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A review by renpuspita
The Heretic Royal by G.A. Aiken
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Ah, this. This is the G.A.Aiken that I know! After The Blacksmith Queen and The Princess Knight that feel awkward, The Heretic Royal have all the Aiken trademark that I know. Less bantering dialogue that somehow not that funny to read, more description and political machinations. MORE DRAGON!!!! I think the appearance of Anwyll the Bloody and the rest of the Cadwaladr dragons is the saving grace of this book although the Smythe sisters still one of the main focus of the story. But the Scarred Earth centaurs? Hmm, for a series named after their clan, not only the hero of this book is from their branch (Torn Moon Clan) that holding grudge after them for 7 thousand years, the amount of the centaurs also kinda overshadow with dragons. But, hey, I love dragons. I will take the antique Cadwaladr dragons every time.
The stake is higher and unlike book 2, we will get glimpse into Beatrix's machination. From other perspective, reader always told that Beatrix is soulless, cruel and cunning. In The Heretic Royal, Aiken prove that Beatrix is actually, yes cruel and cunning. But about the soulless part, I don't know if Aiken will make Beatrix redeemable in the end or end up despised because her cruelties is still in the tame level. More like she's determined to be on power and I think what she did is just your usual tyrant's machinations.
If you had not read Dragon Kin series, chance you will get confused. For me, this book feels like a nostalgia. A moment to catch up with beloved characters from Dragon Kin. Sure that Anwyll might overshadow Keeley a bit, but I like how Aiken portrayed Keeley's fear toward Anwyll and unsure of being queen. Also how Anwyll didn't mince words when she pointed to Keeley's weakness because Keeley still hesitant to kill Beatrix and end up her reign. However, Gemma is a lil bit annoying toward Ainsley because she just love being mean. Speaking of Ainsley, yeah, I know the Heretic Royal is her book but she sharing spotlight with so many characters! Although she find companion with one of the war monk and the nun also got a new ride from the spawn of the unholy horse that is Gemma's war horse. As for Gruffyn or Gruff, I'm surprised to find he has personality and better than Caid. Sure Quinn is my favorite of centaurs because of his easy going attitude but Gruff himself is not bad. He's like to grunt but become chatty when it comes to Ainsley and while their romance is just a few it's still better written compared to Keeley and Caid. Poor this couple, I don't think Aiken write their romance to be believable and work as couple since their chemistry is a little bit bland compared to Gemma-Quinn and Ainsley-Gruff. What make me surprised is the amount of the steam this book has! Wow, an entire chapter (a LONG chapter and not one or two pages!!) dedicated to Ainsley and Gruff having sex, also very hot and show how much they want each other!! Yowza!
Aiken herself adding some new characters and there's still a fast change of PoV but the change now is more bearable. Less slapstick humor compared to the previous although some characters behave crazily like usual. The banter not only between Ainsley or her siblings, but also the Cadwaladr, from Gwenvael that still has his mischievous and narcissistic side, Briec that love to put fight with Anwyll , Fearghus that always ready to remind Anwyll together with his sister, Morfydd. Also, some of surprise appearance by Bram and Ghleanna also one of Gwenvael's son, Unvarr Reinholdt. Oh, how I miss their antique! Also, it's funny how the Smythe sisters have dangerous animals as their pet. Keeley with her demon dog/wolves, Gemma with her undead war horse and Ainsley also have a predatory bird also one of Gemma's war horse magickal spawn. The never ending children of Smythe family also got introduced like Isadora that excel in managing Anwyll and her envoy, then the adorable Endelyon (or Endolyn. Idk, the names keep changing!) that got pampered by Anwyll. For now from the 12 children of Smythe, there was 8 child that have their name introduced (Keeley, Gemma, Beatrix, Ainsley, Isadora, Rexie, Duncan, Endelyon) and I'm curious about the rest. There's just a minor appearance of Keran, the drunken cousin of Keeley but I don't mind since she's not one of my favorite characters and usually written just for comic reliefs
Sadly, there's no information about when book 4 will be released since Aiken maybe busy writing her Shelly Laurenston's titles. The epilogue show that Beatrix will finally unleash her attacks since she is now have new unholy allies and I wonder how the alliance between Keeley and Anwyll will hold. Maybe the next book will be about Isadora, although Isadora is still in her 17-ish so maybe another characters? Either way, I feel that the end of the war between Keeley and Beatrix is near (or maybe not) so I hope the next book will be released in 1 or 2 years in the future!
The stake is higher and unlike book 2, we will get glimpse into Beatrix's machination. From other perspective, reader always told that Beatrix is soulless, cruel and cunning. In The Heretic Royal, Aiken prove that Beatrix is actually, yes cruel and cunning. But about the soulless part, I don't know if Aiken will make Beatrix redeemable in the end or end up despised because her cruelties is still in the tame level. More like she's determined to be on power and I think what she did is just your usual tyrant's machinations.
If you had not read Dragon Kin series, chance you will get confused. For me, this book feels like a nostalgia. A moment to catch up with beloved characters from Dragon Kin. Sure that Anwyll might overshadow Keeley a bit, but I like how Aiken portrayed Keeley's fear toward Anwyll and unsure of being queen. Also how Anwyll didn't mince words when she pointed to Keeley's weakness because Keeley still hesitant to kill Beatrix and end up her reign. However, Gemma is a lil bit annoying toward Ainsley because she just love being mean. Speaking of Ainsley, yeah, I know the Heretic Royal is her book but she sharing spotlight with so many characters! Although she find companion with one of the war monk and the nun also got a new ride from the spawn of the unholy horse that is Gemma's war horse. As for Gruffyn or Gruff, I'm surprised to find he has personality and better than Caid. Sure Quinn is my favorite of centaurs because of his easy going attitude but Gruff himself is not bad. He's like to grunt but become chatty when it comes to Ainsley and while their romance is just a few it's still better written compared to Keeley and Caid. Poor this couple, I don't think Aiken write their romance to be believable and work as couple since their chemistry is a little bit bland compared to Gemma-Quinn and Ainsley-Gruff. What make me surprised is the amount of the steam this book has! Wow, an entire chapter (a LONG chapter and not one or two pages!!) dedicated to Ainsley and Gruff having sex, also very hot and show how much they want each other!! Yowza!
Aiken herself adding some new characters and there's still a fast change of PoV but the change now is more bearable. Less slapstick humor compared to the previous although some characters behave crazily like usual. The banter not only between Ainsley or her siblings, but also the Cadwaladr, from Gwenvael that still has his mischievous and narcissistic side, Briec that love to put fight with Anwyll , Fearghus that always ready to remind Anwyll together with his sister, Morfydd. Also, some of surprise appearance by Bram and Ghleanna also one of Gwenvael's son, Unvarr Reinholdt. Oh, how I miss their antique! Also, it's funny how the Smythe sisters have dangerous animals as their pet. Keeley with her demon dog/wolves, Gemma with her undead war horse and Ainsley also have a predatory bird also one of Gemma's war horse magickal spawn. The never ending children of Smythe family also got introduced like Isadora that excel in managing Anwyll and her envoy, then the adorable Endelyon (or Endolyn. Idk, the names keep changing!) that got pampered by Anwyll. For now from the 12 children of Smythe, there was 8 child that have their name introduced (Keeley, Gemma, Beatrix, Ainsley, Isadora, Rexie, Duncan, Endelyon) and I'm curious about the rest. There's just a minor appearance of Keran, the drunken cousin of Keeley but I don't mind since she's not one of my favorite characters and usually written just for comic reliefs
Sadly, there's no information about when book 4 will be released since Aiken maybe busy writing her Shelly Laurenston's titles. The epilogue show that Beatrix will finally unleash her attacks since she is now have new unholy allies and I wonder how the alliance between Keeley and Anwyll will hold. Maybe the next book will be about Isadora, although Isadora is still in her 17-ish so maybe another characters? Either way, I feel that the end of the war between Keeley and Beatrix is near (or maybe not) so I hope the next book will be released in 1 or 2 years in the future!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gore, Violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Slavery and War
Minor: Excrement, Child abuse, and Body shaming