A Dark Fantasy Romance That Feels Comfortingly Familiar
A Review of "The Cursed Queen’s Daughter" by Elly Blake
If you fell hard for The Forest King’s Daughter, then The Cursed Queen’s Daughter is going to feel like slipping back into a shadowy, spellbound version of a place you already know—complete with eerie woods, prickly tension, and just enough romance to keep you turning pages long past your bedtime. Elly Blake returns to the world of Thristwood with another daughter at the center of the story, and while this book doesn’t exactly reinvent the wheel plot-wise, it absolutely delivers on the vibes: dark fairy-tale atmosphere, enemies-to-lovers tension, and a heroine whose awkwardness is strangely endearing.
Thank you to the author, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, and Toppling Stacks Tours for including me on this book tour and for my honest review!
Back in Thristwood (and Back to What Works)
One of the things I appreciated right away is that this sequel doesn’t abandon what made book one so enjoyable. Thristwood is still steeped in that gloomy, enchanted energy—like the forest itself is always listening. The setting continues to be one of the strongest parts of the series for me. There’s something about the way Blake blends courtly fantasy drama with something darker and more primal underneath it that makes the world feel both romantic and a little dangerous.
And speaking of romantic… I kept thinking of this series as a dark fantasy cousin of Bridgerton. Not in the sense that it’s witty Regency drawing-room banter (though I wouldn’t complain if it were), but in the structure and intent: it really does feel like the author is planning to find a love story for each daughter in this world. That “family-forward” format—where characters continue to exist and matter even when they’re no longer the main focus—creates a cozy sense of continuity. You’re not just getting one contained romance; you’re getting a larger tapestry of relationships, loyalties, and lingering consequences that carry from book to book.
A Plot That’s Familiar… Almost Too Familiar
Here’s the big caveat: this book is, in many ways, the same plot as book one—just with different characters stepping into the spotlight.
Now, to be clear, this wasn’t a dealbreaker for me. I still enjoyed the reading experience and I still needed to know what happened next (the ultimate test of whether something is working). But the similarities were noticeable enough that I couldn’t ignore them. There were moments where I had a strong sense of déjà vu, like I could see the shape of the story beats before they landed.
If you’re the kind of reader who loves returning to a familiar romance structure (especially in a series), you may find that comforting. If you’re hoping each installment will drastically switch things up, this might feel a little repetitive. Personally, I’m landing somewhere in the middle: I enjoyed the ride, but I’m also really hoping the next book leans into a more original plot framework.
Thea: Awkward, Relatable, and Surprisingly Charming
The heart of this book for me was Thea.
She has this awkwardness that could have easily veered into frustrating, but instead it felt human—like a genuine character trait rather than a quirk pasted on for “relatability.” Thea’s discomfort in certain situations, her prickly reactions, and the way she navigates tension made her feel distinct even when the story structure felt familiar. I found myself rooting for her not because she’s effortlessly cool or naturally powerful, but because she feels like someone trying to survive the emotional chaos around her.
And in romantasy, I love a heroine who isn’t just “the chosen one” walking into danger with perfect eyeliner and a perfect plan. Thea’s awkwardness adds texture. It creates moments of humor, discomfort, and vulnerability that make the romance beats hit a little harder.
Enemies-to-Lovers Tension That Actually Works
I’m a sucker for enemies-to-lovers when it’s done with the right balance of tension and payoff, and that’s where The Cursed Queen’s Daughter shines.
The antagonism in this romance has bite. You can feel the distrust and the push-pull dynamic building through their scenes together. There’s a satisfying awkwardness to the interactions, too—like both characters are aware they’re teetering on the edge of something, and neither wants to be the first to admit it. That slow burn energy kept me invested even when I could predict some of the story beats.
That said… the love interest in this one didn’t fully work for me.
The Prince of the Shadow Realm: A Vibe I Didn’t Love
Let’s talk about the Prince of the Shadow Realm.
I wanted to like him. I really did. On paper, he should have been perfect for me—mysterious, shadowy, powerful, morally complicated. But in practice, he gave off creepy, stalker-ish vibes throughout the book, and it kept pulling me out of the romance.
There’s a fine line between “dark and intriguing” and “sir, please stop lurking,” and for me, he crossed it more than once. I never reached the point where I felt fully comfortable with him as the romantic lead, even when the story clearly wanted me to swoon.
However—and this is important—it wasn’t enough to make me stop reading. It was more like a persistent “hmm” in the back of my mind. I kept going because I cared about Thea and because I genuinely wanted to see how things would unravel. The plot momentum and worldbuilding did their job, even if the romantic vibe wasn’t my favorite flavor in this installment.
A Sequel That Respects Its Characters
One of my favorite choices Blake made here was incorporating Cassie and Zeru and allowing their story to continue.
So many series introduce a couple, give them their book, and then essentially shove them offstage like they never mattered. That drives me crazy. I love when authors let previous protagonists live on as secondary characters—still relevant, still impacted by events, still part of the emotional fabric of the story.
This is another reason the Bridgerton comparison kept coming up for me. It has that continuing-family feel, where your investment doesn’t reset with each book. Cassie and Zeru’s presence added warmth and continuity, and it made Thristwood feel more lived-in—like the world doesn’t revolve around whichever couple happens to be falling in love at the moment.
Final Thoughts
Overall, The Cursed Queen’s Daughter was a solid 4-star read for me. It delivered the dark fantasy atmosphere, romantic tension, and immersive setting I wanted—and Thea is a heroine I genuinely enjoyed spending time with. The biggest drawback is that the plot structure felt a little too similar to The Forest King’s Daughter, and the Prince of the Shadow Realm wasn’t my favorite romantic lead due to the creepy vibes.
Still, I didn’t want to put it down. I had to know what happened next, and that says a lot.
If the next book brings a fresher plot while keeping this same moody, romantic Thristwood energy (and the ongoing-family storytelling), I’ll absolutely be there—ready to fall back into the forest again.
Who I’d Recommend This To
If you like:
dark fantasy romance with fairy-tale vibes
enemies-to-lovers tension
awkward-but-lovable heroines
“family series” structures where past couples remain involved
moody forests, curses, and court intrigue
…then The Cursed Queen’s Daughter is worth picking up.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
About the book:
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Publishing date: February 10, 2026
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound
Synopsis:
A warrior princess falls for a shadow prince in this darkly romantic companion to The Forest King’s Daughter.
Fearless Thea has never known life outside of war. As the favorite daughter of the Sylvan King, she’s a relentless fighter who longs to lead his army as First Huntsman, ignoring the pretty clothes and fanciful notions others enjoy. But when a mysterious dress full of dark magic appears on her hearth one evening, Thea doesn’t know how to fight an enemy she can’t see or touch. Still, her curiosity builds as a new gown appears each night—until she gives in to temptation and is whisked to a forgotten land of shadows.
The prince of the shadow realm is a handsome host, and while Thea does all she can to resist his charms, it’s clear he knows something about the long-ago disappearance of Thea’s mother. All he asks in return is for Thea to dance with him, their dangerous attraction growing each time she returns for more information. Meanwhile, shadows are seeping into the living realm, and Thea may have to embrace her own darkness if she has any chance of saving her beloved sisters and home from an otherworldly threat.
From the author of the Frostblood Saga comes the second book in a spellbinding series about the daughters of the powerful forest king, with simmering romance and plot twists that will leave readers desperate to enter the Thirstwood themselves.
Content Warning: Blood, war, death, violence
Meet the author:
Elly Blake is the NYT bestselling author of the Frostblood Saga and the Thirstwood series. After earning a BA in English literature, she held a series of seemingly random jobs, including project manager, customs clerk, graphic designer, reporter for a local business magazine, and library assistant. She lives in Southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids, and rescue dogs.
Her work is represented by Suzie Townsend of New Leaf Literary & Media.