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The Last of the Valdryz #1
The Sins of Kings
Gardens of the Moon meets The Blade Itself in this new epic fantasy by debut novelist, Daniel Thomas Valente!
In a kingdom fraught with power struggles, an outside force threatens to undermine the centuries-long reign of the Graymere family. At the center of the emerging conflict are young Darrin and Princess Edlen. Darrin desires to overcome the stain of his family history and rise in the ranks of the Eyes of the Forest, a group of men sworn to protect the vast forests of Onyris. Meanwhile Princess Edlen, though deeply loyal to her friends, attempts to thwart the control her royal family holds over her life by sneaking about disguised as a peasant. When a neighboring kingdom conspires against the realm, Darrin and Edlen must fight to not only survive, but pave a way forward - despite the wishes of the mercurial tempered gods and a mysterious organization known as the Voress Ní. Can they survive the ensuing chaos, or will they too be felled by forces greater than themselves?
Written on a panoramic scale, The Sins of Kings is epic fantasy at its best—a beguiling epic by a promising new voice that isn’t afraid to explore themes of prejudice, power, and magic all in one sweeping adventure.
In a kingdom fraught with power struggles, an outside force threatens to undermine the centuries-long reign of the Graymere family. At the center of the emerging conflict are young Darrin and Princess Edlen. Darrin desires to overcome the stain of his family history and rise in the ranks of the Eyes of the Forest, a group of men sworn to protect the vast forests of Onyris. Meanwhile Princess Edlen, though deeply loyal to her friends, attempts to thwart the control her royal family holds over her life by sneaking about disguised as a peasant. When a neighboring kingdom conspires against the realm, Darrin and Edlen must fight to not only survive, but pave a way forward - despite the wishes of the mercurial tempered gods and a mysterious organization known as the Voress Ní. Can they survive the ensuing chaos, or will they too be felled by forces greater than themselves?
Written on a panoramic scale, The Sins of Kings is epic fantasy at its best—a beguiling epic by a promising new voice that isn’t afraid to explore themes of prejudice, power, and magic all in one sweeping adventure.
- GenresFantasy
439 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 24, 2023
17 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 25, 2024
3.5/5 a great fantasy debut perfect for dipping your toe into the darker side of fantasy!
Sins of kings is a gritty dark fantasy that reads as if Joe Abercrombie decided to write medical fantasy. The prose was clean and readable and the story gripping and fresh. My main issue was I struggled to relate to any of the characters. This isn’t a bad thing as dark fantasy doesn’t need you to like the POVs but it’s something I struggle with. They tended to lash out with these big emotional episodes or have really angry/hurt/ betrayed inner monologues and I struggled with that at times. I did find of if I kept reading past these blow ups the characters calm down rather quickly which was great.
I’m happy I got around to this one.
Sins of kings is a gritty dark fantasy that reads as if Joe Abercrombie decided to write medical fantasy. The prose was clean and readable and the story gripping and fresh. My main issue was I struggled to relate to any of the characters. This isn’t a bad thing as dark fantasy doesn’t need you to like the POVs but it’s something I struggle with. They tended to lash out with these big emotional episodes or have really angry/hurt/ betrayed inner monologues and I struggled with that at times. I did find of if I kept reading past these blow ups the characters calm down rather quickly which was great.
I’m happy I got around to this one.
October 10, 2023
Rating: DNF
Review: I dumped this sucker at the 30 percent mark after jumping to the end. Started off so promising and then......fooking YA's as central to the theme. Throw in a rebellious princess with lesbian tendencies and away you go!!! The scenes shift and fail in a constant susseration. Oooooh my, little scamps with rocks take everyone out including the kings guards!!!! Mr. Giant stomping around angry then crying but Miss Mwuffins Pwincess Douche Nozzle defwends her champion (but is attracted to strange gurls within a second of meeting them).
I scanned the whole novel and the story line goes nowhere. Fug this book.
Review: I dumped this sucker at the 30 percent mark after jumping to the end. Started off so promising and then......fooking YA's as central to the theme. Throw in a rebellious princess with lesbian tendencies and away you go!!! The scenes shift and fail in a constant susseration. Oooooh my, little scamps with rocks take everyone out including the kings guards!!!! Mr. Giant stomping around angry then crying but Miss Mwuffins Pwincess Douche Nozzle defwends her champion (but is attracted to strange gurls within a second of meeting them).
I scanned the whole novel and the story line goes nowhere. Fug this book.
Want to read
September 27, 2023 I received an advanced digital copy of this book, courtesy of the author and publisher, via Netgalley, for review consideration.
RTC
RTC
October 6, 2023
This is the type of epic fantasy the world needs!
The Sins of Kings is a dark world of politics, adventure, and horror.
From the very first sentence the world of the Graymere’s ensnared me and I couldn’t put it down. The different perspectives of Darrin, Aldir, Edlen, and Rhen added depth and richness to the plot. Although the world building was complex the writing was not heavy handed and easy to follow. For fans of George R.R Martin’s A Game of Thrones this is the book for you.
I am looking forward to reading the next one!
I received an advanced copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Sins of Kings is a dark world of politics, adventure, and horror.
From the very first sentence the world of the Graymere’s ensnared me and I couldn’t put it down. The different perspectives of Darrin, Aldir, Edlen, and Rhen added depth and richness to the plot. Although the world building was complex the writing was not heavy handed and easy to follow. For fans of George R.R Martin’s A Game of Thrones this is the book for you.
I am looking forward to reading the next one!
I received an advanced copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 27, 2023
Thanks Netgalley for a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I wanted to love this book. The cover is exquisite and intriguing to say the least. However, I found the beginning to be a bit slow and hard to follow. I did lose track of the story and which character was doing what a couple of times…. There are multiple POVs throughout. As the story and world built though I will admit that the characters were very compelling. I could relate to their emotions and wanted to cheer them along in their struggles. There are some thought-provoking themes in the story as well – race; prejudice; power. I liked how these were presented in such a way you had to think about your views versus the characters views versus the books plot and story-line. Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I most likely will read book number 2 when it comes out so I can learn how the story proceeds.
I wanted to love this book. The cover is exquisite and intriguing to say the least. However, I found the beginning to be a bit slow and hard to follow. I did lose track of the story and which character was doing what a couple of times…. There are multiple POVs throughout. As the story and world built though I will admit that the characters were very compelling. I could relate to their emotions and wanted to cheer them along in their struggles. There are some thought-provoking themes in the story as well – race; prejudice; power. I liked how these were presented in such a way you had to think about your views versus the characters views versus the books plot and story-line. Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I most likely will read book number 2 when it comes out so I can learn how the story proceeds.
November 14, 2023
Sweeping fantasy with mystery, political scheming, giants and magical gods. Complex writing with a wide array of characters and locations. With a conflict at the center of the story that keeps you interested and guessing.
Pros
- beautifully written with immersive world building.
- plot and story line have a lot of potential- has the same vibe of Game of Thrones, especially with the opening scene parallels of finding a horror in the woods.
- suspense keeps you turning the page and the mystery at the heart of the story is intriguing
Cons
- the first 100 pages move slowly, which normally is not an issue but because this book is fairly short the unveiling of the story and especially the conclusion does not feel fully fleshed out. The ending felt abrupt and unresolved, but does build interest and suspense for forthcoming sequels.
- multiple character POVs: again not generally an issue but because this book is so short it feels hard to connect with any one character or POV and it is a task to track and connect all the characters across the board.
Overall I would recommend this book to lovers of epic fantasy, it is clear to see this story is leading to exciting and intriguing places in upcoming books.
Pros
- beautifully written with immersive world building.
- plot and story line have a lot of potential- has the same vibe of Game of Thrones, especially with the opening scene parallels of finding a horror in the woods.
