King's Blood (Kinsman Chronicles)

Title: King's Blood

Series: Kinsman Chronicles (Book #2)

Year: 2017

Author: Jill Williamson

Summary: The Five Realms have been destroyed. The remnants of the population who escaped now find themselves confined only to several hundred ships adrift at sea. Guided by hope, rumor, and a promise, they sail north into the unknown, desperate to find land that might become their new home. 

As the king's illness worsens, Sâr Wilek takes authority over the expedition and struggles to rule the disjointed people, while assassination attempts, vicious serpents, dangerous storms, and dark magic endanger his life and the survival of his people. 

One prophecy has come to pass, but another looms dauntingly in the future. Who is this promised Deliverer? And if the Magonians have him, what might that mean for the realm of Armania?

Review: This book is not for the faint of heart. If you don't want a darker, twisted, heart-wrenching tale, this is probably not for you. I -- however -- read it, enjoyed it, and had my heart ripped out and torn in half before my very eyes.

Gone are the kingdoms of the past. The land that once housed the Five Realms is no more, swallowed by the earth. And now the people who survived are confined to ships sailing for the unknown. One man claims to know where an island is, but can they find it, and will it be sufficient enough to house everyone? Only time will tell.

Meanwhile, there's lots of royal and political intrigue happening upon the ships. Trevn pursues his forbidden courtship with Mielle and takes up nautical lessons. Wilek is stretched to the limit trying to keep the peace and stay on top of his slowly deteriorating father, while constantly forgetting about things. Janek's claim as the Second Arm and legitimate heir is challenged and no one knows quite how to prove his loyalties.

This book, honestly, has everything. In the middle of the ocean, the fleet is attacked by pirates and sea serpents (Dawn Treader, anyone?). Mantics are still alive, rationing out the little magical evenroot they have left, and they're just as eager to take over the Five Realms.

Trevn, as was in the first book, was my favorite. It was so much fun following his adventures with learning the ropes (literally) on the ships, and seeing his impulsive decisions (no spoilers, sorry). Inolah was fantastic, too. I mean, how many other heavily pregnant women do you know who can pick up a sword and defend themselves?? She also has a great amount of sass, though she only dishes it out regally and discretely.

I feel like the involvement of the demon/spirit realm was more in this book when compared to the first. Granted, it'd been about 4 years since I read King's Folly, so it took me a bit to remember everything and get back into the tale. But things are definitely getting darker. Gozan, Magon, and the other shadir are not content to let things slide by; they're ready and waiting for the opportune moment to take over. The number of traitors to the Hadar line just grow and grow. There's a lot at stake here, and the Five Realms are on the verge of complete collapse and ruin.

Once they think the journey's over, they're going to realize it's just the beginning.

One simply cannot write a review of this book without mentioning the end. I cannot allow spoilers, but I must at least say this: the writer in me applauds Jill for cleverly building up to that, while the reader in me is screaming out in pain and clamoring for justice.

Advisory: Again, as with the first book, harems and multiple wives and concubines are involved. While it does provide a lot of the plot for the book, Jill does start to show the polygamy as more of a sin in this book. Some characters are mentioned as acting intimate, etc. One woman wants to get pregnant and tries to seduce a man. During a wedding, the bride and groom are given a white handkerchief to prove the bride's virginity, and they are said to "give themselves to each other." I thought the topic was handled very well, but I would recommend that this series is definitely for older, mature readers.

Also, lots of violence. I lost count of how many people died in this book. The writer in me nods and agrees the deaths were necessary, but you should be warned. Battles and blood. A few women give birth, but nothing is too terribly graphic. One character's hand is smashed; several are stabbed. People get sick, and one man gambles his whole set of clothing away (again, nothing is described).

