Rating: 4🌈
The Queen of Darkness is the penultimate story in Eoghan R. Cunningham’s epic YA epic fantasy adventure series about a young escaped slave, his two friends/companions on their journey through various kingdoms. It’s got evil villains, dragons, monsters, mythical beasts and legends for the heroes to follow.
The Queen of Darkness picks up right after the cliffhanger of Rise of the False King. It helps immensely that both books were already released so the reader could continue onto the next to pickup on the action.
Dusk is sometimes a very frustrating character here. Hes coming across as very inconsistent as far as the growth the author has given him from book to book, major trauma to trauma. Here he’s showing restraint and maturity in dealing with multiple situations and issues. Lex’s revelations and the impact it’s had on him, the separations, the immediate danger to himself and his friends, and any thoughts of power for himself. This is a person capable of intuitive thinking and trusting his instincts.
However, this more thoughtful “Dusk” is abandoned in favor of the first more untried “Dusk” that we encountered in the beginning of this journey. That Dusk has listened to the lessons he’s been taught, the wisdom that he has learned, doesn’t communicate to his friends , doesn’t think rationally, put together clues, and isn’t sure of what he wants. Even after telling someone he’s thought about the quest and knows he’s going through with it and his role.
This inconsistency is frustrating especially as there are so many wonderful people and moments here. The author has a terrific story and ability to build excitement for this adventure and a real emotional connection to these characters.
There’s one more book to go. That novel has a lot to accomplish because there’s still so much to learn about the characters as well as multiple storylines to explore and pull together.
One thing I keep forgetting to mention is the great maps of the world the author has created and includes for the reader to follow along with the characters as they travel. Fabulous.
While this series has some issues, it’s an entertaining, lively, and imaginative saga. It’s a YA fantasy adventure I’m happy to recommend. One more book to go.
The Crystalline Dragons Saga-5 books:
✓ Curse of the Dragon’s Eye #1
✓ Mist, Shadow, and Deep #2
✓ Rise of the False King #3
✓ The Queen of Darkness #4
◦ Fall of the Crystal Moon #5-June 6,2024
Buy Link:
The Queen of Darkness: An Epic Dragon Fantasy Saga (The Crystalline Dragons Saga Book 4)
Blurb
The moment Dusk steps foot in the free lands of Inahan, he is arrested and imprisoned. However, it seems the Queen has heard of his power and she wants a private audience with him.
When they dive into the dark depths below the castle to retrieve an artifact, Dusk wonders if he’ll ever see the light of day again.
I could hardly believe we’d finally made it to Inahan. After pirates, monsters, and a surprise visit from Tiernan, the capital city was a wonderful sight to behold.
But even in this safe harbor there are secrets that can tear the three of us apart.
Queen Lobelia has us arrested and before I know it, I’m summoned to her throne to complete a task for her. One I can’t refuse if I ever want to see my friends alive again.
There’s something hidden below the castle… something the Queen doesn’t want the world to see.
Much like Mist, Shadow, and Deep, this contains a diverse cast of characters and queer themes. It was previously published under another title by Blake R. Wolfe. Although the title and cover are different, the content remains the same.
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 