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olliebell's review against another edition
5.0
This has got to be one of the best debuts I've ever read.
jackiescozyspace's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
katze84's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely phenomenal! I loved everything about this book. At the same time, it was slightly anxiety inducing. It's easy to see some of the parallels to our own current political climate, and it's a stark reminder of the fragility of democracy. I would highly recommend this to any fantasy reader or any reader for that matter.
ohtarelenion's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mels_reading_rook's review
There was a murder mystery in The Justice of Kings that I found myself very interested in. However, the intrigue was undercut by a number of issues I had with the book.
The first issue I'll discuss is more of a personal preference, and it has to do with the story's narration style. It's a first person POV, and the narrating character is telling the story of the true main character, Justice Konrad Vonvalt. I enjoyed that different take in storytelling. However, that first person narration is told from a future perspective, so there were frequent interjections of "If I had only known then what I know now..." or "Now, dear Reader..." and it would take me out of the story.
I also had a few issues with the narrator herself. One example was her tendency to ramble on in paragraph(s) long info dumps that I found to be very dry. As the story went on, I found myself tuning out the info dumps and skimming for essential information. Also, I found her to be more annoying and insufferable as a character as the story went on. For someone who was once a hardened street urchin and now is a well-educated apprentice to an important figure in the government, Helena comes across as very selfish and childish, and she makes decisions that counter her intelligence. By the time I DNF'd the book, I found her to be completely insufferable.
The most frustrating thing for me when I DNF'd the story was that, with 100 pages left in the book, the main mystery was wrapped up off-screen with Helena in a state of catatonic grief.
This review can also be found on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5208301465
The first issue I'll discuss is more of a personal preference, and it has to do with the story's narration style. It's a first person POV, and the narrating character is telling the story of the true main character, Justice Konrad Vonvalt. I enjoyed that different take in storytelling. However, that first person narration is told from a future perspective, so there were frequent interjections of "If I had only known then what I know now..." or "Now, dear Reader..." and it would take me out of the story.
I also had a few issues with the narrator herself. One example was her tendency to ramble on in paragraph(s) long info dumps that I found to be very dry. As the story went on, I found myself tuning out the info dumps and skimming for essential information. Also, I found her to be more annoying and insufferable as a character as the story went on. For someone who was once a hardened street urchin and now is a well-educated apprentice to an important figure in the government, Helena comes across as very selfish and childish, and she makes decisions that counter her intelligence. By the time I DNF'd the book, I found her to be completely insufferable.
The most frustrating thing for me when I DNF'd the story was that, with 100 pages left in the book, the main mystery was wrapped up off-screen with Helena in a state of catatonic grief.
This review can also be found on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5208301465
winterg's review
4.0
4/5
Pretty boring start but really got good in the middle and the end !
Quite grim for my taste but goddamn the politics really drew me in and the power system being so mysterious also drew me in, I loved this books worldbuilding but felt like it was a crime for us to be trapped in vale but after reading the ending of book 1, book 2 will be glorious!!
lastly for the characters I loved them, vonvalt and Helena were the main points of the book but i kinda hoped for more moments with bressinger.
Pretty boring start but really got good in the middle and the end !
Quite grim for my taste but goddamn the politics really drew me in and the power system being so mysterious also drew me in, I loved this books worldbuilding but felt like it was a crime for us to be trapped in vale but after reading the ending of book 1, book 2 will be glorious!!
lastly for the characters I loved them, vonvalt and Helena were the main points of the book but i kinda hoped for more moments with bressinger.
myrs's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
talknerdybookblog's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Representation: Side character uses a wheelchair
My biggest issue with this book was Helena's (the protagonist's) characterization. Her backstory informs the reader that she grew up during unrest as her country resisted colonialism, was subsequently orphaned and survived on the streets by herself. And yet, in the present - only two years since living on the streets hand-to-mouth - she complains about the quality of her life with Sir Konrad (who directly reports to the <i>Emperor</i>) as they're always on the move, staying as guests to the most high-ranking officials in the towns/cities they visit, <i>and</i> has temper tantrums about being mentored to become a Justice herself. It made no sense.
