Once a year, a new series emerges that captures your attention. You slog through the hundreds of new releases and find a handful of series that are good. But most of those series fall flat with each sequel. And yet, there is always that one series that retains your interest. It becomes your new obsession. You agonize over the fate of each character, you impatiently wait for a title, cover and released date to be announced. You get the book day one and it instantly becomes the book you’re reading. You finish it right away and instantly need the book.
We’ve all been in this position. For me, this is usually how I am when it comes to books written by Sarah J Maas. But there is one other series that has grabbed my attention like no other series has. That would be the Empirium Trilogy, written by Claire Legrand. This series captivated me from the moment I read opening chapters of book 1, Furyborn, The world building, the story and characters captured my attention and I was hooked. I raved about Furyborn in a previous blog post and I put in on par with books by SJM. So I obviously had incredibly high hopes for the sequel, Kingsbane. And boy oh boy did this book deliver. The story, the tension, the atmosphere, everything is improved upon in this beautiful and well written sequel
As with Furyborn, Kingsbane bounces between viewpoints. For the most part, Eliana and Rielle are the two viewpoints we see, although we see the occasional different viewpoint as the story progresses. And just like the first book, the transition always feels seamless. Each chapter is clearly marked with the perspective that the chapter it is told from. Each chapter feels like its own mini cliffhanger which just adds to the tension that books builds. Plus, each chapter comes with the snippet of history as part of the chapter heading. This just adds to the excellent lore that book has.
As for the story itself, it is one of the most tense and soul crushing stories I’ve read in quite a long time. The story picks up right at the end of Furyborn and continues to wind its way through towards a very violent and inevitable outcome. Rielle continues to struggle being anointed the Sun Queen and everything that comes with it, while at the same time, trying to stave of Corien’s influence. All she has by her side is Ludivine and Audric. It is these two characters who have to keep Rielle on the straight path and it is both fascinating and gut wrenching to watch this story play out.
As for Eliana, she is also struggling in her new role. With her true lineage as Rielle’s daughter revealed, Eliana must decide if she will accept her fate as the Sun Queen, or run away from the power that ultimately doomed her mother. With Simon beside her, Eliana must try and stop the resurgent angels from seizing even more power and before they find her. Much like her mother’s story, Eliana’s is gut wrenching to read at points, especially as the books shocking final scenes play out.
And I think that is the true beauty of this book. The story is tense, unpredictable and soul crushing all at the same time. While Rielle’s story reaches a conclusion we knew was coming, it is still hard to read and you’re shocked by how it plays out. And as for Eliana, the shocking end to her story leaves you breathless and furious all at the same time. You are left feeling as betrayed as Eliana feels and quite frankly, that’s a hard thing to accomplish. The book is a roller coaster of emotions and you’re left with an empty feeling inside when you finish.
Like its predecessor, Kingsbane is a work of literary genius. It’s smart, tense, heart wrenching and leaves you begging for more once you finish it. You feel for the characters and you want to see Eliana succeed and you want to see Rielle stay true. You’re rooting for these two queens the entire book, but the book leaves you guessing the entire way. I can not wait for fall of 2020 for the final book, Lightbringer, to be released. Seriously people, if you haven’t read Kingsbane or Furyborn yet, you own it to yourself to get a copy and read them. You won’t be disappointed.
Verdict- 5 stars. Easily one the best series I have read and one I recommend to everyone I meet.
The Reader's Corner 