The Hidden Queen by Kenley Davidson

The Hidden Queen shifts the focus of the series to new characters, new politics, and a new royal alliance—and while a lot happens plot-wise, this one felt very different from the first two books for me.

This story follows Princess Evaraine as she travels to Garimore to fulfill a vow to marry Prince Vaniell… except there’s one small problem: he’s missing.

Instead of wedding preparations, she walks straight into court politics, veiled threats from the king, and the constant pressure of hiding her dangerous magic. Garimore feels tense and uneasy, like something is always happening behind closed doors. There’s definitely no shortage of intrigue.

Enter Prince Danric—the serious, driven crown prince trying desperately to please a harsh father and hold the kingdom together. As he searches for his missing brother, he slowly begins to realize that much of what he believed about his kingdom—and even himself—may not be true.

Eventually, circumstances force Danric and Evaraine into marriage to uphold the alliance between their kingdoms. From there, the stakes rise even higher with news that Evaraine’s father and homeland are in danger, pushing her to escape Garimore and try to save her people.

There’s definitely plenty of movement in the plot—political tension, secrets, escapes, shifting loyalties. On paper, it checks a lot of boxes.

But personally? The story just didn’t grab me the way I hoped it would.

After loving the tension and emotional pull between Leisa and Kyrion in the earlier books, Danric and Evaraine’s relationship felt flatter to me. They both seemed unsure of themselves and hesitant, which made their connection feel less intense and urgent. I kept waiting for that spark or “I can’t stop turning pages” chemistry, and it never quite landed.

That said, I did love the cameos from Leisa and Kyrion. Every time they showed up, it felt like seeing old friends again, and those moments were highlights for me.

And honestly? The biggest hook keeping me reading now is Prince Vaniell.
Where is he?
What is he planning?
What role is he going to play in everything falling apart—or coming together?

At this point, I’m invested in the bigger story arc and curious to see how all the threads connect, even if this particular romance wasn’t my favorite.

If you enjoy political fantasy with arranged marriages, hidden magic, and shifting alliances, you may still really like this one. For me, it wasn’t as gripping emotionally as the earlier books—but it definitely moves the overall series forward.

I’ve linked the book here for you to check out.

Legends of Abreia:
1. The Faceless Mage
2. The Unseen Heir
3. The Hidden Queen
4. The Captive Throne
5. The Uncrowned Prince
6. The Sundered Blade

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