Sovereign's Wake

In the Absence of Kings #1

by Lee LaCroix

A kingdom crumbles without its ruler. The people fall to misery and desperation in the shadow of an empty throne. A father does what he must to save his son and his homeland in the absence of kings. Enter Garreth, ranger and former royal bodyguard, who embarks from his woodland home after defending it from the encroaching loggers of the Blackwoods Company. "The King is dead!" they had screamed at Garreth and drove the man to the capital of Amatharsus to resolve the most troubling statement in Malquia's recent history. Together with his son, Novas, and daughter of a murdered blacksmith, Kayten, Garreth is hounded by bandits, cutthroats, and highwaymen, unleashed upon the countryside by the abolition of the Crown Aegis, defenders of the King, his land, and his people. Garreth unites with the remnants of the Crown Aegis to overcome the military, political, and economic oppression that the Blackwoods Company has imposed on Amatharsus and incites rebellion before the free people of Malquia succumb to crippling recession and the environmental destruction of their verdant nation. But can one man find the strength to challenge overwhelming odds when all hope is lost?

Sovereign's Wake is the first installment of the debut Fantasy series, In the Absence of Kings, by author Lee LaCroix.

Genres: Fantasy

344 pages, Paperback

First published November 9, 2015

Reviews

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some are born to lead while others are born to follow, to rely on their leader for stability and safety. The king has died and his kingdom is in shambles, slowing falling apart under the onslaught of a power man who is determined to control and own everything and everyone in his path. How could this be? How could a kingdom not be prepared for such an event?

When the news finally hits the ears of a former royal guard in his secluded cabin, Garreth does what many cannot, he leads the fight to save the kingdom and its people from the vile grip of the man behind the Blackwoods Logging Company and his henchman who pillage, murder and strong arm their way across the land. For Garreth, this is more than saving the kingdom he has been loyal to for decades, it is to save the land for his son to live in safety, without fearing the future. Can Garreth gather the following he needs to fight off evil or will his be a quest of disaster as even his son is forced to kill in order to survive? The Defenders of the King have been disbanded, but why and by whom?? They were the line of defense for the kingdom and someone has laid out the welcome mat for trouble and takeover.

Follow Garreth, Novas and Kayten, whose father was murdered by the dark forces as they spearhead a rebellion against evil. Hard fought battle, both on the field and in the royal palace prove that all may be soon be lost to tyranny and betrayal.

Lee LaCroix’s Sovereign’s Wake is a finely tuned tale of survival against the odds as a hero must rise from the ashes of deception an even the most lowly of citizens must rise up to choke the snakes of oppression. Feel the tension, smell the air and walk alongside these unlikely heroes as they risk everything in a deadly battle of good versus evil.

Mr. LaCroix tells a thought-provoking story that engulfs his readers in world he has created, from the smallest detail to the moments of humor and humanity throughout. Easy dialogue that flows, high emotional tension and characters that are as prepared for war as much as you or I, watch heroes rise and fall in protection of the masses.

I received this copy from Lee LaCroix in exchange for my honest review.
Author Lee LaCroix invites readers willing to review to contact him at lee.lacroix.writer@gmail.com to receive a free review copy.

Series: In the Absence of Kings - Book 1
Publication Date: November 9, 2015
Publisher: Lee LaCroix
Genre: Dark Fantasy
Print Length: 348 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Brian Hood · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free e-copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

This book has the feel of an earnest work of fan fiction within a universe and genre that the author clearly cares greatly about. After reading it, I believe the author has not quite fully matured in their writing style (understandable, given it is Mr. LaCroix's first published book), but is making excellent strides in the right direction. Having only read the first book of this series, I hope the author continues to work on their writing as they certainly have the potential to make a great medieval fantasy book; this novel is a stepping stone along that path.

A few points for potential readers:
-If you like the medieval fantasy genre, this book is a decent romp through the familiar landscape of that world in a rebels-fight-to-save-the-kingdom-from-the-evil-usurper theme.
-There are elements of Robin Hood, as well as dashes of mystic weaponry, and good old fashioned riotous combat throughout to keep your interest.
-The hero characters are all hardworking, honorable folks (and the enemies are all seemingly nasty thugs). As a result, its quite clear who to root for, though you may find the characters become a bit interchangeable as a result. If you like your Heroes heroic and your Villains villainous, this will deliver to your satisfaction (with an interesting twist, of course).
-The author appears to have done his research on the era he writes within, including smith work, city layouts, armor and fashion. This creates some detailed descriptive passages which, if it is an area of your interest, can be quite instructive to the reader in a "hmm, so that's how that works" sense. But, if you are waiting for the adventure to progress, they may instead come across instructive in a "hmm, an instruction manual" sense.

Although reviews are meant primarily for readers, I feel that since Mr. LaCroix is early in his writing career and clearly intends to continue evolving his craft, a few friendly pointers for the author to consider may not be amiss.

1) Show, don't tell. Your descriptive talent is strong, but you should consider how you can use those details to create an atmosphere rather than describe an exact scene. The details you choose to highlight in a scene should not just describe the physical objects, but also elicit a mood in the reader. Too often you describe a character's mood directly "Novas was stunned/shocked/amazed" when it could be more evocative to show through their reactions to a scene/incident how their mood is impacted.

2) Your main characters need conflict...with each other. Think of any great or engaging novel and you will find that the drama comes not just between heroes and villains, but between the protagonists themselves. The dynamic between Gareth, Novas, Kayten, and Berault in particular is far to agreeable and as a result, they become less interesting than they could be. Two people rarely share the exact same goal (even if at first glance they appear to), or at the very least there may be differences on the methods used to achieve those goals. Such additional dramatic tension, even to a small degree between father and son for example, would make the significant time in which your characters are not actively fighting their primary foes more engaging to the reader. You have the outlines of each character created, with similarities enough to get them on the same side of the battle; now let's breathe life into their differences to really make them come alive! A talent for describing inanimate objects and scenery is your current strong suit; focusing on your main characters' dialogue to bring out their unique qualities should be your next challenge.

3) If nothing else, please consider this last point the most as it will assist you with the other two points and may well transform your writing: You Need An Editor (or another one, if you have one already). An editor can focus your writing to ensure that your superb detail-oriented abilities create not just the flavor of the story, but keep it moving along at an appropriate pace. They will also allow you, as another reviewer has pointed out, to cut down on the overuse of "and", which likely result from you having an abundance of good ideas in your head, but not being forced to only pick one! Every great athlete needs a coach to help keep them on track and provide an objective opinion for their training; writers are no different.

All in all, a fun romp through the fantasy universe of a post-sovereign chaotic world. For those who enjoy that genre, this novel will scratch your itch for a while. I look forward to reading more of Mr. LaCroix's works in the future and continue to see his progression in the art of writing.

Cheers,
Brian

[Randy Grossman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Is Why We Fight

A rousing adventure! Plenty of action...the good guys prevail even through some perilous moments. Very clean with language and discretion. If I can continue the series, I will.

[Jaffa Kintigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel opens a High Fantasy series without need of fantastical races and creatures [elves, fae, dragons etc] nor magic. It's more Medieval meets Les Miserables. The rogues are properly roguish without being too-too clever. Indeed, there's a refreshing naivete to the working class people in their quest to rebel against the dystopian oppressors who've taken hold since the death of the king months prior.

The POV mostly flits between 3 main characters, though a limited few others are allowed a narrative perspective. Garreth and son Novas are the undisputed heroes. Garreth grew up a farmer's son, but worked up the ranks of the former king's Crown Aegis before retiring into the deep forest to raise his infant son in seclusion. Novas learns a simple forest life of hunting and gathering without influence of any other humans. Their idyll is shaken when men come to chop down the protected forest.

The heroes embark on a quest to the capital to question the surviving Queen on the ensuing destruction of the land and robbing of all travelers by the company run by the queen's brother, Lord Vyse. Their path soon crosses that of Kayten, an able smith and daughter to a Mastersmith killed by Vyse's men. The 3 find the unrest in the capital calling to them. And, Garreth makes for a reluctant leader . . .

Garreth's style of heart over wile is refreshingly novel, if not without secondary problems to the plot. Also enjoyable is the last chapter's opening up of the world beyond the narrow caste system to which Garreth and Novas have ever known.

I received my copy of this novel directly from the author through bookreviewdirectory.wordpress.com.

[Joshua Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lee LaCroix’s Sovereign’s Wake kept me very entertained all the way through! In the wake of the king’s death, the countryside of a fantasy kingdom becomes fraught with danger as anarchy ensues. Enter Garreth, a simple man of the forest. He must protect his family all while battling cutthroats and an evil company intent on filling the power vacuum. Perfect for anyone who loves Game of Thrones or Robin Hood!

[Hobart · Rating 2 out of 5]

This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
I don't normally get into the nitty-gritty of the writing when I compose these posts -- not because I don't notice or care about it -- but sometimes you have to. When I can't make it past the first three paragraphs without the writing drawing attention to itself (not in the delicious way that Neil Gaiman or Don Winslow do so often), I feel like I've got to mention it.

In a different time, there was a forest that was as deep as it was plentiful. . .

That boy, Novas, possessed deep green eyes as verdant as the wild around him . . .

. . . He was taught that the land was just as alive as he was . . ."

That phraseology isn't wrong -- but it's easy to overuse, and when you do it once in each of the first three paragraphs, you might was well be waving a flag to draw attention to it. Now, there's no author that doesn't stumble a bit, I can't tall you how many times I've posted something here that I wish I'd rewritten a few times -- I don't want to pick on him, but wow, this kind of thing kept coming.

It wasn't too much later that Garreth (I'll talk about him in a bit) tells his son,

"Over my employment, many people tried to kill the King, and it was my duty to stand in between them. Instead, I put them to death..."

Uh, what?

Soon, Garreth and his son head to the capital, but we read:

In order to reach the capital of Amatharsus, their journey was not an odyssey of undertaking.

Editing is about more than just grammar and spell checking -- it shouldn't be less than that. I don't know if I could find a page that didn't have a problem with the writing.

Enough about that, I had a few more notes on that front, but no one wants to read it (I don't want to write it). Let's get on to story and character.

Garreth is a former guard of the king, who has taken a post guarding the forest. And, let's be honest, doing something else, too. But LaCroix won't reveal that until book three. We know nothing about his wife and/or the mother of his son. We'll probably learn about Novas' parentage in book three, too. Anyway, the two learn that the king is dead and that The Queen/Powers acting without knowledge and consent of the Queen/The Queen working with these Powers have decided to level the forest for economic reasons.

Garreth can't believe this, so he and the boy leave for the capital to find out what's really going on. Along the way, they learn more about the Blackwoods Company -- the same people out to raze the forest -- who are playing both sides of the law -- thieving, pillaging and whatnot, while acting as enforcers for the authorities. The two join up with -- and taking leading roles -- in the resistance to the new order that has developed in the absence of a king.

Overall, this is a poorly written book. The story was adequate, but there was nothing about it that made you pay attention. Many of the characters had potential to be something, but they end up being something we've all seen dozens of times before in better stories. I can't think of anything to commend this novel.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion. I really wish this had been more timely, sorry about that.

[Dionne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly epic story!

I loved this book. The character Garrett was the best and I loved him. The action and such worked well with this book. I look forward to reading more of this story.

[Christine Campbell · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this would be an interesting historical novel, but I was wrong. I do like history but this was not "my cup of tea".

[Kayla Tornello · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the characters in this book and I liked the world they lived in. It seemed very well-developed. I also liked that the characters had a clear mission and there was plenty of action throughout the story. I just got really distracted by all the typos. They pulled me out of the story and it was sometimes hard to jump back in. Also, the ending seemed somewhat abrupt and wasn't terribly satisfying.

[Emmanuelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I received a free e-copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review*

There were a lot of good things in this book; the story is interesting, lots of characters, gorgeous world building and a very powerful and interesting plot.
But some aspects of this book have made my reading a little less straightforward than I would have liked.
1) The timeline and the passing of time. It had been very difficult for me to pinpoint how long was passing between each big step in the story: months? Weeks? Years? Sometime I thought it had been years (The death of the King) and then realized it was mere months. It was disturbing and I was constantly trying to understand, going back to verify a point or if I had missed something.
2) Characters : although they are all beginning with very interesting premises, I felt some of them lack in development or that there hadn’t been enough description of how they develop/grew up. Novas as an example: I thought he was a child at the beginning, then I couldn’t pinpoint what age he was when leaving and I couldn’t find since how long he had been in Amartharsus to be able to feel and speak the way he was in the end. The development in the relationship seemed a bit rushed as well. Going from complete strange to dear friend? How long did it take? What moment did they share? I wanted more description, more scene showing little details here and there.
3) The bad guys. I am of those people who like a good bad guy with an intelligent and coherent reason to be evil. I couldn’t reconcile the action of the Blackwood and why they did what they did. In my opinion, the scorched-earth policy is good if you want to deny a conquest to someone, or defeat by despair. But you can’t make more money on a burned soil… And the bad guys were just… bad. Flatly: good people versus bad people, no in between.

Reading this, you might think I didn’t like the book. No. I just wanted more. I wanted to read more, to understand better, to feel more for those characters. I think that this book would have beneficiated from more pages to flesh out the characters, their relationships, and their backstories and for me to have all the answers to my questions.

Finally, I loved the land, the city, the very realistic description: I could almost taste the food and feel the breeze from the sea. I loved the idea behind the story. If you’re looking for fantasy, but closer to reality than the fairy tale, read this book, you’ll enjoy it. There’s a touch of fantasy, just enough but not an overwhelming feel. The language is of level I cannot even dream of matching but without being too heavy (English is not my mother tongue and I read it easily but learned a lot, I loved the play of word in this book).
Oh, and two words: Sunsteel and Moonstone. The mystery, the magic and the quite vivid imagery just made my day. I really hope I’ll see more of them in the next books.

[Y. Correa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I suppose I should start with this;

Have you ever read a book and while the concept is a good one, you have neutral feelings about it which in turn makes it hard to put into words what you think about it? If the answer to that question is yes, then you’ll understand why my review today will be so short.

“In the Absence of Kings” is in all actuality the story of an ungoverned land, the chaos which ensues and the quest of a man doing whatever he can for his family, his land and the people he loves.

In this 348 page novel—give or take a few pages depending on your reading platform—we meet Garreth who is a simple man, an honest man, with a profound background who at one time in his life opted to dedicate his time to raising his son, Novas and not much else. However, when bandits, looters, highwaymen, and all types of dirty, low-down folk invade the land Garreth realizes that he can no longer be still. So, Garreth takes a stand in his own way, and in the process meets a wide array of different characters.

The novel is broken up into 5 Acts and takes place during several years. In which time we see the characters grow and mature.

“In the Absence of Kings” is full of action, adventure and realistic characters, some of which you grow fond of really quickly. My personal favorite was Novan, Garreth’s son.

Now, on to my overall thoughts of “In the Absence of Kings“.

Side Note:

I have to be honest here and say that this would be considered a very good book by someone who likes this type of thing. Personally, it just wasn’t my cup of tea. However, in the attempt to give an objective, unbiased review, I am going to proceed with my thoughts and overall analysis of this story. My individual sentiments will not impact the final score of this read.

1. Character development was well executed and all the characters were very believable. From the least important to the most.

2. The author has a knack for descriptiveness, particularly when it comes to describing environments and backdrops. One really feels as thought they are in the woods, or traversing the land at any given moment.

3. The author’s vocabulary shined in this story, and most of the prose were well written, with the exception of something that I’ll mention in the next bullet.

4. While the book is well written I do have to voice my angst at the innumerable usage of the word “and”. When I say it was used a lot, I literally mean that it was USED A LOT! I found exactly 8,006 instances of the word “and” in a 348 age book. I mean, it’s ridiculous! It was as though every single sentence has the word in it. I’d be amiss if I didn’t mention it because I couldn’t help be feel disdain at the constant reoccurrence of this word.

With that said, I think that “In the Absence of Kings” is an entertaining read and could do very well with readers of this genre.

Survey Says: 4 Stars

[David Baird · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book starts at a slow pace as we learn about two of the main characters, Nova and his father Garreth. I felt this part of the book was so well written..so descriptive... it felt effortless to read and enjoy

The pace soon picks up and you are thrust into this new world along with Nova who has never set foot outside the woodland

Now this is a fantasy book I could really get to grips with.. After the King dies tyranny is commonplace.. the little man Is down trodden but why does the Queen let this happen?

Garreth is loyal to the King and was tasked to watch over some woodland..to preserve it.. when the Blackwoods encroach on this land Garreth learns the fate of his King and sets out to find out why the Queen would allow such a precious area to the King to be torn down..

We soon learn there’s a lot more going on.. people are being robbed & murdered.. the Blackwoods are behind this.. They are leaving nothing in their wake

Along the way we meet Kayten, strong willed.. she has passion in her blood and joins Garreth and Nova after the death of her father. Together they head to the city to get answers

These answers come pretty quick.. and I won’t spoil anything for you.. the action is thick and fast..no rest given.

Garreth finds himself a rebel and must bring the people together to fight for their survival.

The tale had a Robin Hood type of feel to it which I really loved.

As I’ve said the book picks up pace quite a bit which didn’t leave much time for the connections between the characters to grow as naturally as I would have liked to see but with such a fast paced plot you can see why the author went down this route and it certainly didn’t take anything away from the story

Overall I loved the plot and the characters, everything developed nicely albeit quickly at times but this just added to the urgency of the mission the rebels have undertaken.

For me the best thing really was the writing.. I knew within the first chapter I would enjoy the story

I’ve high hopes for the next book in the series.. look out for a review soon :)

[I. · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
In Sovereign’s Wake, Garreth, the protector of the King’s Forest, has just discovered that the King is dead, and evil is taking over the kingdom. Having been in the forest for years, Garreth had no prior knowledge of what was going on in the city; and on hearing the news, is understandably shocked. With his son (Novas) in tow, Garreth heads back to the city where his old friend lives, in order to try saving his people and his beloved land from further destruction.
I found the plot to be straightforward and maybe even predictable in some areas. There is a clear demarcation between good and evil, with little to no grey areas in between. I did notice the author’s strength when it comes to world building, and he obviously did his research in terms of sword fighting, landscapes, and occupation in the medieval period. I also noticed that in the first part of the story, little more than world building actually happens. Of course, Garreth is also telling Novas what happened in the past, but other than that, it seems like the reader is being prepared for the action that is bound to happen later.
Once the action begins, it becomes evident that the author is really good when it comes to descriptions. There are parts of the story where the author tells what happens, instead of showing, and those parts do come up more often than not. As the story progresses, there are more realistic conversations between characters, and the character development is also realistic.
Overall, Sovereign’s Wake is a pretty good read for lovers of this genre, although, I would have loved it more if the characters had more complexity and conflict between each other. In light of said lack of complexity, I’d recommend it to younger readers.

[Wanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an e-copy of Sovereign's Wake (In the Absence of Kings, #1) from the author in exchange for an honest review. I appreciated the opportunity and provide my thoughts.

The plot takes the reader into the land of Malquia, a royal kingdom where the King has died and the Queen and her brother, Lord Vyse, have implemented dark change. Peace within the city of Amatharsus is threatened by the Blackwoods, the formed protectors of the Queen. The citizens are left to defend what little they have left, fearing their safety. There are rebels, whose loyalty remains with the King and who are prepared to take back the community and safety they once held. Huntsman, Garreth and his son, Novas, along with smithy Kayten align themselves with the rebels. With wisdom and dedication, rebel leader Berault and his band of warriors, prepare a plan of action to return Malquia back to the ideals of the former King. The story follows the faith and desperation of a community that want to take back their kingdom, who are prepared to fight to the death to return the peace.

The author has commendable story telling talents. He uses descriptive prose that allows the reader to experience the sights and sounds with intimate detail. The foundation of characters is well established, with diverse personalities and varying emotions. It is obvious that the author had engaged in research related to the era of fighting knights, adding realism to the elements of fantasy and fiction. As the first in the series, it definitely instilled a curiosity and eagerness to read the next two installments. I rate 4/5 stars.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review. To be perfectly honest, you can tell this is the Author's fledgling novel. It has huge promise, but there are a few rookie mistakes. Not that I am saying I would do better, as of yet I have not tried (and know that when you are writing, sometimes it just comes out, without experience and a good editor any writer may seem a novice). The main problems were not in the story, but in the fact that some phrases were repeated multiple times. While that may seem fine, if it is within a few pages of the last instance it can feel repetitive. That is where a good editor should have spoken up. It didn't hurt the story much, as it was interesting. There was a little bit of a depth issue where the characters were concerned, without giving spoilers I cannot say much here, but they felt somewhat two dimensional. Also at first it the method of storytelling took some getting used to, because it would flip from one character's perspective to another's without warning. That would be quite odd, as it left you wondering who was thinking what you are reading.

It was obviously not all bad, or I would have given it less stars. The story was intriguing, and while they lacked much depth, what we know about the characters made them easy to like. I will be looking for book 2, to see where the story goes from here.


Side note: It took me much longer than normal to read this. Which had nothing to do with the novel, and more to do with a puppy that I had to supplement feed every few hours.

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review. This in no way impacted my opinion.

I feel as though I should have liked this book more than I did. The plot was good, as were the characters, and yet something just didn’t click for me. Personally, I think the culprit responsible for my ambivalence was Lacroix’s writing style.

To be fair, this unique writing style seems to have captivated many of the other reviewers. I think it’s just a matter of personal preference.

The author possesses a very formal writing style that often came across as dry. Though this is a different time period set in a fantasy world, I can’t imagine that people would actually speak to each other in such eloquent and thoughtful sentences. There seemed to be no difference in writing style from the characters’ speech to their observations and thoughts. At times, it seemed to me as though I was reading a textbook or the script for a play. The writing style offered a limited view into the emotions of the characters which I found frustrating. I knew what the characters were feeling and thinking, but it was so detached that it somehow didn't feel real.

If you love world building and details, this book has an abundance of both. I just felt that the formality of it kept me from really feeling as though I was there in that world, with the characters, experiencing what they felt.

*There was also many grammatical errors throughout the copy I received

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received an ecopy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*

I had a hard time with this review because there was a lot to like about this book but at the same time it had a few issues and I had to stop reading at a point since it was taking me so long to get into the story. Once I did get into the book and had more of an investment in the world I found that I read through a bit quicker. I think what makes this book great is the world building I can tell that the author put a lot of work into it and I really felt like I was there. One problem I had was the writing now I know that sounds weird after I said the world building was great and it still was but I found parts of the book dragged and also I sort of found the characters interchangeable because they all sort of felt the same since there was not really any conflict between them and they just sort of went about the rebellion, you can tell who the good and the bad are and each side is full of the same sort of people, the conflict between the two groups was very interesting and exciting and drove my interest and I am very curious about how the series will continue and maybe as the series goes on the characters may face things that will change them, only time will tell.
Overall I did enjoy my experience with this book and I would like to continue on with the series (time permitting lol)

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I wanted to really like this book. I loved the idea of it and that is why I wanted to review it. Once I started reading it though it was a bit if a struggle for me. I love people who actually can use formal writing, not just slang and text speak, but this book was almost too formal for me. When I am reading a book I want to be able to think but not feel like I am going to be tested on what I am reading later.

This book's structure reminded me of some of the books I had to read when I was in college. It was very stiff. I think the author has a great eye for describing things, and I think he could tell a blind person exactly how something looks. That being said, there is more to a book. I think that he needs to let the characters tell some of that, let them be part of it more then just tell us. If that makes sense.

The characters are strong, and the author did a great job with them. But parts were harder for me to follow and I got confused with them. Perhaps a little bit more about them, or more talk between them. I am not sure what they need. There is just something missing in this book.

I do think that it is a good dip into the fantasy genre, but I think that this book could stand a few little changes here and there. With the right tweaks and a more flowing feel, this book could be the start of an epic, great series!

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG this book is so good! I got this book goodreads to read and I am so sorry it took so long to read but I didn't want to miss any of its greatness. Reading books online hurts my eyes if I read for to long so it took me longer than expected.

This book contains a great sense of literacy balance, with mix of seriousness and humor all blended together that never leaves you bored. Lee's writing doesn't go overboard with useless descriptive sentences that most people just skip anyways. He gives you enough to see the scene and the people but the rest is filled with your own imagination, which I love! I especially love how his sentences flow into each other such as "the sheep were white fluffs against the clouds." Which tied in later to describe how the weather was! Great descriptive way to describe the whole scene. This met have been one of the few books that I have read every single word, due to fear of missing something and such a great flow!!! The writing style and story never bores, never contains to much of one element. It is an amazing book, his characters are so likable, his villains are so realistic, it is too good!

[Maria Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose the book from the blurb not from the image on the cover, the reason was I looked at it and stupidly assumed it would be a dark, bloody tale. And I don't normally reach for such blood or battle fueled books but on this occasion I am glad I did. Novas and his father lived a different type of life and I was curious about them for many reasons. Though, I did find myself asking throughout the book, what happened Novas' mother? I now wonder if I missed an important paragraph and will have to re read to find the missing link. When they encountered Kayten, I was hooked and wanted to discover if she too would solve her own personal quest. The plot was cleverly woven and the characters likeable and slightly flawed which only added to their likeability. Despite the well written and vivid battle scenes I enjoyed the book and yes I would read the next book, if only to answer some of those questions that rattle around in my brain. I did find an occasional spelling or grammar mistake but beyond that I found the book interesting and appealing.

[Mandy Walkden-Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantasy with realism and heart.
A marvellous return for me to the style of epic fantasy that originally made me fall in love with the genre well over four decades ago.
No magic wands, no quick fixes, just a richly painted world peopled by characters with depth and heart who rise to the occasion, and, sometimes, fall whilst attempting to free their land of an oppressive regime.
A well written, well paced tale full of intrigue, realistic battle scenes, heart-warming characters and some surprising twists.
Highly recommended.

* Please note: I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest, unbiased review *
(I'm now dancing for joy that I've found a terrific fantasy series. Well, not literally, but only because I'd probably trip over my walking stick. The second book of the series, 'The Spirit of Malquia' is equally compelling and I am now about to dive into the third and final tome, 'Horizon'.)

[Donna Michaels · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book of the "In the Absence of Kings" series sets the stage for a grand adventure while still offering an engaging plot along the way. While I thought the first act was a bit drawn out, with the characters awakening in their far-off home, the world that is built from that point is constructed with pleasant descriptions and an absorbing setting, further supporting Garreth's quest for his homeland. By the time the cast arrives in the capital in the beginning of second act (of five), the story picks up the pace all the way to the end, and I didn't feel there was too much worldbuilding before then. Novas and Kayten's subplots added fresh perspective to the conflict as opposed to Garreth's developed viewpoint. All-in-all, an interesting story that we've all seen before, but comes with its own unique charms.

[Alysha DeShaé · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I definitely enjoyed the story and look forward to reading the rest of the series, I did have some issues. First, I previously mentioned the overly formal writing. It seemed a bit overdone, but it also seemed to fit the style of story. More importantly, though, were the editing issues. I came across several misused words, instances of confusion (how old is Novas, for example, at times he seems maybe ten, but at others maybe his early twenties... a good editor would have caught this), and just regular old misspelled or missing words.

I definitely think the book would benefit from a strong editor, but this won't prevent me from continuing the story. I'll probably be getting the rest of the series next week or so. After all, a great story can't be held down by iffy editing.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This author's debut novel contained vivid description, engaging action, and clever twists following a familiar beginning. When I started to read Sovereign's Wake, I recognized the outline of a good versus evil story that guides many heroic fantasy novels. The heroism Garreth and his allies display is grounded in a well-designed backstory and explored in interesting ways throughout the plot. I liked that the Blackwoods appeared corrupt and self-serving but are revealed to have a rational reason for their ambition, rising above a cliche portrayal of evil. A worthy start from a promising author and a series I will continue.

[Books In Brogan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fantasy adventure novel reminiscent of the Three Musketeers.  The heroes are realistic and relatable with the bad guys getting their comeuppance.  As far a writing or story I found the world building clever, but salted in as needed and not too heavy-handed this is defiantly a worthy read.This review was originally posted on Books In Brogan

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sovereign's Wake is a great fantasy novel if you enjoy action and adventure. The struggle between the Crown Aegis and the Blackwoods is filled with surprising twists and heated battles. While some characters seemed to only move the plot forward with new information or a sudden event, the three main characters Garreth, Kayten, and Novas were more full and had their own aspirations and changed over the length of the story. The fight between good and evil had more impact on me because of the realistic effects like the poverty, crime, and violence across Malquia were familiar and relatable.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book for free from the author and this is my honest review. This book has a good story line. Unfortunately, I found it hard to get through, due mostly to being too descriptive for me. I found that the descriptions ended up interfering with the story and resulted in it being a slow read for me. Now, I do want to say that this is my personal preference and not all readers would agree with me. We all like different things and I don't want this review to inhibit your reading of this book. Overall, good story to much on detailed descriptions for my personal taste.

[Stephanie Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although Medieval Fantasy is not my usual go to genre, I enjoyed reading this book. It had well developed characters, and vivid descriptions. It appears as though the author researched the period thoroughly before writing this book. At times the descriptions can seem a bit long, but that could just reflect my own preference of fast paced books.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This should have been a four star review except for all the easily fixed grammatical and spelling errors that detract so horribly from such an otherwise action packed, well constructed story. Told from multiple points of view and complete with excellent character development, it does manage to keep your interest until the very end. I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Courtney Guerette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this story! I fell in love with Gareth, Novas, Kayten and all of the rebels. This a Robin Hood- like story like no other! I am VERY impressed and recommend it whole heartedly!