The War of Two Queens

Jennifer L. Armentrout

58 pages 1-hour read

Jennifer L. Armentrout

The War of Two Queens

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2022

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

Penellaphe, widely known as Poppy, is the Queen of Atlantis who prepares to lead her army against the Blood Crown. Formerly sheltered under the strict rules of the Ascended as the Maiden, she possesses immense magical abilities and a deep physical connection to silvery eather. She struggles to control her rising anger over her husband's imprisonment while insisting on military strategies that minimize civilian casualties.

Key Relationships

Wife and heartmate of Casteel Da'Neer

Estranged daughter of Isbeth

Close companion of Kieran Contou

Sister-in-law of Malik Da'Neer

Daughter-in-law of Valyn Da'Neer

Longtime friend of Tawny

Advised leader of Reaver

Casteel is the King of Atlantis, currently held captive in the underground tunnels of the capital. Weakened by prolonged starvation and physical torture at the hands of the Blood Queen, he fights to maintain his sanity and stave off consuming bloodlust. He fiercely loves his wife and relies on their unique mental bond to endure his daily agony.

Key Relationships

Husband and heartmate of Penellaphe "Poppy" Da'Neer

Brother of Malik Da'Neer

Son of Valyn Da'Neer

Son of Eloana Da'Neer

Best friend of Kieran Contou

Prisoner of Isbeth

Kieran is a wolven shapeshifter and Casteel's best friend. In Casteel's absence, he serves as Poppy's primary protector, confidant, and emotional anchor. He offers practical advice and helps ground Poppy when her magic and anger threaten to overwhelm her, willingly offering his own blood to help her maintain her physical strength.

Key Relationships

Loyal protector of Penellaphe "Poppy" Da'Neer

Best friend of Casteel Da'Neer

Fellow wolven of Delano

Trusted ally of Vonetta

Tactical ally of Reaver

Comrade in arms of Emil

Isbeth is the Blood Queen of Solis and the tyrannical ruler of the Ascended. She maintains her power through cruelty, manipulation, and a false public narrative that frames her as a benevolent figure. She actively tortures Casteel and attempts to push her daughter into fulfilling a destructive ancient prophecy.

Key Relationships

Biological mother of Penellaphe "Poppy" Da'Neer

Former lover of Malec

Master of Callum

Commander of Millicent

Captor of Casteel Da'Neer

Commander of Malik Da'Neer

Supporting Characters

Malik is Casteel's brother who currently aligns himself with the Blood Queen. He carries heavy psychological scars from his long-term captivity and the murder of his bonded wolven. His motivations remain ambiguous as he balances his lingering family loyalty against his present allegiances.

Key Relationships

Brother of Casteel Da'Neer

Son of Valyn Da'Neer

Brother-in-law of Penellaphe "Poppy" Da'Neer

Subordinate to Isbeth

Devoted protector of Millicent

Former bonded wolven of Preela

Callum is a powerful Revenant who serves as a loyal enforcer for the Blood Queen. He regularly accompanies Isbeth to Casteel's cell, executing her violent orders and casually taunting the imprisoned king.

Key Relationships

Loyal servant of Isbeth

Tormentor of Casteel Da'Neer

Reaver is a draken capable of taking human form. He possesses vast knowledge regarding the history of the ancient gods and the Primals. He advises Poppy on her developing abilities and fights fiercely alongside her forces during sieges.

Key Relationships

Advisor to Penellaphe "Poppy" Da'Neer

Tactical ally of Kieran Contou

Millicent is a Handmaiden who serves Isbeth. She frequently interacts with Casteel during his imprisonment, offering dark hints about Isbeth's overarching plans and the destructive prophecies surrounding the realms.

Key Relationships

Servant of Isbeth

Close companion of Malik Da'Neer

Antagonist to Casteel Da'Neer

Valyn is the father of Casteel and Malik. He participates heavily in Atlantian military planning but struggles with his deeply strained relationship with his sons. He previously withheld important truths out of fear for Atlantia's political stability.

Key Relationships

Father of Casteel Da'Neer

Father of Malik Da'Neer

Father-in-law of Penellaphe "Poppy" Da'Neer

Eloana is Casteel and Malik's mother. She previously withheld critical information regarding the true nature of the gods and the Ascended, heavily straining her relationship with her family.

