seat within the story that I felt like I was floating through it, instead of able to really get into it. From there it felt as though the author took the same approach to the characters emotional development as well, and it ended up being a harder read to invest in. It could just be that I've recently read some really phenomenal YA Fantasy, but this felt lacking in depth and so much of a lighter read than what I expected from the blurb, even while its pacing seemed to drag in spots and had me constantly putting this one down.
All in all, it was an okay book, that ended on a fine note, but nothing to rave about.
*****
I was sent a complimentary advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Cursed Queen’s Daughter follows Thea, the second eldest daughter of the Forest King and Queen and a fierce Sylvan warrior princess who feels far more at home on the battlefield than in a ballroom. When mysterious, enchanted dresses begin appearing at her home, Thea is pulled into a forgotten shadow realm where danger lurks around every corner and nothing is quite what it seems. There, she meets a handsome, utterly enigmatic shadow prince who may hold the key to her family’s past including the long ago disappearance of her mother. But his help comes with strings attached, and every dance draws Thea deeper into a web of temptation, secrets, and growing peril.
I ended up enjoying this one so much more than the first book. The characters felt richer, the emotional stakes were higher, and I loved how much more depth we got with Thea and her journey. This installment really lets the world and the storyline breathe, and Thea quickly became a favorite for me.
Perfect if you love warrior princesses, shadow realms, slow burn tension, and secrets buried deep in family history.
Thank you Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for this ARC!✨
I ended up enjoying this one so much more than the first book. The characters felt richer, the emotional stakes were higher, and I loved how much more depth we got with Thea and her journey. This installment really lets the world and the storyline breathe, and Thea quickly became a favorite for me.
Perfect if you love warrior princesses, shadow realms, slow burn tension, and secrets buried deep in family history.
Thank you Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for this ARC!✨
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Cursed Queen's Daughter has a lot more in common with fairytales than most modern romantasy - I thought of the ballad of Tan Lim a bit when reading it, and other stories of getting caught up in the mechanisms of supernatural creatures. As much as this book is marketed as a romantasy, the two main characters spend much of the book not interacting apart of from short glimpses. Much of the book is dedicated to how Theodora and Damon both have to navigate their own courts in a world that is harsh and unforgiving. Both have quite traumatic family background (which feels appropriate for fairy tales.)
I will say that many of the relationships between factions in their world is more understandable if you start with The Forest King's Daughter, and it was great to see cameos from Cassia and Zeru. But the greater themes of political unrest are not quite settled in this book, and I suspect will be dealt with more in the next installment (after all, there are two sisters left!). This is for fans of more dreamy fairytale works like Emily Wilde. Thanks to Little Brown for the early copy.
I will say that many of the relationships between factions in their world is more understandable if you start with The Forest King's Daughter, and it was great to see cameos from Cassia and Zeru. But the greater themes of political unrest are not quite settled in this book, and I suspect will be dealt with more in the next installment (after all, there are two sisters left!). This is for fans of more dreamy fairytale works like Emily Wilde. Thanks to Little Brown for the early copy.
February 27, 2026
4.25⭐
I enjoyed this book every bit as much as I did the first book! Much like book one, this novel had an intriguing plot and the writing was beautiful! And to my delight, the world building here was more fleshed out! The various realms were such a fun concept, and the added layer of depth did a lot to improve the overall enjoyability of this novel! I also really liked both of the main characters! Thea was so strong and brave, and Damon was beyond intriguing! While their relationship didn't quite have the same emotional depth as Cassia and Zeru’s romance had, they were still a very sweet couple and I'm glad they got their HEA! There was also a whole cast of fun side characters, of whom the pixies were my favorites! Such feisty little creatures! Definitely excited to see more books set in this world!
✨YA Fantasy Romance
✨Enemies to Lovers
✨Forbidden Romance
✨Forced Proximity
✨Tension & Yearning
✨Slow Burn
✨Shadow Prince x Fae Princess
✨Fierce/Stubborn FMC
✨Mysterious/Alluring MMC
✨Cursed Royal Family
✨Forbidden Powers
✨Whimsical Setting
✨Shadow Realm Setting
✨Political Intrigue
✨Beautiful Writing
✨Single POV
✨Clean (No Spice)
I enjoyed this book every bit as much as I did the first book! Much like book one, this novel had an intriguing plot and the writing was beautiful! And to my delight, the world building here was more fleshed out! The various realms were such a fun concept, and the added layer of depth did a lot to improve the overall enjoyability of this novel! I also really liked both of the main characters! Thea was so strong and brave, and Damon was beyond intriguing! While their relationship didn't quite have the same emotional depth as Cassia and Zeru’s romance had, they were still a very sweet couple and I'm glad they got their HEA! There was also a whole cast of fun side characters, of whom the pixies were my favorites! Such feisty little creatures! Definitely excited to see more books set in this world!
✨YA Fantasy Romance
✨Enemies to Lovers
✨Forbidden Romance
✨Forced Proximity
✨Tension & Yearning
✨Slow Burn
✨Shadow Prince x Fae Princess
✨Fierce/Stubborn FMC
✨Mysterious/Alluring MMC
✨Cursed Royal Family
✨Forbidden Powers
✨Whimsical Setting
✨Shadow Realm Setting
✨Political Intrigue
✨Beautiful Writing
✨Single POV
✨Clean (No Spice)
February 9, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC.
Plot 3.75/5
Characters 4/5
Ending 3.5/5
Interest 3.5/5
Overall 3.5/5
-I really wanted to like this book. There premise, the plot line, the world and even the tropes made me feel like I would love this. Although, unfortunately, I just couldn’t get myself interested well enough to fully appreciate the story. Starting this book, I hadn’t realised this was a sequel so perhaps it’s my own fault. But I do appreciate many aspects of this book.
-The romance was what I mostly enjoyed, but even that I didn’t exactly connect with it. The characters themselves were alright but, similarly, I didn’t connect well enough with them. The Prince was the most interesting character, I enjoyed his story and his background and how that shaped him.
-The ending was alright. I’d felt a little disconnected from the story but as a whole, it was still an enjoyable experience and I’m satisfied with how things ended. I’m not sure I would read more, and since this is a sort of standalone, I got the closure I needed. Perhaps, if given the opportunity, I’d return to this world.
Plot 3.75/5
Characters 4/5
Ending 3.5/5
Interest 3.5/5
Overall 3.5/5
-I really wanted to like this book. There premise, the plot line, the world and even the tropes made me feel like I would love this. Although, unfortunately, I just couldn’t get myself interested well enough to fully appreciate the story. Starting this book, I hadn’t realised this was a sequel so perhaps it’s my own fault. But I do appreciate many aspects of this book.
-The romance was what I mostly enjoyed, but even that I didn’t exactly connect with it. The characters themselves were alright but, similarly, I didn’t connect well enough with them. The Prince was the most interesting character, I enjoyed his story and his background and how that shaped him.
-The ending was alright. I’d felt a little disconnected from the story but as a whole, it was still an enjoyable experience and I’m satisfied with how things ended. I’m not sure I would read more, and since this is a sort of standalone, I got the closure I needed. Perhaps, if given the opportunity, I’d return to this world.
February 15, 2026
4.5/5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the eArc!
This book was SO GOOD! This was a medium-stakes fantasy with incredible immersion, fast pacing, and TENSION that was to die for!
This is another book where the characters really made the story for me. Our main character, Thea, is strong-willed, sassy, and incredibly resilient. And DAMON!!! Oh, Damon. Shadow daddy with a side of golden retriever? I loved him so much. All of the other characters in this book also stand out and are incredibly well-written!
I really enjoyed the expansion of the world and its lore in this. The descriptions were detailed and I could picture the places in my head vividly. I also feel like the pacing for this book was better than the first book!
The only reason this didn't quite hit that 5 star mark for me was the end. I wanted MORE. I felt the reunion at the end wasn’t as impactful as I wanted it to be and left me a bit disappointed.
Overall, this was an exciting book with adventure, love, and shadows 😉. If that sounds like your cup of tea, I highly recommend!
Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the eArc!
This book was SO GOOD! This was a medium-stakes fantasy with incredible immersion, fast pacing, and TENSION that was to die for!
This is another book where the characters really made the story for me. Our main character, Thea, is strong-willed, sassy, and incredibly resilient. And DAMON!!! Oh, Damon. Shadow daddy with a side of golden retriever? I loved him so much. All of the other characters in this book also stand out and are incredibly well-written!
I really enjoyed the expansion of the world and its lore in this. The descriptions were detailed and I could picture the places in my head vividly. I also feel like the pacing for this book was better than the first book!
The only reason this didn't quite hit that 5 star mark for me was the end. I wanted MORE. I felt the reunion at the end wasn’t as impactful as I wanted it to be and left me a bit disappointed.
Overall, this was an exciting book with adventure, love, and shadows 😉. If that sounds like your cup of tea, I highly recommend!
January 30, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of The Cursed Queen’s Daughter by Elly Blake.
I really enjoyed the premise of this book. The worldbuilding and magic system felt compelling, and I loved the way the author brought Iluna to life. I felt like the author had a much stronger voice in this compared to her first book in the series, and I found myself enjoying the writing style much more in this book.
