Peter V. Brett's "The Hidden Queen" is an enchanting fantasy tale that plunges readers into a world brimming with magic, demons, and political intrigue. Within this meticulously crafted universe, a diverse ensemble of characters embarks on a journey through a landscape fraught with peril and uncertainty.

Brett's skillful world-building is evident throughout, drawing readers into a realm where ancient magic and ominous forces collide. From bustling cities to untamed wilderness, each corner of this world pulses with life, inviting readers to immerse themselves fully in its intricacies.

What truly distinguishes "The Hidden Queen" are its characters. Complex, flawed, and utterly captivating, they burst forth from the pages with vibrant personalities and profound motivations. Whether it's the tenacious warrior confronting her past or the cunning strategist plotting his next move, each character emerges as a fully realized individual, propelling the narrative forward with their distinct aspirations and conflicts.

Yet, the most remarkable aspect of "The Hidden Queen" lies in its relentless pacing and gripping storyline. From heart-pounding action sequences to unforeseen plot twists, the narrative maintains a gripping hold on readers, ensuring they remain on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. Just when one believes they have unraveled the mystery, Brett introduces a surprising twist that leaves them eager for more.

In summary, "The Hidden Queen" is a must-read for enthusiasts of epic fantasy. With its immersive world-building, compelling characters, and exhilarating plot, it promises to captivate readers until the very last page. Whether one is a seasoned genre aficionado or simply seeking a thrilling adventure, this novel guarantees a satisfying journey into realms of imagination.

The night belongs to the demons...

The second book in the Nightfall Saga is set in the Demon Cycle World. The Hidden Queen carries on from where book one, The Desert Prince, left off.
Olive Paper and Darin Bales have a lot to live up to and are put to the test when they are separated for a while as they both set off on quests that could end the war of the Demon King and his new hatchling queen.
The story is told in a dual POV from Olive and Darin.
There's plenty of action (just remember to breathe) and political intrigue.
I've been a fan of Peter V Brett since I read The Painted Man (UK title), and I have loved all the books set in this world. So I knew that this book wouldn't let me down.
Thank you, NetGalley and publishers, for the ARC.

A fantastic follow up to one of my favourite series. If you've been a fan of Peter V Brett up until this point then you won't be surprised to hear this is another excellent addition to the Nightfall Saga .

Expect more character development , world building heartbreak and frustration (in the best possible way) . This series has really pulled me in and reminded me why I love fantasy so much

"The Hidden Queen" by Peter V. Brett is a masterful addition to the world of fantasy literature, offering a gripping tale of power, identity, and resilience. Brett, renowned for his richly woven narratives and intricate world-building, does not disappoint in this latest instalment. The novel captivates from the first page to the last, delivering a compelling story that is both emotionally resonant and thrillingly adventurous.

From the moment I began reading, I was enthralled by Brett's vivid world-building and the depth of his characters. The protagonist's journey is rendered with such authenticity and emotional depth that her triumphs and tribulations feel profoundly real. Brett's prose is both lyrical and precise, painting a world that is as enchanting as it is dangerous.

Brett's greatest strength lies in his ability to create complex, relatable characters and place them in a world that feels alive and richly detailed. The plot is meticulously crafted, with twists and turns that keep the reader eagerly turning pages. The novel’s pacing is impeccable, balancing moments of intense action with quieter, character-driven scenes that provide depth and nuance.

"The Hidden Queen" stands out in the fantasy genre, holding its own against classics like "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss and "Mistborn" by Brandon Sanderson. Brett's unique voice and imaginative storytelling create a novel that is both familiar in its epic scope and refreshingly original in its execution.

This book is highly recommended for fans of epic fantasy who appreciate intricate world-building and deep character development. Readers who enjoy stories of hidden identities, political intrigue, and personal transformation will find "The Hidden Queen" to be a satisfying and immersive read. It is a must-read for anyone looking to be transported to a richly imagined world where every page brims with adventure and magic.

Peter V. Brett's "The Hidden Queen" is a triumph of fantasy storytelling. With its compelling narrative, richly developed characters, and a world that pulses with life and magic, the novel earns a well-deserved five-star rating. It is a testament to Brett's skill as a storyteller and a thrilling journey that leaves readers eagerly anticipating the next instalment.

In the main protagonist of The Desert Prince the main protagonist was Olive, the female heir to with the ability to wield the only known weapon to save humanity but Olive, not only female, has little desire to follow the expectations of her predecessors. In The Hidden Queen it is the unusual protagonist, Darien who, despite his unique physical sensitivities that deem him weaker in a warrior society, must face the demon hordes alongside his friend, Olive.

This shift in protagonists allows an exploration of the fantasy world from two uniquely different perspectives. It is a challenge that Brett meets masterfully. The opportunity for reader to view the host of characters and the world from entirely new – but not completely un familiar characters- is a satisfying viewpoint change.

This is an exciting, intriguing dark fantasy with bold characters. Brett’s world-building is thorough and unique with its own mythology and lore. The different cultural themes and incorporation of relatable queer characters are hallmarks of well-crafted storytelling.

Conclusion

Highly recommend!. A great read for fans of Brett’s Demon Cycle series, epic fantasy and strong-character driven storytelling. I can’t wait for the remainder of the Nightfall Saga series!

Another excellent book by Brett. I love this series so much, and this one did not disappoint.

It's good to see the children growing up and coming into their own powers and abilities, taking command when the adults aren't around. It's hard for them having such famous parents and having to live in their shadows and find their own way. I think Brett handles this masterfully.

The world building that began in the first series continues to grow as the books continue, showing more of the world of the alagai.

I'm already looking forward to the next one.

I have loved this world Peter V Brett has created for us from the very first Demon Cycle book so it’s no surprise I love this series too. I have been captivated by Brett’s writing and the characters he has blessed us with. An absolute all time favourite series and this next generation continuation is just as good, has all the best bits of the DC with even more culture and representation to challenge perceptions. My only (very minor) criticism is that this series appears to be aimed at slightly younger audience, certainly more towards the YA trend/market than adult.

In this particular instalment I found I loved reading Darin’s POV more than Olive’s, and seeing his character development was just heartwarming. I love that he’s the hero despite! I also loved his little romance entanglement and though a little disappointed that a certain character doesn’t appear to be endgame.

Cannot wait for the third (and final?) instalment which I am sure will bring lots of answers to questions past and present.

One of my favorites things about Brett is the recap of the events of the previous book, since it makes it easier to remember without reading where we were. The Hidden Queen picks up immediately after the events of The Desert Prince, where our main characters Olive and Darin are heading home knowing that their parents are missing, and the demons are plotting to return.

We have a journey with magic, demons, and intrigues in such a meticulous universe. I felt like the pace was a mix, while the beginning was a bit slow, the end felt to fast and full of action. We got some character development throughout the book and the world budling in this one was impressive, as were the politics that surrounded it. I felt so immersed in the story that I couldn’t put it down.

It was such a great read specially for fans of epic fantasy. We have a story full of lost and found moments showing us that nothing can last eternally, and we should embrace changes while we follow characters that are both captivating and complex. If you are new to Brett’s work, I would recommend it starting with the Warded Man series to better understanding how it all began. And I’m (un)patiently waiting to see how this story progresses.

Thank you, NetGalley & the publisher, for approving me to read this arc and write this review.

This is the second book in a fabolous epic fantasy. It kept me reading and on the edge.
Great storytelling and world building, excellent character development.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Before I even start my review, I want to give a huge thanks to Peter Brett for the skill full way in which he recapped the events of the previous book in the Nightfall Saga. I have absolutely no hope at all of recalling events from books I’ve read 12 to 18 months earlier and sequel books without any form of recap are always a huge mental challenge. Brett doesn’t provide an explicit recap but, re-weaves the events of the previous book into the first couple of chapters so beautifully that it feels so natural and places me back into the world!
The Hidden Queen focuses on the perspectives of our key protagonists, Olive and Darin. Re-united in The Desert Prince, they are soon immersed in their own battle with the demons, as well as the scheming ramifications of inheritance, gender politics, growing up and developing their own perspectives on the world and themselves.
Other characters in the story are also prominent and key to the development of this world, prophecies and history, and they also play a real role in both Olive and Darin’s maturity and development, not all for the positive but, all contributing to their personal growth.
Peter Brett continues to shine with his world building, the development of the multiple kingdoms, politics and locations for The Hidden Queen is seamless, woven without a seam to display and immerse you into this perilous, beautiful, dark and complicated world.
Plot wise, it’s totally epic, no shock there, this is epic fantasy. We see Darin and Olive journey together and separately, providing a view of them as family working and bickering together and as leaders taking their own directions to achieve a joint goal. The benefits of this separation shine through in both character development, relationship building and plot development.
From a pacing perspective, Brett maintains a brutal pace that brings emphasis to the urgency of the situation they are in, and whilst I wouldn’t have objected to greater expansion on side events that would have contributed to the development of both characters and relationships i.e. those side conversations that take place on the road, I totally get how this pace brings strength to that sense of urgency as the clock ticks down.
The final part of the book steams ahead at a breakneck pace (yep, total mixing of metaphors here!) and it was definitely a read that I couldn’t put down, hence not finishing it until gone 2am this morning. The ending was totally climactic, filled with both joy and heartbreak and totally set the scene for the next book in the series. My only sadness is just how long I will need to wait before I get to read it!

Absolutely fabulous follow up to The Desert Prince with so much more in the way of character development. Yes the world building is outstanding and it’s so easy to get immersed in it but this book consistently gave this reader amazing insights into just why these characters act the way they do. Of course it’s a journey to a battle royal with Demons that are straight out of nightmares but if the author hadn’t made this cast so easy to love and empathise with then I seriously doubt I would have been so eager to turn the pages.
Olive is stepping up and finally embracing all that she can be but this has been a heartbreaking journey. Darin ( without a doubt my favourite character ) so underestimates himself but the reader never does because he is totally awesome sauce !
A story of both lost and found in many ways as nothing lasts forever but change is inevitable. I loved the ensemble cast and how they all have a part to play . This is just such a wonderful way to escape reality and if you have not started this authors work yet than you truly are missing out on joy, pain, betrayals, action and of course love. Definitely a recommendation from me.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

Epic fantasy? Check. Epic world building? Check. Epic histories? Check.
Thanks again to HarperCollins for an advance copy of the next adventure in the Nightfall Saga!

Brett's world building is that of a master storyteller. No need to fear forgetting details or needing to re-read its predecessor as Brett leaves gentle reminders and acknowledgements perfectly.
The book shifts between two point of views - Darin and Olive and their coming of age story - all whilst fumbling along in the shadow of their parents to emerge triumphant and heroic themselves.

If you're new to the Brett's world I would thoroughly recommend starting where it all began - The Warded Man.

How many synonyms is there for the word Epic? Yet another installment of monumental story telling.