There are two sides to every story, but they can’t both be true, can they? In the second book of the Birthright Series, Bridget E. Baker weaves a tale of bad things done for very good reasons and an unexpected chance at redemption. To be feared is lonely. . . As heir to the evian throne, Judica must be perfect every moment of every day. If she slips up, even once, her mother will replace … she slips up, even once, her mother will replace her. Impossible standards, horrifying decisions, terrible truths—none of these stop Judica from doing what needs to be done. She becomes what her mother demands, what her people need, what she never wanted for herself. But it isn’t enough.
But to be weak is death.
Judica’s worst nightmare becomes a reality when her twin sister Chancery steals the throne. Her life is over, all her efforts a waste. Judica should be furious, but strangely, she’s relieved. The freedom from her former responsibilities leaves her time to pursue her mother’s killer. But as she unravels the clues, the truth slips further away. When her investigation leads to a common enemy, Judica must decide whether she’s willing to mend the deep and painful fractures between her and Chancery, or whether she’s too far gone. Once a villain, always a villain?
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Absolutely and positively stunning! The back and forth of past and present are enlightening.
Learning so much more about the characters and their experiences, this book has it all…love and hate, revenge and forgiveness, action and intrigue! I’m definitely looking forward to the next book!
Wow! I loved this second book in the Birthright Series. The character development was wonderful, the insight into Judica’s thoughts and feelings really increased my understanding of the whole story. I love this story and the way it is unfolding! I also really loved seeing Judica get her own love story. It’s clean, fantastic world-building, and a great ending to this second part of the story.
I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions are my own and are expressed voluntarily.
I thought book one presented a pretty full portrait of Judica, but then book 2 went and flipped the table on all of my preconceived ideas. I loved the switch to the POV of the supposed-antagonist, further delving into the mind and experiences of this great character.
Judica’s POV is awesome. You get a look into how she feels and what she is going through. Gives you a different look on a character that you wanted to hate…but now can’t!
The story of the twin sisters told from Judica’s point of view. Interesting to both continue to plotline and go backwards, but from a different character’s point of view. I really liked this second book of the series, and it really changed my perception of Judica. A good reminder that none of us can truly know what another person is feeling or experiencing. unForgiven really helped round out Judica as a person and explained a lot of things between the sisters, and their mother. The family and life in Alamecha is fleshed out a bit more and new characters introduced. Not just evians are brilliant and gorgeous in this book! I think I have to root for the charming underdog in this romance. Absolutely worth the read!
Momentum of a good storyline from book 1 completely fizzled out. WAY TOO MUCH inner monologue of thoughts, very angst-y and began to just be the second twin whining, and whining, and then moaning some more. I skipped to the last chapter from the 3rd or 4th chapter…I could not take any more. I am sad to say the author never met a detail she didn’t share, sad because it was a darn good storyline and the author just overwhelmed the action with monotonous inner anguish. I wanted to know the character, I wanted to like the book, just could not. I did read 3rd book, again, skipped a fair amount, and again, a darn good storyline. All in all a frustrating experience.
Wow oh wow! This book had so many different levels and layers. Action, adventure, new friends, new perspectives on life and what they believe – says and espionage, danger and even love and redemption! This book had it all!!!
It connected so well with the first book, but brought about a whole new view and perspective of certain events from book 1.
I really felt like I finally understood Judica. I have a whole new level of respect for her. Yes, there were times I hated her, but I also grew to really like her and cheered for her!
We got to see more about one person I will call the “double agent”. The thought crossed my mind in book 1 that this person could have been a “double agent”, but now, I wonder if it goes further than that.
We also got to see a new side to Roman.
I can’t wait to read the next book!
I went into this book thinking there was no way Bridget E. Baker could make me sympathize with Judica. There was just no way I could ever like her after the things she did in Displaced. Wow, was I ever wrong! Reading both sides of the story really does make a difference. I ended up loving Judica.
“There are two sides to every story, but they can’t both be true, can they? In the second book of the Birthright Series, Bridget E. Baker weaves a tale of bad things done for very good reasons and an unexpected chance at redemption.”
