THE STOLEN THRONE, by Abigail Owen, Entangled: Teen, May 2, 2023, Hardcover, $19.99 (young adult, ages 14 and up)
A queen’s secret twin fights to save their kingdom from an evil king in the second book in Abigail Owen’s Dominions series, The Stolen Throne.
My twin sister is the true queen of Aryd. She survives, hiding and clinging to life in the desert, while I reign as the false queen alongside the monstrous King Eidolon. There’s only one escape from this gilded prison: Reven. My Shadowraith. My heart. Only the shadows that he struggles to control are growing more sinister, more powerful.
It’s just a matter of time before they turn on him…and on me.
Even escape doesn’t mean true freedom, though, when we’re still on the run from Eidolon’s unstoppable armies. And when we discover there’s a traitor among us, I have no choice…I must become the queen I was never meant to be.
Because as one evil hunts me, the other loves me more than himself.
And my fate lies with both. —Synopsis provided by Entangled: Teen
As the second book in the Dominions series, The Stolen Throne does not stand alone. In fact, it really should be read in conjunction with the first book, The Liar’s Crown. The Stolen Throne picks up pretty much where its predecessor left off. It’s part of a complex storyline that loses nuance when not read in quick succession.
At the center of the story are Meren (the backup twin) and Reven (a Shadowraith). The two are drawn together like magnets. They’re supposed to be together, but their connection could be their downfall. Meren is again the storyteller while Reven falls into a more supporting role. It’s a shift that changes the dynamic but also makes sense within the overall plot.
Abigail Owen’s world building continues to be strong with her taking readers to further flung lands and introducing impressive creatures. The magic structure that she has created remains complex and accessible. And there are definitely some swoon worthy moments.
As with its predecessor, The Stolen Throne features moments of sexual tension and one chapter that’s pretty steamy. It’s as close to graphic as you can get without being graphic, and would garner at least a PG13 rating. If you’re uncomfortable with this level of description, but still want to read the book — which is a strong fantasy — you could skip Chapter 77 and not miss any of the story.
The Dominions series is not for everyone. It’s not suitable for younger teens, but older teens and new adults will quickly get lost in the magic, mystery, action and romance.
Copyright © 2023 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.
