The story revolves around one central theme:
“You will know this time by the rise of two human Queens—one of blood, and one of light. One with the power to save the world. One with the power to destroy it. Two Queens will rise. They will carry the power of the Seven. They will carry your fate in their hands. Two Queens will rise.”
Rielle must prove herself to be the Light Queen or face execution. For her own safety, she must allow herself to be molded into what others want her to be. This story is not a light and frilly one. This tale has dark elements to it, allowing you to see that people will try to cover darkness with light. People see what they want to see, or they will attempt to control a person and make them into what they want, or destroy that person in the process. There is also beauty in the darkness, and it not always evil. That being said, it is tempting for Rielle to succumb to the desire.
“We are all of us dark creatures,” Navi said, “but if we linger in those shadows, we’ll be lost. Instead we must seek the light when we can, and that’s just what you’re doing. I see it happening.”
This book was honestly one of my favorites last year when I first read it. The second time around was just as enjoyable and I was able to appreciate some elements more than last time. One part that always stuck with me during both reads was when Eliana’s perspective was being used.
“Children huddled in makeshift tents. A woman sharpened her knives as a tiny girl at her knee watched, wide-eyed. A young man read to his dozing companion by the light of a dying fire. The air was a sea of sweat and filthy clothes and sewage. Worse than that, though, was the unifying expression the refugees wore. There was a hollowness to their faces—a hunger, an exhaustion—that pushed at Eliana’s ribs and turned her throat sour.”
The misery of the refugees during Eliana’s POV in the story is out there in the open with nothing to hide. They are dirty, they are hungry, they are scared and only wanting to live without fear. She turns away from them, even feeling disgust for their inability to help themselves and needing to resort to living this way in order to survive. Eliana believes herself invincible until she meets a being stronger than her. She has to face loss and not let it eat away at her. She has to keep moving, keep searching, protect her little brother at all cost, and deliver on her end of the deal in order to get information to find her mother.
“You will know this time by the rise of two human Queens—one of blood, and one of light. One with the power to save the world. One with the power to destroy it. Two Queens will rise. They will carry the power of the Seven. They will carry your fate in their hands. Two Queens will rise.”
Rielle must prove herself to be the Light Queen or face execution. For her own safety, she must allow herself to be molded into what others want her to be. This story is not a light and frilly one. This tale has dark elements to it, allowing you to see that people will try to cover darkness with light. People see what they want to see, or they will attempt to control a person and make them into what they want, or destroy that person in the process. There is also beauty in the darkness, and it not always evil. That being said, it is tempting for Rielle to succumb to the desire.
“We are all of us dark creatures,” Navi said, “but if we linger in those shadows, we’ll be lost. Instead we must seek the light when we can, and that’s just what you’re doing. I see it happening.”
This book was honestly one of my favorites last year when I first read it. The second time around was just as enjoyable and I was able to appreciate some elements more than last time. One part that always stuck with me during both reads was when Eliana’s perspective was being used.
“Children huddled in makeshift tents. A woman sharpened her knives as a tiny girl at her knee watched, wide-eyed. A young man read to his dozing companion by the light of a dying fire. The air was a sea of sweat and filthy clothes and sewage. Worse than that, though, was the unifying expression the refugees wore. There was a hollowness to their faces—a hunger, an exhaustion—that pushed at Eliana’s ribs and turned her throat sour.”
The misery of the refugees during Eliana’s POV in the story is out there in the open with nothing to hide. They are dirty, they are hungry, they are scared and only wanting to live without fear. She turns away from them, even feeling disgust for their inability to help themselves and needing to resort to living this way in order to survive. Eliana believes herself invincible until she meets a being stronger than her. She has to face loss and not let it eat away at her. She has to keep moving, keep searching, protect her little brother at all cost, and deliver on her end of the deal in order to get information to find her mother.