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retrogirlreads's review
5.0
Wow. I have no words to describe how much I loved this novel. Like any good epic fantasy novel, there are many different inter-connected plot lines happening all at once. This is the story of King Eoghan, the Pretender, and the terrible price he demands of the head families of Four of the Five Reaches he governs over... their daughters, as his brides. Unfortunately for Eoghan, these girls and their loved ones have taken matters into their own hands. We have the beautiful Esmerelda, who fell in love with someone below her station, and faked her death in order to be with him. Then there is Hollyn, lovely but frail, cursed with a sickness that nobody knows how to cure. We have young and fearless Lisbet, who at age fourteen takes matters into her own hands to avoid her fate. Finally, there is Eavan, the older cousin of Lisbet, who refuses to be just one of the many queens of a tyrant. Each of these girls escaped with the help of either family members or friends, or a combination of the two. However, they leave chaos in their wake, and their parents are left to pick up the pieces, and deal with Eoghan’s wrath. Another important plot point is the story of Drystan and Ravenna, a pair of young lovers from two different Reaches. They are both the heirs to the Reach they hail from, and their decision to run away together greatly affects both of their families. Each story is important to the overall plot, and Cradit flawlessly weaves her tale together in the way that has the reader craving more! Cradit’s world building is absolutely exquisite, and you will definitely fall in love will this world that she has so seamlessly created. “The Kingless Crown” is an absolute MUST for any epic fantasy fan out there! I completely recommend this novel, and I cannot wait to continue the series!
I received a copy of this book from the author, and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a copy of this book from the author, and am voluntarily leaving a review.
laurenslovelylittlelife's review
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
christa_who's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ameserole's review
4.0
Definitely got some Game of Throne vibes while reading The Kingless Crown. Some of what happened completely grossed me out and made want to be blind for the rest of my life. Others made me constantly question what was going on throughout the entire book. Then I got to that ending. The last sentence got to me and now I need to figure out what is going to happen next.
disreads's review
3.0
I watched all of GoT and this story is perfect for GoT fans. These are squemming characters and lovable ones, none of them are safe from being deeply hurt. Between all the violence and the triggering behaviour, some feminist issues are brought up.
I knew there would be some violence but somehow I was taken aback by some of it.
Overall the premise was interesting, I want to read the following books of this story but the book was very slow paced.
I received this copy from @orangeskyaudio and @netgalley in return of an honest opinion.
I knew there would be some violence but somehow I was taken aback by some of it.
Overall the premise was interesting, I want to read the following books of this story but the book was very slow paced.
I received this copy from @orangeskyaudio and @netgalley in return of an honest opinion.
nick5299's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
stasiareading's review
3.0
3.5 stars
I had a little trouble initially getting into this story, all the characters and places, it was a bit confusing at first, especially over audio. Once I got a better grip on the story I did start to enjoy it much more.
I went into this book thinking it was YA. IT IS NOT. Despite many characters being young, this book had some graphic scenes, most sexual, and few of those consensual. If this is something that really turns you off, is a trigger warning, don't read this book.
This book made me think of Game of Thrones in many ways, varied lands ruled by varied families all ruled by the son of a conqueror King. This new King decides he wants to make brides of all the lordly daughters, in one festive wedding. Alas, no one likes this plan and by one means or the other all the children run away. As the story progresses we follow the children on their varied and often troubled paths to various ends they all hope to find sanctuary. All this running around had a very musical chairs feel to it. At the same time, we also followed along with the children's parents as they planned and plotted.
It wasn't until probably about 2/3rds the way through that I found myself really keeping the characters straight and starting to care for some. In the end, I have mixed feelings, overall I enjoyed the story but have issues with a few points, despite that I will probably pick up the next book in the series.
Spoilers Ahead!!!
- Ok so at the end Holland is on her death bed, telling her and Johannes story to her brother and how she ended up getting sick, causing all this turmoil. In the story she talks about "their love" but from everything else we read about him, he is creepy as hell and in unhidable ways. I just don't understand how this girl was so "in love" with him.
Thank you NetGalley for the free advance copy.
I had a little trouble initially getting into this story, all the characters and places, it was a bit confusing at first, especially over audio. Once I got a better grip on the story I did start to enjoy it much more.
I went into this book thinking it was YA. IT IS NOT. Despite many characters being young, this book had some graphic scenes, most sexual, and few of those consensual. If this is something that really turns you off, is a trigger warning, don't read this book.
This book made me think of Game of Thrones in many ways, varied lands ruled by varied families all ruled by the son of a conqueror King. This new King decides he wants to make brides of all the lordly daughters, in one festive wedding. Alas, no one likes this plan and by one means or the other all the children run away. As the story progresses we follow the children on their varied and often troubled paths to various ends they all hope to find sanctuary. All this running around had a very musical chairs feel to it. At the same time, we also followed along with the children's parents as they planned and plotted.
