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Bonds of Kin #2

The Sun Prince

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THE BONDS OF KIN MUST HOLD

The King-Radiant has fallen. Zapour has been liberated and the siblings triumphant, but at what cost?

Two years have passed since their victory over the Eagles. Peace between the nations has not gone as planned. Gelvard has seized control of Lumindal and a cloud of war now surrounds Trost.

The sun is dying… A new power has risen from the west. A man who calls himself the Sun Prince has his eyes set firmly on Zapour. But is he friend or foe?

The bonds of kin will be tested as new threats arise, though not all threats are new. An ancient evil awakens, and new bonds must be forged if light is to shine another day.

530 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 15, 2023

13 people are currently reading
237 people want to read

About the author

L.R. Schulz

5 books134 followers
Luke is a fantasy addict born in Melbourne, Australia. He discovered a passion for fantasy at a young age which developed into a love for the imaginary and a desire to write.

Despite an early passion for storytelling, Luke obtained a teaching degree before beginning a career as a primary school teacher.

When he is not reading and writing, Luke enjoys spending time with his Golden Retriever named Gem, gaming, and surfing.

A King’s Radiance is Luke’s debut novel, though he is always coming up with ideas for his next project, as well as working towards a sequel.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Profile Image for Esmay Rosalyne.
1,503 reviews
October 15, 2023
This review was originally posted on Before We Go Blog

4.5 stars (rounded up)

A King’s Radiance, book 1 in the Bonds of Kin series, absolutely swept me off my feet and left me hungering for more in all the best ways. Needless to say, I went into this sequel with extremely high expectations, both nervous and excited to see if it would live up to the brilliance of that first instalment. And honestly, rarely has a book suffered less from middle book syndrome than The Sun Prince does. This did not merely meet my expectations, but it exceeded them in every single way imaginable; this is how you write a banger of a sequel!

The story picks up roughly two years after the epic final battle at the end of book 1 and reunites us with the three Glaive siblings that we have come to love. They have all been trying to adjust to their new lives and dealing with the fallout of their actions in the best way they can, but a new and more peaceful status quo has proven difficult to establish.
And to make matters worse, the Sun is said to be dying and the notorious Sun Prince from across the sea has set his eyes upon the continent of Zapour. Whether he is friend or foe remains to be seen, but either way, the bonds of kin will be tested again as new and ancient threats are beginning to rise.

Now, I was already very impressed with the expansive, inventive and immersive world building in A King’s Radiance, so imagine my surprise when I discovered that we had only barely scratched the surface there.
Whereas book 1 focused heavily on Zapour and the Shine (sunlight) magic, this instalment takes us to the continent of Yagos where we dive deep into the history and lore of these lands and learn a lot more about the rare Mystic (mind control) magic. There are also a lot more fantastical creatures and animal companions introduced here, which only heightened my enjoyment and increased my sense of wonder.

And I think the reason why all this new information feels so incredibly exciting, is because we experience and learn about it so organically through our main characters’ eyes. It’s not just world building for world building’s sake, but instead we get to see how all these earth-shattering new discoveries directly impact our characters’ lives and tie into their own personal arcs.

Schulz once again proves his masterful skill in handling a multi-POV story set-up where all the perspectives are equally interesting and compelling. This time, though, Dazen’s POV is switched out for a very intriguing and slightly unhinged new character who I was instantly morbidly fascinated by. I personally found this to be a very welcome change, as Dazen was my least favourite sibling in book 1 and I thought that this new POV character provided SO much intrigue and tension to the story.

Speaking of intrigue and tension, I absolutely loved the introduction of the titular Sun Prince in this story and thought the author did a brilliant job at keeping him and his motivations shrouded in mystery. He is a very enigmatic and compelling character who I instantly wanted to trust and fall in love with, yet the wariness of the protagonists and everyone’s conflicting beliefs sowed so much doubt and really kept me on my toes.

Though, even with the introduction of some of these intriguing new characters, the Glaive siblings still remain the big focus of this story and they once again absolutely steal the show. I particularly enjoyed seeing the development of both the sibling bonds and the multiple strong friendships that lie at the heart of this story, while also continuing to progress their individual character arcs in exciting ways.

Isha was already my favourite character in book 1, but here she really established herself as one of my all-time favourite female characters in all of fantasy fiction. Her resilience and strength, both physically and mentally, make her such a fierce and inspiring character, which is why I love her so much and feel so deeply for her.
There is also a particular relationship that blooms between her and a new character in this instalment, and that instantly became my favourite character dynamic in the entire series so far.

I’ll admit that Raiz tested my patience a bit, especially in the middle section of the book, but only because he is such a well-written and frustratingly realistic character. His journey has been full of tragedy and I really appreciate that the author doesn’t brush over all the traumatic events, but instead provides a deep exploration of the heavy emotional impact of them. Raiz’s painful inner conflict is believable and compelling, and in the end I was very satisfied by his slow but very earned character growth.

And when you combine all this engaging character work and exciting new world building with the absolutely riveting plot, excellent pacing and thrilling action, the result is another unputdownable story that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
The twists and turns in this series are absolutely jaw-dropping and I love that literally no one is proven to be safe, because that makes the stakes feel so dangerously high. Also, Schulz is both an absolute genius and a damn evil bastard, so you better prepare for a wild emotional rollercoaster when you pick up one of these books.

All in all, The Sun Prince is everything you could wish for from a good sequel, and then so much more. This is not a story that you devour, it’s a story that devours you.
I highly recommend The Bonds of Kin series to anyone who likes their fantasy to be dark, character-driven, action-packed, inventive, and full of emotional destruction. It’s quickly creeping to the top of my personal favourite series list!

Thank you to the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for C.J. Daley.
Author 5 books136 followers
January 4, 2024
The sequel to A King’s Radiance, I’m lucky to have gotten an ARC!

Lumindal has been defeated, new kings have been crowned, alliances honored, and new horrors are arising. Just because they defeated the King-Radiant and his Eagles, doesn’t mean that everything is okay. If Zur’s power is fading, the Sun Prince may be their savior.

This is an absolute banger of a sequel. The author has improved on every single aspect from the first book and delivered us a near perfect second. The characters we know and love are back, and there’s even more new faces to learn and love. The author has broadened the scope of just about everything, and he’s sticking the landing.

The Sun Prince, while virtually functioning as the novel’s villain, is also dynamic and strong on his own. It’s as if the author has the ability to pick apart every single aspect of his characters, dissecting, then reassembling them until they can each function perfectly. Even as lead characters.

The climax is huge, the combat is written clearly and beautifully. Yet it’s gritty and horrifying as blood and guts tend to be. The illustrations peppered throughout give life to the words in the page, and each one is uniquely wonderful.

Again, this is an author that must be read. Personally a 5/5*. “Go back to the shadows”…we see what you did there.

https://fanfiaddict.com/review-the-su...
Profile Image for James Harwood-Jones.
586 reviews57 followers
December 29, 2023
The world teeters on the edge of war. Deep seeded hatred lies beneath a dying sun. In the darkness a creature of shadow plots. To exploit & destroy these fractured lands.

Intense, addictive & adrenaline fused sequel! Amazing world & character relationships.

If you aren’t reading this series you are missing out imo.
5⭐️
Profile Image for Nicolle Davies.
93 reviews2 followers
September 17, 2023
ARC provided for honest review.

I enjoyed the growth of the characters in this book and how they have developed from the kids they were in A King's Radiance to the adults they are and are becoming.

There were some very insightful and deep monologues that could easily be at home in a self help book, it was very telling of the characters and their mental spaces.

Only issue with an ARC is it means even longer waiting for the next book 😳😅
Profile Image for Chris Salt.
6 reviews
March 22, 2024
An incredible sequel to his debut novel, this book had me hooked as I read it almost non-stop start to finish within 2 days!

