A review by nclcaitlin
Kingfall by David Estes

3.25

Expect sharp-talking swords, witty dragons, demons, godlings, clever princesses, evil Kings, fast-paced arena fights, and a sassy 12-year old.

The powerful godblades were believed to be lost nearly half a millennia ago, when the Godswar ended. Until Sampson Gaard, the youngest princess, blind but ambitious. However, the sword whispers evil in his mind, but tempts him with unspeakable power and the ability to see again. 

In the opposing kingdom, High Commander Andovier Helm, leader of the Odinian forces, is captured and his whole family murdered. He is forced to fight in the arena until he is killed. 

Aisling Brightshine is one of the few remaining godlings, able to heal and sense pain. She is sold to her worst master yet: King Gaard. 

There’s a lot to wrap your head around, but I think seasoned fantasy readers should be fine. With the multi-pov, you are fed a lot of information quickly. 

Not to mention, there appears to be a rich history of gods wars and Rifts which keep the number of demons breaching manageable. Of course, these Rifts grow larger as our cast fight against each other and otherworldly monsters. 

”What you must understand about power is that it's like a piece of fruit.

It will satisfy you for a time, but then it's gone and you must get another piece of fruit. Or you can save that piece of fruit with the intention of enjoying it another time. Alas, when you return to eat the fruit, it's shriveled and rotten, suitable only for a pig's trough. No, the only way to ensure you never go without fruit is to grow your supply.”

The women were especially interesting to read about. They were not amazing warriors, yet they did not balk from what duty and opportunity demanded of them. 

I was also rooting for the romance! I know, who me?!!

Not 'You look beautiful, Peony noticed. 'You are beautiful, like it was something permanent and unchangeable and not only relegated to the superficial surface of her skin. Deeper, like he could see into the core of her and deemed her worthy of such a compliment.

Interestingly, the last 20%, about 200 pages, is taken up by postludes. Basically stories from the past of characters to bulk up their history without impeding on the pacing of the main story and plot. 

This was an interesting approach, but I felt slightly put off by having to read this after finishing the main part of the book. Once I’ve finished the main part, I don’t want my kindle to tell me I still have an hour and a half left. 

Didn't living require changing, adapting, becoming something different than the caterpillar clinging to a branch and nibbling on leaves, bursting from one's cocoon to test out the wings of a butterfly?

Overall, the action scenes were incredibly well-done and I felt there was complexities to the characters. However, it didn’t stand out and I feel like I’ve read this book in different forms already.