The Exiled Queen by Cinda Williams Chima is the second book in the Seven Realms series, and was no disappointment. Princess Raisa has fled the Fells with Amon, her childhood friend and new commander, and is studying at Oden’s Ford as cadet Rebecca Morley. Meanwhile, the former street lord Han Alister is at Oden’s Ford studying to be a wizard.
Both Han and Raisa are threatened by Micah Bayar and his family, who are also in the wizard school. Raisa can avoid them, but Han must face them since they go to the same school. Han is armed with the amulet he took from Micah, but must still study hard in able to match the Bayars. However, threatened with death, Han must also control his street lord instincts to get rid of them in any way he can.
Although their schools are on opposite sides of the river, Raisa and Han must eventually meet, thus complicating their lives even more. And what of Amon, who Raisa has developed feelings for? Their love is forbidden, but the heart wants what it wants.
I was thoroughly delighted with this book. Chima continues to impress me with her writing. The next book in the series is The Gray Wolf Throne. I can’t wait.