That perfectly describes this book. I know the author says this is an optional read, but in my opinion, if you are going to read this series, this is a must read. Lots of things were explained and layers were peeled away so that we were able to see who Judica really is. Along with telling Judica’s side of the story, there is also some romance added that was nicely done, and a couple of new characters that I really liked as well.
This story breaks off from the first book and is told from Judica’s point of view. It draws you in and has you feeling all kinds of emotions towards her! I didn’t think I would want to read this at first because I wanted to continue from where the last book ended but I am very glad I did!! It was great!! I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This second story in the series picks right back up where Displaced stopped. The author reminds you that there are two sides to every story. Judica is harsh, but you start to understand what makes her that way. Another difficult to set down, amazing book.
Judica is heir to the Evian throne, the most powerful position in the world. She has spent her entire life training for this position (how many five-year-olds have to learn battle strategy and diplomacy and hand-to-hand combat?). And at age 17, when her mother unexpectedly dies, she finds herself taking the position she has devoted her life to. Until she discovers that just days before, her mother changed the heir paperwork, naming her twin sister the new empress. Chancery, the sister who received their mother’s affection while Judica received her instruction. The one who knows next to nothing about running a government while Judica has given up her childhood to learn how. On top of that, Chancery formally accuses Judica of killing their mother.
Surprisingly, Judica doesn’t really mind being passed over for empress. She fights Chancery, but more out of concern for what would happen to Evian with a young, weak ruler. Because weak is the one thing that an empress of a supernatural race cannot be. As a young child, Judica learned the terrible truth that a ruler cannot show compassion or even affection for anyone who could be a rival…particularly a twin sister who could assert a claim to the throne. So she pushes herself to be perfect, unflawed by any weakness. The one person in whom she could have confided, sharing her struggles and finding relief from the constant tension, is her mother, the empress. And the empress chose to love Chancery. All of the time she spent with Judica was training, teaching her how to be the perfect leader.
But what Chancery doesn’t know is that her cold, hard sister actually yearns for her love. That Judica wishes she could fall in love just because of who a person is rather than how he can help her rule. That she deeply loved the mother who only seemed to see her as the heir. That she isn’t cruel because she enjoys being cruel. That she wonders if there’s a possibility of a second chance at being sisters rather than rivals.
One of my favorite aspects of Bridget Baker’s books is the depth of character she portrays, and the fact that every single character has understandable and redeemable qualities. I can identify much more with Chancery, both in personality and the way she was raised. I can’t imagine being in Judica’s situation…and yet, I live her life as I read this book. I feel her pain at desperately trying for her mother’s affection while it is lavished on Chancery. And I wonder: how many of the “bullies” I’ve known were in a similar situation, avoiding any display of weakness for their own survival in a harsh situation, but secretly yearning for love? I also like that although there is a strong story arc that goes through the series (this book does not wrap up all the questions), it doesn’t end on an unsatisfying cliffhanger.
I strongly recommend that all the “Chancerys” in life, who go through hard things but know love, read this book to understand others better. And I recommend that all the “Judicas” read it to see that there is hope.
Poignant and thought provoking. What if you were forced to be the worst version of yourself. What if you couldn’t show that you longed to be loved.
Judica is a daughter who is looking for faith. As the youngest daughter of the direct descendants of Eve, the Evians, she has been raised to believe that being falsely accused of brutality is better than being suspected of weakness.
The women who rule her society rule without mercy, even killing their own children when the child doesn’t fit with their social norms. Judica was born a twin, who was raised enduring brutality to make her strong for leadership, but being treated as unloved and expendable.
When her twin, Chancery, is given Judica’s rightful place, Judica must find her place in the world, while fighting to preserve her life.
So glad I didn’t have to wait long to get the answers to Judica’s life. From the past to the present, this story reveals so many secrets from Judica’s upbringing and really brings everything around to a new light.
Could there be a reconciliation in the near future? I can only imagine the unstoppable team these twins could make if they were to join forces.
I absolutely adore the descriptions and life that Bridget Baker writes into every scene and interaction of all of her stories, and this one is another masterpiece. With so much action, intrigue, and change of opinion throughout this story, it will keep you turning the pages until well after bedtime.
I highly recommend this story and series to everyone who enjoys a great coming-of-age fantasy adventure.