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All the King's Traitors

(Highwings #1)

Keylin Rivers (Goodreads Author)

3.94 · Rating details · 124 ratings · 84 reviews

Over a thousand years have passed since the first Godstones ripped through the skies and mangled the earth. With their fall came centuries of chaos and destruction, but also immense power.

Power that separates humans from Gods.

Now, in the Kingdom of Azanthea, two adoptive brothers flee from unjust conscription.

A fugitive struggles to truly be free.

A double-crossing warrior ...more

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Paperback, First, 358 pages

Published August 31st 2019 by Keylin Rivers

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Average rating 3.94 ·

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· 124 ratings · 84 reviews

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Mar 07, 2020 NAT.orious reads ☾ rated it it was ok · review of another edition

2 treacherous STARS ★★✬✩✩

This book is for you if… you'd like to be very confused about the prevailing oponion concerning it.

⤐ Overall.
Lately, my books seem to be either excellent or excruiating, almost no in between. What about this book, you're wondering? Let me put it this way: The last sentence was the only truly exciting thing about it ...

If you liked this book, fine. Maybe it's just not my cuppa. Could very well be.

Apart from the mildly interesting characters, All the King's Traito ...more

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Mar 05, 2020 Amanda rated it liked it

Shelves: read-in-2020

I would like to thank Keylin Rivers & Astre Encre for my copy of the ARC. Due to this kind gesture, I have decided to leave an honest review.

I am so torn with this book, I don't know how I actually feel about it. While the story was original and fresh it sometimes fell really flat and it would feel like it was just loads of mumbo jumbo on the page without any actual dialogue. I would then feel myself getting pulled back into it as some parts are written extremely well with an unusual style o ...more

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Dec 29, 2019 Vippi rated it it was amazing

Shelves: netgalley-edelweiss

I loved this book so much that the first thing I did once I finished the ARC provided by Netgalley was to order a paper copy of All the King's Traitors: I need it in my library!

Now I can't wait for the sequel to come out!

~I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to NetGalley and the editor~ ...more

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Sep 06, 2019 Joyffree rated it really liked it

Shelves: kindle-unlimited

This is why I love fantasy -
An entertaining read is a bit like watching a movie
You have multiple POV's which has you thinking you know what is about to happen - but really you don't
Lots of edge of your seat action - the kind that has you holding your breath or screaming at the characters in horror that they would make such an absurd choice
All kinds of Magic and Mayhem
Overall - An excellent way to spend an afternoon

Rivers presents us with a well-rounded cast:
The curious young orphan
The older ...more

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Jan 25, 2020 Moony (The Burglar Baggins) MeowPoff rated it it was ok

2.5 stars.
Some of the book was interesting and some of the characters too, but i won't be reading the next book.
It was a bit too much and some characters were so annoying and just in general, meh. ...more

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Mar 01, 2020 Alaina rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2020-ng, fantasy, 2020-arcs, dystopia, fiction, young-adult, sci-fi

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

All the King's Traitors was interesting and a fun read to dive into. Yet, I didn't like all the characters within it. Definitely had my favorites and I'm so happy that I met them. This book gives you a vast cast of characters - no, really it does. So you are bound to fall in love with a few of them - if not all.

Speaking of those wonderful characters, you will meet Aurelia, Kuba, Ion, and Vallich. Just to name a few because ...more

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Aug 24, 2019 Romaine Heart rated it it was amazing

RH*See full review of Beyond the Covers blog here on Goodreads and check us out on Facebook
http://beyondthecoversblog.blogspot.com ...more

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Sep 27, 2019 Bridget rated it liked it

Shelves: books-i-own, awesome-covers, arcs-giveaways

** I received an advanced reading copy of All the King's Traitors in exchange for an honest review. Minor spoilers ahead**

Actual rating 3.5 stars

"You would be wise to question whom you worship and serve. You would be wise to question your God."

Well, this was a fast-paced, exciting adventure and I really enjoyed my trip through Azanthea! While this is Rivers' first novel, it's definitely a promising start to a series and I'm eager to see where these characters go next! Especially with that cliffh ...more

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Dec 18, 2019 Petra rated it really liked it

*THANK YOU to Xpresso Book Tours for graciously providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

Fast paced story that follows multiple characters from third-person perspective and the different backgrounds of all of them makes it even more interesting, as every one of them have a different motivtion, but all affected by the war on some level.On lots of occasions the author have you thinking "Oh i know what's gonna happen now", only to pull the rug under your feet and " Oh i didn't see ...more

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Jan 29, 2020 Maddie rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: series-i-probably-wont-finish, ya-dystopian, ya-fantasy, arcs, reviewed-2020, ya-sci-fi-ish

ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I want to start by saying this wasn't exactly a bad book, but it just wasn't something I could enjoy. The author is clearly talented and I know she will have her audience, but that audience is, unfortunately, not me. In the moments where I wasn't extremely bored, I was confused. Confused by the magic system, the world, and the amount of characters. I kept hoping that something would shift and I would care about even one character, bu ...more

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Dec 02, 2019 I. B. rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc-advanced-readers-copy, fantasy, dystopian

There were a few things that were very good about this book, and a few misses. I think I'll start with the good.

