Queen of Coin and Whispers

'She loved me as I loved her, fierce as a bloodied blade'
When Lia, an idealistic queen, falls for Xania, her new spymaster--who took the job to avenge her murdered father--they realise all isn't fair in love and treason. 
Lia won't mourn her uncle: he's left her a bankrupt kingdom considered easy pickings by its neighbours. She s sworn to be a better ruler, but if she wants to push through her reforms, she needs to beat the Court at its own games. For years, Xania's been determined to uncover her father's murderer. She finally gets a chance when Lia gives her a choice: become her new spymaster, or take a one way trip to the executioner s axe. It s an easy decision.
When they fall for each other, their love complicates Lia s responsibilities and Xania s plans for vengeance. As they're drawn together amid royal suitors and new diplomats, they uncover treason that could not only end Lia s reign, but ruin their weakened country. They must decide not only what to sacrifice for duty, but also for each other.

Paperback: 464 pages Publisher: The O'Brien Press (6 April 2020)

BUY HERE

My review

~ I was gifted a copy from the publishers - all opinions are my own~

I give it - 4/5

My review - I ADORED this book so much. It was filled with so much that I just couldn't put it down. I was gripped from the beginning and hooked on these characters and their story. 

I really love that this book has different POVs. I enjoy when books do that as it gives more insight to the different characters in the book and their thoughts and feelings and I love both of these characters. This book also has a lot of LGBTQ+ Rep and it is wonderful. 

In this book we follow Lia, she has just inherited the throne and the kingdom is in shambles, the way her uncle left it before he died. She is determined to get this kingdom back on track and make it better and be a better ruler than her uncle was. So, she hires a spymaster. Xania wants revenge for father's death and uncover the truth. There is many obstacles in the way for these two and fall for each other was something neither of them planned. Can they get past everything, treason, politics, betrayal and survive? 

I love this book. Both of these characters are so interesting and I just wanted to know more about them. This book is packed with drama, romance, amazing world-building and a story that will keep you gripped and wanting to read more. This book is a standalone and I'm so sad because I will miss these characters but, this book is wonderful. The story flowed so nicely and it was filled with twists and turns and interesting characters. 

The romance is a high stake. They both have a lot of things they need to do, they both of struggles and throwing in their feelings just adds to it but it is something they both can't fight. I love the wit in this book. It has it's serious moments but then comes along a character with some dry wit and I just really enjoyed how she added that to this story.

A fantastic book from Helen which is not just a fantasy book but also shows the political struggles of this world and how two girls are trying not just too fix what has gone wrong in their lives but hopefully fight whatever comes between them. Amazing rep and an amazing story that you won't be able to stop yourself from getting caught up in!
​

​About the author

​HELEN CORCORAN grew up in Cork, Ireland, dreaming of scheming queens and dashing lady knights. After graduating from Trinity College, Dublin, she worked as a bookseller for over a decade. She lives in Dublin, writing fantasy novels and haunting coffee shops in search of the perfect latte.
Helen can be found over on Twitter, or on her Website.




​

---