Queen of myth and monsters by Scarlett St. Clair

Isolde, newly coronated queen, has finally found a king worthy of her in the vampire Adrian. But their love for each other has cost Isolde her father and her homeland. Now, as politics in the Red Palace grow more underhanded, it looks like there is someone working against them in the palace... and there are numerous inexplicable monster attacks plaguing the villages - Isolde herself joins the fight against them and finds herself injured, and something new is in store for her... and a deadly crimson mist threatens all of Cordova, in particular the men and first born sons.. Isolde must trust in the bond she's formed with Adrian, even as she learns troubling information about his complicated past.

Definitely a book for older readers, this paranormal fantasy is full of action, sex, swearing and self indulgent emotions. The second of the series, Adrian x Isolde, the author dropped the intrique that was present through book one, and focused more on increasing graphic sex scenes, seemingly unnessarily, along with regular swearing. If in a school library, the book should be in senior fiction, or restricted to older readers. I would not recommend it for a school library though, much less recommend it at all. Small chance it might be in line for fans of Sarah J Maas' series Court of Thorns and Roses, though it should be noted, it is not as well written, nor with as much storyline.

Themes: Paranormal, Vampires, Fantasy, Enemies to Lovers, War, Kings and Queens, Revenge, Feminism.

Melanie Pages