The realm of magic and spirit-stuff is heavy in this book, as I said before. To me, though, since the world is clearly fictional, it doesn't bother me. Additionally, the spirit realm parallels the eternal battle of good vs. evil. Slowly, the people have been realizing and worshipping the one true God of the Five Realms, but many still hold to the false gods. In a way, it feels like Christians in the early ages coming away from Greek/Roman god worship and finding truth, life, healing, and love in the one true God.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Elantris (Elantris)

Title: Elantris

Series: Elantris (Book #1)

Year: 2006

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Summary: Elantris was the capital of Arelon: gigantic, beautiful, literally radiant, filled with benevolent beings who used their powerful magical abilities for the benefit of all. Yet each of these demigods was once an ordinary person until touched by the mysterious transforming power of the Shaod. Ten years ago, without warning, the magic failed. Elantrians became wizened, leper-like, powerless creatures, and Elantris itself dark, filthy, and crumbling.

Arelon's new capital, Kae, crouches in the shadow of Elantris. Princess Sarene of Teod arrives for a marriage of state with Crown Prince Raoden, hoping -- based on their correspondence -- to also find love. She finds instead that Raoden has died and she is considered his widow. Both Teod and Arelon are under threat as the last remaining holdouts against the imperial ambitions of the ruthless religious fanatics of Fjordell. So Sarene decides to use her new status to counter the machinations of Hrathen, a Fjordell high priest who has come to Kae to convert Arelon and claim it for his emperor and his god.

But neither Sarene nor Hrathen suspect the truth about Prince Raoden. Stricken by the same curse that ruined Elantris, Raoden was secretly exiled by his father to the dark city. His struggle to help the wretches trapped there begins a series of events that will bring hope to Arelon, and perhaps reveal the secret of Elantris itself.

A rare epic fantasy that doesn't recycle the classics and that is a complete and satisfying story in one volume, Elantris is fleet and fun, full of surprises and characters to care about. It's also the wonderful debut of a welcome new star in the constellation of fantasy.

Review: I did not expect to love this book as much as I did. It's just about as un-cliche a fantasy story as you can get nowadays. Some of the characters reminded me of grown-up Prydain Chronicles characters, and you just can't help but love them for it. While many fantasy books you're able to predict a good amount of what's to come, with this one -- forget it. Get ready for a wild ride, and make sure your seatbelt's bucked.

Raoden is your typical, every day prince. He's well liked by the people, he argues with his father, he's got big dreams -- until everything is shattered when he's taken by the Shaod. Now cast out and shunned, he must find a new life in Elantris, the former city of the gods, now home to the dead of a terrible curse.

Sarene is headed to a new kingdom and a new husband -- the latter who she's never actually met in person. She believes, though, that this marriage will make her happy, and she's eager to start on this new adventure. Upon her arrival, however, she's greeted with the news that her betrothed, Prince Raoden, is dead. Thrown into grieving for a man she never met, she determines to get to the bottom of his death. No one wants to talk about it, and it's not that difficult to suspect some evil at play.

Hrathen's main goal is to save a kingdom. His religious beliefs are the people's only hope for survival, since -- if they don't convert -- they'll be overturned and lost in a bloody battle. He has to convert everyone fast, and he believes the mysterious, cursed city of Elantris might have some answers.

This book is terribly hard to describe in a nutshell. Ok, it's just terribly hard to describe in any type of short description. I don't even think the summary does it justice. Sanderson has woven multiple subplots along with each of the three main characters, and the reader doesn't get a break. But all roads lead to the ocean, and it all marvelously comes together at the end. Even though this is the first book in a series (which is part of a larger Cosmos, I'm told), the ending is incredibly satisfying.

I don't know that I could properly review this book lest I fall into terrible fangirling and all caps typing. Sarene was superb. Galladon was probably my favorite and I NEED MORE OF GALLADON. I loved politics and the intrigue. I loved all the things. RAODEN was perfect; his interaction with Sarene -- ALL OF IT -- was just amazing.

See? I succumbed to fangirling and all caps. *le sigh* It was fated to happen. Just go read this. You won't regret it. I can't English very well and review anymore.

Advisory: The people of Elantris are taken by a curse known as the Shaod. It's basically a living-dead type of situation, where they continue to live, but their hearts stop and they don't require food to eat. Their skin turns brown and their hair falls out. However, their bodies do not heal themselves (even after a simple stubbing of the toe), so eventually, the build-up of pain in one's body drives them mad. It sounds awful, but Sanderson actually did very well in portraying the Shaod. Yes, you get the sense that it's dreadful, but it's not over-the-top sickening.

There is obviously some magic going on in this book. The way I understood it was that the world is controlled by Aons, little elements/letters/symbols that only those of Elantris can draw/empower. The Shaod curse that now destroys lives used to elevate lives with a blessing: power with immortality. One character spends a good deal of the book studying the Aons, though since this is strictly a fantasy world, it is nearly impossible that anything done in Elantris could be replicated in our world.

There are also two main religions battling for supremacy in the book. I can't tell if Sanderson fashioned them after actual religions known on earth, but they did carry elements that I recognized from familiar religions. To analyze that, though, I think I would need to read more of his works to learn more about each one.

Also, fantasy violence and fighting. Several characters are injured in battles and whatnot. One cult practice briefly shows a human sacrifice.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

In the Hall of the Dragon King (The Dragon King Trilogy)

Title: In the Hall of the Dragon King

Series: The Dragon King Trilogy (Book #1)

Year: 1982

Author: Stephen R. Lawhead

Summary: Carrying a sealed message from the war-hero Dragon King to the queen, Quentin and his outlaw companion, Theido, plunge headlong into a fantastic odyssey and mystic quest.  Danger lurks everywhere in the brutal terrain, and particularly in the threats from merciless creatures, both human and not-so-human.

While at the castle, the wicked Prince Jaspin schemes to secure the crown for himself, and an evil sorcerer concocts his own monstrous plan.  A plan that Quentin and Theido could never imagine.

In the youth's valiant efforts to save the kingdom and fulfill his unique destiny, he will cross strange and wondrous lands; encounter brave knights, beautiful maidens, and a mysterious hermit; and battle a giant, deadly serpent.

In this first book of the Dragon King Trilogy, Stephen R. Lawhead has deftly woven a timeless epic of war, adventure, fantasy, and political intrigue.

Review: It took me a bit to get into this book. One, because I've been super distracted with taking care of my ten month old daughter and trying to find time to work on my Twelve Dancing Princesses retelling. Two, because it didn't completely grab my interest at first. Honestly, I feel like I was expecting more out of this book. It wasn't bad; it just didn't captivate me. And maybe I'm too picky for thinking that.

Quentin is a young man in training to be a priest of the god Ariel, and he's pretty serious about his duty. That is, until a knight of the legendary Dragon King arrives on the temple steps, near death and pleading with the priests to help him accomplish his mission. Quentin volunteers and finds himself beginning an adventure that he believes will end with delivering a secret letter to the Queen herself.

To me, this really wasn't a dragon story, and in that I was disappointed. With all the promise of dragons on the cover and title, I was really hoping for some dragon action, but all we got was an illusion of a dragon in one scene on the beach.

Honestly, it felt more like a Robin Hood retelling. Because the good Dragon King was away at war and hadn't been heard from in years (possibly believed dead), the evil younger brother of the king is looking to usurp the throne (Prince John much, legends?). He has a dark magician on his side, which puts the odds incredibly in his favor, and the kingdom is nearly ready to succumb.

There are still pockets of rebellion, much in the Robin Hood style of archers living in the forest, and the queen herself is willing to do whatever it takes to save her realm.

This is almost your typical cliche fantasy, epic quest kind of story. A young underdog thrown from his home, embarks on a quest, befriends a wise wizard, gains the servitude of a loyal follower, and (spoiler) falls in love with the princess. We've also got some shipwrecks, illnesses, and things along those lines that deter it from the normal cliche track enough that it's not like every other fantasy out there. But no dragons. *tears* Maybe in the next two books of the trilogy. One can hope.

Overall, I did enjoy the book. Part of me just wishes it didn't taste as cliche as it did. This is an older publication, which makes sense; today's readers (myself included) are just looking for more originality. Would recommend if you're a fantasy buff wanting to read a classic type of fantasy story.

Advisory: Fantasy violence/fighting. Nothing too graphic to trouble anyone, I believe, if you're used to this kind of story. One character fights a giant snake; a few characters get wounded/sick.

Dark magic. Fighting with the younger brother/Prince John character is a necromancer who is proficient in the dark arts. He can shapeshift, among other things, but is clearly shown to be evil. At one point, he uses his magic to raise warriors into, what he calls, the Death Legion.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars