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Firmaments
WHEN IS IT RIGHT TO KILL THE KING?
The infamous Somenus has seized the Faerie throne. The world of Raqia is thrown into chaos, as every nation is pressured to bow in submission to him. In their brittle mortal bodies, Elves and Humans quake with what can they do against an unkillable Faerie King? Somenus, the Nightmare Faerie is said to be so terrifying and beautiful that all become petrified in his presence.
Clover the Elf has decided to kill him. Isabella, the free-spirited maiden, seeks the only weapon that can wound him. Princess Lola has become his prisoner, and the rebel Faeries have turned to Hanz, the charismatic leader.
Then there is Leo—the human from Earth. Grappling with life in an unfamiliar world above the stars, Leo stumbles across the only person Somenus fears.
And all the while a hidden evil lurks in the wings…
The infamous Somenus has seized the Faerie throne. The world of Raqia is thrown into chaos, as every nation is pressured to bow in submission to him. In their brittle mortal bodies, Elves and Humans quake with what can they do against an unkillable Faerie King? Somenus, the Nightmare Faerie is said to be so terrifying and beautiful that all become petrified in his presence.
Clover the Elf has decided to kill him. Isabella, the free-spirited maiden, seeks the only weapon that can wound him. Princess Lola has become his prisoner, and the rebel Faeries have turned to Hanz, the charismatic leader.
Then there is Leo—the human from Earth. Grappling with life in an unfamiliar world above the stars, Leo stumbles across the only person Somenus fears.
And all the while a hidden evil lurks in the wings…
654 pages, Paperback
Published March 26, 2024
5 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 25, 2025
2 stars
I really wanted to love this book, especially since I received it as an ARC, but it ended up being a struggle to get through. Normally, I never DNF ARCs because I feel a responsibility to finish and provide an honest review. However, if this had not been an ARC, I likely would have put it down fairly early.
The biggest issue for me was the writing style. It felt disjointed and difficult to follow, particularly with the frequent POV shifts. There were simply too many perspectives, and instead of drawing me deeper into the story, they left me feeling confused and disconnected. I struggled to keep track of events and never had the chance to truly connect with or care about the characters.
The plot itself is promising, but the execution dragged on to the point that reading felt more exhausting than enjoyable. In the end, finishing this felt more like an obligation than an engaging experience. For that reason, I can only give it 2 stars.
I really wanted to love this book, especially since I received it as an ARC, but it ended up being a struggle to get through. Normally, I never DNF ARCs because I feel a responsibility to finish and provide an honest review. However, if this had not been an ARC, I likely would have put it down fairly early.
The biggest issue for me was the writing style. It felt disjointed and difficult to follow, particularly with the frequent POV shifts. There were simply too many perspectives, and instead of drawing me deeper into the story, they left me feeling confused and disconnected. I struggled to keep track of events and never had the chance to truly connect with or care about the characters.
The plot itself is promising, but the execution dragged on to the point that reading felt more exhausting than enjoyable. In the end, finishing this felt more like an obligation than an engaging experience. For that reason, I can only give it 2 stars.
April 3, 2024
Amazing epic adventure series for fans of Lewis, Tolkien, and medieval cosmology. Filled with adventure and symbolism. I’ve had a sneak peek at future books in this series and it only gets better!
May 17, 2025
Book Review: Firmaments by Natasha Kennedy
A Dark Fantasy Epic Where Morality and Power Collide
Natasha Kennedy’s Firmaments plunges readers into the fractured world of Raqia, where the usurper Somenus has seized the Faerie throne, triggering political upheaval and existential dilemmas. Blending elements of high fantasy with morally gray storytelling, the novel asks a provocative central question: When is it right to kill the king? Kennedy’s prose is lush and immersive, weaving together court intrigue, cosmic mythology, and Tolkien-esque worldbuilding. The result is a debut that feels both timeless and urgent, particularly in its exploration of power, resistance, and the cost of defiance.
Key Strengths
-Worldbuilding: Raqia is richly layered, with nations grappling under Somenus’s tyranny, each culture rendered with distinct textures and stakes.
-Moral Complexity: The novel refuses easy answers, forcing characters—and readers—to confront the ethics of revolution.
-Character Depth: Protagonists and antagonists alike are nuanced, driven by conflicting loyalties and trauma.
Potential Considerations
-Pacing: Some readers may find the political machinations dense early on, though the tension escalates dramatically by the mid-point.
-Tone: Unrelentingly dark; those seeking hope or levity may struggle with the grim atmosphere.
Score Breakdown (Out of 5)
-Worldbuilding: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – A fully realized, haunting universe.
-Characterization: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5/5) – Flawed, unforgettable players.
-Themes: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – Asks brutal questions with poetic precision.
-Prose: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Lyrical but occasionally ornate.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5/5) – Like a dagger wrapped in velvet—beautiful, sharp, and lethal.
Ideal Audience
-Fans of The Poppy War or The Broken Earth trilogy, craving morally complex fantasy.
-Readers who enjoy mythic storytelling with political/philosophical weight.
-Those drawn to disabled/chronically ill authors writing through adversity (Kennedy drafted this while battling health challenges).
Gratitude
Thank you to NetGalley and Natasha Kennedy for the advance copy. Firmaments is a testament to the power of storytelling as both escape and confrontation—a dark star of a book that lingers long after the final page.
Note: Review based on an ARC; the final published edition may include minor refinements.
A Dark Fantasy Epic Where Morality and Power Collide
Natasha Kennedy’s Firmaments plunges readers into the fractured world of Raqia, where the usurper Somenus has seized the Faerie throne, triggering political upheaval and existential dilemmas. Blending elements of high fantasy with morally gray storytelling, the novel asks a provocative central question: When is it right to kill the king? Kennedy’s prose is lush and immersive, weaving together court intrigue, cosmic mythology, and Tolkien-esque worldbuilding. The result is a debut that feels both timeless and urgent, particularly in its exploration of power, resistance, and the cost of defiance.
Key Strengths
-Worldbuilding: Raqia is richly layered, with nations grappling under Somenus’s tyranny, each culture rendered with distinct textures and stakes.
-Moral Complexity: The novel refuses easy answers, forcing characters—and readers—to confront the ethics of revolution.
-Character Depth: Protagonists and antagonists alike are nuanced, driven by conflicting loyalties and trauma.
Potential Considerations
-Pacing: Some readers may find the political machinations dense early on, though the tension escalates dramatically by the mid-point.
-Tone: Unrelentingly dark; those seeking hope or levity may struggle with the grim atmosphere.
Score Breakdown (Out of 5)
-Worldbuilding: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – A fully realized, haunting universe.
-Characterization: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5/5) – Flawed, unforgettable players.
-Themes: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – Asks brutal questions with poetic precision.
-Prose: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Lyrical but occasionally ornate.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5/5) – Like a dagger wrapped in velvet—beautiful, sharp, and lethal.
Ideal Audience
-Fans of The Poppy War or The Broken Earth trilogy, craving morally complex fantasy.
-Readers who enjoy mythic storytelling with political/philosophical weight.
-Those drawn to disabled/chronically ill authors writing through adversity (Kennedy drafted this while battling health challenges).
Gratitude
Thank you to NetGalley and Natasha Kennedy for the advance copy. Firmaments is a testament to the power of storytelling as both escape and confrontation—a dark star of a book that lingers long after the final page.
Note: Review based on an ARC; the final published edition may include minor refinements.
June 5, 2025
This book was stunning! Absolutely so well put together. It’s a YA fantasy, and has a great multiple POV plotline that ties together so nicely by the end. I normally figure the book out by about the 50% mark, but this one still held surprises in store throughout. I can’t wait to read the next ones.
May 24, 2024
This high fantasy novel treats difficult themes with surprising nuance and authenticity. I'm looking forward to book 2!
It takes a bit for the story to get moving. The first four chapters are long, and they all have a different POV character. Counting the prologue, it feels like the story starts 5 times before the plot actually starts to unfold. But it was worth pushing through that first 10%.
Another reviewer compared this story to Lewis or Tolkien's stories. I think a more apt comparison might be George MacDonald (and his Phantastes actually shows up as a book that characters in this book are reading). I love MacDonald for his authenticity--really bad, even terrifying things happen to his characters, and unlike a lot of Christian authors, his faith doesn't lead him to fix their situations, but rather to explore how Christian thought relates to realistic, bad situations.
Kennedy follows him into that kind of authenticity: her characters are kidnapped and betrayed. They lose their faith. They find their faith. They're wounded. They have to decide whether to accept help from evil sources for good ends. They have to decide whether it's ever right to murder an evil ruler. Can they go along with an evil regime if it means they have a chance to do a little good along the way? Throughout, these characters struggle to understand how pursuit of the good, true and beautiful should look in their circumstances. This book takes its questions really seriously -- the answers aren't easy, and when answers are found, they are really costly.
The interiority of Kennedy's characters reminds me of MacDonald, too. The POV is really close; from all six (!) narrators, you hear their thoughts and feelings. You join them in wrestling with their questions.
There's a certain gravitas you expect from a high fantasy dealing with Christian ethics. These characters undercut that gravitas constantly. There were several laugh out loud moments in the dialog that I think a ruthless editor might have removed, but I'm glad they made it through.
What a story, man.
