A review by its_justine
A King's Bargain by J.D.L. Rosell

5.0

“I've never claimed to be more than a man.”

A King's Bargain by J.D.L. Rosell is a captivating and inspiring epic coming-of-age, feel-good fantasy tale of legends and forging one's own path. Within its pages, readers are immersed in a story illustrating the fragile balance of good and evil, an everlasting battle for sovereignty, and the importance of choice. Beautifully conveyed and steeped in myth and magic, the promise of adventure and discovery sinks its claws in, refusing to let go even after the final page is turned. Brilliant characterization, a gripping mystery, and a setting with a deeply rooted history, this is a must-read for all fans of classic and modern fantasy alike.

Rosell crafts a wonderfully developed cast of likable characters, each playing a critical role in the advancement of the story presented. Tal Harrenfel, a living legend bearing the weight of ballads sung behind bright smiles. Garin, apprentice with a burning need to seek the secrets of the world. Wren, a determined girl with her sights set on creating a name for herself. Falcon, a bard with a proclivity for bending the truth. Aelyn, a rancorous mage who's incapable of refusing aid for those in need. Although so very different and distinct, the dynamics between these characters–frenemies, budding love, tried and true friendship, found family–are nothing short of wonderful.

“I'll earn my own name,” he whispered to the night sky, hidden beyond the thatched roof. “I'll earn my stars.”

As we flip through the pages, we're submerged in a riveting world rich with history and legends of epic proportions. The adventure we're swept along takes us from the quaint farming village of Hunt's Hollow to the fog-laden, haunted ruins of Erlodan's Castle to the sprawling city of Halenhol, dominated by the sky-soaring Coral Castle. An over-arching mystery delivers us to each of these unique locations, which house their own veiled mysteries waiting to be unearthed. Rosell injects just enough details to set the stage, allowing imagination to run rampant. And while this story involves a great deal of travel, he smartly emits most of the “let's stop to make camp” bits, benefitting the fluidity of the narrative.

The writing itself is absolutely superb. Told with flowing, polished prose, the engaging plot is portrayed with near perfect pacing. Informational morsels are intelligently revealed to readers as the characters experience specific situations–there's very little fluff in this concise epic. Rosell employs the use of spoken tales within the tale to educate on the histories of the world, as well as shed some light on the dangers that lurk beyond the horizon. While I appreciated these enriching my reading experience and building some delicious tension, at times I felt they slightly pulled me from the present. There's also a shallow learning curve (which I always appreciate) allowing the audience to easily and comfortably settle into the story being weaved.

“You've a fire in you, Garin. You need to feed it with all the World has to offer. If not, if you stay here without venturing away…” She shrugged. “I'd be afraid of that fire burning you up inside.”

A King's Bargain is an engrossing foundation of Rosell's Legend of Tal series, illustrated by dangerous secrets entangled throughout. While this story ties up nicely, the beginnings of another grand adventure are sowed, which left me in dire need for more. The blurb's description of “The Name of the Wind meets Witcher” aptly describes what lies within these pages, and it makes for one excellent read that's almost impossible to put down. If you're on the hunt for a sweeping epic, yet intimate tale with excellently drawn characters, then look no further – A King's Bargain is exactly what you're looking for. I thoroughly recommend.

My Rating: 4.5, but let's round up!

Note: A huge thank you to J.D.L. Rosell for providing me a complementary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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See this review and others at Whispers & Wonder
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