The Kingdom of Rolencia sleeps as rumours of new Affinity Seeps, places where the untamed power wells up. By royal decree all those afflicted with ...
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Jun 22, 2011
Book Chick City
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'The King's Bastard' was guest reviewed by TJ from Dreams & Speculation
One might think that 600 pages would take awhile to get through, but reading The King's Bastard was surprisingly quick. I both was impressed and annoyed with the story. However, despite any issues I have, I want to preface this review with the fact that I am curious enough to try the second in the trilogy and see how things develop. The the great thing about epic fantasy with political intrigue is that it has the More...
One might think that 600 pages would take awhile to get through, but reading The King's Bastard was surprisingly quick. I both was impressed and annoyed with the story. However, despite any issues I have, I want to preface this review with the fact that I am curious enough to try the second in the trilogy and see how things develop. The the great thing about epic fantasy with political intrigue is that it has the More...
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Jul 22, 2010
Liviu
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Soap opera with swords and magic King Rolen's Kin has energy but it is marred by soapbox world building and 600 pages which are 200 too many; take any ingredient of soap opera - jealous brothers, innocent lovers, scheming relatives, steadfast women with a secret passion, doddering patriarchs - transpose it into a pseudo-medieval setting and you get this novel.
I really liked the writing style which kept me turning the pages despite the ludicrousness of some of the plot points and the More...
I really liked the writing style which kept me turning the pages despite the ludicrousness of some of the plot points and the More...
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Aug 01, 2011
Theresa
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Byren and Lence are the eldest sons of King Rolen, and the seven minutes that separated their birth have dictated that Lence would rule Rolencia-- and Byren wouldn't have it any other way. But when a renegade power user tells Byren that he is destined to be King, he fights her awful prophecy in every way he can. It doesn't take long for a distance to grow between Lence and Byren, and he doesn't know if the rift was already there or if the seeds of discord were planted by the old seer.
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Oct 08, 2010
Paul
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“The cut and thrust of political manoeuvring is never as simple as the cut and thrust of real battle”
For the most part I don’t usually enjoy politics as a form of escapism. I’ve tried on multiple occasions to read The Eye of the World (Wheel of Time) by Robert Jordan, for instance, but the further I get in the story the less and less I care about the characters. For me all the political scheming starts to wear a bit thin. When I read fantasy I tend to prefer action and shy away from an More...
For the most part I don’t usually enjoy politics as a form of escapism. I’ve tried on multiple occasions to read The Eye of the World (Wheel of Time) by Robert Jordan, for instance, but the further I get in the story the less and less I care about the characters. For me all the political scheming starts to wear a bit thin. When I read fantasy I tend to prefer action and shy away from an More...
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Aug 12, 2010
Blodeuedd
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This book is the reason why I love fantasy. It swept me away, it had me biting my nails and when I tried to do other things I couldn't stop thinking about it. It has been all I I have thinking about for the last few days.
Byren is the main character, a young prince who loves his family and country. But his brother doesn't care for his company any more, and is listening to bad advice. And when Byren is seen as a hero after killing a beast the anger grows in Lence. The other main charac More...
Byren is the main character, a young prince who loves his family and country. But his brother doesn't care for his company any more, and is listening to bad advice. And when Byren is seen as a hero after killing a beast the anger grows in Lence. The other main charac More...
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Jan 04, 2012
Steven
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My primary issue with all three of the books in this series is that they tend to be the the ending feels rushed and the storyline ends abruptly and is not nearly as developed as the rest of the book is. In fact, I felt robbed by the end of the last book in the series. However, it is an intense political thriller that kept me page turning and wanting more. In fact, I finished all three books inside a week so that should address the quality of the story.
One thing I did wish was the the More...
One thing I did wish was the the More...
Jun 27, 2011
Devi
rated it: 
In hindsight, there was a lot that annoyed me about this book - the writing is a little weak, the character's decisions and motivations a little superficial and the meatier issues are not really explored to any satisfying degree - and yet the melodrama in it kept me reading. Perhaps because it wasn't downright offensive it was easy to excuse its flaws and enjoy the enjoyable parts.
I did have the most problem with the way the Servants of Palos thing was handled. Ok, so 40 pages in, the More...
I did have the most problem with the way the Servants of Palos thing was handled. Ok, so 40 pages in, the More...
Jul 29, 2010
Tori [Book Faery]
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See this review in it's entirety at:
http://www.book-faery.blogspot.com
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
I haven't read many fantasy books since Anne Bishop's Black Jewels Trilogy. Usually, these sorts of books are a hit or miss for me. The author either goes into too much detail about scenery and uninteresting facts, and thus makes the book drag on, or the author's tone and characters are too bland. Either way, I love em', or I hate em'.
Right from the st More...
http://www.book-faery.blogspot.com
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
I haven't read many fantasy books since Anne Bishop's Black Jewels Trilogy. Usually, these sorts of books are a hit or miss for me. The author either goes into too much detail about scenery and uninteresting facts, and thus makes the book drag on, or the author's tone and characters are too bland. Either way, I love em', or I hate em'.
Right from the st More...
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Apr 26, 2011
drey
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I love the cover of Rowena Cory Daniells' The King's Bastard! There's just something a bit, um, sinister about it, isn't there?
