Happy Book Review Tuesday. I hope the weather is tolerable in your part of the world. February has been most unkind to the northeast, bringing non-stop snow, snow squalls, and freezing rain and sleet. Needless to say I’ve hunkered down indoors whenever possible–a great time for reading. Today I have two novels in a wonderful fantasy series to share. As the log line for these books say . . . “Think James Bond meets Lord of the Rings.”
________________________________________________________________________________
The Prince’s Man
Five Kingdom’s Book 1
by Deborah Jay
One of the best fantasy novels I have read in ages, The Prince’s Man combines court intrigue, nefarious plots, and dazzling realms. Rustam (Rusty) Chalice is a debonair dance master who lives a double life as a spy in the service of his prince, while also frequenting the beds of highborn ladies.
His life takes a turn when he is forced to team with Dart, the court’s royal assassin—a woman—with the goal of transporting a sickly elf across hostile, mountainous territory. Through the arduous journey, all three characters undergo brutal transformations and evolve as they are tested time and again, forced to rely on one another. At the same time, threats to the throne involve a traitorous noble, an illegitimate heir, and a diabolical torturer. There are layers upon layers of plot, all woven neatly together for a satisfying conclusion in this first book of what promises to be a stellar series.
I was smitten with all three of the lead characters, especially Rustam who undergoes the most compelling transformation of all. You can’t read this book and not be caught up in the lives of Jay’s rakish spy, Risada, Elwaes, and so many others. Even the secondary characters are fleshed out and vibrantly written. We meet so many along the journey, yet each leaves a distinctive mark.
The writing is exquisite, layered with beautifully detailed descriptions of enthralling realms, fantastical creatures, and breathless adventure. Every bit as riveting are the cloak-and-dagger machinations of several royal houses and the cruel manipulations of power-hungry men who seek the throne. From the moment I opened the first pages, I was sucked into the author’s expertly crafted world of intrigue and danger. A truly engaging story. Although book one delivers a wrap to the story as presented, I look forward to continuing for the full scope in books two and three. Highly recommended!
5 Stars
AMAZON LINK
Genre: Epic Fantasy > Fantasy Adventure > Fantasy Romance
________________________________________________________________________________
The Prince’s Son
Five Kingdoms Book 2
by Deborah Jay
The second book in a series, The Prince’s Son picks up where the first book left off. Rustam Chalice is once again in the thick of things as he leads a bridal caravan delivering the older of twins to her intended. Nessa, the younger twin, joins her sister for the journey, along with their maid and friend, Enya. What starts off as a simple journey soon twists into nightmarish proportions, especially for the girls when they are abducted by a vile clan chief.
As in the first novel, I was enthralled by the deftness of the author’s writing, her ability to weave scenes that kept me on pins and needles, and a plot that leaves the reader eagerly flipping the pages.
Whether Jay is writing a beautiful descriptive passage or one rife with danger and raw brutality, her talent places the reader in the heart of the scene. She did an excellent job of wringing emotion from me. I alternately cheered, recoiled, wept, and felt the same broken, joyous, or determined fortitude of the characters. Some are truly abhorrent, and the author didn’t shy from showing that side of them. Others, heroic, complex, resilient.
The relationship between Rustam and Lady Risada will always be the heart of the story for me, but there are layers upon layers of plot threads in this deftly built world. There are several surprises in store, plus a wonderful “comeuppance” for one of the more loathsome characters. I’m looking forward to continuing the journey in book three!
5 Stars
AMAZON LINK
Genre: Epic Fantasy > Fantasy Adventure > Fantasy Romance
________________________________________________________________________________
Aren’t the covers for these novels positively gorgeous? I’m thoroughly smitten with Rustam and Lady Risada and look forward to reading more of their story in book three. Rumor has it Deborah has a fourth (and final?) novel in the works for this series. I’ll be grabbing it on pre-order as soon as it’s available. Book three, The Prince’s Protege is already waiting on my Kindle.
Thanks for joining me for another Book Review Tuesday. Wherever you are, stay warm, and happy reading!
Great reviews MAe I’m adding these to the TBR list!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Fantastic, Fraggle. Happy reading!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just started ‘Leave the world behind’ which was your previous review I think!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it was! I’m really interested in what you think of it when finished. I hope it isn’t too strange or vague for you. I loved it, but I know a lot of readers didn’t care for it at all. Happy reading!
LikeLike
Great reviews and covers. Thanks for sharing, Mae. I’ll have to check these out 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Sounds good, Harmony. The great thing about the covers, is they’re a perfect match for the way Deborah described Rustam. He’s quite the character, LOL!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aren’t Rusty and Dart fab names for a fantasy duo? And having both twins on a journey, oh, there’s all sorts of ways that story could go! Good reviews!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Priscilla. Rusty and Dart make a great duo. And the author does such an excellent job of balancing grim scenes with those that have you cheering!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful reviews. They sound like great fantasy tales.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Craig. I really enjoyed these.
