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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
This is an unusual medieval fantasy and not quite what I expected, but somehow it keeps you turning the page all the same. This is a character driven story, and it reads more like a diary, or a journal as we meet Gerald Matheson intent on revenge for the loss of his family and subsequently being severely wounded. He is sent for healing by the royal mage, and we gradually learn that the king is not a nice king and he refuses to allow Gerald to be healed.
Retired out of sight of his old life, his path crosses that of a young child hidden away in a remote royal estate, and they strike up a friendship. We follow their budding friendship year by year and as Anna grows up (very slowly!) we learn more about their world and the incompetent family ruling it. I couldn’t say there was a specific story being told, more how Gerald protects the child, and tries to teach her about the responsibility the nobility has for others, even though there is no sign of it in the noble ruling class of their world.
Gerald and Anna are lovely characters that you can really invest in, (which is why you keep reading) and Gerald is fortunate in that he does have at least one honourable friend in Baron Fitzwilliam, but otherwise the only honourable people are commoners like the villagers of Uxley, certainly not the noble knights. From a fantasy perspective, there is a mage that pops up, and mention of elves and dwarves and other fae races but they don’t really drive the plot. I think they play a much larger part in the later books.
This is the first book of currently an eight-book series, and this first installment is very much early days, setting the scene and creating the world in preparation for the war(s) and strife that will dominate the rest of the series. If you are looking for a tale of high fantasy and epic battles, then this book is not that, though it may well be the precursor to some books that are. I think you need to be in for the long haul to get that. Well written, keeps you reading, and although not a cliff-hanger as such, the only way to find out what happens to them next is to read the next book!
Retired out of sight of his old life, his path crosses that of a young child hidden away in a remote royal estate, and they strike up a friendship. We follow their budding friendship year by year and as Anna grows up (very slowly!) we learn more about their world and the incompetent family ruling it. I couldn’t say there was a specific story being told, more how Gerald protects the child, and tries to teach her about the responsibility the nobility has for others, even though there is no sign of it in the noble ruling class of their world.
Gerald and Anna are lovely characters that you can really invest in, (which is why you keep reading) and Gerald is fortunate in that he does have at least one honourable friend in Baron Fitzwilliam, but otherwise the only honourable people are commoners like the villagers of Uxley, certainly not the noble knights. From a fantasy perspective, there is a mage that pops up, and mention of elves and dwarves and other fae races but they don’t really drive the plot. I think they play a much larger part in the later books.
This is the first book of currently an eight-book series, and this first installment is very much early days, setting the scene and creating the world in preparation for the war(s) and strife that will dominate the rest of the series. If you are looking for a tale of high fantasy and epic battles, then this book is not that, though it may well be the precursor to some books that are. I think you need to be in for the long haul to get that. Well written, keeps you reading, and although not a cliff-hanger as such, the only way to find out what happens to them next is to read the next book!
I received this book for free in exchange for my review.
In the first part of the book, I thought it was different than I was expecting. There was a lot of backstory of Gerald's life before he met Anna. In the end, I really appreciated this and thought it was well done. This background gave us more information about the type of man Gerald was and the decisions he made because of his previous experiences. Once Anna was introduced, the story really moved much faster. The ending was predictable at that time of the book, but before then, I would not have guessed it.
I have already added the sequels to my TBR pile!
In the first part of the book, I thought it was different than I was expecting. There was a lot of backstory of Gerald's life before he met Anna. In the end, I really appreciated this and thought it was well done. This background gave us more information about the type of man Gerald was and the decisions he made because of his previous experiences. Once Anna was introduced, the story really moved much faster. The ending was predictable at that time of the book, but before then, I would not have guessed it.
I have already added the sequels to my TBR pile!
This book is set in a fantasy setting reminescent of medieval Europe. This book follows one man's life and through his life introduces you to several other interesting characters, who it seems will be the protaganists of the following books. The characters were a little flat at some points but overall the story was fascinating.
The main thing I'd recommend is paying special attention to the dates at the beginning of the chapters as it does jump around a little bit. Overall a quick, great read.
I received a complimentary copy through Voracious Readers Only in exchange for my honest opinion.
The main thing I'd recommend is paying special attention to the dates at the beginning of the chapters as it does jump around a little bit. Overall a quick, great read.
I received a complimentary copy through Voracious Readers Only in exchange for my honest opinion.
Great dark fantasy story. Well written and great characters. I'll definitely look into reading the others in the series.
I received a copy of this book from voracious readers in exchange for a review.
I didn't know what to expect going into this. Servant of the Crown starts off as what seems like a war novel about Gerald Matheson during his life as a youth in a village headed by a Duke. Gerald is noticed for his bravery at 13 when he kills an invading soldier, largely by accident. What follows are some brutal campaigns in which Gerald is injured and shipped off to an estate in the middle of nowhere to be forgotten.
At the estate he meets the queen's illegitimate daughter Anna and the two become friends, with Anna reminding Gerald of his late family whom he lost more than 20 years before.
The story meanders a little but I was thoroughly sucked in by their adventures. Anna is a brave and unique princess who is shaped by the kind people around her and her unusual circumstances lead her to be more relatable and human. Compared to other royals she is a bit wild and unruly and has a few struggles when being taught she is royal and cannot behave like she does. I loved her interactions with Gerald and her dog Tempus. Anna forms a great bond also with the villagers who do not treat her differently.
Gerald himself is very fatherly buy is developed enough to be his own character too. He has a lot of experience as a soldier and is an honourable and trustworthy man. At the same time he can get up to mischief with Anna. I think it was really great to show how innovative Anna is when it comes to Gerald's situation when he first comes to the estate - with a lifelong injury. And Anna uses her stature for good.
Some criticisms I have are perhaps that the troubles in the book are too conveniently solved and as well as mentioning that there are other races of humanoids in the book, you never see them in the story except Anna and Gerald meet all of them. The majority of the book is taking place in 2 or 3 locations, which gets a bit boring by the end of it. The hint of heading off to a new realm really excited me. Then suddenly it became the epilogue, which was really more like the opening to the 2nd book. There wasn't any kind of resolution to be had in an epilogue and you could just title it the final chapter or something.
There were some sentences that didn't really make sense that I hope are not in the market copy.
1. A Visitor's Coming: 'your secrets safe with me'- secret's
2. The Slums: 'but at least one of them one was down' - just reads so awkwardly.
Overall I would think of this as sort of a historical (low) fantasy slice of life story. There was some diversity, great ideas and the story does lead somewhere in the end. It took me a very long time to read but it was worth it and I may eventually continue on with the series.
I didn't know what to expect going into this. Servant of the Crown starts off as what seems like a war novel about Gerald Matheson during his life as a youth in a village headed by a Duke. Gerald is noticed for his bravery at 13 when he kills an invading soldier, largely by accident. What follows are some brutal campaigns in which Gerald is injured and shipped off to an estate in the middle of nowhere to be forgotten.
At the estate he meets the queen's illegitimate daughter Anna and the two become friends, with Anna reminding Gerald of his late family whom he lost more than 20 years before.
The story meanders a little but I was thoroughly sucked in by their adventures. Anna is a brave and unique princess who is shaped by the kind people around her and her unusual circumstances lead her to be more relatable and human. Compared to other royals she is a bit wild and unruly and has a few struggles when being taught she is royal and cannot behave like she does. I loved her interactions with Gerald and her dog Tempus. Anna forms a great bond also with the villagers who do not treat her differently.
Gerald himself is very fatherly buy is developed enough to be his own character too. He has a lot of experience as a soldier and is an honourable and trustworthy man. At the same time he can get up to mischief with Anna. I think it was really great to show how innovative Anna is when it comes to Gerald's situation when he first comes to the estate - with a lifelong injury. And Anna uses her stature for good.
Some criticisms I have are perhaps that the troubles in the book are too conveniently solved and as well as mentioning that there are other races of humanoids in the book, you never see them in the story except Anna and Gerald meet all of them. The majority of the book is taking place in 2 or 3 locations, which gets a bit boring by the end of it. The hint of heading off to a new realm really excited me. Then suddenly it became the epilogue, which was really more like the opening to the 2nd book. There wasn't any kind of resolution to be had in an epilogue and you could just title it the final chapter or something.
There were some sentences that didn't really make sense that I hope are not in the market copy.
1. A Visitor's Coming: 'your secrets safe with me'- secret's
2. The Slums: 'but at least one of them one was down' - just reads so awkwardly.
Overall I would think of this as sort of a historical (low) fantasy slice of life story. There was some diversity, great ideas and the story does lead somewhere in the end. It took me a very long time to read but it was worth it and I may eventually continue on with the series.