Queen of Vengeance

The Knights of Alana #2

by Aaron Hodges

Enslaved in the mines of Lonia, Pela has forgotten the last time she saw the sun. For days uncounted she has toiled, scorned by her captors, forgotten. Her jailers think her cowed, but the blood of a warrior flows in her veins. When a new overseer arrives, Pela sees an opportunity. The man is young and untrained – he could easily be deceived.

Meanwhile, the Plorsean King has been cast down. Supported by the Knights of Alana, his wife has seized the crown and plunged the nation into chaos. But the king is not dead yet. His champion slain, his throne usurped by the woman he loved, Braidon has nothing left but his rage. What better weapon to use against his treacherous wife?

Genres: Fantasy

311 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2019

About the author

Aaron Hodges was born in 1989 in the small town of Whakatane, New Zealand. He studied for five years at the University of Auckland, completing a Bachelor's of Science in Biology and Geography, and a Masters of Environmental Engineering. After working as an environmental consultant for two years, he now spends his time traveling the world in search of his next adventure.

Reviews

[Lana]

In this 2nd book in the series we see Queen Marianne declaring herself Queen of both Plorsea and Loria after she killed Braidon her husband, father of their son Calybe and rightful King of Plorsea. She took on the council of Loria to do this but she is out for vengeance and nothing will stand in her way. On the other hand we find that the Order of the Knights of Alana are not pleased to see the Queen gain so much power and Servo, a very ambitious and powerful elder goes up against her. The Knights arose when Alana had killed the three Gods of old and wiped out magic from the three kingdoms but both the elders and Marianne seem to have harnessed magical powers. Braidon who was meant to be dead, was rescued and healed and was now back in Chole having defeated the knights of the order in that town and taken over their castle in order to recruit an army to take over what is rightfully his and get his revenge on his traitorous wife. Braidon has Kryssa by his side whilst Marianne has Caledan as her champion and protector of her son. Meanwhile Genevieve, and Pela are being kept as slaves in the mines in Loria, having to wear neck bands and being worked endlessly until they escape. This story is full of twists and turns, breath taking and brutal in its treatment of Pela most of all, the cruelty of the order knows no bounds. War is looming on the horizon as all three powers are vying for power. Who will win in the end? Will the three kingdoms ever know peace and will Braidon be the one to bring about this peace to a war-torn land which has not known peace in years? I cannot wait to read book 3 in this very exciting and intriguing series.

[The Mysterious Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been reading other books by Aaron Hodges (try his The Legends of the Gods series, it’s fantastic, then move on to his The Sword of Light or Praegressus Project books, equally superb). That’s why I was kinda shocked to find out that he’d started a whole new series I hadn’t heard of. That series is The Knights of Alana, and Queen of Vengeance is it’s book 2. I read this out of order and I’m clearly missing things from book 1 (which I will have to turn too), even though I read its description, but this is soo good. Complex characters from Pela and Braidon on down. Complex world-building behind the Three Nations. Complex plotting that’s superbly written - and all totally fun. What more can you ask for (other than to not be a dummy and read book 1 first)? Frankly, but for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises. The book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend. I’m definitely looking forward to the other books (starting with that book 1) in this series.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well the series continues. I miss the old characters especially Devion the hammer man. But... A new generation has taken up the fight. Beware this is one of those novel that you can't put down. Needless to say lots of action. A continuation of a great world. A fun read . You might want to refresh your memory of where things left off in the previous book. The series continues just as you set the previous book down .(so reread the discription of book 1 just so you know who's who ). Then strap your self in for a great read.
Mr Hodges continues to amaze me with how the story's seems to grow and morph into something totally different from what I expect. All in all this is a solid 4 star read.
I was given a copy of the book for an honest review. This in no way has influenced this review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book continues the series where book 1 left off, with the main characters scattered, not knowing what is going on with the others or even if some are alive. It goes back and forth between what is going on with each of them and how they are handling what has happened and the change in power. Great continuation of the story with lots going on to keep you wanting to read nonstop.

[Carlynne Toomey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great continuation of the series. Picks up pretty much where the last book left off. Once again, Aaron Hodges has managed to keep his characters believable and well developed. The story world is intense and keeps the reader turning the pages. I highly recommend this for fans of the first book!

[Gayreth Walden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two of The Knights of Alana! I think this book is even better than the first book. We follow, Pela, Kryssa and King Braidon, and also the sellsword Caledan. A true page turner with awesome magic, love, pain, hate and maybe redemption. The author brought the amazing characters to life for me and there is plenty of twists and turns with plenty of action too. I love this book!

[Joanne H · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Nation at war. Magic from Elders by taking it from people they kill. Violence everywhere. Queen's and King's killing other Queen's and King's, what's going on? Who is in charge? The turbulent times require everyone to be on watch. Good characters, Author has a way to put a twist on the storyline. A series that has spectacular writing and storytelling! Good book.

[Dawn Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Editing/proofreading

The editing and proof reading leaves a lot desired not just this book but all the series. Some phrases used don't belong in the time period. Example the phrase "like a knife through butter" or the use of "saltine crackers". A lot of the proofing is unbelievably bad.

[Shelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The action and adventure continues. A romance has begun. I don't recall if the sex began in this book or the 3rd book, but it was explicit from what I gathered as I skipped over it.

So much of the same same, as the mc's just can't catch a break. So much hardship. Another dragon appearance...

Will listen to the last book of this series, but I wouldn't loose sleep if I didn't. I just don't like to quit things I've started.

[Gale Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with all his books this is another great action packed story with lots of twists and turns and nail biting,edge of your seat reading that's hard to put down. 5 stars : )

[Judi Easley · Rating 4 out of 5]

See trilogy review at book one.

[Vexation · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cheesy, predicatable, yet surprisingly pleasant read. Read it all in one loong night :)

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is terrific writing. I like how this story was able to connect with the first trilogy, but tell an entirely different story.

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book two in the Knights of Alana series and follows two of the main characters as they are imprisoned as slaves to work in a mine. Pela has been put on the work face, deep down in the mine, working in almost complete darkness. Only a small work light and an evil overseer, with a whip, allow her to keep going. If you drop, you are left there. Their overseer is evil in manner and method, taking half their rations and keeping them working for longer, until their targets are met each day. Kryssa is luckier and is given a job on the surface, but has no idea what happen to Pela after they were taken. A massive cave-in and an undiscovered void, bring change to the mine face and their work there. Some of the miners die and a new, much younger foreman is brought in to take over. Pela sees this as her chance to possibly escape and to alter the methods used by the overseer.

Meanwhile, the Plorsean King, Braidon, is thought dead in the battle that took place over the cliff face and in the sea, surrounding his wife’s place of betrayal. She has joined with the Knights of Alana, in their plan of great sacrifice, to bring down the king and bring all into her own hands. She now has the crown and has brought the nation into chaos and danger. Braidon has been saved from the sea and hears of what the woman he loved and had been married to for years, has done behind his back. At first he is broken, but then his rage at being fooled for so long and betrayed by his own wife, finally brings rage to his very being and he finally acts as the King and gathers those still alive and loyal to him, to try and put her and the Knights down.

Another great book in the series and you get to see what has become of some of (my) your favourite characters, from the first book, but also from others the author has written, showing them years before. Some are now gone, but others still remain and it is great to see what they are doing to equalize the fight between the Knights of Alana and the peoples of the Three Nations. The first book ended with a great battle and this book starts with the aftermath and then continues the fight and brings along plenty of action and involvement with the characters to keep you going. I received an ARC copy of this book from the author, but I have also bought it as well, as I have loved all the books this author has written and would highly recommend them all to others. I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inborn magic may be gone from the land, but the death of the gods didn’t remove all magic. A new, darker magic is showing it’s face. There’s a reckoning coming, as King Braidon fights to gain back his kingdom from his treacherous wife Marianne. And the Elders of the Knights of Alana have their own agenda.

Queen of Vengeance is my favourite book by Aaron Hodges that I’ve read so far! It’s everything I look for in fantasy, and then it takes it to the next level. The characters are complex and they all have their own motives, some of which have yet to be revealed. No one is pure good, they all have their flaws and they make difficult choices just to survive. There are twists and turns galore, and as some things are revealed, the plot just gets thicker. I can’t wait to find out how the stand off between King Braidon, Queen Marianne, and the Knights of Alana turns out! I also am very curious to find out Pela’s role in everything because in this book she was just struggling to survive. But survive she did, and she is a stronger person due to her trials. I have a feeling the next book is going to be EPIC! I highly recommend this series!

I received an ARC from the author and I’m voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Frank Geimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel hits allot of emotional levels with the way it has been written. You will feel the intense desperation and go along on a ride of action, adventure, loss and wins. The worldbuilding is outstanding and the characters are deeply fleshed out, you will empathize with some of them. I loved the read and the escape for awhile and think you will too.

[Lady The Owls · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it this was not a book for one to lazy around and read this had action and so much adventure. I loved how each main character evolved as the story went on. No standing still in this story. I look forward to the next book in the series when it comes out.

[Tenna Chatman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of action with good verses bad.

Battles both physical and mental for our heroes. Sometimes friends become enemies and enemies become friends. I look forward to the next book.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice to see the story continuation but the storyline magnitude is vastly different this time. One storyline could have been over in 1 chapter. Others were very condensed and could have been spread out more. Thought the first book was much better

[Jeffrey A. Dewey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Awesome read with twists and turns as treachery abounds while knights of Alana try to snuff out the lives of the unbelievers.

[Laurie Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must of forgotten to wright a review I think there is no need sometimes to wright individual reviews I find all of Aaron Hodges books very good reading Laurie S