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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
I have a soft spot for epic fantasy novels and what Sarah M Cradit delivers with The Kingless Crown, is something so stunning that I could not put it down. From the first page I was engulfed into this world that the author created with such amazing attention to detail that I felt like I was there watching it all play out. There is a lot of information to take in as this is the first installment and we are introduced to the reaches and all the kids. It is intense, spellbinding and has heart stopping moments. I loved the characters, the build, absolutely everything that Cradit gives us in this story. It is unique and has you wanting more. So much happens that you do need to absorb it all and be completely enthralled by every word!
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.
This was an excellent high fantasy read. Would have been 5 stars if it had edited out some of the extemporaneous characters/plot lines. Even with the character lists at the end of the book, this book was VERY hard to follow at times (I still get confused between Khallum/Gwyn and Holden/Gretchen). Loved the dark undertones, twists and turns, feminist subversion, and the ways in which the children in particular took risks to make a better future for their respective kingdoms. Game of Throne vibes without being too graphic.
My only other complaint is that the villain in this book is the only one who has a physical impairment, and it's used to generate greater disgust for the readers. Giving the antagonists a disability reaffirms prejudice and is unfortunately too common in media. There needs to be better representation for those with disabilities.
My only other complaint is that the villain in this book is the only one who has a physical impairment, and it's used to generate greater disgust for the readers. Giving the antagonists a disability reaffirms prejudice and is unfortunately too common in media. There needs to be better representation for those with disabilities.
Whew. Yall this book was INTENSE. I loved the story and characters, and it was sooooo well written. I would easily bump this to a 4 star, but the multiple 3rd person POV made following the story tricky. Also, I had to refer to the family trees multiple times and that is so frustrating. Overall this series started off strong, even if it was a more slow read for me than normal!
If you are a fan of epic fantasy, stop right now and pick up this book. Sarah M. Cradit has created an immersive world the likes of which are few and far between in this era of quick read books that shy away from introducing too many characters and plot lines. Think 'Game of Thrones' but without needing to kill characters every 50 pages for the shock value (although there are shocks and thrills aplenty in this story as well).
This is the kind of book that you curl up with and loose yourself and time as you're immersed in the characters and storylines. Now, with all good epic fantasy it will take about 25% through the book before you start to understand the characters and while normally I'm a fan of ebooks, I think this might be better with a physical copy so you can reference the genealogy pages at the front until you can keep straight who is related to whom.
Without going into the plot - the blurb from the author does justice there - I cannot state enough how highly I recommend this book. When it ended I felt empty and will continue to until the story is continued in book 2.
This is my honest review after receiving an ARC copy from the author.
This is the kind of book that you curl up with and loose yourself and time as you're immersed in the characters and storylines. Now, with all good epic fantasy it will take about 25% through the book before you start to understand the characters and while normally I'm a fan of ebooks, I think this might be better with a physical copy so you can reference the genealogy pages at the front until you can keep straight who is related to whom.
Without going into the plot - the blurb from the author does justice there - I cannot state enough how highly I recommend this book. When it ended I felt empty and will continue to until the story is continued in book 2.
This is my honest review after receiving an ARC copy from the author.
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, War
So what do you do when you wish you could read The Wheel of Time or the Game of Thrones series all over again for the first time? Well, I know what I did. I read The Kingless Crown and boy, am I so happy I did. How excited and pleased I was when I realized I was reading, for the first time, the beginning of a fantasy series that is every bit as wonderful, enchanting and addictive as those bastions of fantasy. I already knew this author could write a mesmerizing tale, but this book went way above my hopes and expectations. What world-building, what characters, what a plot. This is the start of what is going to be a fascinating and completely immersive series and I'm so glad I'm along for the ride. 5 stars is not enough.
I have read and loved other Sarah Cradit books but I’m afraid there were too many characters for me to keep straight right off the bat and the cast continued to grow as we went. The narrator has such a lovely accent that I enjoyed listening to her but I’m afraid I didn’t know which POV we were in at any given time.
If you’re a fan of high fantasy, this could definitely be for you. The twists, the turns, the world building! Some of the violence was far too much for me, I’m afraid.
I received an audiobook copy from Netgalley and Orange Sky Audio in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.
If you’re a fan of high fantasy, this could definitely be for you. The twists, the turns, the world building! Some of the violence was far too much for me, I’m afraid.
I received an audiobook copy from Netgalley and Orange Sky Audio in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.