ARC Review: Queen of Coin and Whispers

‘She loved me as I loved her, fierce as a bloodied blade.’

When teenage queen Lia inherits her corrupt uncle’s bankrupt kingdom, she brings a new spymaster into the fold … Xania, who takes the job to avenge her murdered father.

Faced with dangerous plots and hidden enemies, can Lia and Xania learn to rely on each another, as they discover that all is not fair in love and treason?

In a world where the throne means both power and duty, they must decide what to sacrifice for their country – and for each other …

Queen of Coin and Whispers

Helen Corcoran

Published: 23rd April 2020
Goodreads
Rep: lesbian mcs, lesbian, gay & bi side characters

5 Reasons to Read this Book

ARC kindly provided by The O’Brien Press

One. It’s a queen and her spymaster (spymistress?) romance, I mean, come on. What more could you want from a book. (Nothing, the answer is nothing.)

Two. If you enjoyed the political machinations of books like The Cruel Prince, but wanted something with even more developed politics, this is the book for you. Politics and plot twists, this book has it all.

Three. I’m not going to spoil anything, but the last act is a doozy, and you should absolutely read it just for that. I mean, for the rest of it too, but for that last act especially.

Four. One of the notes I made for this book is, and I quote, “LIA AND XANIA AAAAAAAAAAHHHH”, which I think just about sums it up. Also they’re really soft, please read it for them.

Five. The whole idea of the Steps makes this probably one of the most creative fantasy worlds without magic that I’ve read. It gives all the politicking another, fascinating dimension.