- suspense keeps you turning the page and the mystery at the heart of the story is intriguing
Cons
- the first 100 pages move slowly, which normally is not an issue but because this book is fairly short the unveiling of the story and especially the conclusion does not feel fully fleshed out. The ending felt abrupt and unresolved, but does build interest and suspense for forthcoming sequels.
- multiple character POVs: again not generally an issue but because this book is so short it feels hard to connect with any one character or POV and it is a task to track and connect all the characters across the board.
Overall I would recommend this book to lovers of epic fantasy, it is clear to see this story is leading to exciting and intriguing places in upcoming books.
October 16, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and author Daniel Thomas Valente, for providing me with this arc in exchange for my honest review.
This book has one of the best and most intriguing covers I’ve ever seen. Truly fitting for an epic fantasy.
I received an e-arc of this book, which I read on my kindle but even though I also tried reading it on my Ipad, the map was never clear enough. I hope this will be improved or maybe it’s just better to read this book as a physical copy. Some maps are only clear in paperbacks or hardcovers. It does look like a simple but effective map.
The acknowledgements at the start, were a nice touch, I loved reading them. I think the author is a good person and grateful he had the change to publish a book and for people reading it.
In chapter one, we meet Darrin, an 18 year old boy who joined a group of rovers called The Eyes of the Forest, 3 months ago and is out on his first mission after taking The Oath of the Eyes.
He is accompanied by 2 fellow rovers called Bart and Haron and they come across something peculiar and quite gruesome. And they are soon in a lot of trouble.
In chapter 2 we meet 16 year old princess Edlen, in the midst of a lessen taught by her grandfather Laustair, although she would rather be outside preparing for the King’s tournament but she’s a girl so she is not allowed to compete or even learn to.
I had a really hard time to keep reading at this point. Because chapter one was very adult, unfortunately it dragged but it was engaging enough. It was adult, gruesome and it had a hint of a paranormal being at the end which I loved. But then we get to chapter two and this is 100% young adult fantasy. And unfortunately our main girl wasn’t the strong heroine to be but a very very naive girl who wanted to be one of the boys and felt trapped in her priveleged life but didn’t seem to mind their benefits. It didn’t get better when we’re introduced to a friend of hers, a giant who has the most inconstant character. He goes from being nice and normal to crying, to raging to being calmed down by someone he doesn’t even trust (anymore), almost in a blink of an eye and al this because of a very unbelievable plot line.
I kept reading for 5 chapters, every chapter having a different POV and many new characters. As a reviewer I noted down every name and physical traits of every character to not get confused and this usually works like a charm but not in this case. Too many is too many.
I had to DNF at 20% because it was becoming too much of a chore to keep reading, which I am really sorry for because I am grateful I received this arc and I did enjoy some parts.
The best part for me was the intriguing start, the gorgeous cover and an amazing character called The Iron Woman. She was the former Primacy of the Realm and she’s an incredibly
wise and funny tough cookie. I enjoyed reading about her so much!
This book wasn’t for me but I am sure someone else might enjoy it or at least parts of it.
This book has one of the best and most intriguing covers I’ve ever seen. Truly fitting for an epic fantasy.
I received an e-arc of this book, which I read on my kindle but even though I also tried reading it on my Ipad, the map was never clear enough. I hope this will be improved or maybe it’s just better to read this book as a physical copy. Some maps are only clear in paperbacks or hardcovers. It does look like a simple but effective map.
The acknowledgements at the start, were a nice touch, I loved reading them. I think the author is a good person and grateful he had the change to publish a book and for people reading it.
In chapter one, we meet Darrin, an 18 year old boy who joined a group of rovers called The Eyes of the Forest, 3 months ago and is out on his first mission after taking The Oath of the Eyes.
He is accompanied by 2 fellow rovers called Bart and Haron and they come across something peculiar and quite gruesome. And they are soon in a lot of trouble.
