The Gray Wolf Throne (A Seven Realms Novel) [Hardcover]

Raisa, the would-be queen of the Fells is having a hard time getting home. Of course anyone could see how the constant assault of assassins would pose such difficultly. But Raisa is determined to ensure her place in the succession of the throne. Yet there are still quite a few factions that would love nothing better than to seat a more malleable queen in power and they're coming pretty bloody close to achieving that goal.

Their greatest obstacle is Han Alister. Despite his feelings of betrayal over Raisa's assumed identity, Han has managed to repeatedly save Raisa's life. Alister is doing more than playing the white knight, he's shaking things up at court applying his streetlord savvy to the high stakes games of royal politics.

Raisa is assembling a group of trusty advisers while Han is putting together a new crew. Both have different objectives. In the end will their desires heal the world or end up shattering it all over again.

The Gray Wolf Throne was a real joy to read. Raisa's and Han's separate journeys finally converge in romantic and spectacular fashion. You really get to see the glimpses of greatness Raisa showed in the previous books as a future ruler come to life. We also had a reality check in the problems facing the neglected kingdom. Everything seemed to be broken from the out of work peasants to the prejudices between wizards, valefolk, and the clans. Trouble's not just brewing within the Fells but outside them as well and it's only a matter of time before the fight ends up on Raisa's doorstep. We also get to see Han use his extensive knowledge base. Han's magical training serves him well in flashy displays, and physical attacks. He uses his etiquette lessons to navigate the nobility and play his wizard role. Alister's employs his street wise education to maneuver through politics and become a real player at court. All these things add up to an absolutely wonderful read. Cinda Williams Chima doesn't disappoint.

Full of action and intrigue The Gray Wolf Throne is like the Tudors and Game of Thrones for the younger fantasy fan sect.

Holy crap. Absolutely fantastic. Crap, crap, crap. Why crap? Because after THE DEMON KING and THE EXILED QUEEN, what do I have left to say?

The world is still as utterly fantastic as it's always been. Richly colored and full of life, Chima hasn't let it slip by as a sacrifice to the greater plot. It still plays its role magnificently, hanging out just on the edge of the background and foreground, being its own character but knowing when not to be overwhelming.

I'm all for Han and Raisa but there was a piece of me that rooted for Raisa and Amon too, despite how implausible (even more so than her and Han) the relationship was. It did end up going down the route it was destined to go down (as intoned in the second book, the Byrnes are not about to break the line any time soon, 1,000 years of history supports that). Even though it went where it was supposed to go, I couldn't help but feel a little bit sad. For as long as it was pushed off, the harsh reality could be ignored. No more and it was a bit of a hard pill to swallow. But they both swallowed it because they had to.

The mounting tension between Raisa and Han is just phenomenal. When he finds out just who Raisa is, it's heartbreaking. You want to tear through the pages and slap some sense into him but it's Han. He's far too steadfast for something like that. But they're forced together anyway (in a more professional manner) so any ill will Han does have towards Raisa he's forced to swallow it back for the greater good.

But Han's resilient. He knows full well he's being used but he flips the situation to his advantage. He finds all of the holes that would end up benefiting him while performing his duties and he takes them. He makes sure that he plugs those holes with his desires first and foremost. You can't help but be impressed by someone like that. He holds his own against the bluebloods and he deserves some respect for that.

Raisa is still infinitely awesome. After multiple attempts on her life she continues to land on her feet. Like Han, she's fully aware that she's being used by everyone around her, not to mention being underestimated constantly (bad on those doing it) but she's had enough political upbringing to view things from all sides. She doesn't make hasty decisions and knows strategy like no seventeen-year-old does. I don't feel like I'm reading about someone so young but about someone even older than me for how she holds herself. I love her more and more with every book.

And the ending? Cruel to the point of barbarism. If I'm not mistaken there's one more book in the series yet to come out. How long do I have to wait for that one???

If you haven't started reading this series yet, you really need to get on it. It's such a relatable, engaging high fantasy novel that I think even someone that isn't the biggest fan of fantasy will get pulled right into it. Sure there's magic and wizards and a whole new world but it's about the people, first and foremost. And the people are just so dynamic and intriguing that you won't want to take your eyes off of them. THE GRAY WOLF THRONE is a fantastic piece of the SEVEN REALMS puzzle. This series just keeps getting better and better. I'm going to have to create a sixth bite rating for the next one.

I have to start by saying that I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this series!! The Seven Realms books are by far some of the best books out there!

The Gray Wolf Throne pretty much picks up where the Exiled Queen left off which was nice because we didn't miss anything. Cinda Williams Chima is one heck of a storyteller!! The details in the book made me feel at times like I was really there in the mountains and traveling with Raisa on her journey to the throne. I love the world of the Seven Realms and love that there is an amazing story with politics to boot. While reading the Gray Wolf Throne I could definitely see the story being set up for the last installment. I'm gritting my teeth in anticipation I seriously can NOT wait to read the conclusion to the story!!

I loved that all our favorite characters were back. Han (sighs) is amazing... I was hoping to read just a tad more about him in this book along with Crow, but I feel like all the writing that we were allowed to read is setting us up for one heck of a final book/battle! I loved that Dancer and Cat were back as well as Amon (sighs again... poor Amon, I love him). I'm definitely curious to see the part Micah will play in the last book... I've not totally made up my mind about whether he'll turn out to be a good person or not. Can't wait to see some characters get what they deserve and find out the mysteries still left untold. I don't want to give away spoilers so I feel limited to what I can say... but let me tell you, if you haven't read this series you are seriously missing out!!

Cinda Williams Chima, you are more than welcome to send me a copy of the last book (to proof read of course) lol. I'm so excited for the last book, just sad I have to wait for it to come out :'( This series is hands down one to buy, you will NOT regret the investment!! I made the mistake of borrowing the first two from the library, then had to go out and buy my own copies so I could read them again and again... I can't rave enough about these books, love them, love the author, love the storytelling, setting, fantasy, romance, mystery and so much more.... AMAZING book!!!!!!