The highest honor for a woman was being a Grace which was just a courtesan to the superior (one of many wives). Women were not allowed to be educated, any wages they made were given to their husband, and they were basically property of those husbands.

The world of Viridia has put women down for centuries because they feared what giving women power could lead to based on a history they’ve suppressed. She was submissive and polite in Grace and Fury when she was sent to Mount Ruin for reading a book. Serina grew so much from the first book to this one. Both Serina and Nomi have to deal with obstacles and challenges while fighting for their rights as women in Viridia. Serina needs to make sure the women of Mount Ruin get to Azura safely.

Malachi goes back with her so that he can gather up an army to oppose his younger brother, Asa. Nomi needs to go back to Viridia to find her brother and parents. The story progresses from there with Nomi and Serina having to go their separate ways, this time by choice. Malachi needs to get back to the palace so that he can gain his rightful place back from his brother. The sisters are reunited and learn what the other has been through to since they were separated. Queen of Ruin starts right where Grace and Fury left off with Serina and the women on Mount Ruin having led a successful revolt and overpowered the guards and Nomi on a boat with Maris and Malachi headed to Mount Ruin. Serina and Nomi both had to reinvent themselves throughout the series but more so in Queen of Ruin when they were faced with obstacles that threatened to tear them apart forever. Queen of Ruin is a powerful story about female empowerment and finding your voice. Queen of Ruin is the sequel to Grace and Fury, by Tracy Banghart.

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