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andypeloquinauthor's review
5.0
TL;DR Review: A fascinating world with an interesting and well-defined magical system. GREAT characters. Solid pacing and non-stop action, with a delightfully grimdark flavor. 5 stars all the way!
Full Review:
I'll be honest: I went into reading this book without checking out the blurb. I stumbled across it on social media, checked out the opening scenes, and it intrigued me enough to add to my queue.
And boy, did it deliver!
A King's Radiance starts off feeling like it's going to be a pretty classic coming-of-age magical fantasy: a young boy (Raiz) with a strange magical ability (to absorb/channel light) struggling to make sense of his power.
Yeah, that was like two chapters, and then it took a HARD, DARK left turn.
Quickly, we're thrown into a world where a grown-up Raiz has mastered his Shine (magic) and is using it to stir up rebellion against the King-Radiant and his fractious, self-serving Eagles, magical "aristocrats" who use their status as the King Radiant's messengers to gain power and wealth and take whatever they want, no matter the cost.
That cost, in part, is Raiz's sister, Isha. He's hell-bent on trying to find her--an impossibility, given how well-fortified the capital city where she's held prisoner is--and is willing to go to any lengths, to kill anyone, to make it happen.
Isha is trapped in a gilded cage, living in luxury but put on display for her Eagle master. She can do nothing against the horrors and cruelty of her world--until the day she has enough, and decides to break her chains even if it kills her.
The oldest brother, Dazen, is stuck ruling his kingdom and trying to live with the burden of responsibility, knowing he'd lost his youngest brother and sister both. He is the classic "Prince with a good heart", but even he will be put to the test as the weight on his shoulders grows ever heavier.
I loved all three characters equally. Isha's strength, Raiz's iron determination, and Dazen's steadfastness made them protagonists I could instantly root for. With every page, they became more real and compelling, their trials and tests hardening them into the champions the realm needs.
The story had a great flow to it, with plenty of action interspersed with worldbuilding, intrigue, tension, and mystery. The secondary characters were enjoyable, too--Dazen's fiance and her "weak" younger brother, Isha's fellow slaves, and the three rebels who fight at Raiz's side--and rounded out the world very nicely.
The world had a lovely "lived in" feel to it, with so much more to explore in future installments. The kingdoms were explained enough to understand their enmities and alliances, but not at the cost of info-dumps.
It's hard to believe this is a debut novel, because it was just THAT good. Best of all, Book 2 is coming out in just a few short weeks, so I'll be able to dive right back in!
Full Review:
I'll be honest: I went into reading this book without checking out the blurb. I stumbled across it on social media, checked out the opening scenes, and it intrigued me enough to add to my queue.
And boy, did it deliver!
A King's Radiance starts off feeling like it's going to be a pretty classic coming-of-age magical fantasy: a young boy (Raiz) with a strange magical ability (to absorb/channel light) struggling to make sense of his power.
Yeah, that was like two chapters, and then it took a HARD, DARK left turn.
Quickly, we're thrown into a world where a grown-up Raiz has mastered his Shine (magic) and is using it to stir up rebellion against the King-Radiant and his fractious, self-serving Eagles, magical "aristocrats" who use their status as the King Radiant's messengers to gain power and wealth and take whatever they want, no matter the cost.
That cost, in part, is Raiz's sister, Isha. He's hell-bent on trying to find her--an impossibility, given how well-fortified the capital city where she's held prisoner is--and is willing to go to any lengths, to kill anyone, to make it happen.
Isha is trapped in a gilded cage, living in luxury but put on display for her Eagle master. She can do nothing against the horrors and cruelty of her world--until the day she has enough, and decides to break her chains even if it kills her.
The oldest brother, Dazen, is stuck ruling his kingdom and trying to live with the burden of responsibility, knowing he'd lost his youngest brother and sister both. He is the classic "Prince with a good heart", but even he will be put to the test as the weight on his shoulders grows ever heavier.
I loved all three characters equally. Isha's strength, Raiz's iron determination, and Dazen's steadfastness made them protagonists I could instantly root for. With every page, they became more real and compelling, their trials and tests hardening them into the champions the realm needs.
The story had a great flow to it, with plenty of action interspersed with worldbuilding, intrigue, tension, and mystery. The secondary characters were enjoyable, too--Dazen's fiance and her "weak" younger brother, Isha's fellow slaves, and the three rebels who fight at Raiz's side--and rounded out the world very nicely.
The world had a lovely "lived in" feel to it, with so much more to explore in future installments. The kingdoms were explained enough to understand their enmities and alliances, but not at the cost of info-dumps.
It's hard to believe this is a debut novel, because it was just THAT good. Best of all, Book 2 is coming out in just a few short weeks, so I'll be able to dive right back in!
cassidychivers's review against another edition
4.0
In simplest terms A story of a brother trying to rescue his sister and maybe take down the ruling system while he does it. But also SOOO much more.
I'm absolutely blown away by the magic system in this one. I love thé idea of the sun giving them powers. And the visual representations of them burning up.
The class structure in this book is always very interesting. And political scheming at every corner.
Would recommend
I'm absolutely blown away by the magic system in this one. I love thé idea of the sun giving them powers. And the visual representations of them burning up.
The class structure in this book is always very interesting. And political scheming at every corner.
Would recommend
jacob_elliott_books's review
adventurous
dark
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? No
3.75
nicolleelizabeth's review
5.0
I came across this after the author posted on twitter about a bad review and then immediately bought it, of course. Can't say I'm in agreement with that particular reviewer.
I really enjoyed this book and I'm really looking forward to book 2. Fantastic work
I really enjoyed this book and I'm really looking forward to book 2. Fantastic work
sydalee's review
4.0
What a fantastic debut novel! Great world building, magic system, and (as a character-driven reader) interesting points of view. I never had the feeling of wanting to skip a point of view chapter. Isha, Raiz, and Dazen all had very entertaining inner dialogue, and I genuinely cared about what happened to each of the siblings. I am definitely looking forward to reading the next book in the series!
scareads's review
4.0
A great start to an epic series.
This book follows 3 siblings as the main pov characters from their youth at the beginning to their adulthood. Following a certain event, each has grown up under different circumstances. This gave each character their own nicely defined goals, perspectives, and hardships that are not often seen with sibling povs. It was a pleasure experiencing their journeys as Raiz, Isha, and Dazen fought to break their molds.
Even with the clear cut characters that make the pages turn almost on their own, I think my favorite aspect of this book was the magic system. The use of sunlight as a weapon once absorbed into the body and the consequences that occured were extremely intriguing, especially with the underlining notion that this magic use is perhaps causing harm to the sun. I'm also intrigued with discovering in the following books why different people have different shines (like Raiz's) and what they mean. I can't wait to find out more about prickets, the skae, and if the skae have any relation to the Sun Prince (book 2's title) who is mentioned early on in this book.
Now, I will say that while the first 60% of the book simply flew by for me, a certain choice made by Raiz regarding returning to his family's homestead completely pulled me out of the story and lessened my reading experience, which is why this is a 4 star for me. It was a decision that didn't fit with the character's life experiences as an outlaw and vigilante, his intelligence, nor how he felt about the place and his father. The following chapters because of it were extremely predictable, and this choice drove the events of the book for another 15% of the book. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed the ending and how everything came together.
Bring on book 2!
This book follows 3 siblings as the main pov characters from their youth at the beginning to their adulthood. Following a certain event, each has grown up under different circumstances. This gave each character their own nicely defined goals, perspectives, and hardships that are not often seen with sibling povs. It was a pleasure experiencing their journeys as Raiz, Isha, and Dazen fought to break their molds.
Even with the clear cut characters that make the pages turn almost on their own, I think my favorite aspect of this book was the magic system. The use of sunlight as a weapon once absorbed into the body and the consequences that occured were extremely intriguing, especially with the underlining notion that this magic use is perhaps causing harm to the sun. I'm also intrigued with discovering in the following books why different people have different shines (like Raiz's) and what they mean. I can't wait to find out more about prickets, the skae, and if the skae have any relation to the Sun Prince (book 2's title) who is mentioned early on in this book.
Now, I will say that while the first 60% of the book simply flew by for me, a certain choice made by Raiz regarding returning to his family's homestead completely pulled me out of the story and lessened my reading experience, which is why this is a 4 star for me. It was a decision that didn't fit with the character's life experiences as an outlaw and vigilante, his intelligence, nor how he felt about the place and his father. The following chapters because of it were extremely predictable, and this choice drove the events of the book for another 15% of the book. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed the ending and how everything came together.
Bring on book 2!
thewulverslibrary's review against another edition
4.0
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
A King’s Radiance is the debut novel from L.R. Schulz and it’s safe to say that this does not falter in scope and ambition. This was a consuming book that was incredible and was really reminiscent of those great fantasy series of old. We follow the Glaive family - three siblings who are on different paths with different ideals. Each character has their own motivations - to be free, to find each other or to be wary of wearing the crown but Schulz ties this all in effortlessly.
Right from the very start we are thrust into a gritty and dire world where the stakes are high, the political unravelled and the magic teased. The magic itself is simply effective but Schulz has a way of showing us the consequences of one's actions and it’s very rare that we find these in fantasy novels. These particularly dark moments matter to the story are integral to the impact that Schulz degrades us to. Instead of having a bunch of unnecessary descriptive prose, Schulz shows us the subtle and consuming immersion of the world through these characters and plot points that amass an incredible foreshadowing and miraculously memorable lore.
The plot itself was so intricate and emotional. These characters have their own backstories that lead up to an absolutely golden ending. The plot points are mapped out so detailed that there were some true twists and secrets that I didn’t see coming and this can be hard to capture in a multi-POV story.
For a self-published book, it is evident that Schulz has paid grateful care and attention to this debut and presents a complex and original story filled with a rich and interesting backdrop. I was super impressed reading this and highly recommend this for fantasy fanatics. The groundwork for a brilliant fantasy series has been laid.
