Review: The Uncrowned King - Rowena Cory Daniells

Book 2 of King Rolen's Kin

Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 396
Published: August 2010

Thirteen year old Piro watches powerless as her father's enemies march on the castle, while a traitor whispers poison in the King's ear, undermining his trust in her brother, Byren. Determined to prove his loyalty, Byren races to the Abbey; somehow, he must convince the Abbot to send his warriors to defend the castle. And Fyn, the youngest of King Rolen's sons, has barely begun his training as a mystic, but wakes in a cold sweat, haunted by dreams of betrayal.

Some spoilers from book 1 are coming up

This was a good follow-up to book 1, it is also much shorter than book 1. Not that I mind chunky books, oh no, I love those. But this one still was packed with action and drama.

Lence is dead and Byren is no heir to Rolencia. He needs to get to the warrior monks to save his kingdom. Fyn has a feeling that they have been betrayed, and for someone who didn't have much affinity he sure feels more now. And then there is the last sibling, Piro, who is hiding in her own home in fear of her wicked cousin Cobalt.

In this book Byren got into a lot of trouble, I feared for him as the tried to reach the monks, reach home. All while an invading army was nipping at his heels. He is still the strong warrior, but I have started to wonder now if he will get the throne in the end. Because in this one he makes some very unlikely friends, and then there is the whole rumour that he is gay. Piro is a feisty little girl, and I do like her. She hides as a servant and witness the destruction of the kingdom with her own eyes. As the book was ending I was very unsure how she would fare. Then there is Fyn, I got really angry at him at one point when he tried to rescue Cobalt. To his defence he didn't know that snake led the army into the town, and wanted to marry Piro, and take his mother as his lover. Fyn at the end, oh I am sure he will have quite the adventure in book 3, and then there is that dream he has of Isolt, the daughter of the Merofynian king..could the meaning be..no, oh I need the next book.

This book had some daring escapes and darkest betrayal. These three siblings are doing their parts to save their dying kingdom, and I have no idea what the future holds for them. The bad guys are well done, and with one I am not sure what to make of him. He has his own agenda. The book has a good cast of characters, and I am happy to see them evolve. There is adventure, action, and a rich world with interesting beasts.

A good middle book to a good new series. The third will bring this saga to an end, and it is a book that I must read so that I finally will know what happens to King Rolen's Kin.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: I liked this one better.

Reason for reading: From the author

Final thoughts: If you are looking for some new fantasy this year then try this one.

Review: The King's Bastard - Rowena Cory Daniells

Book One of The Chronicles of Kind Rolen's Kin

Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 640
Published: July 2010

Cloaked in silent winter snow the Kingdom of Rolencia sleeps as rumours spread of new Affinity Seeps, places where untamed power wells up. Meanwhile, King Rolen plans his jubilee unaware of the growing threat to those he loves. Even though Byren Kingson is only seven minutes younger than his twin, Lence, who is the king's heir, Byren has never hungered for the Rolencian throne. When a Seer predicts that he will kill Lence, he laughs. But Lence Kingsheir sees Byren’s growing popularity and resents it. Enduring loyalty could be Byren’s greatest failing.

Fiercely loyal, thirteen year-old Piro is horrified to discover she is also cursed with unwanted Affinity. It broke their mother’s heart to send Fyn away, so she hides her affliction. But, when Fyn confesses his troubles, Piro risks exposure to help him.

This book is the reason why I love fantasy. It swept me away, it had me biting my nails and when I tried to do other things I couldn't stop thinking about it. Yes, it has been all I have been thinking about for the last few days.

Byren is the main character, a young prince who loves his family and country. But his brother doesn't care for his company any more, and is listening to bad advice. And when Byren is seen as a hero after killing a beast the anger grows in Lence. The other main characters are Piro, the youngest member of the family and she is hiding her magic so she will not be sent away since all those with affinity becomes nuns or monks, or are killed. Then there is Fyn, with little affinity he has served long, and no when it's time to become a monk for real he is not sure which path to take.

There is political intrigues and treachery around. Illien, the son of the late king's bastard has come to court and has soon charmed the king and Lence. He is spreading lies, and what his agenda is, I can only imagine. Oh how I loathe him from the start with his slick ways.

With Illien at court trouble start. There is also the subject of Lence not wanting to marry a foreign princess, a country that might just attack, trying to keep the peace along the warlords.

This is a book filled with adventure. Things seems to get worse and worse, and they have many personal battles in front of them. And beasts to killed. I was pulled into the story at once, Byren is a young hero that you just have to like. Piro is a little spitfire, Lence and Illien I disliked, and Fyn, well I am still unsure about him. He is nice, but I feel so sorry for him for having to become a monk just cos he is born in Rolencia. 

The book had me reading fast to see what happened next, and aching when things didn't turn out good. Lies can hurt more than mortal wounds. This is a story that you can't put down, and when it ended I knew that I have to read more. There are two more books in this trilogy that is being published this year. Because in the end if was a fantastic start to a fantasy series and one of the best fantasy books I have read in years. It suited me perfectly.

Politics, magic, intrigues, love, and friendship is mixed in this amazing tale. And I need more books.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: Dunno really, I mean very fantasy, but he looks like a zombie.

Reason for reading: Asked by the author, and for that I am truly happy now.

Final thoughts: Hey, why are you still sitting there? Go and read this book now. For you fantasy fans I recommend it. For the rest of you, if you want something good, look no further.

Final grade: 4,5 cos I fell in love