Status Updates From To Steal a Throne

(Looks like Flynn wasn't as noble as I thought.) So the third trial will still be going on after all. But regardless of who wins, someone is going to end up betrayed. Who will Mira have to backstab- the brother that's already betrayed... or the man she betrayed wrongly but still caught feelings for? Or somehow... both?

That unraveled quickly. But how could HE have guessed the Shadow Queen's true identity just from that? Also, Selva Sixman, you're the one who's a bastard here.

Mira, you're a clever one. Successfully framing your opponent Kaidren as a liar, even if for once he's telling the truth. Well played. And the reason for Mira betraying Luc is finally known. But could Kaidren really be playing the role of the fake Shadow Queen?

The duel between Erik and Vellen was over and done in the blink of an eye. But things are certainly getting more entertaining! And just how much can Mira and Kaidren really manipulate each other? Rip Arliss Vale and Erik. We hardly knew ye. And Flynn is teaching Mira combat skills. I wonder how she will use her skills in the future...

Well, that went sideways pretty quickly. Also Yelina and Mathson aren't pretty good parents. Love the chapter titles though! And it turns out Kaidren does have a more legitimate claim for the throne, even if he is a bastard in more ways than one.

this book is genuinely too fucking good and i dont want it to end, helpppp

Okay, so we have a lot of names and strange terms right off the bat. (Pelene Harcot, oh you are a fool. But you are in a way helping Mira and Luc.) I am fascinated so far though, and I really like Mira's title as "The Shadow Queen". I wonder if that will be her actual title if/when she rules over Virdei. I wish the map had more clearly defined borders though.

I find Lady Whistledown annoying but somewhat tolerable in Bridgerton, but this Shadow Queen knock off makes even less sense in universe.

Maybe it's just me being a pessimist, but I fail to see why Mira had to insert herself in this battle. Aside from the weapon choice prior to the start, having a barely trained civilian in our death match of highly trained vicious soldiers seems dumb. But I guess you can win it by humping your opponent so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.