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The Kirin Arcanist #1
The Crown Tournament
The glorious Crown Tournament draws hundreds of arcanists from around the world to battle in magical martial arts competitions…
The prize? More riches than anyone can spend in a lifetime—and a ceremonial crown to mark the winner for an entire decade until the next tournament begins. And while most obviously want the wealth, a certain pair of arcanists want the crown instead.
Master Elias is bonded to a syrocko drake, a deadly creature capable of controlling the desert winds. He recruits young Amir Rosewood, a kirin arcanist capable of powerful magic, to help him win the tournament—and the prize crown.
Why seek out the crown? It holds a secret, one that can turn whoever holds it into a powerful god-like arcanist. Unfortunately, Elias and Amir aren’t the only ones who know, and their underhanded opponents will stop at nothing to acquire the crown for themselves.
The prize? More riches than anyone can spend in a lifetime—and a ceremonial crown to mark the winner for an entire decade until the next tournament begins. And while most obviously want the wealth, a certain pair of arcanists want the crown instead.
Master Elias is bonded to a syrocko drake, a deadly creature capable of controlling the desert winds. He recruits young Amir Rosewood, a kirin arcanist capable of powerful magic, to help him win the tournament—and the prize crown.
Why seek out the crown? It holds a secret, one that can turn whoever holds it into a powerful god-like arcanist. Unfortunately, Elias and Amir aren’t the only ones who know, and their underhanded opponents will stop at nothing to acquire the crown for themselves.
- GenresFantasy
392 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 7, 2025
Amir is an orphaned boy due to evil arcanists that attacked his village and killed most of the people in the town including his mother. One day everything changes when a man adopts him. Amir fears the worst, that he's been adopted in order to be worked to death. Instead he's adopted by Elias, a Master Arcanist, who just so happens to be helping a Kirin find the person she is destined to bond with. Instead of life in an orphanage, Amir's raised and trained by Elias and bonded to the Kirin Roux. Once Amir comes of age he bonds with his second mystical creature and sets off with his master in order to win a tournament that could shape the future.
The Crown Tournament instantly reminded me of nearly all the aspects I didn't enjoy about the Frith Chronicles. A few of them happen to be the use of a single point of view character, the juvenile overly simplistic storytelling, and the overly dramatic dialogue. I was able to finish the Frith Chronicles because Volke was a relatable character who had to struggle for everything. Outside of the start of Amir's story, he is incredibly blessed because of his potential future importance. Elias adopts and trains him. He bonds with a Kirin at a young age. I'm not positive about this, but it felt to me as though the author was attempting to emulate the popular Shonen Jump style protagonist. The type of character who knows next to nothing about the real world, but is incredibly capable in a battle. Amir is a poor point of view choice in a book with a single point of view character. Elias trained his ability to fight and be polite, but he prepared him for little else. He is woefully unprepared for normal life. The other characters in the story along with their eldrin are unfortunately fairly forgettable. Seeing the story through Elias's eyes would have been preferable to Amir.
The Crown Tournament feels like a lesser version of the Frith Chronicles. I wish it was clear where it fell in the world's timeline. There is next to no mention of God Arcanists or Volke so I imagine this is either a prequel or a distant sequel to the Frith Chronicles.
The Crown Tournament instantly reminded me of nearly all the aspects I didn't enjoy about the Frith Chronicles. A few of them happen to be the use of a single point of view character, the juvenile overly simplistic storytelling, and the overly dramatic dialogue. I was able to finish the Frith Chronicles because Volke was a relatable character who had to struggle for everything. Outside of the start of Amir's story, he is incredibly blessed because of his potential future importance. Elias adopts and trains him. He bonds with a Kirin at a young age. I'm not positive about this, but it felt to me as though the author was attempting to emulate the popular Shonen Jump style protagonist. The type of character who knows next to nothing about the real world, but is incredibly capable in a battle. Amir is a poor point of view choice in a book with a single point of view character. Elias trained his ability to fight and be polite, but he prepared him for little else. He is woefully unprepared for normal life. The other characters in the story along with their eldrin are unfortunately fairly forgettable. Seeing the story through Elias's eyes would have been preferable to Amir.
The Crown Tournament feels like a lesser version of the Frith Chronicles. I wish it was clear where it fell in the world's timeline. There is next to no mention of God Arcanists or Volke so I imagine this is either a prequel or a distant sequel to the Frith Chronicles.
November 17, 2023
I can not begin to describe how much I love this world! Shami Stovall is one my favorite authors, I am so happy I found Knightmare Arcanist four years ago. This book includes all of my favorite elements of her writing and is done wonderfully! I loved the characters in this book and the interactions! Amir is a great main character, and all of the side characters are equally wonderful as well. The story and plot is wonderful and kept me entertained. The world-building is awesome! Can't wait for the next book! I loved the new Eldrin in this book.
March 23, 2024
This book was very ambitious with the span of time and content. She pulled it off, really making you like the main characters and not feeling super rushed.
Also liked the nod to the firth chronicles events around the crown. How they wanted the crown for him and Karma's actions probably saved the day actually if it is as powerful as they say.
Also liked the nod to the firth chronicles events around the crown. How they wanted the crown for him and Karma's actions probably saved the day actually if it is as powerful as they say.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2024
another great addition to Stovall,s world
I love everything to do with this world. Since I picked up academy Arcanist I have been reading everything I can connected. I love all the magic creatures and the fight sequences are so much better. Keep improving and creating some of the best origin stories out there
I love everything to do with this world. Since I picked up academy Arcanist I have been reading everything I can connected. I love all the magic creatures and the fight sequences are so much better. Keep improving and creating some of the best origin stories out there
November 5, 2023
syrocko drakes are sick
It’s all in the title. There are some interesting aspects in this book that aren’t expanded upon at all - like a new classification of eldrin. Very interested in how this story progresses! Need more eldrin!
It’s all in the title. There are some interesting aspects in this book that aren’t expanded upon at all - like a new classification of eldrin. Very interested in how this story progresses! Need more eldrin!
October 8, 2025
I love the Frith Chronicles and all of the books in the universe. I was a little shocked about the pacing in the beginning, but with the knowledge I have about the world of Vardin, it was easy to follow along! I’ve been waiting for this audiobook to come out, and it didn’t disappoint.
February 1, 2024
Awesome!
Another wonderful book in the amazing world of Arcanists and Eldrin. A great story with lots of humor too. I can't wait for the next installment!.
Another wonderful book in the amazing world of Arcanists and Eldrin. A great story with lots of humor too. I can't wait for the next installment!.
April 1, 2024
Interesting read
Starts interesting and ends interesting. But the epilogue is good. Leaves us in a nice happy place. Magic system seems messy but it seems to be evolving
Starts interesting and ends interesting. But the epilogue is good. Leaves us in a nice happy place. Magic system seems messy but it seems to be evolving
February 2, 2026
Not bad
I found this enjoyable but a little too childish in places. Hopefully the characters will grow up more in future volumes.
I found this enjoyable but a little too childish in places. Hopefully the characters will grow up more in future volumes.
February 16, 2026
The Kirin Arcanist, Book 1 is such a solid book. Exactly what I have come to expect from Shami Stovall especially within her Arcanist universe. I really enjoy the martial arts that is blended with the magic system. Each of the characters are layered in depth, with a slow burn with progression arcs. I can't wait to listen to the next book. This is the second book I am listening to from Ryan, and I think I will need to find some more. Both are very talented authors.
I just finished book two and started book 3. This series only continues to add layers of the progression story for the characters and their bonded creatures who I love so much.
I just finished book two and started book 3. This series only continues to add layers of the progression story for the characters and their bonded creatures who I love so much.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews