Reviews

I liked it more than I thought I will. I can't believe it was the 5th book in the series, now there is only 1 book left to read to finish this awesome series.
Now about the book itself. It was the most political one so far in the series, might drag the enjoyment for some people, didn't affect me much. A lot of different characters with their own motives and goals. Had little difficulty to keep up them. Kellen and Reichis had to go through a lot, I wanted to go into the book and hug them. Plot twists kept my interest at high levels, wanted to know more and more. I still have one question about something, hoping to get answers in the next book about it.
Before I end this review, let's take a moment to acknowledge how unlucky Kellen is. Can relate.
Quick summary about the book - political with bunch of characters (not that much, but felt more than before), with intrigues, plotting and schemes in royal court.
5 books down, 1 more to go. I don't want to say goodbye to this series of books, its characters and world ;-;

sooz_767's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.0

Whilst I like this series, this was the weakest instalment so far.

It felt a little out of place in the greater story arc, as if it was it's own mini-story with little connection to the previous books. It also felt repetitive after reading 4 books with very similar plot points and actions.

Although I didn't enjoy this as much as the others, I will finish the series to see how this ends, and as always Joe Jamison was amazing on audio.

drorraifnesher's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

nicolleelizabeth's review against another edition

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5.0

With Kellen's eighteenth birthday comes darkness. This one got dark FAST compared to the light heartedness of the previous books. Gone are the days where they just injure people (Reichis murderous intent aside).

Also, sex was brought in both for pleasure and not so much pleasure. It was dark.

Loved it though.

tandemjon's review against another edition

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5.0

One of my favourite series

ellasbookishwonderland's review against another edition

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5.0

As usual with this series, I love how rowdy and fun this is, while still managing to be philosophical and deep. It's like yeehaw in one chapter, discussion around what it means to be human in the next. It's a good time. I also really like Kellen as a protagonist, he's realistic, flawed, and honestly just doing his best. A very relatable character. He has definitely grown up and matured during the course of this series, though, and so has the series itself. I'm enjoying these later books more than the first, they're more complex and feel more adult.

Speaking of adult, things I didn't expect was that there suddenly is a lot of sexual innuendos and language? It's been a while since I read the other books, and I might be wrong, but I don't remember it being so much swearing (not that it's a lot, it's just more than I expected). And the gore? Have these books always been so gory? Maybe they have. I don't know. It didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book, I was just surprised.

Spoiler

Also, a sex scene? Kellen really is growing up, isn't he.

There were also some darker aspects of [b:Queenslayer|42525122|Queenslayer (Spellslinger #5)|Sebastien de Castell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1540807411l/42525122._SY75_.jpg|59229588] compared to earlier books, for example the general themes of rape, the gore, and also the villains. I found the villains absolutely disgusting, their use of logic and lack of emotion was terrifying and I hated it. Additionally,

Spoiler

the business with the white binder was horrifying, and not at all something I expected from this series.

I do think that the darker themes add to the story, however, it makes sense with how the series has evolved from the beginning.

All in all, a really enjoyable read, a good combination of deep dark themes and funny banter. Would definitely recommend, and I'm super excited about the last book in the series!

blodeuedd's review against another edition

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3.0

I can't recall if it was book 4 alone, or book 3 and 4 that felt like a bump in the road. A big enough bump that I didn't even mean to read more. But for some reason I did and I am glad I did. Book 5 was good again, good that it felt like being back with the beginning of the series. It was Kellen at his best.

Kellen and the best sidekick ever, Reichis, the foulmouthed best, are in trouble again. And then he gets embroiled in plot upon plots. He is the joker in the deck and he might help an empire, or bring it down.

Kellen is great and it does show that he has become older. Reichis on the other hand is still a monster.

The Daroman Empire, oh the plots upon plots. Everyone wants to kill someone, but who wants to kill X and why? And then there are neighboring states that are plotting too.

A fun ride! I wish I had the last book now

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