The Heir War that Leads to The End of All Things [Review]
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| (c.) 2016 by Bethany House |
Title: The Heir War (The Kinsman Chronicles #1, King's Folly: Part II)
Author: Jill Williamson
Published: 2016 by Bethany House Publishers
About the Book:
Part 2 of Jill Williamson's Epic Fantasy Series The Kinsman ChroniclesThe Artist Librarian Review:
With Prince Wilek still searching Armania for a murderer, his brother Prince Trevn finds himself pulled deeper into the dangerous politics of who will be Heir. Trevn, though, is far more interested in his studies with a local priest and the attentions of a young honor maiden.
The book that he has been copying during his lessons is not the book that teaches of the god of the soil. Instead, it teaches of a one true God. If accurate, then it means there is no soil god to satiate. There is nothing they can do to save their world, and all of King Echad's sacrifices have been futile.
The Heir War is collected together with parts 1 and 3 in King's Folly.
When I first read Part I, Darkness Reigns (my review's here), I knew that Jill Williamson's Kinsman Chronicles was going to be her most intense fantasy yet, but wow! The Heir War ups the ante, doubles the narrative cast, and leaves me anticipating The End of All Things (which was just released this week) even more so!
While I'm still unsure on whether the decision to break up King's Folly, the first book in The Kinsman Chronicles, into three e-book parts was a worthwhile one, I'm totally hooked to this story. Along with Wilek, Mielle, Charlon, and Trevn, The Heir War adds the voices of Kalenek (Wilek's High Shield), Inolah (Wilek's sister and Empress of Rurekau), Hinck (young Trevn's backman), and Qoatch (the mysterious, loyal servant to Priestess Jazlyn) to the narrative.
With the eldest Prince Wilek away on his quest, his ambitious brother Janek seeks to position himself as heir to King Echad's throne. Meanwhile, young Prince Trevn struggles to stay neutral in the conflict. He doesn't trust Janek's schemes, but is he willing to publicly throw his lot in with Wilek? The characters struggle with making decisions and choices, with real world regrets and consequences. Who are the manipulators? Who is being used? Are they one and the same? Who really holds the power in the Five Realms?
Mature readers looking for intrigue, action, and lots of magic and supernatural powers in their Christian fantasy --this one is for you!
[Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the author for review purposes.]
[Content reflection: Recommended for adult fantasy fans or mature teenagers --this series is a bit darker than your typical Christian fantasy. Though never graphically inappropriate, there is a tad more violence and a kind of primitive magic --though primarily used by antagonists, gods and goddesses than you'd normally see in the genre. Also, there was a couple of inferences of seduction that I think if it had happened to a female character rather than a male would have had an entirely different connotation ... I personally still enjoyed the e-book, but felt like I should note this.]
Part III, The End of All Things reviewed here.
About the Author:
Jill Williamson writes fantasy and science fiction for teens and adults. Jill grew up in Alaska, staying up and reading by the summer daylight that wouldn't go away. This led to a love of books and writing, and her debut novel, By Darkness Hid, won several awards and was named a Best Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror novel of 2009 by VOYA magazine. She loves giving writing workshops and blogs for teen writers at www.GoTeenWriters.com. She now lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, two children, and a whole lot of deer. Visit her online at www.jillwilliamson.com.Do you read edgy Christian fiction or is it something you shy away from? Why or why not?
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