Cover Image: The Ikessar Falcon

The Ikessar Falcon

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Member Reviews

I really enjoyed this second book!

I really like Talyien as a character and I also love that she is an older character, with a child rather than a younger character who hasn't really seen the world.

This series has potential to be a new favourite series - the political scheming is fantastic with everyone being so power hungry.

My only slight issue is that I have had the audiobooks on while I read along for books 1 and 2 in this series as it really helped with the immersion and the pronunciation of some of the names but the third and final book doesn't appear to have an audio version in the UK.

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the action and political intrigue in this book is top notch and i love how we were thrown into the thick of things right from the very beginning. queen taliyen goes through even more in this book and i wanted her to catch a break so badly, but i also loved seeing her development and i really felt for her. all the relationships and character dynamics were super complex and well done and i'm so invested in khine and tali's romance. i also really appreciated how the world and magic expanded with this book. the only gripes i had were that i wish there were more significant female characters and there were some parts that were a bit too info dumpy for me.

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There were a lot more magical elements in this second installment which I really enjoyed and I thought that the direction taken in the narrative was fascinating. The relationships between Tali, Agos, Khine and Rai are all explored in more depth in this book and I am very eagerly anticipating the finale.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

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It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since I read and reviewed The Wolf of Oren Yaro. I can distinctly remember it being the first book I read on my first annual leave of the pandemic and it utterly taking over my brain for a few days. The sequel is going to stay with me even longer I think.

This one left me feeling fairly hollow, I will admit. I mentioned in my review of the first book how fantasy as a genre loves a story about a Queen. Another well loved trope is that of the journey, the long walk home. The undertaking that a person must take to go home and save their people and of course, their family. That’s exactly what this book is, this is the long, difficult journey Queen Talyien has to take to make her way home and rescue her son, Thanh. This isn’t there and back again. Tali is going home but she has no guards, not many allies and no idea what to expect when she gets there.

We start off where the previous book ends, Talyien still in Shang Azi and still without the husband she came for. With Agos, Nor and Khine, she aims to make her way back to Jin-Sayeng by whatever means she can. Something I thought lacked in the previous book was the world building and the development of some aspects mentioned in it. That is more than remedied in this book. The journey back is a slow, arduous one for Tali and her party. There is brutal loss along the way, like far more grim with far higher stakes. The advantage is definitely for the reader since each stop the characters make along the way, allows us another glimpse into the different parts of the Queendom. One part for example is trying to tame dragons, to disastrous results. Another is being overrun with creatures of the Agan, the magic that is considered severely taboo to the Oren Yaro. This is a hard, unforgiving world that is managing to just about keep itself going every day and it’s very clear it’s all happening under Tali’s nose. And she has no idea

So I already mentioned how this book is focusing more on the journey where the last focused on Talyien the Queen. What I really enjoyed about this book is how we continue to see Tali develop but a lot more focus put into her allies, particularly Agos and Khine, as they try to go home. I’ll touch back to Tali in a bit but I do want to give a special mention to Agos. After the reveal of his and Tali’s affair at the last part of the book, I’ve really been interested in where this book would take his development. He is loyal to her to the last and he also clearly loves her, which can be destructive and dangerous.

Agos is definitely my favourite character in this book for many reasons that would spoil the book but I especially enjoy him as a foil for Tali. He is loyal to the point of bloodshed and makes it clear, many times in fact, he will happily kill her husband Rayyel for what she has had to put up with due to him leaving. He is a powerful warrior, often leaving as many as 5 people dead in one fight. He speaks plainly and he will always see Tali as a Princess. But it only goes to show, when you have a character as angry and determined next to Tali at all times, how not so unlike him she can be herself. Agos and Khine develop a lot over the plot as well, which I like. It makes sense that Agos wouldn’t be happy to have another man being important to Tali but i do like how he does come to care for Khine. He trains him to use a sword, praises Khine for his skills as a con man and a medic and there is some healthy respect there come the end. It would be good to see more of this in fantasy so hats off to K.S Villoso for this.

I think the true stand out of these books will remain to be Tali herself however. We got some God tier development from her in the first book, we even got to see how guarded she was where she hides things from even the reader. Her affair with Agos and the innkeeper who was killed for catching them for one! I was shook by that! But she somehow, has so many more layers we get to see here. Her constant measuring of herself to herself to the vision of her that her father, Yeshin, impressed on her. Her journey back to Jin-Sayeng and the harsh reality of many places she has never bothered to visit have such an impact on her. Even where she tries to help, one moment in particular with a wild dragon, leaves her still in a no win situation. She’s really got to come to terms to where the Queen begins and ends in her. As more and more trauma strip her armour from her, we clearly see what she is at the end of the day. A mother who just wants to hold her son, a woman who wants to be loved and a child who wants her dad.

There is no other words I have for how this book left me. I genuinely felt the grave circumstances that are made very real by the end of this story. The way moments at the start of the book come back to be mirrored at the very end only add to the emotional weight of what comes and makes me both scared and excited for the final entry in the series.

Thank you to Orbit books for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for review. Thanks for checking in guys, stay safe and happy reading.

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4.5 of 5 stars
https://lynns-books.com/2021/05/31/the-ikessar-falcon-chronicles-of-the-bitch-queen-2-by-ks-villoso/
My Five Word TL:DR Review : Fantastic setting, great characters. Dragons

The Ikessar Falcon is a book that I was eager to read. As it happens I picked this one up when I was having a little bit of a reading low and although I probably read 40% I decided to stop and return to it at a later date. That is probably one of my better decisions because I started this book again from the beginning, I part read and part listened to it and in fairly short order I was immersed in the world and caught up with the drama surrounding the characters.

Where in the first book Queen Talyien left her home to try and make reparations with her estranged husband and found herself at the centre of a very tangled web, this second book follows her struggles as she tries to return to the son she left behind, desperate to keep him safe. Now obviously, I’ve over simplified that – a lot – but, if we leave all the titles, the back stabbing and the politics behind this is about a woman desperately trying to return to her child to save him from imminent threat – and the fact that many people are about to stand in her way and try to make the journey impossible.

Two stand out elements to this book.

Firstly the characters are all strongly written. There is such a depth of emotion with this book. we see Tali revisiting events from her childhood that really demonstrate the relationship she had with her father. We also gain insight into her relationship with Rayyel and look at events from both perspectives. It’s fascinating watching Tali struggle with who she is and what she’s done in the past that has led to her current path. She veers from guilt over her previous actions, to desire to change her life to resorting to who everyone expects her to be when conflict arises. She is without doubt a fascinating, frustrating and compelling character. I admit that I went at times from feeling exhilarated by her lack of caution as she flings herself recklessly into dangerous situations to despair as she revisits old ‘mistakes’.

Secondly, the world building. Tali encounters a lot of obstructions along the way. This isn’t an easy journey, rife with people who want to use Tali for their own advancement, I was fascinated by the blood magic, in awe of the imagination and of course wowed by the dragons – which I’m not going to spoil here – but they come with some amazing surprises of their own. Also, I suggest you keep snacks on hand when reading this one – lots of lush descriptions of delicious sounding food.

This is a well written, deep and emotional read. It has plenty to entertain and yet doesn’t balk at taking a good strong look at the characters and digging below the surface level to explore who they really are.

In terms of criticisms, I don’t really have much to be honest. I mean, this is a long book – but it doesn’t feel long because there is plenty to keep you entertained. I think my biggest issue relates more to Tali and the fact that she reacts impulsively and doesn’t always make the wisest choices – but then she’s human, she makes mistakes.

Overall, this is an excellent second in series that leaves me very eager to pick up the third book (although I would like to wait for the audio so I can both read and listen again – I definitely recommend both versions)

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.

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The Ikessar Falcon was a satisfying continuation of The Chronicles of the Bitch-Queen, and in my opinion it more than lived up to its predecessor - no middle book syndrome to be seen here! It had all the aspects I enjoyed from the first book - the pulse-pounding action and suspicions, the slower moments of Queen Talyien's introspection which were still, for me, a joy to read. I love Villoso's writing style, and the way she writes the relationships between characters, as well as how they interact with the world and its complex politics and history.

Oh, and more dragons! (Plus other monsters)

There was one line said by a particular character about Talyien's son that put a really bad taste in my mouth. I only read an ARC though so that might have changed for the final version. I hope so, it just felt gratuitous and totally unnecessary, it could have been said without being actually said, you know? But this was my only real complaint!

Overall I gave The Ikessar Falcon a well-deserved four stars (more like four and a half!). I am desperate to see what more Queen Talyien's tale has in store.

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Looking forward to the series! The story and premise always captivated me. As a reader, you can feel the women empowerment in this book without without insisting or imposing that these women are powerful but the story showed it through actions and motives.


Villoso is now one of the author we should look out for!

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Aunque la lectura de The Wolf of Oren-Yaro no había sido totalmente redonda, la historia era lo suficientemente interesante como para que me acercara a la segunda entrega. Afortunadamente K.S. Villoso consigue expandir tanto el mundo como la trama de una forma muy completa en esta segunda novela, haciendo que haya merecido la pena la apuesta.


La novela es continuación directa del anterior volumen y se puede resumir como la vuelta de la reina Talyien a sus dominios, en un viaje tremendamente complicado con muy pocos aliados y enemigos por doquier. Este viaje le sirve a Villoso para que podamos descubrir la ingente tarea de creación de mundo que ha llevado a cabo, con distintas culturas integradas dentro del mismo reino, pero que mantienen su personalidad propia. Además, la autora aprovecha para ir profundizando en las distintas intrigas políticas que ya dejó entrever en el libro anterior, pero en las que ahora profundiza con mayor intensidad, dando lugar a un entramado de traiciones y maniobras totalmente inmersivo. En el volumen anterior la magia tenía un papel poco destacado, pero ahora resulta ser un componente fundamental en esta fantasía de inspiración filipina, donde el honor y la familia tienen un lugar preponderante. También me gustaría destacar la presencia de dragones, algo que sirve para romper definitivamente con la monotonía a la que nos podía haber llevado el primer libro.

En cierto sentido el libro también es una reivindicación de los personajes femeninos fuertes, que solo por serlo tienen el estigma de no cumplir su papel como mujeres sumisas y la acusación constante de dar rienda suelta a sus anhelos, mientras que de cualquier personaje masculino no se pondría su capacidad de mando e incluso se aplaudiría su hombría.

Quizá la parte que menos me ha convencido es el triángulo amoroso del que la reina es el centro, con tres vértices que se sienten atraídos por ella casi gravitacionalmente y que son incapaces de alejarse de su influjo. Estos tres personajes, serán fundamentales para el desarrollo de la historia, bien sea porque Talyien se aprovecha de ellos para sus planes o intenta protegerlos según cuál sea su relación con cada uno.

Las revelaciones sobre el pasado de la reina, hábilmente dosificadas, hacen que se descubran conspiraciones y engaños que están influyendo en el desarrollo presente de los acontecimientos. La verdad, siento mucha curiosidad por la siguiente entrega, para ver cómo se podrá desvelar la intriga, ya que Talyien cuenta con muy pocas herramientas a su favor.

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I received a copy of this book to review from Netgalley. Thank you for the opportunity.
A fascinating and intricate story, the author has way invested lots of time and thought in this epic story. It is difficult to follow at times with the complexity and the wide range of cast members. It is so the second book in the series so ease read the first book before embarking on this book.

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One of the things I like to see more of in fantasy is trying a different type of story. Quests, chosen ones and battles against an empire are all brilliant but sometimes it is fun to try a different type of storytelling. Earlier this year I reviewed (Insert ink) and I’m now very pleased to report that I found The Ikessar Falcon is an even better second adventure as our Queen now tries to return home; save her son and try to keep on the throne but is also about to discover that her own kingdom is now a stranger to her.

In The Wolf of Oren-Yaro we had Queen Talyien very much powerless and trying to survive on her own in a hostile kingdom. Slowly she found that she was part of a evil magical royal’s gain to take over her throne raising the the stakes for her survival but she survived only to find that her estranged husband is now prepared to kill her son if adultery can be proved. The book pretty much picks up shortly after that cliff-hanger and now the focus is on how our Queen can escape this hostile land and arrive in time? But we are about to find that long planned strategies are coming to a head; that magic is not nearly as dead as people think and court intrigues once again will try to tear the Wolf apart.

There is a lot to love about this series. A key point to the success is Talyien’s narration. If this was third person, we would see an often brave, humorous and occasionally ruthless leader – she is effectively the daughter of someone that could be seen to resemble Genghis Khan based on his reputation. But with Talyien’s inner voice we see that a lot of this is a front polished by her father’s less than gentle tuition and the trappings that she cannot show her inner thoughts – every decision for a ruler can have consequences. Over the two books we really get to see her as a human being – one for whom letting people in or even showing affection is difficult. Her experience as a royal though makes her great at examining people’s motivations and how to use them ion a strategy. She herself is finding that she is changing her worldview though as having seen empires now from the viewpoint of those at the bottom of society she can now see that power and privilege isn’t enough and perhaps something else is going to be needed for the fragile kingdom she rules to survive.

If the first book was very Talyien focused in order to get to know her this time we also get some a closer look at two really interesting travelling companions. We again get the smart conman with a heart Khine who Talyien hugely relied upon to guide her in her last set of adventures. But this time we also get Agos who is a warrior; Talyien’s childhood friend and potentially the father of her child. It creates an interesting dynamic between all three characters and also allows Talyien to start thinking about the relationships she has been drawn too and now perhaps what she wants for herself. Again, that conflict between the role as a ruler and as someone who wants to be happy plays a key emotional strand of the book. One thing to add here is these characters are not your typical young people finding the world for the first time we have people shaped by their life in their thirties and that adds a refreshing depth to their interactions.

For me, the big difference in the second novel is that we get to explore Talyien’s realm Jin-Sayeng itself. Pleasingly we actually again go on an episodic trip around the kingdom and discover some of the key factions battling for position. This brings up issues of democracy and also the way magic and those who wield it are perceived. Oh, and did I mention we get more dragons? Those readers used to long journeys to the big climax may be phased by the incidental nature but as the story progresses we see these mini adventures all feed into he major story and I’m fairly sure will come to a head in the final book. Each of these serves plot and character development and by the end of this novel I expect you to eb having major feels for several characters’ fates.

This was another hugely impressive instalment of a trilogy I think many fantasy fans will love – especially those looking for something a bit different. Villoso’s use of plotting to explore a character and their internal dialogue and conflict is brilliantly done. Strongly recommended and I very much look forward to seeing where we go next…once I get over my gasping at this one’s conclusion!

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It was hard for me to find my way back into this world but as soon as I was invested again, I couldn't seem to put this book down. The story and the characters grip you and wo't let you go. All the intrigue and scheming kept me on the edge of my seat. Although the men in this story still make me very angry because of their stupidity. I just wanna smack them all. Tali deserves waaayyy better.

I have absolutely no idea how this story will eventually pan out but I am looking forward to the next book, I'm ready to be amazed again.

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The Ikessar Falcon was one of my most anticipated sequels for this year, after reading The Wolf of Oren-Yaro back in January and falling in love with every part of the world and characters that Villoso has created. The second book in the Chronicles of the Bitch Queen certainly lived up to both the first book and the groundwork that had been laid there, and my hopes and expectations for this book. I was hooked from the beginning, and the twists and turns had me unable to stop reading and have left me craving more.
I loved the worldbuilding that was done in the first book, and the Ikessar Falcon has taken that and expanded on that greatly, revealing the breadth and depth that Villoso has created. It was fascinating learning more about the power dynamics of this world, the shifting allegiances and alliances, and to dive into the more fantastical elements of this world. Dragons, there are Dragons (have I mentioned there are Dragons? If I wasn’t already completely sold on these books, that would have been the tipping point). We also get to learn more about the magical system, it’s rules and limitations, and how it was used to manipulate the world around the characters and how far-ranging the consequences could be, and it was interesting to see the differences between the localised impact of these fantastical elements on Tali and her companions and their journey and situation, and the broader implications to the world beyond them.
I also can’t talk about the worldbuilding without once again finding my mouth watering over the cuisine that is described, and I would love to go on a culinary tour through this world.
The Ikessar Falcon also saw a greater exploration of the societal systems within this world, as well as the political structure, and all the intricacies and scheming that went into that. There were so many layers to this, with new characters with their own motivations, roles and status entering the field, as well as the cast that we’d been introduced to previously. The tension was drawn tight because this was a dangerous game for Tali who had fewer pieces to use than most, and far more to lose.
As with the Wolf of Oren-Yaro, this book is very character-driven, and it was great to dive in again and reunite with the characters from the first book, as well as meeting a whole cast of new ones. Tali saw so much development during this book, learning so much about herself, her role as Queen and even her own country. You get the impression that you are watching a flawed gem slowly being polished, as events and interactions, and the weight of her journey and choices shapes her into the person she has the potential to be, and she is my favourite character flaws and all. Khine remains another favourite – and I worry about him as the world around them grows more dangerous. The other characters all have their own motivations and complexities, and you can see them all grow and change throughout the book.
Villoso’s writing is wonderful, starkly beautiful and wonderfully imaginative, and it brings the world and characters to life. While her ability to convey emotion means that you are drawn into this tangled world, and wind up caring for all the characters regardless of how likeable they are (or aren’t as the case may be). The fight scenes were intense, and there were many moments in this book where my jaw dropped or my breath caught, and yet the action was well-balanced with humour, development and quieter moments between the characters.
The Ikessar Falcon is a book that delivers across the board, and I would wholeheartedly recommend it (and the entire series). It has everything – character, plot and worldbuilding – so whatever you’re looking for you will find it here, all wrapped in a writing style that weaves the story around you and pulls you along for the ride alongside the characters.

Will be posted on www.beneathathousandskies.com and Goodreads 31/10/20

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The Ikessar Falcon is the follow up to K.S. Villoso’s excellent The Wolf of Oren Yaro. It follows up immediately from the events of the first book, and remains centred on Queen Talyien of Oren-Yaro.Isolated from her kingdom, surrounded by foes and traitors, Tali has fought her way from one disaster, one site of carnage to the next, trying to reconcile her duty to her kingdom, her love for her son, and her own needs.Now she takes a step out onto a wider stage, setting out to return to a kingdom which may not welcome her at all. And it seems likely that things are going to get bloody along the way.


This is Tali’s story. A story of a young woman living under the crushing weight of expectation. Of someone whose family casts such a shadow, leaves such a weight, that she is defined by others before she knows herself who she is. Tali’s father ripped the kingdom apart in a war he saw as necessary, then raised a daughter to realise his ambitions. Is Tali a queen? In the ceremonial sense, perhaps. But she can also be seen as the last blade of a dead conqueror, shaped by his hand to serve his agenda beyond the grave. But Tali is also her own woman, someone who thinks of honour and duty, of service and war - but not always in the same way as her father. Tali is an unknown variable, a paper boat cast on rough seas, trying to shape a safe harbour.


As a character study, Talis journey is a flawless gem. Unlike Tali herself, whose flaws are as manifest as her better qualities. Tali is a woman trying to break free of the rails of circumstance. Of the bounds that duty and family place on her horizons. But at the same time, she is shaped by those expectations, by those needs. She can not rip herself from the social fabric in which she has been crafted, but cannot survive the events within it as she is. And so we have a conflicted woman: one part politician, deploying a lethal wit to uncover the schemes of her enemies, one part deadly warrior, willing to cross blades for a slight, and to face down five or six men alone - and win. And if those aspects are not enough, there’s the more vulnerable, intimate part of her. The part which struggles to give the woman behind the mask, behind the armour of expectation, social nicety and history room to breathe. That last part humanises Tali, defines her with a raw honesty and searing humanity, gives her a texture and context outside of heroines and villainesses. A scorned wife, an embattled mother, trying to save home and country, see her son and untangle her feelings for, among others, her ex-husband, Tali is a bit of a mess. A genuine, conflicted, brave and struggling mess. And she wears a face like armour, and, well, also regular armour - but the bitch-queen is a woman, a person, even as the person is contorted around the needs of the roles she is wearing, has no choice but to wear.. This is a portrait of a woman under stress, meeting adversity with strength and courage, while carrying heavy weights, and it has an authenticity, a truth to its voice which will have you turning every page with heart in mouth, to see what happens next.


That it happens in a wider world than we’ve seen before now is another joy. Here is Oren Yaro, and the sprawling counties around it. Each shaped by their Warlords, by their histories of struggle and brief pauses of something like pace. This is a land unquiet and wounded, but not broken. One whose woes are not limited to the continual internecine bickering, the insurmountable pride of its purported rulers - but one where other, darker things have begun to slither in the shadows. We learn a little of the past, of the history of the war Tali’s father began, and why. We see the broken stumps that remain of the Oren Yaro dragon towers. And we find ourselves among the wondrous, the magical both fair and foul. There are so many moving parts, in a world where Tali is a critical cog. There are schemes within schemes, wizards performing diabolical acts, and warlords making power plays. And smaller, quieter, perhaps more important people, living their lives in the shadow of ruined towers and squabbling nobles - selling fish and getting by. Still, there are wonders and horrors alongside the prosaic - monsters and dragons, oh my. And it all feels deeply real.


In the end, this is a fabulous work, filled with truth and wonder, with a core of humanity which makes its voice feel powerful and honest in each breath. Go give the series a try.

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I loved the Wolf of Oren-Yaro and I loved this second book in the series.
It's highly entertaining and gripping and it kept me hooked till the end.
The author is a talented storyteller that creates a very interesting world building and great characters.
The plot is fast paced and full of twists and turns.
It's strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

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This is a year of hotly-anticipated sequels for me (hello Hollow Empire and Call of the Bone Ships!), and since I first read the self-pub version of The Wolf of Oren-Yaro in summer of 2018, I’ve been waiting much longer than people who started the series with the Orbit re-release of book one this year (not that I’m trying to be hipster about it or anything). I’ve already detailed how re-publishing with Orbit honed an already-exceptional first book, and don’t doubt the same is true again, justifying my extra-long wait…

Suffice to say, when I finally got my hands on an ARC a few days ago, I simply devoured the book. I needed to, so I could deliver this review on time (thanks Bethan! -no probs James!), but it’s not like it was an ordeal – this is a book that’s very easy to dive into and lose yourself in.

Which goes some way to answering the Big Question of whether, after the long wait, it delivered on the promise of the first. For the avoidance of further doubt: yes, of course it did.

This is a series driven by the central character, Talyien, the Bitch Queen of Jin-Sayeng; dedicated mother, wronged wife, absent ruler, and general disaster-magnet. However, book two gets its name from her erstwhile co-ruler, estranged husband, and frequent antagonist, Rayyel Ikessar. That doesn’t mean he’s that much more prominent, but his influence on proceedings is certainly a lot more direct – not to mention incredibly unhelpful.

And it’s not like Talyien hasn’t got enough enemies already. She has a knack of making them almost everywhere she goes, and then discovering a few she didn’t know she had just when things are starting to look clearer. Against this she has arrayed a small-and-shifting band of questionably-reliable companions, and her own stubbornness.

Mostly the stubbornness.

“You’re unbelievably arrogant for someone with only two guards and such a long way from home,” a potential ally upbraids her at one point, without effect. This incredible determination makes her compelling – and occasionally frustrating – but that’s not to say Talyien doesn’t have doubts, insecurities, and desires. Most of these are hidden from all but her closest companions (I was going to say “confidants”, however she really has none), but not from the reader. Externally, Talyien is a force of nature, direct and implacable. Internally, she is a mess, dealing with the (often literal) ghost of her illustrious and bloody father; an upbringing that both sheltered her from reality and forged her into the formidable foe she is; and the ruins of her relationships with a trio of very troublesome men. The consistent factor driving her on despite everything is her love and devotion to her son – and, in it’s shadow, for her people as a whole.

This duality between Tali’s internal and external narrative plays out in the written story. Told as before as a first person retrospective, the narrative intersperses fast-paced action and sharp, plot-filled dialogue with numerous reminiscences of Talyien’s past and bouts of agonising about her future. The book perhaps leans a bit more heavily on the internal than the external, especially at first, but this only reflects the fact that the poor decisions and secret plots of the (in some case, quite recent) past are huge drivers on the plot going forward. The frequent introspection does make the book a bit slow at times, despite the same frenetic, stochastic movement across the physical map present in the first book. However, momentum begins to build nicely as Talyien drives ever-closer to home – and her son – and the climax is simply breathless.

Though Talyien is still unquestionably the beating (bleeding?) heart of this novel, the supporting cast get a bit more room to grow here as well. While Tali isn’t great to her would-be friends – and worse to her would-be lovers – they are an important supporting cast, and you can help feeling sorry for them, and picking favourites (#TeamKhine btw). There are also memorable cameos from new and returning minor characters that I hope to see again in Book Three.

The book also expands on the worldbuilding, especially in terms of the fantastical. Obviously, the rich, Asian-inspired worldbuilding that helped elevate the first book is still there, but now with additional fantastical elements, such as dragons, demonic possession, sorcerous constructs, and more overt explanation of how the agan works and what it can do (mostly get Tali and her crew into more trouble, of course.) This is a world with not only breadth but depth, that the author has been writing about for more than just these two books. That history shows, and I’m sure there will be more easter eggs for readers of the Agartes Epilogues (of which I’ve only read book one, and am excited to hear are being re-published as well).

A few things niggled me about the improbability of certain escapes, the inconsequence of serious wounds, some questionable tactical decisions, and (inevitably) the operation of sailing ships, but these really aren’t the point of the book.

This book is a whirlwind wrapped around the implacable drive of one remarkable woman, a journey fraught with more setbacks than triumphs, tinged with tragedy, plagued with peril, a mountain that gets ever-higher – but one you are compelled to keep climbing alongside the Bitch Queen, right on into Book Three.

The wait begins again!

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The Ikessar Falcon, by KS Villoso is a captivating, brutal and thrilling sequel to The Wolf Of Oren-Yaro (Chronicles Of The Bitch Queen) – Book 1 Review Here – and is filled with twists and turns that keep you hooked and wanting more.

Synopsis: Queen Talyien has been abandoned, by her people but that is not the worst part. On her quest to find her husband, Talyien comes to face one threat after another – each more sinister than the last and realises a deadly plot is brewing, one that threatens the very thing that keeps her going – her son. Talyien wants one thing, to be by her son’s side, but the journey is treacherous full of betrayals, madness, monsters, dragons, and mad men driven by ambition and hunger for power. She needs to save her kingdom, she needs to save her son, but when her allies are dwindling and war is looming ever closer it is easier said than done.

Spoiler Warning: This review may contain spoilers for book 1 in the Bitch Queen series: The Wolf Of Oren-Yaro.

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Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
4.5 Stars

The Ikessar Falcon is one of those books that you read and every time you think things cannot possibly get worse it does, not even in little steps, it’s a full blown avalanche of dilemmas – and I loved it. Villoso manages to have the situation worsen over the course of the book without it feeling like problems are just being thrown in or thrown at you, each new problem is reasonable (as in a reasonable effect of the story) and part of the larger web of political, historical or personal issues that are finally coming together and coming to light.

This book gives you everything that was promised in the first installment and more. Book 1 hints to/has small occurrences with dragons, the agan, mages etc… and in this installment we learn more about each of these threats. Not only does this book deliver on the promise of book 1 it also gives us so much more character development, particularly with Talyien and builds more complex relationships between her and her allies, as well as her enemies. The Ikessar Falcon also keeps up the levels of betrayals and deceits we saw in book 1, still filled with untrustworthy characters and some painful back-stabbing, which I love!

KS Villoso again gives us another brilliantly written book full of emotions, action, and politics. The prose is beautifully constructed, the dialogue is witty and the pace is perfect – the story never falls into a lull but nor is it exhausting to read, it rises and falls effortlessly giving us time to appreciate everything from the comedy to the tragedy. The narrative is the same as book one, the story is told from Talyien’s perspective so we get a lot of insight into her motivations. Again the perspective is effective, particularly for a book full of betrayal as we only see what Talyien is thinking so we cannot fully trust any other characters.

In book 1 Talyien cams off as a little naive making some infuriating decisions, in book 2 she has developed a lot. While she still makes some questionable decisions they are understandable from her point of view. As in book 1 Talyien is driven by love for her son, however it is much more prominent in this book. A Mother’s love is a key part of this story and is at the core of a lot of Talyien’s decisions, it is clear she will do anything for him and it makes her easy to understand even when she acts unreasonably. Talyien is also driven by her desire for a peaceful kingdom, she wants to prove she is not her father but who she really is is hard to see, over the course of the story her true self is slowly revealed and it makes her all the more relatable as well as easy to connect with. However, despite this her character is still flawed, she is realistic and gritty, complex and human – she makes mistakes and that is what makes her so interesting – she is not some cardboard cutout saviour, but she is someone we want to succeed in spite of her flaws.

Talyien’s relationships also develop over the course of the story, we see more of her and Rai, her and Agos, and her and Khine. Now I’m not usually a fan of multiple love interests, whether they are mutual or one sided etc… However, I think that this sort of love triangle/square is actually important to the story. Why? Well that’s because it highlights something important, it illustrates Talyien’s shackles to the throne and to her kingdom. Talyien has never had the privilege to choose anything, from the course of her life to the person she loves – it has all been engineered for her, carefully crafted by her father. The love square allows us to see to what extent Talyien can, should or will love because she has vastly different types and levels of love and affection for each of the three men. It also shows us the extent of Talyien’s power over people both directly and indirectly, albeit she is (to some extent) naive to this, I won’t delve into this point too much though because it borders on spoilers! But I think this is one of the rare circumstances where the multiple love interests actually help highlight a point and I actually enjoyed it.

The actual story is gripping from the start – we delve straight into the after effects of book 1 and of Talyien finding her husband. This time Talyien must save her son after uncovering deadly plots that involve him. However, this is not the only threat, Talyien is facing threats pointed at her and at her kingdom, from people hungry for power to mad dragons. The risks are much higher in this book or a ones that were hinted at and are now developing and coming out in full force. I really loved this and how the story progressed, as we saw each thread rise and realise it is part of a wider web of deceit and plans. Every ‘villain’ that we come across is well presented, their plans and motives well realised and I cannot wait to see how it all comes together in the next book. This book is harder to talk about without giving away spoilers but you are in for an amazing action-packed story where the stakes are high and the consequences are real – the twists and turns are shocking and it is just a phenomenal addition to the series.

Of course this was also a delightful expansion on the world that Villoso has created, we get more world-building, more insight into how the power dynamics work and the workings of the throne, as well as seeing the shift in alliances between the people. The world is brilliantly crafted and this book naturally adds to it without just throwing information at you- we learn about things organically as we would in reality and it is done well. It keeps us interested in the world and the shifting power/allegiances and keeps us hooked and invested right up until the end.

This was a rambly review but overall I really loved this book! The prose is well balanced between beautiful and harsh, witty and emotional, comedic and tragic. The characters are well developed, their relationships are rich and complex and their bonds evolve naturally and realistically. The story is unique and original, it moves at a good pace and is engaging, the stakes are high and keeps you intrigued, it is both shocking and surprising and doesn’t become predictable. Everything is well constructed and comes together masterfully- I cannot wait for the next book in the series!

I would definitely recommend this to epic/high fantasy lovers – this is a series you should not miss!

*Thank you Orbit for my Netgalley eARC of #TheIkessarFalcon by #KSVilloso in exchange for an honest review!*

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The Ikessar Falcon is the follow up novel to the wolf of oren-yaro as we continue to follow queen Talyien on her adventures. This is a really solid sequel, it took me a little while to get back into the story but I really appreciated the recap of book 1 at the beginning (seriously more books need to do this) and the second half was such a wild ride of emotional trauma.

Talyien is such a fascinating character and is truly one of the most complex characters I've read about. She has so many layers and as the reader we never really know which decision she is going to make. I really liked in this book how we watch Tali really start to find her confidence and start making decisions for herself rather than what she has been forced into/what she thinks her advisers want. Tali is defiently guilty of sometimes just letting things happen to her but she actually managed to get some agency towards the end of the book!!

The plot of this book especially in the second half was so exciting, it's quite a travelling novel but there is a massive political mess and having to work out which side everyone is on is very intriuging! And all the betrayals at the end had me gasping!!

Rayyel (Tali's husband) makes sporadic reappearances throught the books and as usual causes plenaty of problems. I would say the main plot is Tali trying to get back to Oren-Yaro to stop Rayyel from killing their son. But along the way so much goes wrong and we have dragons in this book which was so interesting!! I loved the edition of the dragons!!!!!

The action scenes are all really well written but i think where this series really excels is the interactions and dialogue between characters. Some of the diaglogue is just *chef's kiss* ad feels so effortless but so powerful.

And I saved the best for last, but my favourite character in this series who goes through such a ride in this sequel is KHINE T_T
He is probably the reason I enjoy the series as much as I do, he is the perfect combination of roguish, charming and compassionate. He is easily the character I was rooting the most for and I was so investing in his happiness. But this book was ROUGH for my emotional state. SPOILER will tali and khine just get together already please?????? the price of love chapter was heartbreaking </3

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This was a wonderful return to a world I enjoyed so much in The a Wolf of Oren-Yaro , I was so excited to be approved for this and I wasn’t disappointed at all. I still love Tali, how complex her character is, how you love and are irritated by her in equal measure at times. I loved that we get more depth to Rayyel and more backstory in this book. Very character driven I felt, but I loved that, as you are going on a journey with the characters. The author is a wonderful writer, K S has such a way with the written word, it draws you in and hooks you and won’t let you go, fabulous I am looking forward to the third book even more now

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

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Firstly, I want to be noted that The Ikessar Falcon has a recap in the front of what happened in The Wolf of Oren-Yaro?? I love it when books (especially high fantasy) have that! So bonus points for that!

And now … uff, how to properly explain what this book made me feel. I don’t think I can put into words how much this story and its characters touched me, held me captive and just … The Ikessar Falcon and The Wolf of Oren-Yaro are so dear to my heart and honestly, after reading this sequel … I have to say there in my Top 5 of all-time favourites! They just made me feel so much, go through all the emotions and physically feel them!!*

*So, expect a lot of gushing

I read the first few sentences and I was immediately back with Tali, Queen Talyien. I adore her so much! I loved how we got to experience all her thoughts and doubts alongside her. It made me love her even more, something I did not think was even possible.

She really is in a tough situation here with everything that happened in the previous book. The whole atmosphere of desperation, hope and these few golden moments of freedom and laughter sprinkled in between. Ach, the heartache!
Queen Talyien didn’t have an easy life, at all, and she is still dealing with her complex feelings and memories regarding her father and her upbringing. But she also has to witness what she did have growing up and how vastly different the lives of others are. It’s amazing to watch her experience the world and the fates of other people.

She always knew that actions have consequences. That everything you get, someone paid a price for. It’s her normal. In her world of backstabbing, bickering warlords and betrayals … and the contrast that with people like Khine who grew up so differently. And him seeing what her world is like … that’s the good stuff! This book expands on not only Tali’s backstory and upbringing, but her relationships with other people and consequently their stories. We learn more about Khine as well, little snippets here and there.

The price for Zarojo citizenship. I had to wonder, though, what was so awful about living in Jin-Sayeng that people were willing to brave the sea and live out in dirt and grime here instead. You’d think the ruler of Jin-Sayeng would know

I loved being back with all the characters. Lo Bahn actually became one of my favourites here, I really enjoyed his conversations with Tali. One thing that I appreciate immensely about Villoso’s characters is, is that she doesn’t shy away from showing the ugly side of humanity. None of these characters are free from sin, they make mistakes, grave ones sometimes. It’s what makes them feel so real and also what makes me feel so much for them and what they have to go through.

It was really interesting to read more of Rayyel, to get to know his thinking and his perspective in things. There was one conversation between Tali and Rai in particular that I adored. Rai is explaining why he thinks what he is doing is the best thing and Tali truly tries to understand and just … can’t. It’s so well done and I want to say so much more but can’t.

I’m very much a character-driven reader, as long as the characters are intriguing I can forgive a lacking plot or bland world-building … but even if I didn’t like the characters here, both the plot and world-building are so well done, complex and intriguing. I loved that we got to go back to Jin-Sayeng in this sequel, although it was fascinating to kind of get an outside view and to experience the country first through all the differences Tali encountered when travelling through the Empire.

K.S. Villoso really has a way with words. She perfectly balances introspective scenes with world-building and action scenes. It’s always exactly what the story and the reader need next. As I said, I loved that we got to explore the world more. The contrast between the different settings and how the people there react to them was fascinating to read and I could have honestly, read pages more just about Tali and Khine travelling and seeing and experiencing new places.

The world in this series is so rich and vibrant, and I feel like I could paint all the cities and villages (that is if I could actually paint …) and the political machinations, the different parties with their own hidden agendas … it was phenomenal. There are just so many small details that paint such a clear picture of how the different regions they come from affect their personalities, their way of thinking …

[…| the best thing he could do at the moment was humiliate me. It was a chilling thought. But the joke was on him. His Zarojo propriety didn’t understand Jinsein pride.


The book is, just like its predecessor, a character-driven story but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a engaging strong plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat, glued to the pages and unable to stop reading. The character arc and the plot go seamlessly hand in hand. Without one we wouldn’t really get the full potential of the other. The Ikessar Falcon has a lot of introspective scenes where Tali has to find out who she is and who Queen Talyien is. And who is Yeshin’s daughter. How can she be all of them?
But there is also so much action happening. Tali (and the reader) never has a dull moment, never can truly relax because the next catastrophe is just waiting around the corner.

Mistakes pile on top of each other, decisions made long ago throw their shadows and people who shouldn’t have control over current events are still the puppeteers with the strings in their hands. Difficult decisions have to be made and honestly, most of the times there is no good option. Just different paths going straight for the next mistake. I loved witnessing Tali’s reasons for what she does and what influences her.


Recommend for …

Everyone. Again, I can’t tell you how much I love this book.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a plot-driven or character-driven reader, you will find what you’re looking for in this series. The world is vast and intricate, with lot’s of political warfare, backstabbing and betrayals. Tali has so many expectations from everyone around her and everyone is judging her every step. She has to be perfect and no one is ready to forgive her mistakes while they do exactly what they are criticising her for.

The characters are all so real, complex and flawed. They all have their own unique way of looking at the world and their own aspirations and agendas that clash with each other.

And I can’t wait for the next book!!

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The Ikessar Falcon, the second installment of The Chronicles of the Bitch Queen series, was a compelling read for no shortage of reasons. Fascinating character dynamics and engaging banter kept me invested with the whole cast, whether I liked certain characters or not. Intense, high stakes battles and daring escapes left me on the edge of my seat. Lush descriptions of the landscapes in each new location Tali encounters in her travels truly brought the world to life. There is much to appreciate, and it made this my current favourite of the two released books.

The book opens with a concise recap of the previous book, The Wolf of Oren-Yaro, before delving into the story in earnest. This was a helpful refresher and made for a perfect segue into the rest of The Ikessar Falcon, as the story begins not long after the events of the first book. As ever, things are not looking great for Tali and her companions.

Talyien aren dar Orenar, the controversial Queen of Jin-Sayeng, is still stranded in the Empire of Ziri-nar-Orxiaro. She has limited allies, limited resources, and no shortage of enemies willing to hunt her down for one reason or another. All Tali wants is to return home to her son, Thanh, but this desire proves impossible due to a Zarojo embargo preventing any departures of ships destined to set sail for Jin-Sayeng. To make matters worse, Tali is painfully aware that no aid or rescue has been attempted by her clan, the Oren-yaro, or by any of her people. This does nothing to alleviate the fear that they may have given up on their Queen for good.

But the embargo is far from Tali’s only current predicament. She has unfinished business to attend to before returning home. For one thing, Tali is still livid over the threat made by her estranged husband, Rayyel, at the end of the last book. She knows that he’s still in the empire looking for mages to recruit for his planned course of action and she’s determined to hunt him down. There is also her damaged relationship with Khine, who has been keeping a cool distance from her since learning the true reason for Tali and Rayyel’s separation. Tali mourns the loss of his friendship, and can’t quite bring herself to forget that Khine was once the only person who seemed to be a friend to Tali the woman and not Talyien the Queen.

The complications in Tali’s life steadily increase throughout the book as the stakes climb higher and even more dangerous threats emerge. She is constantly on the move, but the only possible directions she ever seems to have to decide between are running *from* trouble or running *to* trouble.

She battles with dragons, assassins and mages. She struggles with suspect allies, untimely betrayals, and personal tragedies. And worst of all, Tali battles and struggles with herself. More than ever she questions everything that she believes she was supposed to represent – as her people’s Queen, as her father’s daughter, as her husband’s wife, and as her son’s mother.

This book, like the rest of the series, remains to be a character-driven adventure with a considerable measure of both action and introspection. This second installment seems to have a more equal balance between the two, which I personally found led to an excellent pace that made the book even more engrossing to me than the first. There is still an almost episodic feel to the trajectory of events that take place, but the responses of the characters to the challenges they face seems much more proactive than reactive than in the first book.

Tali herself is still a wonderfully complex character, not the least because she seems to be forever walking a metaphorical tightrope at knifepoint. She endears and aggravates in equal measure but always manages to captivate her audience even when you don’t necessarily agree with her. Some of her choices continue to frustrate me, but it’s impossible not to feel sympathy for her. There is no one more cognizant of her own flaws than Tali herself, after all, and she frequently muses on them when she recollects the shambles that is her life.

Almost every aspect of who she is seems to be at odds with one another. She has always wanted to live up to her father’s legacy, but she can’t reconcile this with her duty to her marriage, or her love for her son, or even what is best for Jin-Sayeng. She has chased after the shadow of her husband for years and now more than ever begins to find it all hollow. As strong as she is, these doubts and vulnerabilities begin to wear her down. But she truly listens when Khine challenges her to question why she’s so concerned with her father’s expectations, or the Oren-yaro alone, when she is Queen of all Jinseins and should value all her people. I love that is always reflecting and wrestling with these things that she once took as an absolute.

Rayyel, surprisingly, was another stand out character for me. He features much more prominently in this installment, which I found myself enjoying despite my less than warm feelings towards him. He was mystery in many ways during The Wolf of Oren-Yaro due to his deeply reserved nature, and neither Tali nor the reader get many glimpses of his thoughts. Here, we get to see much more of why he is the way he is, and why he makes the decisions that he does. He still may not always be likable, but he is much more understandable. Then, of course, there’s Khine. Khine is in many ways the heart of these books, but his arc in this one broke mine. There is a deep anger and melancholy that exists behind his con artist’s mask and we get to see much more of it here.

Needless to say, I’ll be looking forward to see what’s in store for all these characters in the next book. Especially after that ending!

Thank you to NetGalley, Little, Brown Book Group UK and Orbit for providing the free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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