The Weekly Pour: Monster, Monarch, Maiden by Rae Carson
New Release Tuesday just handed us a quest, a grump, and a girl who does not have time for either of them right now.
This week we're deep in the mountains with Rae Carson's new YA fantasy romance, Monster, Monarch, Maiden — out today, August 25, and we already have Thoughts (capital T).
About the Book
After a devastating raid takes her family and her home, mountain girl Bria Angarsold finds herself a captive with nothing left to lose — great start, we know. Then a mysterious traveler crosses her path, she pledges herself to his quest (as one does), and suddenly she's stuck on a journey with the guarded, secretive Titus that's going to upend everything she believes about magic, divinity, and her own strength. Enemies-to-something, if you're into that. We are extremely into that.
It's rugged, it's bittersweet, and honestly? It's the quest we've been craving. It earns every bit of its comparisons to Shadow and Bone and The Girl of Fire and Thorns — a slow burn that actually takes its time, with a heroine who is delightfully blunt going toe-to-toe with a love interest who will not tell her anything. Watching them wear each other down is the whole point, and we loved every minute of it. Content note: the opening deals with captivity, and death recurs throughout — it stays age-appropriate for teen readers, but keep a tissue nearby just in case.
Genre: YA Fantasy Romance
Perfect for fans of: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo, Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross, and The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson.
This Week’s Pour:
A book this rugged needed a pairing with some grit, so we're pouring the Cinder Valentina ($14/glass) — a bold Idaho red blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and malbec. Structured, a little regal, exactly sturdy enough for a maiden who survives a mountain raid and comes out the other side a monarch. And yes, we noticed a wine named Valentina pairs suspiciously well with a book that has “Monarch” in the title. We're not saying it's fate. We're not not saying that either.
Keeping it alcohol-free? Order our seasonal mocktail, Between the Pages ($7), our blackberry & lavender mocktail — a nod to the divinity and myth running through this one. Fitting, for a story about gods, monsters, and the maiden caught in between.
However you take it: find your corner, crack the spine, and let Bria's journey do the rest.
Come Sip & Read With Us
Monster, Monarch, Maiden is on our new release table today. Grab your copy, order your pairing, and let's argue about whether Titus earns Bria's trust as fast as he earned ours (he did. immediately. we have no chill). Tag @thebookloungeid — we want to see your stack.
Happy Reading (and Sipping!),
The Book Lounge Crew
