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Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone #4
The Born Queen
In The Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone, Greg Keyes has crafted a brilliant saga of magic, adventure, and love set against a backdrop of clashing empires and an ancient, reawakened evil. Now, with The Born Queen, Keyes brings his epic to a masterly close, gathering the strands of plot and character into a stunning climax that both completes and transcends all that has gone before.
The Briar King is dead, and the world itself follows him to ruin. Aspar White, wounded and tired, must embark on one last quest to save the forest and the people he loves, but he has little hope of success.
Anne Dare at last sits on the throne of Crotheny, but for how long? The Church, now led by the corrupt and powerful Marché Hespero, has declared a holy war against her, giving the king of Hansa the pretext he needs to unleash his vast might on the young queen and her unready army.
But Hansa is the least of Anne’s worries. The Hellrune, war seer of Hansa, strikes at her through vision and prophecy. The Kept–last of the elder Skasloi lords–weaves his own dark webs. Anne’s teacher and ally in the sedos world might also be her worst enemy, and Anne’s own mounting strength compels her toward madness.
Surviving these dangers and mastering her eldritch abilities are merely prelude to the real struggle. There are many–some with power matching or even exceeding Anne’s own–who are willing to kill in order to seize control. For whoever sits upon the throne will have the ultimate command to bring about the world’s salvation–or its apocalypse.
The Briar King is dead, and the world itself follows him to ruin. Aspar White, wounded and tired, must embark on one last quest to save the forest and the people he loves, but he has little hope of success.
Anne Dare at last sits on the throne of Crotheny, but for how long? The Church, now led by the corrupt and powerful Marché Hespero, has declared a holy war against her, giving the king of Hansa the pretext he needs to unleash his vast might on the young queen and her unready army.
But Hansa is the least of Anne’s worries. The Hellrune, war seer of Hansa, strikes at her through vision and prophecy. The Kept–last of the elder Skasloi lords–weaves his own dark webs. Anne’s teacher and ally in the sedos world might also be her worst enemy, and Anne’s own mounting strength compels her toward madness.
Surviving these dangers and mastering her eldritch abilities are merely prelude to the real struggle. There are many–some with power matching or even exceeding Anne’s own–who are willing to kill in order to seize control. For whoever sits upon the throne will have the ultimate command to bring about the world’s salvation–or its apocalypse.
464 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
46 people are currently reading
1374 people want to read
About the author
Greg Keyes
85 books655 followersGregory Keyes is a writer of science fiction and fantasy who has written both original and media-related novels under both the names J. Gregory Keyes and "Greg Keyes".
Greg Keyes was born in to a large, diverse, storytelling family. He received degrees in anthropology from Mississippi State and the University of Georgia before becoming a fulltime writer.
He lives in Savannah, Georgia.
Greg Keyes was born in to a large, diverse, storytelling family. He received degrees in anthropology from Mississippi State and the University of Georgia before becoming a fulltime writer.
He lives in Savannah, Georgia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 183 reviews
January 7, 2019
Greg Keyes manages something very special here, and that is to tell a big and fairly complex epic fantasy tale without allowing it to become bloated. This is a sleek and sure footed affair. It’s all here: intrigue, pitched battles, fearsome creatures, likeable characters, sorcery, and then some, and written very competently to boot. All this, without resorting to tomes of 900+ pages stretched over 10 books? Impressive.
The story started in The Briar King and continued through The Charnel Prince and The Blood Knight concludes here. The pieces fall into place, but it is not always an easy experience. Keyes takes us to some very dark places. Some of the revelations regarding the true nature of the world of Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone are mind boggling. Everything gets turned around and twisted inside out, not least of which the characters. Forget what you think you know. In the same breath, I hope you've been paying attention.
As everything spiralled out of control, I just could not put the book down, even though I struggled to fathom what was happening at times. Yes, it does get weird and apocalyptic at the end, but given the circumstances and the revelations preceding the climax, it also makes sense.
An uneasy but magnificent read. Read the whole quartet, it’s something else.
The story started in The Briar King and continued through The Charnel Prince and The Blood Knight concludes here. The pieces fall into place, but it is not always an easy experience. Keyes takes us to some very dark places. Some of the revelations regarding the true nature of the world of Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone are mind boggling. Everything gets turned around and twisted inside out, not least of which the characters. Forget what you think you know. In the same breath, I hope you've been paying attention.
As everything spiralled out of control, I just could not put the book down, even though I struggled to fathom what was happening at times. Yes, it does get weird and apocalyptic at the end, but given the circumstances and the revelations preceding the climax, it also makes sense.
An uneasy but magnificent read. Read the whole quartet, it’s something else.
April 27, 2008
Excellent ending to a FANTASTIC Quadrology? I really enjoyed this series, and if I skimmed a bit through a few of the characters, I PORED over others. Yes, some of the plot points became inevitable, but for a sprawling epic fantasy in the vein of George RR Martin, I can only wholeheartedly recommend it!
January 22, 2022
There are flaws....but the epilogue made me forget all of them. I feel like my reviews lately lead with examples of the opposite of my rating and then I go on to how I really feel. I am not sure what that says about me but this will be no different.
I felt like Keyes suddenly felt the need to wrap up the series which I applaud but as others have said it felt rushed and tough to follow at the end. The middle also felt like there were leaps in understanding that I would have prefered to be a bit more of a slow reveal. Lastly and more damingly, there were a couple of deaths that did not have the emotional impact I think they deserved because everything including the writing was so hectic.
With those qualifications, I loved the series and the last book. There was heartbreak and tragedy along with some semblance of victory. I am sad about Keyes' treatment of Anne and Stephen but overjoyed with . Aspar's fate seemed right and would have brought tears to my eyes if I weren't so manly. More spoiler thoughts
Keyes' other books seem uninteresting and not great so I think my reading of him stops here but it was well worth it.
I felt like Keyes suddenly felt the need to wrap up the series which I applaud but as others have said it felt rushed and tough to follow at the end. The middle also felt like there were leaps in understanding that I would have prefered to be a bit more of a slow reveal. Lastly and more damingly, there were a couple of deaths that did not have the emotional impact I think they deserved because everything including the writing was so hectic.
