Review: Fragile Reign

Author Stacey O’Neale

Format e-ARC
Print Length 306 pages
Publisher Phoenix Reign Publishing
Published Nov. 25, 2014

It’s been a week since all hell broke loose…

Rumors of King Taron’s weakened powers have left the air court vulnerable. Kalin is desperate to awaken her akasha powers, except she doesn’t know how. Tension within the court is at an all-time high. Pressure is mounting for her to ascend to the throne, but a halfling has never ruled over any court. To solidify her position, the council has advised her to marry Sebastian—a high ranking air elemental she’s never met and her betrothed.

Will Kalin sacrifice her relationship with Rowan to strengthen her court?

Rowan and Marcus return to a fire court in turmoil. Liana’s death has fueled the fire elementals’ distrust against the air and woodland courts. The unbalanced elements have set off natural disasters all over the mortal world. Rowan takes the throne to restore balance, promising to unite the fire court. But not all elementals are happy with his leadership. Many are secretly loyal to Valac, which means Rowan needs to find allies for his cause.

Can Rowan unify the court of fire before the elements destroy the world?

My Opinion

My favorite book in the series so far! When oh when is the next one coming out? Rarely is the second book better that the first in a series- there is a thing known as the sophomore curse for a reason. Fragile Reign did not fall to the curse but instead comes out on top as the best book in the series. It is told in dual perspective- Kalin and Rowan’s. I already loved both of these voices-Rowan’s we were introduced to in The Shadow Prince, and Kalin’s in Mortal Enchantment. I saw what you did there Mrs. O’Neale and I liked it. Fragile Reign allows us to view them together as a couple and apart as their own person.

The story picks up right where Mortal Enchantment ends. King Taron is ill from being held captive. The council decides that if Kalin is to be acting queen, she must marry a high ranking noble man. As in they pick the guy and everything- Sebastian. This doesn’t seat too well with her actual boyfriend Rowan. Now, I get that they want her to marry someone from the court but Rowan is the king of the Fire Elementals. King trumps Lord in my book although I can see how they may not want their queen to be married to the Fire King.

Kalin is under a lot of pressure in this book. There is belief that she is the akasha but something is blocking her powers. Since she can’t use them, she feels like this belief is wrong. Sebastian is around all of time. Rowan is dealing with things in his kingdom which is stressing her out as well. Interestingly enough, she doesn’t whine but instead puts her big girl pants on and takes on the council. Talk about having some gumption.

Rowan oh how I love you! Rowan is completely supportive of Kalin, even though he has some reservations. He has no problem showing this support in public and in private voicing his concerns. Ultimately, he lets her make her own decisions. This is exactly how relationships should be. He is worried about his people and he lets this worry be known. His brother and sister are still lurking in the background trying to take his throne away from him.

Fragile Reign brings with it all the feels- giddiness at the relationship of Rowan and Kalin, mistrust of the individuals in the court, the mystery of who is trying to harm her, the shock of who the big baddie is and the astonishment of what happens at the end. Speaking of that ending- umm the only question left is when is the next book going to be published?

My Rating 5 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote “She turned out to be exactly what I didn’t know I needed.”

Other People

Marcus- Fire Elemental and Rowan’s bestie
Ariel- Air Elemental and Kalin’s bestie
Sebastian- Kalin’s fiancé (I don’t like him)
King Taron- Kalin’s daddy