While I did like the characters, they unfortunately felt a bit lacking. I didn’t feel much depth or growth from Thea in particular, which made it harder for me to fully connect with the story. I also felt that the relationships, both with Thea’s family and with Damon, could have used more development. Rather than feeling her love for them, I was often just told that it existed.
Overall, the plot and writing were stronger in this book, but I never quite connected with the characters in the way I hoped to.
I really enjoyed the premise of this book. The worldbuilding and magic system felt compelling, and I loved the way the author brought Iluna to life. I felt like the author had a much stronger voice in this compared to her first book in the series, and I found myself enjoying the writing style much more in this book.
While I did like the characters, they unfortunately felt a bit lacking. I didn’t feel much depth or growth from Thea in particular, which made it harder for me to fully connect with the story. I also felt that the relationships, both with Thea’s family and with Damon, could have used more development. Rather than feeling her love for them, I was often just told that it existed.
Overall, the plot and writing were stronger in this book, but I never quite connected with the characters in the way I hoped to.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I want to start off by saying I read this as an ARC without reading the first book in the series. I know, that’s sacrilegious, but it was honestly fine. You only miss out on some vague references to the previous book which really don’t affect the plot of this one at all. Our FMC and MMC definitely had a case of the insta-lust. I don’t find their attraction very compelling to be honest. The mystery of the silver forest was interesting, but the reality of what was actually going on wasn’t. I thought the pixies were kind of bullies until closer to the end when they magically became helpful. I would have loved some more detail on the shadow magic. Overall, this was a solid 3 Star read for me. If you like insta-love closed door romantasy series with a mission to save the world, this is for you. If you’re looking for a ton of world building and character development, maybe steer clear.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for providing me this eARC to review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for providing me this eARC to review.
January 8, 2026
I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Book one of this series was interesting, but nothing spectacular. It was just entertaining enough for me to want to pick up book 2. When I first started this one, I was disappointed to discover we have a new MC. I really was hoping we’d continue Cassia’s story, and I wasn’t fond of Thea to start.
I’m glad I pushed through.
Once I got into the meat of the story, I was intrigued. Shadow men are kind of my weakness after all, so once I met the MMC I was hooked. The yearning. The intrigue. AND he’s a momma’s boy? Full send. This book had PLENTY of twists and turns and more than once I wanted to punch Damon. Thea is a strong female lead and proves time and time again she can handle anything thrown her way.
The plot centers around Thea and her mother’s disappearance. Once Thea fully understands what happens, this story quickly becomes one of sacrifice and strength. Damon’s role in the plot is crucial and entertaining, but Thea steals the show. I can’t explain too much with spoiling it for you, just trust that Thea REALLY goes through it for her mother.
The writing is easy to read and digest, and this is certainly geared towards an older YA crowd. There are some slightly explicit scenes, and I love watching the romance develop.
This book does NOT have second book slump. I much preferred this to the first one.
Book one of this series was interesting, but nothing spectacular. It was just entertaining enough for me to want to pick up book 2. When I first started this one, I was disappointed to discover we have a new MC. I really was hoping we’d continue Cassia’s story, and I wasn’t fond of Thea to start.
I’m glad I pushed through.
Once I got into the meat of the story, I was intrigued. Shadow men are kind of my weakness after all, so once I met the MMC I was hooked. The yearning. The intrigue. AND he’s a momma’s boy? Full send. This book had PLENTY of twists and turns and more than once I wanted to punch Damon. Thea is a strong female lead and proves time and time again she can handle anything thrown her way.
The plot centers around Thea and her mother’s disappearance. Once Thea fully understands what happens, this story quickly becomes one of sacrifice and strength. Damon’s role in the plot is crucial and entertaining, but Thea steals the show. I can’t explain too much with spoiling it for you, just trust that Thea REALLY goes through it for her mother.
The writing is easy to read and digest, and this is certainly geared towards an older YA crowd. There are some slightly explicit scenes, and I love watching the romance develop.
This book does NOT have second book slump. I much preferred this to the first one.
February 17, 2026
The Cursed Queen’s Daughter was my first of this series. A good reader friend recommended this to me as a book she really enjoyed that did not necessarily need to be read after book one. I had difficulty at times keeping track of all of the different characters and types of creatures in this story, which could be because I didn’t read book one. It was a very inventive plot with worlds, characters, and creatures that were new to me. By the end, I was definitely engaged. But I felt like a lot of the book was world building. I’ve heard this “tag” before, and now I understand. Perhaps I will go back to book one and see if I missed anything that would have added to the experience.
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