Review: The Monarchs by Kass Morgan and Danielle Paige
Author: Kass Morgan and Danielle Paige
Edition: eARC/ebook
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton (January 11, 2022)
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Mystery
Synopsis
The sorority girls at Kappa Rho Nu—the Ravens—are determined to restore balance to the world. After destroying an ancient talisman and barely saving their sorority in the process, they’ll go to any lengths to keep their secret as Westerly’s most powerful coven of witches.
Scarlett Winter, a legacy Raven, has finally gotten what she’s always wanted: the Kappa Rho Nu presidency. After the disaster that killed the sorority’s last president, Scarlett is determined that no sister will fall under the sway of wicked magic ever again. But the powers of the presidency have their own pitfalls—and Scarlett has big shoes to fill.
Vivi Devereaux, a freshman, finally knows what it feels like to belong. For the first time ever, she’s got it all: her Kappa Rho Nu sisters and a sweet (and hot) boyfriend. When Scarlett assigns Vivi the coveted role of social chair, Vivi is determined to live up to her Big’s expectations—even if that means dabbling in a new form of magic.
Unbeknownst to the Ravens, new rivals and ancient evils lurk on Westerly’s campus. With Kappa Rho Nu’s future on their shoulders and their pasts still haunting them, will Scarlett and Vivi be able to save their sisterhood once again?
My review of The Monarchs
The Monarchs is a triumphant sequel that ups the stakes and explores the price of ambition and the power of sisterhood.
I received a free ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
A Triumphant Sequel
We’re back at Westerly and the witches of Kappa Rho Nu are in for a wild semester. New rivals, even greater evil forces and unexpected allies – they really can’t catch a break.
Related: Read My Review of The Ravens by Kass Morgan and Danielle Paige
This book was such a fun ride but I’m also sure it gave me stress acne. I was so happy to be reunited with Vivi and Scarlett but this book really doesn’t pull any punches with the problems it throws at them. At any given time I could see 5 different plot strands on the horizon and all the ways in which everything would (and did) go terribly wrong. Seriously, I wish I could’ve reached into the book and protected all these characters. I’m too non-confrontational to deal with this much conflict!
Possibly my favourite part of any sequel is the introduction of new characters and enemies! And The Monarchs delivers on that front in a truly delightful way. Our return to the Westerly campus feels familiar, but there are new faces and forces in play, too. This keeps the story fresh and allows us to look at the ravens and their world from new perspectives. A rival sorority and the possibility of demons and witch hunters are in the mix, making The Monarchs a truly nail-biting story. There are so many players on the board and Vivi and Scarlett aren’t sure who they can trust.
Ultimately, I really loved this conclusion! It upped the stakes in new and exciting ways, which is really what I want from any sequel. I was also a big fan of the expanded world building we got to see! The Monarchs opens up previously unexplored corners of the magic world and gives us little glimpses at life beyond Westerly. While at times I wish it hadn’t been quite so fast-paced and we’d gotten more time to explore these newly opened corners of the world, I had a great time! This remains one of my favourite series and I am only a little heartbroken that it’s over.
Ambition and Sisterhood
Of course, I am just as in love with Vivi and Scarlett as I was the first time around. What can I say, I love ambitious girls! In The Monarchs, both of them are shaped by their traumatic experience the previous summer. All the death and destruction have left their mark. But mostly, it has made them more eager to prove themself.
Both Scarlett and Vivi make some absolutely terrible choices, led by their desire to be impressive. The book doesn’t demonize their ambition, but it also doesn’t shy away from the consequences. Sure, using a spell from a random old tome in the library that asks for your blood is definitely not going to have unwanted side effects! As a reader (and a young woman), I find Vivi and Scarlett deeply relatable. They come from very different backgrounds but are both shaped by expectations – both society’s and their own. They are willing to go to incredible lengths to prove themselves as witches, sisters and daughters. And while I often find myself wanting to protect them from their bad choices, I couldn’t help feeling like I’d choose the same way.
One thing I love about the Ravens duology is the focus on sisterhood. The chosen family and the connections not by blood, but by choice. Building and maintaining those relationships takes work and trust and the Ravens are reminded of this stronger than ever. They are more powerful as a unit when they lift each other up.
Overall…
…The Monarchs is a phenomenal sequel and I’m so sad this series is over! I would happily read at least two more books in this world, there is so much left to explore!
This book is for you if…
…you like magical and ambitious girls
…you are looking for a book with high stakes, supernatural flair and lots of tension
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