Furthermore, the book is set during a time when it was not uncommon for a woman Helena's age (19) to have been married for 3 years. Yet, Helena behaves like a teenager from the 21st century, frequently pouting, scowling, and being contrary just for the sake of it. Her characterization in the present would've made way more sense if she came from privilege and had never known hard work before.
I was also disappointed with the author's choices regarding Helena's romance. Not only is it the most ridiculous case of insta-love (I find insta-love can be forgivable if there's actual chemistry), but Helena quickly comes to the decision that she'll give up the opportunity to become a Justice (perhaps the most powerful job) herself to become the wife of this random boy she's just met. FML.
While the function of the Justice was fleshed out very well - the author's grasp on law definitely shined through - the book also suffered from a distinct lack of chemistry between the main group of characters. I honestly didn't care for a single character, and while we were told everyone cared about each other, their actions said otherwise.
Despite finishing the book, I think this would've (and should've) been a DNF. However, I had a reading challenge to complete this month, so I stuck it out.
Mature Themes:
• Sex (not explicit)
• Swearing
• Alcohol consumption
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Colonialism
• Hints at an eventual sexual relationship between Helena and Sir Konrad Vonvalt despite the book characterizing their relationship at the beginning as a pseudo-adoptive father/daughter (she's 19, and he's ~38 in this book)
• Sexism
• Ableist language (unchallenged)
- Brain death of a supporting character subsequently described in ableist terms
• Religious fundamentalism
• Immolation
• Necromancy
• Knife/Sword violence
• Attempted murder
• Murder
• Death by hanging (described)
• Abduction and captivity
• Amputation (described)
• Religious persecution
Ending:HFN in that the conspiracy was revealed, the murder mystery solved, and the group is on their way to Sova, the Imperial capital. However, there's a mild cliffhanger since the big bad villain (the priest) gets away.
My biggest issue with this book was Helena's (the protagonist's) characterization. Her backstory informs the reader that she grew up during unrest as her country resisted colonialism, was subsequently orphaned and survived on the streets by herself. And yet, in the present - only two years since living on the streets hand-to-mouth - she complains about the quality of her life with Sir Konrad (who directly reports to the <i>Emperor</i>) as they're always on the move, staying as guests to the most high-ranking officials in the towns/cities they visit, <i>and</i> has temper tantrums about being mentored to become a Justice herself. It made no sense.
Furthermore, the book is set during a time when it was not uncommon for a woman Helena's age (19) to have been married for 3 years. Yet, Helena behaves like a teenager from the 21st century, frequently pouting, scowling, and being contrary just for the sake of it. Her characterization in the present would've made way more sense if she came from privilege and had never known hard work before.
I was also disappointed with the author's choices regarding Helena's romance. Not only is it the most ridiculous case of insta-love (I find insta-love can be forgivable if there's actual chemistry), but Helena quickly comes to the decision that she'll give up the opportunity to become a Justice (perhaps the most powerful job) herself to become the wife of this random boy she's just met. FML.
While the function of the Justice was fleshed out very well - the author's grasp on law definitely shined through - the book also suffered from a distinct lack of chemistry between the main group of characters. I honestly didn't care for a single character, and while we were told everyone cared about each other, their actions said otherwise.
Despite finishing the book, I think this would've (and should've) been a DNF. However, I had a reading challenge to complete this month, so I stuck it out.
Mature Themes:
• Sex (not explicit)
• Swearing
• Alcohol consumption
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Colonialism
• Hints at an eventual sexual relationship between Helena and Sir Konrad Vonvalt despite the book characterizing their relationship at the beginning as a pseudo-adoptive father/daughter (she's 19, and he's ~38 in this book)
• Sexism
• Ableist language (unchallenged)
- Brain death of a supporting character subsequently described in ableist terms
• Religious fundamentalism
• Immolation
• Necromancy
• Knife/Sword violence
• Attempted murder
• Murder
• Death by hanging (described)
• Abduction and captivity
• Amputation (described)
• Religious persecution
Ending:
cleothegreat's review
4.0
“Justice is not vengeance, and vengeance is not justice. But the two often overlap. The state is as capable of vengeance as any individual, for what is the state if not the people that comprise it?”
3.5/4 stars! story took awhile to get going but ultimately I could not put it down and look forward to book 2 !!
3.5/4 stars! story took awhile to get going but ultimately I could not put it down and look forward to book 2 !!