The Good

This was a crossover in genres, which was a very pleasant surprise. It reads like an epic fantasy, but is actually set in a dystopian Earth. I think that was a very interesting take on your classic epic kingdom fantasies.

The author had very good world building and setting. I thought the setting was complex and multi-layered, and I think that world building for this world was There were a few things that were very good about this book, and a few misses. I think I'll start with the good.

The Good

This was a crossover in genres, which was a very pleasant surprise. It reads like an epic fantasy, but is actually set in a dystopian Earth. I think that was a very interesting take on your classic epic kingdom fantasies.

The author had very good world building and setting. I thought the setting was complex and multi-layered, and I think that world building for this world was a perfect balance. There was no info-dumping but there also weren't too many grey areas.

Also, Keylin absolutely nails the villain of the story: the God-King. He took me by surprise and I found his mystery that was carried through to the end of the novel was very intriguing. I kept wondering who this God-King was? How? When? And the answers did not disappoint.

The Meh

This was given to me as an Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for a review, and I dearly hope that this is not the last edit before publishing. There were a flurry of grammar mistakes throughout the story. I think I spotted 3 different mistakes in the usage of your/re, and a many mistakes in tenses. There would be sentences like, "She access the room." And it jarringly interrupted the flow of the story.

Where the setting and villain soared high, the characterization flopped. Alright, alright, flopped is a strong word. They weren't all bad, I enjoyed Vallich and Kari as characters, and was disappointed that we hardly ever were in Vallich's POV. Kari herself wasn't that interesting of a character, but her storyline of competing during the Ascension Trials propped her up very high. The rest of the characters were.... meh. They weren't bad, but I don't think I will remember any of their names two weeks from now. They didn't have distinct, unique personalities or quirks. They were all very basic, driven by plot and not relationships.

The final say for this book is that it reads as a debut novel. Although a good read, there isn't an oomph to it that would make stand out as a five-star story. I am interesting in reading the sequel and seeing (since now we have a good understanding of the setting) if the author will be able to flesh out these characters more. ...more

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Nov 09, 2019 Jessica rated it it was ok

I received this book as an ARC, which I have never read/reviewed before. I have to say, the plot sounded interesting and in the beginning, I was really pulled in to the plot, but then as the book went on, I found it a tad difficult to keep track of what was going on. I tended to focus more on the story of Aurelia, Kuba, and Ion because it seemed the easiest to follow, whereas, the other "sub plots", if you will, made the flow somewhat confusing.
It was easily written (prose), but I think a down ...more

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Sep 16, 2019 Payton rated it it was amazing

What a stunning fantasy debut!

Rivers has created an intriguing world with a cast of well-rounded, lovable characters. This series is perfect for those who are fans of multi-POV like Game of Thrones, and fans of dark, YA Fantasy like Furyborn and Throne of Glass. All The King's Traitors is a vivid, epic adventure and I can't wait for the next book! ...more

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Sep 24, 2019 Naomi Downing rated it it was amazing

This is a great start to a series! I was pulled right into this book, the world and characters were very well written. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. ...more

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Jun 30, 2020 Madhu MaBookYard - rated it liked it