The King's Bastard is an epic fantasy offering from Rowena Cory Daniells, the first of 3 books. In this one, we are introduced to Byren, the King's second son. His twin brother Lence is the heir, his younger brother Fyn is promised to the abbey, and his sister Piro is, well, the King's daughter.
There is magic here, dubbed Affinity, and it seems to mes More...
The King's Bastard is an epic fantasy offering from Rowena Cory Daniells, the first of 3 books. In this one, we are introduced to Byren, the King's second son. His twin brother Lence is the heir, his younger brother Fyn is promised to the abbey, and his sister Piro is, well, the King's daughter.
There is magic here, dubbed Affinity, and it seems to mes More...
Mar 13, 2011
Shannon
rated it:
This review isn't going to be what the book deserves, because it's been well over two months since I finished the book and it's always hard to remember the things that you wanted to say at the time. Which is a shame, because I really enjoyed it and want to give it the review it deserves.
Rolencia is a relatively young kingdom, once an area of warring chieftains united several generations ago by warlord Rolence. The spars that make up the kingdom are still led by warlords though, and s More...
Rolencia is a relatively young kingdom, once an area of warring chieftains united several generations ago by warlord Rolence. The spars that make up the kingdom are still led by warlords though, and s More...
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Nov 28, 2011
Neida
rated it:
I throughly enjoyed this book! The storyline is interesting, the magic system is fresh and the characters are multi-dimensional and well fleshed out. I cared what happened to the "good guys" and wanted to know more about the "bad guy". Illien Cobalt is awesome as the villain here, but is he all villain? What are his true motives? I'm glad the other two books are out already so I can get on with the story.
I love when this happens....when just browsing the fantasy se More...
I love when this happens....when just browsing the fantasy se More...
Jun 22, 2011
Victoria
rated it:
The book started out a bit slow but after the 60 page hump the book really started to flow and pick up pace. The world that Daniells created was definitely a unique twist in the high fantasy realm. One thing that worked really well was how she thread the mystical beasts throughout the story, in their culture, politics, and everyday life. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I can't wait to read the next one in this trilogy.
Mar 05, 2011
Weylin
rated it: 
WTF?! 40 pages in and I had to stop becuase this book contains the worst dialogue....EVER! On top of that...the writing/story telling is raw which I was attempting to cut it A LOT of slack for but seriously. How did this get published? I hate being rough on books like this but money was spent on this book for me.
Sep 02, 2010
Petra
rated it:
I have been having trouble lately to find a really good book that I can just get lost in. Thankfully I found this. Great charcters and interesting plot and I can't wait to get my hands on the next one. And I love that I don't have to wait for anything other my own wallet to fill to do it! haha
Jul 23, 2010
Cindy
rated it:
This is a very interesting fantasy. It can only be described as a fantasy with magic soap opera. It's a very long book so it almost needs to be read like a soap opera (1 or 2 chapters at a time). I really enjoyed following the drama and action but wish that the land and magic had been explained a tiny bit better it seemed glossed over in favor of drama. Some parts were a little predictable but over all I enjoyed it and look forward to book 2.
Feb 05, 2012
Natalie
rated it:
The writing and characterization in this book was so shallow and one-sided, I couldn't finish reading. It started on a good note though, with the 'Servants of Palos' thing, but then it all went downhill.
Oct 25, 2010
Em
rated it:
the entire trilogy was pretty decent, though the final book left a fair number of plot threads dangling. action-packed fantasy option. nothing special, but a solid read.
Oct 19, 2011
Melissa
rated it:
great read fabulous story can`t wait to read the next book in the tale.Took me awhile to get my head around affinity beasts and the like once i did i was launched right into the story , loved it highly reccomend it .
Aug 22, 2011
Katarina
rated it:
guess i could give a 3.5 stars but i thimk it got a little too confusing in the end.
talk about unnecesarily complicated plot:)
talk about unnecesarily complicated plot:)
May 25, 2011
Debbi
rated it:
This is a great story set in a medieval sort of time frame, which includes politics, romance, deceit, strange creatures, and a sort of mind reading ability (sort of but not exactly). This first book of the trilogy sort of sets up the characters and rivalries; I would imagine things work out somehow in the next two books. I liked the characters, but one warning...the book does not end in any sort of completion, so you have to read the next book to find out what happens. If this is a problem for y
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Nov 02, 2010
Gwen
rated it:
Fun and light. Almost a young adult title; some of the characters are teens. Luckily I got the whole trilogy so I can plow through the whole thing!
Feb 02, 2011
Thoraiya
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Oct 13, 2010
Nomdeplume22
rated it:
it wasnt bad
it held my attention and i started the next book right away
it held my attention and i started the next book right away
Feb 27, 2011
ChristinaJL
rated it:
This started off reasonably well and I did enjoy it to some extent. It wasn't the most exciting plot though and did drag a bit in the middle, but picked up at the end. I felt it to be a bit predictable and repetetive in places, for example the characters kept on fighting "affinity" creatures, searching for Piro in the castle etc etc. The main character didn't have a particular quest and my most favourite fantasy books involve quests/travel.
Jan 23, 2012
Josh
rated it:
This book is very interesting but very slow paced due to a lot of the "political" conversation making it really hard to keep yourself going but it's worth it to read the other two in the trilogy.
Jul 26, 2010
Sarah
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