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A review by boards_books_and_brews
The Justice of Kings by Richard Swan
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The Justice of Kings (Empire of the Wolf #1)
Written by Richard Swan
Read by Lucy Paterson
Book 101/250
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery
Format: Audio
Pages/Time: 432/13hr 46min
Published: 2022
Rating: 9.25/10
Narration: 8/10
“Beware the idiot, the zealot and the tyrant; each clothes himself in the armour of ignorance.”
Richard Swan’s The Justice of Kings is an interesting fusion of high fantasy and detective mystery with omens of eldritch horror. This is the genre fusion I wasn’t aware I needed until now! And I am hooked. The action is visceral, and the magic is well thought out.
I also love how this story is told. Similar to a Holmes and Watson perspective, Sir Konrad Vonvalt’s murder investigation is told through his clerk, Helena Sedanka. So, while we get the details of investigation and magic, we also have a front row seat to Helena’s struggles. She’s extremely conflicted on being a Justice like Konrad, and her perspective outside the zealotry of the members adds some interesting views. I was a huge fan of this first novel, and the next two are ready on my TBR.
Written by Richard Swan
Read by Lucy Paterson
Book 101/250
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery
Format: Audio
Pages/Time: 432/13hr 46min
Published: 2022
Rating: 9.25/10
Narration: 8/10
“Beware the idiot, the zealot and the tyrant; each clothes himself in the armour of ignorance.”
Richard Swan’s The Justice of Kings is an interesting fusion of high fantasy and detective mystery with omens of eldritch horror. This is the genre fusion I wasn’t aware I needed until now! And I am hooked. The action is visceral, and the magic is well thought out.
I also love how this story is told. Similar to a Holmes and Watson perspective, Sir Konrad Vonvalt’s murder investigation is told through his clerk, Helena Sedanka. So, while we get the details of investigation and magic, we also have a front row seat to Helena’s struggles. She’s extremely conflicted on being a Justice like Konrad, and her perspective outside the zealotry of the members adds some interesting views. I was a huge fan of this first novel, and the next two are ready on my TBR.