Title/Author: The Vanishing Throne (The Falconer #2) by Elizabeth May
Publisher/Date published: Gollancz, November 19th 2015
How I got this book: received it from the publisher as an egalley, thanks!
Goodreads summary: My name is Lady Aileana Kameron.
First the fae murdered my mother. Then they destroyed my world.
Now I’m fighting for more than revenge.
Aileana took a stand against the Wild Hunt, and she lost everything: her home, her family and her friends. Held captive by her enemy, and tormenting herself over her failure, escape seems like only the faintest possibility. But when she gets her chance, she seizes it... to rejoin a world devastated by war.
The future is bleak. Hunted by the fae, running for her life, Aileana has only a few options left. Trying to become part of a society scarred by – and hiding from – the Wild Hunt; trusting that a fragile alliance with the fae will save her; or walking the most dangerous path at all: coming in to her own powers as the last of the Falconers...
***SPOILER FREE FOR THE FIRST BOOK IN THE SERIES***
So I totally adored The Falconer, the first book in the series. If you haven't read it, you really should be doing that instead of reading this post. You can also see some of my fangirling over it here. But really, just go on and read it and then we'll talk some more about this sequel.
For some reason fae books and I don't normally seem to click, which is a shame, cause in theory I should love them. But Elizabeth May makes it work for me! I feel like this series doesn't get nearly enough attention and A Court of Thorns and Roses (though admittely amazing) steals all the spotlight, I think that if you like ACOTAR, you will also really like The Falconer and The Vanishing Throne, but I might be biased as they're basically the only fae books I've liked so far.
I was totally going GAAAAAAAH at the ending of The Falconer, because OMG CLIFFHANGER!! And then I had to wait for what felt like FOREVER for The Vanishing Throne, but you guys, the wait it totally worth it! I loved that Aileana is still her amazing ass-kicking self, but with a little extra something because of everything she's experienced. I love seeing how the relationships shift and how we meet new characters like Kiaran's sister, who fast became of my favourites, along with Derrick, who is still adorable while also being more than a little dangerous.
I also really liked tat Elizabeth May gave us more of the backstory of all the major players and how the Falconers came into being and while I did kinda see what happened at the end coming, I'm SO intrigued to find out how Elizabeth May will make this work in the third book! And also: I totally can't wait to read it because these characters are part of my heart and I think I loved The Vanishing Throne even more than I did The Falconer. This is one of those novels that absolutely did NOT suffer from second book syndrome, like so often happens in a series (and which never fails to annoy me).
And also, this quote:
"Your scars aren't flaws, Galloway. They're not imperfections. They're stories written on your skin."
LOVE.
Mostly, what I'm trying to say is: if you like your fantasy filled with fae (and even if that's not usually your thing), a kickass heroine, a ship that is very much worth shipping, BANTER, lots of characters to love, worldbuilding that is beautiful mixed with a historical setting, you definitely need to pick up this series!
My rating: 5 stars
