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Vows & Valor #1
In the Name of Honor
A half-elven princess grieves the loss of one father, and fears for the other.
A loyal guardsman torn between his word and her safety.
And a creature so corrupted, he’ll hurt them all to make the world kneel.
Dimitar delivers the worst message of all: vile Corrupted creatures have returned and murdered the king’s best friend. Eager to earn knighthood, he’s surprised when given an order he doesn’t expect: guard the princess… from herself.
Kaleela grieves her father’s friend, who she loved like a second father. She’s left behind while her father seeks justice, shadowed by Dimitar to keep her from following. When Corruptors then capture her father, Kaleela resolves to rescue him, more afraid of losing him than the dangers ahead.
Dimitar must break his vow to keep her safe in the kingdom and together head to the enemy’s lair to free the king. They’re ambushed and come to a disturbing realization: Corruptors now hunt Kaleela for leverage against the uncooperative king. Kaleela and Dimitar must evade capture and rescue her father before he suffers a fate worse than death: total corruption.
By saving one Dimitar will fail the other, and no one is shielded from the Corrupted retribution against both human and elven lands.
This stunning debut weaves competing revenge arcs, intergenerational healing, and sacrifice in a delicious page-turner driven by unforgettable characters and heart-wrenching heroism.
A loyal guardsman torn between his word and her safety.
And a creature so corrupted, he’ll hurt them all to make the world kneel.
Dimitar delivers the worst message of all: vile Corrupted creatures have returned and murdered the king’s best friend. Eager to earn knighthood, he’s surprised when given an order he doesn’t expect: guard the princess… from herself.
Kaleela grieves her father’s friend, who she loved like a second father. She’s left behind while her father seeks justice, shadowed by Dimitar to keep her from following. When Corruptors then capture her father, Kaleela resolves to rescue him, more afraid of losing him than the dangers ahead.
Dimitar must break his vow to keep her safe in the kingdom and together head to the enemy’s lair to free the king. They’re ambushed and come to a disturbing realization: Corruptors now hunt Kaleela for leverage against the uncooperative king. Kaleela and Dimitar must evade capture and rescue her father before he suffers a fate worse than death: total corruption.
By saving one Dimitar will fail the other, and no one is shielded from the Corrupted retribution against both human and elven lands.
This stunning debut weaves competing revenge arcs, intergenerational healing, and sacrifice in a delicious page-turner driven by unforgettable characters and heart-wrenching heroism.
Unknown Binding
Published January 27, 2025
25 people are currently reading
1544 people want to read
About the author
Courtney Collins
2 books49 followersCourtney grew up two doors down from the local library and crushed every summer reading challenge. She's worked in libraries and bookstores before deviating into a higher education career by day and a burlesque dancer by night. She's published extensively in her local town newspaper. Her own queerness and mother-loss influence the fantasy world created alongside her husband and co-author, Clarke Collins. They live in Vermont with their children and an abundance of forests, her happy place.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
February 15, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher Shadow Spark, and the authors Courtney and Clarke Collins for a copy of this e-ARC.
Probably one of the easiest 5 star reads I’ve come across in a while. It was such an immersive tale, with loveable characters and a great, enchanting plot. It was so beautifully written, with each characters’ arc developing naturally as the story unfolded. 💛
In the Name of Honor is a very traditional fantasy novel with all of your typical roles; the knight, the princess, the guard, the royals and the great evil.
Probably one of the easiest 5 star reads I’ve come across in a while. It was such an immersive tale, with loveable characters and a great, enchanting plot. It was so beautifully written, with each characters’ arc developing naturally as the story unfolded. 💛
In the Name of Honor is a very traditional fantasy novel with all of your typical roles; the knight, the princess, the guard, the royals and the great evil.
October 16, 2024
I had the pleasure of reading this novel twice. Once while Collins was querying and now leading up to publication. I loved the book each time I've read it and found upon this second reading that it was like returning home to a cozy reading nook and warm blanket. This novel is perfect for people searching for sweeping fantasy stories that reflect the fantasy stories of old. It has dashing knights, lovable friends, heartbreaking characters, and a slow, burning love that leaves you begging "kiss!"
Lovers of fantasy will enjoy this novel and find it remains with them long after the book has been closed. I'm so excited to see where it will go in the world.
Lovers of fantasy will enjoy this novel and find it remains with them long after the book has been closed. I'm so excited to see where it will go in the world.
March 23, 2024
I got to read an advance copy of one of the chapters of this book. I know… doesn’t seem like a remarkable amount. But honestly it was enough that I was PISSED that I couldn’t keep reading more!
I cannot wait until I get my hands on the full book. That’s how well written and compelling it is.
I cannot wait until I get my hands on the full book. That’s how well written and compelling it is.
October 4, 2024
A true love letter to LOTR.
It is dark in places and light within others. From a cheese thief to a Knight who only wants to do what's right and a princess who fights with the best of them, Collins' have created a lush fantasy world you can get lost in.
It is dark in places and light within others. From a cheese thief to a Knight who only wants to do what's right and a princess who fights with the best of them, Collins' have created a lush fantasy world you can get lost in.
January 5, 2025
Thank you SO MUCH to the Collins’ for allowing me to read & honestly review their book 😍
4.5 ⭐️ Fantasy lovers this is for u
What a fantastic way to spend my NYE. I binged the hell out of this book the second I got home from the holidays and I am so glad I did. A true QUEST! The descriptions were fantastic to read and really helped paint a picture. The battles were endless and the challenges each character had to go through had me reeeeeeling.
I will say I was slow to start at first but the second I was like 1/2 way in you couldn’t pay me to stop reading.
I loved the inclusivity in this book for LGBTQ+ community, deaf community and different races / genders etc. I felt it really added more depth to the storyline. The backgrounds of all the characters that really brought understanding to the way they act. My favorite character is the cheese thief. He started with so much intrigue and mystery surrounding him and ended with even more and my heart. The *honor* and loyalty in so many of these characters was nothing short of admirable and actually shocking at times.
The romance was a subplot which personally I like because I lean towards liking more fantasy. Friends to lovers & boy was it a slow progression 🤣🤣
Comedy was intertwined in the pages along with the brutality of so much bloodshed and danger always lurking and the emotional whiplash omg.
You can absolutely tell the authors are Tolkien fans just based off of their writing and IM SO HERE FOR IT.
I’m so excited to read what’s next in this series.
This was a great read.
4.5 ⭐️ Fantasy lovers this is for u
What a fantastic way to spend my NYE. I binged the hell out of this book the second I got home from the holidays and I am so glad I did. A true QUEST! The descriptions were fantastic to read and really helped paint a picture. The battles were endless and the challenges each character had to go through had me reeeeeeling.
I will say I was slow to start at first but the second I was like 1/2 way in you couldn’t pay me to stop reading.
I loved the inclusivity in this book for LGBTQ+ community, deaf community and different races / genders etc. I felt it really added more depth to the storyline. The backgrounds of all the characters that really brought understanding to the way they act. My favorite character is the cheese thief. He started with so much intrigue and mystery surrounding him and ended with even more and my heart. The *honor* and loyalty in so many of these characters was nothing short of admirable and actually shocking at times.
The romance was a subplot which personally I like because I lean towards liking more fantasy. Friends to lovers & boy was it a slow progression 🤣🤣
Comedy was intertwined in the pages along with the brutality of so much bloodshed and danger always lurking and the emotional whiplash omg.
You can absolutely tell the authors are Tolkien fans just based off of their writing and IM SO HERE FOR IT.
I’m so excited to read what’s next in this series.
This was a great read.
October 24, 2024
I couldn't have anticipated the treat gifted to me with In the Name of Honor. I wish I could read this book for the first time, again. Thank you, authors, for allowing me to ARC read this copy!
As a rabid fan of classic fantasy, Tolkien-esque worlds, mythical creatures, Dungeons & Dragons, and despicable villains, this book felt custom-made for me.
The party of four in this book drew me in with their charm, laugh-out-loud camaraderie (no, seriously, I laughed out loud), and heartfelt circumstances. From the get-go, I knew who would give the best hugs (Olaf), who would help me play hooky from school (Ral), who to go to for sincere advice (Dimitar), and who would be the ear to listen and shoulder to cry on during the hard times (Kaleela).
Courtney and Clarke Collins portray a rich understanding of grief and love, of loyalty and conviction. Not only is the prose beautiful, but the emotions are evocative and jump off the page. This was a fantasy book that comforted me like Mac & Cheese.
Especially cheese.
I couldn't recommend this book enough, and there's threads I'm so curious to investigate in future installments! The mysterious and powerful blacksmith's sword? What happened to That One Character at the end? The evil elf??? SO MANY PROMISES WERE MADE AND I NEED MORE.
As a rabid fan of classic fantasy, Tolkien-esque worlds, mythical creatures, Dungeons & Dragons, and despicable villains, this book felt custom-made for me.
The party of four in this book drew me in with their charm, laugh-out-loud camaraderie (no, seriously, I laughed out loud), and heartfelt circumstances. From the get-go, I knew who would give the best hugs (Olaf), who would help me play hooky from school (Ral), who to go to for sincere advice (Dimitar), and who would be the ear to listen and shoulder to cry on during the hard times (Kaleela).
Courtney and Clarke Collins portray a rich understanding of grief and love, of loyalty and conviction. Not only is the prose beautiful, but the emotions are evocative and jump off the page. This was a fantasy book that comforted me like Mac & Cheese.
Especially cheese.
I couldn't recommend this book enough, and there's threads I'm so curious to investigate in future installments! The mysterious and powerful blacksmith's sword? What happened to That One Character at the end? The evil elf??? SO MANY PROMISES WERE MADE AND I NEED MORE.
January 8, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🫑
Tropes: Touch her and die, queernorm, found family, betrayal, dragons, princess and guard, strong FMC, alternating POV
In The Name of Honor is a fantastic novel that really rings home for fantasy lovers. It's heavily exemplary of close bonds and unshakable friendship. I loved that signing was featured as a way of communication, it was very heartwarming to see. The story felt magical from the beginning, and had me on an emotional ride. Gripping, exciting, moving, this story makes you want more and not because it's lacking, but because it's so well done.
The characters were all so well fleshed out, and I felt a good connection with them all. I think Ral and Olaf are probably my favorites. Olaf very much reminds me of a mixture of Gimli from Lord of the Rings and Tormund from Game of Thrones, he's a complete delight while retaining that serious protective part of his personality and I love that.
A book that you want to devour but don't want to be over too quickly, Vows and Valor has started strong with it's first novel, and I am so excited to see where the rest go! I hope it's with the same set of characters because I have truly fallen in love with them all.
Spice: 🫑
Tropes: Touch her and die, queernorm, found family, betrayal, dragons, princess and guard, strong FMC, alternating POV
In The Name of Honor is a fantastic novel that really rings home for fantasy lovers. It's heavily exemplary of close bonds and unshakable friendship. I loved that signing was featured as a way of communication, it was very heartwarming to see. The story felt magical from the beginning, and had me on an emotional ride. Gripping, exciting, moving, this story makes you want more and not because it's lacking, but because it's so well done.
The characters were all so well fleshed out, and I felt a good connection with them all. I think Ral and Olaf are probably my favorites. Olaf very much reminds me of a mixture of Gimli from Lord of the Rings and Tormund from Game of Thrones, he's a complete delight while retaining that serious protective part of his personality and I love that.
A book that you want to devour but don't want to be over too quickly, Vows and Valor has started strong with it's first novel, and I am so excited to see where the rest go! I hope it's with the same set of characters because I have truly fallen in love with them all.
January 8, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Spark Publishing for this ARC!
I haver never read Tolkien nor have I watched any of the LOTR movies. High fantasy has never interested me. But this book… this incredible book has changed my mind! This book gets five giant, shiny, irrevocable stars! I have been hooked and drawn in by books from the beginning but there have been very few books where I am *emotionally* invested from the beginning and this book had done it.
The world-building, the subtle and understated romance, the side characters, the gripping and thrilling adventures, the heart wrenchingly immersive narrative style were all done in such a masterful way. The pacing was spot-on, at no point did the story feel rushed nor did it drag. It was one of those "I’ll just read one more chapter but then I blink and it’s twenty chapters later and I missed a meal" type of the books. As a romantasy reader, I feel thoroughly schooled by this book on the definition of "epic fantasy." I will be following this trilogy. I am now emotionally invested.
I haver never read Tolkien nor have I watched any of the LOTR movies. High fantasy has never interested me. But this book… this incredible book has changed my mind! This book gets five giant, shiny, irrevocable stars! I have been hooked and drawn in by books from the beginning but there have been very few books where I am *emotionally* invested from the beginning and this book had done it.
The world-building, the subtle and understated romance, the side characters, the gripping and thrilling adventures, the heart wrenchingly immersive narrative style were all done in such a masterful way. The pacing was spot-on, at no point did the story feel rushed nor did it drag. It was one of those "I’ll just read one more chapter but then I blink and it’s twenty chapters later and I missed a meal" type of the books. As a romantasy reader, I feel thoroughly schooled by this book on the definition of "epic fantasy." I will be following this trilogy. I am now emotionally invested.
January 12, 2025
I loved this so much. As a LOTR fan this story warmed my cold dead heart. This journey brought together a beautiful found family. I loved every character, even the bad guy was compelling. A serious(ly hot) body guard, a hilarious half giant, a badass princess and a cheese thief?!? Perfect.
The pacing was excellent. The world building was elaborate and dare I say, lush. I hope this isn’t a stand alone because I would love to go back into this world. This is such a comforting cozy read and an escape from the hellscape world we live in.
Thank you to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this wonderful book. ❤️
The pacing was excellent. The world building was elaborate and dare I say, lush. I hope this isn’t a stand alone because I would love to go back into this world. This is such a comforting cozy read and an escape from the hellscape world we live in.
Thank you to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this wonderful book. ❤️
January 19, 2025
In the Name of Honor is a traditional fantasy style book, with a host of loveable characters sharing their POVs. Included in the cast are all the typical roles you find within these kind of stories: token strong female main character (who is, coincidentally, also stunningly beautiful); humble yet heroic knight; bumbling comic relief best friend… You know the vibe.
The book read as more of a YA story than adult. I often found myself feeling that I would’ve rather been shown something through the writing to infer for myself, rather than just being straight-up told.
I did appreciate the similarities to classic series such as the Lord of the Rings books, however the comparison between the two became a bit too homogenous for me and it began to feel a bit recycled. For example, Kaleela’s “I’m not to be given” moment was a bit too reminiscent of Eowyn’s “I am no man!” for me.
Something I did really like about In the Name of Honor was the inclusivity of the world that was built. People with different gender identities, races, sexualities, disabilities etc were both main and side characters, as opposed to being a throwaway inclusion for diversity’s sake. Ral’s traumatic past, for instance, was handled sensitively, and the character is a standout for me and clearly lots of other reviewers! His character is potentially being set up to take a more central role in the next book and I genuinely do look forward to reading about that.
3.5⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley for the e-ARC!
The book read as more of a YA story than adult. I often found myself feeling that I would’ve rather been shown something through the writing to infer for myself, rather than just being straight-up told.
I did appreciate the similarities to classic series such as the Lord of the Rings books, however the comparison between the two became a bit too homogenous for me and it began to feel a bit recycled. For example, Kaleela’s “I’m not to be given” moment was a bit too reminiscent of Eowyn’s “I am no man!” for me.
Something I did really like about In the Name of Honor was the inclusivity of the world that was built. People with different gender identities, races, sexualities, disabilities etc were both main and side characters, as opposed to being a throwaway inclusion for diversity’s sake. Ral’s traumatic past, for instance, was handled sensitively, and the character is a standout for me and clearly lots of other reviewers! His character is potentially being set up to take a more central role in the next book and I genuinely do look forward to reading about that.
3.5⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley for the e-ARC!
October 23, 2024
I was lucky enough to not only read this beautiful epic fantasy not once, but twice. I had my first opportunity as an ARC reader and then again for a blurb/ARC copy, and I thoroughly enjoyed it both times!
This is a modern-day LOTR, complete with a sweet human bodyguard x half-elf princess romance, epic battles between good and evil, fantasy creatures both familiar and new, and a truly despicable villain. The authors also did a wonderful job exploring themes of grief, friendship, found family, and betrayal.
I’m looking forward to book 2, and fans of classic epic fantasy will find much to love with ITNOH!
This is a modern-day LOTR, complete with a sweet human bodyguard x half-elf princess romance, epic battles between good and evil, fantasy creatures both familiar and new, and a truly despicable villain. The authors also did a wonderful job exploring themes of grief, friendship, found family, and betrayal.
I’m looking forward to book 2, and fans of classic epic fantasy will find much to love with ITNOH!
January 6, 2025
This is a “must-read” book that held me spellbound from the very beginning. The only downside was that it had to come to an end. It embodies all the key elements of classic fantasy, yet it’s an original story with excellent world-building. I journeyed from the peace and justice of Blackburn to find and free Khaled, venturing through the Sun’Din Forest, Kaleela’s maternal home. I then faced the horrors of the Barren Lands and the Eastern Mountains where true evil lurked.
The authors strike a good balance between darkness and light, with well-defined and engaging characters. The Corruptors appalled me—everything about them, literally, oozed evil. The battle scenes had me holding my breath, often making it seem as though darkness would prevail, though good ultimately triumphed. Beyond the main plot, the growing relationship between Dimitar and Kaleela, and the camaraderie between Dimitar and Olaf, provided much-needed relief.
I also adored other characters, especially Ral and Karn, and would love to know more of their stories. There is so much more I could add, but suffice to say, this book completely captured my imagination.
The authors strike a good balance between darkness and light, with well-defined and engaging characters. The Corruptors appalled me—everything about them, literally, oozed evil. The battle scenes had me holding my breath, often making it seem as though darkness would prevail, though good ultimately triumphed. Beyond the main plot, the growing relationship between Dimitar and Kaleela, and the camaraderie between Dimitar and Olaf, provided much-needed relief.
I also adored other characters, especially Ral and Karn, and would love to know more of their stories. There is so much more I could add, but suffice to say, this book completely captured my imagination.
January 6, 2025
ARC READER 📖
This book takes the heart of The Lord of the Rings, blending moments of darkness with rays of light.
From a noble knight driven by honor to a fierce princess who can hold her own in battle, the Collins’ have crafted a richly layered fantasy world that invites you to lose yourself within it.
With its intricate characters and immersive setting, it offers a captivating blend of adventure, heart, and complexity.
A great start to what will no doubt be a wonderful series ✨
This book takes the heart of The Lord of the Rings, blending moments of darkness with rays of light.
From a noble knight driven by honor to a fierce princess who can hold her own in battle, the Collins’ have crafted a richly layered fantasy world that invites you to lose yourself within it.
With its intricate characters and immersive setting, it offers a captivating blend of adventure, heart, and complexity.
A great start to what will no doubt be a wonderful series ✨
January 13, 2025
How far would you go to save someone you love?
When Princess Kaleela’s father is kidnapped, she refuses to stay behind. Joined by loyal guardsman Dimitar, she ventures into enemy territory to face the vengeful Corrupted. As the kingdom teeters on collapse, the stakes are clear: rescue the king or lose everything.
Solid three stars!
I went into this with high hopes, expecting something new and exciting based on the blurb. However, as an avid fantasy reader, I couldn’t help but feel like I’d read this story before. That said, for those newer to the genre, this could be a great introduction to fantasy.
There were moments where the authors’ voices came through too strongly, which pulled me out of the story and made it harder to connect. Additionally, the narrative felt bogged down by filler at times, making it a bit of a chore to keep going. A tighter edit could have kept the pacing more engaging.
That being said, it’s clear that a lot of effort went into this book, and it shows. The characters were sweet and likable, which added charm to the story. Ultimately, while it didn’t fully meet my expectations, I believe it will resonate with its intended audience and do well.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this before its release.
When Princess Kaleela’s father is kidnapped, she refuses to stay behind. Joined by loyal guardsman Dimitar, she ventures into enemy territory to face the vengeful Corrupted. As the kingdom teeters on collapse, the stakes are clear: rescue the king or lose everything.
Solid three stars!
I went into this with high hopes, expecting something new and exciting based on the blurb. However, as an avid fantasy reader, I couldn’t help but feel like I’d read this story before. That said, for those newer to the genre, this could be a great introduction to fantasy.
There were moments where the authors’ voices came through too strongly, which pulled me out of the story and made it harder to connect. Additionally, the narrative felt bogged down by filler at times, making it a bit of a chore to keep going. A tighter edit could have kept the pacing more engaging.
That being said, it’s clear that a lot of effort went into this book, and it shows. The characters were sweet and likable, which added charm to the story. Ultimately, while it didn’t fully meet my expectations, I believe it will resonate with its intended audience and do well.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this before its release.
January 21, 2025
This book is AMAZING.
The world and character building honestly stunned me. I fell in love with the world and it’s people so quickly.
The plot hooks you in and makes you want so much more!
The world and character building honestly stunned me. I fell in love with the world and it’s people so quickly.
The plot hooks you in and makes you want so much more!
January 18, 2025
I received an ARC from NetGalley to review this book before release. The blurb for this book sounded exciting and promising: a great adventure and rescue mission with a romance plot. Although the book is categorized as Adult, I quickly noticed the writing style was very juvenile. The dialogue was oversimplified and did not sound how people in their twenties would speak. There was no flow between events or time to understand the importance of things happening. One line I recall is Dimitar saying he was starting to trust Kaleela, but there were no events or actions that showed that. There was a lot of telling instead of showing or leaving it to the reader to infer. In the beginning the story seemed stuck, and it could've just started with the King getting captured by the Corrupters. The Conan story was unnecessary. Olaf seemed to have a lot to say to Kaleela about how he met Dimitar, but the readers weren't let in on the conversation, and I think that would've been helpful for the readers to learn more about these characters' backstories. I am a reader who likes to read characters that are relatable or have an interesting story so I can attach to them and find important the things they find important, but I didn't get that with these characters. They were shallow. By the time they found out that Kahled had been captured, it seemed like it should be important to care about his rescue but because I had no time to connect with the characters, I found myself not wanting to continue the story because there were no stakes. No reasons or backstory given as to why leaving him in the hands of the Corrupters would mean peril. The Corrupters were also not explained that much at all. Why do they exist? Why are people shocked the are back? How do they work? All things the characters seemed to know, but the reader didn't. I did not finish the book for these reasons.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2025
From the starting line, I was sucked in immediately! With a diverse cast of characters, In The Name of Honor is an epic fantasy that gets it right. I loved the multi POV and the chemistry between Kaleela and Dimitar. Like why am I getting so excited about a lingering hug? Or even Kaleela feeling the kiss still on her skin? To add onto that, the dynamic between the whole group was so lovable and wholesome like true found family vibes. And RAL. I'm a Ral apologist. I adore him so much.
The world building takes you along so you're not lost while reading which is amazing for an epic fantasy. Everything is either weaved into dialogue or briefly explained as the narrative continues.
Looking forward to book 2!
The world building takes you along so you're not lost while reading which is amazing for an epic fantasy. Everything is either weaved into dialogue or briefly explained as the narrative continues.
Looking forward to book 2!
January 25, 2025
4,5
First of all, I'd like to thank the ARC! It was truly a pleasure to read your work of fiction!
In The Name Of Honor is a great fantasy book with many actions, twists and turns, and heartwarming relationships. At first, I thought this book's gonna be too slow-paced for me. But as I read more and more pages, I realized I was completely wrong. I adore books with great world-building, and In The Name Of Honor has a clever and nice world-building that I love. It was so creative with the unique creatures and the whole war storyline. My favorite part was about the Reclamation War's story, it was so interesting!
The other thing I admired was the strong and elaborate relationships between the characters. I loved Kaleela and Dimitar together so much, but my favorite relationship was Olaf and Dimitar's. Their brotherhood was just so beautiful. For me, they were like the other half of each other in every situation. Speaking of Olaf, making his speaking different from the others was so creative! That made him special, and he had my heart the whole book.
And I'd love to remark that I loved that Ral had a disability. And the whole background story of his. I just love Ral so much that's all I can say.
I try to write everything in a nutshell in this paragraph: I'm looking forward to reading other books from Courtney and Clarke Collins, especially from this universe. I want to know more about things such as Conrad and Khaled's friendship, the Reclamation War era, and about everything! Overall, I loved In The Name Of Honor , and I hope I get the chance to read other stories from this world.
I recommend this book to my fantasy lovers who enjoyed LOTR, GOT and Shadow & Bone (books and series too!).
First of all, I'd like to thank the ARC! It was truly a pleasure to read your work of fiction!
In The Name Of Honor is a great fantasy book with many actions, twists and turns, and heartwarming relationships. At first, I thought this book's gonna be too slow-paced for me. But as I read more and more pages, I realized I was completely wrong. I adore books with great world-building, and In The Name Of Honor has a clever and nice world-building that I love. It was so creative with the unique creatures and the whole war storyline. My favorite part was about the Reclamation War's story, it was so interesting!
The other thing I admired was the strong and elaborate relationships between the characters. I loved Kaleela and Dimitar together so much, but my favorite relationship was Olaf and Dimitar's. Their brotherhood was just so beautiful. For me, they were like the other half of each other in every situation. Speaking of Olaf, making his speaking different from the others was so creative! That made him special, and he had my heart the whole book.
And I'd love to remark that I loved that Ral had a disability. And the whole background story of his. I just love Ral so much that's all I can say.
I try to write everything in a nutshell in this paragraph: I'm looking forward to reading other books from Courtney and Clarke Collins, especially from this universe. I want to know more about things such as Conrad and Khaled's friendship, the Reclamation War era, and about everything! Overall, I loved In The Name Of Honor , and I hope I get the chance to read other stories from this world.
I recommend this book to my fantasy lovers who enjoyed LOTR, GOT and Shadow & Bone (books and series too!).
January 28, 2025
In the Name of Honor is a cinematic adventure I can totally see becoming a movie. Or, more likely, a TV show with multiple seasons because the characters are so loveable and well-developed. With a slow burn that will give you butterflies and POVs switches that are unique yet meld seamlessly , Courtney and Clarke Collins have written a real treat!
January 27, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ rounded to 4
This is an exciting mix of magic, danger, and high-stakes adventure. The story pulls you into a world full of intrigue, where every choice feels like it could make or break the characters. The characters are complex and easy to root for, even when they make tough or questionable decisions. If you’re into epic fantasy with plenty of twists and heart, this one’s worth picking up!
This is an exciting mix of magic, danger, and high-stakes adventure. The story pulls you into a world full of intrigue, where every choice feels like it could make or break the characters. The characters are complex and easy to root for, even when they make tough or questionable decisions. If you’re into epic fantasy with plenty of twists and heart, this one’s worth picking up!
Want to read
January 5, 2025oh this sounds interesting
March 14, 2025
I’m obsessed with this book! I rarely rate books over 5 stars but this one deserves every single six stars I’m giving it 🥰💫
I could not put this book down! In the Name of Honor gave me everything I wanted in an epic fantasy with romance—and then some. It’s a story that grabbed me from the very first page and refused to let go. The world-building was rich and vivid; I could picture every detail, from the sweeping landscapes to the tension-filled action scenes. It felt like I was right there, living every moment alongside the characters.
The multiple POVs were done perfectly. Each perspective added new layers to the story, making it even harder to tear myself away. I was completely invested in their journeys, their struggles, and their growth. The character development was spot-on—real, raw, and so well done. I found myself rooting for them, hurting with them, and celebrating every small victory along the way.
The balance of action, adventure, slow burn romance, and emotional depth was everything I look for in a fantasy series. It had high stakes, heart-pounding moments, and plenty of twists that kept me guessing.
I’m already counting down the days until book two! If you love epic quests, princess/bodyguard slowburn romance, LOTR vibes, high-stakes adventure, and characters you won’t stop thinking about, this book needs to be on your TBR.
Thank you so much to the authors and R&R Book Tours for the gifted copy!! 🥰🫶🏼
I could not put this book down! In the Name of Honor gave me everything I wanted in an epic fantasy with romance—and then some. It’s a story that grabbed me from the very first page and refused to let go. The world-building was rich and vivid; I could picture every detail, from the sweeping landscapes to the tension-filled action scenes. It felt like I was right there, living every moment alongside the characters.
The multiple POVs were done perfectly. Each perspective added new layers to the story, making it even harder to tear myself away. I was completely invested in their journeys, their struggles, and their growth. The character development was spot-on—real, raw, and so well done. I found myself rooting for them, hurting with them, and celebrating every small victory along the way.
The balance of action, adventure, slow burn romance, and emotional depth was everything I look for in a fantasy series. It had high stakes, heart-pounding moments, and plenty of twists that kept me guessing.
I’m already counting down the days until book two! If you love epic quests, princess/bodyguard slowburn romance, LOTR vibes, high-stakes adventure, and characters you won’t stop thinking about, this book needs to be on your TBR.
Thank you so much to the authors and R&R Book Tours for the gifted copy!! 🥰🫶🏼
February 4, 2025
Perfect for fans of LOTR who have been searching for that nostalgic magic that’s been unmatched for years. Especially those who wanted to see more romance and development between Arwen and Aragorn (in Kaleela and Dimitar). Each of the characters do not hesitate to stand up for what’s right, and against the overlord, despite so many battles and hardships they face. Also I will fight for the sweet cheese thief, Ral!🫶🏼🧀
January 27, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Thank you to the publishers and to Collins for allowing me to read this novel early.
This novel is an easy read for fans of tabletop role-playing games, Lord of the Rings, and all high fantasy. It takes the classic high fantasy structure and traditional party build of a great D&D game and puts it into a beautifully written world.
The characters fall into classic archetypes, but they have standout moments that truly bring this book to life.
The story starts quite slowly, and it takes a moment to get into, but by the time you reach part two, you’re fully immersed in the Green Lands and Blackburn.
The authors have a gift for description. Every time they set a scene, it’s very well-rounded and easy to imagine the space, which is a nice touch in a fantasy world.
Spoilers / Dislikes/ Thoughts are below.
I wish the authors had focused more on the friendly relationships between characters over having a romantic subplot between Dimitar and Kaleela. The romance seemed forced and painfully obvious and didn’t add much of anything to the plot.
I enjoyed Dimitar and Kaleela’s interactions overall but I felt as though they had as much chemistry as Kaleela and Ral or Kaleela and Olaf.
Not every fantasy novel needs to have romance.
I also felt the subplot with Conrad’s death was unnecessary.
I loved the idea that sometimes family is a widower and his best friend/boyfriend raising their half-elf daughter. However, by the end of the novel when Kahled hears his dead wife’s voice, it completely negates the relationship he had with Conrad. While you can love two people, I felt as though maybe he should have heard Conrad’s voice as well. His wife was only with him for a certain amount of years while Conrad raised his daughter alongside him, and was shown to have been there for Kahled whenever he needed him.
Again the romance between them felt forced if it didn’t come back in a meaningful way.
I did enjoy the fact that there were queer and non-binary characters. I love that this is becoming something you just see in fantasy. It’s very inclusive, and as a queer reader, it always makes me feel more connected to a world to see characters similar to myself.
Thank you to the publishers and to Collins for allowing me to read this novel early.
This novel is an easy read for fans of tabletop role-playing games, Lord of the Rings, and all high fantasy. It takes the classic high fantasy structure and traditional party build of a great D&D game and puts it into a beautifully written world.
The characters fall into classic archetypes, but they have standout moments that truly bring this book to life.
The story starts quite slowly, and it takes a moment to get into, but by the time you reach part two, you’re fully immersed in the Green Lands and Blackburn.
The authors have a gift for description. Every time they set a scene, it’s very well-rounded and easy to imagine the space, which is a nice touch in a fantasy world.
Spoilers / Dislikes/ Thoughts are below.
I wish the authors had focused more on the friendly relationships between characters over having a romantic subplot between Dimitar and Kaleela. The romance seemed forced and painfully obvious and didn’t add much of anything to the plot.
I enjoyed Dimitar and Kaleela’s interactions overall but I felt as though they had as much chemistry as Kaleela and Ral or Kaleela and Olaf.
Not every fantasy novel needs to have romance.
I also felt the subplot with Conrad’s death was unnecessary.
I loved the idea that sometimes family is a widower and his best friend/boyfriend raising their half-elf daughter. However, by the end of the novel when Kahled hears his dead wife’s voice, it completely negates the relationship he had with Conrad. While you can love two people, I felt as though maybe he should have heard Conrad’s voice as well. His wife was only with him for a certain amount of years while Conrad raised his daughter alongside him, and was shown to have been there for Kahled whenever he needed him.
Again the romance between them felt forced if it didn’t come back in a meaningful way.
I did enjoy the fact that there were queer and non-binary characters. I love that this is becoming something you just see in fantasy. It’s very inclusive, and as a queer reader, it always makes me feel more connected to a world to see characters similar to myself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley & Shadow Spark Publishing for an eARC of this book. The following review is my honest reflection on the text provided.
I’m not really sure why I stuck with it and didn’t DNF this one. I certainly thought about it quite a bit. At some point I think I’d just put too much time into it to give up.
In the Name of Honor isn’t bad exactly. It’s more… unnecessary? The story isn’t new or unique, the characters fulfil the necessary tropes. There’s an eleven princess, a loyal knight servant, the lovable oaf sidekick. There’s danger and adventure and even romance. But the writing just did not do it for me. Everything is so vague it feels like it’s been filtered. Sometimes even the characters seemed to only be saying or doing what was expected because it was expected. There was no emotion or depth and I didn’t connect to any of the characters or their suffering.
Everything seemed fairly wrapped up at the end of the book, though it’s apparently supposed to be the start to a series? It’s probably not one I’ll continue with, regardless.
I’m not really sure why I stuck with it and didn’t DNF this one. I certainly thought about it quite a bit. At some point I think I’d just put too much time into it to give up.
In the Name of Honor isn’t bad exactly. It’s more… unnecessary? The story isn’t new or unique, the characters fulfil the necessary tropes. There’s an eleven princess, a loyal knight servant, the lovable oaf sidekick. There’s danger and adventure and even romance. But the writing just did not do it for me. Everything is so vague it feels like it’s been filtered. Sometimes even the characters seemed to only be saying or doing what was expected because it was expected. There was no emotion or depth and I didn’t connect to any of the characters or their suffering.
Everything seemed fairly wrapped up at the end of the book, though it’s apparently supposed to be the start to a series? It’s probably not one I’ll continue with, regardless.
February 10, 2025
I feel absolutely terrible, but after much consideration I DNFed this book at @49%
In The Name of Honor is a very ambitious fantasy book that draws clear inspiration from some of my epic fantasy favourites. The prelude was very promising and it sounded right up my alley. This debut novel had so much potential and it’s obvious that the authors worked really hard on it. It seems to check all the right boxes for epic fantasy, but ultimately, it fell flat for me.
The plot is definitely interesting but in the end everything seemed to be straight out from an epic fantasy novel checklist while missing something special or different to make it stand out: The world and plot was no different from any other epic fantasy book and the characters, ultimately, felt flat, almost one dimensional, like caricatures of what they should be like. It felt like there was a lot of telling instead of showing. There’s a lot of “Character X felt this" but no actual display of emotions or actions. The dialogue felt scripted in a lot of instances and the situations usually predictable, leaving very little for the reader to work out for themselves.
Sadly, this book really didn’t work for me. But if you’d like a typical epic fantasy with lower stakes, or a comfort read, maybe it’s worth to pick this one up.
Thank you so much to Shadow Spark Publishing and NetGallery for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In The Name of Honor is a very ambitious fantasy book that draws clear inspiration from some of my epic fantasy favourites. The prelude was very promising and it sounded right up my alley. This debut novel had so much potential and it’s obvious that the authors worked really hard on it. It seems to check all the right boxes for epic fantasy, but ultimately, it fell flat for me.
The plot is definitely interesting but in the end everything seemed to be straight out from an epic fantasy novel checklist while missing something special or different to make it stand out: The world and plot was no different from any other epic fantasy book and the characters, ultimately, felt flat, almost one dimensional, like caricatures of what they should be like. It felt like there was a lot of telling instead of showing. There’s a lot of “Character X felt this" but no actual display of emotions or actions. The dialogue felt scripted in a lot of instances and the situations usually predictable, leaving very little for the reader to work out for themselves.
Sadly, this book really didn’t work for me. But if you’d like a typical epic fantasy with lower stakes, or a comfort read, maybe it’s worth to pick this one up.
Thank you so much to Shadow Spark Publishing and NetGallery for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 28, 2025
Thank you to Shadow Spark Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC.
I feel really bad for DNFing this book, because it has a lot of promising qualities. Sadly, this book is just overall not worked out enough for these qualities to shine, which is why I stopped reading at 53%.
I picked up this book because the plot seemed like something I would like. An elven princess on a quest with her guardsman, going to save her father from a corrupted creature? Count me in! Sadly, the book drags and drags and I felt like most of what I read was filler and didn't really have any influence on the over-arching plot at all.
The characters also felt very flat and without any distinct personality. We get a lot of "Dimitar/Kaleela felt" but no actual display of emotions or actions. This was a big issue through the book, where it was a lot of telling but no actual showing. The lack of this and the lack of dialogue (we went entire pages without any talking), made me really struggle with the book and is the biggest reason that I don't feel like I want to finish it.
I feel really bad for DNFing this book, because it has a lot of promising qualities. Sadly, this book is just overall not worked out enough for these qualities to shine, which is why I stopped reading at 53%.
I picked up this book because the plot seemed like something I would like. An elven princess on a quest with her guardsman, going to save her father from a corrupted creature? Count me in! Sadly, the book drags and drags and I felt like most of what I read was filler and didn't really have any influence on the over-arching plot at all.
The characters also felt very flat and without any distinct personality. We get a lot of "Dimitar/Kaleela felt" but no actual display of emotions or actions. This was a big issue through the book, where it was a lot of telling but no actual showing. The lack of this and the lack of dialogue (we went entire pages without any talking), made me really struggle with the book and is the biggest reason that I don't feel like I want to finish it.
February 3, 2025
I loved reading this. It was a very classic feeling fantasy quest style story and there were many times I felt myself drawing parallels between DnD and stories I grew up with like Lord of the Rings. In terms of writing style, the Collins' have very direct way of phrasing things and there were times that I wish I was shown more than told, but it was never to the point where I thought it took away from the story.
In terms of characters, I felt they were all fairly likeable if a bit predictable. They fill classic fantasy archetypes which, while unsurprising, add to the feel that this is a classic fantasy novel. Of all of the characters we meet, I loved Ral the most and enjoyed watching Willem grow more comfortable around the group. I also appreciated the natural way different sexualities and people with disabilities were portrayed and fit into the world.
Finally, I LOVED that, while this is a series, this book felt like it had a definite ending and didn't leave us on a massive cliffhanger. The main conflict of the book was resolved, but the promise of greater, related threats, still loomed on the horizon to line up a sequel while giving us closure. I can't begin to describe how more I love this about the ending of this book.
In terms of characters, I felt they were all fairly likeable if a bit predictable. They fill classic fantasy archetypes which, while unsurprising, add to the feel that this is a classic fantasy novel. Of all of the characters we meet, I loved Ral the most and enjoyed watching Willem grow more comfortable around the group. I also appreciated the natural way different sexualities and people with disabilities were portrayed and fit into the world.
Finally, I LOVED that, while this is a series, this book felt like it had a definite ending and didn't leave us on a massive cliffhanger. The main conflict of the book was resolved, but the promise of greater, related threats, still loomed on the horizon to line up a sequel while giving us closure. I can't begin to describe how more I love this about the ending of this book.
January 12, 2025
I read this book in fits and turns over the Christmas break - not because I didnt want to, but because I was so busy I didn't get the chance to read as much as i'd like. This is a really fun fantasy story with a range of characters from the honourable not-quite-Knights Olaf and Dimitar, the half elf princess and the thief to rescue a king and save the world. While I would argue the pacing wasn't as strong at the end, I enjoyed the journey. Very inspired by LOTR and it touches on a range of themes that keep the reader engaged. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.
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January 22, 2025This is an epic fantasy, complete with a quest, tons of fantasy world history, and a love story between a half-elven princes and her guard. I'd have eaten this up in high school! Today it's a little less my jam. I find that nowadays I'm looking for epic prose along with my epic stories. and the language didn't quite match up with the scope of the story. If you like a more traditional take on epic fantasy than a fae lord falling for a teenage human, but with language more in line with a modern romantasy standard, I think this might meet your needs.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
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