It wasn't until probably about 2/3rds the way through that I found myself really keeping the characters straight and starting to care for some. In the end, I have mixed feelings, overall I enjoyed the story but have issues with a few points, despite that I will probably pick up the next book in the series.
Spoilers Ahead!!!
- Ok so at the end Holland is on her death bed, telling her and Johannes story to her brother and how she ended up getting sick, causing all this turmoil. In the story she talks about "their love" but from everything else we read about him, he is creepy as hell and in unhidable ways. I just don't understand how this girl was so "in love" with him.
Thank you NetGalley for the free advance copy.
a_court_of_words_and_phrases's review
5.0
This is an incredible dark epic fantasy, and the comparison to Game of Throne is definitely an accurate one. I would, like Game of Thrones, label this as dark adult fantasy, not YA, as there are a whole bunch of content warnings that I would add (see end of review). That being said, as an adult fantasy this was fantastic.
The four ruling families of the reaches are compelled to send their oldest daughters to marry the king twenty years after the old king arranged marriages between those families to ensure peace. Children from all four families flee, seeking any other solution to their fears.
At the beginning, I will admit that there were a ton of POVs to follow, and I had a hard time keeping track of which kids and adults belonged to which families. This was further confused when I remembered that all of the parents are also sets of siblings spread between the Reaches. While initially this made the book challenging, it is also what gives it strength. There are several different storylines, and they are weaved together seamlessly.
All of the protagonists are likeable but somewhat flawed – nothing comes easy to this cast of characters, and the author is not afraid to hurt them and doesn’t pull punches. Book one definitely ends with lots of story left to tell, and some big reveals! I really enjoyed this one and can’t wait to see where book 2 goes. 4.5 stars!
Content Warnings: rape, assault, incest, torture, imprisonment.
Huge thanks to Sarah M Cradit and Book of Matches Media for a copy to review.
The four ruling families of the reaches are compelled to send their oldest daughters to marry the king twenty years after the old king arranged marriages between those families to ensure peace. Children from all four families flee, seeking any other solution to their fears.
At the beginning, I will admit that there were a ton of POVs to follow, and I had a hard time keeping track of which kids and adults belonged to which families. This was further confused when I remembered that all of the parents are also sets of siblings spread between the Reaches. While initially this made the book challenging, it is also what gives it strength. There are several different storylines, and they are weaved together seamlessly.
All of the protagonists are likeable but somewhat flawed – nothing comes easy to this cast of characters, and the author is not afraid to hurt them and doesn’t pull punches. Book one definitely ends with lots of story left to tell, and some big reveals! I really enjoyed this one and can’t wait to see where book 2 goes. 4.5 stars!
Content Warnings: rape, assault, incest, torture, imprisonment.
Huge thanks to Sarah M Cradit and Book of Matches Media for a copy to review.
fairytale_bookworm's review against another edition
4.0
3.5*
First of all, thank you to the author and Book of Matches Media for providing me with a copy of this book!
The Kingless Crown took a while to read through, as I’ve never really read any epic fantasy stories this heavily centered around politics. But I enjoyed it all the same!
Now this book was a heavy baby! Both with characters and themes, but also literally - the book was pretty big.
We follow a ton of characters of all ages as they navigate a kingdom rapidly falling into pieces under a young king’s rule. There’s the four girls running away, there’s their parents, there’s the supporting characters following the children’s journeys and characters scattered around in the kingdom. In my opinion, it sometimes got a little too much trying to keep up with them all, but at the same time, each character were their own and well developed.
I found myself loving to read about the mysterious characters that we did not really knew who they were until the end, along with the strong female characters that carried their reaches.
The story itself was interesting, but I unfortunately didn’t get stuck in it until I’d gotten to the halfway point. I believe this was because of all the information coming with every new character and me struggling to keep track in the beginning, but when reading the second half of the book I couldn’t put it down!
In summary, I enjoyed this book tho it could have been tad shorter. I’m would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a epic fantasy story - I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen to all the characters in the next books!
First of all, thank you to the author and Book of Matches Media for providing me with a copy of this book!
The Kingless Crown took a while to read through, as I’ve never really read any epic fantasy stories this heavily centered around politics. But I enjoyed it all the same!
Now this book was a heavy baby! Both with characters and themes, but also literally - the book was pretty big.
We follow a ton of characters of all ages as they navigate a kingdom rapidly falling into pieces under a young king’s rule. There’s the four girls running away, there’s their parents, there’s the supporting characters following the children’s journeys and characters scattered around in the kingdom. In my opinion, it sometimes got a little too much trying to keep up with them all, but at the same time, each character were their own and well developed.
I found myself loving to read about the mysterious characters that we did not really knew who they were until the end, along with the strong female characters that carried their reaches.
The story itself was interesting, but I unfortunately didn’t get stuck in it until I’d gotten to the halfway point. I believe this was because of all the information coming with every new character and me struggling to keep track in the beginning, but when reading the second half of the book I couldn’t put it down!
In summary, I enjoyed this book tho it could have been tad shorter. I’m would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a epic fantasy story - I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen to all the characters in the next books!