The Queen's Rising by Rebecca Ross
Series: The Queen's Rising #1
Publication date: February 6th, 2018
Synopsis (according to Goodreads):
When her seventeenth summer solstice arrives, Brienna desires only two things: to master her passion and to be chosen by a patron.
Growing up in the southern Kingdom of Valenia at the renowned Magnalia House should have prepared her for such a life. While some are born with an innate talent for one of the five passions--art, music, dramatics, wit, and knowledge--Brienna struggled to find hers until she belatedly chose to study knowledge. However, despite all her preparations, Brienna's greatest fear comes true--the solstice does not go according to plan and she is left without a patron.
Months later, her life takes an unexpected turn when a disgraced lord offers her patronage. Suspicious of his intent, and with no other choices, she accepts. But there is much more to his story, and Brienna soon discovers that he has sought her out for his own vengeful gain. For there is a dangerous plot being planned to overthrow the king of Maevana--the archrival kingdom of Valenia--and restore the rightful queen, and her magic, to the northern throne. And others are involved--some closer to Brienna than she realizes.
With war brewing between the two lands, Brienna must choose whose side she will remain loyal to--passion or blood. Because a queen is destined to rise and lead the battle to reclaim the crown. The ultimate decision Brienna must determine is: Who will be that queen?
Available at:
Excerpt
I turned to the right, to the safe shadows of the library.
Gently, as if my bones might break, I sat in the chair in which I had withstood all of Cartier's lessons. And I thought about what I had just overheard, wishing that I had not stopped to listen.
At Magnalia, there was never supposed to be two ardens of one passion. There was only supposed to be one of each, and now I understood why the Dowager had structured her house this way. We weren't supposed to compete, but how could we not? The arials were not supposed to favor one over the other, but what if they did?
Should I say something to Ciri?
Should I leave Ciri be?
Should I avoid Cartier?
Should I confront Cartier?
I sat there, letting those four questions pick at my thoughts until I felt the urgency of the night. I could not continue to sit there as a coward.
Rising in a swell of silk, I left the library; I passed through the terrace doors, trembling until I glanced up. The night sky was ruled by a golden sickle moon, welcoming stars and dreams. One of those constellations would soon become mine.
I walked mindfully, my dress swallowing the last of my childhood as it whispered over the grass.
I had prepared years for this one night, I thought, and breathed in the fragrance of summer.
Where had time gone?
There was no answer as I welcomed the solstice.
Gently, as if my bones might break, I sat in the chair in which I had withstood all of Cartier's lessons. And I thought about what I had just overheard, wishing that I had not stopped to listen.
At Magnalia, there was never supposed to be two ardens of one passion. There was only supposed to be one of each, and now I understood why the Dowager had structured her house this way. We weren't supposed to compete, but how could we not? The arials were not supposed to favor one over the other, but what if they did?
Should I say something to Ciri?
Should I leave Ciri be?
Should I avoid Cartier?
Should I confront Cartier?
I sat there, letting those four questions pick at my thoughts until I felt the urgency of the night. I could not continue to sit there as a coward.
Rising in a swell of silk, I left the library; I passed through the terrace doors, trembling until I glanced up. The night sky was ruled by a golden sickle moon, welcoming stars and dreams. One of those constellations would soon become mine.
I walked mindfully, my dress swallowing the last of my childhood as it whispered over the grass.
I had prepared years for this one night, I thought, and breathed in the fragrance of summer.
Where had time gone?
There was no answer as I welcomed the solstice.
About the Author:
Rebecca Ross was born and raised in Georgia, where she continues to reside with her husband, her lively Australian Shepherd, and her endless piles of books. She loves coffee, the night sky, chalk art, maps, the mountains, and growing wildflowers in her yard. And a good story, of course.
Hosted by:
