Book Review: The Queen Is Dead by Kate Locke

The Queen Is Dead

By Kate Locke

Release Date: February 5, 2013

Source: Publisher

Summary: When her brother Val gets in over his head in an investigation of Half-Blood disappearances and goes missing himself, it's up to Xandra, newly crowned Goblin Queen, to get him back and bring the atrocities to light. Xandra must frequent the seediest parts of London, while also coping with what she is, the political factions vying for her favor, and the all too-close scrutiny of Queen Victoria, who wants her head. Add this to a being a suspect in a murder investigation, a werewolf boyfriend with demands of his own, and a mother hell bent on destroying the monarchy, and Xandra barely knows which way is up. One thing she does know is that she's already lost one sibling, she's not about to lose another. 

Xandra Varden is the newly crowned Goblin Queen of England. But her complicated life is by no means over.

There are the political factions vying for her favor, and the all too-close scrutiny of Queen Victoria, who for some reason wants her head. Not to mention her werewolf boyfriend with demands of his own, and a mother hell bent on destroying the monarchy. Now she's the suspect in a murder investigation --- and Xandra barely knows which way is up.

What she does know is that nothing lasts forever---and immortality isn't all its cracked up to be.

Review: I fell absolutely in love with this steampunk world Kate Locke created in the first book God Save the Queen, so I couldn't wait to jump into the story again and see what she had in store for us in book two!

When her brother Val goes missing, Xandra, who has just been crowned the goblin queen, is determined to find him. But when she starts digging into his disappearance, she realizes Val was investigating some seriously dangerous stuff involving torturous genetic experimentation. With the help of her Were boyfriend and the goblin prince, Xandra gets closer to the finding her brother and finally accepting her newfound power as Queen of the goblins. 

Right off the bat, we're dropped into the insanely hectic drama of Xandra's life and I just couldn't put this book down. I love Xandra's character so much, especially now that she knows she's part Goblin and queen of a race she used to think were monsters. What's most awesome about this book, though, has got to be her relationship with Vex. There was a lot more emphasis on their romance and how they were both growing closer and closer while trying to protect each other from the dangers of their own lives. Mmmm my life would sure be awesome if I had a hunky Were to wake up to every morning too!

The mystery of where Val was and who was behind the genetic experiments made the story so intriguing and engaging. Seriously, I hated putting this book down to do anything and finished the entire last half in one sitting. I just couldn't get enough of this steampunk world! There's a ton of action, romance, mystery, and paranormal elements that there's something for everyone to love. 

Kate Locke definitely knows steampunk and she has written yet another phenomenal steampunk novel. I loved the clothes Xandra wore and everything about their lives that you definitely don't find in today's time. I honestly don't know why I don't read more steampunk because after reading Kate's books, I'm hooked! If you haven't started this series yet, you've got to find yourself a copy! Right now! You're missing out on a spectacular story with a spunk that pulls you in and refuses to let you go until the last page.