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Hexes of the Fall
Galan will fall,
a tyrant will rise,
and the Age of Peace will end.
So says a mysterious witch who claims to be able to predict the future. But Prince Genry doesn’t believe in all that fortune-telling nonsense. The triple-walled metropolis of Galan could never fall, and the throne is protected from tyranny by a system of magical Oaths. The idea that the Age of Peace could end is even more ridiculous; the queendom of Thaedra has no political enemies. Who could possibly dare to attack them?
The continent has been at peace for almost a thousand years, but as the fall equinox anniversary draws nearer, a series of alarming magical events threatens the status quo and nearly throws Galan into chaos. Prince Genry is at the epicenter of the commotion, and must give up his dream of becoming a knight in order to protect his beloved city … before it’s too late.
a tyrant will rise,
and the Age of Peace will end.
So says a mysterious witch who claims to be able to predict the future. But Prince Genry doesn’t believe in all that fortune-telling nonsense. The triple-walled metropolis of Galan could never fall, and the throne is protected from tyranny by a system of magical Oaths. The idea that the Age of Peace could end is even more ridiculous; the queendom of Thaedra has no political enemies. Who could possibly dare to attack them?
The continent has been at peace for almost a thousand years, but as the fall equinox anniversary draws nearer, a series of alarming magical events threatens the status quo and nearly throws Galan into chaos. Prince Genry is at the epicenter of the commotion, and must give up his dream of becoming a knight in order to protect his beloved city … before it’s too late.
- GenresFantasy
425 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 20, 2023
9 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 16, 2024
Stars: 4 out of 5
This is a good story, and a solid first book in a new series. I would argue that you might want to read Sand and Ichor before you start this book, because a couple characters from that novella play a major part in the events happening in this book. Also, it will give you better understanding into Rhaka's motives, and why he behaves the way he does.
But ultimately, you don't have to read the novella to enjoy this book, because this story is about Genry and his difficult journey of trying to grapple with circumstances that are out of his control.
I liked Genry, though he came across as naïve and overly idealistic most of this book. But what else would you expect from a 17 year old boy? He is the youngest of the royal siblings. He never expected to assume any important political role in the kingdom. Everyone assumed that his sister Ellix would be the next Queen and she was groomed for this role since childhood. All Genry ever wanted was to become a knight. That's what he trained for, that's what he dreamt about, and he couldn't care about anything else.
I really felt for him when circumstances conspired against him, and he realized that that dream was now shattered. Talk about a soul-crushing discovery - that in order to do your duty to your kingdom and your family, you would have to abandon everything you ever dreamt about and become basically a puppet in the hands of your family. No wonder he ascended the stairs so quickly and without regret at the end of the book - he had nothing tying him to the world of the living.
It's also a very interesting world that the author created. At first, it seems almost a utopia - a thousand years of peace and prosperity... Until you realize that that peace is bought at the price of magical enslavement. The oaths that the citizens make to the crown are binding magical contracts, and attempting to break such a contract causes real physical pain. A kingdom where everything is a contract, where every good deed is expected to put the other person in debt. There is no altruism, only duty. There is no self-sacrifice unless it's worth something. That's a sad state of affairs.
And I would say that the mad seer created a self-fulfilling prophecy in the end. Had she not tried to kill Genry, who knows what kind of crown prince he would have become? If his soul had remained intact, he might made different choices when he becomes a king. I'm afraid she created the Tyrant she was so afraid of.
All in all, this is a really good book, even if the story dragged in place, and I felt like we were circling around the drain a couple times with nothing happening. I am definitely looking forward to the next book. I want to see what becomes of Genry, and Ellix, and Rhaka.
PS: I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a good story, and a solid first book in a new series. I would argue that you might want to read Sand and Ichor before you start this book, because a couple characters from that novella play a major part in the events happening in this book. Also, it will give you better understanding into Rhaka's motives, and why he behaves the way he does.
But ultimately, you don't have to read the novella to enjoy this book, because this story is about Genry and his difficult journey of trying to grapple with circumstances that are out of his control.
I liked Genry, though he came across as naïve and overly idealistic most of this book. But what else would you expect from a 17 year old boy? He is the youngest of the royal siblings. He never expected to assume any important political role in the kingdom. Everyone assumed that his sister Ellix would be the next Queen and she was groomed for this role since childhood. All Genry ever wanted was to become a knight. That's what he trained for, that's what he dreamt about, and he couldn't care about anything else.
I really felt for him when circumstances conspired against him, and he realized that that dream was now shattered. Talk about a soul-crushing discovery - that in order to do your duty to your kingdom and your family, you would have to abandon everything you ever dreamt about and become basically a puppet in the hands of your family. No wonder he ascended the stairs so quickly and without regret at the end of the book - he had nothing tying him to the world of the living.
It's also a very interesting world that the author created. At first, it seems almost a utopia - a thousand years of peace and prosperity... Until you realize that that peace is bought at the price of magical enslavement. The oaths that the citizens make to the crown are binding magical contracts, and attempting to break such a contract causes real physical pain. A kingdom where everything is a contract, where every good deed is expected to put the other person in debt. There is no altruism, only duty. There is no self-sacrifice unless it's worth something. That's a sad state of affairs.
And I would say that the mad seer created a self-fulfilling prophecy in the end. Had she not tried to kill Genry, who knows what kind of crown prince he would have become? If his soul had remained intact, he might made different choices when he becomes a king. I'm afraid she created the Tyrant she was so afraid of.
All in all, this is a really good book, even if the story dragged in place, and I felt like we were circling around the drain a couple times with nothing happening. I am definitely looking forward to the next book. I want to see what becomes of Genry, and Ellix, and Rhaka.
PS: I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 3, 2023
Hexes of the Fall tells the story of Genry, the youngest prince in the royal family who really enjoys not having to be the crown heir. It’s a good thing he’s not, right? Right??? Court politics puts him at odds with Rhaka Serolina (the main character from the prequel), which are 100% the best parts of the book. I really would’ve liked to see more of the two together, they had great chemistry.
The magic system, worldbuilding, and characters are interesting, but I can’t help but be a bit underwhelmed by the ending. I understand that this is early in a series, but this story still left a lot of loose ends. I know they’ll tie into the next book, (which definitely seems promising) but there’s a lot of sub plots with ‘stay tuned for the next part’ as their conclusion.
Don’t get me wrong, I am a bit disappointed by the ending, but the book was still enjoyable to read. The direction the series seems to be going has more promise than book 1. Just be sure to read Sand and Ichor first, it’s definitely required.
(Also, this series has REALLY great cover design, I love them both!)
The magic system, worldbuilding, and characters are interesting, but I can’t help but be a bit underwhelmed by the ending. I understand that this is early in a series, but this story still left a lot of loose ends. I know they’ll tie into the next book, (which definitely seems promising) but there’s a lot of sub plots with ‘stay tuned for the next part’ as their conclusion.
Don’t get me wrong, I am a bit disappointed by the ending, but the book was still enjoyable to read. The direction the series seems to be going has more promise than book 1. Just be sure to read Sand and Ichor first, it’s definitely required.
(Also, this series has REALLY great cover design, I love them both!)
May 2, 2024
☆It's a fantastic new fantasy series☆
L Marton created an amazingly magical start to this series! The kingdoms were so cool to read/learn about, and this story features some very fascinating characters as well as easy to understand world building! I'm super stoked for what's to come next!
L Marton created an amazingly magical start to this series! The kingdoms were so cool to read/learn about, and this story features some very fascinating characters as well as easy to understand world building! I'm super stoked for what's to come next!
June 21, 2023
Will definitely read the next one. I like how the story turned and made me look to what would happen next.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews