The Cursed Queen’s Daughter
Contributors
By Elly Blake
Buy from Other Retailers:
- On Sale
- Feb 10, 2026
- Page Count
- 336 pages
- Publisher
- Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- ISBN-13
- 9780316396028
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.
Series:
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"The tight pace and intriguing ending strengthen this engrossing tale. Intoxicatingly satisfying."Kirkus Reviews
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Praise for The Forest King's Daughter:
An Amazon Best Book of the Month for YA -
"Vivid worldbuilding conjures an expansive setting against which this romantasy series launch by Blake (the Frostblood Saga) unfolds, resulting in a majestic tale that weaves together questions of destiny, love, and self-discovery."Publishers Weekly
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"[The] barb-trading, childhood-friends-to-enemies-to-lovers dynamic, in addition to the world of fantastical creatures and half-forgotten mythology, is sure to please fans of Rosamund Hodge and Laini Taylor. Blake displays particular skill with the worldbuilding, peppering chapters with diegetic literary quotes that illustrate the longstanding conflict while making clear their writers’ limited perspectives.... This is romantic fantasy that readers will gladly be swept up by."BCCB
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"Blake, known best for the Frostblood Saga, crafts another enchanting medieval world. Pick up for those seeking adventure and enemies-to-lovers romance."Booklist
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"Blake has delivered a fun and fast read that sets up interesting worldbuilding to be explored in the rest of the trilogy."School Library Journal
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"A sweetly romantic magical diversion."Kirkus Reviews
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Praise for The Frostblood Saga:
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"Perfect for fans of Victoria Aveyard...will delight those who love fantasy, adventure, and romance."School Library Journal
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"A thrilling romp through an engrossing world. A sucker punch of escalating evil, sizzling romance, and a spitfire coming into her own."Kirkus Reviews
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"Enchanting and fast-paced...lights up the page with magic, romance, and action, all of which is expertly interwoven throughout the text."Booklist
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"This strong debut for Blake succeeds in laying down intriguing framework for the books to come."Publishers Weekly
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"Romantic and thrilling."Booklist
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"Ruby's a spitfire who faces her challenges with grit."Kirkus Reviews
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"The plot is well paced and engaging...fans of the series will not be disappointed."School Library Journal
Formats and Prices
Price
$19.99Price
$25.99 CADFormat
Format:
- Hardcover $19.99 $25.99 CAD
- ebook $12.99 $16.99 CAD
- Audiobook Download (Unabridged) $31.99
- Trade Paperback (Large Print) $21.99 $28.99 CAD
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About the Author
Elly Blake the New York Times bestselling author of the Thirstwood series and the Frostblood Saga. She lives in Southwestern Ontario with her husband and kids and invites you to visit her online @Elly_Blake or at EllyBlake.com.
Fan Behavior
From NOVL Nation
“The Forest King’s Daughter is the perfect read for those looking to enter, and get lost, in a magical forest filled with kings and queens, demons, and fantastical powers that you have not seen yet!”
– Reece, @theunboundbook
“I absolutely LOVED this one! The romance, the worldbuilding, the tension…it really kept me on edge. I can’t wait to see where the rest of this series goes and if you’re a fan of romantasy I highly recommend!”
– Briana, Briana’s Book Nook
“I liked the worldbuilding a lot and the friends to enemies to forbidden lovers was really fun… Definitely a fun read, and I highly recommend.”
– Courtney, @romantasy_introvert
Peek the Audiobook
Book Club Guide
- How are authenticity and being true to oneself explored as themes in The Forest King’s Daughter? What are some ways characters ignore their own needs for others’ approval?
- How does the forest act as a character in the book? Thirstwood has “blood trees” with the ability to trap intruders. Can you find more examples that show the trees are alert or aware of what’s going on?
- In the prologue, when the Dracu queen declares war, the Sylvan king says, “At last” (p. 9). What does this say about his character, and what other examples can you find that reinforce that character trait?
- In what ways do Cassia and Zeru discover they were wrong about each other? How does Zeru help Cassia begin to question her role and identity?
- Why do the other forest folk rely on the Sylvans to protect them? Which is your favorite type of forest folk and why?
- Along with the Dracu, there are different types of folk who live underground. Which type of Azpian did you want to hear more about and why?
- When Zeru gives Cassia the ring, it starts a war between the Dracu and the Sylvans. What are some other examples of actions that lead to unintended consequences?
- In Welkincaster, Cassia finds the ring has a power she didn’t know about. What does she discover about herself when she uses this new ability?
- Cassia undergoes a transformation later in the story. Though that change is difficult for her, how does she come to accept and even thrive in her new form?
- How do the secondary characters help or hinder Cassia in her goals?
- Villains usually don’t see themselves as the bad guys. How do the novel’s antagonists reveal that they feel justified in their actions?
- Cassia has a strong bond with her sisters. In what ways is she similar or different from her sisters? What could she learn from each of them? What could they learn from her?
- Some of the quotes at the beginning of chapters are advice or commentary. For example, Gaxix the Dracu philosopher claims, “Sylvans have no sense of history. They live in the present, flitting among flowers and sipping morning dew” (p. 80). Are these claims always accurate? What could be some reasons why the Sylvans and Dracu have inaccurate ideas about each other?
- Sylvans don’t lie. Or do they? Are there examples of Sylvans finding ways to bend or skirt the truth?
On the Blog
#Thirstwood
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