Thorn Queen

In Thorn Queen, Richelle Mead continues to build on story of the half human, half gentry shaman Eugenie Markham. After killing Aeson in the first book, she's now queen of his former kingdom. Turning it into Otherworld equivalent of Arizona does not bode well though for it's technologically inhibited society (who are used to lush fields and trees). Eugenie has to come to terms with her unwanted role as queen once she realizes her people are suffering. She continues to turn away unwanted suitors and battle to protect herself from those wanting her to bear the Storm King's grandchild. Kiyo and Dorian continue to battle for her heart. Just so you know my perspective (paranormal romance), other books I like are the Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost, Immortals After Dark series by Kresley Cole, Alpha-Omega series by Patricia Briggs, Stephanie Meyers' Twilight (yes, I'm 33), etc. Also, I'm up to date on Richelle Mead's other two series, Georgina Kincaid and Vampire Academy. First, the cons about the book: - I don't find it believable that the Otherworld could actually invade our world successfully with all their weaknesses to metals (Dorian couldn't even ride in a car!). The Otherworld also doesn't sound like it would have enough beings (with all the reproductive issues) to attack a 6 billion person world like ours, magic or not. Since one of the premises of the series is Eugenie going to great lengths to avoid producing the prophesied grandson of Storm King who will invade our world, this at least needs to seem like a do-able thing. - Eugenie's name, really, it's awful. Odd, because most of the other names in the book are great. There are many things I like about this book: - Although Eugenie harbors gentry prejudices, she's not unreasonable and doesn't make ridiculous decisons because of them (a pet peave of mine from other books). - I like that I really can't say for sure who Eugenie will end up with by the end of the series. I suspect it's Kiyo but I'll be happy if it isn't too. I don't see what's so awesome about him other than great sex. He doesn't "get" her or accept her magical abilities. It's never a healthy relationship when someone wants you to stifle half of who you are. I'd much prefer she end up with Dorian but his worlds domination ambitions will most likely tear them apart at some point. In Richelle Mead's other series, Georgina Kincaid and Vampire Academy, there is usually one true love that you know the heroine will end up with (somehow) at the end. I don't think it's so obvious in this series, and I look forward to seeing how Richelle Mead wraps up these sagas. - I love how Mead builds on the Otherworld, it is well described and imagined. The supporting characters are actually interesting with enough depth to bring them to life (and make you care about them). - The story line of the missing girls runs in the background compared to what's going on in Eugenie's life: Kiyo and Dorian, trying to be a shamen on our world, a

Once i started reading Thorn Queen i had trouble putting it down, and when life forced me to be responsible and do things like clean and cook all i could think about was this book. We find our heroine Eugenie splitting her time between maintaining a job in our world, ruling a kingdom in the Otherworld, and supporting Kiyo(when hes around) as his baby is drawing closer to its arrival. Talk about being busy. Eugenie has always tried to stay out of the Otherworld but once she sees that her people in her kingdom are suffering she cant turn her back, not to mention girls are disappearing and no one knows why or where. She does everything in her power to help her people, and gets help from the gorgeous King of the Oak land, Dorian. Emotions run high and tempers reach breaking points creating a excellent addition to an awesome series. a definite must read in my opinion.

Storm born was the wonderful series debut by Richelle mead and opened our eyes to the possibilities of Otherworlds and gave us the wonderful protagonist of Eugenie Markham, a shamanic mercenary with Faerie blood. We were also introduced to Dorian the King with an agenda and Kiyo the shapeshifting veterinarian with a secret. Now with Thorn Queen Eugenie is seeing the full and sometimes horrific extent of her powers and she is starting to loose her fear of them, and is learning to gain control. We are again introduced to many wonderful secondary and tertiary characters, the main characters and secondaries from the first book are fleshed out even more and the writing is once again nearly flawless and the plot is so excellent that it's a sure thing that you are going to start reading this book and never want it to end. I will warn you there is a lot of adult content though not nearly as much as some other authors use when writing about the Fey or the Shining ones and there is a rather long but important rape scene. So those who many not be able to handle these types of things may want to stay away from this novel. Although I do have to say both the sex and the rape are handled quite well. The sex actually does move the plot along and the rape was quite necessary to the furthering story line. For those of you who are familiar with the work of Laurell K Hamilton, specifically the Anita Blake series; I'd like to point out that I think all three of the main characters here remind me a lot of Jean-Claude, Richard and Anita. But not nearly so angsty and annoying. I cannot wait for the next book in this series to hit the stand.

I loved this book. I gave the 1st book (Storm Born) 4 stars, and I liked it a lot. This book is better. Eugenie is becomimg one of my favorite characters. In this book she is torn between to worlds while her magic and connection to the Thorn Land are rapidly increasing. This book is fun and exciting. I can't wait for the next book.

While I am a big fan of all of Richelle Mead's series, I thought this was the best book yet. Plenty of action, excellent writing, and good sex too!