A King’s Radiance is the debut novel from L.R. Schulz and it’s safe to say that this does not falter in scope and ambition. This was a consuming book that was incredible and was really reminiscent of those great fantasy series of old. We follow the Glaive family - three siblings who are on different paths with different ideals. Each character has their own motivations - to be free, to find each other or to be wary of wearing the crown but Schulz ties this all in effortlessly.
Right from the very start we are thrust into a gritty and dire world where the stakes are high, the political unravelled and the magic teased. The magic itself is simply effective but Schulz has a way of showing us the consequences of one's actions and it’s very rare that we find these in fantasy novels. These particularly dark moments matter to the story are integral to the impact that Schulz degrades us to. Instead of having a bunch of unnecessary descriptive prose, Schulz shows us the subtle and consuming immersion of the world through these characters and plot points that amass an incredible foreshadowing and miraculously memorable lore.
The plot itself was so intricate and emotional. These characters have their own backstories that lead up to an absolutely golden ending. The plot points are mapped out so detailed that there were some true twists and secrets that I didn’t see coming and this can be hard to capture in a multi-POV story.
For a self-published book, it is evident that Schulz has paid grateful care and attention to this debut and presents a complex and original story filled with a rich and interesting backdrop. I was super impressed reading this and highly recommend this for fantasy fanatics. The groundwork for a brilliant fantasy series has been laid.
kevinscorner's review against another edition
5.0
A King’s Radiance was fantastic! Set in the land where some people can wield magic by absorbing the power of the sun, this epic fantasy follows the three Glaive siblings, children of one of six kings of Zapour who serve under the Radiant-King.
Dazen is the crown prince who must learn to balance duty to family and duty to his future kingdom. Isha is the princess taken as a slave by one of the Radiant-King’s followers and put on display for her strange violet eyes of a Mystic. Raiz is the young prince turned rebel, set on dismantling the monarchy system built by the Radiant-King that allowed for his sister to be taken. These three siblings, separated by choice and circumstance, must forge their own path, but fate will bring them together again in their fight towards justice, vengeance, and peace.
A King’s Radiance is Luke Schulz’s first novel and what an accomplishment this is. Although you can tell that he’s still finding his groove as an author, the groundwork shines through in his worldbuilding and storytelling. The story is a bit trope-y, but tropes are tropes for a reason because they can work so well done right. I also loved the sibling dynamic he chose for his main characters, contrasting their different personalities and choices while showcasing their love for and struggles with each other. The magic and action were fun and culminated in a hugely climactic finale.
A King’s Radiance is a fantastic debut filled with magic and power, politics and strife, and ultimately the love and bond between siblings. It tells a complete epic fantasy story that can work both as a standalone and as a series starter.
*I was provided an ebook of this book as part of a book tour for it.
Dazen is the crown prince who must learn to balance duty to family and duty to his future kingdom. Isha is the princess taken as a slave by one of the Radiant-King’s followers and put on display for her strange violet eyes of a Mystic. Raiz is the young prince turned rebel, set on dismantling the monarchy system built by the Radiant-King that allowed for his sister to be taken. These three siblings, separated by choice and circumstance, must forge their own path, but fate will bring them together again in their fight towards justice, vengeance, and peace.
A King’s Radiance is Luke Schulz’s first novel and what an accomplishment this is. Although you can tell that he’s still finding his groove as an author, the groundwork shines through in his worldbuilding and storytelling. The story is a bit trope-y, but tropes are tropes for a reason because they can work so well done right. I also loved the sibling dynamic he chose for his main characters, contrasting their different personalities and choices while showcasing their love for and struggles with each other. The magic and action were fun and culminated in a hugely climactic finale.
A King’s Radiance is a fantastic debut filled with magic and power, politics and strife, and ultimately the love and bond between siblings. It tells a complete epic fantasy story that can work both as a standalone and as a series starter.
*I was provided an ebook of this book as part of a book tour for it.
books_with_ave's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? No
4.5
reads_must's review against another edition
4.0
The King's Radiance
Bonds of Kin #1
Fantasy
L.R. Schulz
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was definitely an interesting read. The magic system itself was unique and I'd like to learn even more about it.
Although the writing style was good, I found the pacing a little off in places, especially towards the middle where it slowed down compared to the rest of the book.
The characters are well developed and I liked the animal companion too. Even the side characters seem important and had their own roles to play.
I did find things slightly too predictable though and I wasn't keen on the time jump at the start of the book.
That being said, I would check out the next book.
*Thank you to @luke_schulz_author and @lovebookstours for including me in this tour and gifting me this book. This review is my honest opinion and written voluntarily.*
Bonds of Kin #1
Fantasy
L.R. Schulz
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was definitely an interesting read. The magic system itself was unique and I'd like to learn even more about it.
Although the writing style was good, I found the pacing a little off in places, especially towards the middle where it slowed down compared to the rest of the book.
The characters are well developed and I liked the animal companion too. Even the side characters seem important and had their own roles to play.
I did find things slightly too predictable though and I wasn't keen on the time jump at the start of the book.
That being said, I would check out the next book.
*Thank you to @luke_schulz_author and @lovebookstours for including me in this tour and gifting me this book. This review is my honest opinion and written voluntarily.*