Four months after the Battle of Tromsund, the Alekkan landscape looks very different.
Reinar has taken his people to Slussfall, where winter’s grip remains strong. There is no sign of Ulfinnur, God of Winter, and he fears that Alari has captured him, intending to keep the sea permanently frozen. For if the sea remains frozen, no ships can sail to Oss, seeking the help of the Islanders. And without the Islanders, Reinar can’t risk leaving the security of Slussfall’s walls to fight an enemy that outnumbers him two to one.
In Stornas, Hector is the king, victorious in his defeat of Ake Bluefinn, though with winter raging and the comforts of his castle proving so tempting, he is hesitant to take the fight to the Vilanders. His ever-loyal ally, Gudrum, has grown frustrated, sensing that Hector is in danger of losing the impetus in the fight to conquer all of Alekka. He urges action, wanting the king’s dreamer, Gysa, to support him. Though Gysa has her own plans. Plans that not even Alari, Goddess of Dreamers, knows about.
Plans that will soon upend everything...
Fury of the Queen is the fifth book in The Lords of Alekka epic fantasy series. Fast-paced and action-packed, it is a fresh delight of twists and turns, infused with magic, romance and mystery, and just the right amount of epic battles to keep you on the edge of your seat.
I live in Auckland, New Zealand, and have done for three-quarters of my life. The other quarter was spent in England, where my kids were born. I have three of those, and they’re very cool. I’m a bit demented and thought it would be a good idea to have them a year or so apart. I’m still recovering from that misguided notion, but am convinced that a month in Bora Bora would set me right!
Speaking of travelling, as much as I crave a tropical island escape, you’re far more inclined to find me hankering after snow. We don’t have any of that in Auckland – not a drop! And, although it did snow occasionally in dear old England, I’m still looking for the up-to-your-window sort of snow experience. I come from Viking stock (my grandmother was Swedish), so maybe that’s why I have always craved the cold, white stuff. In fact, my husband and I bonded over our love of scarves.
'Twas love at first discussion about the pleasure of a good scarf!
My reading journey I was drawn to historical romance as a young reader. I loved anything by the Brontë sisters, but I think Jane Austen was my favourite author at that time. It was a toss-up between Pride & Prejudice and Jane Eyre for my favourite book as a tween. As I got older and developed a real love of history, I became obsessed with anything do with Vikings. I fell in love with Bernard Cornwell and Robert Lowe, Giles Kristian, too. But there’s always been time to fit in the next Diana Gabaldon. Her Outlander series is probably my favourite series ever (great tv too!). History is my one true love, so some of my favourites lately have been C.J. Sansom’s thrilling Tudor series and Patrick O’Brien 19th century naval adventures.
I always thought I would write the Furyck Saga as a historical fiction series, but I never found a period or place where it felt possible. Ultimately, I realised that actual history was far too limiting, so I stepped away from reality and entered the wonderful world of fantasy, and that’s when the fun started…
It took me a long time to become a writer.
I have ring binders and ring binders of stories, screenplays, tv show concepts, and book ideas that I’ve been creating since I was 10-years-old. I was always very fast with ideas but seeing them all the way through was a lot harder, and eventually, as I grew up, life and work got in the way. I would try writing Winter’s Fury off and on, but I never got very far, and dissatisfied, I always gave up, telling myself there simply wasn’t enough time to fit writing in around three children, two dogs, a graphic design business, etc. etc. But what I quickly discovered is that time is what you make of it.
Inspired by an article I read about James Patterson, who got up early to write his first book and fit it in around his job, I started making writing a daily discipline; the idea being that, bit by bit, I would eventually create an actual book. At first, it was tough. It felt like I was training for a marathon and I didn’t even know how to run. But every day it got a little easier and eventually, I started to write more freely, and one day I had enough of a book to show my husband. At this point it was either, forget it again, or keep going.
Wow just wow! I had this on pre-order and I couldn't wait to read it and man was it worth it... Jael is back! Is the next book going to be the last one? I hope not I could read about these guys forever.
I can’t help but compare the Alekkans to the Brekkans and the Alekkans suck, on all counts. Their “good dreamers” are useless, even more useless than the untrained Brekkan good dreamers because the Alekkans all had a guide of some sort to help them, spirit animals, dreams with ancestors actually speaking to them training them, several books, etc. These women still can’t seem to do a damn thing! Granted, they keep having small victories but they fail to retain the knowledge from one fight to the next, unlike the witch dreamers who seem to remember every damn things, every spell, herb etc.
Jael made an appearance in this one and was bad as, as usual, in her fighting style and demeanor. I wished she would have spoken to the other dreamers though, having only spoken to Eddeth in a dream. I got some clarity on what happened with her and Ronal in the forest that was mentioned in the Furyck Saga, but some things she said to Gudrum made me realize I was still missing something so I realized I hadn’t read Fury of the Kings or something like that so I must got read it now, before continuing.
Thenor pissed me off with his double standard and stupid rules that seemed to change according to his mood and needs, but anyone else’s be damned. Control freak.
Reinar is not looking like a good quality king in this one… well, he never has really, starting with the first book. But he’s added on to it now, with this book opening four months after the last and the decisions he made during that time considering his personal life, the way he let Elin and Irene make Alys feel as if any of the whole thing was her fault. But I guess the standards are low here. 🤷🏽♀️
I’m off to read the missed book Fury of the Kings or something like that which came between the first set and the Alekkan. See my notes, highlights and commentary on Goodreads while I go enlighten myself. Happy reading!
I first discovered A. E. Rayne when a trilogy of books popped up my Bookbub app a couple of years back. I thought, might be worth ago and was introduced to The Furyck Saga. I had no clue what I had let myself in for. These novels are amongst the best I have ever read and I have read a lot. The characters, the world building, the storylines. Everything is just as you would want. Absolutely perfect. No character is insignificant, the battle scenes immense, the descriptions of lands and buildings etc incredible. I can't find one single complaint. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys this type of novel. To the author, I would just like to thankyou for taking me on this incredible journey
And the saga continues. The Fury of Queen was a thrilling ride from start to finish. I mean the battle scenes between the armies of Gudrum and Reiner and the magical armies of the dreamers and the gods. Wow!! I don’t know if epic is quite the adjective needed to describes how everything is perfectly woven with together. And then AE brings in Jael Furyck and the islanders! Magic! I loved it. I was a little sad to about Alyse and Reiners storyline but I can understand it. Can’t wait for the next installment! A must read.
This book's intricately woven storyline seamlessly transports the reader from The Heart of the King to the present time. As the notably developed characters continue to impress, the plot is ever intensifying. The intrigue and suspense is captivating. Literally leaving the reader unable to resist reading chapter upon chapter. Until the chapters are absorbed and they're left with an unquenchable anticipation for the next book!
Reinar is struggling, Alys is being thrust farther into danger, and old mistakes come back to haunt several people. The Gods have their problems as well and may mean trouble for humans. Stories are converging and it is exciting. The book kept me guessing and engrossed to the end. The story resolves many issues, but leaves us with more problems looming at the end. The characters are well-fleshed out and the world-building is excellent. I am looking forward to the next book!
The inevitable has happened…Jael and Eadmund are back! The pace of this new installment from A.E. Rayne is insane! Buckle up and prepare yourself for many sleepless nights!
This series is a must read for fans of Game of Thrones. Characters are very dynamic and well developed. Each new novel smoothly uses the characters to jog the memory of the reader to past events, ensuring there is no confusion moving forward.
ENJOY!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I couldn’t put this book down. My heart was in my throat the whole time praying for my favorite characters not to die and crying when they did. It was nice to have my beloved characters from The Fyruck Saga series joint in the fight. I can’t wait till the last book to see how it will end but also dreading the ending to this wonderful world and it’s people.
Sorry Amy, but this book really sucks! I was a big fan, I enjoyed all of the books, but all this nonsense with the gods and the monsters is very disappointing. All of these gods come across as weak idiots. And Alys and Reinar have become very tiresome. Whatever happened to all the personal relationships and fun dialogue? Looks like the gods and their death demons killed you! DNF. will not continue.
I started out liking these books but soon it became formulaic (by book 3) and stayed that way. The characters didn’t really evolve, every action being a last minute “oh yea I can do this” sort of thing. Also, I was troubled how all the dreamers were broken, except for maybe Jael. It really got annoying. Perhaps with a better editor, working with a trilogy, some of this drag could have been avoided.
An excellent epic adventure fantasy with great world building and well-developed interesting characters. A complex storyline that is well created and easy to follow. Page turning tale with great battle scenes and an unexpected ending. An awesome book and series that I highly recommend. Bring on the next chapter in this enjoyable fantasy series.
I have been waiting a long time for this book and was a little worried with what I felt was a slow start. However, the concern was unnecessary! The story proceeded then at a pace, full of action and magic. Wonderful to have Jael Furyk back. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this saga.
I have really enjoyed reading this whole series and look forward to the next book. It is written in an easy style which captures the attention from the start. The characters are all well described and the battles are heart pounding if somewhat gruesome, but it just adds to the overall tension. Great read!
I’m so happy I found this wonderful saga. Every character, even minor ones, are finely drawn, frankly, I can’t write a long revue because I need to start the next book. If you like a story that is fantasy, yet makes you care for the characters as if they were your family & friends, please, please read this series.
Another amazing book in this series with so many ups and downs. Everything has changed and I am wanted to find out what happens next. Loved that Jael made an appearance and hoping to see more of her in the last book. I can't get enough of this world and these characters!
Incredible how this series just keeps building and expanding sustaining the excitement to the finish. I’ve loved every volume and I’m looking forward to the finale. These characters and their lives have made a home in my heart. The Audible performance of each book is incredibly good. Kate Reading is amazingly good.
Each book in this series has been an improvement on the one before, with the characters gaining in-depth, as you would expect, but the events unfolding do so in a very natural way and flow from book to book with nothing being forced or contrived.
The pace is almost relentless and coupled with an ever-increasing sense of tension, suspense and mystery, it's hard to put down this book for long.
This book also has the benefit of having several of the characters from the Furyck saga get entwined in the events, though the focus remains on Aylc, Reinar and company, and their continuing struggle.
This well written book has plenty to keep the reader entertained! Lots of twists and turns, and an ending that was quite shocking! With everyone going their own ways, the last book in this series will no doubt be interesting! Ms. Rayne is a first rate storyteller, with an incredible imagination!
Ms Rayne never fails to deliver! This story is captivating; rich setting, intense battle and characters that I feel like I know as people! Thank you again!
Worth the wait. After waiting patiently and reading mediocre books in between i was reminded what an amazing author A.E Rayne is . The book is full of adventure, thrill and heart stopping moments.
Very vivid storytelling, no stale plotlines or things thrown in just for filler. Can't wait for the next book! Definitely recommend reading this book and all of the Furyck saga.
Such a captivating read! The only problem is the wait for each book. Totally loved it. A page turned to say the least. Keep up the good work AE Rayne, just hurry up with the next instalment already, please!
This was the twelfth A.E. Rayne book I've read in the last couple months or so, and I can't wait to read more. Her work is everything I could hope for in fantasy adventures, and more. Thank you, Ms Rayne!
MS Rayne writes another amazing story. I can't wait to read the final book in this series. I hope things turn out for the best but it sure is a rough ride getting there.
Lots of unexpected twists but none so unexpected as the kickeIr at the end. The God of Winter surprised me.... No spoilers here... I can't wait to continue my adventure with epic characters...