Danielle L. Jensen

A queen now in exile as a traitor, Lara has watched Ithicana be conquered by her own father, helpless to do anything to stop the destruction. But when she learns her husband, Aren, has been captured in battle, Lara knows there is only one reason her father is keeping him alive: as bait for his traitorous daughter. And it is bait she fully intends to take. Risking her life to the Tempest Seas, Lara returns to Ithicana with a plan not only to free its king, but for liberating the Bridge Kingdom from her father’s clutches using his own weapons: the sisters whose lives she spared. But not only is the palace inescapable, there are more players in the game than Lara ever realized, enemies and allies switching sides in the fight for crowns, kingdoms, and bridges. But her greatest adversary of all might be the very man she’s trying to free – the husband she betrayed. With everything she loves in jeopardy, Lara must decide who – and what – she is fighting for: her kingdom, her husband, or herself.

The Traitor Queen

Jenna-Lee Gordon

Lara has only one thought when her husband is taken prisoner: I will do whatever it takes to set you free. A queen now in exile as a traitor, Lara has watched Ithicana be conquered by her own father, helpless to do anything to stop the destruction. But when she learns her husband, Aren, has been captured in battle, Lara knows there is only one reason her father is keeping him alive: as bait for his traitorous daughter. And it is bait she fully intends to take. Risking her life to the Tempest Seas, Lara returns to Ithicana with a plan not only to free its king, but for liberating the Bridge Kingdom from her father's clutches using his own weapons: the sisters whose lives she spared. But as Lara and her companions formulate a plan to free Aren from her father's palace, they soon discover that while it is easy to get in, it will be quite another thing to get Aren, and themselves, back out. Not only is the palace inescapable, there are more players in the game than Lara ever realized, enemies and allies switching sides in the fight for crowns, kingdoms, and bridges. But her greatest adversary of all might be the very man she's trying to free - the husband she betrayed. With everything she loves in jeopardy, Lara must decide who - and what - she is fighting for: her kingdom, her husband, or for herself.

Carina 🧡

Megan Lapides

Lavinia McDonald 

Are these books groundbreaking? Not really. But they are still very fun, easy to read and some of the most well balanced romantic fantasies out there. There’s action, political intrigue and romance all rolled into this and I was very engaged. 

I definitely recommend reading this soon after The Bridge Kingdom because it picks up immediately after the events of the first book. I feel like this is a series designed to be read in quick succession. 

Mel 

Are these books groundbreaking? Not really. But they are still very fun, easy to read and some of the most well balanced romantic fantasies out there. There’s action, political intrigue and romance all rolled into this and I was very engaged. 

I definitely recommend reading this soon after The Bridge Kingdom because it picks up immediately after the events of the first book. I feel like this is a series designed to be read in quick succession. 

liana

4⭐️

⚠️THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS⚠️


The Traitor Queen by Danielle L. Jensen is a YA fantasy romance book and the second of the series called The Bridge Kingdom, which are separate duologies and can be read individually.
A queen now in exile as a traitor, Lara has watched Ithicana be conquered by her own father, helpless to do anything to stop the destruction. But when she learns her husband, Aren, has been captured in battle, Lara knows there is only one reason her father is keeping him alive: as bait for his traitorous daughter. And it is bait she fully intends to take.
Risking her life to the Tempest Seas, Lara returns to Ithicana with a plan not only to free its king, but for liberating the Bridge Kingdom from her father’s clutches using his own weapons: the sisters whose lives she spared. But not only is the palace inescapable, there are more players in the game than Lara ever realized, enemies and allies switching sides in the fight for crowns, kingdoms, and bridges. But her greatest adversary of all might be the very man she’s trying to free – the husband she betrayed.
With everything she loves in jeopardy, Lara must decide who - and what – she is fighting for: her kingdom, her husband, or herself.



  ➵Kings and queens make decisions, but it is the common folk who pay the price.






  ➵Just because a choice is hard doesn’t mean you don’t make it.



The characters:
When I read the first book, I wanted so bad to know what Lara was capable of and although it was more like an insight of it, this book did not disappoint. I thought I couldn’t love her more than I already did but she’s just incredibly amazing, I LOVE reading about strong women getting revenge but this was crazy in a very good way. She’s not the same person after the events that occurred in The Bridge Kingdom, plagued by guilt and shame for her role in the deaths many Ithicanians and innocent people, she decides to do everything in her power to save her home, its people and of course her husband Aren. The fact that she didn’t let pain take over her just to save the people she loved was admirable, even getting through her fear of the sea to save her husband was just on point. From slitting throats to climbing and trying not to get bitten by snakes to almost die, she achieves her goal impeccably with blood, tears and pain. It was totally understandable the fact that everyone in Ithicana hated her, but she won their trust back flawlessly. What a woman, I am in awe. I love women written by women who are strong, powerful, not scared to show their feelings, beautiful inside and out, fighters, who don’t need men to save them and many more things. Lara will always be my favorite character in this series, period.
Aren has changed too, due to his wife’s betrayal and being captured by his enemy, Lara’s father. I really like his character and how much he loves his people, willing to do anything to save them. He’s fighting his feelings because he doesn’t want to still love Lara, but it is pretty clear he’ll always be in love with her and deep down he knows what she did was a mistake. Also, he’s too handsome to handle it (and I would let him do anything to me). I don’t think I have too much to say about him, just that he’s an incredible character and I’ll always say he’s an incredible king to his people.
I adored Lara’s sisters and I can’t wait to know more about them. Also, I’m asking for a petition for the author to write a book about Bronwyn, thank you. 
And… Keris and Zarrah: as soon as I buy the third book of the series I will read it immediately because I can’t wait for them to fall in love and read about their enemies to lovers story.



  ➵There was something about her.
Something that had spoken to his soul in a way no other woman he'd met ever had.



My opinion:
This book did not disappoint at all. First of all, I couldn’t put it down, it was impossible. Also, short chapters and fast-paced? Sign me in. I read it in English on my kindle because I couldn’t wait for it to be translated to Spanish and now I’ve decided I’ll buy the whole series in its original language (and also hardcover because they’re SO freaking beautiful). Every interaction between Aren and Lara made me feel so on edge, such tension should be illegal. This book is packed with action from beginning to end, and on top of that, there’s a lot of soul searching from Lara and Aren, both struggling with each other and that completely broke me because I swear there were times where I thought they weren’t going to end up together and it was pure pain. The author’s writing is really good and the worldbuilding was also great, I enjoyed this book more than the first one because the translation in Spanish wasn’t good and I couldn’t appreciate her writing correctly. Of course the enemies to lovers and second chance romance was perfect, and although there’s only one spicy scene, I loved it and felt it was enough. The tears, the lack of trust, the hope, the desperate cries for one another in battle even thought they aren’t supposed to care? I can’t explain everything that I felt while reading this, going from shouting and screaming to completely breaking my heart (I didn’t cry though, so everything’s good).

If I have to say something bad about it and why I didn’t give it 5 stars would be:
1. I wished there were more Aren and Lara scenes.
2. It was too fast, I loved it but also didn’t like it (if that even makes sense).
3. There’s some characters that should’ve appeared more.
4. The end was really abrupt and it would’ve been better if it ended with an epilogue/conclusion to know more about their future. I just hope in the next books there’s some scenes of them.
5. The death of Lara’s father felt a little too easy for me after all the damage he caused.
6. Sometimes all the political stuff was too much and it bored me a little.



  ➵You are my goddamned damnation, but there will never be anyone but you.



If you like and want to read a good enemies to lovers, with tension, a little of spice, “touch her and you die” tropes and strong main characters, this fantasy series is for you.

But before reading, check the trigger warnings as there may be some topics that can be hard for some people (tw such as: war, death, blood, graphic, violence, torture, captivity, poisoning, +18 content, injury detail, etc.).



  ➵She was everything. Mind, body, and soul, she was everything he wanted. Everything he needed. The queen Ithicana needed.



Last but not least, to my beautiful Lyra (Cardan's tail's version) (Cardan’s version): thank you for buddy reading this with me my love! We both love these characters so much and the fact that we can scream and curse together because of them is the best part💖



  ➵Awake or asleep, all I see is your face. All I hear is your voice. All I feel is you in my arms. All I want is you.


----------------------------------

REVIEWS AND RATINGS OF THE SERIES (so far):
-1. The Bridge Kingdom: 4/5
-2. *The Traitor Queen*: 4/5
-3. The Inadequate Heir: -
-3.5. The Calm Before The Storm (novella): -
-4. The Endless War: to be released (5th October, 2023)
-Books 5 & 6: ?









(English is not my first language, if you find any mistakes please let me know).

Ana Luiza

De alguma forma, esse livro consegue ser melhor que o primeiro. Fazia muito tempo que uma série de livros me deixava dessa forma, sem conseguir deixar o livro de lado e pensando na história o tempo todo. As cenas no deserto foram de ARREPIAR. Todo o resgate também foi muito legal de acompanhar. Eu sou muuuuito cadelinha desses dois cara, não tem como. Eles são muito lindos juntos.
A batalha final foi de deixar a SJM chorando, PERFEITO! Toda a metáfora com os tubarões e tudo que a Lara passou pra salvar o reino, meu Deus. Rainha, perfeita. 
Quero reler um dia kkkk pq eu li muito rápido, em menos de 2 dias. E o primeiro também, um seguido do outro. Nem digeri.
Fiquei um pouco desanimada ao saber que o terceiro é na perspectiva de outros personagens mas vou ler em breve.

** spoiler alert **
           3.5/5 ⭐

this book is way more action-packed than the previous book was. lara proved to us again and again that she is the most resilient woman ever existed in the entire continent. even though people keep pushing her away she kept crawl back and fight to earn their trust. also veliant sisters! im in love with them and their sisterly bond. my favorite sister is sarhina (yes i know shes lara's favorite too). 

to be honest im a little bit underwhelmed bc i expect theres more happy moments but its just too much Angst and Pain and actions till the very last page. the end is okay i guess, a happy ending, but not what i was expected to be wrapped up. it feels kind of... rushed. its not bad, but it could have been better.

but hey, lara got her redeption arc and she ruled together with aren back in ithicana. im glad for her.



(ps: im excited for keriszarrah's books and arenlara crumbs, i wish)

shai💌

good stuff, good redemption arc, i didnt think it'd be possible but yea, it happened.

nuélle

[4.25/5] 
I'm very glad to say that sacrificing my maths revision to read this book wasn't a bad idea at all.

ugh there is not a scene more pivotal to me in literature than the ending 

anna haskins 

rakshu

the way i DEVOURED THIS BOOK AAAAHHHHHHHHHH easily 4.5 stars i love Aren & Lara with all i have

Asra

OMG soooooo much better than the first book holy fricking cow this is what i was looking for in the first book. the badass fmc the awesome battles. the families coming together. everything all of it amazing.

ariah west

becky oh

4.5 stars

THIS BOOK ALSO MADE ME CRY STOP IT HURTS-
This series got me out of a reading slump and made me love fantasy-romance books again I am forever in debt to you, author

I love Lara and Aren forever <3


And now i don't know what to read next-

jupiter

freya.nightwolf

This book was something else entirely. It was fuelled by action, tension, and excellent character development. 

Personally, I loved this book more than the first one. Those sisters are amazing and I hope we will see them more in the 4th book. Now, I'm very interested in Keris :))) and the fact that he has his own book... thank you so much :)) This family is very interesting and I hope Keris and Lara will be able to bond.

I love Lara's and Aren's story and relationship. I think in this book, they got to really know each other. No strings attached. The truth was in the open, so they got to know each other without being pressed by secrets and fears, and they got to make their own choices without being subjugated to what others expected, to what the parents wanted, and to duty. 

So the storytelling and character development are amazing. Also, the plot twists and the decisions made by the characters, make this book go to a whole new level of action and political schemes. You don't get bored. Everything is just amazing.

Jenna H

Lauryn Page

This series reminds me of a little spicier version of Dance of Thieves, but not that much spicier (don’t get too excited!!) I really did love this book but it feels like it just took so long to get to the meat of everything and then for it to end so abruptly. I absolutely love Lara and Aren, their love story grew so much and they definitely had a “burn for you” quality that I loved. 

Spice Level: 🌶

🧸

idk what to say except this is my new fav series literally

I felt like the back and forth of Lara being a traitor was a bit overdone. I get why Aren’s people wouldn’t welcome her back but god they did go on in the book. I was hooked waiting to see how the rescue and liberation would go so in that sense it had me in a chokehold. Could’ve been a little less obvious hinting at the story to come in the next book. This author isn’t skilled at subtlety I won’t lie. I am interested in reading the next book but I know I need to be in the right frame of mind to put up with this writing. 

Becky

Lara has only one thought when her husband is taken prisoner: I will do whatever it takes to set you free.A queen now in exile as a traitor, Lara has watched Ithicana be conquered by her own father, helpless to do anything to stop the destruction. But when she learns her husband, Aren, has been captured in battle, Lara knows there is only one reason her father is keeping him alive: as bait for his traitorous daughter.And it is bait she fully intends to take.Risking her life to the Tempest Seas, Lara returns to Ithicana with a plan not only to free its king, but for liberating the Bridge Kingdom from her father's clutches using his own weapons: the sisters whose lives she spared.But as Lara and her companions formulate a plan to free Aren from her father's palace, they soon discover that while it is easy to get in, it will be quite another thing to get Aren, and themselves, back out. Not only is the palace inescapable, there are more players in the game than Lara ever realized, enemies and allies switching sides in the fight for crowns, kingdoms, and bridges. But her greatest adversary of all might be the very man she's trying to free - the husband she betrayed.With everything she loves in jeopardy, Lara must decide who - and what - she is fighting for: her kingdom, her husband, or for herself.

soph <33

bows down to lara because she is an absolute queen and i aspire to be her in every way omg

indy roozendal

Two days ago, I was going to dnf this series.
Now I finished both books. I wasn't expecting to love this series, wasn't expecting to love Lara Veliant. I was debating for a while between 3.5 or 4 stars- but in the end I started this book and did not put it down once.

The rescue was amazing, though the bond between the sisters topped everything. I was actually hoping to see more of them. The ending was good but it also left me unsatisfied- especially since the next book will focus on Lara's brother, who by the way, stole the show.

For some reason I found him more alluring than Aren- for what reason? I cannot say.

4⭐️ 

This one was as equally good as the first one but my poor heart in some scenes… 
I’m glad with the ending and curious to see how the series will continue!

Marchelle

Laurel Yoder

I found this hard to finish, but in fairness, I think the book was better written than the narrators’ (particularly the reader of the MMC) performances. I wonder if I would have liked it more if I wasn’t listening on audiobook (…but it was free with my audible membership). I felt the reading was either flat or hokey and like the reader (again, particularly of the MMC) didn’t actually like what they were reading. Inflection changes the plot in many ways I think. So… maybe if you read this, read the kindle/hard copy.

I think I would have liked this even more if I was paying more attention lol but that was my own fault, love Lara and Aren. But I did feel the ending was a little rushed.

The Traitor Queen

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