This review is going to be hard to write because this book was one of my most anticipated books of the year *sad emoji* It's such a shame that it didn't deliver as good as the first one. King of Battle and Blood was epic, it instantly charmed me and I was so into the story I couldn't stop reading it. The writing was very nice and the flow of the story so easy to follow. There was action, romance, steam, and betrayal. Everything in a beautiful, entertaining fantasy romance! But Queen of Myth and Monsters, though it did have similar moments, felt so flat for me. The fact that three chapters have done nothing apart from making me want to re-read the entire first book (again) and devour this one the second it’s out!

This book starts off like maybe a few days after the first book ends. Isolde is deep within her grief after what happened with her father at the end of book 1. Adrian and her seem to be getting into arguments a lot, so it seemed to me. Like I remember in book 1 how he was supportive of her and her "unique" personality, and in this book he kind of fights her for being her. I also do not like how their past relationship keeps being brought up because Isolde doesn't have all of her memories and he does. Plus this relationship is different and even though she has the memories she isn't her past self. I don't think any of what turned me off is intentional, but they are unconsious biases we have. I tried to google Nalani to see if it was made up or not, the word is originally Hawaiian. I am not the right person to talk in terms of Pacific Islanders, but me as a Caribbean it's a red flag.Queen of Myth and Monsters is a modern masterpiece, a powerful novel that can be read on its own. This novel is written by Scarlett St. Clair. She is a true storyteller, and Queen of Myth and Monsters is her best book. It is an epic tale of family, secrets, loss, marriage, betrayal, friendships, laughter, and regrets. Queen of Myth and Monsters is a heartfelt novel written with compassion and hope, reconciling the past to pave a road to happiness and second chances. The characters in this novel bring life and heart to this story, each with a distinct voice and personality. They made readers love them, they made readers sad, they made readers angry, they made readers laugh, they made readers cry, and they made readers believe in the promise of love and home. I will read book #3 when it comes out because I’m too curious not to, but I don’t really know how the messes made in this book can be righted in the next… Several people have stated that Adrian has no control over Dis and that she should be afraid of him. Adrian tells her the same thing. Then she acts surprised when he loses control and becomes upset that people may be correct in believing that stopping Adrian is not a bad idea. Adrian even requests that she do so. So, are those people truly betraying you, or are they possibly… I don’t know, trying to avert a bigger problem? Also known as Dis. Killian has a complete character makeover where he's gotten over Isolde and he's actually a nice guy again? Good for him. Those were what Adrian loved about Isolde. They shared a common stone heart and dark motivations in every way. Hatred and rage sharpened Adrian. At first, he hoped Isolde would calm his raging heart and lessen his hatred. But he was a creature forged by violence and will never thrive on peace.

Isolde is extremely unlikeable. While Adrian’s point of view is included, the majority of the story is told from Isolde’s perspective. That is, we see everything that happens through her eyes. Not from the perspective of an observer, but from her own mind. So we get her perspective on everything. And, while the author describes her as bitchy, there’s a difference between being confident and refusing to let people push you around and being rude for the sake of being rude. Guess which one Isolde is. My next question is, if mirror’s tell the truth, how did Raveena stay within the castle that whole time and no one noticed her in the mirror?Since this is the second book in the series, I came into this reading blind. The plot was easy to follow even though I hadn't read the first book. There is something delicious about the love story between Adrian and Isodle. If you love spice, this audiobook definitely has plenty, but it is so much more. Scarlett St. Clair's writing is atmospheric and captivating.

Isolde, newly coronated queen, has finally found a king worthy of her in the vampire Adrian. But their love for each other has cost Isolde her father and her homeland. With two opposing goddesses playing mortals and vampires against one another, Isolde is uncertain who her allies are in the vampire stronghold of Revekka. They both have the habit of just killing people to kill then over tiny insults. Things normal people who may be vampires would just ignore. She did not flinch when she saw those traitors. That was merely a message indicating that nobody should proceed on their path. Isolde and her husband Adrian fought for control of their kingdom. They seemed to enjoy their horrific deaths even as they looked at them. This is the second book in the Adrian x Isolde series, and I was so excited to get my hands on it once I finished King of Battle and Blood. I wished I was kidding when I said that everything that could have gone wrong with this book, went wrong. This series might be based on a love story, but I'd hardly call this book a romance. Compared to the first instalment in the series, where the characters have such depth of feeling and tenderness for each other with great spice; and so many side characters were introduced and readied for their moment to shine… It seems that the author decided that, instead of shinning, they are all to be plummeted into darkness. Including the MCs.There are nine corpses lying in a gory heap in front of the gate. Ilode’s guards were scooping them up piece by piece because of fear that their queen would suddenly speak in red and declare another war, even though the previous one wasn’t yet over. Chapter 2 of Queen of Myth and Monsters This book had the potential to be so much more. The first book in this series was excellent, but this one fell flat for me. I still liked it, but I wasn’t invested in the characters. Even the romance between Adrian and Isolde failed to captivate me. I couldn’t understand how the two could be in love when Isolde and Adrian were constantly fighting. In their brief interactions, Isolde and Killian displayed more heart. The corners of Adrian’s lips curled, and he learned closer, his breath on my lips as he spoke. “If that is your wish, I shall build it myself.” They enjoy hearing people cry and beg. She is the first queen of Lara, and she desires more than just Lara. Isolde likewise wanted Vela. She planned to reclaim the land her mother once called home from King Gheorghe and set her people free while watching his face wither away in triumph.