It takes a bit for the story to get moving. The first four chapters are long, and they all have a different POV character. Counting the prologue, it feels like the story starts 5 times before the plot actually starts to unfold. But it was worth pushing through that first 10%.
Another reviewer compared this story to Lewis or Tolkien's stories. I think a more apt comparison might be George MacDonald (and his Phantastes actually shows up as a book that characters in this book are reading). I love MacDonald for his authenticity--really bad, even terrifying things happen to his characters, and unlike a lot of Christian authors, his faith doesn't lead him to fix their situations, but rather to explore how Christian thought relates to realistic, bad situations.
Kennedy follows him into that kind of authenticity: her characters are kidnapped and betrayed. They lose their faith. They find their faith. They're wounded. They have to decide whether to accept help from evil sources for good ends. They have to decide whether it's ever right to murder an evil ruler. Can they go along with an evil regime if it means they have a chance to do a little good along the way? Throughout, these characters struggle to understand how pursuit of the good, true and beautiful should look in their circumstances. This book takes its questions really seriously -- the answers aren't easy, and when answers are found, they are really costly.
The interiority of Kennedy's characters reminds me of MacDonald, too. The POV is really close; from all six (!) narrators, you hear their thoughts and feelings. You join them in wrestling with their questions.
There's a certain gravitas you expect from a high fantasy dealing with Christian ethics. These characters undercut that gravitas constantly. There were several laugh out loud moments in the dialog that I think a ruthless editor might have removed, but I'm glad they made it through.
What a story, man.
June 1, 2024
This book marks the beginning of a long series of epics. It is book one of a trilogy I wrote, all within the space of a year, after a very sudden health plummet. It's inspired by my love of good stories, epic fantasy, and wisdom.
Read if you like a good adventure; read if you want to go deep into the minds of these worthy and broken characters; read if you want to wrestle with the dark, if only to look it in the face and and see it for what it really is.
Read if you like a good adventure; read if you want to go deep into the minds of these worthy and broken characters; read if you want to wrestle with the dark, if only to look it in the face and and see it for what it really is.
April 1, 2025
I enjoyed this book very much, The world building and character development were detailed and helped to visualize the story. The multiple points of view did throw me a little in the beginning, but worked well with the story once I adjusted. I would, and did, recommend this to friends.
September 30, 2025
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
I really liked the first 80% of this book and then the twists started being reveled and it went down hill.
The characters are the biggest part of this novel with chapters in six different characters points of view. I really liked both of the male main characters and thought that the female characters were written well, I just didn't vibe with them as much. The characterization in this story is really strong and the development of the characters is amazing.
The plot of the book was okay but a little confusing, especially with so many different perspectives. I did think it was really interesting to see all of the different ideas about the main issue. There was a big time jump in the middle of the novel that I felt was weird and made it feel really jarring. It didn't make much sense for such a large time jump and things were definitely different after the time jump but we didn't get to see the lead up to the changes. There were also some deaths at the end of the book that I thought were too quick for the characterization that we got for the characters. It almost felt like this was book one and book two smashed into one book.
The world-building was amazing for this book. Almost every detail of this world is explained to the reader and we learn so much about how the world works and the powers of the people who reside there. However, I did think it was a little bit much at times because I sometimes got confused about how the world was working and focused on that instead of the plot of the book. Additionally, I think this book falls into something that many fantasy books do which is that they change or give different names to common things that exist in our world. It just is a little ridiculous but I know lots of fantasy novels do that.
Little side note, I felt slightly queer baited by this book so.
I think this author has a great chance at becoming an amazing fantasy writer and this book shows glimpses of that. I do think some things could be fixed and that the ending could have been less abrupt but I did overall like this book.
I really liked the first 80% of this book and then the twists started being reveled and it went down hill.
The characters are the biggest part of this novel with chapters in six different characters points of view. I really liked both of the male main characters and thought that the female characters were written well, I just didn't vibe with them as much. The characterization in this story is really strong and the development of the characters is amazing.
The plot of the book was okay but a little confusing, especially with so many different perspectives. I did think it was really interesting to see all of the different ideas about the main issue. There was a big time jump in the middle of the novel that I felt was weird and made it feel really jarring. It didn't make much sense for such a large time jump and things were definitely different after the time jump but we didn't get to see the lead up to the changes. There were also some deaths at the end of the book that I thought were too quick for the characterization that we got for the characters. It almost felt like this was book one and book two smashed into one book.
The world-building was amazing for this book. Almost every detail of this world is explained to the reader and we learn so much about how the world works and the powers of the people who reside there. However, I did think it was a little bit much at times because I sometimes got confused about how the world was working and focused on that instead of the plot of the book. Additionally, I think this book falls into something that many fantasy books do which is that they change or give different names to common things that exist in our world. It just is a little ridiculous but I know lots of fantasy novels do that.
