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Masters & Makers #1
Fall Seldom Kings
Regicide and Parricide – two of the worst crimes imaginable – and Princess Kilbride plans to do both.
Widowed at twenty-three, Kilbride has returned to her father’s kingdom of Upper Down, the last realm where the ancient bloodlines of Masters and Makers hold power. Feared by its neighbours, Upper Down has become a safe haven for ferocious bands of Westlanders, who raid and pillage the surrounding kingdoms. Far from trying to expel them, Kilbride’s father permits them to stay. The realm has grown rich off its ill-gotten profits, but it has also grown more violent and isolated.
When disaster strikes the kingdom, Kilbride reaches out for allies, but all she has is a spoilt younger sister, a King’s Champion who spends his days drunk, and the manipulative Duke of Ridden.
Two sisters, and two brothers – riven apart by mutual loathing and ambition. Squeezed between the Westlanders and a vengeful imperial army, Upper Down edges closer to extinction.
Widowed at twenty-three, Kilbride has returned to her father’s kingdom of Upper Down, the last realm where the ancient bloodlines of Masters and Makers hold power. Feared by its neighbours, Upper Down has become a safe haven for ferocious bands of Westlanders, who raid and pillage the surrounding kingdoms. Far from trying to expel them, Kilbride’s father permits them to stay. The realm has grown rich off its ill-gotten profits, but it has also grown more violent and isolated.
When disaster strikes the kingdom, Kilbride reaches out for allies, but all she has is a spoilt younger sister, a King’s Champion who spends his days drunk, and the manipulative Duke of Ridden.
Two sisters, and two brothers – riven apart by mutual loathing and ambition. Squeezed between the Westlanders and a vengeful imperial army, Upper Down edges closer to extinction.
- GenresFantasy
480 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 31, 2024
309 people are currently reading
145 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Mitchell
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About Me
I love deserts, which is too bad as I live in Scotland, but the mountains, glens and lochs more than make up for it. My other love is Greek Tragedy, especially Euripides, and I also read history, science, fantasy, and pretty much anything about the Beatles…
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About Me
I love deserts, which is too bad as I live in Scotland, but the mountains, glens and lochs more than make up for it. My other love is Greek Tragedy, especially Euripides, and I also read history, science, fantasy, and pretty much anything about the Beatles…
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I would love to hear from you by email or through any of the social media options below:
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 24, 2025
Great start and end. Drags in the middle — can easily skip abou 200 pages without missing much.
Want to read
May 26, 2024A completely new series by one of my favorite authors! I'm looking forward to reading these books. I truly love the magic Christopher Mitchell brought to the Magelands series'. I love the Holdfast family and it will be hard to let them go once their journey is complete. I'm sure CM's magical imagination will extend to this new world as well.
Edited to add:
Christopher Mitchell has given us a new adventure in this completely new series unrelated to his Magelanders series'. I didn't know what to expect before starting this story even after reading the blurb/teaser; and, now that I've finished, I don't know what to expect will happen next. What I do know and can say with complete certainty is that you will be hooked from the very first page through to the very last. Mr. Mitchell's stories have that effect.
In my interpretation, this isn't a story of good versus bad, this is a story of goodish (or good enough) versus bad versus really bad. Parts of the story were predictable but my guess is that was intentional by the author. It took me a few chapters before I warmed up to the characters but that might be because even the 'goodish' characters were a darker shade of 'morally gray'. The story is fast paced so be prepared to jump in with both feet.
Like with other Mitchell books, the story is resolved by the last page. I'm guessing that future books in the series will build on this opening salvo or at a minimum, with some of these main characters. The possibilities are fun to imagine. Once again, well done, Mr. Mitchell.
Edited to add:
Christopher Mitchell has given us a new adventure in this completely new series unrelated to his Magelanders series'. I didn't know what to expect before starting this story even after reading the blurb/teaser; and, now that I've finished, I don't know what to expect will happen next. What I do know and can say with complete certainty is that you will be hooked from the very first page through to the very last. Mr. Mitchell's stories have that effect.
In my interpretation, this isn't a story of good versus bad, this is a story of goodish (or good enough) versus bad versus really bad. Parts of the story were predictable but my guess is that was intentional by the author. It took me a few chapters before I warmed up to the characters but that might be because even the 'goodish' characters were a darker shade of 'morally gray'. The story is fast paced so be prepared to jump in with both feet.
Like with other Mitchell books, the story is resolved by the last page. I'm guessing that future books in the series will build on this opening salvo or at a minimum, with some of these main characters. The possibilities are fun to imagine. Once again, well done, Mr. Mitchell.
May 27, 2024
I've previously enjoyed reading this authors work in his various Magelands series. It's pleasing to see that although Chris has kept the fact paced and gritty style, with a number of surprises thrown in every few chapters, in term of plot, characters and settings, this really is a brand new venture. Hooked from the first paragraph I'm very much looking forward to continuing with this series and seeing where it takes us.
May 2, 2024
I was invested at the beginning of the book. The story had me at the start!! Outstanding world and character building and it was not all dumped at once! We begin with a kingdom that is set apart and isolated from the large empire that has been conquering all the lands. The king has been visited by emissaries from the empire and he is not happy with what the empire thinks they can have. He does not believe the stories of the special weapon the empire has but he is also out of touch in his isolated kingdom and thinks he is invincible because he is a maker. He encourages the violent Westlanders to plunder other kingdoms to grow his wealth by taxing their spoils. His son who is next in line for the throne is very devout and does not believe in all of his father's choices. Add in two daughters and then a Duke with too many secrets, the drunken king's champion, a missing princess and three bands of savage Westlanders and boy does this story just continue to develop as you get further in the book. After reading more than 30 books in the same series with this author and loving them I was unsure how I would feel about a new series but I am here for it and cannot wait for the next installment! Highly recommended for those who enjoy found family, magic, political machinations, unlikely hero, and strong female characters.
June 7, 2024
I was given an ARC for this book, the privilege does not affect my review. This was a strange experience for me. I really liked the story itself but felt the pacing was rushed and the characters weren’t as fleshed out as they usually are for this author. Will I read the second? Absolutely. The pacing wasn’t off enough to keep me from enjoying the story. I felt a bit more back story for the brothers would have been nice. Maybe that comes later. I will RAFO, for sure.
December 14, 2025
Not What I Expected
I began this book with little interest, but was surprised to find that I liked it. I think some of the characters could have used a bit more detail and background, but it wasn’t bad.
I have to admit that the way the Masters were so easily taken by surprise, after having been the sources of many atrocities was a little “meh”, and seemed like a lazy way to end a particular situation. It kind of left me feeling a little cheated.
I began this book with little interest, but was surprised to find that I liked it. I think some of the characters could have used a bit more detail and background, but it wasn’t bad.
I have to admit that the way the Masters were so easily taken by surprise, after having been the sources of many atrocities was a little “meh”, and seemed like a lazy way to end a particular situation. It kind of left me feeling a little cheated.
May 26, 2024
This brand new series from Christopher Mitchell has started off fantastically well, a fast paced story that hooks you in from the start, brilliantly written characters who you instantly root for or hope they come to a sticky end, this doesn’t disappoint. I look forward to see where the story goes and the characters develop.
June 1, 2024
A Taste of Thrones
This has some of the complexity of plot and character of GOT, and, like that series, has its action only lightly leavened with magic. Apart from those points, it is entirely its own thing. A surprisingly original and entertaining first book in a series to watch out for.
This has some of the complexity of plot and character of GOT, and, like that series, has its action only lightly leavened with magic. Apart from those points, it is entirely its own thing. A surprisingly original and entertaining first book in a series to watch out for.
June 2, 2024
Intrigue, action, and wonderfully complex characters. I was instantly transported to a new world, unsure where the next page would take me.
I was totally addicted to Christopher’s Magelands series and was worried a new series wouldn’t be as good. I can honestly say it’s great! I can’t wait to see where he takes us with book 2 in the Masters and Makers series.
I was totally addicted to Christopher’s Magelands series and was worried a new series wouldn’t be as good. I can honestly say it’s great! I can’t wait to see where he takes us with book 2 in the Masters and Makers series.
June 2, 2024
Great Book
Wasn’t sure if this would be as good as the Magelands Series by Christopher Mitchell but I couldn’t put it down.
Would highly recommend. Well written and a real page turner.
Wasn’t sure if this would be as good as the Magelands Series by Christopher Mitchell but I couldn’t put it down.
Would highly recommend. Well written and a real page turner.
August 29, 2024
Different
While I am big Christopher Mitchell fan I wasn't sure I was going to like this book. Well surprise, surprise I really enjoyed it. It was refreshing and unique. I can't wait to see shat happens in the second book.
While I am big Christopher Mitchell fan I wasn't sure I was going to like this book. Well surprise, surprise I really enjoyed it. It was refreshing and unique. I can't wait to see shat happens in the second book.
November 24, 2024
Good read but….
Something was missing. I like the storyline and most of the characters,it’s nice to read something a bit different. Something was preventing me from visualising and I’m not sure what.
Something was missing. I like the storyline and most of the characters,it’s nice to read something a bit different. Something was preventing me from visualising and I’m not sure what.
May 26, 2024
Great start to a new series from a favourite author. Already getting to know and love characters. Looking forward to the next books. Anybody who likes fantasy has to enjoy Chris's books .
June 20, 2024
Totally enjoyed it! This is a well written and has well developed characters. The story is catching and with the strong characters makes for a very enjoyable read. Great Reading Everyone!
December 10, 2024
I have loved all of the books I have read by this author. I suggest you give him a chance because his books are really worth every dollar penny
November 2, 2025
Fall Seldom Kings (Masters and Makers Book 1) , my thirty-third read from prolific author Christopher Mitchell and the first in his Masters and Makers series, a 480-page fantasy read. With 43 books published over 4 inter-conncted series it's no wonder that when I want to read fantasy I first look for author Christopher Mitchell. I look forward to reading more from this author, in fact The Making of Abigone (Masters and Makers Book 2) is already on my TBR list. “I received a complementary Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to reading more from him, in fact Yearning for Evermore: An Epic Fantasy Adventure (The Magelands Dominion Book 11) is already on my TBR list and it won't be published until November of this year.(RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews