Review: The Queen is Dead by Kate Locke

Title: The Queen Is Dead 

Author:  Kate Locke
Publisher:  Orbit

Publishing Date: Februrary 5th 2013

Pages: 333
Genre: YA Paranormal Steampunk 

Series:  The Immortal Empire
Source: Audio

 

Nothing lasts forever---and immortality isn't all its cracked up to be.

When her brother Val gets in over his head in an investigation of Half-Blood disappearances and goes missing himself, it's up to Xandra, newly crowned Goblin Queen, to get him back and bring the atrocities to light. Xandra must frequent the seediest parts of London, while also coping with what she is, the political factions vying for her favor, and the all too-close scrutiny of Queen Victoria, who wants her head. Add this to being a suspect in a murder investigation, a werewolf boyfriend with demands of his own, and a mother hell bent on destroying the monarchy, and Xandra barely knows which way is up. One thing she does know is that she's already lost one sibling, she's not about to lose another.

I finally made it to the second book in this series. I read the first one so long ago I had to reread it. I actually enjoyed it more the second time around.
Original review of God Save the Queen here
So back to this book... I also really enjoyed this read. It wasn't quite as exciting as the first but it was still really good. It was packed full of fights, escapes, relationships, betrayals, and more.

In this installment it is now Xandra's brother who needs help. He has gone missing. It seems Xandra cannot catch a break. This is the last thing she needs when he life is such a mess. The biggest thing is dealing with being the Goblin Queen and figuring out how to control her goblin self. The only thing she is sure of is she has to find Val, her brother, keep her friends safe, and find some time for romance. Maybe figure out how she really feels for Vex. 

Xandra is probably one of my favorite Heroines. She just doesn't take crap from anyone and she is so dang loyal. To her family (Even when they are being idiots) and her friends. Now she has found an entire group of goblins to be loyal to. How she manages to be sane through the mess of her life just amazes me. In the entire mess she does have one saving grace- Vex the werewolf- swooney.

Vex is just a living heartbeat. He's handsome, strong, kind. Oh, and has a Scottish accent. Yup, I can see the yummy. He's a breath of fresh air in this dark and ugly world.

This story basically takes off straight from the first book. More secrets are revealed, more betrayals. It takes the readers deeper into the halvie's experiments. This book felt like it had more action than the first but seemed a little draggy on the story too. I didn't mind 90% of the time. Just in a few parts I felt it could have been more info friendly.

I really love this world, it fascinates me and Kate Locke really paints a grand picture. It's dark and gloomy, but also bright and fun and lively.

I can say though the characters and their dynamics are what really make the story thrive. They are just a riot. A few times I was laughing out loud. 

I am anxious to see where the next and final book takes me.

Didn't disappoint. Loved it!

Kate Locke has always enjoyed making things up — a trait that often got her into trouble as a child, but by which she enjoys making a living. Before writing fiction full time she worked as cook, a journalist and in a photo finishing lab where she saw enough pictures of naked people to rival Hugh Hefner. A guy once asked her out after giving her a roll of film that he expressly requested she develop and print. The entire roll was images of him stark naked in the woods. And no, that’s the kind of thing you just don’t make up.
In her late 20s Kate sold her first book and enjoyed a 10 year career writing under a different name. Her love of fantasy and the paranormal refused to leave her alone, and one day, while sitting on the couch thinking of making a very scary career move, she started jotting down notes for a book she wanted to write just for the pure enjoyment of it; a book just for herself. That book became God Save the Queen. Her agent thought they could sell it — Kate wasn’t certain. Then, the day after having her gall bladder removed (again, can’t make this stuff up), Kate got the call that Orbit books — her dream publisher for God Save the Queen — had made an offer. And it’s been more exciting than she ever imagined.
Like Xandra Vardan, the heroine in God Save the Queen, Kate values those she loves above all else, and has hair a color not typically found in nature. Unfortunately, Kate’s comes from a bottle. She’s married to a fabulous man who doesn’t seem to care what she does to her hair, puts up with her occasional* craziness, helps her plot, and treats her like she’s the best thing since lipgloss.
Kate Locke is pseudonym for Kathryn Smith aka Kate Cross/Kady Cross