Little side note, I felt slightly queer baited by this book so.
I think this author has a great chance at becoming an amazing fantasy writer and this book shows glimpses of that. I do think some things could be fixed and that the ending could have been less abrupt but I did overall like this book.
June 5, 2025
First of all, English is not my first language so I'm sorry if I'm going to repeat myself a lot, sometimes I struggle at find words in English, but now start with the review!
I think this is a quite good book, I gave three half point stars for many reasons and the first one is: that's not my genre, not anymore. I've used to read a lot of fantasy books as a child and as a teenager but I don't think the new formula for fantasy book suit me. But that's my problem and my problem only.
Going on into the reasons I gave three stars, the start of this book it's a little bit difficult, I was quite annoyed but then, reading and reading, the rythme of the narration kick in. I didn't really get emotionally attached to the characters but during the reading I was curious about what's going to happen, so this is a really good point because I was surely invested.
Sometimes the POV changes confused me but I think it's my fault because I get distracted easily 😅
This is, in fact, a good book looking all over the characteristics, and I'm glad I get the opportunity to read it! I hope that the author continues her journey into writing and publish because I see talent here, really! Good job and keep going strong.💖
I think this is a quite good book, I gave three half point stars for many reasons and the first one is: that's not my genre, not anymore. I've used to read a lot of fantasy books as a child and as a teenager but I don't think the new formula for fantasy book suit me. But that's my problem and my problem only.
Going on into the reasons I gave three stars, the start of this book it's a little bit difficult, I was quite annoyed but then, reading and reading, the rythme of the narration kick in. I didn't really get emotionally attached to the characters but during the reading I was curious about what's going to happen, so this is a really good point because I was surely invested.
Sometimes the POV changes confused me but I think it's my fault because I get distracted easily 😅
This is, in fact, a good book looking all over the characteristics, and I'm glad I get the opportunity to read it! I hope that the author continues her journey into writing and publish because I see talent here, really! Good job and keep going strong.💖
March 18, 2025
4.5 Stars
The dialogue and plot seem a little slow and stilted in the first handful of chapters, which is only made more confusing by the jump between several different POV's, but the author hits her stride after those first few chapters, and I finished this book in 1 1/2 days (would've been sooner if I didn't have a 5 year old lol). This book also opens with a map and diagrams, which I am a sucker for. I cried multiple times, and it takes a lot to make me cry at my big age. If you pick this up, please try pushing through the first few chapters to give it a real go.
The dialogue and plot seem a little slow and stilted in the first handful of chapters, which is only made more confusing by the jump between several different POV's, but the author hits her stride after those first few chapters, and I finished this book in 1 1/2 days (would've been sooner if I didn't have a 5 year old lol). This book also opens with a map and diagrams, which I am a sucker for. I cried multiple times, and it takes a lot to make me cry at my big age. If you pick this up, please try pushing through the first few chapters to give it a real go.
July 28, 2025
Honestly, I struggled through as much of this book as I possibly could, but the characters are really quite insufferable. I just couldn’t find a single character that I resonated with.
Which made it impossible to read when the book already jumped around between the character point of view so much that it was quite confusing, especially in the beginning of the book.
When the first few chapters are confusing, and you don’t like the characters, it definitely puts a massive storm cloud over the book
Which made it impossible to read when the book already jumped around between the character point of view so much that it was quite confusing, especially in the beginning of the book.
When the first few chapters are confusing, and you don’t like the characters, it definitely puts a massive storm cloud over the book
September 28, 2025
Thank you so much to Natasha Kennedy and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
I absolutely loved the journey this book took me on. A group of seemingly unrelated characters all working towards a common goal independently could be very overwhelming but the author accomplishes it so effortlessly. I loved the relationships between the characters in the different POVs and the convergence of the POVs near the conclusion were just wonderful. And it’s the first in a trilogy! I look forward to continuing my time with these characters and their adventures.
I absolutely loved the journey this book took me on. A group of seemingly unrelated characters all working towards a common goal independently could be very overwhelming but the author accomplishes it so effortlessly. I loved the relationships between the characters in the different POVs and the convergence of the POVs near the conclusion were just wonderful. And it’s the first in a trilogy! I look forward to continuing my time with these characters and their adventures.
September 12, 2025
This book was kindly given to me by NetGalley. I loved the story, unfortunately, I could not bear the writing style. It's meandering in the most contrived way to the point I had to backtrack multiple times simply to understand where I was in the story. it is a shame because the premise of the book is astounding.
June 19, 2025
DNF at 54%, could not get past the narration and writing style. Story has potential but was dragging on unbearably for me.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews