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

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 20, 2021 Clint rated it really liked it

Shelves: library-reads, dead-trees, fantasy, 2021

It’s always difficult for me to gauge the number of stars on a book in a series. It is difficult to see the whole picture. I picked this book up as I have read some S&S stories by HAJ and enjoyed them.

Impressions:

• I try not to pick up too many series books. I have limited time for pleasure reading and prefer short stories (primarily) and self-contained novels. My list of started, but not (in some cases-yet) finished series is staggering; however, this promises to be a trilogy. I have a nostal It’s always difficult for me to gauge the number of stars on a book in a series. It is difficult to see the whole picture. I picked this book up as I have read some S&S stories by HAJ and enjoyed them.

Impressions:

• I try not to pick up too many series books. I have limited time for pleasure reading and prefer short stories (primarily) and self-contained novels. My list of started, but not (in some cases-yet) finished series is staggering; however, this promises to be a trilogy. I have a nostalgic spot in my black heart for trilogies birthed from my teen years when I would launch into every Fantasy trilogy that landed in my path.

• book one is not a door stopper, metropolitan phone book sized volume. It’s a respectable 350ish pages. Thank you for that HAJ.

• It’s not my usual fare. I stay away from most Epic Fantasy these days, preferring Sword and Sorcery; however, it’s also not Tolkien flavored, grind ‘em out with a cookie cutter stamped Fantasy. It explores tropes and yes, there are some classic Epic Fantasy ingredients, but the cake is not all vanilla. There are some sprinkles.

• A grumbling review amused me as the reviewer was upset that there were homosexual characters. I read a second rumble on Amazon implying that it’s not realistic to have gay characters in a fantasy book...ummm, Bozo, it’s make-believe-land. You know what is fantastic about make believe? You can make believe any way you want. No rules. Second point, I expected (from these two reviews) to be hit up side the head with LBGT politics. Such is not the case. There are two Queer characters, one of which (SPOILER) dies early, the other appears off stage. So even if you are homophobic, calm down Karen, you aren’t reading Gay Porn here.

• When I read opinions that I either didn’t pickup on, or do not necessarily agree with, I try to evaluate them for merit. Here, I am thinking about reviewers who did not care for the character of Rylin and/or thought Ealin was not a strong female character. I think both are legitimate gripes. I’m going off memory for the spelling of both characters, so forgive me if I’m off. Rylin is very much the high school jock, but he is dynamic. I see change coming for him. Someday, he will be a real boy. Ealin, as a writer, I am guilty of developing poor female characters. HAJ is better than I, but there are some faults, but I can’t help but like her.

• I enjoy the concept of New Heroes rising to the cause to help the legendary heroes. It’s satisfying in a fist thumping way.

• The biggest Star decision factor for me with series books is: Based upon the strength of Book X, are you down for reading Book Y? Yes. Yes I am. ...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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Mar 25, 2019 Dean Brown rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Wow, what a great ride.

What an incredible story and world Howard Andrew Jones created. The story starts out as a mystery, then grows into a full-fledged war with numerous plot twists and surprises. Very highly recommended. Can't wait for the next book! ...more

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