Taking the throne with no clear successor, however, will demand not just surviving the three deadly contests of the hellish Kingstrials but winning all three. That killer plot hook drives much of the first entry in this projected two-part series, though this hefty volume ends before getting to the contests themselves—which, enticingly, will be planned by Jason’s enemies and may involve dragons. Still, lovers of fantasy political drama will relish Schuette’s tangle of exciting and believable factions, schemes, and prophecies.
A journalist, Schuette writes crisp, compelling scenes that demonstrate an understanding of power, conflicted loyalties, and the ways that history—both ancient and recent, true and made up—powers contemporary conflicts. Schuette also respects readers’ time, even in a book that earns the description “epic,” as each chapter and POV proves compelling, clearly fitting into the design. Fantastical elements like the flying “griffs” ridden by the Loranians, unpredictable elves, and mystery villains of mist and shadow all are engaging, and will likely be more prominent in a second book that readers of this one will be counting the days for.
Takeaway: Knockout epic fantasy of politics, succession, treason, and class warfare.
Comparable Titles: Daniel Abraham, Robin Hobb.
Production grades
Cover: NA
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: NA
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
