Palace of Silver

The Nissera Chronicles #3

by Hannah West

Two queens confront the ultimate choice as a rebellion emerges against a dangerous despot - and both sides want them dead. When the world of magic is under threat, is loyalty worth their lives? Wickedness awaits in this exhilarating installment in the acclaimed Nissera Chronicles.

Return to Nissera, land of three kingdoms and home to spectacular magic. An uneasy peace reigns now that Valory has vanquished the Moth King and settled into her rightful place as queen of Calgoran. New leaders Glisette and Kadri hope to usher the neighboring kingdoms into an era of healing and prosperity. All should be well.

But there's a fourth queen in charge: Ambrosine, banished overseas to Perispos. Driven by vanity, she vows to become the most powerful and beautiful ruler in the world, even if it means oppressing the mortal kingdom she is meant to protect. Meanwhile a dangerous uprising led by elicromancer-hating rebels gains momentum. Rot spreads through the Forest of the West Fringe. Valory goes missing. Facing enemies on all sides, Glisette and Kadri must reckon with the role of magic. How far will they go to defend their power - and can they build an uprising of their own?

West intertwines homages to Snow White and Bluebeard with her imaginative magical setting for a breathtaking follow-up to Realm of Ruins. Stunning hardcover edition includes a two-page map and family tree.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, High Fantasy, Fiction, Fairy Tales, Retellings

464 pages, Hardcover

First published April 28, 2020

About the author

Hannah West is the author of young adult novels including The Nissera Chronicles series and The Bitterwine Oath. Her debut novel, Kingdom of Ash and Briars, received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews and was named a Kirkus Best Book of the Year. She is a professional copywriter by day and a nature-loving sweets enthusiast around the clock. Originally from Dallas, she lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and son, along with their rambunctious rescue pets.

Follow me on BookBub: https://shorturl.at/DwC9Z

Reviews

[Leelynn (Sometimes Leelynn Reads) ❤ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Fantastic Flying Book Club and Holiday House for this free copy. All quotes in this review are taken from the Advanced Reader Copy and may change in final publication.

There’s just something about seeing these powerful women having to battle it out – not necessarily against one another but in general – and showing their people and society just what it means for them to be in charge. I feel like there’s always this stigma that women can’t be powerful leaders because of whatever reason people like to spin, and reading books like this where there are so many facets to these women that make them who they are and still make them great leaders is just great. Just amazing.

I also personally love it when we get a female “villain” that can just be ruthless and menacing in ways that make guy characters swoon worthy but girl characters “problematic”. Let girls be bad! Let them deal with their hurt and anger the way they need to and let them take control of their situation the way they want to. Does it really make them the villain? I guess it depends on how far they are willing to go to treat innocent people, or even not so innocent people, but I would say the term is subjective. Either way, I’m down for some morally grey, not so good female characters that seem to cause problems for other characters throughout the journey.

So after that little mini rant, I just have to say that wow. I had a feeling that I was going to be into this book based on that synopsis alone, and that cover was giving me all kinds of life. I was right. There was something about every single Queen and Princess involved in this book that I liked, didn’t like, and it just made me feel like they were people that I could have known in another life. They made me wish that I was in the realm of Nissera, surrounded by the kind of magic involved in this story and everything. Just everything. I really liked it, and I seriously need to get my hands on the first two books and enjoy them. I know I will.

[Rhonda Hicks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hannah West is a new author for me so I didn't know what to expect with her world-building or writing style. That being said, when I received this book, I had no idea it was the third installment of "The Nissera Chronicles" so I was a bit lost when I first started the book. So, as a bit of advice, read book 1, "Kindom of Ash and Briars", and book 2, "Realm of Ruins" first since these are not standalone stories but a continuation built on the previous tale. Starting from the beginning, it took me a bit to get into the story. Truthfully, it was a bit slow going. But after making through the first two books, this one took off and made it all worthwhile. There are four queens: Valory, queen of Calgoran, Glisette and Kadri, queens from nearby monarchies. Ambrosine is the fourth queen. There's magic, intrigue, drama, and a moral compass wrapped into the story. All in all, it made for an entertaining read.

[Jennessa Jessy · Rating 3 out of 5]

SO MUCH DARKER THAN THE OTHER TWO BOOKS oh my goodness 😅 The second book is still much better than this one, but still good. I liked the different perspectives moving the story forward. I also enjoyed the twist about the water and how old the magic can be. The end scene I find was cut a little short, but all in all, still worth a read!

[Kali Cole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh boy, this was really disappointing. I didn’t feel for many of the characters at all. I think that because I didn’t get to read Realm of Ruin, it prevented me from being really invested in the story. I don’t think that I would continue with this series.

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the disappoint of the second book, I wasn't going to read this last installment of the Nissera Chronicles... until I saw what fairy tales were going to be used as inspiration in this book: I am a SUCKER for a Bluebeard retelling/homage/allusion.

But this book still just didn't hit for me. I feel like this series could be very loved by and fantastic for another reader and I'm sad that reader just isn't me but I have to accept that. I did enjoy the relationships between the characters a whole lot more in this book and there was definitely some incredible imagination at work in the writing. But there was just too many characters and too many pages for no good reason. The action filled moments just didn't make up for the significant amount of boring chapters.

[Danelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful wrap to The Nissera Chronicles. It kept me glued to the pages and up far later than I should have been. Time to re-read the series!

[Vince Penick · Rating 5 out of 5]

The stakes get even higher in this one. Loved it. Such a great story about the difference between having power and being powerful.

[Zoe L.]

While I’ve been enjoying reading new and different genres, it’s always like a sense of relief when I go back and read something in the fantasy realm. It’s just such a comforting genre for me and will always feel like home. This series was also just plain amazing and I loved all of the Snow White elements in this book!

I really liked the way this retelling was done because it wasn’t just a direct modernized retelling, but it also wasn’t so vague that you would never be able to tell it was a retelling unless otherwise told. That was very wordy, but I think you get my point! Overall I really enjoyed how this series moved along and how the stories flowed and meshed together.

This was a new series for me and I got really excited when I saw the blog tour sign-ups! I mean, what’s better than being handed an excuse for buying and binging more books! It was one of those series where I knew as soon as I saw the cover that I would love it. I mean, I did read the synopsis and think, “heck yes!” but the covers are just so beautiful for me not to mention!

You can view my full review & giveaway on my blog! I also post about a lot of different types of books!

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[Jess Shumaker · Rating 2 out of 5]

I dont think this has a spoiler but regardless HERES A WARNING:

Okay look, I usually hate giving low ratings. Authors work so hard on books and this rating is just my opinion lmao. I was frustrated the entire time. I know that Valory wasn't the main character in this book. As the most powerful person in the book, I was grasping at the crumbs of information about her. I slowly began to enjoy the main characters in this book but I just felt disconnected to them all. Im going to take a break and actually think about what i want to say...ill be back to finish this review

[halina mae · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book was fine, ig. but it was soooooo boring, and was not organized at all. it could have been good if she hadn't split it between kadri and glissette's perspectives. they're the annoying characters in my opinion, and i was literally rooting for glissette's older sister (i forgot her name, oop) to win because i find glissette so annoying.

read realm of ruins and palace of silver if you really want to, but kooab is better as a standalone.

[Shimmy Schechter · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just hoped to see valory, i was willing to exept that the second book does not follow the main character of the first book because it was 100 years later and she was not in the second book, valory was in the third book just not as the main character

[Stephanie Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

'Palace of Silver' is the third installment in a wonderful young adult fantasy series and one that definitely won't disappoint fans of the series. Obviously, since this is the third book in the series, I very highly recommend reading the first two books in order before this one. Otherwise you'll be pretty confused and it'll take a long time trying to figure out the various people, places, and events that are referenced from the first two books.

