The King-Killing Queen

Old World Tales #1

by Shawn Speakman

In this first book of a new trilogy, a woman discovers her unknown past carries with it a terrible future.

When Alafair Goode lay wounded during his quest to destroy Mordreadth the Great Darkness, a witch magicked and saved the future High King’s life to fulfill his destiny. Thereafter, all born to his line also cannot die, to be only undone by natural death.

Decades later, Sylvie Raventress is the devoted apprentice to the Master Historian stepbrother of the High King. It is a life of scholarly pursuit and privilege where one day she will take her instructor’s place and write her own histories. But beside Alafair’s deathbed, Sylvie and his scions learn a surprising truth—she is no orphan but is his named heir. Worse, when he dies, the witch’s curse is no more, leaving all of them suddenly mortal and vulnerable.

With her siblings loathing Sylvie’s selection and vying for her throne, she must rely on a Fae guide, a disgraced former First Knight, and a cantankerous light-weaver to restore the fracturing kingdom and become High Queen. And yet the thing none of them know is destiny has its own part to play too.

For the witch saved Alafair Goode for her own reasons…

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, High Fantasy, Witches, Fae, Adult, Adventure

296 pages, Hardcover

First published October 10, 2023

About the author

Shawn Speakman grew up in the beautiful wilds of Washington State near a volcano and surrounded by old-growth forests filled with magic. After moving to Seattle to attend the University of Washington, he befriended New York Times best-selling fantasy author Terry Brooks and became his webmaster, leading to an enchanted life surrounded by words.

He was a manager at one of the largest Barnes & Noble Booksellers in the country for many years and now owns the online bookstore The Signed Page, manages the websites for several authors, and is a freelance writer for Random House.

He also contributed the annotations for The Annotated Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks, published in 2012.

Shawn is a cancer survivor, knows angel fire east, and lives in Seattle, Washington.

Reviews

[Petrik · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

The King-Killing Queen is a great and fast-paced Arthurian-inspired fantasy novel.

“You can learn a great deal about a man by what he reads.”

This is one of the most surprising reads of the year for me. I first knew about The King-Killing Queen, a previous and brief version of it anyway, from The King Must Fall anthology published by Grimdark Magazine. Beyond that, I had not read anything by Shawn Speakman. Everything I knew about Speakman was limited to his incredible involvement in science fiction and fantasy publishing, mainly in his role as the owner of Grimoak Press, one of the finest press of limited editions. Seriously, I own one limited edition published by Grimoak Press, The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams, and it is ridiculously stunning. Why only one? Well, limited editions are expensive, and as much as I want to, I am not in a state where I can afford them all. When I had the chance to read the full and more polished version of The King-Killing Queen, even though I still have more than 200 review requests to read, I decided to only read two chapters to sample the prose. And I ended up reading the entire novel while I was in the midst of reading To Green Angel Tower by Tad Williams. Short fantasy books like this are necessary for me. Most fantasy books I read are huge; an easy-to-read and engaging book like The King-Killing Queen provides me a needed refreshment before I go back to tackling the huge fantasy tomes. Not only do Shawn Speakman and Grimoak Press create high-quality limited edition books, but Speakman is a wonderful storyteller, too.

Picture: The King-Killing Queen by Magali Villeneuve



The King-Killing Queen is the first book in a trilogy, and I believe this trilogy will be a prequel series to Speakman’s Annwn Cycle series. When Alafair Goode lay wounded during his quest to destroy Mordreadth the Great Darkness, a witch magicked and saved the future High King’s life to fulfill his destiny. Except for natural death, Alafair and his descendants are practically immortal.

But things change when decades later, Sylvie Raventress (the devoted apprentice to the Master Historian stepbrother of the High King) is named as a successor and heir to the High King when Alafair is on his deathbed. Worse, the immortality curse bestowed ended when Alafair died. This means Alafair's scions and Sylvie are no longer immortal. Now, Sylvie must do everything she can to protect the throne from her siblings and guarantee the tenuous peace between humanity and the Fae continues.

Picture: The Vow by Donato Giancola



As you can probably tell from the premise, The King-Killing Queen does not have a groundbreaking premise for a story. This kind of background has been told in countless epic fantasy series. However, the historical fantasy world-building (more on this later) and Speakman’s accessible prose centered on keeping the reader's attention focused on the book work well for me. Speakman's writing is easy to read, scenes are easy to visualize, and the narrative is undoubtedly prioritized to keep the pages turning more than anything else. Despite its short length, The King-Killing Queen has a clear three-part story structure division. And every one of them is concentrated on Sylvie thwarting the deadly battle for the throne and her determination to uphold the peace between humans and the Fae. I enjoyed reading how every part begins with memorable turns of phrases about deaths, and if you are looking for a good fantasy novel to entertain you for a few short hours without feeling bored, this is the book for you.

“Every man who gains power wields it for his benefit.”

Of course, a fast-paced story alone won't be sufficient for most fantasy readers. We now have myriad options for terrific fantasy books; a fantasy book or a story must bring more noticeable elements to stand out. It cannot rely only on a few factors. And for me, more than a fast-paced storyline or actions, characters and characterizations will always be the most crucial hook of a book. Having well-written and memorable characters keep me constantly interested, and it elevates every other powerful feature a book has. Fortunately, Sylvie is a likable heroine. She is kind-hearted, righteous, and loyal. But also ruthless when needed. Basically, she gets the job done. I won't lie, though. The fast-paced narration did diminish some potential emotional scenes for me. I would certainly prefer some key pivotal scenes to be ruminated longer rather than having Sylvie immediately move on to other activities. But this is not a big issue in my reading experience because many intriguing aspects of the world-building in The King-Killing Queen made up for its flaws.

"When a man lies, he murders a part of the world."

Those who follow my reviews will probably know this. I am usually not a fan of historical fantasy. And I think The King-Killing Queen can be categorized as one. As a fantasy reader, I prefer my epic fantasy books to have a secondary world or city setting. This isn't the case with this novel. All the events in the first part happen in Mont Saint-Michel. The King-Killing Queen actually takes place in medieval France but with added high fantasy elements such as magical swords, faes, unicorns, and more. Thankfully, the chemistry blended nicely, and it truly helps that I am also a fan of Arthurian retelling. The big issue I tend to have with historical fantasy is it can somehow feel jarring and distracting to my immersion when a real-life prominent historical figure or setting appears. Case in point: The Traitor Son Cycle by Miles Cameron. But in The King-Killing Queen, I always felt this is a high fantasy setting despite it taking place in France. It was wonderful. If you knew about this book through the successful Kickstarter campaign of it, you might also know Speakman has another prequel graphic novel about Saint Emmer and the sword Bruyere titled The Briar-Sword Monk. I haven't read that graphic novel yet, but I assume the events in the graphic novel were indeed explained in The King-Killing Queen. I can't go into details because of spoilers, but I will say this, I am so captivated by Saint Emmer's story. And if given the chance, I will read The Briar-Sword Monk.


Picture: Bruyere by Lixin Yin



Lastly, speaking of the Kickstarter campaign earlier, we need to talk about the production value of The King-Killing Queen. I read the advanced reading copy edition of the book. I think it is safe to assume the production value of the ARC will be inferior compared to the final hardcover product. The Kickstarter campaign of The King-Killing Queen was immensely successful, and I have no doubt the final product will turn out very dazzling. I am confident in saying this because the ARC edition is already superior compared to many other fantasy books. Take a look at the stunning cover art illustrated by Magali Villeneuve. That cover art is an attention grabber. And that's not all. There are 9 fitting black-and-white interior illustrations by the legendary Donato Giancola, and the book also comes with a gorgeous map by Jared Blando. All of these enhanced the readability of the The King-Killing Queen for me. And yes, it is wishful thinking of mine that every fantasy book will be this beautifully produced.

Picture: The Unicorn by Donato Giancola



The King-Killing Queen is the kind of fantasy book I will recommend to newcomers to high fantasy. I had fun reading it. It was my first time reading Speakman's book, and it won't be the last. If you are a veteran of the fantasy genre, I believe The King-Killing Queen is aptly suitable when you are in need of a short, fast-paced, and engaging Arthurian-inspired fantasy book. I read this at exactly the right time and reading mood, and I look forward to reading the sequel as soon as possible. The book did end on a mean cliffhanger, after all... Consider yourself warned.

“Men forget war’s evil and will always find excuses to battle. It is in their nature.”

Picture: Lumiere by Milivoj Ceran



You can pre-order this book from: Blackwells (Free International shipping)

The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.

You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions | I also have a Booktube channel

Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!

My Patrons: Alfred, Aliysa, Anastasia, Andrew, Andrew W, Annabeth, Arliss, Barbara, Biskit, Brad, Cade, Casey, Chris, Cullen, David, Dernerror, Diana, Donna, Donuts, Dylan, Edward, Elias, Ellen, Frank, Garrick, Gary, Gregory, Hamad, Helen, Jenn, Jesse, Jimmy Nutts, Joie, Justin, Kristina, Lara, Luis, Melinda, Michael, Michael, Mike, Miracle, Nicholas, Norbert, Radiah, Samuel, Sarah, Sarah, Scott, Shawn, Tori, Tracy, TS, Wendy, Wick, Xero, Yuri, Zoe.

[Blaise · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://undertheradarsffbooks.com/202...

I received an ARC from the author in exchange for a honest review. For all you fantasy lovers searching for a perfect bridge between the classical fantasy novels of the past with the more grim themes of modern fantasy, we have it here! The King-Killing Queen is a love letter to the fantasy genre and it was equally a joy to read as it was painful to bear at times. The cover art and interior sketches are nothing short of remarkable and only add to the grandiose feel of the story. You are all in for a treat with this one.

King Alafair Goode lies on his deathbed a few short days from passing into the next life and the plan for succession has gone into full affect. Alafair became King with the fulfillment of his destiny by slaying Mordreadth the Great Darkness but during that quest a witch blessed Alafair with everlasting life so he couldn’t be killed. The result being Alafair’s children would not be killed except through natural causes and this is where we find ourselves today. Sylvie is an apprentice historian being trained by the High Kings brother her whole life as she is an orphan. They are both tasked with recording the succession in proper detail for generations to come.

On Alafair’s deathbed, he asks his children a series of questions to determine who the next in line will be, but the one who gives the correct answer is none other than Sylvie. To the shock and dismay of all, Sylvie is named Queen Regent and learns that she is not in fact an orphan but a bastard child of the High King. With Alafair’s death, the blessing of the witch also leaves and the offspring are left with very few choices. Political scheming and alliances will be formed but the most shocking parts of this story you will not expect to see.

I will leave the summary here to not get to far into the weeds and discuss spoilers. A few things to make note of for this novel. The story takes place in a medieval setting that resembles historical Europe. Similar to what Mark Lawrence did with The Broken Empire Trilogy for those who have read it. There is also Fae creatures in this world. In fact, The High-King is granted a Fae to follow him around and advise him but I don’t wish to get into this as it will lead to spoilers.

The narrative and the character communications are what drives the story here. Sylvie is both smart and ambitious in serving the Kingdom as per her fathers wishes but she also knows that support will be need for the future. Sylvie will find that help in the most unlikely places. The King-Killing Queen combines: Religion, politics, adventure, secret orders, thieves, magic, and a how lot of blood shed when you least expect it.

It is not often that we get a new novel from Shawn Speakman but as always he never fails to deliver. I can’t think of a more enjoyable story that will appeal to all lovers of the fantasy genre. Mark your calendars for this October 2023 for when The King-Killing Queen to be released as this is surely one you will not want to miss.

Cheers!

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

l am familiar with the author through his fantasy anthologies and his work therein.

ln this Arthurian style fantasy there has been an accord between Fae and mankind for a millennium. The current king lies on his deathbed and names an illegitimate daughter as his heir causing strife between his many children, all of whom wanted the kingship.

lf she doesn't take the throne the thousand year old peace with the fae will come to an end.

A well written fantasy with interesting characters, deceit, murder and potential war on the horizon.

[John Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those that don’t know Shawn Speakman is the creator of Grim Oak Press. He uses that platform to sell some of his books which I never wanted to even try because he’s never once finished a series that he’s started, like never even written a book 2 of planned trilogies. For some reason I figured I’d give it a gamble with this and it turned out to be fantastic. My only wish is that it was longer! His prose is simple and fast paced for a super quick read which is a nice change of pace coming off of Lord of Chaos. He better freaking be starting on the sequel soon or I’m going to lose it!

The story follows the bastard Sylviana who is the chosen heir to the throne when the King dies, much to the dismay of her siblings. She must battle her siblings whether it be politically or physically. They will do whatever it takes to get rid of her. She later goes on a quest for a book to prove her legitimacy to the land of the Faes with a great cast of characters that I really enjoyed. The Faes are no friend to humans and she finds out that she must worry about her siblings, Faes, as well as someone else who is plotting her against them both to create a war.

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
This book claims to be a “dark love letter to high fantasy,” and although I can see high fantasy in it. The book feels more like a want to be high fantasy book. At times it is and at others I’m left utterly confused as to why it was left in the story. It was interesting overall and this book set up an interesting story, I plan to continue the series to see where it leads.

[devynreads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.5 stars ✨

Overall, I'll start off by saying this was a decent fantasy read. The writing is well done, there's a large but distinct cast of characters, the kingdom and its history are explained sufficiently so as to expand upon and add to the story, our female protagonist is smart and obviously capable of ascending to queendom, and there's a mystery to be solved.

Now, therein lies a bit of the problem. From the get-go, we the readers understand who is responsible for stealing the Covenant Codex and for riling up the human and Fae kingdoms, and I don't refer to the changeling. In the synopsis, we are told that the witch who originally saved and blessed Alafair Goode with immortality until natural death is responsible for these current events because she evidently has a hidden agenda once the immortal king dies and his kin are no longer immortal themselves. Yet the ending of book one lands on this fact that, I suppose, is supposed to be a surprise: The witch is the one behind all the evil machinations happening in the kingdom and the creation of the changeling that's been causing chaos. But we have already been told this, so this "revelation" is neither a surprise nor all that revealing. It's instead anticlimactic and a bit of a letdown.

Then there's our female protagonist, Sylvianna Raventress, or Sylvianna Goode. Because of her upbringing and apprenticeship under Master Kell, the royal historian, she's intelligent, loyal, a critical thinker, and just. Which is all well and good, but...she comes across as TOO perfect. That's why I rated character development so low (on Edelweiss). I feel that Sylvianna already possesses all the qualities needed for one to rule, and so she doesn't actually require much development. She shows bravery and an ability to think outside the box throughout the story, too. The only quality she's lacking in is the full knowledge of how to run a kingdom, but that's simply because she's never done it before. Lady Erlina calls her naïve towards the end, but Sylvianna's supposed "naivety" is simply that she's never needed to be involved in family politics (she's an orphan and only child).

Sylvianna's perfection therefore makes the story a bit boring at times. The plot is slow-moving and drags in the middle, mostly because the fantasy trope of "small band of important characters travels across the fantasy country/world on an important quest" is employed. I know this is a popular trope, purely because it's very common in high fantasy, but I've never been a big fan. We get it, there's trees and cold weather and they have to stoke a fire and cook meals together, and oh, there's a mountain and maybe a scary wild animal. I find this kind of "interlude" in our heroine's quest to be the opposite of stimulating, but that's just a personal preference. Maybe other readers really enjoy this time to get to know the characters and see how they act and react in an unknown environment. Unfortunately, I am not one of those readers.

Lastly, and probably not as importantly, there was the fact that none of the characters reacted to Saint Emmer's sudden and, by all intents and purposes, miraculous reappearance one thousand years after he was supposed to have lived. I didn't understand this at all. At first, I assumed that the lack of a reaction was because Sylvie was surrounded by Fae, who didn't necessarily care about human history (despite Emmer's importance in said history). But then Sylvie and the sprites reunite with Mikkel and the rest of the gang, and not ONE of them reacts appropriately to Saint Emmer (and Wise Belloch) standing before them in the flesh. Sylvie herself had just said a few pages earlier that Emmer was one of humanity's biggest and most important historical figures. Yet nobody seemed to care one fig. There was no astonishment, no surprise, no fear or confusion or happy tears. Literally nothing. This annoyed me more than it probably should have, but it just genuinely didn't make any sense.

In essence, this was a well-fleshed out fantasy world that was also well-written, but it was slow-moving a lot of the time and I found our protagonist to be dull in her perfection. The light-weavers were one of the most interesting aspects, so I would hope in later books there will be more of them included in the story. The illustrations were fantastic, although there were only a few. All in all, this was okay. I probably won't read any sequel, but I'm glad I read book one.

[Cass (the_midwest_library) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Conflicted on this one, this is a very short historical/Arthurian fantasy story. I would not classify this as epic fantasy as the scope was quite small as was the plot and book itself. My biggest issue was that this feels like a short story. There just isn't enough land out for me to fall head over heels. But that doesn't mean it's a bad book.

I actually quite liked the female MC and felt she was very capable. The overall world is really interesting I wish we got a bit more worldbuilding. The plot is "basic" but I'm enjoying the journey.

But the book has very simplistic prose for me, it reminded me of YA books like Vespertine and Sorcery of Thorns. Both of those YA reads are quite good but I had different expectations going into those than I did going into this. My biggest complaint however is that it ends on a cliffhanger. With barely 300 pages and you end on a cliffhanger? I'd rather the plot resolve a bit more and have a meatier book.

[Janny]

An enjoyable, thoroughly magical tale that blends a splash of Arthurian myth and mayhem surrounding a royal succession where an unknown, illegitimate daughter is groomed to rule, then startled to find herself appointed to inherit the throne by her dying father, supplanting a jealous cadre of spoiled siblings. Smoothly transitions from the heroine scribe's small and limited setting to some colorful back alley style underpinnings with backhistory, and a fey world that slides past the fields we know spinning faerie tale styled myth into original imagination. An enjoyable read with remarkable and powerful women, a young protagonist forced to expand her horizons to fight for her place, and strong warning: the off the edge plunge of a cliffhanger ending will make sure you pine for the sequel.

[Sorceryoftomes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot WAIT to have this book in my hands!

[Jillian · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really hate to give one star reviews, especially to smaller authors, but this was well deserved in my opinion. The writing was lacking in a way that was so serious it detracted from my overall enjoyment and reading experience. The style is slow, passive, and is a prime example of why we should be showing not telling. All of the characters were flat and static, lacking internal motivation and anything interesting about them beyond their stereotype. The plot was also predictable, but worst of all, the central question that the story opens with is unanswered at the end of the novel, leaving the reader in only a marginally better spot than when the book began. This really did not work for me.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was gifted this book for Christmas, so I will start the review by judging the book by it's cover because it's so so gorgeous. You can tell when the love of writing extends to the love of physical books and made for a reader holding the book in its hands, that each page turning should be one of joy. It has a stunning cover, and even more stunning illustrations scattered through out the book which enhances the experience, and the layout of the pages is nice to the eye with each chapter starting with an illuminated letter, plus a glossary in the back which should be the standard in fantasy publishing but I've noticed become something of a rarity these days. So, all around, a pleasant book to read and have in the shelf.

For judging the contents of the book, I'm a little torn. It is a story that knows where it wants to head to and does so swiftly without hesitation, which makes it a light and fast paced story that feels like a breath of fresh air when there's so many thicker fantasy books out there demanding effort and investment of time. To pick up a book under 300 pages that progresses and doesn't dawdle is refreshing.

But I think this approach also sacrifices and cuts moments that we need to connect to our characters. I constantly feel like I want to breathe more with the characters, to get to know them better through the mundane of life and feel the importance of the choices they have to make. Here, it feels like the structure of the world were pushing the characters rather than their own free will and choices.

It's hard to know why we should care for these characters on a personal level and be invested in their quest, because most of the motivation just boils down to doing what has to be done and I suppose doing good, more than thinking about the deeper aspects of what motivates and pushes these people through. It's not enough to highlight the main character as special through the rest of the cast, I want to know why Sylvie is special through her mind and the actions she does when she could have had other options that others would have taken.

The fast progression also made the book exhausting to read in the long run. When every chapter ends with a dramatic cliff hanger it felt like I wasn't reading a completed novel but an ongoing series of chapters published by the week. There was no need to overuse the dramatic effect to keep pulling the readers, and it further made the novel feel like we were just going from point A to point B to point C in shortsighted little bursts, rather than as one cohesive story. Soo many times it felt like the narrative just went with the easy way out to push the story where it wanted it to go, rather than going with the more complicated paths and let the characters live and feel the impacts of the choices they had made.

What ultimately made me lower my score was the final chapters, where the myths and legends were woven into the story in a much more direct way than I prefer. The exciting parts for me when it comes to fantasy with rich lore is seeing how the past and the choices made then affects and shapes the presents, and the mystery of discerning what is the truth of what has been passed down in the living history. Not in the way it was used here. To have historical figures centuries past come to life in present day, kills the momentum of the story too much. It's too easy, just like many of the plot points through the story.

