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whattamess's review against another edition
3.0
Hey Konrad! What's that poofy thing around your neck?
Asking for a friend.
Konrad said, "They call me Ranch. Because I be dressing."
Not what I was expecting. Yes, I read the blurb and it really didn't take to my fancy. I got drawn into the hype. Saw a lot of 5 and 4 star ratings. My library had it on order, so I figured this was a good route to take.
The Justice of Kings is a murder/mystery/investigator/justice/fantasy type of book. Bet you never thought that existed. Let me assure you, my friend, it does now. There's just a whole different tone to this book. I can't put my finger on it. I guess it kind feels like it's missing it's sense of urgency and the "thriller" part of a murder/mystery. The judicial court scene didn't do Richard Swan any favors. If I was there in that courtroom, I would I have brought my book with me.
I'll tell you what this story has that I REALLY, really liked. The magic and the paranormal. I'm not giving away any spoilers, but there was one part of the story that was so good. I wanted more of it, and I'm willing to read the next book to see if Richard Swan dives more into the paranormal.
So, this book didn't grab me the way an Epic Fantasy does, but Richard Swan can write! I'll give him that. He has an excellent writing voice, characters and world building. I've been swallowed by a string of epic fantasy books where the authors can't write. They have great story plots, but can't write out the story well at all.
I'm looking forward to book 2. Hopefully, Richard Swan can deliver more paranormal this time.
Asking for a friend.
Konrad said, "They call me Ranch. Because I be dressing."
Not what I was expecting. Yes, I read the blurb and it really didn't take to my fancy. I got drawn into the hype. Saw a lot of 5 and 4 star ratings. My library had it on order, so I figured this was a good route to take.
The Justice of Kings is a murder/mystery/investigator/justice/fantasy type of book. Bet you never thought that existed. Let me assure you, my friend, it does now. There's just a whole different tone to this book. I can't put my finger on it. I guess it kind feels like it's missing it's sense of urgency and the "thriller" part of a murder/mystery. The judicial court scene didn't do Richard Swan any favors. If I was there in that courtroom, I would I have brought my book with me.
I'll tell you what this story has that I REALLY, really liked. The magic and the paranormal. I'm not giving away any spoilers, but there was one part of the story that was so good. I wanted more of it, and I'm willing to read the next book to see if Richard Swan dives more into the paranormal.
So, this book didn't grab me the way an Epic Fantasy does, but Richard Swan can write! I'll give him that. He has an excellent writing voice, characters and world building. I've been swallowed by a string of epic fantasy books where the authors can't write. They have great story plots, but can't write out the story well at all.
I'm looking forward to book 2. Hopefully, Richard Swan can deliver more paranormal this time.
megancherry's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
sofiasayyah's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
seforana's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
darkskybooks's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this. A gritty look at the importance of justice and how difficult it is to not have bias when taking judgement, how power corrupts. In many ways this seems especially pertinent when considering the erosion of rights in part of the world and the use of power to control the idea of justice. In The Justice of Kings we follow the apprentice of a Magister as they do their rounds in a kingdom. At the outset of the book the Magisters are the ultimate power, the arbiters of law based on a presumption of neutrality and justice. The throne has other centers of power that resent this and it is machinations around this that form the main plot of the book.
The ethical and moral questions asked in the book are intriguing and well followed through. The fallibility of people is a reason why perfect justice does not exist and this is explored in depth here - despite our main characters desire for justice and the respect they hold the law in, you cannot help but empathize with the challenges they face in upholding the principles the espouse.
I was probably the new series I was most anticipating so far this year and it has not disappointed in its opening novel. I really do look forward to where this goes!
The ethical and moral questions asked in the book are intriguing and well followed through. The fallibility of people is a reason why perfect justice does not exist and this is explored in depth here - despite our main characters desire for justice and the respect they hold the law in, you cannot help but empathize with the challenges they face in upholding the principles the espouse.
I was probably the new series I was most anticipating so far this year and it has not disappointed in its opening novel. I really do look forward to where this goes!
_simplylornie's review against another edition
5.0
I don’t think I have, yet, read a book as good as this. This is everything I could ever imagine of wanting in a fantasy book.
• Murder mystery
• The meaning of right versus wrong
• State versus church
• Godlike powers: Necromancy, speaking to animals, mind control
• Justice system
The way I was immersed in this world, is unbelievable. The main character, Helena, has a beautiful way to keep you hooked in the story and to make you relive certain emotions for the sake of understanding what the characters’ were going through. Chef’s kiss.
The world building was so clear and I loved every town they came across and each character we met. And I say love them all because for some, I just absolutely loved to hate them.
In the last 200 or so pages, I swear my jaw was on the literal floor. The suspense, the pain, the horror of men abusing their power.
I will forever be recommending this book. So freaking good! 10/10!
• Murder mystery
• The meaning of right versus wrong
• State versus church
• Godlike powers: Necromancy, speaking to animals, mind control
• Justice system
The way I was immersed in this world, is unbelievable. The main character, Helena, has a beautiful way to keep you hooked in the story and to make you relive certain emotions for the sake of understanding what the characters’ were going through. Chef’s kiss.
The world building was so clear and I loved every town they came across and each character we met. And I say love them all because for some, I just absolutely loved to hate them.
In the last 200 or so pages, I swear my jaw was on the literal floor. The suspense, the pain, the horror of men abusing their power.
I will forever be recommending this book. So freaking good! 10/10!
brendafw's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
celiapowell's review against another edition
3.0
This was just not for me, for some reason - a perfectly well-written fantasy novel with lot of dense detail, I enjoyed parts of it - but the whole just wasn't my thing.
eduardoandgo's review against another edition
2.0
Hm, wasn't really into this murder mystery with magical aspects set in ye olden days. I didn't know anything about this book before starting it which usually is fine with me, but I think I just expected something else based on the title/cover (no idea what just not a mystery novel). Halfway through the novel I was thinking that I wouldn't continue with the series but the ending entices me to continue because I can't imagine the sequel to be of similar genre given the way it ends. Maybe if I see it on sale I'll pick it up, but otherwise I think I will just move on. aw.
rotkrox1521's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The book had its moments and had an interesting concept that felt vaguely Witcher-esque (some horror elements, paganism). The seance scene in particular was fantastic because of the glimpse it provided into the mythology of the world which unfortunately remained underdeveloped the rest of the book. There were a number of similarities to A Game of Thrones: from the book cover to the politicking and the almost gratuitous descriptions of battle and violence (reminiscent of the GOT tv show). But above all, the stunning, stubborn, and ultimately tragic naïveté of Sir Konrad is a clear reminder of Ned Stark. By the end, Sir Konrad becomes a much more interesting figure (b/c plot), but most characters (except Dubine) felt underdeveloped and inconsistent for most of the book. The romance also wasn't particularly convincing.