In chapter 2 we meet 16 year old princess Edlen, in the midst of a lessen taught by her grandfather Laustair, although she would rather be outside preparing for the King’s tournament but she’s a girl so she is not allowed to compete or even learn to.
I had a really hard time to keep reading at this point. Because chapter one was very adult, unfortunately it dragged but it was engaging enough. It was adult, gruesome and it had a hint of a paranormal being at the end which I loved. But then we get to chapter two and this is 100% young adult fantasy. And unfortunately our main girl wasn’t the strong heroine to be but a very very naive girl who wanted to be one of the boys and felt trapped in her priveleged life but didn’t seem to mind their benefits. It didn’t get better when we’re introduced to a friend of hers, a giant who has the most inconstant character. He goes from being nice and normal to crying, to raging to being calmed down by someone he doesn’t even trust (anymore), almost in a blink of an eye and al this because of a very unbelievable plot line.
I kept reading for 5 chapters, every chapter having a different POV and many new characters. As a reviewer I noted down every name and physical traits of every character to not get confused and this usually works like a charm but not in this case. Too many is too many.
I had to DNF at 20% because it was becoming too much of a chore to keep reading, which I am really sorry for because I am grateful I received this arc and I did enjoy some parts.
The best part for me was the intriguing start, the gorgeous cover and an amazing character called The Iron Woman. She was the former Primacy of the Realm and she’s an incredibly
wise and funny tough cookie. I enjoyed reading about her so much!
This book wasn’t for me but I am sure someone else might enjoy it or at least parts of it.
September 20, 2023
I need to start this review by saying that I am not a fan of fantasy. I was hesitant to read this book because I thought it would be too fantastical and full of magical references that I just didn’t care to understand. I was absolutely wrong. The story pulls you straight in and I followed all the characters easily. I loved the different points of view and appreciated the quick pace of the book. My only frustration is that I have to wait for the next book before I know where the characters end up. A really great read that is accessible to any reader - don’t be frightened by the genre of this book!
October 3, 2023
My attention was captured within the first chapter of this book, and it never relented throughout the rest. Immediately action packed, this book was full of secrets, politics, and all things mythical that makes good fantasy good. I found the writing style to be very interesting to follow, as each new chapter provided a new character POV, along with all of the puzzle pieces that comes with each perspective. Although some of the geographical points got a bit muddled, I was still very able to understand major plot points associated with such, and enjoy the storyline as it progressed. Overall, I really enjoyed this read and would recommend to anyone looking for a fantasy read.
October 1, 2023
The world has not fully been presented but so far it is great. The characters are interesting and the story is intriguing. Aside from good versus evil I am not sure where this book is going plot wise and I feel like maybe after the second book I would have a better grasp on the world and plot.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 18, 2023
I loved this book! The weaving of the characters and plots is very well done. I do feel like there was a lot of information in the last 10% of the book that just kind of left me hanging; however that just makes me more excited and inclined to read the second book! Definitely has the right ingredients to be a great series and part of the great fantasy authors club!
August 29, 2023
First, I would like to thank the author & booksirens for the eARC opportunity. Like always, this review is voluntary & honest
This book is a captivating tale of power and corruption. The author's vivid descriptions and intricate plot kept me engrossed from start to finish. The characters were complex, and their struggles added depth to the book.
The storyline has the element of suspense throughout, which was intriguing.
It was an enjoyable and entertaining thought-provoking read.
With themes of prejudice, power, and magic all in one sweeping adventure.
This book is a captivating tale of power and corruption. The author's vivid descriptions and intricate plot kept me engrossed from start to finish. The characters were complex, and their struggles added depth to the book.
The storyline has the element of suspense throughout, which was intriguing.
It was an enjoyable and entertaining thought-provoking read.
With themes of prejudice, power, and magic all in one sweeping adventure.
October 25, 2023
First, let me take this opportunity to thank the author Daniel Thomas and book Sirens for the ARC. This is my honest review of what I thought..