Schulz has created an incredible world full of deep and complex characters who you care about, mystery and intrigue around every corner and a unique and exciting power system that threatens to destroy the world.

These books are a must read for any fantasy fan!
Profile Image for Krina || Amazeofwords.
168 reviews26 followers
Read
September 25, 2023
I beta read The Sun Prince and so there will be no ratings tight now and the review won't be very detailed. The Sun Prince by L. R. Schulz is a ride full of twists and turns. I am so proud to be a part of the beta read. Not only I was among the early ones to read the book but at the same time it was an absolute fun to work with the author. Coming to the book and all the amazing things. The Sun Prince is a sequel you all want to read. I am among those who dread the sequels at times because of how they are written. At times without proportion and at times without any rhythm. That is not the case here. 

I have loved how the story progresses. From the disastrous end we witnessed at the end of A King's Radiance, things are moving slow for every one. There are changes that are slow to comprehend and places that were rather hidden slowly coming to picture. I absolutely loved how the characters are growing. For them to realise their mistakes, for them to slowly try and overcome the past. How the characters are learning to be their own person rather than be in the shadows. Raiz, you are still my favourite. 

I absolutely love how the siblings are potrayed and their relation with each other. This background of the series has my heart. And more than that, I love how smartly the writing was planned. The attention to details, the way new characters were introduced, the hints foretold - amazing. I also enjoy how the battles are written. They are so vivid and at the same time they cover so much part of the story. I mean in terms of the landscape. I also enjoyed the lore and how Isha's character changed. 

I think The Sun Prince is a beautiful book and something that everyone who enjoyed A King's Radiance will enjoy. 
139 reviews1 follower
March 16, 2024
Another thrilling read with a lot of intensity! New enemies emerge, a sudden death, several revelations, and new problems with it. How will they survive this mess? A war is coming, and it won’t be an easy one… Does the Sun prince still have some hidden secrets? Are there other enemies or allies out there? I just know the next book will blow my mind, again.

I am also proud of Raiz and hope he will get to heal his lost, broken soul. Rooting for the ones dipping their toes in darkness is satisfying, because they make the best characters (including their character development)!

I appreciate the images provided in this book, the recap in the beginning, and the map. Great when you need to refresh your memory, and also for the ones out there who have trouble visualising things.
Oh, and love the cover!

There are some ‘typos’, or whatever you want to call it, but it’s not really a big deal.
Profile Image for Joebot.
282 reviews11 followers
November 30, 2023
My big complaint with book one was that the story felt contained and that I wanted to see more of this world.

I certainly got this here. Lots of good lore/world building. Like the character growth. Been an Isha stan since day one, still haven't completely come around on Raiz. Very intrigued by Zeek and want to see how he progresses into the next one. The Sun Prince is a great addition, wouldn't mind hin getting POVs in book 3. The magic here continues to shine, pun intended. The becoming-more-likely possibility that magic users truly are slowly draining out the sun and their resistance to give it up has been a great undercurrent here.

And, also, heck of a cliffhanger. Can I have book 3 now, please?
Profile Image for K.D. Marchesi.
Author 1 book88 followers
October 6, 2023
The follow up to A King's Radiance was a banger of a sequel.

Taking place two years after the events of book one, Dazen, Isha and Raiz have settled into a more royal life. But peace won't last for long, with talks of war rising and the Sun Prince all but begging for the use of Shine to be abolished, Dazen has a choice to make.

Will they sacrifice their Zur given gift for the sake of the world, or is this new violet eyed Prince seeking a more sinister end.

Bonds will be formed, alliances will be tested and blood will be spilled.

Heavy is the crown.

This book took all of the elements I liked about book one and spent its time building on them while creating a more complex plot, building solid character arcs and causing a little heartbreak along the way.

