Hawkwood and the Kings (Monarchies of God, #1-2) in Sword & Sorcery: "An earthier sort of fantasy"

Jun 03, 2014 Benji Glaab rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorite-books

A fantastic epic read. Since I heard through the grape vine he's a grossly underated author I embarked on my first Paul Kearney experience. Complete with an endorsement signed Steven Erikson I was totally roped in. And lets face it this was like candy for me. It has all the components I look for in a political/ military fantasy. Hawkwood and the Kings oozes and gushes my kind of book.

We get the story of a Continent in peril being pulled to pieces by war, and conflict as well as a group of advent A fantastic epic read. Since I heard through the grape vine he's a grossly underated author I embarked on my first Paul Kearney experience. Complete with an endorsement signed Steven Erikson I was totally roped in. And lets face it this was like candy for me. It has all the components I look for in a political/ military fantasy. Hawkwood and the Kings oozes and gushes my kind of book.

We get the story of a Continent in peril being pulled to pieces by war, and conflict as well as a group of adventurers seeking a new continent. Church viying for power. A super power invading from the east, and three young Kings holding what's left in tact. Honestly people the plot is too complex for me to put into words at risk of making me sound like some burned out pot smoking hippie. So I'll just focus on the books merits.

What will you be treated to?

Explosive military sequences, (literally) flintlock before it was cool. Arquebuses, cannons, artillery, sabers. "Present pieces..., give fire..., out swords... follow me". Kearney's tactical/historical knowledge is phenomenal this element felt real all the way.

With a huge cast of characters, and 20 some odd pov's we get to see all sides of the conflict, every corner of the continent. All the characters/ factions are pinned down tight all their political choices affect the next making all their actions rationalized. This really highlighted Kearney's prowess as he at no point in time why's away from this book's massive scope. Furthermore he accomplishes this in a very small page count. The entire series is roughly 1600 pages.

A challenging read plain and simple. Me personally I like the challenge every so often. This book beat me up here and there. Extreme description, a trade off for a great visual. The pacing is comparable to ASOIAF 1 book = 3 month timeline. So we get to see the world changing, and the ramifications of our amazing characters.

Sensitive readers beware.

No humour not much wit not really hip

Can't say I was surprised but we get a weak representation of female characters once again. Whores, sex slaves, women who use their lady parts to gain political advantage. So if you're the kind of reader who can't stand this shit beware. Brutal blacker than black imagery this book is sick and twisted at the best of times. If you're scared go to church. Kearney has managed to uproot religion as a solid theme in this novel. The fictional religion closely resembles Christianity, and is adulterized continually in this novel. So if this offends you beware.

So it would seem that Kearney writes a fairly unaccessible style, and tells a story that appeals to a smaller market of readers. Fortunately I'm one of those readers, underated I don't think so just misunderstood. If this book sounds like you're kind of thing you are in for a treat. Enjoy.

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