“I’m eager to see how you’ll conquer the world—whether in light or in ashes and flames.”
The adventure of Salje and the Returned enters its second round—filled with vengeance, magic, and forbidden passion. Perfect for fans of “Throne of Glass” and “Daughter of No Worlds.”
The curse of middle books from series didn’t dare to touch “Prologue of Queens”, as this volume was even better than the first one! I am so sad that it ended because I need volume three as soon as possible!
First of all, what was that ending? How much suffering can a person endure in that twisted other world?
Second of all, the scene I’ve been waiting for since “Epilogue of Kings” was finally written and it came out perfect! I thought that I was seeing something were there was nothing to see, but after 90% of this book, I got my little present full of hate and revenge. Thank you for this!
— P.S. Even though I received the ARC from the author, this is an honest review. I applied for it after I read and enjoyed “Epilogue of Kings”. Thank you so much for giving me the chance to read in advance this amazing book!
First of all, thank you to the author for letting me be a part of her street team and sending me the eARC. I should've posted this ages ago but I completely forgot that I had not when I usually post it right after I finish the book.
This series has left me completely blown away. It's gripping, addictive and immersive in all the right ways. The story started and had me hooked right from the beginning to the end of book 2 and it doesn't even get boring in the middle which I normally find in other series.
The world-building is insane. Where the first book sets the stage, the second one brings the drama and oh! How I loved it!! I was so excited to see Salje finally stepping into her power and weilding it unapologetically. I love the character development for all three of them- Aaron, Valerio and Salje. They're raw, messy and gives everything for what they believe is right. And that's what makes them human.
The only thing I don't like about the series is the spice, which is really just my opinion. But you should definitely check it out. It is a bloody tale of love and power and you will love the journey!
This book was even better than Book 1! It’s a 6 star read for me.
Finally, we get an incredible story with complex characters evolving in a rich, immersive world. The writing is incredibly cinematic, making every scene feel vivid and alive. I love stories with morally gray characters, and this one doesn’t shy away from showing the good, the bad, and the ugly from every perspective.
You’ll be let down by everyone at some point, and every POV will find a way to break your heart. The pacing is excellent, the plot constantly defies expectations, and the romance is fascinating. Honestly, I was ready to grab some popcorn and watch the drama unfold. 🍿🙈
Prologue of Queens was everything I hoped for after reading Epilogue of Kings and honestly even more. The story continued to expand the world in such a captivating way while also deepening the relationships between the characters. You can truly feel how much they’ve grown together throughout the book, and that emotional development made every moment hit even harder 😩
I’m still obsessed with the way the titles of book 1 and book 2 mirror each other, and I absolutely fell in love with the covers and the artwork all over again. They capture the atmosphere of the story perfectly!!!!
And the ending? Once again, it completely destroyed me in the best possible way. Every expectation I had for this book after finishing the first book was fulfilled. The characters, their development, the tension, and the emotional moments were all beautifully done. Truly a dream to read!!!!!
I also have to admit that I fell a little, or maybe aaaaaaa LOOTTT, in love with Aaron while reading this book 🙂↕️!
As an ARC reader, it was such a special experience to be able to read this story early, and I’m genuinely so grateful for the opportunity!! I can happily continue living my life now after this emotional rollercoaster.
Prologue of Queens was infinitely better than the first book, Epilogue of Kings. To be fully transparent, I actually DNF’d the first book twice before finally pushing through it on my third attempt just so I could read this sequel. I am so glad I did. After that deeply satisfying ending, I am now officially hooked and really looking forward to book three.
The character dynamics in this sequel are incredibly compelling. After spending two years in the Südwald, Salje is reunited with The Returned in Assiri. The gap between how they have lived their lives - better than Salje had imagined - and the time that has passed creates a fascinating friction. I loved the discord and distrust between them; it perfectly set the stage for everything that goes wrong.
Salje is a much more complex protagonist this time around. Trained by witches, bloodmages, and dark fae, she is no longer the powerless, lost woman from book one. However, the author handles her trauma realistically. When placed in environments that remind her of her past, she still freezes, becoming small and seemingly helpless again. While her growth was well-written, it was a bit slow-paced for my personal taste. I also would have loved more direct insights into her training; we see the brutality through her scars and reflections, but making the contrast between her hard-won power and her moments of powerlessness more jarring would have added even more impact.
As for the male leads, the development for Aaron and Valerio was excellent. The love triangle is absolutely delicious. Aaron is still a sneaky, manipulative bastard, which makes him a truly great character-especially since I’m still not convinced he won't burn the world down for revenge. Valerio is equally interesting, falling into a deeper pit of darkness and despair, wearing too many masks, and allowing himself to be used by Aaron.
My main critique is the pacing. At times, it felt like a lot was happening, yet not much was progressing. The story spans over several months (at least all of winter), and even with time skips, the plot dragged in certain sections. That being said, Salje being stuck in her old patterns was necessary for the finale. Even though the climax was somewhat predictable, the ending wouldn't have possessed the same emotional punch without that slow-burn setup.
I finally got the exact female rage I picked up this series for - even if it took until the last five minutes of the book to get it! Now that Salje has truly accepted herself, stepped into her darkness, and claimed her power, the status quo has shattered. You have no idea how satisfying that ending was. I am beyond excited for book three!
Absolutely adored the evolution of everyone’s characters. Salje, Valerio, and Aaron’s were so well done and dynamic.
Salje becoming stronger in more than one way, overcoming her fears and trauma to come out broken but rebuilt stronger than ever. Aaron showing his true ruthlessness and embracing his relentless cold blooded drive for revenge, being a warrior both on the battlefield and in court. Valerio being both the poet, assassin, and the knight, fighting with grace and loving with savage genuine care.
Valerio was perfect for Salje coming into her own, and Aaron is perfect for seeing Salje through her pain and darkness. And Aaron is perfect for seeing the worth and hearts of both Valerio and Salje. I’ve never wanted three characters to be together more than I do right now.
Darius is so well multifaceted that despite offering comedic relief he is one of the most well written characters of the series with such good depth and so much love in his heart. He is the true heart of the family.
The push and pull between the characters made them feel even more human than in the first book of the series. The expansion of the world, court, and magic system was unique and fun. We’ve gained more insight into blood mages and it’s only made me hungry for more.
I also love that the series contains queer romances (and ace representation), and are treated with such care but also without fanfare, showing how normal and accepted they should be.
Rarely do I like second books more than the first, but I really enjoyed this book and the characters. While the first book felt like it was setting the stage and establishing the world for the first half, this book took the reins from the first page and never slowed down. I’m now starving for the third book.
Finally: I love Shawen so much. I love that little forest witch with all my heart.
“I’m eager to see how you’ll conquer the world—whether in light or in ashes and flames.” This quote in the synopsis drew me in.
Epilogue of Queens completely pulled me in, and now I’m stuck wondering why book three isn’t in my hands yet.
After two years of absence, Salje’s return sets off a chain of tension, emotion, and reckoning that never lets up. Found in the Südwald and brought back to Assiri, she’s forced to confront a life that didn’t wait for her. Her dynamic with Valerio is as charged and complicated as ever, while Aaron’s promise of revenge comes with unsettling contradictions. None of these characters are “good” in the traditional sense—but that’s exactly what makes them so compelling. They’re messy, driven, and often destructive in their pursuit of what they believe is right.
Salje truly shines in this installment. She’s no longer the same person, and her growth—especially after her time among the dark fey and bloodmages—adds a dangerous, unpredictable edge to the story. Watching her finally step into her power was incredibly satisfying.
The world also expands in meaningful ways. The brewing war between Elystrien and Silvarien, the introduction of war machines, and the fragile political tensions all add depth without slowing the pace. The court intrigue remains sharp, reinforcing the idea that trust here is as dangerous as any weapon.
Maya is frustrating at times and I’m curious to see how her arc develops. She feels like a piece still being positioned for something bigger.
Overall, this was a gripping, character-driven sequel that raises the stakes on every level—emotionally and politically. I’m more invested than ever and already impatient for what comes next.
Thank you to Elisabeth for the ARC. This review is left voluntarily.
This book gave me all I was waiting for and at the same time it wasn’t enough.
I loved seeing the development of Salje throughout he whole book, how she tries to conquer all her fears and starts shaping herself to her new reality.
Esto lo voy a escribir en mi lengua materna porque es más fácil para mi describir por todos los estados que pasa nuestra protagonista. Desde el principio siento una conexión hacia ella. Hay que tener en cuenta que trae una mochila muy grande aunque hayan pasado dos años desde el último libro. Salje nos enseña que aunque haya pasado tiempo y sigas adelante con tu vida los fantasmas del pasado te persiguen y tienes que enfrentarte a ellos cara a cara y aún así muchas veces no es suficiente.
Este libro te va sorprendiendo capítulo a capítulo. Me encanta la manera en la que autora nos va moldeando con los capítulos, te hace cambiar de opinión, te hace sentir celos por todas partes para que te metas suficiente en el personaje y así el final de este libro tenga todo el sentido, o no.
Can’t wait for the next book and get my heart twisting and turning again.
I am someone who has a hard time DNFing because there's always a part of me that hopes things will improve. I was really PRAYING that this would be better than the first book (which I gave a 2 star rating) and the first few chapters had me thinking that would be the case...
However the pacing after the first few chapters dragged on and on. The character development was infuriating. EVERYBODY BE SLEEPING WITH EVERYBODY. To the point where it just seemed a little ridiculous. The emotional back and forth between characters. Oh my god.
Everything between roughly the first 5 chapters and the last 5 chapters hurt every fibre of my being.
The ending was probably the best part of the book; quite the turn of events and some actual feminine rage finally occurs (context - originally started this series because of the marketing I had seen saying this was a feminine rage series).
If you're someone who gets triggered by spelling mistakes and grammatical errors, there is a few doozies in there, similar to the first book. To name a couple (in the Kindle version): 'Tow years later' 'The best in him purred'
This series was such a nice surprise! I picked it up after seeing Elisabeth's Instagram post where she drew her characters, and it intrigued me enough to give it a try. So, Elisabeth, please keep drawing your characters! The world-building is done really well, and the story feels fresh, unique, and engaging. I loved all the characters and how layered they are, as well as how their stories intertwine. Nobody is completely good or evil, and I especially enjoyed Aron. I thought I knew what he was going to do or say, only to be hit with a curveball. I did struggle a bit getting through a few sections because it felt like the story lost some of the momentum from the first book. I also always have a hard time with the "I want revenge, but I don't want to kill anyone" mindset. It comes across as a bit naive to me, so that part was frustrating. Overall, I'm really looking forward to the next book. I hope it comes out soon, and I'm excited to see what's next for Salje, Aron, and the rest of the crew.
“I always thought you were heroes in this story.” “Heros only exist in books, but history is written in blood.” “I hate living through history.” “And yet you look so beautiful while you shape it.”
Me patiently waiting for Book 3 🧍♀️
If you thought EoK was amazing, just wait until you pick this one up 🤭 It’s just as dark and gritty, and I loved seeing all my favorite characters from the last book and I’m so ready to see Salje’s revenge ARC. Her character development has been top tier!
As for Valerio and Aaron…I love both of them. They’re far from perfect, each having their own flaws that made me want to rip my hair out throughout the books. But their love for Salje was true and I NEED more scenes of them, I didn’t get nearly enough in this book.
Thank you to the author for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review!! I cannot wait for the next one
Loved this so much more than the first book. Glad I stuck around for the plot. Less editing mistakes and better storytelling, but one part that confused me a bit is after
As for the romance part, holyyyy. In book 1 I didn’t really like , but neither did I fully enjoy Valerio x Salje. In this book, I felt like Valerio started to become a little confusing.
This was soooo amazing to be back in this world, i loved the new characters! And the romance i didnt see coming was also really good! Although i do struggled at the beginning with salje and for some reason it felt a little flat, but after that i only wanted to continue reading because i wanted to know what happend. Boy o boy what an ending it was. For me it was a bit chaotic but still felt like i could feel every word in my bone. And can we talk about Salje? And the fact that she had been through so much and, still look at her! She is a powerful woman who knows what shes doing. For me this book was better than part 1! 4.5⭐️.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
5 ⭐️ 2 🌶️ Prologue of Queens is truly such a work of art in the way it continues the story of Salje and The Returned. In this installment, we still have our multiple povs, but the story focuses a lot more on Salje and her journey through awakening her locked magic, finding herself, and rekindling those friendships she thought were burned to ash. This is filled with immersive world building, high fantasy, yearning, romance, grief, trauma, magic, political intrigue, and so so much more. To say I’m sad the series isn’t finished yet is an understatement. I would 100% recommend this book to literally anybody, it’s such a beautiful world to dive into - however please read trigger warnings before reading!
This book was given to me as an ARC here is my honest a voluntarily review. This is book 2 and I really enjoyed Prologue of Queens pulls you straight back into a world where power, love, and survival come together darker, sharper, and emotionally heavier than the first book 📕but I still love the characters and stories .Salje is messy, complicated, and filled with tension specially Valerio and Aaron . I just love the world building and relationships . I will definitely recommend.
First off, I want to thank Elisabeth G. Mark for making a space for me in her street team and sending me this eARC.
I loved “Epilogue of Kings” and couldn’t wait to see where the author would take this story. And let me tell you, she exceeded my expectations!
This one is epic in every sense – the plotting, the scheming, the betrayal you feel as a reader as you go through the story, the way I found myself cheering, gasping and hanging on the edge of my seat…
I honestly can’t believe this is the author’s only second book. Well done! Can’t wait for part 3.
I loved reading about Salje’s growth and getting more into the history and politics of Asydiar that the Returned tried to avoid in book 1. The scenery is well described, with little tidbits of every day life really fleshing out what the kingdom looks like and how it works. I can't wait for book 3 to find out what happens next with our favourite characters.
Like the first book, insane storytelling. The way every detail, dialogue or description is made is enthralling and you can’t stop reading 😩 The plot in itself is so different from anything I’ve read, and seeing Salje grow and become the woman she was at the end of this book is so satisfying! The amount of yearning in trauma in this will have you HOOKED from beginning to end!
Salje made it she was saved by a witch and bloodmages. She has lived a whole different life for 2 yrs away from her found family. Then someone finds her and she must make a choice to reunite with them or stay with her new people. She makes a choice and from there she is set on a new adventure. Has real tough times and great times. Trying to figure out who she is now and what she wants to be.
This is the second book in the Epilogue of Kings series, and it completely ups the ante. Salje is back after two years of training with bloodmages, and she is no longer powerless. Moving the story to the Venice-inspired city of Assiri adds the perfect dark, atmospheric backdrop to all the court intrigue, war, and intense yearning.
Yall now i need book 3. To see the FMC turn into this strong and powerful person is ahhh. She is by far my fav FMC from all books. Just read it yall! If yall love world building then this is definitely the book.
THE PLOT, THE PACING, SO SO WELL DONE! I fell in love more after every chapter! I can’t wait to get a physical copy for this! I really hope i get this opportunity again. 5 stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The second book in this series is SO good. I cannot even describe how shocked I was by the beginning of the book - but in the best way! I really hope we get to see more of Feyron because he is now my favorite! What do you mean I have to wait until at least next year to find out what happens next?
This was absolutely unputdownable!! I was shrieking with stress on every page— talk about high stakes. Our beloved characters grew so much and truly no one felt safe so every interaction had me deeply invested and on the edge of my seat. I don’t have one single critique no notes 10/10!!
This is a story about healing and owning who one is. This is a story about making hard choices, betrayal, and doing what is right despite the consequences. This story started out slow, it ended up capturing my attention. Loyalty is tested and the plot twist will keep the reader guessing.
Esse livro é muito bom. O primeiro eu li mais pelo universo interessante, mas não gostei das interações e achei meio bleh. Esse no entanto corrigiu tudo que no primeiro falhou e melhorou ainda por cima. Muito animada para o terceiro. Relação Valencio <> Setje <> Aaron 10/10
I had the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Prologue of Queens by Elisabeth G. Mark. This is book 2 in the Epilogue of Kings series. I gave this book 4 stars. I enjoyed this book more than book 1 but you need to read book 1 to understand the plot of book 2. There was a good mix of predictability and twists and turns. If you are looking for a fantasy series with a romance subplot, political intrigue, betrayal, and in depth world building, I highly recommend giving this book a read.