DAUGHTER OF THE CURSED KINGDOM

Shaw, Rosamund, and friends finish senior year at Witch Hall while fighting internal and external enemies in a prophesied war.

After a surprise attack on the Cursed Kingdom, Shaw, the future Witch Queen, must prepare for war with Vinland, the nonmagical empire that’s threatening to obliterate their world. Unfortunately, she’ll have to do it without Rosamund as a familiar and partner, which she finds more devastating than she’d expected. Recognizing her responsibility to the people of her kingdom, Shaw trains with elders—including her father, the Witch King—for the coming war until they discover that the ideological divide between their generations might be too great. Without abandoning the romantic core of the first book, this conclusion dives into military strategy, political lore, and the world’s hierarchies. The analogies to contemporary politics and generational tensions are subtle yet clear, and there’s a focus on peace, inclusivity, and responsibility over power. Despite these strengths, the large swath of characters and their powers becomes confusing, and readers may need to refer to the earlier volume to refresh their memories. The in-depth explanations of military tactics slow the pace, and the tension feels one-note until the end. Despite being so drawn out, the novel wraps up in a satisfactory way. Skye creates a world in which queer sexualities, including polyamory, are a given. The leads present white, and names and physical descriptions cue diversity in the supporting cast.

A dense duology closer that should satisfy returning fans.