Review: Queen

Queen by Candace Blevins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Read this book now for your happily ever after. This book needs to be read after reading the first three. It is a glimpse into what happens after happily ever after has occurred. Of the four books in this series, this is the sweetest and tamest one. There are still some dark kinky scenes to appease the depraved. Delightfully, there are thought provoking concepts in this story which is something I love about Ms. Blevins' writing style. Let's start with Prince Rowan.

Let's start with Rowan's journey. Now that Rowan is done with his apprenticeship under Queen Mab, he needs to move into his own castle and run his own kingdom. Marriage to Ciara helps him open the way back to being his father's heir. What I liked about Rowan in this book is witnessing how much he's matured and more specifically, his dominant side coming to light. When Rowan was selfish, his domineering personality and cruelty wreck havoc across his father's lands. This enlightened Rowan is amazing. It is a testament to Mab and Tabby's training and support. It makes me wonder if we could have more people turned around using this method. Unfortunately, some of the punishments to break Rowan down are not condoned in modern society. The most impressive feat accomplished by Rowan is the building of the bridge. The very close second is Rowan's plan for restitution of all the women he's wronged.

Tabby continues to mature as readers see how she prepares for State dinners. Her ability to take work off Mab's plate is also a big win. I love how this world shows the responsibilities of true leadership. It isn't all bon bons, watching TV and telling people what to do. A lot of thought goes into make this kingdom move smoothly. Some of the problems Tabby tackles are hard to come up with working solutions. The way some of them are solved gives us insight into Ms. Blevins and her values. I like her creative solutions and it does help this is a paranormal world where supernatural abilities help. I've said it before and I'll say it again, living in Ms. Blevins' world is more balanced than anything we have in our dysfunctional reality. When it comes down to it, this entire series carries an undertone of balance, responsibility and accountability. This appeals my need for justice and retribution.

The kink in this last book is surprisingly understated. After the intensity of the past three, there is a certain sweetness between the foursome. Some of it is because Ciara is in her month long honeymoon phase with Rowan. For those who love the hard gritty torturous kink Ms. Blevins doles out, do not lament. There were a couple of sadistic ones - one even included painful puppy play. Overall, this story brings a lovely finish to dark tale.

This dark erotic faery tale is highly recommended to kinky readers who want to be transported into a magical world where being loved by the Dark Queen brings new experiences, every day.

I received an advanced copy for review