I love finding new authors. This book reeled me in. The story of political power and corruption with a dash of magic. I was invested from start to finish. I am not a fan of multiple POV however; somehow the author did an amazing job with it. The element of suspense kept me going. That cliffhanger Daniel now has me wanting more.
If you are looking for the following I suggest giving this book a try:
🏰 magic
🏰political Power
🏰 paranormal
🏰 suspense
🏰Creatures
I love finding new authors. This book reeled me in. The story of political power and corruption with a dash of magic. I was invested from start to finish. I am not a fan of multiple POV however; somehow the author did an amazing job with it. The element of suspense kept me going. That cliffhanger Daniel now has me wanting more.
If you are looking for the following I suggest giving this book a try:
🏰 magic
🏰political Power
🏰 paranormal
🏰 suspense
🏰Creatures
December 20, 2023
"The sins of a king are not forgiven by the gods".
This book is mostly about power corrupting people, difficult choices kings have to make. Choices that shape their realms. Should a king choose well-being of his family above his domain? What choice is right when all of them lead to people dying? What even *is* sin? Is surrendering to an enemy you have no chance at defeating wrong?
I wish there were character list at the beginning. I wrote down all names and titles that seemed important but more than once I was left confused who's who. Apparently Rhen and Rhohl are two different characters. The lore isn't explained which is good because there are no infodumps but I have a lot of questions. Like what religion do they follow? What's role of priests in the society? Who are pedagogues? What are the rules of knight tournaments?
I am not sure how all that theme gonna play out in book 2. People being selfish and trying to protect their own even when it can cause death of innocents, people doing evil things because they believe other options are worse are explored in the story. I can't name a single character that is malignant just for the sake of it. Which is great for me because I despise good characters who don't have any reasoning behind being good.
I was a bit frustrated by some of the characters refusing to acknowledge that something magical is going on. It's the least interesting aspect of the story, come on. A few plot twists I saw a mile away which isn't inherently bad but I got the feeling author wanted me to be surprised. I enjoyed political scheming and politicians being more interested in getting money than in their subjects. Overall I liked the story and I am intrigued what will happen next.
This book is mostly about power corrupting people, difficult choices kings have to make. Choices that shape their realms. Should a king choose well-being of his family above his domain? What choice is right when all of them lead to people dying? What even *is* sin? Is surrendering to an enemy you have no chance at defeating wrong?
I wish there were character list at the beginning. I wrote down all names and titles that seemed important but more than once I was left confused who's who. Apparently Rhen and Rhohl are two different characters. The lore isn't explained which is good because there are no infodumps but I have a lot of questions. Like what religion do they follow? What's role of priests in the society? Who are pedagogues? What are the rules of knight tournaments?
I am not sure how all that theme gonna play out in book 2. People being selfish and trying to protect their own even when it can cause death of innocents, people doing evil things because they believe other options are worse are explored in the story. I can't name a single character that is malignant just for the sake of it. Which is great for me because I despise good characters who don't have any reasoning behind being good.
I was a bit frustrated by some of the characters refusing to acknowledge that something magical is going on. It's the least interesting aspect of the story, come on. A few plot twists I saw a mile away which isn't inherently bad but I got the feeling author wanted me to be surprised. I enjoyed political scheming and politicians being more interested in getting money than in their subjects. Overall I liked the story and I am intrigued what will happen next.
September 22, 2023
Well a bit slow to get going this was an enjoyable listen I had a few issues with the audio being confused with some of the names but that was okay I didn't have a problem with it as my text to speech got along with most of the book and that was okay for those who can't read this is an okay with generic text to speech and that was what I was going for. As such for books that have not yet been converted to audible this is a great sci-fi fantasy type read the story is great it is along the lines of early David eddings or early black jewels you will get that same basic feeling although the world building is a little slower it does jump around at times you can check other reviews for the storyline type review if that's what you're looking for that is not what my reviews are for this is for visually impaired people looking for text to speech convergence to listen to this book does a great job of being accessible for those of us who have issues it is a great book for that it does have like I said a great storyline and for all that it's very long it does keep your attention also very helpful. I will say it does lag in some places and you might get lost if you have memory issues but because there are very many characters but you should be able to keep track of what's going on for the most part so I gave it four or five stars because I did lose track a couple times but not enough I lost the whole story very good ended great looking forward to this next one.
October 20, 2023
In The Sins of Kings, Daniel Thomas Valente whisks readers away to the evocatively crafted realm of Wide-World. Within this rich tapestry, the once harmonious kingdom teeters on the brink of war. As tensions escalate, many within the narrative harbor ambitions of dethroning the current monarch, casting a shadow of intrigue over the land. The reigning king, engrossed in his own indulgences, remains oblivious to the rising dark forces that seek to undermine his rule.
Valente's prose captivates, weaving a tale that is as enthralling as it is intricate. He masterfully introduces pivotal plot points with a deftness that leaves readers eager for more. The diverse and multifaceted characters, each impeccably fleshed out, are aptly suited to their environment. The narrative is a beautifully orchestrated dance of intertwined plots and subplots, ensuring that no narrative thread is left unresolved.
One of the book's standout qualities is its robust world-building paired with characters who exhibit a profound self-awareness, elevating them from mere figures on a page to tangible beings. The story's unpredictability is reminiscent of the gritty realism in Game of Thrones, where characters' fates hang in the balance, lending an authentic weight to the tale.
I recommend The Sins of Kings to aficionados of dark fantasy, especially those who relish tales replete with multi-dimensional characters and serpentine plot twists.
Valente's prose captivates, weaving a tale that is as enthralling as it is intricate. He masterfully introduces pivotal plot points with a deftness that leaves readers eager for more. The diverse and multifaceted characters, each impeccably fleshed out, are aptly suited to their environment. The narrative is a beautifully orchestrated dance of intertwined plots and subplots, ensuring that no narrative thread is left unresolved.
One of the book's standout qualities is its robust world-building paired with characters who exhibit a profound self-awareness, elevating them from mere figures on a page to tangible beings. The story's unpredictability is reminiscent of the gritty realism in Game of Thrones, where characters' fates hang in the balance, lending an authentic weight to the tale.
I recommend The Sins of Kings to aficionados of dark fantasy, especially those who relish tales replete with multi-dimensional characters and serpentine plot twists.
October 2, 2023
I read a lot of both epic fantasy and Grimdark fantasy and I must say I was really impressed with this book that I was fortunate to be able to read through Booksirens. I enjoyed the multiple character points of view and thought each chapter flowed nicely into the next which kept the story moving at a good pace. The world building and scene setting were excellent, the characters were introduced well and you felt that you had the chance to start to get to know them, each being different and interesting in their own way. The power struggles ,chaos and political intrigue added to the interest and kept you guessing as to what would happen next and who you could trust .There were elements of magic but not so much that it took over and distracted from the story.
now the wait begins for book two which I am very much looking forward to.
now the wait begins for book two which I am very much looking forward to.
December 29, 2023
À tale of intrigué, politics, and betrayal, which was definitely my kind of thing. I genuinely enjoyed the plot throughout and how it was carried out.
I really liked the main character, Edlen, even though it was a little tropey. However, I was not a fan of her brocken friend and his self-pity. It was very grating throughout the book. I also felt that I couldn't connect to him at all as there wasn't much in the way of redeeming characteristics.
The Eyes are an interesting group, and I would like to learn more about them.
It was an enjoyable read, but I did find that it was hard going at times. I had a hard time getting into it, and it did drag in places. I also felt that things were a bit too neatly explained away with convenient plot devices sometimes, as well.
Overall, I would say it's more 3.5 stars. I would definitely read the next one, however.
I really liked the main character, Edlen, even though it was a little tropey. However, I was not a fan of her brocken friend and his self-pity. It was very grating throughout the book. I also felt that I couldn't connect to him at all as there wasn't much in the way of redeeming characteristics.