Key Relationships

Mother of Casteel Da'Neer

Wife of Valyn Da'Neer

Tawny is Poppy's old friend from Masadonia. Following severe injuries, she exists in a strange, cold state between life and death, allowing her to receive messages from the deceased regarding ancient prophecies.

Key Relationships

Longtime friend of Penellaphe "Poppy" Da'Neer

Spiritual messenger for Vikter

Delano is a deeply loyal wolven who regularly flanks Poppy and Kieran. He fights fiercely on the front lines and expresses lingering wariness toward those who previously betrayed Atlantia.

Key Relationships

Loyal guard of Penellaphe "Poppy" Da'Neer

Fellow wolven of Kieran Contou

Vonetta is a highly capable ally and military leader within the Atlantian forces. Poppy trusts her judgment explicitly, eventually appointing her as Crown Regent to lead the kingdom during a dangerous rescue mission.

Key Relationships

Trusted regent of Penellaphe "Poppy" Da'Neer

Malec is a former King of Atlantia and an ancient god. He remains entombed and incapacitated, serving as a critical piece in Isbeth's overarching plans to manipulate cosmic forces.

Key Relationships

Former lover of Isbeth

Seraphena is the Consort and the Primal of Life. She remains in a deep, magically enforced sleep to prevent her immense grief from causing catastrophic destruction across the lands.

Key Relationships

Symbolically connected to Penellaphe "Poppy" Da'Neer

Wife of Nyktos

Kolis is the original Primal of Death, an ancient entity erased from history. He serves as a dormant, looming threat that Isbeth attempts to harness to fulfill her desire for ultimate vengeance.

Key Relationships

Worshiped by Isbeth

Nektas is a massive, ancient draken with immense power and deep knowledge of the gods' history. He monitors the cosmic balance between life and death and intervenes during critical moments.

Key Relationships

Ancient ally of Penellaphe "Poppy" Da'Neer

Emil is a loyal soldier and ally to Poppy. He regularly scouts enemy territory and reports back on the political climate and civilian morale within occupied cities.

Key Relationships

Loyal soldier of Penellaphe "Poppy" Da'Neer

Colleague of Vonetta

Vessa is an elderly woman in Massene who secretly serves the Blood Queen. She uses volatile Primal magic to sabotage Poppy's forces and assassinate key allies from within.

Key Relationships

Enemy of Penellaphe "Poppy" Da'Neer

Secret agent of Isbeth

Vikter is Poppy's deceased guard and former father figure. He now exists as a "viktor"—a reborn soul meant to guide those destined for great change—and uses Tawny to communicate vital warnings.

Key Relationships

Spiritual guide of Tawny

Former guard of Penellaphe "Poppy" Da'Neer

Coralena is Poppy's adoptive mother. Though deceased, she frequently appears in Poppy's nightmares, representing the deep trauma of the Craven attack that physically and emotionally scarred Poppy as a child.

Key Relationships

Adoptive mother of Penellaphe "Poppy" Da'Neer

Blaz is a mortal resident of Carsodonia who quietly dissents against the Blood Crown. He and his wife provide temporary shelter and critical aid for Poppy's group during a desperate moment.

Key Relationships

Husband of Clariza

Secret ally of Penellaphe "Poppy" Da'Neer

Clariza is Blaz's wife and a brave dissenter living in Carsodonia. She risks her life and safety by allowing wanted fugitives to hide in her home right under the Blood Queen's nose.

Key Relationships

Wife of Blaz

Secret ally of Penellaphe "Poppy" Da'Neer

Duke Silvan is an Ascended commander who leads the brutal military occupation in Massene. He displays the bodies of innocents to send a horrific message to Poppy's advancing army.

Key Relationships

Enemy of Penellaphe "Poppy" Da'Neer

Subordinate to Isbeth

Commander Forsyth leads the military defenses at Oak Ambler. He firmly believes in the prophecies branding Poppy as the Harbinger of Death and stubbornly refuses to surrender the city walls to her forces.

Key Relationships

Enemy of Penellaphe "Poppy" Da'Neer