Knight's Ransom by Jeff Wheeler

Title: Knight's Ransom

Author: Jeff Wheeler
Genre: Fantasy
Series: The First Argentines Book 1

Paperback, 432 pages
Publication: January 26, 2021 by 47North
Source: I received a review copy from WunderKind PR in exchange for a honest review.
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Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown. A brutal war of succession has plunged the court of Kingfountain into a power struggle between a charitable king who took the crown unlawfully and his ambitious rival, Devon Argentine. The balance of power between the two men hinges on the fate of a young boy ensnared in this courtly intrigue. A boy befittingly nicknamed Ransom.

When the Argentine family finally rules, Ransom must make his own way in the world. Opportunities open and shut before him as he journeys along the path to knighthood, blind to a shadowy conspiracy of jealousy and revenge. Securing his place will not be easy, nor will winning the affection of Lady Claire de Murrow, a fiery young heiress from an unpredictably mad kingdom.

Ransom interrupts an abduction plot targeting the Queen of Ceredigion and earns a position in service to her son, the firstborn of the new Argentine dynasty. But conflict and treachery threaten the family, and Ransom must also come to understand and hone his burgeoning powers—abilities that involve more than his mastery with a blade and that make him as much a target as his lord.

One small misstep could lead to disaster. But for Aurelia, facing disaster is easy; it’s relationships that are hard.

My Thoughts

Wheeler returns to the world of Kingfountain with Knight’s Ransom, a prequel series. Knight’s Ransom follows the adventures of Marshall Barton, nicknamed Ransom; from a boy once held hostage to a distinguished knight of the realm. After the death of King Gervase, Ransom is left destitute with no money, no real family or home that he knows of and no lord to serve. He then vows and does everything in his power to prove himself a worthy knight befitted to serve a respectable lord. 

I’ve read The Queen’s Poisoner a few years back and remembered loving it. But as with life, I never gotten around to finishing the series. So it was nice to revisit the world with Knight’s Ransom. Although its not a requirement to read The Queen’s Poisoner to enjoy this new series. It comes as no surprised that I enjoyed Knight’s Ransom. Wheeler is a masterful storyteller, the book was action-packed from beginning to end. I was intrigued by Ransom’s fountain-blessed abilities and the political maneuvering within the Argentine family as well as their rival, King Lewis. 

All the characters were so well developed. I absolutely loved Ransom. He’s so wholesome. He never let his surrounding or the actions of other sway or dictate his person. I really admired him. He’s also fiercely loyal and an amazing swordsman. The action sequences was vivid and perfectly detailed as if I were watching from the the sidelines on the battlefield or in the stands in Pree. I rarely connect with secondary/tertiary characters but Wheeler’s characters’ had me invested in literally everyone. I was shocked and devastated early on when Lord Rakeshaw and Sir William met an early demise in an ambush. While The First Argentines novel seemed heavily male dominated, there were a handful of powerful and capable women sprinkled here and there. One of the main heroine is Ransom’s childhood friend Lady Claire de Murrow. Although Claire isn’t at the forefront as much as some of the other characters, readers are privy to Claire’s most intimate thoughts with her journal entries following each chapter. I thought it was a great addition to tie in the overall story. She pretty funny too.

I think Knight’s Ransom is a great start to a promising series. This First Argentines book exceed all my expectations and had me captivated from the first page. Wheeler had twist coming one after another. I loved the unpredictability of it all! Just when I thought it was safe…BOOM! Wheeler throws another shocking turn of event that sends the reader a.k.a me reeling. I’m talking about that ending! I can’t wait to see what Wheeler has in store for the subsequent books! How fitting that the novel began with a death of a king and ended with a death of a king, and that both events catapulted Ransom on his new journey. If you love a good ol’ old fashion fantasy adventure with amazing world building and character development, then pick up Knight’s Ransom A.S.A.P.

 

 

Lord of the Fading Lands by C.L. Wilson

Title: Lord of the Fading Lands

Author: C.L. Wilson
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Tairen Soul # 1

Mass Market Paperback, 406 pages
Publication: October 2, 2007 by Avon
Source: Purchase
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Once, driven wild with grief over the murder of his beloved, the majestic Fey King Rain Tairen Soul had laid waste to the world before vanishing into the Fading Lands. Now, a thousand years later, a new threat draws him back into the world—and a new love reawakens the heart he thought long dead.

Ellysetta, a woodcarver’s daughter, calls to Rain in a way no other ever had. Mysterious and magical, her soul beckons him with a compelling, seductive song—and no matter the cost, the wildness in his blood will not be denied.

As an ancient, familiar evil regains its strength, causing centuries-old alliances to crumble and threatening doom for Rain and his people... he must claim his truemate to embrace the destiny woven for them both in the mists of time.

One small misstep could lead to disaster. But for Aurelia, facing disaster is easy; it’s relationships that are hard.

My Thoughts

Lord of the Fading Lands has been on my TBR for years. I’m talking 10+ years. To tackle the ever growing TBR pile, I finally read it! The Tairen Soul is a beloved fantasy series with raving reviews across the board, so I had high expectations going in. The series is centered on a small village girl with hidden powers who is the fey king’s soulmate and savior to the fey kingdom. I’m a sucker for faeries and the chosen one/prophetic tropes.

It took a few chapters to really get into the story. Ellie is described as an insignificant plain Jane but as with most story goes, that’s never the real case. And then of all the people in all the kingdoms, the most handsome warrior king has chosen Ellie as his soulmate. This screams snowflake. Not a fan.

Even though Ellie was the epitome of a special snowflake, behind her kind and gentle demeanor is a steel backbone, which was surprising and appreciated. Ellie constantly made self-deprecating comments about herself and had to be reminded over and over from Rain, her quintet, her parents that she was just as worthy as anyone else, even the Queen of Celieria. It got very tiring reading Ellie calling herself a peasant and a nobody, woodcarver’s daughter. However, Ellie stepped up to the plate when it mattered and didn’t let anyone use her as a doormat. I can see Ellie growing into her powers and title. The book is set up in a way to showcase just that.

Rain, the fey king is your typical alpha male. It was a bit much, then again, his other form is a giant black cat. I enjoyed seeing Ellie and Rain’s courtship as he tries to win her trust (let’s just say it didn’t take long). But Rain by himself, as the hero of the novel…I didn’t care too much for. I didn’t like or dislike him. I’m more interested in his general Bel’s story lol (hopefully there’s a novel for him).

Overall Lord of the Fading Lands is a good start to a series with a few flaws which is typical of first novels. With the groundwork set, I am still curious enough to see where this story goes. I do hope that the author does a better job ending the novel in subsequent books because in Lord of the Fading Lands, Wilson ended it abruptly. It wasn’t even a cliffhanger ending. Just poor execution. 

 

Blood Heir by Ilona Andrews

Title: Blood Heir

Author: Ilona Andrews
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Aurelia Ryder # 1

Paperback, 375 pages
Publication: January 12, 2021 by NYLA
Source: Purchase
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Atlanta was always a dangerous city. Now, as waves of magic and technology compete for supremacy, it’s a place caught in a slow apocalypse, where monsters spawn among the crumbling skyscrapers and supernatural factions struggle for power and survival.

Eight years ago, Julie Lennart left Atlanta to find out who she was. Now she’s back with a new face, a new magic, and a new name—Aurelia Ryder—drawn by the urgent need to protect the family she left behind. An ancient power is stalking her adopted mother, Kate Daniels, an enemy unlike any other, and a string of horrifying murders is its opening gambit

If Aurelia’s true identity is discovered, those closest to her will die. So her plan is simple: get in, solve the murders, prevent the prophecy from being fulfilled, and get out without being recognized. She expected danger, but she never anticipated that the only man she'd ever loved could threaten everything.

One small misstep could lead to disaster. But for Aurelia, facing disaster is easy; it’s relationships that are hard.

My Thoughts

It’s been a little over two years since the Kate Daniel series ended and ever since then I feel the B.D.H./IA fans have been begging hoping for a Julie novel. I am one of the fans that have had my fingers-crossed and waited on abated breath to hear any news of Julie’s novel. And in 2020 our wildest dreams came true when IA announced they were penning Julie’s novel! This has got to be the most anticipated release we’ve been waiting for YEARS. YEARS.

 Before I continue, if you haven’t read the Kate Daniels series, please x out of this window and go read the series A.S.A.P. There are too many backstory, history, reference to the KD world that is needed to make this a more enjoyable read. It will be worth it. You’ll thank me later.

So the quick rundown, Julie left Atlanta 8 years ago. She’s 26 years-old now and has a new name, face and new powers. A prophecy regarding Kate was what kept her away and also the reason why she’s returned. And the biggest issue of all is that she can’t see Kate until she changes the prophecy enough that doesn’t result in Kate’s demise or Atlanta burning, or both.

My expectations for Blood Heir was all over the place but Andrews exceeded them. Julie’s novel did not disappoint. It felt so good to be back in Kate’s world and having Julie/Aurelia continue the story was the perfect choice. I’ve always thought that Julie was a mini Kate and as the years went by she proved to be just as capable and a worthy successor to Kate. She certainly has the attitude and smarts for it. I loved seeing all the original characters. It kinda became a game as I read to see who would figure out Aurelia’s true identity! We meet a handful of memorable new characters as well, notably Julie’s ‘great uncle’ and a street smart child named Marten. I am exceeded to see more of these two.

I loved every moment of Blood Heir. It had everything I loved about the KD novels while still being different enough to stand on its own. Andrews just recently announced on their website that Blood Heir is the start to a new trilogy and I Can. Not. Freaking. Wait. I want more Julie/Derek! In the meantime, I feel like another reread of KD is in order…so I can just read Blood Heir again and soak in the KD/AR feels!