My Rating : 3🌟
.
Kindle/ Netgalley/ June2020
.
Thank you so much Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not influenced in any way.
.
This book follows our main characters, brothers Kuba & Ion who is on the run from their village, their accomplice Aurelia, who decides to help the brothers get to safety with her own selfish reasons in kind, and Vallich, who is struggling to place his loyalty, Rohan and Kari.
.
First, I must say the plot and the story was very My Rating : 3🌟
.
Kindle/ Netgalley/ June2020
.
Thank you so much Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not influenced in any way.
.
This book follows our main characters, brothers Kuba & Ion who is on the run from their village, their accomplice Aurelia, who decides to help the brothers get to safety with her own selfish reasons in kind, and Vallich, who is struggling to place his loyalty, Rohan and Kari.
.
First, I must say the plot and the story was very original in its own way. It reminded me a little of Hunger games, and the sisters, but the concept of a godstone giving powers to the weilder and how that godstone gains it's power were interesting twists to the fantasy element. Other than that, this book had too many common fantasy elements in it and I would have loved to know more about the concept of godstone and it's lore.
.
Second, I really loved Vallich as a character! He was badass, unapologetic, sassy and has a very good potential to be a good villain! I love me some morally gray character who becomes a good villain! The other characters, when I read the story, did not hold my attention much. Kuba was an unassuming child thrust with a huge responsibility and Ion was just whiny and kind of stupid at times?? Aurelia was too rash and I didn't care for Rohan and Kari was just annoying. (Omg I just sound whiny, but that's the truth).
.
Coming to the pacing of the story, it set a really good pace and stuck to it. The multiple perspectives with contrasting scenes actually made me want to read more and hooked me in. The progression of the story was done really good and I loved that Vallich got a really good character arc and I have high hopes for him in the next installment!!
.
Overall, this book had amazing fantasy element concept, good set of characters(even though they annoyed me, they were done good), good pacing, nice flow of scenes, multiple pov and a very good ending! If you are a fan of elemental/object based magic, then this would be a good read for you! ...more

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Mar 05, 2020 Colline Vinay Kook-Chun rated it it was amazing

I enjoyed reading this novel from the fist chapter as I got to know the world and the characters that inhabit it. I did wish for a map insert when I began reading but was soon able to familiarise myself with the world described without it. The story does have a dystopian feel to it as characters often refer to the life humans previously lived.

Rivers creates vivid images with her use of words which enabled me to imagine the world in which her characters live. As with all fantasy series, there are ...more

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Jan 13, 2020 Red Ink Book Reviews rated it really liked it

I was kindly given an advanced copy of this book so I could provide an honest review.

All The King’s Traitors is the first book in the Highwings series by Kelyin Rivers. This is the author’s debut novel, a fantasy tale following the stories of several characters and their adventures of survival in a land where it isn’t good to be different, to have powers and abilities coveted by someone more dangerous and powerful than you.

Ever since the blackout and the fall of the first Godstones the people of I was kindly given an advanced copy of this book so I could provide an honest review.

All The King’s Traitors is the first book in the Highwings series by Kelyin Rivers. This is the author’s debut novel, a fantasy tale following the stories of several characters and their adventures of survival in a land where it isn’t good to be different, to have powers and abilities coveted by someone more dangerous and powerful than you.

Ever since the blackout and the fall of the first Godstones the people of Azanthea are ruled by a greedy, cruel and god-line king, Apollyon. Seemingly all powerful and unstoppable as he gathers many Godstones and keeps them close Gifting them to only a chosen few, those he can control and keep under his thumb. Always in power, as a God.

So, when little Kuba comes across a freshly fallen Godstone he must either choose to submit to the God-King or run and pray for the survival of his family and bis brother, Ion. Together the two brothers flee to safety and fight to stay alive long enough for Kuba to learn the intricacies of wielding a God-stone.

They are helped on their journey by Aurelia, a fugitive heiress of a defeated people, who is also a wielder of a God-stone. Aurelia tells the brothers about the Free Wielders, a people who are free and far from the grip of the God-King.

Together they begin the perilous journey to the secret whereabouts of the Free Wielders. There they join the Free Wielders and join the war against the God-King, Apollyon.

Though it seems like a battle they are destined to lose, until the God-King is betrayed by his heir, Vallich. Vallich, having his eyes opened to the God-King’s truth, he sets out to bring it all crumbling down around the so-called God-King. But, because of his past and reputation, Vallich must prove he can be trusted and what his true intentions really are. But what are his chances when he couldn’t convince Kari, his only friend of the God-King’s truth.

Kari was held too firmly under the sway of the God-King, Apollyon. Too convinced he was everything he portrayed himself to be, the saviour of the people. Happy and secure with her position in the House of Historians, Kari never thought to question any of it, certain that Vallich’s mind had turned. Then the trials began to determine who the new heir to the God-King would be, Kari was thrilled to be invited to compete, that is until she is in the trials actually competing. She slowly comes to the realisation that maybe there was some truth to what Vallich had said. Not everything is as it seems with the God-King.

Time will tell if all the King’s traitors will succeed, stay alive and win freedom for all the people of Azanthea.

This fantasy tale is vivid and colourful, with several intricately written characters and storylines coming together to form a beautiful tapestry that is “All The King’s Traitors”. Written at a good pace with an exciting storyline that made it quite enjoyable to read. A great escape from reality. Will definitely be keeping my eyes out for the next in the series.
...more

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Jan 11, 2020 Patrick Delaney rated it really liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Feb 13, 2020 Claire Mac marked it as to-read

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

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Feb 02, 2020 Coco.V marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: freebie

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (2/2/2020)! 🎁

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Jun 21, 2020 Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* rated it really liked it

Shelves: high-school, advisable, high

All the King’s Traitors by Keylin Rivers, pages. Astre Encre, 2019. $15.

