I'm frustrated because while this had more action, more interesting characters (the sisters showed up!), and more plot-driven elements, the story... seemed more unrealistic? 

I don't understand why the king continues to hold onto an obviously unnecessary internal struggle, how the inadequate heir conveniently plays a role, and how the queen survived certain death. Even the romance aspect was inappropriate entirely given the queen's circumstance? I don't get it one bit. But joke's on me, I guess, because despite not being too impressed by the first book, I still read the second one and didn't DNF it? I wanted to know the story's conclusion, but I really wish the story-telling would've been handled better. Would not recommend. Bookstagram has failed me in this regard.