The Promised Queen by Jeffe Kennedy – a Review

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Description:
In The Promised Queen, the fate of the world hangs in the balance as Con, Lia, and their allies sacrifice everything in a final bid to destroy the corrupt empire.

Claim the hand that wears the ring, and the empire falls.

Conrí, former Crown Prince of Oriel, claimed the hand that wears the Abiding Ring, but the prophecy remains unfulfilled. Queen Euthalia of Calanthe returned to her island kingdom, but broken in mind and body. With the blood of war unleashing ancient terrors, Calanthe isn’t the haven it once was.

Lia must use her magical bond with Calanthe to save their people while Con fights to hold off the vengeful Emperor Anure and his wizards. Con and Lia will have to trust in each other—and in love—to fend off ultimate disaster.

Review:

The Promised Queen by Jeffe Kennedy is the 3^rd and final book in her Forgotten Empires series.  The story picks up shortly after the last book left off, with Lia having been brought back from death, and broken.  Lia continues with terrible nightmares, especially with her land being torn apart, due to Calanthe’s wild crazed reactions to her death.  Conri refuses to leave her side, and gradually she will work to calm and bring Calanthe into control, as well as recovering from her horrific injuries; such as losing her hand and the orchid finger. The evil emperor, Anure and his wizards who tortured Lia, are still around, but not knowing that Lia still lives, as they continue to batter Calanthe.  When Conri sees Lia continually faltering, he realizes she is starving, and needs his blood, which will bring her fully back, and in time, her injuries will slowly regenerate. Calanthe will then be magically restored, thanks to Lia’s influence.

As Lia recovers, she learns about their marriage that is now broken, due to her death, but both still love each other.  Lia knows Conri is out for revenge, and in her insecurity, she feels he will want to go home to his land; and since she cannot leave Calanthe; they may not have a future.  They made a great couple, over two books, their love for each other was very apparent, and I hoped somehow things would work out.

Conri, loves Lia, but he is determined to avenge what has been done to her, as well as save many prisoners held by Anure, some of those former royals of their own lands. Lia is a wonderful heroine, who is tough, independent, and steps up to strengthen her supernatural ability; she is still tied to the island, but opens herself to embrace her powers, especially to help Conri, when he goes to free the captives. Together with the team, they manage to convince Conri that his plan was sure to fail, with lives lost, a new plan gives them a chance.  Who will survive?

What follows is a fantastic fantasy set in a world of magic with an amazing queen who continues to learn how to use more of her powers. As we raced to the exciting climax, it was amazing to watch Lia become the Promised Queen that she was destined to be.

Jeffe Kennedy has created some wonderful characters, Lia, Conri, Sonia, Kara, Ibolya, Vesno, Ambrose, Merle, Brenda and Agatha to name a few. To tell too much more would be spoilers, and I do not want to ruin this book for you.  You need to read and enjoy every moment. 

THE PROMISED QUEEN is the exciting and satisfying conclusion to this wonderful trilogy, very well written by Jeffe Kennedy. I loved both Lia and Conri, who were fabulous heroes.  If you enjoy exciting fantasy, romance, great couple, wonderful characters, you need to read this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher