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Return to the Five Queendoms in the sequel to Scorpica , a sweeping epic fantasy that Rebecca Roanhorse called “ambitious and engaging,” in which a centuries-long peace is shattered in a matriarchal society when a decade passes without a single girl being born.
The Drought of Girls has ended, but the rift it broke open between the Queendoms is not so easily healed. Political tensions roil the senate of Paxim, where Queen Heliane vows to make her son Paulus the nation’s first ruling King or die trying. Scorpican troops amass on the border of Arca, ready to attack. And within Arca itself, its young, unready queen finds her court a nest of vipers and her dreams besieged by a mysterious figure with unknown intentions.
As iron and magic clash on the battlefield and powerful women scheme behind the scenes, danger and violence abound. Can anyone stop chaos from ripping the Queendoms apart?
The Drought of Girls has ended, but the rift it broke open between the Queendoms is not so easily healed. Political tensions roil the senate of Paxim, where Queen Heliane vows to make her son Paulus the nation’s first ruling King or die trying. Scorpican troops amass on the border of Arca, ready to attack. And within Arca itself, its young, unready queen finds her court a nest of vipers and her dreams besieged by a mysterious figure with unknown intentions.
As iron and magic clash on the battlefield and powerful women scheme behind the scenes, danger and violence abound. Can anyone stop chaos from ripping the Queendoms apart?
544 pages, Hardcover
First published March 7, 2023
30 people are currently reading
4157 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
October 3, 2023
GR MacAllister never ever fails me. I swear this series is so underrated, I'm shocked it hasn't gone viral yet. Loved Scorpica so decided to give Arca a go. It seemed way longer than the page count, but that's because it has SO much happening in this book. It's very detailed but I loved that it had so much happening then how some would intertwine. The twists were great and kept me on my toes. Beautiful writing style. This author truly world builds like no other, I just felt like I was absorbed into the world and experiencing it with the characters. Also, I'm eager to read the next book now and want to see what goes on with Ama!
April 30, 2023
I loved Scorpica last year and have been looking forward to reading Arca since it was announced, so imagine my absolute joy in reading Arca and loving it more than I did Scorpica (which I honestly didn’t think was possible). There’s just something about books with strong female leads that really make me happy, especially when it’s in a fantasy setting where anything goes, and it’s the men that are treated unfairly. I really enjoyed the time jumps in this one and found them more easy to follow, the ones in Scorpica made me engage my brain a bit more.
I’m looking forward to the next book in the series!
Thank you to Titan UK for sending me a copy of this one.
I’m looking forward to the next book in the series!
Thank you to Titan UK for sending me a copy of this one.
January 21, 2023
I love this ARC book I won from Goodreads. There are so many reasons I don't know where to start. I adore the character, the world development, and the love interest, I could not put this book down. The Five Queendoms has fast become my new favorite series. My most pressing question is when will book 3 be available?
January 23, 2023
Originally published on my book blog, TheBibliophage.com.
Arca is the second book in G.R. Macallister’s Five Queendoms series. It follows the main characters of her first book in the series, Scorpica, which was one of my 2022 favorites. These women are grappling with the changes happening in the queendoms. As rulers and women of power, they must hold their realms together despite uncertainties. And they each have their own style of completing these tasks.
The primary queendoms Macallister follows are Arca, Scorpica, and Paxim. Within each is a ruler—Eminel, Tamura, and Heliane. In addition, we meet each woman’s companions, allies, and rivals. Macallister humanizes all the characters despite the novel’s considerable political wrangling. She jumps from battles to strategizing and from succession troubles to the challenges of maintaining control. Along the way, we learn more about each queendom’s history.
I always enjoy Macallister’s writing style and have read several of her books. She knows how to engage her readers, as well as how to build descriptive worlds. Like Scorpica, Arca turns hetero, cisgender, and patriarchal norms to a more feminist, nonbinary, and matriarchal perspective. This is only one aspect of the epic, but I absolutely love envisioning the unique perspectives.
This is definitely not a standalone novel, as it begins where Scorpica finished. So pick up both books and immerse yourself in the worlds of Arca and her rival queendoms. They’re a perfect pair. I heartily recommend them both.
Acknowledgments
Thanks to NetGalley, Gallery Books, Gallery / Saga Press, and the author for a digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for this honest review. The expected publication date for this book is March 7, 2023.
Arca is the second book in G.R. Macallister’s Five Queendoms series. It follows the main characters of her first book in the series, Scorpica, which was one of my 2022 favorites. These women are grappling with the changes happening in the queendoms. As rulers and women of power, they must hold their realms together despite uncertainties. And they each have their own style of completing these tasks.
The primary queendoms Macallister follows are Arca, Scorpica, and Paxim. Within each is a ruler—Eminel, Tamura, and Heliane. In addition, we meet each woman’s companions, allies, and rivals. Macallister humanizes all the characters despite the novel’s considerable political wrangling. She jumps from battles to strategizing and from succession troubles to the challenges of maintaining control. Along the way, we learn more about each queendom’s history.
I always enjoy Macallister’s writing style and have read several of her books. She knows how to engage her readers, as well as how to build descriptive worlds. Like Scorpica, Arca turns hetero, cisgender, and patriarchal norms to a more feminist, nonbinary, and matriarchal perspective. This is only one aspect of the epic, but I absolutely love envisioning the unique perspectives.
This is definitely not a standalone novel, as it begins where Scorpica finished. So pick up both books and immerse yourself in the worlds of Arca and her rival queendoms. They’re a perfect pair. I heartily recommend them both.
Acknowledgments
Thanks to NetGalley, Gallery Books, Gallery / Saga Press, and the author for a digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for this honest review. The expected publication date for this book is March 7, 2023.
January 19, 2023
I just finished reading this wonderful book about five queendoms were the gender roles are reversed. I found this book to be an exciting fantasy story that I enjoyed from beginning to end. I found the characters where interesting and intriguing. This was book two of the series, yet, I still understand what was going on even though I didn’t read book one. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
Read
March 13, 2025DNF at 60%.
I just can’t do it anymore, which is such a shame after my enjoyment of the first book. But ARCA moves at a snails pace despite book 1 ending with the start of a literal war. We have so many new characters introduced and it felt like an entirely new set up for the series.
AND the main romance plot was between two 15 year olds. I am not interested in reading about teens boning.
I just can’t do it anymore, which is such a shame after my enjoyment of the first book. But ARCA moves at a snails pace despite book 1 ending with the start of a literal war. We have so many new characters introduced and it felt like an entirely new set up for the series.
AND the main romance plot was between two 15 year olds. I am not interested in reading about teens boning.
April 28, 2023
3 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2023/04/20/...
Scorpica was a surprising gem I found in 2022 which is why I picked up its sequel Arca with no small amount of excitement. Unfortunately, the dreaded second book syndrome rears its ugly head.
In the first book, readers were introduced to a phenomenon known as the Drought of Girls. It’s exactly what it sounds like: every year, fewer girls are being born. No one knows why it’s happening, but it’s wreaking havoc on the world of The Five Queendoms. We have the queendom of Scorpica, known for its fierce warrior women; Arca, famed for its magic users; Bastion, known for its dedication to academics and scholarly arts; Sestia, a fertile land giving way to naturalists and agricultural experts; and Paxim, a large trading port and diplomatic hub. For centuries, peace has existed between the five realms, balancing precariously on a system built upon reciprocity and a mutual understanding between the Queens that they all need each other to survive. However, all bets are off when a whole decade passes in this matriarchal society without a single girl being born.
At the beginning of Arca, the Drought of Girls appears to have come to an end, to the relief of all five Queendoms. But alas, the reprieve came too late, the damage has already been done and now it’s impossible to take back certain words or actions. Paxim’s Queen Heliane had already announced—and is resolutely standing by—her decree that her son Paulus would succeed her as the nation’s first ruling King, sending shockwaves through her government. Meanwhile, Eminel is the young and untried new Queen of Arca who has suddenly found herself ruler of realm that prizes magical ability while having little to no knowledge of using magic herself. Finding herself at odds with her court, she must nevertheless find a solution to the problem at the border where Queen Tamura of Scorpica has amassed a great army, threatening invasion.
In the interest of full honesty, I went into Scorpica knowing next to nothing about the book and ended up positively surprised and amazed. In contrast, I went into Arca with high hopes and expectations—too high, perhaps—which may explain the nagging disappointment when I finished. This wasn’t a bad sequel, but the storyline paled in comparison to the first book and the ideas and conflicts in it felt like too much of the same. While the multi-POV narrative has returned with some of the characters we first met in Scorpica, it felt like we were dealing with a clean slate, which might explain why I had a tougher time engaging with the plot.
A long time too has passed since the series first started, and Arca picks up immediately after Scorpica with the expectation that the reader can remember everything that happened. I also didn’t feel that connected to some of the new characters, plus there were a few sections that dragged on for too long so that pacing suffered.
That said, I still think the overall world-building and political intrigue that the author has established is exceptional, even if those elements felt weaker here in Arca compared to Scorpica. I’ve heard that there are three more books in the series which would make sense if the current pattern continues with each installment named for one realm of the five Queendoms. Currently, I do plan to keep reading. The world here is brimming with potential with lots more to explore, and perhaps the next book will feature characters I find more appealing.
I also switched to audio for this sequel, and to tell the truth, the format change likely made the experience better than if I’d stayed with print. When not a lot is happening on the page, audiobooks have a way of holding my attention and helping me push through longer books especially during the slower parts. And while I may have mixed feelings about Arca as a novel, I have nothing bad to say about the narration and quite enjoyed Shiromi Arserio’s performance.
Scorpica was a surprising gem I found in 2022 which is why I picked up its sequel Arca with no small amount of excitement. Unfortunately, the dreaded second book syndrome rears its ugly head.
In the first book, readers were introduced to a phenomenon known as the Drought of Girls. It’s exactly what it sounds like: every year, fewer girls are being born. No one knows why it’s happening, but it’s wreaking havoc on the world of The Five Queendoms. We have the queendom of Scorpica, known for its fierce warrior women; Arca, famed for its magic users; Bastion, known for its dedication to academics and scholarly arts; Sestia, a fertile land giving way to naturalists and agricultural experts; and Paxim, a large trading port and diplomatic hub. For centuries, peace has existed between the five realms, balancing precariously on a system built upon reciprocity and a mutual understanding between the Queens that they all need each other to survive. However, all bets are off when a whole decade passes in this matriarchal society without a single girl being born.
At the beginning of Arca, the Drought of Girls appears to have come to an end, to the relief of all five Queendoms. But alas, the reprieve came too late, the damage has already been done and now it’s impossible to take back certain words or actions. Paxim’s Queen Heliane had already announced—and is resolutely standing by—her decree that her son Paulus would succeed her as the nation’s first ruling King, sending shockwaves through her government. Meanwhile, Eminel is the young and untried new Queen of Arca who has suddenly found herself ruler of realm that prizes magical ability while having little to no knowledge of using magic herself. Finding herself at odds with her court, she must nevertheless find a solution to the problem at the border where Queen Tamura of Scorpica has amassed a great army, threatening invasion.
In the interest of full honesty, I went into Scorpica knowing next to nothing about the book and ended up positively surprised and amazed. In contrast, I went into Arca with high hopes and expectations—too high, perhaps—which may explain the nagging disappointment when I finished. This wasn’t a bad sequel, but the storyline paled in comparison to the first book and the ideas and conflicts in it felt like too much of the same. While the multi-POV narrative has returned with some of the characters we first met in Scorpica, it felt like we were dealing with a clean slate, which might explain why I had a tougher time engaging with the plot.
A long time too has passed since the series first started, and Arca picks up immediately after Scorpica with the expectation that the reader can remember everything that happened. I also didn’t feel that connected to some of the new characters, plus there were a few sections that dragged on for too long so that pacing suffered.
That said, I still think the overall world-building and political intrigue that the author has established is exceptional, even if those elements felt weaker here in Arca compared to Scorpica. I’ve heard that there are three more books in the series which would make sense if the current pattern continues with each installment named for one realm of the five Queendoms. Currently, I do plan to keep reading. The world here is brimming with potential with lots more to explore, and perhaps the next book will feature characters I find more appealing.
I also switched to audio for this sequel, and to tell the truth, the format change likely made the experience better than if I’d stayed with print. When not a lot is happening on the page, audiobooks have a way of holding my attention and helping me push through longer books especially during the slower parts. And while I may have mixed feelings about Arca as a novel, I have nothing bad to say about the narration and quite enjoyed Shiromi Arserio’s performance.
January 5, 2023
A fitting continuation of the Scorpica series, flipping gender norms on their heads and exploring new areas of a unique world. Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schrager for the ARC
June 9, 2024
Still quite brilliant. Why are so many sequels to brilliant books more about kissing? Petition for more series that are content with either catching as catch can or settling into happy relationship and in either case focusing less on what the erogenous zones are doing and more on everything else.
In all honesty I'm writing this review about a month after reading and my only concrete memory beyond the overuse of erogeny is that I really liked it and want to see what happens next.
In all honesty I'm writing this review about a month after reading and my only concrete memory beyond the overuse of erogeny is that I really liked it and want to see what happens next.
March 6, 2023
Great second book in series that pays off. I admit, it took me a little bit to understand what was happening and where we were (as in the start), as there really wasn’t any short recap for Book One. Ultimately, that doesn’t make sense as the payoff is definitely centered on knowing the thing the made one fall in love with Book One. But eventually I found my way in and then it was a race to finish. There were some surprises, but mostly things happened that were right, and—in the end—all was as should be and I enjoyed as much as the first book. Interesting set up for book three!
March 13, 2023
While I liked Scorpica, I didn't love it, but this sequel was fantastic. Many of the things I didn't like in the first book were improved in this follow up. Arca continues the story of the five queendoms as the Drought of Girls comes to an end. It focuses on storylines in three of the countries: Queen Eminel, the all-magic girl who defeated the sorcerer Sessadon, learns to rule Arca; Ama, a guard for the future king of Paxim, falls in love with her charge with disastrous results; and the Scorpica queen decides to attack Arca and Paxim.
One thing I frequently struggle with and did not care for in Scorpica is the story being told through multiple viewpoints. I find it harder to connect with characters and understand them thoroughly, but I did not have that problem this time. I didn't always love each narrator's storylines but I did understand them and see how they were connected more easily. Part of this may be because the world felt more real and fleshed out in this book.
Another thing I struggled with in the first book were the time jumps. So much time passed off-page that it was jarring and sometimes hard to follow. However, in Arca the time jumps made so much sense and cut out a lot of needless exposition and got straight to the action. Instead of watching a character travel, you are told they will be traveling and cut to their arrival.
If I hadn't received an advanced readers' copy of Arca, I likely would not have have continued to read the Five Queendoms series, but I'm really glad I got it and I am now super invested in the characters Eminel and Ama and the story. I can't wait for the next book in the series!
One thing I frequently struggle with and did not care for in Scorpica is the story being told through multiple viewpoints. I find it harder to connect with characters and understand them thoroughly, but I did not have that problem this time. I didn't always love each narrator's storylines but I did understand them and see how they were connected more easily. Part of this may be because the world felt more real and fleshed out in this book.
Another thing I struggled with in the first book were the time jumps. So much time passed off-page that it was jarring and sometimes hard to follow. However, in Arca the time jumps made so much sense and cut out a lot of needless exposition and got straight to the action. Instead of watching a character travel, you are told they will be traveling and cut to their arrival.
If I hadn't received an advanced readers' copy of Arca, I likely would not have have continued to read the Five Queendoms series, but I'm really glad I got it and I am now super invested in the characters Eminel and Ama and the story. I can't wait for the next book in the series!
January 10, 2023
For more of my reviews, check out my blog.
Thank you to Netgalley and Saga Press for providing an ARC copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Immediately upon finishing Scorpica, I dived into my ARC of Arca. While I enjoyed the first book, there were parts of it that really frustrated me. (Namely, the treatment of men. Yes, men get to be the carriers of most fantasy books and have all the power normally, but STILL. It bothered me that the one male character we got more of did not last long.) Some of those concerns were still present in this book, but overall, I enjoyed Arca much more than the first book in the series.
I thoroughly enjoyed the new POV characters we received in this book. We get two or three new ones, and their voices add a lot to the story. Especially Ama's -- who I was completely wrong about in the first book. I thought that Azur of the Scorpicae was her but apparently I just read something inaccurately. Two totally different characters in actuality.
ANYWAY -- Ama was my favorite, and I loved her journey but oh how my heart ached at one particular point. It wasn't her fault at all, but her heart was broken in two. Just...shattered. Ugh. I also really love that we got more of Eminel, as well. She really comes into her own in this book and that was delightful to watch. Watching her boss other people around knowing she was the most powerful and in the right was just CHEF'S KISS. Azur and Tamura were frustrating characters -- they were SUPPOSED TO BE -- don't get me wrong, but I really hated reading their POV sections as I do not vibe with who they are. They are very well written, though, and make sense within the book.
I am definitely interested to know where the story is going, and how many more books we'll be getting in this series. The world is fascinating and unique, and held my attention well. Not to mention that Macalliter's writing is top notch. Overall, I'd give Arca a solid four stars.
Thank you to Netgalley and Saga Press for providing an ARC copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Immediately upon finishing Scorpica, I dived into my ARC of Arca. While I enjoyed the first book, there were parts of it that really frustrated me. (Namely, the treatment of men. Yes, men get to be the carriers of most fantasy books and have all the power normally, but STILL. It bothered me that the one male character we got more of did not last long.) Some of those concerns were still present in this book, but overall, I enjoyed Arca much more than the first book in the series.
I thoroughly enjoyed the new POV characters we received in this book. We get two or three new ones, and their voices add a lot to the story. Especially Ama's -- who I was completely wrong about in the first book. I thought that Azur of the Scorpicae was her but apparently I just read something inaccurately. Two totally different characters in actuality.
ANYWAY -- Ama was my favorite, and I loved her journey but oh how my heart ached at one particular point. It wasn't her fault at all, but her heart was broken in two. Just...shattered. Ugh. I also really love that we got more of Eminel, as well. She really comes into her own in this book and that was delightful to watch. Watching her boss other people around knowing she was the most powerful and in the right was just CHEF'S KISS. Azur and Tamura were frustrating characters -- they were SUPPOSED TO BE -- don't get me wrong, but I really hated reading their POV sections as I do not vibe with who they are. They are very well written, though, and make sense within the book.
I am definitely interested to know where the story is going, and how many more books we'll be getting in this series. The world is fascinating and unique, and held my attention well. Not to mention that Macalliter's writing is top notch. Overall, I'd give Arca a solid four stars.
April 27, 2023
I loved SCORPICA, the first book in this series, but I REALLY loved ARCA. I really enjoyed getting to see and learn more about the world of the Five Queendoms, to see conflicts being resolved and new ones hinted at, and it was great catching up with some of the characters from the first book. New characters Ama and Paulus (who were both mentioned in the first book but whom we didn't really see) were WONDERFUL additions and possibly my favorite part of this novel. Macallister has really broadened and deepened both the world and the characters themselves in this book, and it makes for an incredible reading experience. I don't know how I'm going to wait for the third book!
March 17, 2023
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I thought this was a strong 2nd book for the series but I didn't love it as much as the first book. I think this is because the first book (as with any series) introduces all the characters and settings, but the second book settles in a bit more. I am assuming this series will have 5 books (each named after one of the queendoms) but that doesn't seem to mean that each book will focus solely on the queendom of its title. This book is pretty equally divided between Scorpica (and their outpost in Godsbones,) Paxim, and Arca. I was expecting this book to focus more on the queendom of Arca and Eminel's powers, and while those were prominent storylines, I was expecting them to be the main storylines. I wasn't expecting so much about Scorpica again since that was the first book. There are so many fighting and battle scenes in this book that made me lose some interest. I really wanted more magic and less military! My opinion is largely based on unmet expectations so that's not really the book's fault, but mine. Overall, I enjoyed reading this and will definitely continue with the series.
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I thought this was a strong 2nd book for the series but I didn't love it as much as the first book. I think this is because the first book (as with any series) introduces all the characters and settings, but the second book settles in a bit more. I am assuming this series will have 5 books (each named after one of the queendoms) but that doesn't seem to mean that each book will focus solely on the queendom of its title. This book is pretty equally divided between Scorpica (and their outpost in Godsbones,) Paxim, and Arca. I was expecting this book to focus more on the queendom of Arca and Eminel's powers, and while those were prominent storylines, I was expecting them to be the main storylines. I wasn't expecting so much about Scorpica again since that was the first book. There are so many fighting and battle scenes in this book that made me lose some interest. I really wanted more magic and less military! My opinion is largely based on unmet expectations so that's not really the book's fault, but mine. Overall, I enjoyed reading this and will definitely continue with the series.
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July 29, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed book one, Scorpica, so I was really excited to read Arca. Scorpica however had a much faster pace. Arca started off slow but interesting then quickly declined to just being boring and ridiculously slow. It did pick up a great amount though in the second half and I really loved it. If not for the slow pace in the beginning I would have given it 5 stars.
Arca really ended with a bang and I am picking up book three, Sestia, at the library tomorrow because I am so excited.
Arca really ended with a bang and I am picking up book three, Sestia, at the library tomorrow because I am so excited.
April 12, 2023
4.5/5 Stars
May 13, 2023
bit meh for the first half and thank you to that second half!! now i can’t wait for the next one
September 4, 2024
I’m obsessed with this series!
March 11, 2023
Arca by G. R. Macallister is the second book of The Five Queendoms. If Scorpica introduced us to the queendoms and the powers at play within each territory and set up the Drought of Girls, the sequel is what happens to the queendoms after the drought ends. There is more than one power struggle happening due to a lack of matriarchal succession, only some of which involve the younger generation we met in the first book. In addition, we meet an entirely new cast of characters who are all part of the political machinations that make up this book.
Unfortunately, as much as I adored Scorpica, Arca left me decidedly less excited. For one thing, the pacing of the story is so uneven. We fast-forward in time with each chapter, something we know from each chapter heading. Within each chapter, time seems to move at random rates. In one chapter, we skip forward an entire month after one page but only move forward a few days throughout the rest. Months pass during another chapter, and a full year passes during yet another. I know that some of this is because the story’s scope is SO big that time cannot consistently flow without the story becoming thousands of pages. Yet, it doesn’t make for an engaging story, as the fluctuations keep taking you out of the story.
Another aspect of Arca that I did not enjoy was that there is a lot of world-building but a lack of character development. Some of the characters are incredibly one-dimensional for such an in-depth book. There are so many descriptive passages that it takes forever for anything to happen as well. Keep in mind that this book is almost 600 pages. Plenty of room exists to fully develop your characters, effectively describe your world, and keep the story exciting with that many pages. Except in Arca, it all seems to be missing.
I’m not blaming Ms. Macallister because Scorpica is brilliant. I know she can write a complex, fascinating, action-packed story. Arca has moments like that, but too often, it drags. The fault, in my opinion, lies with the editing and maybe a rush to publish such a large novel one year after the first book. Such grandiose stories take time, and I don’t think there was enough time between books to do so correctly. Sadly.
It doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy Arca because I did. It is still a great story despite its problems. The fact that the first book was amazing highlights the issues in the second. I still plan to continue the Five Queendoms saga because the premise is terrific. Seriously, there are so few opportunities to see women in power and running every aspect of a country. It does your heart good to watch them question a man’s ability to rule or participate in a military. For that reason alone, you need to jump at the chance to read this series. Despite my complaints, you won’t regret it!
Unfortunately, as much as I adored Scorpica, Arca left me decidedly less excited. For one thing, the pacing of the story is so uneven. We fast-forward in time with each chapter, something we know from each chapter heading. Within each chapter, time seems to move at random rates. In one chapter, we skip forward an entire month after one page but only move forward a few days throughout the rest. Months pass during another chapter, and a full year passes during yet another. I know that some of this is because the story’s scope is SO big that time cannot consistently flow without the story becoming thousands of pages. Yet, it doesn’t make for an engaging story, as the fluctuations keep taking you out of the story.
Another aspect of Arca that I did not enjoy was that there is a lot of world-building but a lack of character development. Some of the characters are incredibly one-dimensional for such an in-depth book. There are so many descriptive passages that it takes forever for anything to happen as well. Keep in mind that this book is almost 600 pages. Plenty of room exists to fully develop your characters, effectively describe your world, and keep the story exciting with that many pages. Except in Arca, it all seems to be missing.
I’m not blaming Ms. Macallister because Scorpica is brilliant. I know she can write a complex, fascinating, action-packed story. Arca has moments like that, but too often, it drags. The fault, in my opinion, lies with the editing and maybe a rush to publish such a large novel one year after the first book. Such grandiose stories take time, and I don’t think there was enough time between books to do so correctly. Sadly.
It doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy Arca because I did. It is still a great story despite its problems. The fact that the first book was amazing highlights the issues in the second. I still plan to continue the Five Queendoms saga because the premise is terrific. Seriously, there are so few opportunities to see women in power and running every aspect of a country. It does your heart good to watch them question a man’s ability to rule or participate in a military. For that reason alone, you need to jump at the chance to read this series. Despite my complaints, you won’t regret it!
July 20, 2025
Why aren’t more people reading this series?!
We’ve got all of the key elements: magic, adventure, glorious battles, duels, fierce warriors, grudges passed down from mother to daughter, evil sorcerers, gods, lovable bandits, and underdogs to root for.
This was an excellent continuation of the story began in the first book, Scorpica. It would be incredibly difficult to give a synopsis without spoiling the first book, so I will avoid that and just tell you to go read i!
This is a world where women and girls are treasured and seen as the superior sex. It’s refreshing and fascinating; I have really enjoyed the complexity of the characters and the situations they find themselves in. The writing is rich and detailed; painting a vibrant picture of each Queendom and its traditions. I’d shelve this book as high fantasy; there are feelings felt and entanglements had, but they’re treated as normal and essential parts of life rather than central themes.
Give these books a try, they deserve more love!
We’ve got all of the key elements: magic, adventure, glorious battles, duels, fierce warriors, grudges passed down from mother to daughter, evil sorcerers, gods, lovable bandits, and underdogs to root for.
This was an excellent continuation of the story began in the first book, Scorpica. It would be incredibly difficult to give a synopsis without spoiling the first book, so I will avoid that and just tell you to go read i!
This is a world where women and girls are treasured and seen as the superior sex. It’s refreshing and fascinating; I have really enjoyed the complexity of the characters and the situations they find themselves in. The writing is rich and detailed; painting a vibrant picture of each Queendom and its traditions. I’d shelve this book as high fantasy; there are feelings felt and entanglements had, but they’re treated as normal and essential parts of life rather than central themes.
Give these books a try, they deserve more love!
March 28, 2023
Not as good as the first. But still worth the read. Looking forward to the next 3
April 26, 2023
An engrossing sequel to SCORPICA, ARCA has all the skillful pacing, interesting characters, and plot twists I’ve come to expect from Macallister. I loved discovering that characters who seemed minor in SCORPICA re-appear and take on larger roles, evolving in unexpected ways. And the cultures of each of the Five Queendoms have become more defined, as well. This was a quick, immersive read, and I’m definitely looking forward to the next installment in the series.
November 13, 2023
Queendoms!
Women are in charge, to various degrees in the five different matriarchal realms. Solid writing, fascinatinging stories, journeys to love, heartbreak, twists and turns… some but not too much magic.
The Drought of Girls (no girls being born, only boys) brought an end to 500 years of peace. Now the Drought ends, but the queendoms can’t instantly regain their equilibrium; everyone is contending with the aftermath. With no girls born for a generation there are now problems galore: succession changes, economic alterations, raids from neighbors.
Arca - Eminel turns her all-magic powers to better aims than aiding Sorcercess Sessadon; now she needs to develop diplomatic powers. The former’s queen’s reign was evil; what kind of ruler does Eminel want to be?
Paxim - Queen Heliane wants her only remaining child, a son, to become the first king ever. Others in the government plot and scheme against her and the heir.
Scorpica - instead of sending their warriors back from their recall, Queen Tamara decides to do some raiding and warfare. We’re warriors, why not!
Godsbones - usually the wastelands are quiet, but now the animals deal with Scorpican warriors camping out and the appearance of some Underworld types.
Many of the characters from Scorpica , plus:
Stellari - scheming to get to the top in Paxim
Heliane - queen of Paxim, who has lost all her children but one; she tries to get Paxim to accept Paulus as a king
Paulus - her bookworm but brave son, practical enough to say to his mother “IF I become king, not When.”
Ama - daughter of Khala, a Scorpican living secretly in Paxim as bodyguard to Paulus.
Vish/The Shade - Khala’s friend who spirited Ama away
Gretti- reluctantly works with Tamara for the good of Scorpica
Azur - “First Mother” of Scorpica, birthing the first girl baby in many years (or “warrior” as they say in Scorpica); but everyone else is more excited about Baby Mazadur than she is about being a mother.
Beyda - a scholar and scribe, Queen Eminel’s best friend and advisor in Arca
This is a sequel to Scorpica. Like that book, there’s a solid ending to the current story but leaves plenty open for the future. I will definitely continue this immersive series.
Women are in charge, to various degrees in the five different matriarchal realms. Solid writing, fascinatinging stories, journeys to love, heartbreak, twists and turns… some but not too much magic.
The Drought of Girls (no girls being born, only boys) brought an end to 500 years of peace. Now the Drought ends, but the queendoms can’t instantly regain their equilibrium; everyone is contending with the aftermath. With no girls born for a generation there are now problems galore: succession changes, economic alterations, raids from neighbors.
Arca - Eminel turns her all-magic powers to better aims than aiding Sorcercess Sessadon; now she needs to develop diplomatic powers. The former’s queen’s reign was evil; what kind of ruler does Eminel want to be?
Paxim - Queen Heliane wants her only remaining child, a son, to become the first king ever. Others in the government plot and scheme against her and the heir.
Scorpica - instead of sending their warriors back from their recall, Queen Tamara decides to do some raiding and warfare. We’re warriors, why not!
Godsbones - usually the wastelands are quiet, but now the animals deal with Scorpican warriors camping out and the appearance of some Underworld types.
Many of the characters from Scorpica , plus:
Stellari - scheming to get to the top in Paxim
Heliane - queen of Paxim, who has lost all her children but one; she tries to get Paxim to accept Paulus as a king
Paulus - her bookworm but brave son, practical enough to say to his mother “IF I become king, not When.”
Ama - daughter of Khala, a Scorpican living secretly in Paxim as bodyguard to Paulus.
Vish/The Shade - Khala’s friend who spirited Ama away
Gretti- reluctantly works with Tamara for the good of Scorpica
Azur - “First Mother” of Scorpica, birthing the first girl baby in many years (or “warrior” as they say in Scorpica); but everyone else is more excited about Baby Mazadur than she is about being a mother.
Beyda - a scholar and scribe, Queen Eminel’s best friend and advisor in Arca
This is a sequel to Scorpica. Like that book, there’s a solid ending to the current story but leaves plenty open for the future. I will definitely continue this immersive series.
March 21, 2023
All my reviews live at https://deedispeaking.com/reads/.
TL;DR REVIEW:
Arca is the second book in the Five Queendoms series, and I think it was even stronger than book one (Scorpica). I’m definitely enjoying these enough to want the next book!
For you if: You like sweeping epic fantasy with lots of characters, geographies, and plotlines.
FULL REVIEW:
Arca is book two of G.R. Macallister’s Five Queendoms series. It’s the sequel to Scorpica, which I read last year and liked enough to keep going. I’m happy to report that Arca is even better. It’s going to be tricky to review it without including any spoilers for book one, but here goes.
The Five Queendoms series has been called a “matriarchal Game of Thrones,” and while nothing is truly like Game of Thrones, the comparison isn’t totally off. There are (you guessed it) five queendoms at play in this world, many people are vying for the crowns, and the books jump between the POVs of many different characters across all of those realms. It’s a sprawling, true epic fantasy. It’s also matriarchal, but not in a utopic sense — in fact, the men in this world are treated pretty darn badly (kind of like women in GOT, but thankfully without the sexual violence). At the start of the series, the Drought of Girls begins — no girls are born for basically an entire generation — which you can imagine causes quite a bit of chaos and political unrest.
The execution of all this wasn’t terrible in Scorpica, but it was a little rocky. But Macallister really found her groove here in Arca, and the structure felt much smoother, especially as it related to POV switches and time jumps. That gave it more momentum in a good way. I also loved the doomed romance plotline in this book. Oh, my heart.
I don’t know how many books we’re going to get in this series (five, I’d presume, but I don’t think that’s certain), but there will be a book three next year. After liking but not loving Scorpica, I wanted to read Arca before I decided whether I’d continue with the series. Now I can definitely say I’m excited for book three!
CONTENT AND TRIGGER WARNINGS:
War and violence; Death and grief; Pregnancy and childbirth; Animal death
TL;DR REVIEW:
Arca is the second book in the Five Queendoms series, and I think it was even stronger than book one (Scorpica). I’m definitely enjoying these enough to want the next book!
For you if: You like sweeping epic fantasy with lots of characters, geographies, and plotlines.
FULL REVIEW:
Arca is book two of G.R. Macallister’s Five Queendoms series. It’s the sequel to Scorpica, which I read last year and liked enough to keep going. I’m happy to report that Arca is even better. It’s going to be tricky to review it without including any spoilers for book one, but here goes.
The Five Queendoms series has been called a “matriarchal Game of Thrones,” and while nothing is truly like Game of Thrones, the comparison isn’t totally off. There are (you guessed it) five queendoms at play in this world, many people are vying for the crowns, and the books jump between the POVs of many different characters across all of those realms. It’s a sprawling, true epic fantasy. It’s also matriarchal, but not in a utopic sense — in fact, the men in this world are treated pretty darn badly (kind of like women in GOT, but thankfully without the sexual violence). At the start of the series, the Drought of Girls begins — no girls are born for basically an entire generation — which you can imagine causes quite a bit of chaos and political unrest.
The execution of all this wasn’t terrible in Scorpica, but it was a little rocky. But Macallister really found her groove here in Arca, and the structure felt much smoother, especially as it related to POV switches and time jumps. That gave it more momentum in a good way. I also loved the doomed romance plotline in this book. Oh, my heart.
I don’t know how many books we’re going to get in this series (five, I’d presume, but I don’t think that’s certain), but there will be a book three next year. After liking but not loving Scorpica, I wanted to read Arca before I decided whether I’d continue with the series. Now I can definitely say I’m excited for book three!
CONTENT AND TRIGGER WARNINGS:
War and violence; Death and grief; Pregnancy and childbirth; Animal death
April 5, 2025
I received this advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review from NetGalley. I was extremely excited about this novel, after reading the first installment in the scorpica series last year. However this sequel did not live up to my high expectations. The author is exceptional, and I still enjoy the novel a great deal, but it was not as exceptional as I was hoping for. Perhaps this is the regular sophomore slump that tends to happen in trilogies, but regardless it is definitely worth a read.
I found it difficult to reintegrate with the characters after the time away from "Scorpica" while waiting for the next book to come out. I also found the pace a lot slower, which was difficult after the frenetic pace at the end of the first book. I would definitely suggest a summary to help the reader reconnect with the characters and make sure we don't feel lost starting this sequel. Although the writer picked up exactly where she left off in some ways, it was difficult to remember exactly what had occurred in the ending of "Scorpica," and several of the characters were (or felt) brand new to me as I was attempting to read the first 25% of this novel. I think that this book will ultimately be a great success, but I had perhaps extremely high hopes for it that were unrealistic. I greatly enjoy this author's work and I strongly recommend those readers that enjoyed "Scorpica" to read this novel.
I found it difficult to reintegrate with the characters after the time away from "Scorpica" while waiting for the next book to come out. I also found the pace a lot slower, which was difficult after the frenetic pace at the end of the first book. I would definitely suggest a summary to help the reader reconnect with the characters and make sure we don't feel lost starting this sequel. Although the writer picked up exactly where she left off in some ways, it was difficult to remember exactly what had occurred in the ending of "Scorpica," and several of the characters were (or felt) brand new to me as I was attempting to read the first 25% of this novel. I think that this book will ultimately be a great success, but I had perhaps extremely high hopes for it that were unrealistic. I greatly enjoy this author's work and I strongly recommend those readers that enjoyed "Scorpica" to read this novel.
January 27, 2023
After reading Scorpica, I was looking forward to book 2 and Arca did not disappoint. I don't often read fantasy books, but the stories being told grab you and make you want to find out what happens next in the Five Queendoms. From the gorgeous cover to the very last page, you are drawn into the lives of Stellari, Ama, Eminel, Tamura, and Heliane. The map and list of major and recurring characters at the beginning of the book help you imagine where the story takes you and remember the many characters. The author has crafted a beautifully detailed story where you feel like you are in the middle of the training sessions of Ama and Paulaus or watching the battle for the village of Hayk. As a fantasy-newbie, I loved how the author created new words for these worlds and even if you've never seen them before, you understand the meaning. The magic felt organic and was written to make you believe (and possibly want some of those powers). If you are looking for an immersive fantasy story, I recommend Arca! Now I will wait patiently for the final book in The Five Queendoms!
Thank you Net Galley for an ARC of Arca by G. R. Macallister for an honest review.
Thank you Net Galley for an ARC of Arca by G. R. Macallister for an honest review.
July 6, 2023
Warning: Many spoilers for the novel follow.
I was blown away by Scorpica, the first book in G.R. Macallister’s “The Five Queendoms” series. It combined an intriguing premise–it takes place in a world in which five matriarchies exist in a fragile state of peace that is disrupted by a phenomenon known as the Drought of Girls, in which no female children are born–with complex plotting, richly-drawn characters (not all of whom were likable), and a titanic conflict between good and evil. Now Macallister returns us to this world with Arca.
Arca does one of the things I love most in epic fantasy. It takes us beyond the point of the happy ending to show us what comes after. The Drought of Girls has ended, but this doesn’t mean that all will return to normal in the Five Kingdoms. In fact, all of the characters have to contend, one way or another, with the consequences of this world-shattering event. The novel primarily deals with the political and magical conflicts that convulse the kingdoms of Arca, Paxim, and Scorpica, even as a greater threat hovers in the background. As she did in the first novel, Macallister excels at showing us the extraordinary lengths to which her various characters will go as they struggle for survival in a world that has grown increasingly uncertain and destabilized in the aftermath of the Drought.
And, just as importantly, she doesn’t shy away from showing us the darker, more sinister side of her characters. In fact, I don’t think it’s going too far to say that what sets her apart as a fantasist is her ability to draw us into the twisted and dark psychologies of some very villainous people. Like George RR Martin, who has also made it a point to create compelling antiheroes and, while there are many times when these individuals are reprehensible and sometimes downright unlikable, we can’t help but be riveted by them and their actions.
Foremost among these is Stellari, one of those who serves in the senate of the realm of Paxim. From the very first chapter, it’s clear that Stellari is a sort of Richard III type figure, someone who is willing to murder and scheme her way to the top of the political hierarchy. Even the queen isn’t immune from her efforts, and she manages to manipulate the monarch’s gullible hairdresser into slowly poisoning her. It’s easy to condemn her for her ruthlessness and her self-serving attitude, but one also can’t help but admire the way that pulls the levers of power so that they work to her advantage. Nor does the novel go out of its way to humanize or soften her sharp edges; if anything, it heightens them. She looks at her lover and her child the same way she looks at everything else, as tools to be used when it’s useful for her to do so. She may not have the same sort of nefarious monologues as her Shakesepearen predecessor, but Arca nevertheless makes us feel more than a little complicit in her actions.
This isn’t to say that there aren’t characters in this novel who deserve our sympathy and respect. Ama, though born in among the Scorpicae, has lived a life unmoored yet finds purpose, serving as a bodyguard to the young kingling Paulus, whose mother Queen Heliane intends him to take her throne after her death,despite the threat this poses to centuries of tradition. Yet Ama’s life, like so many of the other characters’, is marred by tragedy, for her beloved Paulus falls in battle with the Scorpicae, his death yet another indication that heroism in this world is often as dangerous as it is valorous.
This willingness to dispense with even main characters–Paulus has several chapters devoted to his point of view–is also another point of commonality with George RR Martin. There’s a remarkable lack of sentiment in Arca (which was also true of the first book), and though some might find this a bit off-putting, since none of the characters are likable, per se, I actually think this is quite brave on Macallister’s part. The Five Queendoms aren’t some sort of feminist utopia where all armed conflict and political strife is put aside. Indeed, the end of the Drought of Girls brings with its own set of problems, even aside from the fact that there are powerful gods who are angling for their own influence on this world.
In this respect, the chapters devoted to the point of view of Eminel are some of the most fascinating, and her story is in many ways a mirror reflection of Ama’s. Like the Scorpican woman, she has been torn from everything she ever knew, elevated to be queen of Arca, and endowed with extraordinary magical powers. However, as with so many epic heroines before her, she soon finds these powers to be a double-edged sword and, though she grows to be a powerful sorcerer and a very canny ruler, she still finds herself the pawn of a goddess whose motivations remain obscure (at least until the end).
And speaking of that ending!. I think we all knew it was too good to be true that Sessadon, the powerful sorceress who was the primary antagonist of the first novel, was truly gone for good, and so it proves to be. In the novel’s final chapter, we watch along with Dree–a slain member of the Scorpicae, now nothing more than a shade–as she watches the final plan becomes clear. Sessadon has sealed a bargain with none other than the goddess of death herself, and the two of them plan to break open the gates that keep the shades of the dead imprisoned in the Underlands.
Arca builds on the many strengths of its predecessor to give us a world that’s even more fully-fleshed out and complex than we thought. What’s more, I appreciated the fact that this entry opened up a space for trans and ace and nonbinary characters to exist. Though the genre of epic fantasy has recently begun to expand its horizons in this regard, writers like Macallister are definitely in the vanguard.
One thing’s for sure. I can’t wait to see what lies in store for the Five Queendoms!
I was blown away by Scorpica, the first book in G.R. Macallister’s “The Five Queendoms” series. It combined an intriguing premise–it takes place in a world in which five matriarchies exist in a fragile state of peace that is disrupted by a phenomenon known as the Drought of Girls, in which no female children are born–with complex plotting, richly-drawn characters (not all of whom were likable), and a titanic conflict between good and evil. Now Macallister returns us to this world with Arca.
Arca does one of the things I love most in epic fantasy. It takes us beyond the point of the happy ending to show us what comes after. The Drought of Girls has ended, but this doesn’t mean that all will return to normal in the Five Kingdoms. In fact, all of the characters have to contend, one way or another, with the consequences of this world-shattering event. The novel primarily deals with the political and magical conflicts that convulse the kingdoms of Arca, Paxim, and Scorpica, even as a greater threat hovers in the background. As she did in the first novel, Macallister excels at showing us the extraordinary lengths to which her various characters will go as they struggle for survival in a world that has grown increasingly uncertain and destabilized in the aftermath of the Drought.
And, just as importantly, she doesn’t shy away from showing us the darker, more sinister side of her characters. In fact, I don’t think it’s going too far to say that what sets her apart as a fantasist is her ability to draw us into the twisted and dark psychologies of some very villainous people. Like George RR Martin, who has also made it a point to create compelling antiheroes and, while there are many times when these individuals are reprehensible and sometimes downright unlikable, we can’t help but be riveted by them and their actions.
Foremost among these is Stellari, one of those who serves in the senate of the realm of Paxim. From the very first chapter, it’s clear that Stellari is a sort of Richard III type figure, someone who is willing to murder and scheme her way to the top of the political hierarchy. Even the queen isn’t immune from her efforts, and she manages to manipulate the monarch’s gullible hairdresser into slowly poisoning her. It’s easy to condemn her for her ruthlessness and her self-serving attitude, but one also can’t help but admire the way that pulls the levers of power so that they work to her advantage. Nor does the novel go out of its way to humanize or soften her sharp edges; if anything, it heightens them. She looks at her lover and her child the same way she looks at everything else, as tools to be used when it’s useful for her to do so. She may not have the same sort of nefarious monologues as her Shakesepearen predecessor, but Arca nevertheless makes us feel more than a little complicit in her actions.
This isn’t to say that there aren’t characters in this novel who deserve our sympathy and respect. Ama, though born in among the Scorpicae, has lived a life unmoored yet finds purpose, serving as a bodyguard to the young kingling Paulus, whose mother Queen Heliane intends him to take her throne after her death,despite the threat this poses to centuries of tradition. Yet Ama’s life, like so many of the other characters’, is marred by tragedy, for her beloved Paulus falls in battle with the Scorpicae, his death yet another indication that heroism in this world is often as dangerous as it is valorous.
This willingness to dispense with even main characters–Paulus has several chapters devoted to his point of view–is also another point of commonality with George RR Martin. There’s a remarkable lack of sentiment in Arca (which was also true of the first book), and though some might find this a bit off-putting, since none of the characters are likable, per se, I actually think this is quite brave on Macallister’s part. The Five Queendoms aren’t some sort of feminist utopia where all armed conflict and political strife is put aside. Indeed, the end of the Drought of Girls brings with its own set of problems, even aside from the fact that there are powerful gods who are angling for their own influence on this world.
In this respect, the chapters devoted to the point of view of Eminel are some of the most fascinating, and her story is in many ways a mirror reflection of Ama’s. Like the Scorpican woman, she has been torn from everything she ever knew, elevated to be queen of Arca, and endowed with extraordinary magical powers. However, as with so many epic heroines before her, she soon finds these powers to be a double-edged sword and, though she grows to be a powerful sorcerer and a very canny ruler, she still finds herself the pawn of a goddess whose motivations remain obscure (at least until the end).
And speaking of that ending!. I think we all knew it was too good to be true that Sessadon, the powerful sorceress who was the primary antagonist of the first novel, was truly gone for good, and so it proves to be. In the novel’s final chapter, we watch along with Dree–a slain member of the Scorpicae, now nothing more than a shade–as she watches the final plan becomes clear. Sessadon has sealed a bargain with none other than the goddess of death herself, and the two of them plan to break open the gates that keep the shades of the dead imprisoned in the Underlands.
Arca builds on the many strengths of its predecessor to give us a world that’s even more fully-fleshed out and complex than we thought. What’s more, I appreciated the fact that this entry opened up a space for trans and ace and nonbinary characters to exist. Though the genre of epic fantasy has recently begun to expand its horizons in this regard, writers like Macallister are definitely in the vanguard.
One thing’s for sure. I can’t wait to see what lies in store for the Five Queendoms!
May 15, 2023
A marked improvement over Scorpica needs to be that there was no mention of a "man's rain" until about halfway through the book, as compared to on page 1.
I seriously cannot overstate how much I detest that term and the euphemisms that accompany it in these books. My hatred of it takes me right of the story every time, into a venerable pit of rage.
But other than that, I do enjoy these books! And I hope when the series is finished and I look back at it, "man's rain" is not what I most remember! I hope I remember the characterizations and the ups and downs and twists and the fun politics of it all (I find politics in fantasy super fun) and how it's all clearly well-plotted and coming together. However, that last point is also one of the things that was a bit of a downfall for this book: by the last third or so, it became pretty obvious that this was having some middle book syndrome and moving pieces around (in a captivating way, mind you) without the intention of resolving pretty much anything in this book.
But, it was an enjoyable ride to get there, and it certainly makes me pretty eager for the next book so really, there are worse things in the world.
I seriously cannot overstate how much I detest that term and the euphemisms that accompany it in these books. My hatred of it takes me right of the story every time, into a venerable pit of rage.
But other than that, I do enjoy these books! And I hope when the series is finished and I look back at it, "man's rain" is not what I most remember! I hope I remember the characterizations and the ups and downs and twists and the fun politics of it all (I find politics in fantasy super fun) and how it's all clearly well-plotted and coming together. However, that last point is also one of the things that was a bit of a downfall for this book: by the last third or so, it became pretty obvious that this was having some middle book syndrome and moving pieces around (in a captivating way, mind you) without the intention of resolving pretty much anything in this book.
But, it was an enjoyable ride to get there, and it certainly makes me pretty eager for the next book so really, there are worse things in the world.
June 14, 2023
I finished my review of book One, Scorpica, by hoping that would get to know the future of the girls and what came after the Orphan Tree and wow did I get my wish! Arca continues with its sweeping fantasy and matriarchal society, focusing on Ama and Eminal for the most part, it feels partially a coming of age as the two, very much find their way. Arca has very different feel from Scorpica, it’s almost a patient book at it’s core, biding time, learning, honing, but it never feels slow given the wonderfully immersive stories woven in between times, I could honestly read about Ama and Paulus for days and hers was my favourite of paths we followed as the lines between protector and paramour became blurred. Eminal, like a newborn foal at first struggling to find her footing as a new queen and as a woman coming into her own, her path was more one of discovery to understanding the root of her power.
There were some surprises, old faces and a twist that left me broken as it was both brutal and shocking. The end of the path for both felt full circle and devastating with an unexpected door left open which has left me wanting more!
I adored this follow up and am so grateful to Titan books for having me along again!
There were some surprises, old faces and a twist that left me broken as it was both brutal and shocking. The end of the path for both felt full circle and devastating with an unexpected door left open which has left me wanting more!
I adored this follow up and am so grateful to Titan books for having me along again!
March 4, 2023
3.75/5 stars
Thanks to Saga Press and Netgalley for the ARC.
Arca continues the Five Queendoms series and we jump right back into the events from the end of Scorpica. Political maneuvers are the name of the game as the main players vie for power and supremacy. The world, the magic and the richness of the characters is what continues to stand out about this series. This matriarchal society is in the throes of major change and it's going to be so interesting to see if there ends up being more equanimity in the next installment as things continue to evolve.
Eminel, Azur, and Queen Heliane are the major threads throughout in addition to much more time with Paulus, Stellari and Gretti. I loved Ama and Paulus together and the growth of their relationship. Eminel and Beyda are a force to be reckoned with and I love the strength of their friendship. I did struggle a bit through the first half as it felt slow at times and seemed to take a bit for the story to find its feet. The back half flowed much better and had more action and it built to a strong conclusion.
Thanks to Saga Press and Netgalley for the ARC.
Arca continues the Five Queendoms series and we jump right back into the events from the end of Scorpica. Political maneuvers are the name of the game as the main players vie for power and supremacy. The world, the magic and the richness of the characters is what continues to stand out about this series. This matriarchal society is in the throes of major change and it's going to be so interesting to see if there ends up being more equanimity in the next installment as things continue to evolve.
Eminel, Azur, and Queen Heliane are the major threads throughout in addition to much more time with Paulus, Stellari and Gretti. I loved Ama and Paulus together and the growth of their relationship. Eminel and Beyda are a force to be reckoned with and I love the strength of their friendship. I did struggle a bit through the first half as it felt slow at times and seemed to take a bit for the story to find its feet. The back half flowed much better and had more action and it built to a strong conclusion.
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