Review: King Breaker - Rowena Cory Daniells

The story of Byron, Fyn and Piro picks up immediately where the cliff-hanging ending of The Usurper let off! When Cobalt stole the Rolencian throne, Byren, Fyn and Piro were lucky to escape with their lives, now they’ve rallied and set out to avenge their parents' murder. 

Byren is driven to defeat Cobalt and reclaim the crown, but at what cost? Fyn has sworn to serve Byren’s interests but his loyalty is tested when he realises he loves Byren’s betrothed. And Piro never wanted to win a throne, now she holds the fate of a people in her hands.

My thoughts:

It was 3 years since I read the first 3 books so that was not the best way to start, but I remembered the big points. That is the worst with waiting, but I still came back to the story pretty quickly.

Daniells have a way of making you despair. I mean those poor poor characters! When you think it will work out then another hurdle comes along. But then there is a lot of unhappy people in this world.

Byren is going to take his kingdom back (the kingdom he never wanted in the first place.) Poor Byren, he never catches a break. His brother Fyn is holding the neighboring kingdom for him and taking care of Byren's bride to be Queen Isolt. And Fyn wants Isolt for himself (think of the consequences man!) And then there is their sister Piro who was not as cool in this story for some reason. And the last POV is Garzik, the brother of Byren's friend.

Byren's POV is one of constant struggle and he is never happy. He needs to free his people and marry someone he does not want. I felt sorry for him to the bitter end.

Fyn's POV was good as he was in the middle of a bunch of idiots. Bickering lords are always fun to read about as I wanted to smack them all over the head. The political intrigue never stopped there.

Piro's POV was a bit... well it never took off. And lastly Garzik who is stuck with the Outlander pirates. There was always something going on there.

Conclusion:

This is a book of political intrigues, lots of fighting and strange magical beasts. It's also a dark book and a good ending to this series. A strange and at times evil world that was well put together.

Cover

Cool

Paperback, 774 pages
Published September 17th 2013 by Solaris
King Rolen's Kin #4
Fantasy
For review

Review: The King's Man - Rowena Cory Daniells

This is an exclusive ebook novella set in the King Rolen's Kin world. Turns out one of the characters from the first trilogy survived and this is his story.

My thoughts:

This is a novella from Daniell's King Rolen's Kin world. The main character is Garzik, the son of Lord Dovecote. And it was believed Garzik was dead, but that is the thing, he survived.

It's a not so short novella, it does have over 120 pages, and it also leaves the ending open. It is both hopeful and not so hopeful at the end. She truly has to give us more cos she does leave us hanging, a lot of things can still happen to Garzik.

I can not really go into details about what happens cos that just feels like one big spoiler. But he will be on an "adventure." Good things happens, but mostly bad things. He is not happy, but he has a goal and he is finding his way.

Conclusion:

A good novella that also can be read as a stand alone. And it did make me want to read more.

Series: King Rolen's Kin
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 130
Published: Dec 6th 2012 by
Source: For review

Review: The Usurper - Rowena Cory Daniells

King Rolen's Kin, book 3

Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 489
Published: September 2010

Now a slave, Piro finds herself in the Merofynian Palace where, if her real identity is discovered, she will be executed. Meanwhile, Fyn is desperate to help his brother, Bryen, who is now the uncrowned King. Bryen never sought power but now he finds himself at the centre of a dangerous resistance movement as the people of Rolencia flee vicious invaders. How can Byren defeat the invaders, when half his warriors are women and children, and the other half are untrained boys and old men?

First, the guy looks totally scary, fear not though, he is not a zombie. I guess he is meant to be Fyn, the prince destined to become a monk because of his magic.

This book picks up where the last ended. Piro is on her way to Merofynia as a slave and she will serve princess Isolt. While her capturer expects her to be a spy for him. Byren has a camp filled with women, children, and some soldiers. He is trying to figure out how he can win his country back from his cousin, and kick out all the Merofynians. All while the young Fyn has been shanghaied and is now a sea hound. They all want to restore the throne.

I liked Piro's adventure, because later she meets this young mage, and I do like when I suddenly gets hopes up for possible romance. Byren's tale was war, as before, he is the fighter, the brave one and the one destined to be king. While Fyn really stepped up in this one, he showed he is courageous and noble, and he falls in love, sort of.

There were also some new faces, the young mage Tyro, princess Isolt, and then the evil Palatyne who wants to rule the world, and marry the young pretty Isolt. He does not care who he kills on hsi way to his throne. He feels like a very believable bad guy. Greedy for power.

The only negative part is the end. Oh it's a very happy fulfilling ending, but at the at same time it's open, and some major conflicts are left, especially in the romantic department. I want more, I need more, I must ask Daniells.

This is still a good end to a fantasy series that kept me enthralled and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. The political plots, the hidden agendas, the magic, it all makes this an interesting tale of good, bad, and all that lies in between.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: Too zombie looking

Reason for reading: From the author

Final thoughts: Epic fantasy
3,75

The winners of Cattitude by Edie Ramer are:

Stella Ex Libris

and

Jen M

Congrats! Will email you both soon