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finja0804's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
teri_b's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-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
5.0
This book is so incredibly well written, that I struggled to read it, as the hurts and sorrows that come the main characters ways felt at times nearly unbearable and I stopped reading this book and setting it aside for a while more than once.
With the chosen narrative perspective of looking back at things that happened a while ago, a distance is introduced that allows the author to distill the story to perfection.
And what a story it is, of meting out justice and finding forces opposing the King's justice who have their own agenda and have become a force within the realm that have to be reckoned with.
And now to book two.
With the chosen narrative perspective of looking back at things that happened a while ago, a distance is introduced that allows the author to distill the story to perfection.
And what a story it is, of meting out justice and finding forces opposing the King's justice who have their own agenda and have become a force within the realm that have to be reckoned with.
And now to book two.
line_magnus's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
eldy_1991's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
silverbullet's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 ✨
The first half started a bit slow and it took quite some time to get the plot started but when it did... It got me hooked!
The story felt like a good mediaeval pen and paper adventure to me - I really enjoyed the quest and the main characters. The world itself is super interesting, especially the concept of magic in general and the power that judges have, but I was often overwhelmed by the geography and names because I didn't want to jump to the map all the time. I expect more world building in the next novel.
But overall, I enjoyed the story and mystery, I loved how both Vonvald and Helena developed both personally as well as in their relationship and I'm curious to find out how the whole plot and scheming will unfold.
The first half started a bit slow and it took quite some time to get the plot started but when it did... It got me hooked!
The story felt like a good mediaeval pen and paper adventure to me - I really enjoyed the quest and the main characters. The world itself is super interesting, especially the concept of magic in general and the power that judges have, but I was often overwhelmed by the geography and names because I didn't want to jump to the map all the time. I expect more world building in the next novel.
But overall, I enjoyed the story and mystery, I loved how both Vonvald and Helena developed both personally as well as in their relationship and I'm curious to find out how the whole plot and scheming will unfold.
adammtucker's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A perfect five-star fantasy book to get you out of a reading slump or pull you back into a world filled with vivid characters, excellent pacing, and non-stop action. Coming from Joe Abercombie's work, Swan's work feels like a nature fit for those who enjoy gray characters, complex morality, and a well-built world that doesn't require much attention to grasp. The biggest surprise for me was how much I enjoyed the "legal thriller" aspect to this fantasy series, the focus on law and the legal system actually truly worked and added to my enjoyment. Best book I've read this year, and I highly recommend it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Murder
aij's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is really great. Fantasy focused on characters and story rather than wearisome worldbuilding. It takes itself seriously, both as a setting and in terms of people's actions having consequences - sometimes bleak ones. The characters are excellent, though some of the villains are sketched out rather than written with as much attention as the good eggs.
The plot isn't as pleasingly mysterious as it initially seems - the investigative part runs out of steam a little earlier than I'd have loved. But it's still strong and well constructed, and it moves quickly and constantly. I didn't enjoy the last quarter as much, as the mysteries are all largely resolved and it's more about establishing who gets stabbed, and setting up what's likely to be going on in the next book.
I don't see this as grimdark. It shares some features and is evolved from it, but it's different. Violence isn't gratuitous - it's more that when something violent happens, it's taken seriously. Horrible things are horrible. And it isn't amoral - there are hopes and ideals and emotions and ethics. Sometimes people do the right thing, sometimes they don't, and the narrator asks you to think about this - it's tied into the narrative tone of weary regret. Which is a great way of using a first person voice that's looking-back.
The plot isn't as pleasingly mysterious as it initially seems - the investigative part runs out of steam a little earlier than I'd have loved. But it's still strong and well constructed, and it moves quickly and constantly. I didn't enjoy the last quarter as much, as the mysteries are all largely resolved and it's more about establishing who gets stabbed, and setting up what's likely to be going on in the next book.
I don't see this as grimdark. It shares some features and is evolved from it, but it's different. Violence isn't gratuitous - it's more that when something violent happens, it's taken seriously. Horrible things are horrible. And it isn't amoral - there are hopes and ideals and emotions and ethics. Sometimes people do the right thing, sometimes they don't, and the narrator asks you to think about this - it's tied into the narrative tone of weary regret. Which is a great way of using a first person voice that's looking-back.
veedsq's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.25
thatpreciousplot's review against another edition
4.0
“The wise man arms himself with knowledge before a sword”
‘The Justice of Kings’ by Richard Swan is the first instalment in a new fantasy trilogy, Empire of the Wolf. It follows our main character, Sir Konrad Vonvalt, an Emperor’s Justice as his story is told through the reflections of his clerk and scribe Helena Sedanka – a very interesting approach having the story told from another POV.
In this world, Justices uphold the law, they are viewed as judge, jury and executioner and they do this by using specialised arcane arts that they have trained in, with each Justice having their own special abilities which they can utilise. Sir Konrad Vonvalt himself is an easy character to like (but a hard one to love?) and it was really a joy to read about his story and journey.
The story itself is what I would refer to as a political fantasy murder mystery….yeah, that’s what I am going for. Although at the heart of the story is a murder with Sir Konrad acting as detective to assess what has transpired, the true focus is really the political unrest in the lands and the strain on an already breaking legal system.
The world building is immersive, and the characters are wonderfully developed. The entire book is a unique one in the fantasy universe, and I honestly cannot wait to read the next in the series.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers at Orbit Books for the ARC. - I love the book so much I bought a physical copy!
‘The Justice of Kings’ by Richard Swan is the first instalment in a new fantasy trilogy, Empire of the Wolf. It follows our main character, Sir Konrad Vonvalt, an Emperor’s Justice as his story is told through the reflections of his clerk and scribe Helena Sedanka – a very interesting approach having the story told from another POV.
In this world, Justices uphold the law, they are viewed as judge, jury and executioner and they do this by using specialised arcane arts that they have trained in, with each Justice having their own special abilities which they can utilise. Sir Konrad Vonvalt himself is an easy character to like (but a hard one to love?) and it was really a joy to read about his story and journey.
The story itself is what I would refer to as a political fantasy murder mystery….yeah, that’s what I am going for. Although at the heart of the story is a murder with Sir Konrad acting as detective to assess what has transpired, the true focus is really the political unrest in the lands and the strain on an already breaking legal system.
The world building is immersive, and the characters are wonderfully developed. The entire book is a unique one in the fantasy universe, and I honestly cannot wait to read the next in the series.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers at Orbit Books for the ARC. - I love the book so much I bought a physical copy!
bof's review against another edition
5.0
I loooved this book. It is such a refreshing take on fantasy tropes. The narrator really made me feel engaged in the story. Also, the characters felt real and not idealistic heroes: the kind you can easily relate to even though they have flaws.
There isn't a lot of action scenes in this book but it still had that "one more chapter" effect on me.
As for the world building, i feel like the author has left a lot for us to discover in the next book and i am truly looking forward to it. I am so hyped for the next book because of the ending and the foreshadowing done through the narrator.
Loved this!
There isn't a lot of action scenes in this book but it still had that "one more chapter" effect on me.
As for the world building, i feel like the author has left a lot for us to discover in the next book and i am truly looking forward to it. I am so hyped for the next book because of the ending and the foreshadowing done through the narrator.
Loved this!