For the Killing of Kings (The Ring-Sworn Trilogy #1) in Sword & Sorcery: "An earthier sort of fantasy"

Jan 29, 2019 Mike rated it it was amazing

Sword and Sorcery fantasy writ large. If you like your action furious and your fantasy high this is a book you should seek out. Howard Andrew Jones is an author that continues to impress and I can't wait to see where this world goes next. ...more

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Feb 24, 2019 S.E. Lindberg rated it it was amazing

Shelves: reviewed-by-se, sword-sorcery-group-authors

When comes my numbered day, I will meet it smiling. For I’ll have kept this oath.
I shall use my arms to shield the weak.
I shall use my lips to speak the truth, and my eyes to seek it.
I shall use my hands to mete justice to high and low, and I will weigh all things with heart and mind.
Where I walk the laws will follow, for I am the sword of my people and the shepherd of their lands.
When I fall, I will rise through my brothers and sisters, for I am eternal -- Pledge of the Altenerai

Howard Andrew J ...more

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Apr 03, 2021 Jason Ray Carney rated it it was amazing

*For the Killing of Kings* is the first of *The Ring-Sworn* trilogy by Howard Andrew Jones, the author of the celebrated Asim and Dabir Arabian fantasy novels, *The Desert of Souls* and *The Bones of the Old Ones,* as well as the editor of *Tales from the Magician's Skull,* the flagship sword and sorcery magazine published by Goodman Games. The Asim and Dabir novels are excellent historical sword and sorcery, so I was keen to read this newer trilogy. On one level, this was similar to the Asim an *For the Killing of Kings* is the first of *The Ring-Sworn* trilogy by Howard Andrew Jones, the author of the celebrated Asim and Dabir Arabian fantasy novels, *The Desert of Souls* and *The Bones of the Old Ones,* as well as the editor of *Tales from the Magician's Skull,* the flagship sword and sorcery magazine published by Goodman Games. The Asim and Dabir novels are excellent historical sword and sorcery, so I was keen to read this newer trilogy. On one level, this was similar to the Asim and Dabir novels: the prose style is crisp and enjoyable and the characters--like Asim and Dabir--are heroic, larger-than-life, yet paradoxically ordinary and a joy to cheer on, i.e. humble and driven by duty and values like loyalty, friendship, compassion, and joy (really a contrast to "Grimdark" trends). On another level, however, this is very different from Jones' previous work. For example, the setting, because it is a fantasy and not a historical (fantasy) setting adds a layer to things. Worldbuilding is on display. Places like Darassus and Alantris and the enigmatic shifting sands give a feeling of strangeness and possibility, and provide for the potential of intriguing background lore. The awesome Altenerai--a martial order of sorcerer-warriors--use "ring" magic and mysterious "hearthstone" sorcery (as well as swords!). They gave off a "Jedi" vibe from Star Wars: delicate, mysterious fighters who possess great power. There are several other memorable characters: the poetry-reciting Kyrkenall the Archer (he reminded me of Geralt the Witcher for some reason); the talented Squire Elenai (she should be played by Gal Gadot in the movie); the cold but wise Varama; the cavalier and joyful Rylin, and more. One of the best features of Jones' fiction is how genuinely likable his protagonists are. There is one scene, when Altenerai are forced to fight eachother due to confusion and conspiracy, that is an emotional gut punch. There is another character, a sentient flying "mount," a long-necked "ko-aye" named Lelanc, who will stick with me. I'm stoked to read book 2, *Upon the Flight of the Queen.* ...more

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Nov 11, 2021 Jason Waltz rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantastical, series, own, ebooks

Addictive action & character arcs!

Enjoyed reading this swashbuckling tale of fantastical realms and warriors. Numerous mysteries abound, piling high about our heroes and making suspect the aims and intentions of all. Features several strong characters, though two of the male leads are my favorites. A nice blending of sorcerous sword-slinging and testing the loyalties of comrades and companions true. I also appreciated Jones' comment in his acknowledgement regarding the challenge of consistently ...more

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Jun 01, 2019 Patrick rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fiction, science-fiction, 2019

A superb novel. The setting is very interesting and revealed without resorting to info dumps. The author knows how to tell a story and keep the reader in suspense while still giving him or her snippets to keep reading. What is going on with Irion? Why does it matter to these characters? How far will they go? Major and minor characters are well rounded, complex, and interesting. In some ways, I found minor characters more interesting because the author took the time with them with compelling back ...more

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