A birthday invitation. A visiting king. An assassination attempt.
Princess Kalendria planned to spend her seventeenth birthday celebrating with Jaymin, the handsome young King of Alasia—but instead, they barely escape with their lives.
Accompanied by Kalendria’s brother King Korram, who is decidedly annoyed that someone is trying to steal his crown again, they flee toward the border, unsure whom to trust and who is behind the plot.
Kalendria can’t help wondering if Jaymin returns her feelings for him as they struggle to stay one step ahead of the unknown assassins tracking them across Malorn. With her heart on the line and the danger drawing closer, she must find a way to help her brother reclaim his throne before they are all killed and war destroys both kingdoms.
If you enjoy the finely crafted cultures and world-building of Mistborn, Song of the Lioness, or Farseer, you'll love the land of Malorn!
Buy King of Malorn now to embark on a thrilling fantasy adventure today!
Annie Douglass Lima considers herself fortunate to have traveled in twenty different countries and lived in four of them. A fifth-grade teacher in her “other” life, she loves reading to her students and sparking their imaginations. Her books include science fiction, fantasy, YA action and adventure novels, a puppet script, poetry, a Bible verse coloring and activity book, and a cookbook. When she isn’t teaching or writing, Annie can often be found sipping spiced chai or pomegranate green tea in exotic locations, some of which exist in this world.
I've been waiting for this one! It's easily my favorite in the Alasia series (and the Alasia series is my favorite among Annie Douglass Lima's many works). The early books are middle grade in nature, but the young protagonists grow and mature--in age, experience, and love--so it feels young adult by the end. (Cleanly, so it's still appropriate for young readers who pick it up.) Love how all the series comes come full circle in this one, stories and characters alike.
A fun, adventure-filled tale of another land that relies on strong world-building, great character dynamics, and exciting twists instead of magic and monsters for its thrills. I don't actually know what we're calling "non-magical fantasy" books at this point. In any case, this is an excellent example of that subgenre. I had not read any of the Alasia books prior to this one, but I think King of Malorn works very well as a stand-alone title. However, I was left wanting to go back and read the other books, because I'm invested in the characters now and I want to get to know them better. If you enjoy a good old-fashioned epic with well-written heroes and exciting battles for a medieval throne, you should definitely add this to your reading list. (Also, as an added bonus, it's completely safe to read with your kids.)
When I finished reading this book, it wasn't on goodreads yet so I couldn't review it. I meant to put up my review of it this weekend, but the family has been busy so it got put off. This book is great. Admittedly you probably need to read at least Prince of MalornPrince of Malorn before reading this. It was great to get to know some characters better. I loved Arden. The Princess was very understandable. It never seemed slow. It made me really want to read the other books in the series.
I loved it. It was full of suspense, but it also made me laugh a lot. Our heros met unlikely friends along the way, and they learn not to judge people right away. It was well paced and build nicely on the characters we met in previous books.
There’s much to be said for being born into a royal family, especially if one’s older brother happens to be king. One might think that a princess’ life should be fabulous and filled with all kinds of special things. Right? Well, Princess Kelandria doesn’t really see it that way. No, not really. She hears all the whispered murmurings of those discontents who are silently undermining King Korram’s rule. They really want to see him off the throne and their puppet placed there. Will this undercurrent never end? The palace is already a caldron of anxiety ready to explode. She must do something about it! But what? Her seventeen birthday is coming up, so Kelandria plans a ball that should take the edge off everyone, hopefully. A smile comes to her lips as she’s determined to make sure that King Jaymin of Alasia is the top name on the invitation list. She’s certain he’ll come and, hopefully, it will be the kind of party where he’ll notice her. Just that thought takes her breath away. It’s been the hope of her heart for as long as she can remember. Parties have a tendency to get crashed or derailed before they begin. Such is the case of the whisperers who devise an assassination plot that is nearly successful. Not only are these assassins after King Korram, but also Princess Kelandria and King Jaymin. Princess Kelandria, her brother and their Alasian friend must flee into the wilderness or face certain death. All the while they are pursued my assassins who want to make sure they vanish from the landscape forever. Kelandria sees another side of life that suddenly becomes ugly real and she has to adapted or perish. Who can they trust? This is a question that will ever haunt them as they flee deeper into the wilderness looking for allies who might be willing to help them reclaim the throne. Annie Douglass Lima has penned another great adventure that will keep the reader turning the pages. This is more than an your typical running away from danger tale. It’s a heart tugging action adventure story that will spin the reader into a world of dark secrets, crafty villains, turn-coat friends and heart wrenching tears of love and loss. Once the adventure begins, you’ll be swept into an fantastic story that will tug at one’s heart nearly on every page.
I was given an ARC of The King of Malorn (The Annals of Alasia #5) and because I'd read the others in the series, I knew I would enjoy it - of course, I did.
The story is a YA fantasy adventure with plenty of action and twists and turns. The characters are well-developed; the greatest change being Kalendria...spoilt princess to - well, you'll have to read it to find out.
There is a wonderful sense of place and I was once again immersed in this incredible world.
The two kings are different yet similar in many ways, each with honour to do the right thing. Erik, the bodyguard is complex and I cannot help feeling sympathy for him, although his sense of honour is in-built.
The villains are just perfect for the story and it was entertaining to watch as events unfolded.
Overall, this is an excellent fantasy, with lessons to learn and principles to understand.
On the whole, I very much enjoyed this book! Before I get into details, however, I feel the need to warn potential readers about the fact that this book is part of a series, and it is *not* the end. The plot about the assassination attempt gets satisfactorily resolved in this book with only one loose thread, but there are a number of character-related loose threads that I would have liked to have seen work out in this book. That being said, I am more than delighted that the loose end(s) will eventually get an entire other book dedicated to them. This author is one I've learned to trust, and I look forward to reading more!
As for the story that this specific book *does* cover, I love it! it's somewhere between adventure and intrigue, taking us through the multicultural country of Malorn and temporarily venturing into Alasia.
The characters were strong and complex, and I adored the dynamics of the royals and Erik, and I had a lot of fun guessing unsuccessfully at the identity of the Insider. Erik is my favorite character, and I cheered and squealed and laughed and cried for him and just really want to hug him and never let him go. n///n~
Going back to the point that this book is part of a series, you can expect to see characters who appeared in all four previous books. Tarvic of The Nameless Soldier plays only a blink-and-you'll-miss-it role (though that didn't stop me from squealing when he showed up :D), but major and minor characters from the other three books appear in all their take-the-world-by-storm glory. n___n It may not be strictly necessary to read the other books in the series before reading this one, but I do recommend reading at least Prince of Alasia, In the Enemy's Service, and Prince of Malorn in order to have a solid background for the events and characters of King of Malorn.
King of Malorn is a clean read: no profanity, no sex, some non-graphic violence. Just a great story with amazing characters, and I'm very much looking forward to more!
I have spent the better part of the past two and a half days binge-reading the newest book in the Annals of Alasia series. As I read the final page, I guarantee I haven't been disappointed. The book is a perfect stand-alone addition to the series, but you'd be missing out on an exciting story of palace intrigue, human suffering and redemption, and an adventure you can't put down if you don't read the other books in the series.
The King of Malorn is an incredible adventure and survival story written by Annie Douglass Lima. It brings together characters we've grown to love in the previous books. The High Council of Malorn is plotting to assassinate the King and allow Heggen and his impossible son, Perciel, to take over the rule of Malorn.
Will the King of Malorn and Princess Kalendria succeed in their attempt to escape Malorn and reach the Kingdom of Alasia? Will the Queen Mother escape those who also wish her dead in Pendren? From the Minstrel playing the malute to Erik, the invincible bodyguard, there are those who dedicate themselves to protecting the monarch. But, will it be enough? Has Rampus returned to finish his attempt to destroy Korram and all those close to him?
Lima is a master storyteller and world builder. From the mountain folk to the Karvasi (the Bandits), each location in the story comes alive as you follow the characters striving to protect the King of Malorn and save the monarchy from the treacherous Council and self-appointed new King. This series is one of my all-time favorites and this newest addition is as good as the rest. The King of Malorn is an epic tale you won't soon forget. Recommended for middle-grade and up.
Having read all the previous books in the Annals of Alasia series, I was so excited to learn this book was finally going to be released and asked for an advance copy. At first I was surprised the story was told through the eyes of minor characters, but it actually worked well to see Korram and Jaymin from other points of view. Princess Kalendria's character arc works wonderfully well, and Erik, Jaymin's bodyguard now feels more real (and human) and so sympathetic! The new character, Lasden, is also very sympathetic! There is so much going on but the reader never feels "lost" and the pacing is fantastic, along with the suspense, two things tricky to keep going in a book of this length. But the story is SO good, this reader never once felt anything was dragging or superfluous, and I honestly could have read more. There is a satisfying ending, but I see a couple threads where the author has left herself room to write more about this wonderful fantasy world and its heroic and villainous characters. This has definitely become my favorite fantasy series! NOTE: It is not necessary to have read the previous books in the series, but you will enjoy it even more if you read the others first, because you'll see all the characters from the previous books come together here, so it feels like a beautiful tapestry of lives woven together.
King of Malorn is the most riveting of the books in the series and also the longest. Even after reading the epilogue, I still wanted more! I was happy to hear from the author that this isn't the final book. It does have a good ending, but there are some loose ends too. I can't wait to find out what happens next!
The story mostly follows the adventures of three royals and a bodyguard as they flee for their lives and try to regain control of their kingdoms. The challenges they face seem insurmountable and assassination attempts are a constant threat. The pace is good with vivid descriptions, compelling dialogue, a little bit of romance, and lots of twists and turns. We also get a glimpse into the lives of a few other interesting side characters. You don't have to read the other books in the series, but I do recommend reading the previous books first as they fill in the backstory. This book has a young adult style, so it will relate to younger audiences too.
I received an ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
The young king of Malorn and his sister, along with the king of a neighboring country, narrowly survive an assassination attempt. The three of them flee the palace, not knowing who they can trust. They spend the next few months on the run, trying to discover who was behind the assassination plot and who they can trust so the king can reclaim his throne. Rich worldbuilding and strong characters help drive the story, as do exciting twists and surprising revelations. The story is one of redemption and forgiveness, with a strong dose of action and a splash of romance.
The King of Malorn is a well-written fun fantasy that’s appropriate for middle grade but entertaining for adults as well. It’s the fifth book in a series, but I had no problem following the story. I enjoyed it so much that I’m interested in reading the rest of the series.
I just finished reading Annie Douglass Lima’s King of Malorn, Book V of The Annals of Alasia. The story was amazing. I haven’t read the first four books, but the story stands alone quite well. It was so easy to get drawn into the storyline and become a part of the adventures and misfortunes of the characters. I would be reading then suddenly realize I had physically tensed up when the characters fell into danger. The character development was excellent as Princess Kalendria was accustomed to being pampered yet her strength of character reveals itself as she adapts to difficult and life-threatening circumstances. King Korram’s dedication to doing what is right for his people, no matter the risks, at such a young age is admirable and inspiring. The plot twist at the end was very unexpected. I never saw it coming, I’m glad it did though. I’m very interested in reading the previous books.
At first, I was worried that I might not "get" the story because I haven't read all the books in the series. Well, if you have the same concerns, I'm here to tell you that it's completely easy to follow. I really liked how each characters in the book have distinct personalities. I was able to read the dialogues and the stories as if I was actually in the situations (maybe as Jaymin's servant or Erik's hidden assistant). As a foreigner, the vocabulary that showed up in the book weren't difficult, but it taught me lots of new words! Overall, I would say the story is full of adventures and excitement. It will definitely be a book that I would want to recommend for everyone. However! I would have to warn you that once you start reading this book, you may not have additional time for other entertainments. :D
Action, suspense, adventure, romance . . . this book has it all. The carefully planned plot and events allows the reader to fully immerse themselves into an extremely believable world where they can relate to the well crafted characters, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. This book shows character development at its finest through simple yet effective storytelling. From cover to cover, readers will be standing on their toes in anticipation of how the story would unfold, with unseen twists and creative developments. Most significantly, the morals of this story are truly memorable and timeless, and reminds us once again of the meaning and significance behind books. Highly recommended to all, and unlike many book series, this book introduces you to its world as if you've always been in it. Definitely give a try, and you won't regret it!
The newest book in this series has it all, assassination attempts of two kings, kidnapping of a princess, a secret insider within the usurper's inner circle, and loads of action on both sides of the border between kingdoms. The characters, who readers met in previous episodes, are all in this book--both good and evil. Nail-biting tension kept me reading late into the night as the escaping royal family faces danger from all directions. The author springs surprises right up to the final chapter and several love stories keep us interested. This new episode is a welcome addition to the series and I recommend it highly. I was provided with an advance copy of this book, but this review is my own opinion.
The King of Malorn is an adventure book filled with action. The characters that you follow are quickly thrown into a dire situation, with few people they can trust, you as a reader are also left wondering who may be a traitor waiting to take out the true king and his companions who you follow so closely. Every step they take becomes a challenge for them, not only physical challenges but also mental challenges as well. You can also expect to follow the perspective of multiple different characters, all with very unique backgrounds and roles, and watch as they all come together to form a rich story that completes the journey in this chapter of their lives.
Bringing characters from Alasia and Malorn together
What a wonderful way to bring the various characters in Alasia and Malorn together after reading about them from different perspectives in the first four books and moving the story forward with a considerable amount of action. I really enjoyed the development of Princess Kelendria's character and Eric proves yet again what an amazing bodyguard he is!
Sex - none Language - no swearing or profanity Violence - Hand-to-hand fighting, spear and sword fighting. Several deaths due to violence. Descriptions are not gory. Religion - none
The King of Malorn is an epic adventure full of twist and turns that kept me guessing on what was really happening! I loved how the different characters were unique with their own strengths, faults, fears, and quirks. The story is told from several different viewpoints, deepening and exploring the complex situation. Even the villains had depth. I loved the surprises (especially near the end). The story addresses the problem of blind prejudice and shows how some of this can mend. Elements of forgiveness permeate the story, but not as a quick-fix-all -- there is still grief and time needed for healing. If you want to enter a world full of intrigue and adventure, read "The King of Malorn".
I think that this is a book that's filled with details and suspense. It seemed like it was going to be a calm palace story in the beginning, but after some pages, the story went on a ride. While reading the book, it seemed like I was at the scene watching it happen. The book gives descriptions about the characters, which allowed me to easily see the personalities and the traits of the characters. Overall, I believe that this is a book that's worth trying out even if you didn't read the previous books.
This was an amazing book! I loved the twists and turns, and especially loved the many startling surprises that I would never have expected. Even from the very beginning of the book, the plot and the series of events grabbed my attention. I was very inspired by the many creative ways of telling messages and escaping trouble that the very well developed characters used. The Annals of Alasia series has always been one of my favorite series, and I am very excited there is more. Overall, I really recommend King of Malorn.
I think this book was really good because of all the action in the book. At the beginning of the story, there is immediately some action and suspense that forces the reader to read on and not stop reading. Korram is frustrated when the High Council and Regent Rampus wants to take over again. Every character plays a big role in the story, and you'll be very surprised what happens in the ending. Great book!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and I was thrilled to start reading it. King of Malorn by Annie Douglas Lima was even better than what I was hoping for. The book not only brought back some of my favorite characters from previous books, it also let some of them tell parts of the story from their perspective. I really enjoyed getting to see how certain characters thought. The character arcs were also excellent. While this is most likely the final book in the series, I did see enough loose ends for there to possibly be a sixth book. Either way, I have completely enjoyed this series and would 100% recommend it!
King of Malorn is full of adventure and excitement. The chapters always end off with the reader wanting to know more, therefore making the story extremely addicting. Even if you haven’t read all the previous books of the Annals of Alasia you will still be able to understand the story without difficulty. Each character has a unique personality and the ending of this novel will definitely catch you by surprise.
The book is overall interesting and easy to read. It was hard to put down after reading the first page and it became more addicting as the book went on. It was a great adventure and I enjoyed every single bit of it. I won't talk about any parts of the book because you should find out about it yourself!!!
King of Malorn was an exciting adventure that I could not put down! I’ve read many of the books by this author and enjoyed all of them, this one was no exception. The plot was exciting, intriguing, and fast paced. I can’t wait to re-read this book, and I also can’t wait to see what else this author will write.
My daughter read this book before me so she is the one reviewing it here.
This is a really good book. The same old death plot, but it's as exciting as ever. When you least expect it, a twist. When you think everything's fine, a turn. I really recommend this book for readers who like adventure, suspense, and romance at the same time. -Kavya Bansal