A Queen of Gilded Horns

January 15, 2021
Princess Eva returns in this follow-up to the duology that started with A River of Royal Blood (2019). Picking up where the last book left off, Eva's on the run from her ruthless queen mother, with her friends, guards, and kidnapped sister and rival heir, Isa, in tow. As Eva continues to struggle with the knowledge that to become queen she must kill Isa--or be killed herself--she also contemplates what it means that both of her parents have lied to her (in very different ways). New revelations, realizations, and relationships have tempered Eva's privileged upbringing, shaking her foundations, and her growth is apparent. Though she grapples with multiple problems--and further surprises about herself--Eva chooses to focus on the grave injustices her human ancestors have visited on her khimaer people, and she creates a plan of action. Chapters alternate between Eva's first-person perspective and those of Isa and a few other secondary characters (told in the third person). Themes of parental disappointment and abuse, sibling bonds, and speciesism are strongly developed and well explored. Joy's writing is exemplary; a strong plot, even pacing, and character growth (not only Eva's) all lead up to an ending that should satisfy even the pickiest readers. Eva and many secondary characters are brown-skinned while Isa is light brown and some others are lighter skinned. A strong and satisfying conclusion. (map) (Fantasy. 14-18)

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January 1, 2021
Grades 8-12 This conclusion to Joy's debut, A River of Royal Blood (2019), is adorned with revelations as Eva, her guards, and ruthless sister, Isa, flee Ternain to find Eva's late father's kin and allies to the north. The journey proves to be deadly fast, but thanks to an entwining spell, the sisters can only die at each others' hand. With the binding on her magick removed, Eva is undergoing a breathtaking transformation, but Baccha's absence leaves her training alone. As Myre teeters on the edge of revolution, there is more at stake than just a race to the throne. Tensions are high in this sequel and Joy's language is just as melodious, her world-building just as spell-binding. But traveling through the landscape of a fantasy means new discoveries and, in general, more information. Although well-developed, the pauses revealing Myre's prickly history are jarring compared to the gradual unfolding in the debut, which can make the story lose its momentum. Still, there's no denying Joy's talent, and readers will bask in the sisters' character arcs and the book's gratifying ending.

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Starred review from February 1, 2021

Gr 8 Up-The heirs to the throne of Myre are on the run, and the Queendom is buzzing with the energy of revolution. Eva is reeling from the truth of her identity, and a bit lost without Baccha to help her master her magick. She's convinced that the best way forward is to forge peace with her sister and take the Ivory Throne, but Isa won't make it easy and with the unrest in the kingdom growing, Eva has to find a way through the seemingly impossible. Joy's careful handling of race, colonialism, and systemic oppression is taken to another level as Eva sees the true impact of her family's legacy throughout the queendom. At its core, this story dives deep into the themes of family, belonging, identity, and sibling rivalry. These themes are adeptly blended with a fast-paced plot and incredible world building. Joy also fills Myre with an authentically diverse cast of creatures with varying cultures, beliefs, skin tones, and sexualities. Eva and Isa are both biracial with a dark-skinned father and a fair-skinned mother. Readers will root for Eva as she tries to navigate the waters of a life she never truly expected. VERDICT The stakes are incredibly high in this stunning conclusion to the duology. Highly recommended for all collections.-India Winslow, formerly at Cary Memorial Lib., Lexington, MA

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