The Queen with No Name

Return of the Ancestors, Book 1

By: JJ Makenzie

Narrated by: Shakira Shute, Will Watt

She was born to be a queen, yet she’s nothing more than a political pawn. With no name and no place to call her own, she’s doing her best to hold on to the only thing that belongs to her and her alone—her soul. A difficult task, given that she was kept alive for the sole purpose of being given to the formidable King Rowan of Northrend to fulfill the treaty signed by the three kingdoms of Greatland long before she was born. She must bear his heirs in the hopes of keeping the delicate peace that continually lies on the precipice of collapse. What she doesn’t know is that she’s not just the key to peace—she’s the key to war.

King Rowan’s entire life has been spent protecting his beloved kingdom and people. All he wishes for is an unassuming wife to bear his heirs and leave him unaffected. But the princess with no name haunts him with her beauty and unyielding spirit. Torn between breaking her and loving her, he puts his kingdom at risk each passing day he goes without a legitimate heir.

But there are more than hearts and souls on the line; danger lurks around every corner. Threats from within and without Northrend make it difficult to know who they can trust. The paramount question is this: Can they trust each other? Will the king finally name his queen, or will she tear his world apart? Her names comes with a price. Who will pay it?

©2022 JJ Makenzie (P)2023 Dreamscape Media

Liked it but also didn’t.

The writing itself is pretty good. The story is a little lacking.

*spoiler alert*

The amount of abuse and torment the heroine went through made me want to root for her.
On the other hand, the hero seemed like such a coward. He did not at all redeem himself. In the same vein, the heroine forgave him so easily for the cruelty and torment and hung on to every crumb of “kindness” he showed her. It’s very much like how women return to their abusers kind of scenario thinking they’ll change. And then all was forgiven. Like what? That’s it? For the amount of suffering she went through? That was not an equal exchange. And then all of a sudden they were in love? The chemistry wasn’t sparking. It just seemed forced.

Even in the end, Rowan who claimed to have loved her still distrusted her and immediately thought the worst of her. Despite the Princess showing multiple times she wasn’t a person to be distrusted. Sure she kept some secrets but to protect her life. Even Rowan’s own brother and soldiers could see that she wasn’t a person to be distrusted.

Will I still recommend it? Yes. It was good enough to keep me wanting to read and listen.

CREDIT WORTHY!

Being a serial listener I am very picky. I bought this on a two for one sale and took a chance. When a book brings out so many different emotions in me that is saying something……… SPEND THE CREDIT!!!

Intriguing Fantasy!

The Queen With No Name is one of those sweeping fantasy books reminiscent of The Remnant Chronicles or The Books of Pellinor. I listened to the audiobook version and found it almost impossible to put down. I was completely drawn in to this arranged marriage story with a grumpy/sunshine, enemies to lovers vibe.

The story begins with the arranged marriage between King Roman and the unnamed daughter of a rival King only known as “Princess” until her husband names her. Rowan accepts the marriage for several reasons: one to forge a tentative alliance, two because he needs an heir, and three his princess is masked and he’s promised she’s nothing to look at. On their journey back to his kingdom, Rowan discovers his bride is unimaginably beautiful and not too keen to be his broodmare. As they struggle to gain each other’s trust, Rowan and Princess must deal with betrayals, political intrigue and their own suspicions of each other as well as a looming battle between several kingdoms.

While Princess is a strong, sympathetic character, I had a hard time liking Rowan at first. He’s gruff, brutal, and allows his mother to mistreat Princess. While he’s immediately attracted to Princess, his only interest in her in the beginning is to have his heir. Although he doesn’t push her for intimacy, he does allow her to undergo a lot of hardship until he realizes he’s being a jerk.

There’s a lot of political intrigue as well with his father’s mistress still in the castle, his mother who doesn’t like being unseated from her position, and spies in their midst. The ending leaves on a huge cliffhanger. I immediately had to pick up the next book to find out what happens next.

The audiobook version was well done and I thoroughly enjoyed the narrators. They really brought the story to life and I especially loved the way they voiced each of the characters. It’s a dual narration with male and female narrators.

While I enjoyed this book, it’s definitely more spicy than expected. J.J. Makenzie’s other pen name is Jennifer Peel who’s known for writing clean, closed door romcoms. While all of the interactions are between a married couple, the author doesn’t shy away from fade to black scenes, nudity, discussions of sexual intimacy, and intimate touching. There’s also some swearing, violence, and physical abuse. I’d rate it a PG-13. I wouldn’t recommend it to teens or those who prefer clean reads.

I love JJ Mackenzie!

I love this story, and read it when it first came out last year. I love audiobooks and when I saw it was coming out I knew I had to buy it as well! Shakira Shute does a wonderful job with the narration. I will probably reposted to this over and over again!

great book

this was a wonderful book! I am really looking forward to book 2. this book had everything in it . romance, intrigue, suspense, treachery, betrayal, I could go on