The Eyes are an interesting group, and I would like to learn more about them.
It was an enjoyable read, but I did find that it was hard going at times. I had a hard time getting into it, and it did drag in places. I also felt that things were a bit too neatly explained away with convenient plot devices sometimes, as well.
Overall, I would say it's more 3.5 stars. I would definitely read the next one, however.
October 19, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book is so promising. I was engaged at the start, but got a little lost in the first third, as there are many viewpoints and characters to sort out. It feels a lot like GRRM's A Song of Ice and Fire series, but not quite as hefty of a first installment. (A good thing!) I found the LGBTQ+ themes a pro when I picked up the book, but found myself a little disappointed with the extremely rushed way it was presented. Overall, it was enjoyable to read and I'll watch for the next book in the series.
This book is so promising. I was engaged at the start, but got a little lost in the first third, as there are many viewpoints and characters to sort out. It feels a lot like GRRM's A Song of Ice and Fire series, but not quite as hefty of a first installment. (A good thing!) I found the LGBTQ+ themes a pro when I picked up the book, but found myself a little disappointed with the extremely rushed way it was presented. Overall, it was enjoyable to read and I'll watch for the next book in the series.
October 12, 2023
I had high hopes for this book when I first laid eyes on its captivating cover. However, the initial chapters left me a bit perplexed, with a slow and somewhat convoluted start that made it hard to keep track of the various characters and their actions. The blurb brags this book can be compared to Gardens of the Moon. It cannot. The writing style is heavy, clunky, and everything is sooo slow to progress due to this.
October 30, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance reading copy of this book. I originally choose it because the cover is so cool looking. Based on the title I was really hoping for a deep historical and political story but that's not what I got.
There were times the characters just came off so YA that it pulled me from the story. I also found it confusing at times which made it difficult to want to keep reading. Overall, I think someone else would enjoy this, I just don't think that I did.
There were times the characters just came off so YA that it pulled me from the story. I also found it confusing at times which made it difficult to want to keep reading. Overall, I think someone else would enjoy this, I just don't think that I did.
November 25, 2023
Like many other reviewers, I found this book started out really promising but simply didn't deliver. It was uneven and couldn't seem to decide if it was a YA novel, or not. I also found the characters uneven - they seemed to veer from normal human being to raging psychopath and back within a few pages. One character is introduced as a rather meek and timid woman who is slapping people across the face a few pages later. It felt like a first draft, to be honest.
November 30, 2023
DNF at about 20-30% and so disappointed. The cover of this book is so captivating - the title intriguing - the blurb makes you want to dive into an epic fantasy adventure. And then.....well it was just lacking. And at the 20-30% mark I just could not force it one page more. It felt disjointed, characters were not well developed and too emotional. Just not my cup of tea.
I just reviewed The Sins of Kings by Daniel Thomas Valente. #NetGalley
I just reviewed The Sins of Kings by Daniel Thomas Valente. #NetGalley
December 8, 2023
This book was confusing with so many different points of view but when you got into the thick of the story it was fantastic. Edlen and Darrin were absolutely amazing to read about. The story was captivating and had a mix of just about everything - eg. Tournaments, knights, royalty, and even giants.
I hope to see that this book is a first of many by this author.
I hope to see that this book is a first of many by this author.
October 23, 2023
Writing and characterization are both great. The author does an excellent job of creating a wide variety of characters with varying motivations/opinions/mannerisms/etc. Loses a point because it takes waaaaay too long to get into the main story.
October 31, 2023
This book was EXCELLENT! I loved it and thoroughly enjoyed the story, the characters, and the character development. So great and look forward to the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 25, 2023
I had a really hard time getting into and reading this book. Based on the synopsis I wanted to like this book, but I couldn’t keep track of the characters, who they were, how they were related, or even the plot. I’m all for multiple POV in a book, but this was just too much.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews