Book Review: The Usurper by Rowena Cory Daniells

Title: The Usurper
Author: Rowena Cory Daniells
Paperback: 448 pages
Publisher: Solaris (2 Sep 2010)
ISBN 10: 1907519068
ISBN 13: 978-1907519062
Series: Book 3 of King Rolen's Kin trilogy

Now a slave, Piro finds herself in the Merofynian Palace where, if her real identity is discovered, she will be executed.

Meanwhile, Fyn is desperate to help his brother, Bryen, who is now the uncrowned King.

Bryen never sought power but now he finds himself at the centre of a dangerous resistance movement as the people of Rolencia flee vicious invaders. How can Byren defeat the invaders, when half his warriors are women and children, and the other half are untrained boys and old men?

Please find the rest of the review on Speculative Book Review...

Book Review: The Uncrowned King by Rowena Cory Daniells

Title: The Uncrowned King
Author: Rowena Cory Daniells
Paperback: 448 pages
Publisher: Solaris (5 Aug 2010)
ISBN 10: 1907519041
ISBN 13: 978-1907519048
Series: Book 2 of King Rolen's Kin trilogy

Thirteen year old Piro watches powerless as her father’s enemies march on his castle. A traitor whispers poison in the King’s ear, undermining his trust in her brother, Byren.

Determined to prove his loyalty, Byren races across the path of the advancing army, towards the Abbey. Somehow, he must get there in time to convince the Abbot to send his warriors to defend the castle.

Meanwhile, the youngest of King Rolen’s sons, Fyn, has barely begun his training as an Abbey mystic, but he wakes in a cold sweat, haunted by dreams of betrayal...

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Book Review: The King's Bastard by Rowena Cory Daniells

Title: The King's Bastard
Author: Rowena Cory Daniells
Paperback: 448 pages
Publisher: Solaris (31 June 2010)
ISBN 10: 1907519017
ISBN 13: 978-1907519017
Series: Book 1 of King Rolen's Kin Trilogy

"Cloaked in silent winter snow the Kingdom of Rolencia sleeps as rumours spread of new Affinity Seeps, places where untamed power wells up. Meanwhile, King Rolen plans his jubilee unaware of the growing threat to those he loves.

By royal decree, all those afflicted with Affinity must serve the Abbey or face death. Sent to the Abbey because of his innate Affinity, the King’s youngest son, Fyn, trains to become a warrior monk. Unfortunately, he’s a gentle dreamer and the other acolytes bully him. The only way he can escape them is to serve the Abbey Mystic, but his Affinity is weak.

Fiercely loyal, thirteen year-old Piro is horrified to discover she is also cursed with unwanted Affinity. It broke their mother’s heart to send Fyn away, so she hides her affliction. But, when Fyn confesses his troubles, Piro risks exposure to help him.

Even though Byren Kingson is only seven minutes younger than his twin, Lence, who is the king's heir, Byren has never hungered for the Rolencian throne. When a Seer predicts that he will kill Lence, he laughs. But Lence Kingsheir sees Byren’s growing popularity and resents it. Enduring loyalty could be Byren’s greatest failing."

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Read the First Chapter of The King's Bastard by Rowena Cory Daniells

Rowena Cory Daniells' The King's Bastard is coming out on 8 July 2010 and thankfully it is already in my to-be-read pile. One of the good things about this series, called King Rolen's Kin, is that if you like this first book, you won't have to wait very long. The following two installments are to be released in August and in September.

Today, the publisher is generously offering the first chapter of The King's Bastard if you are curious about the author's style and if you'd like to get a feel for the book.

Blurb

Only seven minutes younger than Rolencia's heir, Byren has never hungered for the throne. He laughs when a seer predicts that he will kill his twin. But the royal heir resents Byren's growing popularity. Across the land the untamed magic of the gods wells up out of the earth's heart. It sends exotic creatures to stalk the wintry nights and it twists men's minds, granting them terrible visions. Those so touched are sent to the Abbey to control their gift, or die. At King Rolen's court enemies plot to take his throne, even as secrets within his own household threaten to tear his family apart. Political intrigue and magic combine in this explosive first book in an exciting new fantasy trilogy.