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A Throne Betrayed: A Legend of the Five Rings Novel
The Emperor is dead and the Emerald Empire is in turmoil. From New York Times bestselling author Julie Kagawa and J.T. Nicholas comes the thrilling first installment in the definitive story of the Clan Wars.
The Emerald Empire hangs by a thread. The Emperor’s murder has brought upheaval across Rokugan, especially now that his sons have vanished. With the political order that has bound the Great Clans together for centuries unravelling, each now dreams of war and power written in ash and blood.
Lawlessness has taken hold, and in its midst the rōnin Toturi, formerly the champion of the Emperor, searches for purpose in the ruins of betrayal, fighting to save what little he can while trying to escape a past desperate to catch up with him. But no man can run forever. Not when the failure of his sacred duty caused the chaos he now fights through.
And as political infighting divides the Imperial Court, another threat rises from beyond the empire’s borders. A great horde of demonic horrors is massing, determined to crush the clans and wipe them from existence.
The stage is set for the bloodiest wars the empire has ever seen. And this time, there may be no victors.
The Emerald Empire hangs by a thread. The Emperor’s murder has brought upheaval across Rokugan, especially now that his sons have vanished. With the political order that has bound the Great Clans together for centuries unravelling, each now dreams of war and power written in ash and blood.
Lawlessness has taken hold, and in its midst the rōnin Toturi, formerly the champion of the Emperor, searches for purpose in the ruins of betrayal, fighting to save what little he can while trying to escape a past desperate to catch up with him. But no man can run forever. Not when the failure of his sacred duty caused the chaos he now fights through.
And as political infighting divides the Imperial Court, another threat rises from beyond the empire’s borders. A great horde of demonic horrors is massing, determined to crush the clans and wipe them from existence.
The stage is set for the bloodiest wars the empire has ever seen. And this time, there may be no victors.
- GenresFantasy
448 pages, Paperback
Published August 5, 2025
13 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 5, 2025
Sensational!
Enter the world of the Legend of the Five Rings. A society based on that of Ancient Japan, that is divided into clans where the jousting for supreme positions within the empire is murderous and compelling. Where champion ronins abide. Where the Emperor is the empire, supported by the clans who are held together in uneasy truces that will only take a spark to ignite. Then there’s the challenge beyond the empire that’s streaming forth from the Shadowlands being held at bay by the Crab clan. For L5r world “Winter is coming” as the undead, goblins, orca and demons burst forth. The dead are constantly reanimated, chilling the living.
The Crab clan champion’s son, Hida Yakamo faces down the things spewing forth from the shadowlands. The clan sends for help with the defence but is ignored. Given the state of the court, not unsurprising.
The empire is collapsing, the Emerald Emperor has been assassinated, his champion Toturi has become a wondering ronin, searching for the two missing princes, and along the journey, following the true ronin way, righting wrong as he finds it.
The Crane clan champion, Doji Haturo, finds her clan caught up in territorial challenges from the Lion clan. Is there something else happening here with the appearance amongst the Lion clan of a Phoenix clan member? And what of the Scorpian clan?
The outbreak of war, the happenstance of the disgraced wandering, yet questing ronin, the dark shadowlands push, clans jousting for power, all come together to bring us the beginnings of an epic series.
An Aconyte Books ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Enter the world of the Legend of the Five Rings. A society based on that of Ancient Japan, that is divided into clans where the jousting for supreme positions within the empire is murderous and compelling. Where champion ronins abide. Where the Emperor is the empire, supported by the clans who are held together in uneasy truces that will only take a spark to ignite. Then there’s the challenge beyond the empire that’s streaming forth from the Shadowlands being held at bay by the Crab clan. For L5r world “Winter is coming” as the undead, goblins, orca and demons burst forth. The dead are constantly reanimated, chilling the living.
The Crab clan champion’s son, Hida Yakamo faces down the things spewing forth from the shadowlands. The clan sends for help with the defence but is ignored. Given the state of the court, not unsurprising.
The empire is collapsing, the Emerald Emperor has been assassinated, his champion Toturi has become a wondering ronin, searching for the two missing princes, and along the journey, following the true ronin way, righting wrong as he finds it.
The Crane clan champion, Doji Haturo, finds her clan caught up in territorial challenges from the Lion clan. Is there something else happening here with the appearance amongst the Lion clan of a Phoenix clan member? And what of the Scorpian clan?
The outbreak of war, the happenstance of the disgraced wandering, yet questing ronin, the dark shadowlands push, clans jousting for power, all come together to bring us the beginnings of an epic series.
An Aconyte Books ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
July 22, 2025
𝔄 𝔗𝔥𝔯𝔬𝔫𝔢 𝔅𝔢𝔱𝔯𝔞𝔶𝔢𝔡
4.5/5 stars
4.5/5 stars
Political. Gritty. Unrelenting. This book devoured me before I could devour it, and I still want more.
From the very first page, A Throne Betrayed sinks its claws into the chaos of a crumbling empire and doesn’t let go. I absolutely ate it up. War. Betrayal. Honor. And Sacrifice.
The characters are gold. Raw, emotional, deeply flawed, and so richly developed. I found myself especially gutted by Yakamo and the plight of the Crab Clan. Their sacrifices are gut-wrenching, and yet the rest of the Empire seems blind to it. It’s tragic, and it’s brilliant.
“You did not fail. We were betrayed.”
The emotional weight of this book sits heavily in your chest. And despite the depth of worldbuilding (and it is dense), I never felt truly lost. That said, I did find myself Googling quite a few terms. A glossary or footnotes would have been a helpful touch for newcomers, especially to the Legend of the Five Rings universe.
The pacing leans more epic than fast, and while some passages meander without much dialogue, I personally didn’t mind. As someone who loves emotionally driven writing, those moments added tension and gravity. But I know some readers prefer things snappier!
This book has me setting a new goal: I want to read more of the Legend of the Five Rings books. This world is so rich and textured and I can tell there’s so much more still to explore.
Final Thoughts:
Heavy, heartfelt, and utterly gripping. A Throne Betrayed is an epic of loyalty, loss, and legacy—and I’m desperate for the next installment.
August 26, 2025
Lord Toturi has failed his Emperor and the entire Empire with the assassination of the Emperor and the kidnapping of his sons. Due to this shame, he chooses the path of the Ronin, the clan less class of samurai that wander the Emerald Empire. He tells himself it is to find the missing princes but as he travels he sees so much wrong with the Empire. Samurai are pulled away from villages to fight in pointless battles that start over petty insults at court so villagers are left to defend themselves against bandits and worse. One afternoon he stumbles across a village that has been taken over by just such a gang of bandits, making a stand and saving the village. There is no way he could know at the time the impact this one action would make.
Hotaru is the Clan Champion of The Crane and currently at her wits' end. With the Emperor dead, a Crane now sits as regent which doesn't sit well with the other clans, especially the Lion the Crane's mortal enemy. She arrives at court hoping to negotiate some sort of truce with the Lion but they seem to be against this, to the point that they are willing to declare open war on The Crane, however, things aren't as straightforward as that. The Champion of the Lion seems to have a new advisor a young woman from the Phoenix and if Kachiko, Hotaru's lover and spy master of the Scorpion is right this young woman is far more dangerous than she appears. Going against everything Hotaru knows about the Phoenix this young woman seems determined to not just start a war between the Lion and the Crane but to drag the entire Empire into it. Hotaru knows she must stop this at all costs, but how when the Lion cannot see the clear enemy within their midst.
Yakamo has defended the wall that separates the Shadowland from the Empire his whole life and yet something seems off about the creatures from this accursed land. His father sends him deep into the Shadowlands to discover just what his happening only to find that the soldiers of Fu Leng are amassing in numbers never seen before. Yakamo knows that there is no way for his people to stand against this threat and in desperation he races to the Capitol to enlist the aid of the other clans, only to discover that for them Fu Leng is just a distant problem easily handled by the Crab. In his fury, Yakamo returns to his lands and makes a decision that will change the course of history.
Wow. Just freaking wow! I love this series, I think everyone knows this but Kagawa and Nichols came out swinging, I mean swinging with this first volume. This was just brilliant!
As always we are going to start with the characters and because I thoroughly enjoyed him Lord Toturi is going first. Lord Toturi's character by many standards could be considered cookie-cutter, his decisions "plot devices" as one TCG player said. And while I will not disagree with this I will say that what his character really represents is the Samurai who stops working for the good of his Clan (in this case) and remembers that his true job is to protect the people. This is a common theme in many Japanese novels and even movies Seven Samurai being the most famous, to find that theme here and well done at that was just amazing for me. While one could argue that Toturi's decisions in terms of leaving the palace to become a ronin set off this series of explosive events, I would disagree with that. His actions more than anyone's so far may be the only actions that actually save an empire on the brink, because he's not doing it for honor or glory. Everything he does is because it is the right thing to do. And that is freaking hard. To stand in front of the people around you and say "Yes, this is how it's been done but it doesn't mean it's right." is a courageous stance to say the least.
Hotaru is great in that I feel like I think she thinks she's doing the right thing constantly but she's unable to see the bigger picture like Toturi is. While she is clearly not as integrated into the court's messy politics she still is and that gives her a very narrow viewpoint indeed. She is also steeped in just too much tradition, she clearly sees the issues that Toturi sees, she even brings these things up often, but she convinces herself that this is the way it's done and that's that. I have hope that this may change in book 2 she is clearly not impressed with the prince and I feel like he may do something that finally crosses her line.
Yakamo is genuinely the most tragic of all of these characters. He is 100% right about everything. The other clans do need to grow up and see the literal threat on their doorstep. His anger is completely justified, but how he handles that is something else completely though. He consistently lets his emotions overwhelm him and that puts him in very bad places where he makes split-second decisions, again based on emotion. That being said, it really does seem like his dad was forcing him into these situations to get Yakamo to do just that, so I'm not sure I'd 100% blame Yakamo, which makes him truly the saddest character of all.
Pacing and world-building were both excellent. This was truly non-stop and I loved that. Action and battle scenes were balanced well and did not feel like there were too many or too few of either. The final battle between Toturi's forces and the Lion's was absolutely freaking amazing though. Short and sweet with the added bonus of Kagawa and Nichols clearly doing their research of Japanese military gear throughout the centuries and a great demonstration of Toturi's skills as a tactician. My only kind of small complaint is I do feel like you'd need to have read the books or played the game to truly understand the world.
While I was hoping for a new Shin mystery I was definitely not disappointed in this. Actually, I'm not even mad that it wasn't one (although I would like one please). If you are new to this world this is the perfect starting point, if you are a TCG player this may be old news to you but for those who know this world from the Shin mysteries or the older books this added so much depth to the world! I cannot wait for book 2!
As always thanks to NetGalley and Aconyte Books for the eArc!
Hotaru is the Clan Champion of The Crane and currently at her wits' end. With the Emperor dead, a Crane now sits as regent which doesn't sit well with the other clans, especially the Lion the Crane's mortal enemy. She arrives at court hoping to negotiate some sort of truce with the Lion but they seem to be against this, to the point that they are willing to declare open war on The Crane, however, things aren't as straightforward as that. The Champion of the Lion seems to have a new advisor a young woman from the Phoenix and if Kachiko, Hotaru's lover and spy master of the Scorpion is right this young woman is far more dangerous than she appears. Going against everything Hotaru knows about the Phoenix this young woman seems determined to not just start a war between the Lion and the Crane but to drag the entire Empire into it. Hotaru knows she must stop this at all costs, but how when the Lion cannot see the clear enemy within their midst.
Yakamo has defended the wall that separates the Shadowland from the Empire his whole life and yet something seems off about the creatures from this accursed land. His father sends him deep into the Shadowlands to discover just what his happening only to find that the soldiers of Fu Leng are amassing in numbers never seen before. Yakamo knows that there is no way for his people to stand against this threat and in desperation he races to the Capitol to enlist the aid of the other clans, only to discover that for them Fu Leng is just a distant problem easily handled by the Crab. In his fury, Yakamo returns to his lands and makes a decision that will change the course of history.
Wow. Just freaking wow! I love this series, I think everyone knows this but Kagawa and Nichols came out swinging, I mean swinging with this first volume. This was just brilliant!
As always we are going to start with the characters and because I thoroughly enjoyed him Lord Toturi is going first. Lord Toturi's character by many standards could be considered cookie-cutter, his decisions "plot devices" as one TCG player said. And while I will not disagree with this I will say that what his character really represents is the Samurai who stops working for the good of his Clan (in this case) and remembers that his true job is to protect the people. This is a common theme in many Japanese novels and even movies Seven Samurai being the most famous, to find that theme here and well done at that was just amazing for me. While one could argue that Toturi's decisions in terms of leaving the palace to become a ronin set off this series of explosive events, I would disagree with that. His actions more than anyone's so far may be the only actions that actually save an empire on the brink, because he's not doing it for honor or glory. Everything he does is because it is the right thing to do. And that is freaking hard. To stand in front of the people around you and say "Yes, this is how it's been done but it doesn't mean it's right." is a courageous stance to say the least.
Hotaru is great in that I feel like I think she thinks she's doing the right thing constantly but she's unable to see the bigger picture like Toturi is. While she is clearly not as integrated into the court's messy politics she still is and that gives her a very narrow viewpoint indeed. She is also steeped in just too much tradition, she clearly sees the issues that Toturi sees, she even brings these things up often, but she convinces herself that this is the way it's done and that's that. I have hope that this may change in book 2 she is clearly not impressed with the prince and I feel like he may do something that finally crosses her line.
Yakamo is genuinely the most tragic of all of these characters. He is 100% right about everything. The other clans do need to grow up and see the literal threat on their doorstep. His anger is completely justified, but how he handles that is something else completely though. He consistently lets his emotions overwhelm him and that puts him in very bad places where he makes split-second decisions, again based on emotion. That being said, it really does seem like his dad was forcing him into these situations to get Yakamo to do just that, so I'm not sure I'd 100% blame Yakamo, which makes him truly the saddest character of all.
Pacing and world-building were both excellent. This was truly non-stop and I loved that. Action and battle scenes were balanced well and did not feel like there were too many or too few of either. The final battle between Toturi's forces and the Lion's was absolutely freaking amazing though. Short and sweet with the added bonus of Kagawa and Nichols clearly doing their research of Japanese military gear throughout the centuries and a great demonstration of Toturi's skills as a tactician. My only kind of small complaint is I do feel like you'd need to have read the books or played the game to truly understand the world.
While I was hoping for a new Shin mystery I was definitely not disappointed in this. Actually, I'm not even mad that it wasn't one (although I would like one please). If you are new to this world this is the perfect starting point, if you are a TCG player this may be old news to you but for those who know this world from the Shin mysteries or the older books this added so much depth to the world! I cannot wait for book 2!
As always thanks to NetGalley and Aconyte Books for the eArc!
Read
September 11, 2025This book is excellent. Full stop. The authors confidently and skillfully provided the perfect beginning to what looks to be an incredible series. Political maneuvering and action are the perfect backdrop for themes of redemption, love, and fighting for justice.
The story is tackled from multiple points of view, with each bringing a crucial piece of the plot to light. Toturi feels he failed his dead Emperor and has decided to take up the way of the rōnin. While the empire threatens to collapse completely, he wanders, trying to find two princes that are missing. He hopes this will bring him a sense of redemption. Despite him feeling like a loss or failure, Toturi provides protection and justice to those he comes across. This inner pain can’t be buried by actions, though, and Toturi became one of my favorite characters. His parts of the book were laced with action, with a seething layer of emotion right under the surface.
Meanwhile, Hotaru, the champion of the Crab Clan, must navigate court intrigue. Her part of the story is shrouded in tones of gray, as she realizes that her responsibility is much bigger than she thought. While I preferred Toturi as a character, Hotaru’s parts of the book were just as intriguing. There was hidden danger around every corner.
Then there’s Yakamo. He discovers the very real peril that has grown while everyone is busy focusing on other things. I felt so bad for him as he realized that help wasn’t coming. Everyone else has their own problems, and no one seems interested or bothered by his. This gives him a (justified) anger, which makes him an interesting character to read about.
This is a lot to have happen in one novel, yet the authors juggled everything wonderfully. No shortcuts were taken, and each character received the amount of attention needed to tell the story. The care paid off. A Throne Betrayed was vast in its conception and perfected in its execution.
Tensions were high throughout the story, sometimes at odds with the pacing, which felt slower. That being said, it never dragged. The story grew as situations snowballed, growing more dangerous as the tale continued.
I enjoyed the political machinations, and the action scenes were fantastic, but what really sold me on this particular book were the emotions the characters kept hidden. The reader is privy to these inner struggles, and this is what kept me reading.
A Throne Betrayed would be a good entry point for those unfamiliar with the Legend of the Five Rings and a great addition to the world for those who are.
Thank you to Aconyte Books for providing me with a review copy of this book. My opinion is completely my own.
https://wittyandsarcasticbookclub.hom...
The story is tackled from multiple points of view, with each bringing a crucial piece of the plot to light. Toturi feels he failed his dead Emperor and has decided to take up the way of the rōnin. While the empire threatens to collapse completely, he wanders, trying to find two princes that are missing. He hopes this will bring him a sense of redemption. Despite him feeling like a loss or failure, Toturi provides protection and justice to those he comes across. This inner pain can’t be buried by actions, though, and Toturi became one of my favorite characters. His parts of the book were laced with action, with a seething layer of emotion right under the surface.
Meanwhile, Hotaru, the champion of the Crab Clan, must navigate court intrigue. Her part of the story is shrouded in tones of gray, as she realizes that her responsibility is much bigger than she thought. While I preferred Toturi as a character, Hotaru’s parts of the book were just as intriguing. There was hidden danger around every corner.
Then there’s Yakamo. He discovers the very real peril that has grown while everyone is busy focusing on other things. I felt so bad for him as he realized that help wasn’t coming. Everyone else has their own problems, and no one seems interested or bothered by his. This gives him a (justified) anger, which makes him an interesting character to read about.
This is a lot to have happen in one novel, yet the authors juggled everything wonderfully. No shortcuts were taken, and each character received the amount of attention needed to tell the story. The care paid off. A Throne Betrayed was vast in its conception and perfected in its execution.
Tensions were high throughout the story, sometimes at odds with the pacing, which felt slower. That being said, it never dragged. The story grew as situations snowballed, growing more dangerous as the tale continued.
I enjoyed the political machinations, and the action scenes were fantastic, but what really sold me on this particular book were the emotions the characters kept hidden. The reader is privy to these inner struggles, and this is what kept me reading.
A Throne Betrayed would be a good entry point for those unfamiliar with the Legend of the Five Rings and a great addition to the world for those who are.
Thank you to Aconyte Books for providing me with a review copy of this book. My opinion is completely my own.
https://wittyandsarcasticbookclub.hom...
July 30, 2025
I read the original 7 Clan Wars novels that had been published in the early/mid 00s, for a long time I felt like no L5R novelization could ever come close to the love and obsession they drove me to... Julie Kagawa and J.T. Nicholas have blown my mind. The characters are great, their motives are clear cut and for new people to the L5R world, it does explain a lot of the Japanese words and bushi rules.
Toturi is the former Emerald Champion, who witnessed the death of the prior emperor Hantei, and is traveling to find the lost prince. In his travels, he ends up on a quest of honor, and how to teach others how to do right by the Akodo code, even as a ronin.
Hotaru is the current Crane Champion, watching the twists and turns of the court intrigue, and wanting to do right by her Clan, goes to save the prince.
Yakamo is the son of the Crab Clan Champion, who watches over the Wall and helps defend it from demons and worse who dwell in the Shadowlands. He begs for aid from the other Clans, only to be ignored and mocked, and has to find a way to help his Clan from being wiped out.. Even if it means turning to the same kind who slaughter his kin.
Toturi is the former Emerald Champion, who witnessed the death of the prior emperor Hantei, and is traveling to find the lost prince. In his travels, he ends up on a quest of honor, and how to teach others how to do right by the Akodo code, even as a ronin.
Hotaru is the current Crane Champion, watching the twists and turns of the court intrigue, and wanting to do right by her Clan, goes to save the prince.
Yakamo is the son of the Crab Clan Champion, who watches over the Wall and helps defend it from demons and worse who dwell in the Shadowlands. He begs for aid from the other Clans, only to be ignored and mocked, and has to find a way to help his Clan from being wiped out.. Even if it means turning to the same kind who slaughter his kin.
August 4, 2025
A Throne Betrayed by Julie Kagawa and J.T. Nicholas is one heck of a tome! It is a cross between Game of Thrones and The Battle of the Five Armies (the hobbit trilogy of films). This is an incredible read! I'm so glad I was able to read this on my Kindle, because there were so many words I was not familiar with; all the different kinds of swords and weapons alone could fill a dictionary. In this book, the women are strong fighters, Samurai!! as well as the men who are also Samurai warriors.. The mystical is in this book, particularly within the Crab clan. There are so many clans, ogres, goblins and the like. We are talking warring Samurais!! Hundreds of people are killed in battles and some come back to life, I found this book to be exciting...! I mean the sentence alone of "wriggling piles of their own dead, and climbed to their feet, still holding the weapons they had died with." What a description, the entire book is like that one sentence. You'll be on the edge of your seat. I only hope this might be Volume 1 of many!
Highly recommended!!!
Highly recommended!!!
August 24, 2025
I received an E-ARC from Aconyte Books (publisher) and Netgalley to read and provide an honest review.
Apologies for the delay in providing this review.
This review will not contain any spoilers.
A Throne Betrayed is first in a samurai-influenced fantasy series written by Julie Kagawa and J.T. Nicholas. This book is the first I have read that has been by either of these two authors.
This story is not only has a world building that provided depth, but the each of the main characters has a very interesting and engaging arc and plot appears to flow organically from the inciting incident which occurs before the beginning of this story.
The pacing of this story is steady from beginning to end.
The formatting of the E-ARC is incomplete and it would have been helpful if there was a character list at the beginning of the story, but neither of these two issues impacted my enjoyment of the story.
I really enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading the next installment in this series.
I rate A Throne Betrayed 5 stars.
I want to thank Aconyte Books, Netgalley, Ms. Kanagawa, and Mr. Nicholas for providing the E-ARC.
Apologies for the delay in providing this review.
This review will not contain any spoilers.
A Throne Betrayed is first in a samurai-influenced fantasy series written by Julie Kagawa and J.T. Nicholas. This book is the first I have read that has been by either of these two authors.
This story is not only has a world building that provided depth, but the each of the main characters has a very interesting and engaging arc and plot appears to flow organically from the inciting incident which occurs before the beginning of this story.
The pacing of this story is steady from beginning to end.
The formatting of the E-ARC is incomplete and it would have been helpful if there was a character list at the beginning of the story, but neither of these two issues impacted my enjoyment of the story.
I really enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading the next installment in this series.
I rate A Throne Betrayed 5 stars.
I want to thank Aconyte Books, Netgalley, Ms. Kanagawa, and Mr. Nicholas for providing the E-ARC.
June 30, 2025
A multi POV story set in Rokugan, a fantasy version of medieval Japan in the aftermath of the Emperor's assassination and political infighting:
- There's Toturi, former chief bodyguard of the slain emperor, who finds himself at the end of a rebel army trying to restore peace
- There's Yakamo of the Crab whose clan defend the southern border against the demons/spirits of the Shadowlands. Seeking reinforcements, the Rokugans prefer to fight amongst each other rather than their external enemies. After a healing, he's possessed of new powers, thoughts and ambitions.
- There's Hoteru, ostensibly the Crane Champion fighter but depicted as a one note fool who's either lusting after Lady Kachiko (a far more interesting character) or jealous that she's not the object of Lady Kachiko's affections.
- There's also a shadowy presence at court who may, or may not, be influencing/controlling some of the players.
The book ends with each character having completed something and tee'd up for the next action on their to-do lists.
For those familiar with the lore of this land, this book probably fits right in (I've read the Daidoji Shin mysteries by Joshua Reynolds, also part of this universe) but be prepared to have things stated rather than explained - I'm not sure who Fu Leng is/was but they're the evil genius behind the shadowland monsters. Then there are other things which are constantly restated - I'm not sure how many times we're told it's Hantei 38th who was killed. There's also Hoteru's one tone jealousy. Trying to write within an existing universe something which satisfies the hard core fans as well as those new is a difficult balance but I'm not sure this book quite pulls it off.
Despite this, an entertaining yarn for a few evenings. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
- There's Toturi, former chief bodyguard of the slain emperor, who finds himself at the end of a rebel army trying to restore peace
- There's Yakamo of the Crab whose clan defend the southern border against the demons/spirits of the Shadowlands. Seeking reinforcements, the Rokugans prefer to fight amongst each other rather than their external enemies. After a healing, he's possessed of new powers, thoughts and ambitions.
- There's Hoteru, ostensibly the Crane Champion fighter but depicted as a one note fool who's either lusting after Lady Kachiko (a far more interesting character) or jealous that she's not the object of Lady Kachiko's affections.
- There's also a shadowy presence at court who may, or may not, be influencing/controlling some of the players.
The book ends with each character having completed something and tee'd up for the next action on their to-do lists.
For those familiar with the lore of this land, this book probably fits right in (I've read the Daidoji Shin mysteries by Joshua Reynolds, also part of this universe) but be prepared to have things stated rather than explained - I'm not sure who Fu Leng is/was but they're the evil genius behind the shadowland monsters. Then there are other things which are constantly restated - I'm not sure how many times we're told it's Hantei 38th who was killed. There's also Hoteru's one tone jealousy. Trying to write within an existing universe something which satisfies the hard core fans as well as those new is a difficult balance but I'm not sure this book quite pulls it off.
Despite this, an entertaining yarn for a few evenings. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 7, 2025
I really enjoyed that A Throne Betrayed is based on historical Japanese society! I really enjoyed how Kagawa mixed the ronin and the supernatural, the result was flawless.
I will admit that I really struggled to get into this. I love Julie Kagawa’s writing and books so I pushed through and I’m glad I did! It definitely picked up towards the end of the book and I would really like to read more!
The characters are one of the best aspects of the book. They are deeply flawed and realistic. The emotions they portray are so real and raw and gripping!
A Throne Betrayed leans more into the epic fantasy type of writing with lots of descriptions and dialogue and a slower pace. And, to be honest, I think that was what I struggled with as I’ve been reading a lot more fast paced fantasy lately.
This is not a light read, so if that’s what you want, I would look elsewhere.
But if you want a character driven, detailed, slower paced, beautifully written story, then look no further!
I will admit that I really struggled to get into this. I love Julie Kagawa’s writing and books so I pushed through and I’m glad I did! It definitely picked up towards the end of the book and I would really like to read more!
The characters are one of the best aspects of the book. They are deeply flawed and realistic. The emotions they portray are so real and raw and gripping!
A Throne Betrayed leans more into the epic fantasy type of writing with lots of descriptions and dialogue and a slower pace. And, to be honest, I think that was what I struggled with as I’ve been reading a lot more fast paced fantasy lately.
This is not a light read, so if that’s what you want, I would look elsewhere.
But if you want a character driven, detailed, slower paced, beautifully written story, then look no further!
August 6, 2025
Although this was an entertaining read I found it difficult to follow so many characters and clans. I know the book wasn’t based on a game and maybe it would have helped if I was more familiar with the game.
As I read an ebook version I didn’t have the chapter art which I believe was stunning and added to the whole experience.
The world building was excellent and the maps really made it easier to understand. There were some very endearing characters and some who are struggling for redemption. Once you get used to the last number of characters and the multiple points of views the story really takes off after a difficult start.
Thank you to Love Books Tours and the authors for the free review copy.
As I read an ebook version I didn’t have the chapter art which I believe was stunning and added to the whole experience.
The world building was excellent and the maps really made it easier to understand. There were some very endearing characters and some who are struggling for redemption. Once you get used to the last number of characters and the multiple points of views the story really takes off after a difficult start.
Thank you to Love Books Tours and the authors for the free review copy.
June 29, 2025
My thanks to NetGalley and Aconyte Books for an advance copy of this fantasy adventure story set in the world of a popular tabletop gaming, dealing with the death of rulers, loss of purpose, court intrigue, monsters, magic, and of course honor.
I remember when TSR starting making fantasy novels set in the world of their game systems. I was the happiest person in the world. I am not sure why but I love novelizations of all kinds. Movies, television, radio shows, role playing, computer games I just can't get enough. I think it might have to do with the familiarity of the subject, wanting to see characters from some entertainments continue on, long after The End appears on the screen. For role playing games I think it was more that I wish I was running these adventures of even playing in them. As I got older it was harder to find people to play with, so most of my joy came from the books. In fact there are many books set in role playing worlds that I have never played. After reading this book, I really have to make some more friends. A Throne Betrayed: A Legend of the Five Rings Novel is the first book in the War of the Clans series written by New York Times Best-selling author Julie Kagawa and J.T. Nicholas. The book is set in a perilous time, full of betrayal, assassination, kidnapping, strange creatures, mysteries, and a quest to find oneself.
The Emperor has been struck down, killed by a trusted member of the Scorpion Clan, leaving the Emerald Empire teetering. In addition the Emperor's sons are missing, adding further chaos to the situation. The lines of understanding, the mutual fear, the animosities that kept the clans in check to each other have been removed, and now a weak government means that the clans will battle both on the field, and in the shadows for power. Toturi was once the Emperor's champion, he in fact found the dead Emperor fresh corpse, but could do nothing to save him. Toturi is now a rōnin, a samurai without master or purpose, still trying to keep justice, while trying to make sense of what happened. Though lost to himself, Toturi has gained companions on his search, but how much he can trust his new friends he doesn't know. Doji Hotaru is in the capital watching things slowly decaying, having feelings for one person, and fear and disquiet for another. Hotaru sees what is happening but as no idea how to stop things, even as the darkness gets closer. Meanwhile on the frontier with the Shadowlands, creatures of darkness attack the Wall, a Wall that is closer and closer to falling. Hidu Yokamo is used to the usual monsters, but these new creatures, along with the dead rising, are something he never trained for. And something these forces might not be able to stop.
As I said I am unfamiliar with the game, though I have read many books based here. I am not sure if this is early in the world, setting up adventures, or just a new campaign. I really enjoyed this book, the mix of characters and their motivations, and the way the authors developed them over the course of the book. There are many changes for the characters, and they show a lot of growth, and makes one flip pages faster and faster to see what is coming next. Action and intrigue mix well, and both are handheld equally well. I really enjoyed the action. The story moves a bit in time, but I think that really helped the book, and one doesn't get lost or confused.
A very good story, for those unfamiliar with the game. Those who play it will probably pick up a lot a missed, so I recommend it to them. This is like a great movie, the way characters are introduced, plots developed and built on. A really good series I want to read more of. Even more I want to play the game.
I remember when TSR starting making fantasy novels set in the world of their game systems. I was the happiest person in the world. I am not sure why but I love novelizations of all kinds. Movies, television, radio shows, role playing, computer games I just can't get enough. I think it might have to do with the familiarity of the subject, wanting to see characters from some entertainments continue on, long after The End appears on the screen. For role playing games I think it was more that I wish I was running these adventures of even playing in them. As I got older it was harder to find people to play with, so most of my joy came from the books. In fact there are many books set in role playing worlds that I have never played. After reading this book, I really have to make some more friends. A Throne Betrayed: A Legend of the Five Rings Novel is the first book in the War of the Clans series written by New York Times Best-selling author Julie Kagawa and J.T. Nicholas. The book is set in a perilous time, full of betrayal, assassination, kidnapping, strange creatures, mysteries, and a quest to find oneself.
The Emperor has been struck down, killed by a trusted member of the Scorpion Clan, leaving the Emerald Empire teetering. In addition the Emperor's sons are missing, adding further chaos to the situation. The lines of understanding, the mutual fear, the animosities that kept the clans in check to each other have been removed, and now a weak government means that the clans will battle both on the field, and in the shadows for power. Toturi was once the Emperor's champion, he in fact found the dead Emperor fresh corpse, but could do nothing to save him. Toturi is now a rōnin, a samurai without master or purpose, still trying to keep justice, while trying to make sense of what happened. Though lost to himself, Toturi has gained companions on his search, but how much he can trust his new friends he doesn't know. Doji Hotaru is in the capital watching things slowly decaying, having feelings for one person, and fear and disquiet for another. Hotaru sees what is happening but as no idea how to stop things, even as the darkness gets closer. Meanwhile on the frontier with the Shadowlands, creatures of darkness attack the Wall, a Wall that is closer and closer to falling. Hidu Yokamo is used to the usual monsters, but these new creatures, along with the dead rising, are something he never trained for. And something these forces might not be able to stop.
As I said I am unfamiliar with the game, though I have read many books based here. I am not sure if this is early in the world, setting up adventures, or just a new campaign. I really enjoyed this book, the mix of characters and their motivations, and the way the authors developed them over the course of the book. There are many changes for the characters, and they show a lot of growth, and makes one flip pages faster and faster to see what is coming next. Action and intrigue mix well, and both are handheld equally well. I really enjoyed the action. The story moves a bit in time, but I think that really helped the book, and one doesn't get lost or confused.
A very good story, for those unfamiliar with the game. Those who play it will probably pick up a lot a missed, so I recommend it to them. This is like a great movie, the way characters are introduced, plots developed and built on. A really good series I want to read more of. Even more I want to play the game.
August 26, 2025
***Received an ARC copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Contains minor spoilers.***
Having read the "original" L5R Clan Wars novels back in the days during the AEG era, it was an interesting experience to see how the storyline of this major would change under the rebooted lore. The tie-in stories that were released along with the L5R Living Card Game practically skipped this event and introduced the Cherry Blossom Snow story arc instead, so Aconyte filled some painfully missing gaps in the story with this book.
I enjoyed this book quite much. The old L5R Clan Wars novels were often felt like a parody of a game tie-in books, and the quality was definitely not a strong point of them. Just like the other Aconyte published L5R novels, this one has no quality issues. The political / court events from Hotaru's POV and the Rokugani road trip from Toturi's POV were all very exciting. It also helped that I liked the characters already from the previous stories. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy the Crab clan parts - very few authors can grab my attention for this clan's stories, the Crab heroes are usually just dull for my taste. In the second half of the book I got a bit impatient and skipped through a few pages of Yakamo's story, but it doesn't seem to matter for the big picture.
For long-time fans of the rebooted Fantasy Flight Games version of the lore, this novel will most probably be an easier read. It assumes that the majority of the events happened up until the last night of the Hantei Emperor (with a few exceptions - like no alliance between the Phoenix and the Lion in the form of the marriage between Toturi and Kaede). The book sometimes using references to these "assumed knowledge" stories, and I'm afraid this will also pose a challenge to newer readers or those readers who are only familiar with the L5R titles published by Aconyte. A short, few pages long "what happened so far in the recent past of Rokugan" should have been added as an intro, so the newer readers would not feel so lost.
Looking forward to the future books from the other clan heroes POV, and as with the other Aconyte released books, this will go to my hard copy collection once it will be available in the EU markets.
Having read the "original" L5R Clan Wars novels back in the days during the AEG era, it was an interesting experience to see how the storyline of this major would change under the rebooted lore. The tie-in stories that were released along with the L5R Living Card Game practically skipped this event and introduced the Cherry Blossom Snow story arc instead, so Aconyte filled some painfully missing gaps in the story with this book.
I enjoyed this book quite much. The old L5R Clan Wars novels were often felt like a parody of a game tie-in books, and the quality was definitely not a strong point of them. Just like the other Aconyte published L5R novels, this one has no quality issues. The political / court events from Hotaru's POV and the Rokugani road trip from Toturi's POV were all very exciting. It also helped that I liked the characters already from the previous stories. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy the Crab clan parts - very few authors can grab my attention for this clan's stories, the Crab heroes are usually just dull for my taste. In the second half of the book I got a bit impatient and skipped through a few pages of Yakamo's story, but it doesn't seem to matter for the big picture.
For long-time fans of the rebooted Fantasy Flight Games version of the lore, this novel will most probably be an easier read. It assumes that the majority of the events happened up until the last night of the Hantei Emperor (with a few exceptions - like no alliance between the Phoenix and the Lion in the form of the marriage between Toturi and Kaede). The book sometimes using references to these "assumed knowledge" stories, and I'm afraid this will also pose a challenge to newer readers or those readers who are only familiar with the L5R titles published by Aconyte. A short, few pages long "what happened so far in the recent past of Rokugan" should have been added as an intro, so the newer readers would not feel so lost.
Looking forward to the future books from the other clan heroes POV, and as with the other Aconyte released books, this will go to my hard copy collection once it will be available in the EU markets.
August 6, 2025
A Throne Betrayed is a gripping, emotionally charged entry into the sprawling world of Rokugan, brought to life by the powerful collaboration of Julie Kagawa and J.T. Nicholas. Set during a time of immense political upheaval and civil strife, this novel reintroduces us to a war-torn empire, where alliances crumble, honor is tested, and destiny is reshaped by the choices of a few brave souls.
After the assassination of Emperor Hantei the 38th, the throne lies vacant, and the empire is thrown into chaos. The once-unshakable balance between the Great Clans fractures as ambition and betrayal ignite the long-simmering fires of war. Amid this turmoil stands Toturi—a former Emerald Champion turned rōnin—who finds himself thrust into the heart of a political storm he once tried to avoid.
What makes A Throne Betrayed so compelling is its fusion of large-scale conflict with deep, introspective character arcs. This is no ordinary protagonist. Haunted by his past failures and torn between duty and disillusionment, his journey is one of reluctant leadership, redemption, and moral reckoning. Kagawa and Nicholas have crafted a character who feels both mythic and deeply human.
The novel also excels in its portrayal of the clans—not just as political entities, but as living, breathing cultures with distinct philosophies, ambitions, and flaws. From the cunning Scorpion to the stoic Crab, the intricate world-building pays homage to the legacy of Legend of the Five Rings while inviting new readers into its mythos.
Tense, poetic, and emotionally resonant, A Throne Betrayed is not just about war—it’s about what remains after loyalty is tested, empires fall, and warriors choose who they want to become in the ashes.
Verdict:
This is a must-read for fantasy lovers, L5R fans, and anyone who enjoys stories where honor, strategy, and spirit collide. A powerful first chapter in The Clan Wars saga.
⭐ Rating: 4.8/5
After the assassination of Emperor Hantei the 38th, the throne lies vacant, and the empire is thrown into chaos. The once-unshakable balance between the Great Clans fractures as ambition and betrayal ignite the long-simmering fires of war. Amid this turmoil stands Toturi—a former Emerald Champion turned rōnin—who finds himself thrust into the heart of a political storm he once tried to avoid.
What makes A Throne Betrayed so compelling is its fusion of large-scale conflict with deep, introspective character arcs. This is no ordinary protagonist. Haunted by his past failures and torn between duty and disillusionment, his journey is one of reluctant leadership, redemption, and moral reckoning. Kagawa and Nicholas have crafted a character who feels both mythic and deeply human.
The novel also excels in its portrayal of the clans—not just as political entities, but as living, breathing cultures with distinct philosophies, ambitions, and flaws. From the cunning Scorpion to the stoic Crab, the intricate world-building pays homage to the legacy of Legend of the Five Rings while inviting new readers into its mythos.
Tense, poetic, and emotionally resonant, A Throne Betrayed is not just about war—it’s about what remains after loyalty is tested, empires fall, and warriors choose who they want to become in the ashes.
Verdict:
This is a must-read for fantasy lovers, L5R fans, and anyone who enjoys stories where honor, strategy, and spirit collide. A powerful first chapter in The Clan Wars saga.
⭐ Rating: 4.8/5
August 2, 2025
When you start a fantasy series and get hooked, you know you’ve entered a relationship that’ll last, either until the final book or until something makes you fall out of love with it.
I’d already read some books from the Legend of the Five Rings series, and I love Julia Kagava’s writing, so I knew I had to read this one and see what kind of journey I was about to begin.
From the very first pages, I was pulled into a world that felt like ancient Japan, a place steeped in despair, betrayal, and violence. It’s a world where honor and duty are sacred, but in the chaos of the moment, hope is hard to find.
This story leans more into emotion and intrigue than action. It’s not about nonstop battles, it’s about building a rich world, weaving in political tension, and introducing characters with depth.
And the characters are one of the strongest parts. The world-building is solid, following a canon shaped over the years. But the characters? They’re perfectly placed in the canon, and still manage to feel vivid and real.
The fantasy and horror elements are well balanced. And even though it’s not a fast-paced book, it never loses momentum or lets your attention wander (ADHD here, if it kept me focused, it’s doing something right).
This feels like the beginning of a love story that’ll stretch across several books, at least until The War of Clans reaches its final page.
For now, I definitely recommend it.
Many thanks to Aconyte Books and Love Book Tours for this digital copy, all opinions are mine
I’d already read some books from the Legend of the Five Rings series, and I love Julia Kagava’s writing, so I knew I had to read this one and see what kind of journey I was about to begin.
From the very first pages, I was pulled into a world that felt like ancient Japan, a place steeped in despair, betrayal, and violence. It’s a world where honor and duty are sacred, but in the chaos of the moment, hope is hard to find.
This story leans more into emotion and intrigue than action. It’s not about nonstop battles, it’s about building a rich world, weaving in political tension, and introducing characters with depth.
And the characters are one of the strongest parts. The world-building is solid, following a canon shaped over the years. But the characters? They’re perfectly placed in the canon, and still manage to feel vivid and real.
The fantasy and horror elements are well balanced. And even though it’s not a fast-paced book, it never loses momentum or lets your attention wander (ADHD here, if it kept me focused, it’s doing something right).
This feels like the beginning of a love story that’ll stretch across several books, at least until The War of Clans reaches its final page.
For now, I definitely recommend it.
Many thanks to Aconyte Books and Love Book Tours for this digital copy, all opinions are mine
September 16, 2025
The emperor has been slain, his sons have disappeared, and the clans of Rokugan are in disarray. As the Crab Clan attempts to hold back the shadowy horrors that infest the land, clans fight alongside and against each other. Everything has become unbalanced and, down several separate storylines, a handful of people try to set things right.
Doji Hotaru of the Crane is torn between her love for her secret Scorpion paramour (whose husband also slew the emperor) and her duty. Toturi, who avenged the death of the emperor, now roams the land as a ronin with a trio of unlikely allies. And on the Wall, a Crab Clan soldier makes a literal deal with the devil to turn the tides of battle. As each story unfolds, the Lion advance, shrouding themselves in darkness to destabilize the other clans and exert their might.
As the first book in The Clan Wars, A Throne Betrayed is an excellent entry point into the world of L5R. Even if you don't know a Unicorn from a Dragon, this novel's multifaceted story will introduce new readers to the complicated politics of Rokugan in a manner that's both exciting to read and easy to digest. And for those who are more acquainted, there are new characters to get to know, each with secrets and passions that are only just beginning to be unveiled. While some stories are brought to a close, others are just beginning—even within the novel's closing sentences. Whether you're a Legend of the Five Rings fan or just an enjoyer of classic samurai stories, this is a great summer read.
(Reviewed on karadennison.com)
Doji Hotaru of the Crane is torn between her love for her secret Scorpion paramour (whose husband also slew the emperor) and her duty. Toturi, who avenged the death of the emperor, now roams the land as a ronin with a trio of unlikely allies. And on the Wall, a Crab Clan soldier makes a literal deal with the devil to turn the tides of battle. As each story unfolds, the Lion advance, shrouding themselves in darkness to destabilize the other clans and exert their might.
As the first book in The Clan Wars, A Throne Betrayed is an excellent entry point into the world of L5R. Even if you don't know a Unicorn from a Dragon, this novel's multifaceted story will introduce new readers to the complicated politics of Rokugan in a manner that's both exciting to read and easy to digest. And for those who are more acquainted, there are new characters to get to know, each with secrets and passions that are only just beginning to be unveiled. While some stories are brought to a close, others are just beginning—even within the novel's closing sentences. Whether you're a Legend of the Five Rings fan or just an enjoyer of classic samurai stories, this is a great summer read.
(Reviewed on karadennison.com)
October 9, 2025
With this current year - 2025 at time of typing - being the thirtieth anniversary of the 'Legend of the Five Rings' game setting, this is the first novel in a new series re-telling its first saga: the Clan War.
A number of viewpoint characters alternate chapters, as yet unconnected tales with a gathering ronin army, courtly manoeuvrings around a ruler-less empire and the Crab Clan's determination to hold off the armies of Hell.
Now, that last part may leave people unfamiliar with the setting puzzled, but even though I am fairly well-versed in the lore, I must say that the book does a good job of explaining the details to leave newcomers up to speed, and the three distinct viewpoints illustrate the three pillars of L5R: Kurosawa samurai drama, subtly snarky political discourse and an eternal battle against an endless army of devils.
Given that this is but the first of a series, there is no definitive ending, but neither does it end abruptly. All three plots reach their climaxes, and no character goes unchanged. It's a fine read, and certainly promises well for future volumes.
Physically, it is a larger format than the previous Aconyte L5R books, but the text is the same size with only one extra line per page, and an insistence on starting chapters on the right-hand page leads to many blank face. The addition of half-page illustrations compounds this, without adding much to the narrative. The art is well done, sure, but mainly serves to pad the page count; that 446 count is not telling the full story.
A number of viewpoint characters alternate chapters, as yet unconnected tales with a gathering ronin army, courtly manoeuvrings around a ruler-less empire and the Crab Clan's determination to hold off the armies of Hell.
Now, that last part may leave people unfamiliar with the setting puzzled, but even though I am fairly well-versed in the lore, I must say that the book does a good job of explaining the details to leave newcomers up to speed, and the three distinct viewpoints illustrate the three pillars of L5R: Kurosawa samurai drama, subtly snarky political discourse and an eternal battle against an endless army of devils.
Given that this is but the first of a series, there is no definitive ending, but neither does it end abruptly. All three plots reach their climaxes, and no character goes unchanged. It's a fine read, and certainly promises well for future volumes.
Physically, it is a larger format than the previous Aconyte L5R books, but the text is the same size with only one extra line per page, and an insistence on starting chapters on the right-hand page leads to many blank face. The addition of half-page illustrations compounds this, without adding much to the narrative. The art is well done, sure, but mainly serves to pad the page count; that 446 count is not telling the full story.
August 15, 2025
You would enjoy “ A Throne Betrayed” if you like!!!
- Political intrigue
- Intense sword fighting
- Morally gray characters
- Captivating character driven plot
This was phenomenal, I went in unaware about this book and the world, or that it was a game! Just reeled in by the cover and description. Now I am in love and invested in what will happen next.
This follows 3 different POVs from different characters all in different clans. Each clan and person have their own aspirations and how it all slowly weaves together is something special. The writing style is simplistic but descriptive enough that we are able to picture the land and people, while still explaining the confusing political situation.
I strongly enjoyed all the world building and this was a great start to a series and really placed all of the chess pieces on the board.
!!!!SPOILERS!!!!!
YAKAMO!!!!! WHY HAVE THEY DONE MY BABY LIKE THIS!!! He just wanted appreciation and to stop losing his clan, while the rest is playing the dumb court politics— while trying to put someone of pure sadism in power. Ughh I am team Yakamo and … yes I know that he is a little bad, but he has reason for this. I honestly can’t wait for the next story just for Yakamo.
- Political intrigue
- Intense sword fighting
- Morally gray characters
- Captivating character driven plot
This was phenomenal, I went in unaware about this book and the world, or that it was a game! Just reeled in by the cover and description. Now I am in love and invested in what will happen next.
This follows 3 different POVs from different characters all in different clans. Each clan and person have their own aspirations and how it all slowly weaves together is something special. The writing style is simplistic but descriptive enough that we are able to picture the land and people, while still explaining the confusing political situation.
I strongly enjoyed all the world building and this was a great start to a series and really placed all of the chess pieces on the board.
!!!!SPOILERS!!!!!
YAKAMO!!!!! WHY HAVE THEY DONE MY BABY LIKE THIS!!! He just wanted appreciation and to stop losing his clan, while the rest is playing the dumb court politics— while trying to put someone of pure sadism in power. Ughh I am team Yakamo and … yes I know that he is a little bad, but he has reason for this. I honestly can’t wait for the next story just for Yakamo.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2025
Legend of the Five Rings is an RPG world I've been intrigued by for a very long time. I've seen the game system, but I've not played, nor have I read any other novels set in this world before.
From the perspective of a newbie to this world, this book is brilliant. I can't speak for hard-core fans, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was full of political intrigue, battles, and emotions. It felt epic to read.
As with all multi POV books, it takes me a little while to get straight in my head, who is who, there is a vast array of characters who are all out for their own clan.
You have the Crane, the Lion, the Dragon, the Crab, the Phoenix, the Scorpion, and the Unicorn. Since the Emperor's death, seemingly at the hands of a Scorpion, the Scorpion have been ostracised, a Crane is now Regent, and trust between the clans is fracturing.
I feel the most for the Crab clan. They hold the wall against the shadowlands, and for their efforts, they are thought of as barbaric and almost ridiculed by the other clans. On top of this, you have Mirumoto Hitomi of the Dragon clan who has a vendetta against Hida Yakomo from the Crab clan for accidentally killing her older brother in a duel.
Overall, this was a brilliant book and a great introduction to the world of Legend of the Five Rings, and I will definitely be checking out more novels. I may even be able to convince my husband to try the RPG.
From the perspective of a newbie to this world, this book is brilliant. I can't speak for hard-core fans, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was full of political intrigue, battles, and emotions. It felt epic to read.
As with all multi POV books, it takes me a little while to get straight in my head, who is who, there is a vast array of characters who are all out for their own clan.
You have the Crane, the Lion, the Dragon, the Crab, the Phoenix, the Scorpion, and the Unicorn. Since the Emperor's death, seemingly at the hands of a Scorpion, the Scorpion have been ostracised, a Crane is now Regent, and trust between the clans is fracturing.
I feel the most for the Crab clan. They hold the wall against the shadowlands, and for their efforts, they are thought of as barbaric and almost ridiculed by the other clans. On top of this, you have Mirumoto Hitomi of the Dragon clan who has a vendetta against Hida Yakomo from the Crab clan for accidentally killing her older brother in a duel.
Overall, this was a brilliant book and a great introduction to the world of Legend of the Five Rings, and I will definitely be checking out more novels. I may even be able to convince my husband to try the RPG.
August 5, 2025
The emperor is dead, and his son is missing.
A Throne Betrayed follows a complex cast of characters as they manage demonic invasion, political intrigue, and the fate of the kingdom. I've never experienced the world/game this is based off, but the story is welcoming and compelling enough even without the extra information (though I might end up looking into it?). Though I had a particular fondness for Yakamo's story throughout the book, every character's plot was well worth reading. Looking forward to (hopefully!) more entries in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley, publisher, and author for the opportunity to read this book.
A Throne Betrayed follows a complex cast of characters as they manage demonic invasion, political intrigue, and the fate of the kingdom. I've never experienced the world/game this is based off, but the story is welcoming and compelling enough even without the extra information (though I might end up looking into it?). Though I had a particular fondness for Yakamo's story throughout the book, every character's plot was well worth reading. Looking forward to (hopefully!) more entries in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley, publisher, and author for the opportunity to read this book.
August 3, 2025
Now this was a different setting from what I am used to reading as I normally read of adventures featuring heroes and monarchs from European counties but in the long run I will say that it was a nice change. I will say that I was very impressed with everything about this book down to the plot and the characters. I for one was estatic that I took the opportunity to read about a quest that took place on the opposite side of the globe. There are also some detailed illustrations in the book which are very phenomenal.
August 2, 2025
A Throne Betrayed sweeps you into a world of deadly politics, shattered honor, and looming supernatural war. Julie Kagawa delivers vivid world‑building and a hero you can’t help but root for in Toturi, a disgraced champion seeking redemption as the empire he once served crumbles around him. The mix of clan intrigue and demonic threat keeps the tension high, and the emotional weight of Toturi’s journey adds real depth. A gripping start to what promises to be an epic series.
October 15, 2025
A fabulous retelling of the greatest story in gaming; the Legend of the Five Rings. Following the stories of three influential characters, this reimagining of the saga is well written and vibrant.
November 21, 2025
Solid story, I like it.
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