Book Review: The Caged Queen (Iskari #2) by Kristen Ciccarelli

Hi Hoa ,

The Last Namsara was one of my five-star reviews from last year, so when I got the chance to read Kristen Ciccarelli, second book in the Iskari series The Caged Queen I jumped at the chance.

Roa and Essie are sister born with such a unique bond that connect them forever, their emotion strong enough to shatter mirrors or make flower bloom. Until one day an accident happen and unable to leave her sister Essie soul is trapped in the form of a bird.

Since that day Roa has hated the man responsible for accident, the only problem is that man is Dax the Heir to the Firgarrd’s Throne. Dax comes to the House of Song the home of the most powerful family in the Scrubland, asking for help to dethrone his cruel father. The price in helping Dax is that he need to make Roa his Queen, so she can help her people and put an end to the cruel laws that punish them.

When Roa see that Dax is not up holding his side of the Roa will have to make choices that will help her people, but there is one choice she could make. A choice that would return her beloved sister back to her, but the cost would be to kill a King.

You know a book is good, when you automatically gone on the internet to find out if there are another book in this series come out. I was very happy to find out goodread, a third untitled book planned for next year. (I may have done a little happy dance when I found out, but a little sad because I’ve got to wait to next year.)

The book is told though Roa perspective, some chapters are told in the present and some chapter are telling us the History between Roa and Dax and the Scrublanders and the people of Firgaard. I would love to read more about Roa and Dax games playing Gods and monsters (also can someone make this game.)

I was unsure about Dax at the beginning as Roa perspective coloured my view of him, but by the end of the book he was one of my favourite characters. I would LOVE to read this story from Dax side.

There where time when their was so much was going on and the stakes where high that I had to put the book down, as my heart couldn’t take it. But I couldn’t put the book down for long as I need to find out what happened, so much so that I finished the book in 1 night.

I always find it harder reading books that have twins in, especially if something happened to one of them. I always end up questioning what I would do for my twin, I might not got to the lengths that Roa does for Essie, but they do have that special bond.

The Caged Queen is full of action (sandstorms, fighting, some B&E), Romance (Some Romance easier to see some aren’t.) Drama, (well what do you expect when trying to overthrow Royalty).

I give this book 5 out of 5.

Thank you to Netgalley and Gollancz for sending my a digital copy of The Caged Queen for a fair and honest review.

The Caged Queen is out 25th September, Kristen is also doing a preorder giveaway if you order the book, the link is HERE for details.

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Thanks for reading,

Gem x