Queen of Ruin

Banghart, Tracy. Queen of Ruin. Book 2 of the Grace and Fury series. 2019. 336p. ISBN 978-0-3164-7145-9. Available as an audiobook from Overdrive.

Exiled by Asa, the new King, following his assassination of his father and the presumed death of his brother Malachi at the end of Grace and Fury, Nomi finds herself exiled to the prison island of Mount Ruin, while Malachi's almost-dead body is dropped overboard. Arriving on the island, the prison ship is attacked by Serina's women rebels, and Nomi is rescued. Serina and her allies have seized control of the island and are planning on capturing a boat and escaping. Unfortunately, the boat that transported Nomi is too small for the entire prisoner population to escape.

When Prince Malachi is found and brought ashore, the rebels gain hope of overthrowing Asa and replacing him with the legitimate ruler. Serina, Nomi, and the leaders of the various factions hatch a plan. Nomi and Malachi will leave the island on the small boat, and attempt to rouse troops in Viridia's provinces to then march on the palace. Meanwhile, the women will await the next large prison ship, take it over, and escape to another country.

Unfortunately Asa saw some of the fires that were set when the women overthrew the prison guards. As a result the next ship is not the prison ship,  but instead an armada of navy ships carrying large contingents of soldiers. The women are recaptured and brought back to the capital to be publicly executed.

Nomi and Malachi land, and find that in the short time Asa has been in power he has crushed the provinces and stolen and abuse all of the pretty girls. The troops have been sent to the capital, so Nomi and Malachi make their way there, only to discover that the women from Mount Ruin are about to be executed. Can the sisters reunite and manage to overthrow Asa while at the same time not lose their hard-fought revolution at the hands of Malachi?

Nimona

Stevenson, Noelle. Nimona. 2015. 266p. ISBN 978-0-06-227824-1. Available as an eBook on Overdrive.

The kingdom has been kept safe from supervillains by the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics, who enforces actions against vigilantes and villains alike. Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin is the posterboy for the Institution, beloved by all and always ready to serve and protect. Lord Ballister Blackheart trained with Goldenloin many years ago, but following a joust he lost an arm to the good knight. Ever since then he has vowed revenge on Goldenloin and on the Institution.

When Nimona shows up on his doorstep, Blackheart doesn’t know what to do with her. She looks way too young to be a sidekick. Soon, however, he realizes that Nimona is a shapeshifter who’s very interested in villainy. He takes her on, and together they plan to bring down the Institution, for it is in fact not so much concerned to protect the kingdom as to rather control it. Nimona is useful and determined, but her lack of villainous etiquette means many civilians are getting hurt. As Blackheart’s plan moves forward, casualties are mounting and he learns more about Nimona and her dark past, he realizes that Nimona powers and abilities come at a cost that might exceed what he’s willing to pay.

Originally a web comic, Nimona and Blackheart’s tale is engaging and provides a different look at villains being the “heroes” of the tale. Blackheart’s dark castle is balanced by the colorful sceneries of the town. Blackheart, Goldenloin and Nimona share similar characteristics and their relationships become complicated as the story progresses. Fans of fantasy and of villains will appreciate this tale of destruction and redemption.