I did not leave this book feeling like the plot had thickened, because isn't the hook of the second unreleased book something we already know? Isn't it kinda obvious to all readers? Like, the characters even spent rare dialogue of the story speaking of the only mentioned witch and trying to discern why she made the choices that she did in the past. And then the narrative wants to make it seem like we don't know who is behind the evil of the land but hands us the clue that it's a witch? Yet it's a mysret of who the witch is? This can't even be considered a spoiler but a theory, but I call the pikatchu surprised meme on this.

It also felt like a book written by a man, especially when the female lead has sex (which is great for her that she is dominant and empowered by it, sure) but does not mull even a moment of the consequences of women having sex like siring children out of marriage and what it means in this fantasy world, and when she later whines that she is only treated differently because she bleeds once a month. Which, sure is true, but usually there's a little more that goes into gender expectations. But I never found it disrespectful and sexist like some fantasy authors, just that I wish there was a little more exploration of gender especially because it's a fantasy setting and a story about a woman taking power in a world ruled by men.

Ultimately I did like reading this book, and it is a solid start to a series. There were many parts that I liked, but I wish more attention had been paid to those moments instead of swiftly moving on. The overall experience is definetely akin to delicious fast food - great in the moment and fast satisfaction, but can't really be compared to a three course meal prepared by a master chef. One is not better than the other, but it's when you think about the content afterwards that you may feel differently about it then than in the moment.

[The Library Ladies · Rating 4 out of 5]

(originally reviewed at thelibraryladies.com )

I always love supporting authors who publish through smaller publishers, so I was excited to jump on the opportunity to read and review this book when I saw that it was coming out this fall. The cover is simply gorgeous, and a title like that is sure to catch the eye! While the book description itself sounded a bit generic as far as high fantasy goes, there’s also nothing wrong with going back to the basics if it’s done well! And other than few quibbles here and there, I think this was a solid fantasy read.

Right away, the overall tone of this book will hit nicely for classic fantasy readers. While the word “trope” gets thrown around a lot with much derision, often things only become tropes because some core part of the concept appeals to large swaths of readers. Such is the case with this book. We have family curses, orphans who are long-lost heirs, historic battles between Fae and humankind, and, of course, a good ole political battle between siblings all vying for a throne. All of these elements, while familiar, fit together neatly, pulling the reader into an almost nostalgic story that gallops from one scene of intrigue and danger to the next. The book is on the shorter side, but tons of plot and action is stuffed within the pages that we have.

What stood out most of all, however, was the main character, Sylvie. Not only was it also a breath of fresh air to be reading a fantasy novel that wasn’t comprised of a million and one POVs, but Sylvie herself was a fantastic leading lady. While some of the plot of the book wasn’t overly surprising, Sylvie often was. We are introduced to a fairly reserved, bookish sort of character who envisions a quiet future for herself. However, her ability to morph into a clear-eyed, and at times ruthless, heir to the throne who takes the responsibilities and sacrifices of that role seriously was incredibly impressive. It didn’t read as a character switch, which was also quite impressive. Somehow both versions of Sylvie fit alongside one another well, all anchored by her strong sense of commitment to those she loves and her role in the world. It seems like a strange thing to say, but I was so pleased that the author didn’t back down from some of the more ruthless moments that Sylvie must take part in. She doesn’t quibble, she doesn’t waver. It was refreshing, to say the least, to read a female character coming into power who doesn’t feel the need to apologize for the same decisions that a male counterpart would make without blinking an eye.

All of that said, towards the middle of the book, there were a few writing choices that began to grate on me a bit. There were a few moments that I was thrown out of the book by the repetition of facts or by the writing falling too closely to the “telling” side of things, rather than the “showing.” A few more edits could have potentially ironed out a few of these issues, but still, overall I found this to be a very enjoyable read. If you’re looking for a classic-feeling high fantasy novel, definitely give this one a go!

Rating 8: A jubilant return to classic high fantasy, Sylvie’s story is one of action, betrayal, and the strength it takes to rise to the challenges set before you.

[Robin Hobb · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, the usual caveats. Not only is Shawn Speakman a long time friend and publisher of the most recent edition of the Lindholm book Wizard of the Pigeons, I received the Advance Reading Copy of The King-Killing Queen for free.

I don't know about you, but of late I've felt a bit daunted when I acquire a book and it's five or six or eight hundred pages long. And then it's the first of a series! I think to myself, "So many books, so little time!" Do I want to invest all that time in one book, or read three for the same amount of pages?
That isn't, of course, my most deciding factor in starting to read, but I will admit that I found it refreshing to pick up a book that is less than 300 pages long.

And it packs a lot of story into those pages. Very good!

If you've been following my reviews for a time, you know that I avoid spoilers. I'm always horrified when the blurb on the back of a book cover gives up a fact I would not have discovered until page 123. So. No spoilers here, just some hints and bits of the kind of book it is.

Speakman has a nice knack for a turn of phrase. Here's one: "A riddle is merely truth wrapped around itself." (Well, that's very quotable, yes?)

The King-Killing Queen lives up to its title. It's not riddled with gore, but the main character does what she must. That's not to say she's ruthless but that she has a strong dispassionate logic when it comes to protecting her future. Enough said there.

Speakman has mined legends and lore for this tale, picking up Arthurian threads and re-weaving them for his own purpose. This is a telling that does not waste time. The story moves swiftly and strongly, with characters well defined and a plot that doesn't pause. When backstory is needed, it's deftly embroidered into the tale without the need for a whole chapter of backstory. This tale is as much about family politics as it is about the greater politics of a realm threatened by war.

The cover art is by Magali Villeneuve, an artist I greatly admire, and features interior art by Donato Giancola. If you are unfamiliar with those names, I suggest that you will enjoy a visit to their respective websites to explore more of their art.

The King-Killing Queen is clearly part of a larger tale. A trilogy or a series, I do not know, but it's a strong opening and definitely beckons the reader to continue the journey.

Like many independently published books, there is a Kickstarter for this. It has 11 days to go, as of this posting, and there are a lot of goodies for supporters who jump in now. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

[Emmanuel Katto · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The King-Killing Queen" is an enthralling and masterfully crafted work of historical fiction that captivates readers from the very first page. Set against the backdrop of a tumultuous medieval kingdom, the novel skillfully weaves together elements of political intrigue, romance, and suspense to create an unforgettable reading experience.

At the heart of the story is the enigmatic protagonist, Eleanor of Ravenswood, whose multifaceted character evolves throughout the narrative. Eleanor's journey from a sheltered young woman to a formidable force in a male-dominated world is both empowering and deeply compelling. Her struggles, sacrifices, and determination make her a character with whom readers can readily empathize.

The author's meticulous attention to historical detail is evident in every aspect of the novel. From the vivid descriptions of lavish court settings to the intricacies of courtly manners and political machinations, the world-building is immersive and richly textured. This attention to historical accuracy enhances the authenticity of the story and transports readers to a bygone era.

The narrative unfolds at a deliberate pace, allowing for the gradual development of characters and relationships. The budding romance between Eleanor and the charismatic Lord Cedric is delicately portrayed, adding a layer of emotional depth to the story. The complexities of their relationship mirror the complexities of the political landscape, further enriching the novel's thematic depth.

What truly sets "The King-Killing Queen" apart is its exploration of power dynamics and gender roles. The novel artfully examines the challenges Eleanor faces as she navigates a society that is often hostile to women seeking influence. Her transformation into a strategist and leader, while maintaining her identity, challenges societal norms and reinforces the novel's overarching theme of empowerment.

The book's climactic moments are riveting and leave readers on the edge of their seats. Twists and turns in the plot keep the suspense alive, and unexpected alliances and betrayals heighten the stakes. The intricate web of intrigue culminates in a finale that is both satisfying and thought-provoking.

In conclusion, "The King-Killing Queen" is a triumph of storytelling that seamlessly blends historical authenticity with a riveting narrative. With its strong characters, immersive setting, and exploration of complex themes, the novel offers a captivating escape into a world of intrigue, passion, and empowerment. This book is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and anyone seeking a tale of courage and resilience in the face of adversity.

[Josinho · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE KING KILLING QUEEN – SHAWN SPEAKMAN

El High King, Alastair Goode se está muriendo, y ha elegido como sucesora, para sorpresa de todos los príncipes, a su hija ilegítima, Sylvianna Raventress, educada por su hermano historiador. Sylvianna hereda la bendición que una bruja otorgó a su padre para enfrentarse a Mordreadth, la Gran Oscuridad, que es la imposibilidad de que le maten. Pero también la coloca en un tablero de ajedrez con piezas fantásticas, como nobles traidores, hermanos usupadores, hermanastros secretos, monjas que manipulan la luz, y todo el Reino de los Fae, en continuo equilibrio de fuerzas con el de los Humanos.

Shawn Speakman es el editor jefe de Grim Oak Press. Y ha aprendido mucho editando, porque nos trae una novela de Alta Fantasía Épica y Medieval de Manual. The King Killing Queen es, simplemente, impecable como lo que es. De hecho, ni se oculta tras nombres extraños ni mapas tortuosos. Francia, Bretaña, Merlín, los Fae, espadas mágicas, brujas, princesas herederas, espadas mágicas. Todo claro.

Y, aunque a mí la fantasía medieval se me suele hacer bola, con The King Killing Queen me he llevado una sorpresa muy agradable. ¿Por qué?

Qué bien que escribe Shawn Speakman. Nunca una descripción más larga de lo habitual, ni hablas rimbombantes, ni infodumps tediosos ni abuso de virtudes en los personajes. No comete errores, lo cual es mucho.

Lo bien que se puede hacer una novela artúrica más, sin necesidad de abundar en las virtudes de los personajes una vez más, hasta convertirlos en Santos o en Memes. Sin embargo, nos centramos en una historia en la que Sylvianna se adentra en lo desconocido y partes del folklore artúrico más desconocidas.

Porque sí, el folklore puede ser sorprendente, ya que mezcla la visión Británica de Arturo, Mordred, Morgana, Pendragón, Merlín y Excalibur con los Fae, los Changelings, y el Erlking de los Faes, junto con la Caza.

El único pero es la falta de originalidad de los personajes. Pero quizás es algo que viene asociado al género.

¿Te molan los retellings artúricos y las novelas bien escritas? The King Killing Queen es tu rollo.

Ah, y preciosas ilustraciones…

Valoración: 4 Morganas

[寿理 宮本 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I honestly don't know why I have this book.

I mean, I know that I backed it, that the crowdfunding was BEYOND successful, and it showed up in my postbox one day. Why? No clue. I had never heard of Shawn Speakman before this, nor have I seen anyone I follow mention it. My best guess is the crowdfunding site promoted it, and I misread it as a "My good friend is also crowdfunding his book! Please help out!" message from someone I follow (many of them do this).

Nope, spam.

It's an okay book, anyway. I did find myself falling asleep for Chapter One to the point I skipped to the paragraph before Chapter Two, and THAT'S when things pick up! Almost interested in finishing the book now!

As a crowdfunding bonus, it came with three "tarot" cards and an enamel pin, but since I am only getting acquainted with the book, they don't mean as much as if I had greatly anticipated it. No regrets about backing it; definitely good having more books in the world! I just generally prefer to be choosy about ones where I pay full price (or more!).

(update)

The title is definitely a spoiler.

(update)

So, I actually have a LOT of books I want to read pretty much immediately, and I'm so decreasingly interested in finishing THIS one that I'm actively looking for any reason to stop, and I got it:

See, I have a favourite character with a relatively unusual/uncommon name, and coincidentally there is a character in this book with the SAME name, and I can't divorce the name from My Favourite Character enough to accept that THIS Character is not the same, so here I am reading about this Character who isn't MY Character, and what happens to THIS Character is pretty terrible (even if it is perfect in context), so—as ridiculous as it sounds—it feels like someone is specifically dumping on My Character, which I don't really like.

I'm allowed. I can stop reading for any reason I like, including (and especially) for using an uncensored N-word (regardless of who uses it, though I've been gritting my teeth when it's someone who can legitimately "take it back" [which I think is a losing battle but whatever floats your boat]).

It's not like I can't say the character's name; doing it this way just makes it easier to not spoil or have to add spoiler tags. Also, I don't really want to poison anyone else's ideas about how Characters should be.

What I read so far (other than Chapter 1) was good, and if I could Search > Replace Character's name with something that means less to me, then I probably would've given it the old college try to finish it. As it is, it feels like a sunk cost, even if I don't exactly regret my pledge, so better to let someone who WANTS the book find it in a free library. Maybe it'll be you!

Edit to add:

Found out it's the same publisher (or collaborator with the same) as Digger Unearthed, so... actually not ENTIRELY spam. Still not excited about the book, though, but I'm sure someone else will be!

[Leila B · Rating 2 out of 5]

In the end, it was just... mediocre.

I had great hopes for this book. It was described as High Fantasy, and yeah, it fits the category, but there was a lot of hype around it and I was looking forward to reading it.

The good: a few of the characters were interesting.

The rest: Where do I even start? Oh wait, I know, I start with adding a spoiler tag!

-- formulaic: it's not quite shepherdess becomes queen, but almost
-- formulaic: mentor dies right away
-- formulaic: hero and friends must cross the country to find [item] that could solve [conflict].
-- characters: a few were interesting. The others? NSM. Caricatures or flat flat flat.
-- carelessness with current culture: sword named Lumière. Sorry, that's a sex-pest Disney candlestick. Really hard to get past that bad imagery, tbh.
-- carelessness with language: another sword is called Bruyère because it was created, essentially, with human flesh and briars. However... in French, bruyère means heather not briar or brambles (that's "ronces"). Dude, a quick jaunt at Bing or Google Translate would have saved you from that jarring and stupid mistake.
-- the writing was... blah, to say the least.
-- there was very little plot (beyond "journey though hostile territory by a group of mostly people") and not enough story for one book, and god only knows what's going to happen with the sequels (which I probably won't be reading). I read in another comment that making it longer but finishing the whole story (and this cutting a lot of the filler in this one) might have made a tighter book.

So yeah. Mediocre.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the old king lies dying, he shocks his rather plentiful adult offspring by choosing Sylvia, a historian-in-training as his heir and new queen. (Until then nobody even knew she was one of his illegitimate daughters.) Within hours, she finds herself under attack and has to escape while her legitimate siblings are on the verge of starting a war over who will get the crown. Her only hope is to reach the Fae, who are not fond of humans at all, hoping that an ages-old contract with them will help her solve the situation. But there's a dark evil plotting behind the scenes...

This is a classical high fantasy with some elements from Arthurian myth and a setting that's a kind of mix between medieval Europe and fantasy, but with lots of original elements, too. The plot is entertaining until the very end, but expect no conclusion since this is only the first part of a trilogy. What appealed to me the most was the character of the historian / queen, who is strong and dedicated, as well as intelligent. Fantasy elements like the light-bringers, a kind of mystical order, and their unusual building were also fun. It's a good book and I look forward to reading the rest of the trilogy.

I can't speak for other editions, but the hard-cover edition I've got is beautifully illustrated, and that's a real pleasure in itself.

[JULIA · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started as a 3 star book for me. I winced at the cutesy names of the bakery and stationer’s shops. I heaved a sigh of boredom at the beginning of each section when the author chose to repeat a writing indulgence/ flourish where the protagonist poetically “awaits death” for a couple pages each time, making the reader wade through the flowery imagery in order to get back to the plot. The good thing though is the author gives up on all that fluff after a while and gives the reader a well paced and creative story for the rest of the novel.

I really enjoyed all the side characters. The world-building was good. There were legitimately surprising plot twists and turns ( except the reveal of the dark forces facing the world of fae and man that was obvious all along.) I especially love that the smartest person in the room is the queen. I’m excited to read more installments in this series.

In my final analysis, the book jumped from a 3-star to a 5-star book as I read along. I only dropped back to 4 stars because it ended too abruptly and without wrapping up sufficiently to satisfy me as a complete novel. I will tolerate that I have signed on for one long story broken up into installments. I am hooked.

[A.R. Hellbender · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a very disappointing read. On the surface level, it holds up as a story. But overall it’s very flat.
We’re given so little time with the characters, and the main character has no personality.
The writing is extremely not good. The beginning of the book is a prime example of why it’s important to show, not tell, because the narrative seriously just explains everything to us when none of it was that important and it could have been shown more easily. Though the writing gets better as the book goes on, there were still things that bothered me. For instance, there’s a part where the main character falls into a dark abyss in the fae realm, and the last line of the chapter implies that she forgets everything, even her name. But nope, the next chapter starts and she’s completely fine, just trapped somewhere but still herself.
The worst part, though, was that the worldbuilding tried so hard to be clever, but ultimately combined too many different things from too many different folklores, so it made the whole setting feel very arbitrary and like the story was given too little thought.
The only things I liked were two of the characters, and the way it comes to light that the king who everyone seemed like they liked was actually a really awful person.

[Lavsbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this book was a ride. Needless to say that I've utterly loved this novel so much. To follow my short review that will hopefully convince you to pick up this wonderful story.

Shawn Speakman's deft storytelling prowess comes to the forefront in this richly layered Novel. The intricate world-building, the depth of character relationships, and the interplay between destiny and choice coalesce to craft a spellbinding tale that will undoubtedly leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installments of the trilogy. As we navigate the delicate dance between light and darkness, fate and free will, it becomes clear that this book is not merely a standalone tale, but the captivating prologue to an epic saga that promises to enthrall fans of high fantasy for books to come.

[Jennie Flower · Rating 1 out of 5]

I feel like I never gained traction in this book. The pure repeated explanation of her journey to everyone she meets instead of a simple gloss over what we have read already turned me off. I hate to be discouraging about someone's writing but I found it leaving too much to the imagination, but also not coaxing any real imagination at the same time. And there was such a wasted potential to have a perfect last minute twist that maybe he will do in future books but if this book has been about 100 pages longer it could have been a stand alone novel and been a bit more captivating. This book took me begrudgingly too long to read because I disliked the writing style.

[Steven Ede · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know it's a good read when you get to the end and say ... "wait ... what ... that's it, the book is finished!" The other commuters on the train were a bit perplexed as apparently I said that out loud. :-)

Anyway ... as I had read the short story I knew what to expect in the first couple of chapters after that the story really opened up and started to pick up.

A really enjoyable read and i am so down for book two ... hopefully i will not have to wait too long until Mr S announces this? :-)

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This very much is a classic fantasy feeling book. It's got some fun, epic moments and some very cool ideas. Not to mention the cover and the interior illustrations are absolutely stunning.
I didn't find myself super compelled to read it however. I would pick it up and put it down and just leave it down till I reminded myself I needed to finish it. I'm not sure if it was the writing style or the characters but I wasn't super connected. I did enjoy it when I read it but it was easy to put down and forget.

[Vidur Paliwal · Rating 3 out of 5]

My rating: 2.5/5, rounded up.

As my first foray into Shawn Speakman's work, 'Thr King Killing Queen' left me with mixed feelings. On one hand, it's a quick, engaging read that kept me turning pages. The fast-paced plot transitions from one scene to the next, maintaining momentum, but almost feeling like disjointed short tales. This speed comes at the expense of character development, leaving the characters feeling flat and underexplored. The storyline is quite predictable, and the ending feels more like a setup for future books and doesn’t provide much progression within this installment.

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Aggressively derivative. One of the few books I did not finish, as it was just so clear where the plot was going. The characterization is also so weak that I don’t feel compelled to at least see how it ends for the characters’ sake. There are several manufactured crises that were completely solvable, and the plot beats are just too familiar. You can retread common ground as an author; but if the path was mapped by authors of a much higher quality, your work risks being diminished by the comparison.

[Kim Edströmer Sandelin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first in a new trilogy set in an existing world.
The book gripped me from start to finish and now when done, I neeeed book two, like right now.

The book is about Sylviana Raventress, an apprentice to the master historian, and unknown to her, one of the dying kings many children. Upon the kings deathbed he names her heir to the kingdom and intrigues commence.

[Rick Mohl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shawn Speakman's The King-Killing Queen is a fast paced, action packed narrative that leaves the reader eagerly turning the pages for more. In keeping abreast of Shawn as a writer for close to a dozen years, I can safely say that he has honed his craft immensely and is bound to become a household name. I very much look forward to more adventures in the Annwn Cycle of tales.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting, if imperfect, play on Arthurian legend. The world and characters Shawn Speakman built were intriguing, but I felt the main character was a bit flat, and the characters more generally were weak. Not sure if I'll continue, but I don't totally regret backing the Kickstarter either.

[Cheryl DiVittorio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting

I loved it. The characters were imaginative and captivating. Shawn wove them, their venues, and the whole story together with threads of magic, and tied them together with enough twists to keep us enthralled. Eagerly awaiting book 2.