A huge thank you to the author for providing an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!
Profile Image for Ross MacBaisey.
20 reviews2 followers
September 19, 2023
So much fun from start to finish! Action, intrigue, lore, love, heartache and so much more! Highly re moment this series.
Profile Image for Jennifer (dustjacket_fullofmonsters).
289 reviews40 followers
October 12, 2023
This book is the sequel to A King’s Radiance, a book that I adored a lot. I was really looking forward to this sequel and had high expectations for it. I’m so glad to say it did not disappoint.

This story picks up a couple of years after the explosive ending of book one. We continue to follow the Glaive siblings who are all in different places personally and dealing with different things, and on top of all of their own issues they receive news that the Sun Prince, a mysterious figure from Yagos, is coming in hopes of making a deal with them. He claims the sun, which is the source of the magic in Zapour known as Shine, is dying, and that the nations must all unite to stop a disaster before it happens. Is this true? Should this new figure be trusted? It’s all very mysterious.

I really loved the world building we got in book one, and this book continues to develop things to new areas and new heights. We are introduced to new characters and new beings who I was instantly intrigued by. Zeek is a wonderful new character. The politics of the world are a big part of the novel too, but not in an overbearing way. The powers of the Mystics, which were mentioned in book one, are also expanded on greatly too. Animal companions are a highight and oh my goodness how I loved them all. It’s all so exciting. I couldn’t help but keep turning the pages. I was really impressed overall by how the author built on the foundation he created in book one in every way.

Once again, as was the case with book one, the way this information is given to the reader is done in an organic and holistic way alongside the characters. Nothing is ever info-dumped or rushed.

I loved the direction the story takes in this novel. The story is crafted very well and I love how things were planned out. I really could not stop turning the pages, and read over half this book in pretty much one sitting. I did not see the direction things went in coming at all. Things really widen out from book one and the stakes continue to rise. These characters are put through the wringer in so many ways, and it was the perfect blend of excitement, heartache and intrigue. I loved the personal journeys they go on as well, as they reflect on their past actions, decide what their priorities are and deal with the events that are thrown at them as best they can. I continued to really care about all these characters and appreciated the time and care the author puts into making their stories feel meaningful and the consequences feel real and earned.

The new characters too were very intriguing. As mentioned earlier Zeek was a character I couldn’t help but be fascinated by. The Sun Prince too was a wonderful new addition who added so much mystery to the story, but at the same time I couldn’t help but love him. As always Raiz and Spike continue to be my favourites. I love the inner conflict depicted in his character, and can’t help but feel so deeply for him and what he goes through. I was also really pleased with Isha’s arc in this book and loved where her story went. It was great to see many of the side characters we met in book one return too.

The Sun Prince is a really fantastic book that brings everything I could ever want in a sequel. Well developed characters, exciting action sequences, twists I did not see coming, moments of laughter as well as heartbreak, thought-provoking journeys for the characters, fantastical creatures and magic, great world-building and a really riveting story from start to finish. Highly recommended.

Thank you so much to the author for the review copy
Profile Image for Chris.
195 reviews7 followers
September 14, 2023
ARC provided by author for honest review

L.R. Schulz has created a reading environment for me that is one of obsession. A King’s Radiance was good, but The Sun Prince outshines it’s predecessor by a long shot. His writing has improved by leaps and bounds to create a story and characters that are different and yet very familiar and as they continue to grow, I’m kept on my toes. As I said about the first book, the magic system is unique and he keeps expanding on that in amazing ways. And the introduction of animal companions other than Spike was a huge plus in my book! This story impacted me on many levels and through the character development, made me want to be a better person.Not many books can boast that. The struggle both internal and external for Raiz to grow and be better than he was, not for himself, but for those around him truly shines in this book. Same goes for Isha. Her journey has been long suffering and to see her grown in strength physically and emotionally is character development at its finest! The final chapters were so engaging and gripping I could not put it down until I finished! The action scenes !!!!!!!!Also, a nice touch was the artwork throughout so we could see what Spike and the Pirckets looked like. I highly recommend this book if you’re a fan of magic, animal companions, and really good character development. And the ending is phenomenal!
182 reviews8 followers
October 13, 2023
Another epic story filled with action, adventure, mystery, battles and even a little romance.
We get to know the great characters from the first book even better in this book as they grow and develop more both in the story and on the page. I love how they evolve and overcome difficulties in ways I would never have guessed at in the first book.
There are new characters to get to know and even despise. There are a few who I was distrustful of and never really sure if they would turn out to be villains or heroes.
This story moves at a steady pace with many moments that move faster as the tension grows.
The writing, like the characters has developed to bring the reader a story you can't but help to become absorbed in.
Profile Image for Rodger’s Reads.
388 reviews130 followers
January 4, 2024
4 stars.

This was a fun continuation to the Bonds of Kin series. The stakes felt quite different from book 1, and it took me a while to get on board with the shift in pacing. We got a lot of cool reveals and deepening of the lore of the world that I had a lot of fun with. That being said, this did suffer from a little bit of Middle Book syndrome as after the events in book 1, there was a pretty dramatic shift in pacing in order to set up the larger meta plot and introduction to a lot of new characters (some I liked some less so). All that being said, I really have a lot of fun with this series so if you want a fun political fantasy with sun lasers....look no further.

Thank you to the author for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
36 reviews5 followers
September 29, 2023
I received this as an ARC for an honest review.

Middle book syndrome? The Sun Prince did not suffer from that. If you enjoyed A King's Radiance, this book is even better. I really enjoyed the expansion on the magic system, which is unique and well thought out. We also get to explore more of the world the author created and meet new creatures and animal companions. The new POV character was interesting and compelling, as well as learning about the Sun Prince himself and what his motives could be.

Overall, an excellent continuation of an already promising fantasy series.
Profile Image for Northern River Books.
10 reviews28 followers
October 21, 2023
First of thank you to the author for providing me an ARC.
This sequel exceeded my expectations and the first installment ( who was great already)left me with a wow! Intrigue, tension, tragedy, great world building and characterization. I don’t want to spoil anything so if you love fantasy read this series!
Profile Image for man :).
5 reviews
December 27, 2025
5/5
the best ff i ever read (sorry for this author it wasn’t your book but the one i read wasn’t on Goodreads) haobin you’ll be remembered forever
Profile Image for Drew.
68 reviews3 followers
September 10, 2023
Early released ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A few months ago I stumbled upon "A King's Radiance", first book of L.R. Schulz's "Bonds of Kin" series. I was immediately hooked, and eagerly awaited the opportunity to read its sequel. Which brings me to the present, where I have the opportunity to read the ARC of "The Sun Prince". I was curious to know how Schulz would address the second book, especially with introducing Yagos into the fold (much speculated from the end of the first book). The anticipation that I had held up, with the sequel being an improvement on an encouraging debut.

The book opens over two years since the end of the first book, with the central characters adjusting to life following the battle against the King-Radiant in Lumindal. The royal Glaive siblings of Trost (consisting of Dazen, Isha, and Raiz) are handling their own dilemmas, where they receive word that the the Sun Prince of the continent of Yagos is hoping to parlay with them...could this be a good thing or a bad thing? At the risk of spoiling too much, I will leave this be. Meanwhile, Zeek, a mysterious being of shadows is recruited by "Father" to meddle with the stability of Zapour. Zeek, our newest POV character, grapples with his identity and purpose during the book.

The most impressive part of this book is how the lore is expanded upon, with Yagos being brought in the fold. Schulz does a wonderful job expanding upon the history relating to Shine (magically gathered and casted light) as well as Mystic (the purple eyes possessed by Isha and her mother Celia). The politics of the six nations of Zapour (and what consists of the recently-sacked city of Lumindal) is built upon further.

The characterization is good too- Zeek is an excellent addition, but there's so much more we learn about these characters. My favorite technique that Schulz does, something that he's quite skilled at, is knowing precisely what characters know what information and what characters DO NOT know that same type of information. It creates advantages of knowledge for some characters, but also misunderstandings ranging from benign to drastic.

Final rating- 4.5/5. An improvement on an already-good debut, leaving readers greatly satisfied.
Profile Image for Petra.
141 reviews18 followers
February 9, 2024
The second installment of the Bonds of Kin series by L.R. Schulz, The sun Prince, is as strong and compelling continuation of the story we picked up in the first book.
We pick up the story shorty after the turbulent ending we witnessed in A King's Radiance.
Slowly, we immerse ourselves in the aftermath and what it means for all of our favorite characters…Zapour is liberated and there's hope for peace and unity between all, or at least that is the goal. But as they see, peace is a fickle thing and no matter how much you try to avoid it, things start to bubble until there is no other choice but war and bloodshed.
Wonderful, courageous, Isha is safe at home and can start rebuilding her life anew, but she can't help the nagging feeling that she has to find answers of her purpose and what she is.
Raiz is searching for answers and his place in this world, too, while helping Dazen deal with the impossibly heavy task of ruling a kingdom.
But human war may not be the worst thing that is threatening them, and the force that is gathering power can wipe each and every one of them.
But I think that quote from Draz that is perfect to describe that at the bottom of every threat that arises are humans who gave them the power and opportunity to do so,
“Us. Humanity. There’s no creature darker than the one hiding in the depths of the human soul.”
That's why I was interested in a new character that was introduced - Zeek and for me, he represented a clean slate that was further proof that influence and emotions can push someone to either side of the specter.
So many new characters that I loved, and especially Bessimir and the people around him.
Our main characters arcs were intriguing to follow because I loved seeing Isha grow, find answers and find her value and place in the world. And also watching Raiz struggle to cope with the new responsibility he was dealt with, but ironically he is the best person for that job exactly because of his flaws.
Full of action, political intrigues, love, and it's definitely a world I can't wait to go back to❤️
Profile Image for TennesseeReader.
24 reviews5 followers
September 19, 2023
L.R. Schulz knocks it out of the part with a grand slam with this continuation of the Bonds of Kin series. Just because The King Radiant is no more doesn't mean our story with the Glaives siblings is over! Peace hasn't been achieved, rumors surface that the Skae are real, the sun might be dying, and who is the mysterious Sun Prince from across the sea?

A King's Radiance was a nice fantasy story but The Sun Prince is better in every way! More epic, more grand, more adventures, more risks, more emotion, more battles, more fantasy, and more creatures! This book doesn't suffer from being the second in a series. It's actually better than the first book. It keeps all the heart and emotion from the previous installment but amps everything up!

We have the same cast of characters, mostly focusing on the Glaives siblings, who all continue to be great. But new characters are introduced and two of them are standouts. First, there is Zeek. What is it and what is its story? It's interesting to see this world from its point of view. And then there is The Sun Prince himself! He's one of my favorite characters, and getting to know him was great. Is he a friend or foe? I won't say but he is a great character.

There was a shock at the end of Part One that really rattled me. I honestly questioned myself if the story could continue to be as good as it was with what happened. Even though it was jarring, I, like the other characters, slowly got over it and continued to move on.

I will make a note that there was one small sex scene. It wasn't very descriptive or lewd but for some reason, it did kind of jar me. I wasn't expecting it. It doesn't take away anything or dampen the story, it just seemed like it was kind of out of place. But that's just me.

This is an example of what all second books should strive to be. Take everything you loved about the first and just add more! Don't miss out on this!
Profile Image for Scareads.
201 reviews6 followers
October 15, 2023
The Sun Prince is the definition of a fast-paced novel. So much happens over 540 pages without any of it being confusing. The author gives us a story spanning over 2 continents, opposing forces between the light bearers, the mystics, the users of light repelling metal, and the Skae, plus animal companions. Last book, my favorite aspect was the magic system. For this book, it was the Skae as magical beings. I found that the way they incorporated their victims' histories, abilities, and shape into what they were really really intriguing. Zeek's character was also a phenomenal addition as a point-of-view character and my favorite of the 3. And that ending epilogue, it made so much sense!

As for why this is a 4 ⭐ instead of a 5 ⭐ considering all the elements listed above - I struggled with some of the dialogue and to relate to Isha's pov. Her time with the Eagles is constantly characterized as traumatic even though she was decently treated during that time, just kept captive. So many others have worse fates, and therefore she felt whinny and naive to me. While this is something that bothered me in book 1, it is used as a characterization tool and excuse in this one to an extreme. I also didn't understand why Raíz took half the book to heal from Shine overuse when this doesn't seem to be an issue for others.

Overall a good read!
Profile Image for Valeriya Lloyd.
787 reviews8 followers
October 21, 2023
My great thanks to the author Luke Schulz for providing me with an ARC copy of "The Sun Prince" in exchange for my honest review. I enjoyed the first book of The Bonds of Kin series very much, and the sequel did not disappoint either!

The story picks two years after the events at "A King’s Radiance" and goes way more intensivly in the second instalment! So the first victory is achieved, and the villain defeated, but what is next? Had this path unleashed the opportunity for new chaos because things did not continue as they supposed to? One thing is certain: the Sun is dying. A new power is rising beyond Zapour, but nobody knows the intentions of one called the Sun Prince. With this and much more, the royal Glaive siblings have a lot to deal with, but the challenges ahead are more grand and beyond imaginable.

I loved to be back to this beautiful fantasy world once again to enjoy it's complexity, intricate Sun magic and the development of the characters. I loved the concept of the sequel focusing on the aftermath of the victory and the following reality. The author did an amazing job to roll this concept out.

Overall, this is a great sequel which successfully avoided a "middle book syndrome" and set a great promise for the next book! Fans of Brandon Sanderson and George Martin would appreciate this series very much!


Publication date: 15 October
Profile Image for Lana.
2,772 reviews59 followers
August 18, 2023
I cannot highly recommend enough this 2nd book in the very thrilling epic fantasy series Bonds of Kin. Whilst the King-Radiant has been taken down and finally Zapour is free making the siblings overjoyed at their successful endeavour, threats are still looming on the horizon. The peace they envisaged for their Kingdom is not happening, Trost has war threatening it and the bonds of kin are being tested by enemies both old and new. A stranger calling himself the sun-prince has set his eyes on taking over Zapour which of course the siblings will not allow, however if they do not stand together he will succeed. Is he coming to them as an ally or an enemy to their kingdom, does he pose a threat to all they have worked and fought for? Apart from this the sun is dying and they have to get their act together if they want the light to shine on Zapour once again before it is snuffed out. This novel is breath taking in its scope, it is full of action fought with both sword and sorcery and I cannot wait to read book 3 as the ending kept me really involved and on edge to know what happens next in Zapour! Well done for another great book L R Schulz.
Profile Image for Nik W.
80 reviews7 followers
October 21, 2023
“Every living creature, every human, every animal, every plant, they were all driven by a singular desire – to survive.”

I loved this sequel to A Kings Radiance.
(Kindle Unlimited too Y’all)

The author included some things I am ALWAYS happy to see in a series.

1: Map ✔️
2: RECAP of the previous novel. ✔️
3: Character Development throughout ✔️
4: Appendix: names/places/families/powers/locations ✔️

These four things alone had me

SAYING HELL YES

before Chapter One even started!
But then it did and I was immersed. Fully.
I could see it all in my minds eye.
I appreciate when a fantasy series has legs to stand on. And this series will definitely be one I come back to over and over. I have no idea how many books are planned, but I’m here for them.
All.

Anywho: If you're into the Wheel Of Time, Dragonlance or The Sword of Truth types of fantasy books, you're going to love this series! This brought be back to when I read my first epic fantasy novel. It was a pretty awesome feeling! Nostalgia at its finest because it leaves you wondering how you fell out of Lumindal and landed on your couch.
-Between the world building, political climate and powers to achieve, there’s so much to unpack in this story.
I am super duper into the magic system, and how the sun and moon come into play and how it works with the people able to wield it. This fantasy realm has something for everyone.
I immediately fell into the story and was able to see all the characters, the setting and the feelings throughout. The pacing was great and the book set up for a third quite nicely.
I’m very much so looking forward to book three! 👀

I didn’t want it to end. I may even go back and read them both again.
A few other random things I enjoyed:

*Multi-POV
*Interludes of side characters cause they’re doing stuff and your brain sometimes goes…. I wonder whats happening with that…. Then it’s ANSWERED, y’all.
So glorious.
*Character relationships, growth and ancestral history
*New characters who I love

“There are no victors in war, only survivors.”
Profile Image for Jen.
515 reviews1 follower
October 24, 2023
A prince from across the sea shows up with a request that will upend life as our main characters know it. Meanwhile, an ancient enemy is awakening to threaten them all.

The Sun Prince is the next book in the Bonds of Kin series by Luke Schulz. I enjoyed the first book, so the author generously shared this one with me to read. It’s a fantastic follow up, but also a standalone story in its own right. There’s a helpful summary of book one at the beginning, so you don’t have to read that one first if you want to jump right in here.

I loved this book! The story, the characters- it was great. He wrote Isha especially well. She grows, she’s strong, and she has agency. There’s another character who stands out. His journey throughout the book is complex, but I can’t say anything else without spoilers. There’s a long battle sequence, and Schulz kept it interesting with changes in perspective, surprises, and constant tension. Sometimes in books battles can go on for too long or feel dragged out, but not here.

I can’t wait to see where the story goes from here! I highly recommend checking out this indie author’s work. You can find it on Amazon.
Profile Image for Iria Cardoso.
Author 20 books33 followers
October 11, 2023
What a second book in the Bonds of Kin series!

It's a wonderful, full of twists and turns, character development, an ending to die for and that makes the reader wanting more, especially the third book.

All I have to say is that I really, really enjoyed it. Really, really liked the way the characters evolved, grew, the way the new characters felt like that they already belonged in the story and interacted with the characters we already knew.

It's a book filled with action, edge of the seat moments, heart, a bit of romance, and that dives more into the story of the Zapour, Shine powers, eagles and... dragons? Oh, yeah! We finally get to see how certain things exist and why, same goes for the villains and what they are after.

Cannot wait for the third book to come out!
Profile Image for Daniel Jackson.
Author 3 books633 followers
January 24, 2024
This was an excellent sequel to A King's Radiance, which builds upon the strong foundations of world, story and characters laid in that story, and notches up the excitement and threat to another level.

The mix between the POV characters in this book works very well, and the well-written introduction of the character Zeek provides an excellent contrast between those characters. The story is exciting throughout, with a good blend of action, mystery and revelation, and the ending of the book is fantastic.

I had a great time with this book, and I genuinely hope that this series and L.R. Schulz pick up the wider readership that they deserve.
163 reviews1 follower
September 19, 2023
Fantastic second book in the series, having been completely blown away by The Kings Radiance I was struggling to see how the follow on would compare to such a brilliant first book.
I need not have worried the Sun Prince is every bit as good maybe better. Rarely does the second book grip you as much as the first but this was a truly magical second in the series.
Now just the long wait until the next book is finished.
I highly recommend this series you really won't regret reading such an epic story.
Profile Image for Burt.
23 reviews
September 26, 2023
I really loved this book. I thought it was written much better than book 1. It kept me wanting more. I still want to know what is going to happen. Can book 3 come out tomorrow? I know i will be in line to get it.
Profile Image for Sydney.
150 reviews2 followers
December 10, 2023
What a fantastic sequel! I actually think I liked this book more than the first! The world opens up, the story gets broader, and I was hooked by all of the points of view (esp Isha's, she's my fav!). Can't wait for what comes next!
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