TRIGGER WARNING: THIS NOVEL DEALS WITH THEMES OF SELF-HARM, EATING DISORDERS, SEXUAL ASSAULT AND MORE. READER DISCRETION ADVISED.
As the school year closes and everyone exposed by the Marked Queen tries to move on with their lives, a new threat emerges in the halls of a hallowed prep school and threatens to tear the walls down around them all in author Zachary Ryans second novel, “The Revenged Queen”.
The Synopsis
No one knows the real Marked Queen, but now everyone wants to know her. In this sequel to the insatiable first novel, High School Queens, you will die to know more about your favorite dirty little Queens.
As we say goodbye to the Johnson Prep Seniors, the scandals and lies that exposed them in the beginning are back with a vengeance.
The Marked Queen thought she had the last laugh at prom. Now, it seems a new girl is coming for her crown. With a new title, The Revenged Queen, she was out for blood and her prime targets—the ones exposing everyone’s dark and dirty little secrets. As we dive deeper into this scandalous and humorous world of prep school teens, we learn that everyone is a hustler with a secret and a Hollywood sob story.
Can Danielle keep her new illegal activities to make money under wraps? Was Calvin going to have a warm welcome as he outs himself as gay? Was Delilah going to take the knife from Danielle out of her back and stab her with it? Was Bethany going to enjoy her rule as queen bee or fail spectacularly? And was there more to Jordan than being just a slutty, party girl?
As the scandals pile up in front of them, their secrets will be exposed… And each secret is even more delicious than the last.
The Review
The lines between the elite and the people in the shadows blur after the events of the first book in author Zachary Ryan’s novel. After the Marked Queen is revealed and everyone’s secrets are revealed, the ones behind the Marked Queen’s Kingdom are put on the chopping block, and no one is safe. The author does a great job of showcasing how everyone has something in their lives to hide, and does an amazing job of really elevating the drama and character interaction within the context of the story.
What really stuck home however was not just the characters and drama, but the underlying theme of morality and social interaction amongst teenagers is ever more prevalent in book two than it was in the first book. The vulgar way these students treat one another highlights a growing problem of cruelty and demeaning behavior by those who are so insecure they are willing to tear anyone down just to make themselves feel better and look popular to the rest of the student body. This form of bullying and committing social exile to would be victims becomes a major element within this story, complimenting the theme of secrets and lies that goes so well within the high school drama.
The Verdict
This is a must read for anyone who enjoys high school drama blended with high school hierarchy and themes many young people can identify with these days. Coming across as a mixture of Pretty Little Liars meets Revenge, this is a must read book that will instantly hook readers and keep them wanting more. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy of The Revenged Queen by Zachary Ryan today.
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Zachary Ryan grew up in a black-and-white box in Maryland, before moving to Chicago to start a new life. There, he found that he was accepted for his misfit status—and learned that it’s perfectly normal to spend your twenties feeling lost and confused.
After a disastrous sexual encounter, Ryan stumbled on a group of true friends, or “soul cluster,” that he connected with. Through his writing, he hopes to help other broken souls out there find comfort amid the chaos.
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