The Stolen Throne (Dominions, 2)Hardcover

I read The Liar’s Crown, the first book in this series, just a couple months ago and fell in love with the world, characters, and story that Abigial Owen created. I’ve always loved a shadow daddy, and Reven is one of the best. The author noted in the Acknowledgments of "The Stolen Throne" that:

“Meren’s and Reven’s story started with a single kernel of an idea. An obscure Hans Christian Anderson fairytale about a man who shed his shadow, and when the shadow turned real, he took over the man’s life. I read that and knew I had both my hero and my villain.”

To take that and turn it into this full, complex world with layered characters is so amazing!

I’m always wary of a second book when I love the first SO much, but she’s done it again! I devoured this book from start to finish. It dives right into the action, is fast paced and gives so much. I think I loved it even more than the first book!

In "The Liar’s Crown," I was pulled in by the various characters secrets, interactions, and what drives them. In this second book, the character interactions continue to play an important part, but the action and plot really expand exponentially.

The reveals! There was never a dull moment and there were so many times I simply squealed at where the story took me. ~So much backstory you didn’t know you were missing. ~The Devourers, the amulets, where powers came from, how it’s all connected. ~The “pet” that comes along! 😍 ~The continued love triangle complications.

I enjoyed Meren in book one - her sass, her loyalty, her strength - but she continues to evolve in this second book and becomes so much more confident.

I’m no stranger to long chapters in fantasy books, but I really enjoyed how the book is segmented into shorter chapters because 1) It made it much easier to switch between audio and eBook and 2) It fulfilled my Type-A need to feel super productive and make so much progress each reading sesh! 😂

It’s YA/NA, so there’s a ton of tension building and some low-spice scenes. But the relationships, the love triangle, the friendships, and the STORY – how the plot progresses in this second book was so captivating!

It had me in tears by the end. I’m equally proud of and scared for Meren and her remaining journey. I can’t wait to see how it all comes to fruition in the final book, and it’s so painful to know I have to wait until April 2024!

Phew this book. It was definitely a stay up too late, cannot put it down, it should get more than 5 stars kind of book. I loved the first book in this trilogy but I loved, loved this book even more. This beautifully crafted and expertly delivered epic fantasy novel will give you all the feels - laughing, crying, swooning, cringing, teeth gritting, knuckle biting, and cheering. Expect a roller coaster of a story because instead of a slow ratcheting up of the danger and suspense, this part of the story starts with intensity and just never lets up. The book picked up right where the first book left off. Meren and Reven, along with their loyal cohorts, are continuing to try to thwart the evil Eidolon, the immortal king of Tyndra’s, plans, heal her sister, and save the dominions. The majority of the main characters from the first book are again in this story and there are also some new characters who are introduced. The world building was superb, drawing from the last book and weaving in new threads as the story progresses and more dominions are visited and new characters are introduced. The story includes all the goodness that you’d expect from this genre - fighting, dangerous situations, end of the world scenarios, paranormal creatures, evil entities, henchmen, loyal friends and family, tragic back stories, mystical coincidences, snark, mystery, secrets, betrayal, revelations, and laughs. I love that Meren and Reven’s characters, despite their unique overwhelming powers and how the rest of the world views them, are still kind, self-deprecating, modest, reluctant, and at times resentful which makes them very likeable and relatable heroes. While this is a YA fantasy, is also a deeply emotional book. At its heart, it’s a story of damaged and bruised but not broken people who continue to find their way by owning their choices, recognizing their scars, finding their strength, embracing life, and deciding to answer the call to do what is right, even when it is hard. I cannot wait to read the conclusion of this trilogy.