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jamedi's review against another edition
challenging
dark
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Firstly, I want to disclose that I was given a copy by Escapist Book Tours in exchange for an honest review and to host a stop during the book tour.
I think this is not a book for everybody, and that will bring mixed reviews to it. Although I love grimdark and I think the genre is marvelous, I can understand that not anybody is going to enjoy it. And A King's Radiance doubles down into the genre premise.
While the first quarter of the book might be slow, cause it is used with a double purpose, presenting the characters and acting as our first contact with the world. Let me say something, I love the creation of Luke Schulz: the world feels like something unique, the magic system of Light is hard but not too hard and especially I want to bring the spotlight on the characters.
The book is narrated from three different POVs, the three brothers: Daze didn't particularly click on me in the first half of the book, but Raiz and Isha are marvelously written. Raiz is probably the epitome of an outlaw that has a clear objective in mind and is a really powerful Light user. Issa, on the other hand, is a slave in the house of one of the Eagles. Because I think I kinda forgot that Eagles are powerful rulers of this world and that have absolute control over the kingdoms that are subjugated to their will.
An interesting equilibrium of power between the Six Kingdoms and the Eagles is shown, at least in the meanwhile Eagles have access to a weapon that allows them to control them.
I have to remark that Luke's prose is really powerful and it let some absolute banger of sentences, which also helps to empathize sometimes with the characters. The plot is really interesting, and honestly, I hope this is the first book of a series.
My only problem with the book and I think it's the reason it only gets 4 stars is that I find some problems of pace in two main points of the plot: the start is excessively slow, while you are being dumped a real ton of info, which can make you feel a little bit disoriented; and for me, the ending is too abrupt, too fast in comparison with how many pages there are in a slower pace. Said that, the story hooked me fastly.
In summary, I find this a really great book that I enjoyed, but that can be hard at some points. If you are a grimdark enjoyer, and an Abercrombie fan, you should totally read A King's Radiance.
I think this is not a book for everybody, and that will bring mixed reviews to it. Although I love grimdark and I think the genre is marvelous, I can understand that not anybody is going to enjoy it. And A King's Radiance doubles down into the genre premise.
While the first quarter of the book might be slow, cause it is used with a double purpose, presenting the characters and acting as our first contact with the world. Let me say something, I love the creation of Luke Schulz: the world feels like something unique, the magic system of Light is hard but not too hard and especially I want to bring the spotlight on the characters.
The book is narrated from three different POVs, the three brothers: Daze didn't particularly click on me in the first half of the book, but Raiz and Isha are marvelously written. Raiz is probably the epitome of an outlaw that has a clear objective in mind and is a really powerful Light user. Issa, on the other hand, is a slave in the house of one of the Eagles. Because I think I kinda forgot that Eagles are powerful rulers of this world and that have absolute control over the kingdoms that are subjugated to their will.
An interesting equilibrium of power between the Six Kingdoms and the Eagles is shown, at least in the meanwhile Eagles have access to a weapon that allows them to control them.
I have to remark that Luke's prose is really powerful and it let some absolute banger of sentences, which also helps to empathize sometimes with the characters. The plot is really interesting, and honestly, I hope this is the first book of a series.
My only problem with the book and I think it's the reason it only gets 4 stars is that I find some problems of pace in two main points of the plot: the start is excessively slow, while you are being dumped a real ton of info, which can make you feel a little bit disoriented; and for me, the ending is too abrupt, too fast in comparison with how many pages there are in a slower pace. Said that, the story hooked me fastly.
In summary, I find this a really great book that I enjoyed, but that can be hard at some points. If you are a grimdark enjoyer, and an Abercrombie fan, you should totally read A King's Radiance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery
lolaslalaland's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.75
I discovered this book because I was following the author on Instagram before he had finished his book. He sent out a bunch of eARCs to followers wanting to read it and I am so glad I got one! This book is epic fantasy following three siblings, Raiz, Dazen and Isha. Isha was taken as a child by the sort of god-like rulers of this world and has been a prized possession to her captor due to her violet eyes ever since. Raiz had a front row seat to her kidnapping and since then broke away from his royal family to become a rebel and fight against the Eagles and King-Radiant. And Dazen, the eldest brother, remained as sole heir to their father's throne and doing his princely duties.
The magic in this book was simple and yet so well done: light. Once belonging solely to the "gods" but over time has become a common ability among laypeople. I think I particularly liked the theme of this false gods versus common people and the political corruption. The King-Radiant was particularly well written as the evil, genocidal tyrant. And there were a bunch of other little subplots that weren't hugely surprising but contributed to the story.
My one and only complain about this book is the amount of action. Don't get me wrong, I love me some action, but I felt like there weren't many moments to "take a breath" so to speak. I still highly recommend this book to any epic fantasy fans, and I excited for book 2!
The magic in this book was simple and yet so well done: light. Once belonging solely to the "gods" but over time has become a common ability among laypeople. I think I particularly liked the theme of this false gods versus common people and the political corruption. The King-Radiant was particularly well written as the evil, genocidal tyrant. And there were a bunch of other little subplots that weren't hugely surprising but contributed to the story.
