The Heir War (The Kinsman Chronicles)
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- $3.99
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- $3.99
Publisher Description
Part 2 of Jill Williamson's Epic Fantasy Series The Kinsman Chronicles
With Prince Wilek still searching Armania for a murderer, his brother Prince Trevn finds himself pulled deeper into the dangerous politics of who will be Heir. Trevn, though, is far more interested in his studies with a local priest and the attentions of a young honor maiden.
The book that he has been copying during his lessons is not the book that teaches of the god of the soil. Instead, it teaches of a one true God. If accurate, then it means there is no soil god to satiate. There is nothing they can do to save their world, and all of King Echad's sacrifices have been futile.
The Heir War is collected together with parts 1 and 3 in King's Folly.
Customer Reviews
A Solid Second Installment
A note for those who have read Jill Williamson’s other titles:
This title, unlike her previous novels, is not a YA title. While the content is still basically clean overall, many of the POV characters are older and the themes are darker.
The first thing to note with The Heir War (The Kinsman Chronicles #1.2) is that it shouldn’t be read as a standalone. It is the second part of a three-part volume, and should a reader start with it, they will likely be very confused. As part of a continuing narrative from Darkness Reigns (The Kinsman Chronicles #1.1), however, it is excellent.
From the first chapter, The Heir War drops straight back into the action surrounding Wilek, Trevn, Mielle, and Charlon from Part One, and the reader is also introduced to new point-of-view characters as well. Despite the fact that there are quite a few people to keep track of, Williamson does a good job of balancing which parts of the story are told from which perspective, and tries not to leave the reader separated from a POV character for too long (though I did start to miss Mielle’s perspective in this section).
Because there are eight perspectives now, with a number of moving parts, pacing slowed a little in the middle (which happens in many books), but it didn’t make me lose interest in the story.
With another cliffhanger ending and the Five Realms on the edge of disaster, I was left eagerly anticipating The End of All Things, the final installment of this volume.
The darker side: Trigger Warning*—there are a couple of scenes depicting physical abuse. There is a culture of mysticism involving black spirits, spells, and the use of a dangerous plant to fuel the spirit connection, and a different culture practices polygamy and has concubines and slaves, much like what we see in the Old Testament, so if those things bother you, just be aware that they are present. Some sexual content is alluded to (mostly coarse joking among young adults), but nothing beyond a couple of kisses are seen on the page.
*I received an advance copy of this book, but my opinions are wholly my own.
Recommended Read :)
Cover: I love the design and colors.
Romance: There is plenty discussed/alluded too including arranged marriages, concubines, conquests, etc. One sweet romance that doesn't seem to have a chance but you keep hoping.
Entertainment: The plot really heats up and everyone has a mission they are trying to accomplish.
Profanity: None
Story: The fate of Armania hangs in the balance. A murder mystery, who will be the next heir, and is there really only one God instead of multiple ones? In this installment we begin to get some answers, pawns become players and visa-verse (due to a kidnapping), and we are privy to lots of action such as magic/demons and fighting as everyone is trying to succeed in their own quest. Multiple points of view continue with one character as interesting as the next. I even enjoyed getting to know the bad guys and for some of them you might hope they turn from their evil ways. This is the second part of the story and I look forwarding to reading the next to see if they can all be saved from disaster.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.