With those qualifications, I loved the series and the last book. There was heartbreak and tragedy along with some semblance of victory. I am sad about Keyes' treatment of Anne and Stephen but overjoyed with . Aspar's fate seemed right and would have brought tears to my eyes if I weren't so manly. More spoiler thoughts
Keyes' other books seem uninteresting and not great so I think my reading of him stops here but it was well worth it.
July 11, 2008
Series review for genrebusters.com:
...throughout the entirety of (this) series, Keyes maintains (the story) with informed craft. The story rarely lags over its thousands of pages, and the many plot elements that he concocts are largely settled by the conclusion. He keeps a good handle on his principal characters and develops them with at a pace that both fits the story well and feels natural. In particular, his treatment of the maturation of Anne Dare, who begins as a spoiled adolescent and becomes something else entirely, is well done from the standpoint of craft, and admirable in the context of a genre that tends to favor male characters. Keyes is also deft at describing action scenes that excite and surprise, using just enough technical detail to satisfy anyone interested in martial matters, as I am. There is no question that Keyes understands this genre and enjoys working in it.
A few aspects of the series aroused criticism. First, the overall length, which I will repeat for emphasis: four books and well over 2000 pages. At this size, the series presents a serious demand, especially since Keyes structures the story so that books may not be skipped without confusion. If you want the entire story, you must read them all, and you must read them in order. Of course, this is the nature of a fictional series (especially in this genre); however, if a story is going to occupy so many pages, then it should amount to something equally impressive by its end. And while Keyes does create a conclusion that is complete with climax and revelations and resolution, the overall impact of this end is much less than hoped for. Once I realized where Keyes was taking the entire affair, I found myself wondering if he couldn't have reached the very same destination in half the length (or even within one very large book). Without giving too much of the plot away, I will say that Keyes's main concern in this book is the nature of power and its effect on the personal choices those in power make. This is a potent theme, and one could envision a massive epic that treads its many avenues and alleys. Keyes, however, has only picked a few of these paths, and though he proves adept at twisting and turning the reader through a thicket of intrigue, these plot-driven acrobatics reach a summit that is relatively modest in height; from there, the view is neat and appreciable, but insight and enlightenment still feel far off, atop some other distant peak.
The second criticism revolves around the structure that Keyes imposes upon the story. With few exceptions, Keyes writes chapters that deal with one set of characters and end on a cliff-hanger, one which will only be resolved in the next chapter that features said characters. Keyes maintains this throughout the entire series, regardless of what is taking place within the story. Whether characters are fighting or resting or hurting or loving, Keyes pushes his prose at a single speed. On the one hand, this technique compels constant page-turning that can make one of these 500+ page books evaporate in a long afternoon; on the other hand, this monotonous momentum prevents any variations in tone or mood that would suit the action at hand. And while the former positive did maintain my interest, the latter frustration never left me, and there were times where I grew tired of this prodding and craved some kind of change, any change, to the narrative.
Prior to picking up this series, I spent months (literally) on the Internet reading up on reviews of today's popular fantasy series, so as to select one that appeared promising. I settled on Keyes's series because I recalled enjoying his first duology (Waterborn and Blackgod); the reviews were largely favorable; and the series was relatively short. Having completed it, I can say that I enjoyed it and satisfied my craving for a big, conventional fantasy with swords and spells and heroes and villains. Keyes's series has all of this in profusion, and he puts it all together with skill and some finesse. For casual readers of fantasy (as in: those who read it regularly, as I no longer do), I can recommend this series without reservation; for those who find themselves shy of multi-book commitments, I offer a cautionary note that originates from the above criticisms. These books will divert your attentions and inspire you to turn many, many pages, and that is all.
...throughout the entirety of (this) series, Keyes maintains (the story) with informed craft. The story rarely lags over its thousands of pages, and the many plot elements that he concocts are largely settled by the conclusion. He keeps a good handle on his principal characters and develops them with at a pace that both fits the story well and feels natural. In particular, his treatment of the maturation of Anne Dare, who begins as a spoiled adolescent and becomes something else entirely, is well done from the standpoint of craft, and admirable in the context of a genre that tends to favor male characters. Keyes is also deft at describing action scenes that excite and surprise, using just enough technical detail to satisfy anyone interested in martial matters, as I am. There is no question that Keyes understands this genre and enjoys working in it.
A few aspects of the series aroused criticism. First, the overall length, which I will repeat for emphasis: four books and well over 2000 pages. At this size, the series presents a serious demand, especially since Keyes structures the story so that books may not be skipped without confusion. If you want the entire story, you must read them all, and you must read them in order. Of course, this is the nature of a fictional series (especially in this genre); however, if a story is going to occupy so many pages, then it should amount to something equally impressive by its end. And while Keyes does create a conclusion that is complete with climax and revelations and resolution, the overall impact of this end is much less than hoped for. Once I realized where Keyes was taking the entire affair, I found myself wondering if he couldn't have reached the very same destination in half the length (or even within one very large book). Without giving too much of the plot away, I will say that Keyes's main concern in this book is the nature of power and its effect on the personal choices those in power make. This is a potent theme, and one could envision a massive epic that treads its many avenues and alleys. Keyes, however, has only picked a few of these paths, and though he proves adept at twisting and turning the reader through a thicket of intrigue, these plot-driven acrobatics reach a summit that is relatively modest in height; from there, the view is neat and appreciable, but insight and enlightenment still feel far off, atop some other distant peak.
The second criticism revolves around the structure that Keyes imposes upon the story. With few exceptions, Keyes writes chapters that deal with one set of characters and end on a cliff-hanger, one which will only be resolved in the next chapter that features said characters. Keyes maintains this throughout the entire series, regardless of what is taking place within the story. Whether characters are fighting or resting or hurting or loving, Keyes pushes his prose at a single speed. On the one hand, this technique compels constant page-turning that can make one of these 500+ page books evaporate in a long afternoon; on the other hand, this monotonous momentum prevents any variations in tone or mood that would suit the action at hand. And while the former positive did maintain my interest, the latter frustration never left me, and there were times where I grew tired of this prodding and craved some kind of change, any change, to the narrative.
Prior to picking up this series, I spent months (literally) on the Internet reading up on reviews of today's popular fantasy series, so as to select one that appeared promising. I settled on Keyes's series because I recalled enjoying his first duology (Waterborn and Blackgod); the reviews were largely favorable; and the series was relatively short. Having completed it, I can say that I enjoyed it and satisfied my craving for a big, conventional fantasy with swords and spells and heroes and villains. Keyes's series has all of this in profusion, and he puts it all together with skill and some finesse. For casual readers of fantasy (as in: those who read it regularly, as I no longer do), I can recommend this series without reservation; for those who find themselves shy of multi-book commitments, I offer a cautionary note that originates from the above criticisms. These books will divert your attentions and inspire you to turn many, many pages, and that is all.
January 21, 2010
2.5 stars
Not a completely satisfying end to the series, but I had suspected that the more I got into it. The first book was fairly good and made me want to keep reading to see what would happen. The next two slid downhill and seemed more a parade of the established characters--walking around and seeming to do stuff when they really were just going in circles. This last book DID resolve all of the loose ends, but almost every time, it was done in a way that was confusing, rushed, or just plain weird. Some plot threads that had been left open for a long time were closed suddenly by revealing that something you had completely forgotten about was the real reason for (blah blah blah).
The conclusion of the book was not nearly as dramatic for me as I think the author was hoping it would be. Some things I saw coming a mile away, others were hopelessly downplayed when they should have been thrown to the front. An example of this--there is a character who suddenly comes to a supposedly amazing source of power at the end of the third book (the third book is even named after him, which was weird in itself), who never uses his power for anything. He literally does nothing, and I was expecting some kind of showdown with his nemesis, but it ended in 2 seconds after having done nothing.
Anyways, the book was kind of a let down, the things kept hidden since the beginning of the series were convoluted and vague, and when all was said and done and the book was over, none of the characters seemed happy to me, which is great for the end of a series, right?
Not a completely satisfying end to the series, but I had suspected that the more I got into it. The first book was fairly good and made me want to keep reading to see what would happen. The next two slid downhill and seemed more a parade of the established characters--walking around and seeming to do stuff when they really were just going in circles. This last book DID resolve all of the loose ends, but almost every time, it was done in a way that was confusing, rushed, or just plain weird. Some plot threads that had been left open for a long time were closed suddenly by revealing that something you had completely forgotten about was the real reason for (blah blah blah).
The conclusion of the book was not nearly as dramatic for me as I think the author was hoping it would be. Some things I saw coming a mile away, others were hopelessly downplayed when they should have been thrown to the front. An example of this--there is a character who suddenly comes to a supposedly amazing source of power at the end of the third book (the third book is even named after him, which was weird in itself), who never uses his power for anything. He literally does nothing, and I was expecting some kind of showdown with his nemesis, but it ended in 2 seconds after having done nothing.
Anyways, the book was kind of a let down, the things kept hidden since the beginning of the series were convoluted and vague, and when all was said and done and the book was over, none of the characters seemed happy to me, which is great for the end of a series, right?
August 25, 2009
Greg Keyes, what did you do?
This was a very clumsy wrap up to the series. It's as though the huge plot he controlled so well in book 3 just got away from him, and he allowed things to just sort of drift to an end. Things get clumsily wrapped up in an epilogue, and do not reach the epic clash we came to expect.
The kind of ending that makes you want to throw the book across the room.
This was a very clumsy wrap up to the series. It's as though the huge plot he controlled so well in book 3 just got away from him, and he allowed things to just sort of drift to an end. Things get clumsily wrapped up in an epilogue, and do not reach the epic clash we came to expect.
The kind of ending that makes you want to throw the book across the room.
September 26, 2010
I was terrified he couldn't do it, but Keyes managed to wrap up an incredibly complex plot and bring all the strands home, comprehensibly, in a fairly short space. A splendid book, a splendid series--I recommend it to anyone who likes world-sweeping, complex fantasy involving powers not always friendly to humans, intricate characters, and thundering plots, not to mention strong women and men!
October 1, 2023
June was a slumpy (is that a word?) IRL month for me which made me not want to read. This is when I know the world is ending or something is broken in me (or both). Thankfully, I decided to give in and get this from Audible which is probably the only reason why I managed to read instead of doom scrolling.
The audio generally worked for me - the voice the narrator did for Aspar did come across as terse. The voice he did for the women in the book was a little odd in the beginning but I settled into it without really much issue.
This book also reminded me why series should be read closer together because otherwise I forget everything that happened. When I started this book I was quite confused for the first 50 pages - so I would recommend picking this up quite quickly after Book 3.
Character wise, there were too many POVs so some got short shrift. It’s as if the author dropped them to save space. It did intellectually annoy me because he should have not included these in the first place but honestly, since these were not favourites, I didn't mind too much. I was surprised as how much I liked Stephan’s POV here - he was not a favourite last time.
There was also too much romance in these series which stood in for meaningful relationships. All the characters had a love interest - some introduced at the last minute in the previous books and some here. It was all kinds of ridiculous - so much so that I went from annoyed to amused. I spent some time speculating which new character would end up with which. Quite inadvertently funny. However, I did miss other shades of relationships here. Where were the epic, ride-or-die friendships. Except Anne and Austra (thank god for them), it’s like the author forgot that other character dynamics could apply. It did keep me from emotionally investing in most of the characters as they seemed quite fake because the device of pairing them up was awkward. It didn’t raise the stakes for me or make me care.
The plotting in the book was a little frenetic as there was a lot to wrap up in the book. So much so that you really can’t pause this book at all to take a breath. Some threads were dropped and some reveals came too late in the overall arc of the series.
Even though I was not emotionally invested in any of the characters really, I enjoyed my time with the book. It was a strong adventure fantasy novel which actually WRAPPED UP (amazing!!). There were some timey-wimey elements which I really enjoyed. Also a little too much “THE POWER OF FRIENDSHIP” for me not to be amused.
This is definitely a more traditional fantasy but it ticks along which I appreciate. I like what the author did and he definitely didn’t overstretch. Perhaps that is a lack of ambition but I liked the focus on telling a complete story. The ending also accelerated things and ended with a bang.
The ending really got me - it was lovely, hopeful and sad all at the same time. As a result, I am giving the book 4.5 stars. Objectively this book needed another 100 pages to flush out some of the revelations but the sucker punch in the end got me.
Also, I bought these books so many years ago and now they are finished. Good job me. Half star for that too 😋.
The audio generally worked for me - the voice the narrator did for Aspar did come across as terse. The voice he did for the women in the book was a little odd in the beginning but I settled into it without really much issue.
This book also reminded me why series should be read closer together because otherwise I forget everything that happened. When I started this book I was quite confused for the first 50 pages - so I would recommend picking this up quite quickly after Book 3.
Character wise, there were too many POVs so some got short shrift. It’s as if the author dropped them to save space. It did intellectually annoy me because he should have not included these in the first place but honestly, since these were not favourites, I didn't mind too much. I was surprised as how much I liked Stephan’s POV here - he was not a favourite last time.
There was also too much romance in these series which stood in for meaningful relationships. All the characters had a love interest - some introduced at the last minute in the previous books and some here. It was all kinds of ridiculous - so much so that I went from annoyed to amused. I spent some time speculating which new character would end up with which. Quite inadvertently funny. However, I did miss other shades of relationships here. Where were the epic, ride-or-die friendships. Except Anne and Austra (thank god for them), it’s like the author forgot that other character dynamics could apply. It did keep me from emotionally investing in most of the characters as they seemed quite fake because the device of pairing them up was awkward. It didn’t raise the stakes for me or make me care.
The plotting in the book was a little frenetic as there was a lot to wrap up in the book. So much so that you really can’t pause this book at all to take a breath. Some threads were dropped and some reveals came too late in the overall arc of the series.
Even though I was not emotionally invested in any of the characters really, I enjoyed my time with the book. It was a strong adventure fantasy novel which actually WRAPPED UP (amazing!!). There were some timey-wimey elements which I really enjoyed. Also a little too much “THE POWER OF FRIENDSHIP” for me not to be amused.
This is definitely a more traditional fantasy but it ticks along which I appreciate. I like what the author did and he definitely didn’t overstretch. Perhaps that is a lack of ambition but I liked the focus on telling a complete story. The ending also accelerated things and ended with a bang.
The ending really got me - it was lovely, hopeful and sad all at the same time. As a result, I am giving the book 4.5 stars. Objectively this book needed another 100 pages to flush out some of the revelations but the sucker punch in the end got me.
Also, I bought these books so many years ago and now they are finished. Good job me. Half star for that too 😋.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2020
I give this last book of the series 3 stars. 3 stars for the entire series. The author is certainly innovative. The Born Queen seemed to move a lot faster than the previous books. Perhaps because I knew the end was in sight.
I was expecting a bit more closure in the Epilogue. Guess there was enough, though.
There were many scenes in the third book, which could have been left out. They contributed little to the overall story. However, recognize the author is writing in order to make money. It is his job, after all. So, he successfully sold four books (Kindle) to me. Good for Mr. Keyes.
I was expecting a bit more closure in the Epilogue. Guess there was enough, though.
There were many scenes in the third book, which could have been left out. They contributed little to the overall story. However, recognize the author is writing in order to make money. It is his job, after all. So, he successfully sold four books (Kindle) to me. Good for Mr. Keyes.
August 14, 2022
Very good conclusion for this series. Nice to see a happier ending.
March 8, 2020
Somewhere along the way this book lost me, but I don’t think it is entirely the book’s fault. My life (as well as many others’ in the world) took some turns that I never expected due to the coronavirus. I kept on reading, but couldn’t concentrate and suddenly it was all so very unimportant. I guess all that I can say, is that this book didn’t distract me enough and that I couldn’t keep up with all its threads. I think most of my questions from the previous books have been answered with the exception of the magic system that still somewhat eludes me. Also, there were so many shades of grey that I somehow lost the satisfaction of routing for someone or that comes from
I also find it very hard if I should recommend this series or not. I can’t really point my finger on what it is lacking: it is definitively epic with cool and strong characters and full of shades of grey. I liked what the author did with the power of music. In contrast his obsession with language was way overdone. While never being sexist or abusive, I also read most of the relationships with some eyerolls for example Neil The idea of “walking the faneways” to gain power was cool, but not fully developed (or I just didn’t understand it). Finally, I could have used some sort of guideline about all the saints, religious beliefs and historic names (several for one entity).
I guess, overall, I rate this series 3.5 stars: not sorry, that I’ve read it. I might even read it again in the future, but not wholeheartedly recommended either.
I also find it very hard if I should recommend this series or not. I can’t really point my finger on what it is lacking: it is definitively epic with cool and strong characters and full of shades of grey. I liked what the author did with the power of music. In contrast his obsession with language was way overdone. While never being sexist or abusive, I also read most of the relationships with some eyerolls for example Neil The idea of “walking the faneways” to gain power was cool, but not fully developed (or I just didn’t understand it). Finally, I could have used some sort of guideline about all the saints, religious beliefs and historic names (several for one entity).
I guess, overall, I rate this series 3.5 stars: not sorry, that I’ve read it. I might even read it again in the future, but not wholeheartedly recommended either.
August 15, 2014
I don;t know how a series that started so strongly could just...fizzle...like this. I was two-thirds of the way through and I just stopped caring about the characters and the resolution. It tormented me. "Why?" I asked myself, "Why can't I finish? I'm almost done, dammit!" Here's what I think went wrong:
*Pacing issues. The first book, and to a lesser extent, the second and third, had a strong narrative drive. This book seems very scattered, which is weird for the last book in a series. At this point, the plot should be an unstoppable freight train.
*I hate the characters. Somehow, over the past three books, characters I liked have become annoying, and characters I only mildly disliked (*coughAnnecough*) have become utterly intolerable. The characters and plotlines I was interested in most - Stephen and Leoff - get the least time on screen.
*When you find yourself longing for a prequel because off-hand historical references are more interesting than the current story, something is wrong. Virgenya Dare's diary excerpt made me long for an entire book about her, and from the beginning of the sereis I have thought that the Black Jester is cool enough for his own book. Written by Tanith Lee. Sigh. A girl can dream, right?
Overall, I'd give the series 2 stars out of 5 - starts strong and just meanders into a swampy delta of indecision. Which is a shame because Age of Unreason is awesome from beginning to end. Get it together Greg Keyes!
*Pacing issues. The first book, and to a lesser extent, the second and third, had a strong narrative drive. This book seems very scattered, which is weird for the last book in a series. At this point, the plot should be an unstoppable freight train.
*I hate the characters. Somehow, over the past three books, characters I liked have become annoying, and characters I only mildly disliked (*coughAnnecough*) have become utterly intolerable. The characters and plotlines I was interested in most - Stephen and Leoff - get the least time on screen.
*When you find yourself longing for a prequel because off-hand historical references are more interesting than the current story, something is wrong. Virgenya Dare's diary excerpt made me long for an entire book about her, and from the beginning of the sereis I have thought that the Black Jester is cool enough for his own book. Written by Tanith Lee. Sigh. A girl can dream, right?
Overall, I'd give the series 2 stars out of 5 - starts strong and just meanders into a swampy delta of indecision. Which is a shame because Age of Unreason is awesome from beginning to end. Get it together Greg Keyes!
June 13, 2015
This was the final book in the four-book Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone series. This was an epic fantasy series that started off with a seemingly-generic storyline, but good writing and interesting characters. However, the story took some interesting turns as the series progressed and it grew increasingly more detailed and complex. Meanwhile, the characters remained interesting and the writing remained strong. The author really did a good job of fleshing out the world he had created.
There were quite a few twists in this final book. Some were things I had suspected might happen, and others took me completely by surprise. There were some dark and/or unexpected turns for some of the characters and not every character I had followed through the series made it to the end. However, it wasn’t the bloodbath I feared it might turn out to be at one point and I was pretty satisfied with where things ended up by the end.
I think my only complaint with this book is with the last couple of chapters. Most of the characters' climatic moments happened at the same time, so a lot of things were happening very quickly and all at once. The author provided fewer details at this point in the book, I guess to make things seem more fast-paced and exciting, and sometimes it wasn’t clear how characters had gotten from point A to point B. There were a couple of times where I had to stop and re-read a section to try to wrap my head around what had happened. I thought that hurt the pacing more than if the author had slowed down a bit and maintained the same level of detail as in the rest of the story. I started to lose my mental picture of what was happening and it felt sort of like watching a TV show with sound only – you can understand what’s happening, for the most part, but you’re missing out on the visual details and clues that let you fully appreciate the story.
Things were still feeling a little ambiguous to me at the end of the last chapter, but there was a nicely-done prologue set a little ways in the future. It briefly revisited all of the remaining characters and cleared up questions about what had happened to them and what they were up to after the events in the series.
I do very little re-reading, because I don’t have enough time to read all of the new things I’m interested in reading as it is. However, if I were inclined to re-read, this is probably a series I would re-read in the near future. The story and the world it’s set in is so full of depth and nuance that I think I would gain an even greater appreciation if I read it again with the full knowledge gained from my first read-through.
There were quite a few twists in this final book. Some were things I had suspected might happen, and others took me completely by surprise. There were some dark and/or unexpected turns for some of the characters and not every character I had followed through the series made it to the end. However, it wasn’t the bloodbath I feared it might turn out to be at one point and I was pretty satisfied with where things ended up by the end.
I think my only complaint with this book is with the last couple of chapters. Most of the characters' climatic moments happened at the same time, so a lot of things were happening very quickly and all at once. The author provided fewer details at this point in the book, I guess to make things seem more fast-paced and exciting, and sometimes it wasn’t clear how characters had gotten from point A to point B. There were a couple of times where I had to stop and re-read a section to try to wrap my head around what had happened. I thought that hurt the pacing more than if the author had slowed down a bit and maintained the same level of detail as in the rest of the story. I started to lose my mental picture of what was happening and it felt sort of like watching a TV show with sound only – you can understand what’s happening, for the most part, but you’re missing out on the visual details and clues that let you fully appreciate the story.
Things were still feeling a little ambiguous to me at the end of the last chapter, but there was a nicely-done prologue set a little ways in the future. It briefly revisited all of the remaining characters and cleared up questions about what had happened to them and what they were up to after the events in the series.
I do very little re-reading, because I don’t have enough time to read all of the new things I’m interested in reading as it is. However, if I were inclined to re-read, this is probably a series I would re-read in the near future. The story and the world it’s set in is so full of depth and nuance that I think I would gain an even greater appreciation if I read it again with the full knowledge gained from my first read-through.
May 9, 2009
This is a very difficult review for me to write. On the one hand, I do not want to give you the impression that it is a bad book, it is not. On the other hand, I do not want you to go into expecting it to be like books 1-3, because it is not. This is where the whole preconception thing comes into play and in this case, preconception will hurt you. You need to go into this book with NO expectations, about anything. You also need to be prepared for an almost overwhelming flow of information, twists, turns, surprises, and rapid about faces. This is a book that could very well benefit from multiple rereads. If I did not have such a large TBR pile right now, I would immediately read it again. I have the distinct feeling that if I did, things might make a bit more sense now that I know what direction the story heads in. Not sure that this is a bad thing. I mean if the book were that bad, I would not want to reread it right.?
Full Review Here:
Dragons, Heroes and Wizards: Fantasy Series Book Reviews
Full Review Here:
Dragons, Heroes and Wizards: Fantasy Series Book Reviews
October 4, 2014
The series as a whole was a good one. The story was interesting and the characters were realistic and most of them likeable. The series doesn't have perfect characters. All of them have strentghs and weaknesses, they make mistakes and they pay for them. It had many surprises, the pace was good and the action well-written, although it had too many battle scenes (I usually like battle scenes but here I just skimmed a lot, especially Casio's battles).
The only disadvantage was the ending. Don't get me wrong, I didn't hate the ending but I expected more. I read 2000 pages and after finishing the last book and reading that ending I thought that the writer didn't need 4 books to tell his story. He could have done it in two. The last book tied all loose ends but it didn't explain everything to my satisfaction. I still felt that something is missing.
My final opinion: Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone is a good series but the last book and especially its ending disappointed me and I can't help but judge the whole series negatively because of it. I don't know if I would recommend it to anyone. Maybe only if he or she didn't have anything better to read at the time.
The only disadvantage was the ending. Don't get me wrong, I didn't hate the ending but I expected more. I read 2000 pages and after finishing the last book and reading that ending I thought that the writer didn't need 4 books to tell his story. He could have done it in two. The last book tied all loose ends but it didn't explain everything to my satisfaction. I still felt that something is missing.
My final opinion: Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone is a good series but the last book and especially its ending disappointed me and I can't help but judge the whole series negatively because of it. I don't know if I would recommend it to anyone. Maybe only if he or she didn't have anything better to read at the time.
July 14, 2009
After I read the first book in this series, The Briar King, I literally bought the next three together and read them straight through.
My feeling is - in spite of the fact Mr Keyes is no stranger to quadrologies - that he intended to write a six book series or maybe even something longer but either got bored with the premise and characters (seemingly unlikely) or the publisher for some reason put the kibosh on a longer series because all of sudden, his terrificly clear - if labyrinthine - story started to feel rushed and a little muddy. Characters whose motivations were always so clear and true to themselves acted in ways that required tortured explanation. The fourth book read a little like a red-headed stepchild.
Don't get me wrong - really like the book and the series - just felt rushed at the end.
My feeling is - in spite of the fact Mr Keyes is no stranger to quadrologies - that he intended to write a six book series or maybe even something longer but either got bored with the premise and characters (seemingly unlikely) or the publisher for some reason put the kibosh on a longer series because all of sudden, his terrificly clear - if labyrinthine - story started to feel rushed and a little muddy. Characters whose motivations were always so clear and true to themselves acted in ways that required tortured explanation. The fourth book read a little like a red-headed stepchild.
Don't get me wrong - really like the book and the series - just felt rushed at the end.
November 25, 2017
This was a satisfying conclusion to a pretty good series. This was the authors first adventure into the High Fantasy genre, and I wouldn't mind another in the same genre. I think with practice he could definately have a lot of sucess in High Fantasy.
September 24, 2021
A strange end to it all, but good I think. Overall this was a five-star series of four-star books. Highly recommended!
March 21, 2010
(This review is for the whole series)
This fantasy saga is fairly long and has a complicated plot, many characters, and a lot of different concepts and themes in play. It could have been a huge sprawling mess, but Keyes does a remarkable job of maintaining control of all his many and disparate threads. He has consistently snappy pacing, a good grasp of when to apply humor and when to apply poignancy, and a well-built world. There were some things that I would have liked a little more explanation of or exploration for, but I think that's the kind of thing that will vary considerably depending on the reader.
The overall story is about a late-medieval flavored world in which several old powers, forces, and beings are re-emerging. Ancient prophecies are bearing fruit and mythical creatures are re-appearing. Several people scattered across the world are caught up in dealing with these things and averting an apocalypse. Some are likely, some are not; some are willing, some are not. There is a headstrong young woman who is heir to a throne and great magical power, a scholarly monk, an aging and rough-edged forrester, a swashbuckling swordsman, a loyal knight, a shrewd queen, and a talented composer.
Keyes does some interesting things with the trope of ancient prophecies coming true and old legends coming to life. He has a good understanding of the way old knowledge is diffused and distorted across times, places, and peoples. He has an equally good understanding of the way people misunderstand these pieces of lore and how they blunder and stumble when trying to make sense and use of them.
This fantasy saga is fairly long and has a complicated plot, many characters, and a lot of different concepts and themes in play. It could have been a huge sprawling mess, but Keyes does a remarkable job of maintaining control of all his many and disparate threads. He has consistently snappy pacing, a good grasp of when to apply humor and when to apply poignancy, and a well-built world. There were some things that I would have liked a little more explanation of or exploration for, but I think that's the kind of thing that will vary considerably depending on the reader.
The overall story is about a late-medieval flavored world in which several old powers, forces, and beings are re-emerging. Ancient prophecies are bearing fruit and mythical creatures are re-appearing. Several people scattered across the world are caught up in dealing with these things and averting an apocalypse. Some are likely, some are not; some are willing, some are not. There is a headstrong young woman who is heir to a throne and great magical power, a scholarly monk, an aging and rough-edged forrester, a swashbuckling swordsman, a loyal knight, a shrewd queen, and a talented composer.
Keyes does some interesting things with the trope of ancient prophecies coming true and old legends coming to life. He has a good understanding of the way old knowledge is diffused and distorted across times, places, and peoples. He has an equally good understanding of the way people misunderstand these pieces of lore and how they blunder and stumble when trying to make sense and use of them.
June 21, 2010
With 'The Born Queen,' Greg Keyes provides a suitably epic finish to his engrossing, endearing 'Kingdom of Thorn and Bone' books. Lush with well fleshed characters, mysterious figures and fantastic monsters, this series engrossed me since the start, and the conclusion was satisfying, fulfilling and poignant.
Anne Dare's quest to become empress is coming to a close, but she still must face off against her direst foes: her uncle Robert continues to make trouble, and Hansa continues to threaten military action. Meanwhile, Aspar struggles to survive while contending with the sinister Fend, and Stephen makes unsettling discoveries.
Magic, prophecy and destiny intermingle. The world is on the brink. And these characters, whom we've followed through highs and lows, against the gravest perils, square off against their biggest, most difficult challenges yet. For some of them, their ultimate fates are surprising.
Just really brilliant. The tome succeeds in casting an air of uncertainty over characters who were previously black-and-white. Until nigh the conclusion of the book, its unclear who's REALLY fighting for the preservation of all, which adds a lot of suspense. Keyes presents his usual colorful mix of action and mysticism, which makes for a lively read. Overall, I found it completely satisfying, and I think anyone who enjoyed the rest of the series will be pleased with how it ends.
Anne Dare's quest to become empress is coming to a close, but she still must face off against her direst foes: her uncle Robert continues to make trouble, and Hansa continues to threaten military action. Meanwhile, Aspar struggles to survive while contending with the sinister Fend, and Stephen makes unsettling discoveries.
Magic, prophecy and destiny intermingle. The world is on the brink. And these characters, whom we've followed through highs and lows, against the gravest perils, square off against their biggest, most difficult challenges yet. For some of them, their ultimate fates are surprising.
Just really brilliant. The tome succeeds in casting an air of uncertainty over characters who were previously black-and-white. Until nigh the conclusion of the book, its unclear who's REALLY fighting for the preservation of all, which adds a lot of suspense. Keyes presents his usual colorful mix of action and mysticism, which makes for a lively read. Overall, I found it completely satisfying, and I think anyone who enjoyed the rest of the series will be pleased with how it ends.
December 17, 2011
Gosh. What an annoying ending to a really charming and unique quartet. A lot more of this one seemed disjointed. Some of the major plot points needed a little more fleshing out, particularly with regard to the thrones and how one character is actually three people. Very imaginative, I'm sure, but would it really have made the book so much longer if the central conflict were explained a little better?
Still, I have to hand it to the author, unlike a lot of speculative fiction writers, he does an excellent job with his female characters - very three-dimensional, rational, and real. I'm still so totally impressed with that.
Overall, I really liked the series, even if the ending was just so-so. I'm sorry to see it end. I'll probably read more from this author in the future.
Still, I have to hand it to the author, unlike a lot of speculative fiction writers, he does an excellent job with his female characters - very three-dimensional, rational, and real. I'm still so totally impressed with that.
Overall, I really liked the series, even if the ending was just so-so. I'm sorry to see it end. I'll probably read more from this author in the future.
April 24, 2008
This book was excellent, and a great end to the series. Most threads are tied up, so this isnt a case where the final book leaves a lot of unanswered questions. I imagine this book will be in my top 5 of 2008 at the end of the year. Highly recommended. More here
March 10, 2014
This was a pretty good ending to the series. This series has never been predictable, and the end is unique and pretty cool. It's not the best wrap up of a series that I have ever read but it is pretty good. I recommend this series to anyone that likes epic fantasy with multiple characters and a large scope.
June 3, 2020
This series had its ups and downs, but overall it was an enjoyable ride. The world building was mostly solid: the magic system was really interesting, and the politics well constructed. The actual feel of the different nations was a little too on the nose (as in VERY clearly lifted from medieval Europe).
The characters too were a mixed bag. Almost every major character had times when they really shone, and had a compelling arc or narrative. However, a number of characters (including some of those same major characters) had times when they fell into overused stereotypes and tropes. While this happened with both male and female characters, it did feel that it disproportionately affected the female characters (unfortunately not surprised. Though a little disappointed as other books of Keyes didn't fall into this pitfall).
In the end though, this was an entertaining series that did manage to take some unexpected, emotional, and exciting turns throughout.
The characters too were a mixed bag. Almost every major character had times when they really shone, and had a compelling arc or narrative. However, a number of characters (including some of those same major characters) had times when they fell into overused stereotypes and tropes. While this happened with both male and female characters, it did feel that it disproportionately affected the female characters (unfortunately not surprised. Though a little disappointed as other books of Keyes didn't fall into this pitfall).
In the end though, this was an entertaining series that did manage to take some unexpected, emotional, and exciting turns throughout.
August 16, 2025
The only fitting ending was Aspar’s.
Disappointing turn of events for some of the characters and although I devoured the first two books, the third and fourth did not hold my interest as much. The characters became dull or too far fetched. Eye rolling at the amount of times love interests swayed (I’m looking at you Sir Neil and you too callous Anne)
Wish I could have enjoyed this finale more. But it was alright.
Disappointing turn of events for some of the characters and although I devoured the first two books, the third and fourth did not hold my interest as much. The characters became dull or too far fetched. Eye rolling at the amount of times love interests swayed (I’m looking at you Sir Neil and you too callous Anne)
Wish I could have enjoyed this finale more. But it was alright.
September 4, 2020
Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone is a pretty typical epic fantasy series. The author hits many of the standard tropes, yet manages to keep the narrative from feeling too cliched.
December 6, 2022
excellent ending …
I was actually nervous that the ending would suck as things weren’t solved with 2 chapters left of the book. But it was great, truly enjoyed this journey~🧡
I was actually nervous that the ending would suck as things weren’t solved with 2 chapters left of the book. But it was great, truly enjoyed this journey~🧡
December 17, 2017
The fourth and final volume in the Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone series opens with war about to consume the kingdom of Crotheny. Anne has taken the throne of the kingdom, but has been declared a heretic and a witch by the Church, who have amassed an army to the south whilst their ally, the King of Hansa, mounts an assault from the north. Meanwhile, the death of the Briar King and the rise of the prophesied Blood Knight both seem to portend a time of great suffering, and Stephen, Neil, Aspar and Cazio face different struggles in different parts of the land to ensure the survival of the kingdom and the world itself.
Right from the off, something feels 'wrong' with The Born Queen. Despite having read the first three books in short order six months ago, I found it very hard to get into this book initially. Characters seemed to have suddenly changed or moved a long way from where they had been at the end of the third book, and were behaving inconsistently with their prior selves (particularly Anne, although that at least is partially deliberate). The plot suddenly felt a lot more mechanical. In the first three books the characters had good reasons for doing what they were doing, but in this final book the characters feel like chess pieces being moved around merely at the author's whim. People do things because visions tell them to, or because they are under a curse, or because certain characters can suddenly see into the future with pinpoint accuracy. Tonally, the book feels a mismatch with the first three, with the more Song of Ice and Fire-like realism of the earlier books suddenly lost in favour of dark twists more akin to those of The Prince of Nothing trilogy or vision and prophecy-based storylines that feel more akin to Dune. Unfortunately, Keyes is a lot less adept at these forms of storytelling.
In short, The Born Queen really feels like a book the author had to write rather than one they wanted to write. Character arcs are truncated and dealt with perfunctorily at best. The end-points for many of the characters are highly dissatisfying. The grand finale is a complete failure, with the story fizzling out without any real sense of menace or tension. We go from the build-up to the final confrontation to the "Where are they now?" epilogue in the space of two or three pages. Major characters' motivations (particularly Hespero and Fend) are left as a confused mess.
The book isn't a total waste of time. Cazio is still written superbly and his storyline can still be fun (everywhere else the good humour and sense of fun that permeated the early books has vanished without trace, leaving the other storylines as a grim slog), and the events of the book are a reasonable conclusion to the story, but the actual depiction of them is severely mishandled.
The Born Queen (**) is a startlingly disappointing and weak conclusion to what had been a very solid series. The book is available now in the UK from Tor in the USA from Del Rey.
Right from the off, something feels 'wrong' with The Born Queen. Despite having read the first three books in short order six months ago, I found it very hard to get into this book initially. Characters seemed to have suddenly changed or moved a long way from where they had been at the end of the third book, and were behaving inconsistently with their prior selves (particularly Anne, although that at least is partially deliberate). The plot suddenly felt a lot more mechanical. In the first three books the characters had good reasons for doing what they were doing, but in this final book the characters feel like chess pieces being moved around merely at the author's whim. People do things because visions tell them to, or because they are under a curse, or because certain characters can suddenly see into the future with pinpoint accuracy. Tonally, the book feels a mismatch with the first three, with the more Song of Ice and Fire-like realism of the earlier books suddenly lost in favour of dark twists more akin to those of The Prince of Nothing trilogy or vision and prophecy-based storylines that feel more akin to Dune. Unfortunately, Keyes is a lot less adept at these forms of storytelling.
In short, The Born Queen really feels like a book the author had to write rather than one they wanted to write. Character arcs are truncated and dealt with perfunctorily at best. The end-points for many of the characters are highly dissatisfying. The grand finale is a complete failure, with the story fizzling out without any real sense of menace or tension. We go from the build-up to the final confrontation to the "Where are they now?" epilogue in the space of two or three pages. Major characters' motivations (particularly Hespero and Fend) are left as a confused mess.
The book isn't a total waste of time. Cazio is still written superbly and his storyline can still be fun (everywhere else the good humour and sense of fun that permeated the early books has vanished without trace, leaving the other storylines as a grim slog), and the events of the book are a reasonable conclusion to the story, but the actual depiction of them is severely mishandled.
The Born Queen (**) is a startlingly disappointing and weak conclusion to what had been a very solid series. The book is available now in the UK from Tor in the USA from Del Rey.
May 4, 2015
To save time I'm reviewing the series rather than the individual books.
I enjoyed The Kingdom of Thorn and Bone, but I did have some issues. For one thing, it's quite a bit darker than the fantasy books I usually enjoy -- more in the vein of "grimdark" fantasy, though perhaps not as much as George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, which it slightly predates. The series also had a bit more torture, murder, sex, and sensuality than I would normally choose (the sex is not explicit, but the torture sometimes is!).
For another, it feels like you never really know what's going on. This is, I'm sure, intentional -- and in fact the end of the series turns a lot of plot lines and past "truths" on their heads -- however it made the first two and a half books feel a little aimless at times. There really isn't any clear or coherent goal for the characters until part way through the third book, and I seem to prefer a plot with a bit more of a clear "quest" so to speak.
As for the ending, it seemed a bit abrupt when it finally did come -- and I'm somewhat particular that if I'm going to read a long series, the ending has to be satisfactory (not too abrupt or unbelievable).
So I'm giving the series three stars, though that's perhaps a little harsh. I'm not likely to read it again, and I'm not sure when/if I would recommend it to others, but I did enjoy it and get drawn along through the ~2,500 pages.
I enjoyed The Kingdom of Thorn and Bone, but I did have some issues. For one thing, it's quite a bit darker than the fantasy books I usually enjoy -- more in the vein of "grimdark" fantasy, though perhaps not as much as George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, which it slightly predates. The series also had a bit more torture, murder, sex, and sensuality than I would normally choose (the sex is not explicit, but the torture sometimes is!).
For another, it feels like you never really know what's going on. This is, I'm sure, intentional -- and in fact the end of the series turns a lot of plot lines and past "truths" on their heads -- however it made the first two and a half books feel a little aimless at times. There really isn't any clear or coherent goal for the characters until part way through the third book, and I seem to prefer a plot with a bit more of a clear "quest" so to speak.
As for the ending, it seemed a bit abrupt when it finally did come -- and I'm somewhat particular that if I'm going to read a long series, the ending has to be satisfactory (not too abrupt or unbelievable).
So I'm giving the series three stars, though that's perhaps a little harsh. I'm not likely to read it again, and I'm not sure when/if I would recommend it to others, but I did enjoy it and get drawn along through the ~2,500 pages.
February 24, 2016
The best book of all four, in the saga of The Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone! The story itself is highly imaginative and creative! Personally, I was not looking forward to reading a happy ending, and if I was the author I would have scrapped the epilogue all together. But hey, what can you do? The majority wants a happy ending. My curiosity was too strong, and I wished I had stopped reading at the last chapter. With the law of death broken, the constant use of the sedos for years and years, and her discovery of the Hellrune, Anne becomes a “…dark, delicious, corrupt…” villain and less of a whiney, selfish princess. There’s a lovely surprise in Stephen Darige’s adventures to find the diary of Virgenya Dare, which to me makes the character far more interesting and amusing. Praefec Hespero and the Black Jester will destroy one or the other in their power struggle to attempt to claim the throne. However, Qexqaneh has plans of it’s own for the land.
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