My one and only complain about this book is the amount of action. Don't get me wrong, I love me some action, but I felt like there weren't many moments to "take a breath" so to speak. I still highly recommend this book to any epic fantasy fans, and I excited for book 2!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Slavery
Moderate: Child death and Body horror
Minor: Genocide and Kidnapping
connorjdaley's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I received an e-ARC from the author, very luckily for me, and I was stoked to get into this one. Out officially May, 22nd, be sure to be on the lookout for the e-book and paperback!
This is an epic fantasy novel, and it is just that, EPIC (EPIC EPIC). It has everything you’re used to loving in a fantasy novel, and even better, it’s also done well. The writing is slick and intelligent, I wasn’t bored with a single page.
The characters truly come alive on the page. It was honestly a treat to have them each blossom into their own individual being over the 500+ page book. The story features three main perspectives, from three siblings, (and some added spice via interlude appearances) and even the characters that aren’t in the main spotlight are incredibly well fleshed out.
Raiz: arguably the true “main character” in this story. A true ‘chip on the shoulder’ character, with absolutely tons of teenage angst. His is a tale of empowerment and revenge, of courage and action. His decision making may have you pulling your hair out, but I did not question a single thing as being outside of his character. He also has a companion creature that you will just have to read to see and understand. So cool!
Dazen: the elder brother, the father’s favorite, the perfect prince. A character that grows from a teen to a man under his father’s shadow. The author still somehow manages to make him multilayered, dynamic, and believable. Not to mention honorable. Probably some of my favorite character development is from him.
Isha: the middle child and perhaps most unfortunate. When a princess is turned into a slave in the collection of a rich untouchable, the story ignites into a battle for sanity, inner strength, and wanted opportunities for escape. The author really impressed me with this character. Not only does she project just incredible strength and warmth as a character, but she is lovable and believable as well.
This novel does some very interesting things with its magic system. Some men and women have the ability to harvest the strength of the sun, or Zur, their god. This sun magic is referred to as Shine and it is used for light, fire, and heat. Almost every character has a slightly different way that they use the ability and I loved that it was drawing from a natural source. Some are more powerful than others while others cannot use it at all, and I thought it was amazing that some of it has to do with lineage, and than others seem to be more powerful simply by chance. I love when there’s not necessarily a rhyme or reason.
I will say honestly that this novels tropes are certainly going to trope (trope trope). There’s no getting around that. From found family, to chosen ones, to enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, long lost family, hidden family, underdog heroes, and I’m sure I’m missing a few. But I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I bought in, I was entirely invested in their outcome.
A new favorite for sure. As this is a debut, I know you haven’t read this author yet, but believe me, you’re going to want to. Follow him and add his novel on Amazon to some list that you can order when it releases. I will tell my mom to read this book, I will tell babies to read it. I do not have a physical copy of it, but my shelf absolutely demands it.
This is an epic fantasy novel, and it is just that, EPIC (EPIC EPIC). It has everything you’re used to loving in a fantasy novel, and even better, it’s also done well. The writing is slick and intelligent, I wasn’t bored with a single page.
The characters truly come alive on the page. It was honestly a treat to have them each blossom into their own individual being over the 500+ page book. The story features three main perspectives, from three siblings, (and some added spice via interlude appearances) and even the characters that aren’t in the main spotlight are incredibly well fleshed out.
Raiz: arguably the true “main character” in this story. A true ‘chip on the shoulder’ character, with absolutely tons of teenage angst. His is a tale of empowerment and revenge, of courage and action. His decision making may have you pulling your hair out, but I did not question a single thing as being outside of his character. He also has a companion creature that you will just have to read to see and understand. So cool!
Dazen: the elder brother, the father’s favorite, the perfect prince. A character that grows from a teen to a man under his father’s shadow. The author still somehow manages to make him multilayered, dynamic, and believable. Not to mention honorable. Probably some of my favorite character development is from him.
Isha: the middle child and perhaps most unfortunate. When a princess is turned into a slave in the collection of a rich untouchable, the story ignites into a battle for sanity, inner strength, and wanted opportunities for escape. The author really impressed me with this character. Not only does she project just incredible strength and warmth as a character, but she is lovable and believable as well.
This novel does some very interesting things with its magic system. Some men and women have the ability to harvest the strength of the sun, or Zur, their god. This sun magic is referred to as Shine and it is used for light, fire, and heat. Almost every character has a slightly different way that they use the ability and I loved that it was drawing from a natural source. Some are more powerful than others while others cannot use it at all, and I thought it was amazing that some of it has to do with lineage, and than others seem to be more powerful simply by chance. I love when there’s not necessarily a rhyme or reason.
I will say honestly that this novels tropes are certainly going to trope (trope trope). There’s no getting around that. From found family, to chosen ones, to enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, long lost family, hidden family, underdog heroes, and I’m sure I’m missing a few. But I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I bought in, I was entirely invested in their outcome.
A new favorite for sure. As this is a debut, I know you haven’t read this author yet, but believe me, you’re going to want to. Follow him and add his novel on Amazon to some list that you can order when it releases. I will tell my mom to read this book, I will tell babies to read it. I do not have a physical copy of it, but my shelf absolutely demands it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Kidnapping, Slavery, Trafficking, Confinement, Murder, Torture, War, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Violence
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