Language: PG (9 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

The God-King has ruled for centuries and continues his ruthless rule and expansion. However, not everyone is content to sit back and watch. Though in very different circumstances, several parties are learning that everything the God-King has built is founded on lies and deception -- but how can you commit t ...more

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Aug 25, 2019 Karen rated it it was amazing

this is the first book i have read by Keylin Rivers and i am so glad i did i was hooked from the start i loved the characters in the book but i have to say there were some i loved more.All the kings traitors is about the Gods-king who is determined to wipe out all the wielders that will not follow him. we meet Vallich who is the heir to the gods-king and does his bidding but he find out something that changes he view of the Gods-king so he leaves and is now considered a traitor.
we also meet tw ...more

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Aug 18, 2019 Alexandra Heim rated it it was amazing

I had the privilege of being a beta reader for All the King's Traitors. Normally, I would not select a multi-point of view book (and a fantasy one at that) to be my book of choice, but the summary peaked my interest enough to take a chance and I am so happy I did. ATKT is a complete joy and adventure of a read. ATKT crafts a vivid world of rebels, vagabonds, intellects and rulers, spread across a vast and ever-changing land with surprising connections to the reader's own reality.

I found myself ...more

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Sep 14, 2019 Jeremiah B rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: authortube-books, amazing-fantasy-books

Disclaimer: I received a free ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) from the author in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book I read from Keylin Rivers, and it's the first in the Highwing series. ATKT is a multi-POV epic fantasy/adventure. I was surprised by how well done the world-building was executed. The attention to detail really shines in this book. Keylin Rivers has created a very compelling world filled with unique and distinguishable characters. The character development was very go ...more

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Aug 20, 2019 Angela Anne rated it it was amazing

I had the pleasure of being a beta reader for Keylin Rivers and this book was hard to put down!!!! I remember reading it every day before work and having to force myself to stop reading so I could get to work on time.

All the King’s Traitors takes place in a unique fantasy world with an interesting cast of characters. In the current fantasy saturated market, it can hard to create distinct and well-done fantasy, but this book is unlike any fantasy book I’ve read before! Rivers is especially stron ...more

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Aug 24, 2019 Beyond The Covers Blog rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romaine

The author takes us on a magical adventure back in time. A ruthless God-King determined to kill Wielders for their Godstones to make him more powerful to win the war. But what is the real reason behind the wars? Godstones? Or something bigger?

Vallich, once being the Apollyon's soldier, a wielder and next heir, realizes he has been lied to and is on the run. He's considered a traitor.

Kari is next in line to become the heir. She must pass the Trials in order to officially sit next to the God-King. ...more

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Oct 05, 2019 GoodGlory rated it it was amazing

Thanks to the aurthor/publisher for sending me an arc of this book! Fantasy is a new genre for me. Well within the last year. And when I start to feel like I've read them all, a gem comes along and suprises me. Starting with the cover, I really liked it! I can see a hardcover with an embellished symbol in shades of gold and silver. It has lots of potential. The story writing was easy to sink yourself into. It just flowed so smoothly. The character building was fantastic. I love having different ...more

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Sep 23, 2019 Erica Highley rated it it was amazing

Oh my word. This book was so good! It kept me entertained from start to finish. I don't usually like when the POV jumps around because I find it hard to follow but this book was easy to follow and keep the characters straight in my head. The characters are all very likeable and have well rounded personalities, even some of the antagonists. The world building is incredible. I don't usually read fantasy but I might start now. I can't wait for the sequel.

I was given a copy of the book for free fro ...more

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Sep 15, 2019 Ashley rated it really liked it

I received an Advanced Reader's Copy and am excited to share my honest review. I absolutely loved this book! It was a little slow at the beginning, and some of the names were a bit difficult to figure out pronunciation wise, but overall I truly enjoyed the characters and the story. It reminded me of a more adult version of the Song of the Lioness Quartet. I'm excited to revisit the characters in the second book next year. ...more

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Aug 30, 2019 Cici rated it liked it

Really 3.5 stars
I received an arc for an honest review. I will be honest, it took my awhile to get into this book. I’m not typically a fan of books that switch POVs between so many characters HOWEVER once I did get into the book and the characters it was one wild ride! The thing I liked best about this book was the world building. I’m really looking forward to book 2!

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