One of the major things that caught my attention and made me love the book was the author's writing style. If you read my reviews, you know that a book's point of view can make or break a story for me. I almost always prefer the first person POV because I feel it lets the reader connect on a deeper level with the narrator. Not only did the author write the book in the first person, but it's told from multiple perspectives. Glisette, Kadri, and Ambrosine all get a chance to tell their parts of the story. What I really loved was that each character's narrative was written in the first person, so I felt like I got to know each of them on a whole new level that wouldn't have been possible with any other writing style. I loved getting to know each of them throughout the book - their strengths and weaknesses, faults and flaws, hopes and dreams, and everything in between. It really brought their characters to life for me and made them all feel very realistic.

The plot of the story was definitely interesting with lots of things happening between the three smaller story lines. Another thing I really liked was that at the beginning of each chapter, the author lets us know who is narrating and where they are currently at and sometimes even what point in time. This really helps the reader keep track of who is where and doing what at any given time and also pulls the three smaller plots together to form the main story. The author continues to do a fantastic job with the world building. Right from the beginning, I felt like I was pulled back into their world like I had never left. I felt like I could see every little thing that was described and anything that the girls sensed (felt, smelled, saw, etc.) - I was right beside them and experiencing it all too. The plot might not be wholly unique, but it's really hard to find a book that is anymore. I didn't care that some parts of the story were obvious and I knew what was going to happen. What really mattered was getting to read each of the girls' stories as the main plot intertwined them to the climax. I loved getting to know each of the girls even better and enjoyed learning more about their world. That's what made all the difference for me personally and it was exactly what I had hoped and expected. I hope there's going to be another book in the series because I want more of these strong female leads and I want to see where the author will take us next. Very highly recommended for fans of YA fantasy, retellings, fairy tales, and readers who are already fans of the series.

Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Veronica Melmorra · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Book Review: Palace of Silver by Hannah West**

*First Impressions:*
Palace of Silver, the latest installment in the Nissera Chronicles by Hannah West, captivates readers with its mysterious title, suggesting unexplored realms in this fantasy world. Unlike its predecessors, this novel introduces the allure of a silver castle, promising new discoveries. The cover art, featuring two figures, hints at teamwork or the presence of multiple central characters, setting the stage for an intriguing tale.

*Locating the Book/Audio Quality:*
Encountering the book on the Libby app sparks excitement, especially for fans familiar with Kingdom of Ash and Briars and Realm of Ruins. The continuity of the phenomenal reader enhances the listening experience, skillfully infusing accents and personalities into the characters.

*Story Insights:*
Palace of Silver enriches the series with expanded world-building as characters venture beyond Nissara. The opening sentence, mentioning multiple queens, establishes a captivating atmosphere. The compelling conflict propels the plot, making it difficult to put down. The unique affinity-based magic system, a hallmark of the series, receives further exploration.

*Final Thoughts:*
A notable departure from focusing solely on Valory, Palace of Silver provides an opportunity to delve into the lives of Glisette and Kadri. Glisette's character undergoes significant growth, evolving from a follower into a true leader. Her journey from a seemingly shallow existence in Realm of Ruins to a woman capable of facing challenges resonates powerfully.

Kadri, a beloved character, adds sweetness to the narrative. Seeing events unfold from her perspective intensifies the emotional connection. Her transformation into a self-accepting individual, embracing love, reflects a poignant storyline. Kadri's altruistic nature, reminiscent of Robin Hood, adds depth, showcasing the sacrifices made for the greater good.

Comparisons between Ambrosine and other characters, like the Moth King and Tamarine, highlight the swift descent into vanity. Ambrosine's journey, spiraling down the rabbit hole, underscores the consequences of self-deception. The satisfying resolution as she meets her end adds a fitting closure to her arc.

The reviewer expresses a desire for more adventures in the Nissera Chronicles, demonstrating the book's success in leaving readers eager for further exploration in this enchanting world. Overall, Palace of Silver contributes richly to the series, offering engaging characters, intricate plots, and a world readers will yearn to revisit.

[Cabria ShaNae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a digital copy of this book from Edelweiss+ in exchange for an honest review.

Before this book, I’d never heard of either Hannah West or The Nissera Chronicles, so this was completely new for me, and I had zero expectations. On that same note, because I had never heard of this author or series before, I was not aware of this being the third in the series, and I was definitely confused in the beginning of the book. I would 100% recommend reading the first two books in this series as to not be nearly as lost as I was.

While reading the book, it took me a while to really get drawn into the story, and it had everything to do with not having the background information from the first two books to know exactly what was going on. But after taking a break to work on getting through the earlier parts of the series and then coming back to this book, it really just helped me enjoy this story so much.

There is so much here to enjoy. From strong and powerful women, which is always a hit for me, and morally grey characters, to drama and magic, and everything in between. Every character, especially our women, has those characteristics that you love and those that you hate, and it just makes you feel like you could know them. They just felt that much real. I wanted to know them, to be one of them. To exist in this world, to stand by their sides, to fight with them, and so much more.

This book, hell, this entire series, is worth picking up. I have absolutely no regrets with immersing myself into this story and into this world. I missed loving a fictional world so much and wanting to be a part of it, and especially the book making me feel like I was a part of it. And this book gave that feeling back to me.

[Syd · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed stepping back into the world of Nissera!

I like how the world has expanded in this installment. It was nice seeing familiar faces and new characters alike in this adventure. I liked how the Snow White and Bluebeard elements were worked into the story.

I enjoyed watching Glissette bond with Sev and I hope their romance is able to continue in the future. I enjoyed most of Glissette's storyline, but Kadri's wasn't always my favorite. I liked that we got Ambrosine's pov. Since Valory is super important to this book, I kind of wish we got a pov from her so we could see her side of events, but that might have added too much to the story.

Kadri and Fabian are both cheaters. I believe Kadri mentions Fabian having affairs, and she is carrying on a love affair with Rynna, a fairy she met in the last book. Kadri clearly loves the power she gets from being Fabian's wife more that Rynna, otherwise she would leave Fabian to be with her lover. I despise cheating as a trope and this nearly made me put the book down.

[Bekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay I’m in love with this series.
I listened to them on Audible and the narrator did a fantastic job. The accents were amazing and she made it so easy to know who was speaking to whom. The narrators voice was so lovely and I will be checking out more of what she’s narrated.

The story itself was incredible. I think book 2 is still my favorite but this ended the series so lovely. (Though I do wish we got more of this world) I was a bit sad we didn’t get a whole lot of Valory and Mercer but god did I fall in love with Glisette and Sev. This book was definitely darker than the other 2 but oh my goodness did it keep me hooked!

The action/fight scenes were well done and easy to picture/understand what was going on. The suspense had me begging for answers and the romance was so sweet and so wholesome.

I truly fell in love with this world and its occupants and , even though I will forever be wishing for more, this was the perfect ending to this tale of love and friendship.

[Gary Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Conclusion to a Magical Journey

This book’s story was not as captivating as the others in the series but it’s individual parts were so much better.

I loved the telling of the story from the fin different perspectives and want to truly commend Hannah West for capturing the soul of each character so well.

Readers will have an enjoyable experience delving into the minds of the co-protagonists and the villain with wonderful mastery of the craft, making this a must read for fantasy lovers.

This series has been one of my favourites of all time. It is beautifully written, the story skilfully told and the world of Nissera one I will miss fiercely. I highly recommend this book.

[Kayla Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay. Cute continuation of the series, as i learned in the second book, they are usually connected even if years have passed. This one follows book 2 rather quickly so it was nice to already have some what of a connection to the characters. Familiar story telling from common fairy tales like snow white etc. Its not like some crazy deep book with crazy unpredictable plot. Ive seen other reviews claim it to be juvenile which i can agree with but if you want a light read its perfect. Something to kind of break up the heavier series. I only gave it four stars because it PISSED ME OFF. lol i wont name names or say why but it took something from me that i was hoping it wouldnt. But aside from that ONE thing. I liked it. Nice and light.

[Kell Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the Kingdom of Ash and Briars, the first Nissera book, but I found Realm of Ruins, the second volume, over-complicated with a too-large cast. When I picked Palace of Silver up, I was hoping it would be another stand-alone companion, as books 1 and 2 were. I was wary because instead, it is a direct sequel to book 2.

But I loved this one anyway! Kadri and Glisette make compelling main characters, and the Snow White elements are just enough -- not a strict retelling, but not just a novelty or after thought either. This was an excellent return to form, and if there is a Nissera Book #4 (hinted at!) I'll be lined up for it.

[Peppa · Rating 2 out of 5]

So I chose to listen to this book via audio. I listened at 2x's speed as I find I can process info more that way. The entire book is okay, it's somewhat interesting however, there appears to be a lot of repetition between killing people, running away and doing spells. It reminds me much of the time of Camelot. It's a lot of King's/Queen's, Huntsman and so on. While I do like fantasy and far fetched books, I can't say I recommend this book. There's a lot of manipulation and murder themes in it, it's just not for me. I had to renew it a few times because I listen to it using my library card on Cloud Library app and I struggled to regain interest in it but I finally finished it today.

[Ally Renell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was about 50 pages into this one when I had to stop and reread Realm of Ruins because I had absolutely no idea what was going on. Ultimately though, I liked this one more than Realm of Ruins but it still has some weird editing problems. Sometimes scenes are told from the POV of more than one character, sometimes you miss entire scenes because they are only told from the POV of one that wasn't actually there. It made parts of the story feel really disjointed. The overall plot itself, the world building and character development is pretty good though.

[pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the series and all, but it's unlike other series I have read. I really wanted to love the entire series. I wanted to love it. The book has great qualities about it. Some parts got me hooked on them and wanted me to turn the next page. The book wasn't confusing that much only (the relationship between the characters, some new characters, and where they might be at times because they change scenes a lot.) Kadri lilis was strange. Her marriage and another love thing? I did find the ending a bit short for the battle.

[Isabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even after not having read the previous book in over a year, everything came back to me so fast! I love the way this series brings in different fairytales and blends them together in one world (and as friends!)! I feel like this book brought me out of my 1 1/2 year long reading slump and now I just want to keep reading! I really hope there will be more to this series and will definitely be ready and waiting for the next story Hannah West gives us!

[Brittany Duszczyszyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

There’s nothing particularly wrong with this book but I’m just bored of this series, every book is a new end of the world story with a fairy tale twist. This one lightly touches on Snow White with the magic mirrors, huntsman & poison apple, oh actually it has the wicked step mother too!

This book took place only 6 months after book 2 and the last apocalypse 😆 but it seems it’s the end of the world again.

I’m done with this series, the books are juvenile and predictable.

[Keiliy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! I've enjoyed the past two books in the Nissera series and this one does not disappoint. I loved the additions of fairy tales in this one. I think Hannah West is only getting better. I know her next book is The Bitterwine Oath (which I'm excited to read) but I'm hoping she returns to Nissera (and beyond!) again soon. I'd love to read more!

[Lyndsey Ruhland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not convinced this is the last visit to Nissera but this one was dark. I enjoyed getting to know Glisette and Kadri more and to hear how their relationships and friendships were progressing.
The call backs to classic fairytales continued and I liked the Hans Christian Anderson bent over the theme park version.
I like that there is ending but also all these characters will need therapy.

[Erin Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent YA fantasy. I loved the portrayal of the strong female characters, and everyone in between. This book was fast paced, and full of drama. I haven't read a fantasy novel in awhile, and this was perfection. Definitely worth the read, highly recommend! 5/5 stars!

[Jan farnworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A complicated series by the time I got to this one I had lost my love for the characters and their situations.

[Camilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great story, just not as compelling or thrilling as the other two. Still, it was fun to return to that world.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars