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The Wolf Queen #2
Through Battle and Blades
Out of the frying pan and into the fire, they say. Well, I'm about to learn just how true that aphorism is.
First I have to meet a queen in hand to hand combat and hope I come out as the victor, because only one of us will walk away from the training grounds alive.
Second, I have to try and find a way to live with the fact that three of my four mates unwittingly betrayed me.
And then there's the king, who's looking me over with a speculative eye, and not just as his wife's challenger.
But most of all, there's the damn Reavers that are slowly gnawing at the edges of Strelae, killing people, burning fields, and all the while the capital keeps going about its business, as if there's no threat looming on the horizon. Somehow, some way, the five of us have to get the king, the people admitting there's a problem. Because if we leave our response too late, we may not even get a chance to fight back.
I dream over and over of a pack of wolves running across the earth, swallowing, tearing, chewing, everything in their path and I'm terrified that all of us will be next.
First I have to meet a queen in hand to hand combat and hope I come out as the victor, because only one of us will walk away from the training grounds alive.
Second, I have to try and find a way to live with the fact that three of my four mates unwittingly betrayed me.
And then there's the king, who's looking me over with a speculative eye, and not just as his wife's challenger.
But most of all, there's the damn Reavers that are slowly gnawing at the edges of Strelae, killing people, burning fields, and all the while the capital keeps going about its business, as if there's no threat looming on the horizon. Somehow, some way, the five of us have to get the king, the people admitting there's a problem. Because if we leave our response too late, we may not even get a chance to fight back.
I dream over and over of a pack of wolves running across the earth, swallowing, tearing, chewing, everything in their path and I'm terrified that all of us will be next.
515 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 10, 2022
624 people are currently reading
911 people want to read
About the author
Sam Hall
74 books2,036 followersAustralian author of paranormal RH novels
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
December 24, 2023
I am suffering, but I am happy about it. I am planning on sending my therapy bills and a 15-page letter expressing my love and admiration to Miss Sam Hall as soon as I finish reading this series and am actually out of my pile of handkerchiefs
Tags:
Paranormal MMCs/FMC 👻👹😈
Historical Romance (kinda)⚔️🏰🐲
Reverse Harem/ MFMMM💯 💢💦
Omegaverse/Alpha,beta,omega dynamics 🅰️🅱️🅾️
Insta love-matehood❤️🔥 ❤️
Interesting Anatomy👀✨🥵
Sexual Assault💥🏴 🏴
Physical Assault🪓 🔪🏴
Character deaths💀🪔⚰️
Murder (including mass murder) 🧨🧫 🧪
Blood 🩸🩸🩸
War themes/vendetta 🔫 💣 🪒
Violence🛑 ⛔️ 📛
Miscarriage 🆘 ❌ ⭕️
Cliffhanger ❤️🩹 💔
Tags:
Paranormal MMCs/FMC 👻👹😈
Historical Romance (kinda)⚔️🏰🐲
Reverse Harem/ MFMMM💯 💢💦
Omegaverse/Alpha,beta,omega dynamics 🅰️🅱️🅾️
Insta love-matehood❤️🔥 ❤️
Interesting Anatomy👀✨🥵
Sexual Assault💥🏴 🏴
Physical Assault🪓 🔪🏴
Character deaths💀🪔⚰️
Murder (including mass murder) 🧨🧫 🧪
Blood 🩸🩸🩸
War themes/vendetta 🔫 💣 🪒
Violence🛑 ⛔️ 📛
Miscarriage 🆘 ❌ ⭕️
Cliffhanger ❤️🩹 💔
September 13, 2022
Darcy’s Rise…
This epic journey continues in the second book of The Wolf Queen series.
Darcy finds her mates Weyland, Axe and Dane in compromising positions at the end of book one. We pick up where we left off with Darcy challenging the Queen, the mother of three of her mates, to a duel to the death. The Queen had her sons drugged and purposely put them in a situation that she thought would drive Darcy away with her first mate Gael.
Darcy is smarter then the queen gives her credit for and knows her mates would not have done anything to harm her.
The world building and the plot detail is stunning in this series!
We find Darcy growing stronger and learning to be who she was meant to be… The Queen. She battles reavers, her enemies and her heart in this one.
There is plenty of action, adventure, intrigue and lore in this to keep you busy reading.
Twists and turns, heartbreaking loss and courage will definitely make you feel like you went ten rounds in this book but it’s so worth it.
We end book 2 on a heartache of a cliffhanger and it’s so raw. If you have any triggers please pay attention to the warning at the beginning of the book.
I feel like this was just the right amount of every emotion possible.
This epic journey continues in the second book of The Wolf Queen series.
Darcy finds her mates Weyland, Axe and Dane in compromising positions at the end of book one. We pick up where we left off with Darcy challenging the Queen, the mother of three of her mates, to a duel to the death. The Queen had her sons drugged and purposely put them in a situation that she thought would drive Darcy away with her first mate Gael.
Darcy is smarter then the queen gives her credit for and knows her mates would not have done anything to harm her.
The world building and the plot detail is stunning in this series!
We find Darcy growing stronger and learning to be who she was meant to be… The Queen. She battles reavers, her enemies and her heart in this one.
There is plenty of action, adventure, intrigue and lore in this to keep you busy reading.
Twists and turns, heartbreaking loss and courage will definitely make you feel like you went ten rounds in this book but it’s so worth it.
We end book 2 on a heartache of a cliffhanger and it’s so raw. If you have any triggers please pay attention to the warning at the beginning of the book.
I feel like this was just the right amount of every emotion possible.
March 16, 2024
This book took a much darker turn compared to the first one. The war came, and it felt brutally real. I fear it will only escalate further in the next book. It was a challenging read at times, with so much death, pain, and sacrifice that often seemed futile. I hate that bitch of a goddess Morrigan; I seriously hope she dies somehow. It had to be said. Surprisingly, the queen who was the main villain in the first book, pales in comparison to the challenges Darcy and her people face in this one. The world-building, plot intricacies, lore, and character development are flawlessly executed. The writing is exceptional, and this story truly deserves its place in the epic fantasy genre. It's a masterpiece.
September 11, 2022
One of my most anticipated books this year is Through Battles and Blades, the second book in the Wolf Queen series. Sam did not disappoint, this is one helluva epic fantasy. My love for this book knows no bounds.
Darcy has grown into herself, she has gotten stronger both physically and mentally and is well on her way to being the wolf queen. Although she's in semi-denial about it, meaning she keeps saying "no" to everything but knows it's useless. Darcy's stepping up to the role even if she doesn't see it. Making decisions, having visions, and fighting battles. Everything is leading her to be the queen she was born to be, even the goddesses are guiding her.
I've liked Darcy's harem from the beginning but I like them even more now. I've gotten to know them better and their roles surprises me, the roles run deeper in them than I expected. There were sweet (and sexy) bonding moments between Darcy and the guys. Each of them is absolutely devoted to her, want her on the throne, and is willing to fight their protective instincts so she can do what she needs. Darcy and the guys jump from one problem to the next and while yes they struggle with things they overcome them together.
This book is plot-heavy with fantastic world-building, rich in both culture and history. I love the lore of the two-souls, the wolf queen, and their goddesses, a lot more information was given in this book about them. It was interesting learning about the wolf queen who was the starting point of this whole mess and through learning the history there was more than one shocking revelation. One thing is for sure, things weren't boring. Seriously the last fourth of the book shocked the heck out of me. I got an answer to a question I didn't even know I should be asking, my heart broke, and a total turn of events happened. It was savage.
Through Battles and Blades was freaking awesome. While emotions were completely exhausted by the end, it was everything. I'm so deeply invested in these characters and the story swallowed me whole. I mean how could it not with meddling goddesses, a mad prince, dark visions, a petty queen, vicious nobles, strong bonds, fierce female warriors, and epic battles scenes. Once again I have to suffer another cliffhanger. Sam is killing me, the wait for the next book is gonna be torture but I know it will be well worth the wait. I can't wait to see what happens next in The Wolf Queen.
Darcy has grown into herself, she has gotten stronger both physically and mentally and is well on her way to being the wolf queen. Although she's in semi-denial about it, meaning she keeps saying "no" to everything but knows it's useless. Darcy's stepping up to the role even if she doesn't see it. Making decisions, having visions, and fighting battles. Everything is leading her to be the queen she was born to be, even the goddesses are guiding her.
I've liked Darcy's harem from the beginning but I like them even more now. I've gotten to know them better and their roles surprises me, the roles run deeper in them than I expected. There were sweet (and sexy) bonding moments between Darcy and the guys. Each of them is absolutely devoted to her, want her on the throne, and is willing to fight their protective instincts so she can do what she needs. Darcy and the guys jump from one problem to the next and while yes they struggle with things they overcome them together.
This book is plot-heavy with fantastic world-building, rich in both culture and history. I love the lore of the two-souls, the wolf queen, and their goddesses, a lot more information was given in this book about them. It was interesting learning about the wolf queen who was the starting point of this whole mess and through learning the history there was more than one shocking revelation. One thing is for sure, things weren't boring. Seriously the last fourth of the book shocked the heck out of me. I got an answer to a question I didn't even know I should be asking, my heart broke, and a total turn of events happened. It was savage.
Through Battles and Blades was freaking awesome. While emotions were completely exhausted by the end, it was everything. I'm so deeply invested in these characters and the story swallowed me whole. I mean how could it not with meddling goddesses, a mad prince, dark visions, a petty queen, vicious nobles, strong bonds, fierce female warriors, and epic battles scenes. Once again I have to suffer another cliffhanger. Sam is killing me, the wait for the next book is gonna be torture but I know it will be well worth the wait. I can't wait to see what happens next in The Wolf Queen.
September 20, 2022
Bear with my conciseness this time- I’m getting married in a month and just started teaching for the new school year.
That being said, I still made time to read this book because the first one truly impressed me. Book two was highly bingeable, though I had to take more breaks for work than I truly wanted to.
One of the aspects that I liked most is that Hall had great follow through with the world building (developing it without getting too info heavy or causing the plot to drag), and she held on to what she needed from the characters.
There’s a great growth that happens with Darcy and her connections with her harem, but that doesn’t come at the cost of what I liked most about them in book one. That isn’t always the case- sometimes I find the stakes and what the characters have gone through cause growth, yes, but they also change the person at a level I don’t think. There was none of that here.
Honestly, I’m just as happy and into this story as I first was months ago.
That being said, I still made time to read this book because the first one truly impressed me. Book two was highly bingeable, though I had to take more breaks for work than I truly wanted to.
One of the aspects that I liked most is that Hall had great follow through with the world building (developing it without getting too info heavy or causing the plot to drag), and she held on to what she needed from the characters.
There’s a great growth that happens with Darcy and her connections with her harem, but that doesn’t come at the cost of what I liked most about them in book one. That isn’t always the case- sometimes I find the stakes and what the characters have gone through cause growth, yes, but they also change the person at a level I don’t think. There was none of that here.
Honestly, I’m just as happy and into this story as I first was months ago.
December 30, 2023
Cliffhanger ending.
Audible version.
Audible version.
April 15, 2024
I want to love this, I really do. It's so well written; the author does such a great job at creating this world. But this book is dreadfully slow. It's awful. Nothing happens for huge chunks of the book, and it could not hold my attention. I was so bored for so much of it. Then we'd hit these action-packed parts that pulled me in so strongly that I didn't want to put the book down. I really needed more of that and less of the repetitive arguments and training scenes.
One big issue I have with this book, and the last, is the confusion that surrounds everything and everyone. No one seems to know what's going on with Darcy. She has these powers, and everyone says it's because she's queen, but we don't really get any further answers than “because that's the way it is”. I keep finding myself looking for more of an explanation or an original story, and this one I got these little blips of Eleanor's story that didn't explain anything other than her relationship with Nordred.
I really dislike the whole storyline with the goddesses. All three of them are frustrating and only bring about more questions than answers, which, I suppose, is par for the course. At this point, I'm struggling to find aspects about the book I do like. There's no development in the relationships with her mates. All they do is run around constantly, demanding to protect her and take care of her. They worship her as their queen but are still constantly overruling every decision she makes (which is fair because she has absolutely no experience or know how to be a queen, but still). There's also very little personality to any of them. They were put into these little boxes of where they fit in the relationship, and no one has grown from it. Aka, The Outsider. The Serious One. The Funny One. The… Big one? I don't know. That's all I get. They live to love Darcy, and that's it.
I'll finish this by saying that although this book doesn't work for me, the writing really is wonderful and so well done.
One big issue I have with this book, and the last, is the confusion that surrounds everything and everyone. No one seems to know what's going on with Darcy. She has these powers, and everyone says it's because she's queen, but we don't really get any further answers than “because that's the way it is”. I keep finding myself looking for more of an explanation or an original story, and this one I got these little blips of Eleanor's story that didn't explain anything other than her relationship with Nordred.
I really dislike the whole storyline with the goddesses. All three of them are frustrating and only bring about more questions than answers, which, I suppose, is par for the course. At this point, I'm struggling to find aspects about the book I do like. There's no development in the relationships with her mates. All they do is run around constantly, demanding to protect her and take care of her. They worship her as their queen but are still constantly overruling every decision she makes (which is fair because she has absolutely no experience or know how to be a queen, but still). There's also very little personality to any of them. They were put into these little boxes of where they fit in the relationship, and no one has grown from it. Aka, The Outsider. The Serious One. The Funny One. The… Big one? I don't know. That's all I get. They live to love Darcy, and that's it.
I'll finish this by saying that although this book doesn't work for me, the writing really is wonderful and so well done.
November 23, 2023
2.5
Almost 500 pages and i still have no idea what is happening
Almost 500 pages and i still have no idea what is happening
September 16, 2023
This book picks up exactly where book one left off, with everyone scrambling to figure out what they’re going to do against the many, many, enemies that surround them.
I was chomping at the bit after the slight cliffy in book one, and was happy to get back into Darcy’s story.
The second book definitely didn’t disappoint, it was even more action packed than the first, and we get to see more romantic development and more information on Darcy’s pack bond.
We also get more information about Darcy herself, with some very interesting reveals along the way.
One thing I really liked about this book was the way that the past was interwoven with the present. I thought it was really creative and impactful for the pertinent facts of the past to be told in an oral story type fashion.
This book was definitely heavier than the first, and these characters when through the absolute wringer, but I know in typical Sam Hall fashion, they will come out stronger for it!
Definitely looking forward to the next book, and to see how these charters are going to get their HEA.
Characters: Darcy (FMC), Weyland, Axe, Dane and Gael.
3🌶️/5
I was chomping at the bit after the slight cliffy in book one, and was happy to get back into Darcy’s story.
The second book definitely didn’t disappoint, it was even more action packed than the first, and we get to see more romantic development and more information on Darcy’s pack bond.
We also get more information about Darcy herself, with some very interesting reveals along the way.
One thing I really liked about this book was the way that the past was interwoven with the present. I thought it was really creative and impactful for the pertinent facts of the past to be told in an oral story type fashion.
This book was definitely heavier than the first, and these characters when through the absolute wringer, but I know in typical Sam Hall fashion, they will come out stronger for it!
Definitely looking forward to the next book, and to see how these charters are going to get their HEA.
Characters: Darcy (FMC), Weyland, Axe, Dane and Gael.
3🌶️/5
September 10, 2022
This book is amazing! Really, I think this series is my favorite. Darcy and her guys start just were we left in book 1. The betrail, Darcy felt is huge but still She trust her mates and gets Over it. She has such a huge wheigt in her soulders, She is the true Queen of the Kingdom and She really doesn't want to be. But as always fate has his way and She must do what She must! I loved how She claimed each mate at her own time, because that seems much more personal and the levels of heat are huge. There is also the reavers that are wrecking everything and they must figth them. Wow, just wow. Fantastic book
March 1, 2024
La prima metà l'ho trovata decisamente noiosa, protagonista quasi assoluto è il legame tra Darcy e i suoi compagni, che ho trovato un pò piatti in questo secondo libro.
Ho trovato alcune scene, alcuni dialoghi veramente stucchevoli, troppe dichiarazioni di amore e devozione.
Nella seconda metà si entra più nel vivo del libro, ed è più interessante, ma non so quantificare quante visioni ha Darcy, esasperante, non succede niente senza che una Dea o l'altra le appaia in visione, e tra l'altro ho trovato la protagonista spesso inadeguata e anche abbastanza antipatica.
Al momento non ho voglia di leggere il terzo libro, forse non lo farò mai.
Ho trovato alcune scene, alcuni dialoghi veramente stucchevoli, troppe dichiarazioni di amore e devozione.
Nella seconda metà si entra più nel vivo del libro, ed è più interessante, ma non so quantificare quante visioni ha Darcy, esasperante, non succede niente senza che una Dea o l'altra le appaia in visione, e tra l'altro ho trovato la protagonista spesso inadeguata e anche abbastanza antipatica.
Al momento non ho voglia di leggere il terzo libro, forse non lo farò mai.
September 13, 2022
epic fantasy
What a wild ride. I’m loving this epic fantasy journey with a young woman at the center of events and her chosen men lifting her up throughout the journey. I can’t wait for the conclusion.
What a wild ride. I’m loving this epic fantasy journey with a young woman at the center of events and her chosen men lifting her up throughout the journey. I can’t wait for the conclusion.
October 11, 2022
Another hit from Ms.Hall, I was sucked right into this book! I couldn't put it down!
Total recommend for me! Can’t wait to see what happens next!
Total recommend for me! Can’t wait to see what happens next!
October 10, 2022
author has yet to explain so many things
Boring. I’m STILL confused. Is she human or not? Because she keeps calling herself human but they keep saying she’s two souled, which the author has yet to explain how she got that way. Again, if the queens bloodline weakened, how is Darcy two-souled?
The men claim they know what she is but clearly they don’t. And still trying to control and protect her.
I thought when they went berserk, it was hard to come back. How did she come back so easily?
I think it’s weird that Gael asked if Weyland hurt her? Why would he think that of his own brother, especially if they don’t hurt women.
We still haven’t come up with a better name for wargen since they’re so offended by that? Just two souled?
Author has used “started to say” when the person actually said the full sentence.
How come the guys knew Darcy was their true mate but Nordred wasn’t sure that Eleanor wasn’t his?
Did Morrigan not speak to Callum like she spoke to Darcy? All that explaining was not necessary from Darcy. Also her jabs just didn’t hit for me because one, that’s her family as well and two, her immediate family is no better. And did the King not realize if he killed Darcy, it would kill the Queen? How many sacrifices did Darcy have to give? She already gave everything, what more could she give? How did we know it was Gael’s baby? The Gods made her bleed after the first time, so it could have been any of the guys.
The only reason this didn’t get one star from me is because it was written fairly well and I still want to know what happens.
Boring. I’m STILL confused. Is she human or not? Because she keeps calling herself human but they keep saying she’s two souled, which the author has yet to explain how she got that way. Again, if the queens bloodline weakened, how is Darcy two-souled?
The men claim they know what she is but clearly they don’t. And still trying to control and protect her.
I thought when they went berserk, it was hard to come back. How did she come back so easily?
I think it’s weird that Gael asked if Weyland hurt her? Why would he think that of his own brother, especially if they don’t hurt women.
We still haven’t come up with a better name for wargen since they’re so offended by that? Just two souled?
Author has used “started to say” when the person actually said the full sentence.
How come the guys knew Darcy was their true mate but Nordred wasn’t sure that Eleanor wasn’t his?
Did Morrigan not speak to Callum like she spoke to Darcy? All that explaining was not necessary from Darcy. Also her jabs just didn’t hit for me because one, that’s her family as well and two, her immediate family is no better. And did the King not realize if he killed Darcy, it would kill the Queen? How many sacrifices did Darcy have to give? She already gave everything, what more could she give? How did we know it was Gael’s baby? The Gods made her bleed after the first time, so it could have been any of the guys.
The only reason this didn’t get one star from me is because it was written fairly well and I still want to know what happens.
November 19, 2022
Oh my gosh, book 2 was absolutely incredible. I don't even know where to start.
I LOVED that Darcy took her time claiming her mates throughout the book. I love that she didn't jump in and just claim everyone. And that there still is some claiming to take place ;) But the steam?? Ooooo the steam was SO good.
All the details are just insane. The lore that Sam has created for this series is so detailed, and it really thickens the plot so nicely. Like all the twists and turns... the visions and blending of past and present. Perfectly executed.
Darcy is probably one of my favorite FMCs. Her struggles, doubts, and hesitation to everyone makes her so real and believable. She's not perfect and she doesn't try to be. She's just herself, on the best way she can be and that's what makes her so relatable.
But wow??? That ending. I'm a crying mess in the best way. Like my heart was ripped out of my chest (multiple times) and gosh, Darcy and her guys have seriously been through the ringer. (Definitely heed the trigger warnings at the start of the book!)
You can tell Sam poured her heart and soul into this book. I'm utterly speechless and can't wait until the Wolf Queen comes out. This book was pure magic - a wonderful blend of fantasy, shifters, romance, and adventure!
I LOVED that Darcy took her time claiming her mates throughout the book. I love that she didn't jump in and just claim everyone. And that there still is some claiming to take place ;) But the steam?? Ooooo the steam was SO good.
All the details are just insane. The lore that Sam has created for this series is so detailed, and it really thickens the plot so nicely. Like all the twists and turns... the visions and blending of past and present. Perfectly executed.
Darcy is probably one of my favorite FMCs. Her struggles, doubts, and hesitation to everyone makes her so real and believable. She's not perfect and she doesn't try to be. She's just herself, on the best way she can be and that's what makes her so relatable.
But wow??? That ending. I'm a crying mess in the best way. Like my heart was ripped out of my chest (multiple times) and gosh, Darcy and her guys have seriously been through the ringer. (Definitely heed the trigger warnings at the start of the book!)
You can tell Sam poured her heart and soul into this book. I'm utterly speechless and can't wait until the Wolf Queen comes out. This book was pure magic - a wonderful blend of fantasy, shifters, romance, and adventure!
August 23, 2024
Liked this, but not as much as the first book. I feel like this book would have benefitted greatly from multiple POVs to help the reader connect more with the mates. There wasn’t much the relationship building so I felt s little disconnected from the men without their pov included. I had a hard time understanding why Darcy mated with Weyland so randomly, but continued to hold out on Dane and Axe. Especially when it was made clear that she would gain power from completing the bond with all her mates? Why could she get over the trauma of the Queen’s planned assault for Weyland but not the other 2? The other part of this book that confused me was the theology of the triple goddess. I had a hard time keeping track of which goddess the characters were talking about when they were referred to as “her” a lot. I think I got it figured out by the end but the middle wasn’t very clear. Still enjoyed it, getting started on the third book right away, and we’ll see how things go from there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2023
Good premise. The first book kept me entertained. But as the story went on. I became bored. I didn't care for the bavk story because there was so much of it and it didn't really make sense why. And not in a good suspenseful kind of way. But in an annoying, I don't care what happens way.
The fact that Darcy clearly loves all her mates but doesn't accept Axe or Dane and mate them? What was the reason? It made no sense. They hadn't even claimed eachother yet going into the 3rd book. It was ridiculous. And I hate the Morrigan. Like, no redeeming qualities. And I don't feel like she would have been this way. Based on the other 2.
I dnf'd book 3 because I just didn't care anymore. I skimmed at least 50% of book 2.
The fact that Darcy clearly loves all her mates but doesn't accept Axe or Dane and mate them? What was the reason? It made no sense. They hadn't even claimed eachother yet going into the 3rd book. It was ridiculous. And I hate the Morrigan. Like, no redeeming qualities. And I don't feel like she would have been this way. Based on the other 2.
I dnf'd book 3 because I just didn't care anymore. I skimmed at least 50% of book 2.
October 18, 2022
Somehow went downhill really fast like out of nowhere and slow at the same time
May 15, 2025
I’ve never before fallen asleep while reading about the most detailed BJ known to man in written form, but bizarrely did so twice during this book. I snorted myself awake from a nightmare about men’s nipples.
Great heavens, this was rough. The girl has only just seen a peen for the first time a week ago, yet she’s handling them more than her swords that I was so eager to see wielded. Wrong weapons, my friend.
I use the endearment loosely, because oh wow is she a whiny little thing in this one. On and on with her internal complaints and zoning out in endless thought, even between dialogue, to the point where you have to flip back pages to recall what she’s responding to.
All of her pathetic ramblings also had me asking, ‘what are you talking about,’ under my breath, way too often for it to be an issue of misunderstanding solely on my end.
Ex: She continues to be insistent that she doesn’t want to be Queen, to the point of petulant tantrums about it, but challenged the current Queen to the death and therefore her throne if she wins? Mmmkay.
She cries, “No!” to this concept and any new information she learns. Yes, you big baby.
And that’s just an example from the cliffhanger of the last book. I can’t even put into words the many other instances that only increase in this one. They’re just that confusing and not worth having even been addressed in the first place.
It’s so flowery that you can’t help but choke on it like a passing by an old woman in church wearing all of her perfumes.
Her dreams make no sense and we glean nothing from them except the goddesses’ exasperation with this child, who is obviously an idiot, being their only hope on the earthly plane.
Also, Weyland and Axe have no defining characteristics or differences in personality. I’ve been making some up in my head to make them interesting but they’re otherwise both written almost exactly as the same guy.
They love her but they don’t actually know her, are super sexual (which is fine because who cares at this point), overprotective, they speak before thinking which ruins plans or proposals better laid out carefully, and like their hair braided by her. That’s about it.
If one of them died, I genuinely think it would take a while for anyone to notice.
There’s so much excess. We do not need to know the name and life story of every warrior on the battlefield. I read the first one with dread, turning the page and closing my eyes in resignation at the confirmation that she wasn’t going to stop at just one pointless paragraph.
Just. Why?? The writing style is so good, but the things she writes about are just so bad.
The ending is interesting, off putting, and almost enticing enough to tempt me to see if she’s used up all of her extended soliloquies so the next book can have the action. A fool’s hope, but that’s the only thing that got me to the end of this one in the first place.
Great heavens, this was rough. The girl has only just seen a peen for the first time a week ago, yet she’s handling them more than her swords that I was so eager to see wielded. Wrong weapons, my friend.
I use the endearment loosely, because oh wow is she a whiny little thing in this one. On and on with her internal complaints and zoning out in endless thought, even between dialogue, to the point where you have to flip back pages to recall what she’s responding to.
All of her pathetic ramblings also had me asking, ‘what are you talking about,’ under my breath, way too often for it to be an issue of misunderstanding solely on my end.
Ex: She continues to be insistent that she doesn’t want to be Queen, to the point of petulant tantrums about it, but challenged the current Queen to the death and therefore her throne if she wins? Mmmkay.
She cries, “No!” to this concept and any new information she learns. Yes, you big baby.
And that’s just an example from the cliffhanger of the last book. I can’t even put into words the many other instances that only increase in this one. They’re just that confusing and not worth having even been addressed in the first place.
It’s so flowery that you can’t help but choke on it like a passing by an old woman in church wearing all of her perfumes.
Her dreams make no sense and we glean nothing from them except the goddesses’ exasperation with this child, who is obviously an idiot, being their only hope on the earthly plane.
Also, Weyland and Axe have no defining characteristics or differences in personality. I’ve been making some up in my head to make them interesting but they’re otherwise both written almost exactly as the same guy.
They love her but they don’t actually know her, are super sexual (which is fine because who cares at this point), overprotective, they speak before thinking which ruins plans or proposals better laid out carefully, and like their hair braided by her. That’s about it.
If one of them died, I genuinely think it would take a while for anyone to notice.
There’s so much excess. We do not need to know the name and life story of every warrior on the battlefield. I read the first one with dread, turning the page and closing my eyes in resignation at the confirmation that she wasn’t going to stop at just one pointless paragraph.
Just. Why?? The writing style is so good, but the things she writes about are just so bad.
The ending is interesting, off putting, and almost enticing enough to tempt me to see if she’s used up all of her extended soliloquies so the next book can have the action. A fool’s hope, but that’s the only thing that got me to the end of this one in the first place.
September 4, 2023
I think when I went into the book series I had something completely different in mind. I thought it would be sweet and cute. An insecure lady and her 4 bonds that all fall in love and live happy ever after a handful of smutty scenes. Oh girl was I wrong...
These books made me realize that I really enjoy high fantasy with more meaningful world building before just enjoying smut. In this case smut that has meaning.
I was scared at first that Darcy will become the "chosen one" but the book makes it easy to see where her achievements come from. I didn't anticipate the story to spiral into something bigger and bigger. Now with goddesses and a whole political apocalypse. I am scared for the next book because this one already felt more about the world and politics, where Darcy and her pack step back. I am just craving for them all 5 to have some quality time, where they talk and giggle, cuddle and kiss and share their pain and characters. Just the small romance things that make my heart flutter.
❥ Rating : 4.7 ⭐/ 5
❥ Romance : 💕/ 5
Not that much romance happening in this one.
❥ Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5
What romance lacks becomes spice.
❥ Character building & development : 💙💙💙 / 5
❥ World Building : 🌎🌎🌎🌎 / 5
❥ Writing : ✏️✏️✏️ / 5
Now I must say that I started skimming more in some scenes because sometimes a whole paragraph is just thoughts and comparisons that Darcy makes. Like something grand happens and then for the next 10 sentences she is comparing it to her old life or to wolf society or whatever. I just get bored quickly and decide I skim through to the parts that actually do carry the story further. I also noticed that in action packed scenes that there is a lot of description of everything around happening. Like what do soldiers do, what do some individuals do, how does the earth feel, how does it smell. I just don't really care to read about that. It only makes it feel more stuffed with unnecessary descriptions, tho they are beautifully written. Like the writing is really good. Just maybe out of focus sometimes?
❥ Chaos-Spiral : 💀 / 5
No cringe. Only sweet juicy revenge that was satisfying enough for me to go back and read the scene again.
I must highlight here that I easily cringe and hate misunderstandings in stories if the characters could just talk it out.
❥ Pace : 💨💨 / 5
Slower than the previous one it feels to me, probably because there is more happening on a grand scheme rather than focused on Darcy and her pack.
❥ Recommend : Yes. It's an epic read.
These books made me realize that I really enjoy high fantasy with more meaningful world building before just enjoying smut. In this case smut that has meaning.
I was scared at first that Darcy will become the "chosen one" but the book makes it easy to see where her achievements come from. I didn't anticipate the story to spiral into something bigger and bigger. Now with goddesses and a whole political apocalypse. I am scared for the next book because this one already felt more about the world and politics, where Darcy and her pack step back. I am just craving for them all 5 to have some quality time, where they talk and giggle, cuddle and kiss and share their pain and characters. Just the small romance things that make my heart flutter.
❥ Rating : 4.7 ⭐/ 5
❥ Romance : 💕/ 5
Not that much romance happening in this one.
❥ Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5
What romance lacks becomes spice.
❥ Character building & development : 💙💙💙 / 5
❥ World Building : 🌎🌎🌎🌎 / 5
❥ Writing : ✏️✏️✏️ / 5
Now I must say that I started skimming more in some scenes because sometimes a whole paragraph is just thoughts and comparisons that Darcy makes. Like something grand happens and then for the next 10 sentences she is comparing it to her old life or to wolf society or whatever. I just get bored quickly and decide I skim through to the parts that actually do carry the story further. I also noticed that in action packed scenes that there is a lot of description of everything around happening. Like what do soldiers do, what do some individuals do, how does the earth feel, how does it smell. I just don't really care to read about that. It only makes it feel more stuffed with unnecessary descriptions, tho they are beautifully written. Like the writing is really good. Just maybe out of focus sometimes?
❥ Chaos-Spiral : 💀 / 5
No cringe. Only sweet juicy revenge that was satisfying enough for me to go back and read the scene again.
I must highlight here that I easily cringe and hate misunderstandings in stories if the characters could just talk it out.
❥ Pace : 💨💨 / 5
Slower than the previous one it feels to me, probably because there is more happening on a grand scheme rather than focused on Darcy and her pack.
❥ Recommend : Yes. It's an epic read.
September 16, 2022
Through Battle and Blades is book 2 of the The Wolf Queen series and it is filled to the brim with everything I have come to expect. Gritty action. Super steamy moments. Family and love, no matter how it comes. I love it all but the best thing is the amazing world building, it sucks me in everytime. I don't know what kind of powers Sam Hall has but to me, her world building just seems to get better with each series. And The Wolf Queen series is her best yet!!!
So we jump right back in after the rather distressing ending of With Fangs and Claws and Darcy is left reeling after seeing her mates in such a compromising situation. But for the love of all things sharp and pointy, I think she can be forgiven for not thinking clearly and rationally. Darcy has become such an evolved character. I initially saw her as a someone who had all the tools to defend herself physically but didn't, and suffered greatly because of it. But now she is literally out on the frontlines and is battling everything that comes at her. Whether it be man or monster, and there isn't always a definitive difference. And don't even get me started on the goddesses. Boy did I just want to slap the Morrigan a couple of times.
Dane, Axe, Weyland and Gael are so suited to Darcy, its not funny. Dane is her strategist, Axe is her, um well her axe, her defender, Weyland is her funny man and Gael, swoon, is her rock. One could be forgiven in thinking she had the perfect harem..... but after the ending, I'm not so sure of anything anymore. Who is the golden eyed man? And why did Darcy have such a visceral reaction to him? I need all the answers!!!
Now the patient wait for The Wolf Queen begins...... as my eye starts to twitch!!
So we jump right back in after the rather distressing ending of With Fangs and Claws and Darcy is left reeling after seeing her mates in such a compromising situation. But for the love of all things sharp and pointy, I think she can be forgiven for not thinking clearly and rationally. Darcy has become such an evolved character. I initially saw her as a someone who had all the tools to defend herself physically but didn't, and suffered greatly because of it. But now she is literally out on the frontlines and is battling everything that comes at her. Whether it be man or monster, and there isn't always a definitive difference. And don't even get me started on the goddesses. Boy did I just want to slap the Morrigan a couple of times.
Dane, Axe, Weyland and Gael are so suited to Darcy, its not funny. Dane is her strategist, Axe is her, um well her axe, her defender, Weyland is her funny man and Gael, swoon, is her rock. One could be forgiven in thinking she had the perfect harem..... but after the ending, I'm not so sure of anything anymore. Who is the golden eyed man? And why did Darcy have such a visceral reaction to him? I need all the answers!!!
Now the patient wait for The Wolf Queen begins...... as my eye starts to twitch!!
September 17, 2022
This bad boy was a biggin! There are a lot of amazing crafted and places words in this book. I found myself plowing through it but also wanting to take my time as I went along. A real page turner full of epic, and I mean epic, world building and character building/growth. Darcy has to learn her new role even if she doesn’t want to admit to having it. She also makes her way through claiming part of her harem. These scenes were steaming and perfectly timed I think. I really liked that Dar y didn’t just turn around and claim them all, instead she build relationships and starting foundations with each of them she claimed. The action of both types were perfectly written and some of those scenes left my heart just a racing and me wishing there was just one more page of the scene.
This book had soooooo much plot build into it this round, with answers to questions and then more questions to go with answers, in a good way. It kept me intrigued the entire time! Oh and the actual lore that was perfectly weaves into this story… muah a chefs kiss as they say. It really, really added to the complexity and dimension of the story making this one of my favourite books this month… okay this year. I had no complaints on this story, no loopholes, no characters I hated nothing, there was truly nothing to complain about… well okay that cliff hanger deserves a grumble or two but only because it was a cliffhanger that left me going “Nope! This can’t be the end! There has to be more! I NEED more!” So a good complaint to have in my book. I highly recommend this book if you like epic fantasy’s mixed with supernatural lore!
This book had soooooo much plot build into it this round, with answers to questions and then more questions to go with answers, in a good way. It kept me intrigued the entire time! Oh and the actual lore that was perfectly weaves into this story… muah a chefs kiss as they say. It really, really added to the complexity and dimension of the story making this one of my favourite books this month… okay this year. I had no complaints on this story, no loopholes, no characters I hated nothing, there was truly nothing to complain about… well okay that cliff hanger deserves a grumble or two but only because it was a cliffhanger that left me going “Nope! This can’t be the end! There has to be more! I NEED more!” So a good complaint to have in my book. I highly recommend this book if you like epic fantasy’s mixed with supernatural lore!
September 16, 2022
Through Battle and Blades by Sam Hall is the second book in The Wolf Queen series and was just as powerful as the first one—if not more so! Darcy’s story is utterly captivating, full of steam, drama and nonstop action that will keep you on the edge of your seat in anticipation!
This story picks up right where the first one left off and keeps on going! After what the Queen did to Axe, Weyland, Dane, and Gael at the end of the first book, a challenge was issued, lines drawn and sides chosen— which results in a lot of training for Darcy and a lot of relationship building with her and the guys. Because not only do they have to deal with the queen, the king and all that drama but also those that are threatening the safety of the kingdom as well.
This book is full of plotting, pain, sacrifice, emotional growth and connections that will sneak deep into your heart and never let go! The way Hall weaves such an epic fantasy tale and creates such a masterpiece of a world with charismatic characters makes this one a captivating read and I loved how descriptive the war scenes were and how much growth these characters had. Darcy’s growth in particular was tremendous and absolutely amazing to see as she starts to come into her own, grow closer to the guys and prepare for battle.
Overall this one is a definite must read that will take you on quite the emotionally heart wrenching journey full of love and loss, betrayal and redemption, and pain and growth. And after that fabulous ending I can’t wait to see what comes next for Darcy and her Wargen mates!
This story picks up right where the first one left off and keeps on going! After what the Queen did to Axe, Weyland, Dane, and Gael at the end of the first book, a challenge was issued, lines drawn and sides chosen— which results in a lot of training for Darcy and a lot of relationship building with her and the guys. Because not only do they have to deal with the queen, the king and all that drama but also those that are threatening the safety of the kingdom as well.
This book is full of plotting, pain, sacrifice, emotional growth and connections that will sneak deep into your heart and never let go! The way Hall weaves such an epic fantasy tale and creates such a masterpiece of a world with charismatic characters makes this one a captivating read and I loved how descriptive the war scenes were and how much growth these characters had. Darcy’s growth in particular was tremendous and absolutely amazing to see as she starts to come into her own, grow closer to the guys and prepare for battle.
Overall this one is a definite must read that will take you on quite the emotionally heart wrenching journey full of love and loss, betrayal and redemption, and pain and growth. And after that fabulous ending I can’t wait to see what comes next for Darcy and her Wargen mates!
September 12, 2022
Reasons to read…
🐺RH
🐺Medieval (fictional world)
🐺Bada** female main character
🐺Wolf Shifters
👑Royalty
🐺Gods
🐺Fated mates
🐺Knotting
🐺Brothers in harem
Gods. I can’t fully express how invested I am in this story, and in these characters.
The story is set in a fictional medieval world, and you are brought back into the story shortly after the ending of book 1, where Darcy and her mates need to traverse the assault that happened to the guys, and the resulting issues with the queen, while simultaneously training and battling to protect Strelae and its people.
What follows is an absolutely epic storyline with gods, swords, discovering unknown abilities and the build up to an epic war, culminating into what I’m already fairly certain will become one of my favourite series.
Fave swoony moment…
“And if I grow predictable?” I asked, the word delivered idly, some strange kind of calm settling over me, even as I felt something twitch beneath. “If you learn me, like you did those other women?”
“That’s all I bloody want. Don’t you see that? That’s why I watch you all the time, why I strive to try and keep up.” A hand went around my neck, tilting my head back. “Your worth to me doesn’t come from your mystery.”
“Then what does it come from?” I asked.
“From you,” he replied simply, his brow creasing slightly as he said the words. “Known or unknown or yet to be discovered, I think you’ll find me the most focussed and apt of students as I seek to discover more.”
🐺RH
🐺Medieval (fictional world)
🐺Bada** female main character
🐺Wolf Shifters
👑Royalty
🐺Gods
🐺Fated mates
🐺Knotting
🐺Brothers in harem
Gods. I can’t fully express how invested I am in this story, and in these characters.
The story is set in a fictional medieval world, and you are brought back into the story shortly after the ending of book 1, where Darcy and her mates need to traverse the assault that happened to the guys, and the resulting issues with the queen, while simultaneously training and battling to protect Strelae and its people.
What follows is an absolutely epic storyline with gods, swords, discovering unknown abilities and the build up to an epic war, culminating into what I’m already fairly certain will become one of my favourite series.
Fave swoony moment…
“And if I grow predictable?” I asked, the word delivered idly, some strange kind of calm settling over me, even as I felt something twitch beneath. “If you learn me, like you did those other women?”
“That’s all I bloody want. Don’t you see that? That’s why I watch you all the time, why I strive to try and keep up.” A hand went around my neck, tilting my head back. “Your worth to me doesn’t come from your mystery.”
“Then what does it come from?” I asked.
“From you,” he replied simply, his brow creasing slightly as he said the words. “Known or unknown or yet to be discovered, I think you’ll find me the most focussed and apt of students as I seek to discover more.”
September 16, 2022
Sam Hall is the Queen of PNR
Sam Hall has always been a one click author for me but the Wolf Queen series is a whole other level of paranormal romantic literature. The countries of Grania and Stralae are built throughout the first two books in this series with accompanying history, culture, values and moralities. With every milestone Darcy (FMC) reaches, the reader's knowledge of the world of the Wolf Queen advances alongside. You find yourself as hungry for the knowledge of Darcy's world as you are for her hoped for HEA with Dane, Gael, Axe and Weyland (RH - MMC). The storytelling is so engrossing you feel as if the romance between Darcy and her mates is a simple addendum to a larger adventure you can't get enough of. However, when the story is focused on the MC's romance, you can't help but wish the wargen of Stralae were real so you could find your own devoted partner(s) and true love wolf style. If Sam Hall doesn't hit the top ten of the USA Today bestseller's list with this series, there is no justice in the world. If you love PNR, reverse harem, fantasy adventures and kick-butt heroines, you should buy the first two books in the Wolf Queen series and read it right this second!
This book has war, gore, violence, graphic sex with multiple partners, death, religious themes and deals with adult experiences and topics. It's not for the faint of heart or those under 18 years old. You've been warned.
Sam Hall has always been a one click author for me but the Wolf Queen series is a whole other level of paranormal romantic literature. The countries of Grania and Stralae are built throughout the first two books in this series with accompanying history, culture, values and moralities. With every milestone Darcy (FMC) reaches, the reader's knowledge of the world of the Wolf Queen advances alongside. You find yourself as hungry for the knowledge of Darcy's world as you are for her hoped for HEA with Dane, Gael, Axe and Weyland (RH - MMC). The storytelling is so engrossing you feel as if the romance between Darcy and her mates is a simple addendum to a larger adventure you can't get enough of. However, when the story is focused on the MC's romance, you can't help but wish the wargen of Stralae were real so you could find your own devoted partner(s) and true love wolf style. If Sam Hall doesn't hit the top ten of the USA Today bestseller's list with this series, there is no justice in the world. If you love PNR, reverse harem, fantasy adventures and kick-butt heroines, you should buy the first two books in the Wolf Queen series and read it right this second!
This book has war, gore, violence, graphic sex with multiple partners, death, religious themes and deals with adult experiences and topics. It's not for the faint of heart or those under 18 years old. You've been warned.
September 11, 2022
I received an advanced reader copy for an honest review.
Wow! Where to start! Through Battle and Blades is an apt name! This fmc has a heavy future full of dark choices… I loved how in-depth the story was, describing all the hills the fmc and her men have to climb just to be safe. It was a bit confusing at times, I had to re read a few pages so I could fully understand what was happening as it jumped quickly. I loved how the fmc just dug deep when she needed to be strong. Although at times I found the fmc was a bit wishy washy... She was upset with the thought that others would place the weight of the title Queen upon her shoulders and she didn’t want that. I don’t think anyone would want it if they had to face half the stuff she did. I loved the length of this story. I loved how this book she didn’t feel the need to question her men as she completely trusted them. That familiarity was all she ever wanted in life. There was some hard parts to read, death, hard truths revealed. I have no clue how she keeps going but she doesn’t ever give up. That I think, will be the catalyst in the end. Can’t forget the special peen scenes! Lol I can’t wait to read the last book. It’s going to be epic! If you haven’t already, read the first book, if you already read it , re read it again. I found re reading the first was incredibly helpful, as a lot happens in a short time frame. I’m so glad I got the chance to read this.
Wow! Where to start! Through Battle and Blades is an apt name! This fmc has a heavy future full of dark choices… I loved how in-depth the story was, describing all the hills the fmc and her men have to climb just to be safe. It was a bit confusing at times, I had to re read a few pages so I could fully understand what was happening as it jumped quickly. I loved how the fmc just dug deep when she needed to be strong. Although at times I found the fmc was a bit wishy washy... She was upset with the thought that others would place the weight of the title Queen upon her shoulders and she didn’t want that. I don’t think anyone would want it if they had to face half the stuff she did. I loved the length of this story. I loved how this book she didn’t feel the need to question her men as she completely trusted them. That familiarity was all she ever wanted in life. There was some hard parts to read, death, hard truths revealed. I have no clue how she keeps going but she doesn’t ever give up. That I think, will be the catalyst in the end. Can’t forget the special peen scenes! Lol I can’t wait to read the last book. It’s going to be epic! If you haven’t already, read the first book, if you already read it , re read it again. I found re reading the first was incredibly helpful, as a lot happens in a short time frame. I’m so glad I got the chance to read this.
September 14, 2022
This is the second book on Darcy’s trilogy. It is just as intense and emotional as the first book. Actually, even more so!
We get to see the immediate fallout from the events at the end of book one. Darcy is in a take-no-prisoners, have-no-mercy mindset and I very much agree with her on that. One positive thing that I got from the first chapter of book two, is that Darcy is very clear about what happened to the princes. She calls it what it is, instead of blaming the wrong folks or dismissing it.
This book dives more into the lore surrounding the old queen, the goddesses, and the history of the Reavers. There is a lot of important information given throughout the book but it’s done in a variety of ways that keep your focus.
Darcy and her princes have a lot to deal with - betrayals from all around, self-doubt, misplaced guilt, and trying to grow their relationships in the midst of it all. I love that Darcy has to work up to embracing her fate, that she questions herself, that she is afraid. She has emotions and she shows them. She was sheltered and repressed for so long, it’s not at all surprising that she struggles with embracing her new life.
This continues to be one of my favorite series, and I cannot wait to see where it goes next!
We get to see the immediate fallout from the events at the end of book one. Darcy is in a take-no-prisoners, have-no-mercy mindset and I very much agree with her on that. One positive thing that I got from the first chapter of book two, is that Darcy is very clear about what happened to the princes. She calls it what it is, instead of blaming the wrong folks or dismissing it.
This book dives more into the lore surrounding the old queen, the goddesses, and the history of the Reavers. There is a lot of important information given throughout the book but it’s done in a variety of ways that keep your focus.
Darcy and her princes have a lot to deal with - betrayals from all around, self-doubt, misplaced guilt, and trying to grow their relationships in the midst of it all. I love that Darcy has to work up to embracing her fate, that she questions herself, that she is afraid. She has emotions and she shows them. She was sheltered and repressed for so long, it’s not at all surprising that she struggles with embracing her new life.
This continues to be one of my favorite series, and I cannot wait to see where it goes next!
September 11, 2022
The first installment was my first 5 star read of the year, so the second in the series came with a lot of high expectations. I’m happy to say that it did NOT disappoint. The depth and richness of the world is on point. Ms. Hall has built up a fantastic sweeping epic fantasy tale with with two cultures coming together, and Darcy a strong heroine finding her place in the world she is thrust into. She is connecting with her guys, but it is happening organically across the course of the book- and still leaves some for the next book as well. I love her strength of character. She feels like such a real character- you feel her struggles and her growing pains of coming into who she is. This book picks up right where the last book left off. She spends a lot of the book training to over take on the reigning queen. There are plenty of ups and downs, and you’ll go on a roller coaster of an emotional ride before you’re dropped off a cliff and left hanging upside down as your heart just beats out of your chest. I had to set the book down and stare at a wall to digest everything that I read. Do yourself a favor, and pick this series up. You won’t regret it.
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