LikeLiked by 1 person
When a reader gushes like this in a review, you just know the writing is incredible. Congratulations to Deborah on her hard work and success.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Mae and Staci, I’m thrilled with these wonderful reviews!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m happy to share my thoughts, Deborah, and I’m looking forward to reading The Prince’s Protege!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Deborah definitely knows how to spin a tale. She kept me enthralled through both of these novels!
LikeLiked by 1 person
All I needed to hear was James Bond meets LOTR. What a fantastic combination! Awesome reviews, Mae.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I think this is the first fantasy series I’ve read that employed a rakish spy, Teri. I also loved the world-building and all the machinations of the various titled houses. A highly entertaining series!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Gorgeous covers 😍 The stories sounds so interesting and definitely up my alley. I love how you mentioned that emotion is captured so beautifully. Great reviews!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I thought of you while reading these Tessa. Given your love for fantasy, I think you would enjoy them. The writing is exquisite.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You had me with “James Bond meets Lord of the Rings!”
LikeLiked by 2 people
Deborah came up with an awesome log line. 🙂
I loved these, Kim!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’d always wanted to write a James Bond character who was allowed to develop beyond his limitations, which was the inspiration behind Rusty, and the fantasy setting allowed me to throw so much more variety of challenges at him than a contemporary one!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I enjoyed your reviews of these two books, Mae. I am not a big reader of fantasy, but these do sound very good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Believe it or not, there was a day when I read (and wrote) fantasy exclusively, LOL. Now and then I still enjoy a good epic fantasy and Deborah really delivered with these. Glad you enjoyed the reviews, Robbie!
LikeLiked by 2 people
These sound like the kind of books that cost readers sleep:) I’m guessing there are plenty of scenes that make you turn pages until you feel “safe” enough to put the book down for the night. The story sounds incredible!
LikeLiked by 2 people
You have it right, Judi – I have reviews accusing me of making people late for bed and late for work. I write the sort of stories I like to read!
LikeLiked by 1 person
An excellent way of expressing it, Judi. I did that many nights, reading far later than I intended, LOL! They’re awesome reads.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you for sharing these reviews, Mae.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Mae, and thank you everyone else – this post makes a difficult week sooooo much better!
And yes, there is a fourth book more than half written (lockdown has been a boon for that), and yes, it’s the end of this particular story, but I have at least another six planned after this one, moving onto the next generation of characters.
One thing I’m never short of is ideas!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! That’s amazing, Debby. It sounds like there is plenty of adventure to come in the world you’ve created. I look forward to the conclusion of this series arc, as well as the new ones you have planned. I’m glad the post today brightened your week. Thanks for brightening mine with your excellent and entertaining novels!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Who can say no to a female assassin? 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
She is quite the character, LOL!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow. Fantasy isn’t my preferred genre, but your glowing reviews will lead me to Amazon to check them out. Oh, how I love “exquisite writing.” Thanks, Mae!
Congrats, Deborah!
LikeLiked by 2 people
The world-building is outstanding, Sue. If I were to recommend a fantasy series to someone who normally didn’t read that genre, this would definitely be one of them. Happy browsing at Amazon!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Sue. They aren’t magic-heavy, and more focussed on the characters than the magic systems. A number of my work colleagues who hadn’t previously read fantasy gave them a go because they were intrigued to read books written by someone they know. So far they’ve all loved them 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great reviews, Mae. I have this on my TBR list and better move it up:)
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’re in for some entertaining and nail-biting reading, Denise, LOL!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous covers! Congrats to Deborah on the glowing reviews.
LikeLiked by 2 people
So glad you stopped by to check out the reviews, Jacquie. The covers are some of the very best I’ve seen!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nothing at all wrong with either of these books. Loved them both!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Good to know, Jacqui!
LikeLike
Thanks so much for the enticing reviews, Mae. I really look forward to this fantasy series. It seems like a place you can go to and bask in thrilling adventure, interesting friends, and magical happenings.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Well said, Flossie. I wish you happy reading 🙂
LikeLike
James Bond meets LOTR? Sounds like a winner to me! Great reviews, Mae.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s an awesome combination, Joan. Loved these!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved both of these books, too, Mae, though I’m behind on my reviews. 😦 Something I’m planning to fix very soon! And I have #3 awaiting me on my Kindle. I really need to catch up with the series, as I think Deborah has done a fabulous job with the tale so far! Great reviews! (Congratulations, Debby!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I need to dive into book three too, Marcia. I’m thoroughly smitten with Rustam and Risada and look forward to discovering more of their adventures. So glad to know you enjoyed these too. Debby crafted amazing characters and an amazing world. I loved all the intrigue with the titled houses.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, James Bond meets Lord of the Rings, the fantasy could have no boundary. Thank you for sharing these reviews, Mae.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure, Miriam. They were so enjoyable, with an intriguing mesh of spy antics and epic fantasy!
LikeLike
Both books look like fantastic reads, Mae! I love fantasy that transports me to other dimensions and this sounds like it does. Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I’ll be adding them to my long TBR list. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL! I know all about that loooong TBR, Jan. Glad to hear Debbie’s books are making it grow even more! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It does remind me a bit of LOR. This book does intrigue me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to hear. I know Debby will be pleased 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person