The Queen of Sorrow

Starred review from March 19, 2018
The thrilling and sometimes melancholy finale of Durst’s Queens of Renthia trilogy continues to expand the world of Renthia, finally bringing the story into Semo, the neighboring country that had attacked the land of Aratay in the previous book. Naelin—one of Aratay’s two queens, capable of commanding the wild nature spirits of the land—learns that her children have been kidnapped by Queen Merecot of Semo and is forced to bargain to retrieve them. Naturally, everyone’s plans go awry (including those of Naelin’s fellow queen, Daleina), and both countries find themselves fighting for survival. As Durst’s scope expands, she still has time for character growth (including a nice focus on Daleina’s younger sister, Arin, whose exploration of her bisexuality ends up tying directly into her own quest to help save the nations), and for some sharp twists. Younger fans of Durst’s YA works might be surprised by just how adult the story gets at times—Naelin and Daleina both enjoy a lot of sex, and death is plentiful and sometimes horrific. The well-crafted denouement wraps up the entire adventure perfectly. Agent: Andrea Somberg, Andrea Somberg Literary.

December 1, 2017

In this wrap-up to the trilogy begun with the Alex Award-winning The Reluctant Queenand continued with The Queen of Sorrow, Queen Daleina hopes for some peace in Renthia with Queen Naelin ruling by her side. But then Naelin's children are kidnapped by spirits. With a 50,000-copy first printing.

Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2018

The forest of Aratay has been left damaged by the battles waged in The Queen of Blood and The Reluctant Queen. But with two queens now ruling Aratay--the healed-from-death Daleina, and the woodswoman mother-turned-queen Naelin--the healing can begin. Yet the question of succession still plagues the realm. Semo's Queen Merecot continues in her desire to claim Aratay, and the malevolent spirits of nature that seek to destroy humanity are becoming more threatening. When Merecot kidnaps Naelin's children, Naelin is ready to use her powers to get them back, no matter the cost. However, ruling Aratay is only one step in Merecot's full plan to end the power of the spirits, and she is not afraid of taking action that could result in complete destruction for all Renthia. Loyalty to land, lovers, and family will be up for grabs in this action-packed and emotional epic. VERDICT This engrossing conclusion to the "Queens of Renthia" trilogy has been worth the wait, providing a challenging but satisfying ending. [See Prepub Alert, 11/11/17.]--Kristi Chadwick, Massachusetts Lib. Syst., Northampton

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2018
The final volume in a high fantasy trilogy (The Reluctant Queen, 2017, etc.) set on a continent where all the powers of nature are tied to vicious elemental spirits controlled by queens.In the previous installment, ruthless, ambitious Queen Merecot of Semo sought to find a place for her excess spirits by conquering Aratay, the country co-ruled by her former schoolmate Queen Daleina. After Merecot's defeat, Semo is still swarming with too many spirits, whose urge to harm and destroy might tear the country apart. Now, Merecot has kidnapped the children of Aratay's second queen, the more powerful Queen Naelin, whose grief and fury devastate Aratay before she can get her emotion-fueled magic under control. But Merecot's plan extends beyond simply taking over Aratay to save Semo. It is a scheme that stretches back to the world's flawed creation and may forever end the threat the spirits pose to all of Renthia...if Naelin and Daleina agree to participate. It is also a scheme that doesn't make a lot of sense, because if it succeeds, it seems likely to rob Merecot of the magical power that she loves so much and requires in order to maintain her rule. That issue aside, the book offers a reasonably satisfying resolution to the trilogy while still leaving the door open for new books in Renthia (which, according to the acknowledgments, is exactly what the author plans to write). Perhaps that will also provide opportunities for the more interesting minor characters in the story, such as the sociopathic poisoner Garnah, to take center stage. Other characters, particularly Cajara, a shy young candidate for queen, are never fully developed despite the key roles they play in the plot. But at least Merecot gets exactly what she deserves for her presumption.On balance, a decent wrap-up.

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Starred review from April 15, 2018
The Queens of Renthia series (which began with The Queen of Blood, 2016) concludes with an earth-shattering conflict between three determined queens, two countries, and a multitude of bloodthirsty spirits. Little more than a year into her rule, Queen Daleina of Aratay has survived an assassination attempt and a devastating invasion and acquired a new coruler, Queen Naelin. Although very powerful, Naelin's control of the spirits is incomplete. To reassure people about her ability to rule, Naelin visits the outer towns accompanied by her children and champion, her lover Ven. Suddenly her children are kidnapped, and she loses control, sending Aratay's spirits into unrestrained battle with the Northern mountain spirits. She is convinced the treacherous Queen Merecot is to blame and wants revenge. Naelin may be right, but neither she nor Daleina is aware of Merecot's true purpose, one that could save or destroy all Renthia. Questions from previous books will be answered, and the introduction of three neighboring Renthian queens offers an intriguing story element. Fans will be delighted to learn Durst is planning to write a stand-alone title that further explores her world of spirits and queens.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)