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Shield of the Throne
The dust of betrayal has barely settled, and the threat of war from neighboring Mirdon looms larger than ever. Oren must unite the nobility of Westmere to fight the enemy and get them to trust his lead—or he might face a war within his borders and an invasion.
But snow will hold the mountain passes closed and the kingdom secure until spring. Oren has earned the respect and loyalty of unruly men before, when he served as Captain of the Mountain Guard, and he can do it again.
When he strikes a bold move against his greatest rival, Oren discovers no one is as they seem. The truth he has built his life on shatters, and in the aftermath, he needs to find answers to questions he had never asked himself. If he fails, a chain of events years in the making will drown the kingdom in fire and blood.
Alliances break, and new enemies show their hand. How will Oren protect his people when he can’t anticipate the next attack?
But snow will hold the mountain passes closed and the kingdom secure until spring. Oren has earned the respect and loyalty of unruly men before, when he served as Captain of the Mountain Guard, and he can do it again.
When he strikes a bold move against his greatest rival, Oren discovers no one is as they seem. The truth he has built his life on shatters, and in the aftermath, he needs to find answers to questions he had never asked himself. If he fails, a chain of events years in the making will drown the kingdom in fire and blood.
Alliances break, and new enemies show their hand. How will Oren protect his people when he can’t anticipate the next attack?
- GenresFantasy
1 pages, Audio CD
Published May 14, 2024
157 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Ron C. Nieto
37 books505 followersRon C. Nieto is a fantasy and romance author who has been writing in her secluded fortress for the longest time. Recently, she had a talk with her cat and decided that she should share her creations, because it was selfish to hoard them all for herself.
If you would like to know more about her, please visit her website.
If you would like to know more about her, please visit her website.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 10, 2025
Oh, this book was so good! Oren now knows he inherited a poisoned apple, and perhaps the enemy is closer than he ever imagined. Ever the strategist, his selflessness drives him to help his people and fight the rising danger, with the support of his trusted men and his Queen. You can now see the evolving relationship between Oren and Marguerite, as trust is finally being built. I’m loving every single moment of Marguerite’s growth as she learns, evolves, and becomes the person she was always meant to be.
October 24, 2025
3.5 stars. I'm of two minds on this and the previous books. On the one hand, the books are generally entertaining with a number of twists to keep things interesting. On the other hand, I'm getting really tired with the writing style that keeps the reader living in the emo head of the MC. I'll probably read the rest of the books in the series, but this series in nowhere near what was advertised in the Amazon summary: If you like the grimness of John Gwynne's Of Blood and Bone Trilogy, and the twists of James Islington's Licanius Trilogy, Shield of the Throne will be your next favorite read. or the previous claims: If you like the grimness of Joe Abercrombie's The First Law Trilogy and the ruthlessness of Mark Lawrence's Broken Empire, Captain of the Guard will be your next favorite read or If you like the grit of Glen Cook's The Black Company and the action of Brian McClellan's The Powder Mage Trilogy, Ruler of Kings will be your next favorite read.
May 4, 2023
Deep Conf!Oct to Keep You Turning Pages
Ron C. Nieto does it again. King Oren the 1st scratches his way to power and a throne he wasn't supposed to inherit, did not want to sit upon. Nieto is a masterful writer with just enough poetic imagery to thicken the backdrop of his medieval world. His characters are believable, action scenes well choreographed, and enhanced by a magnificent supporting who all have their desires and fears and hopes. I cannot wait for Book 4. Well done, shield brother.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
Ron C. Nieto does it again. King Oren the 1st scratches his way to power and a throne he wasn't supposed to inherit, did not want to sit upon. Nieto is a masterful writer with just enough poetic imagery to thicken the backdrop of his medieval world. His characters are believable, action scenes well choreographed, and enhanced by a magnificent supporting who all have their desires and fears and hopes. I cannot wait for Book 4. Well done, shield brother.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
May 19, 2023
If I were to describe this book in a joking sentence or less, it would be: How to Whip Your Country into Shape 101.
Oren, now king, takes a road trip with the Royal entourage to get to know his country and see what they need. And once again, I adored seeing him use his tactics to figure out how best to serve, protect, and save his country from whatever comes their way. I also loved seeing him work on his relationship with his queen, on becoming one with her in mind and spirit before taking advantage of marital duties/pleasures. 10/10 ship it.
Oren, now king, takes a road trip with the Royal entourage to get to know his country and see what they need. And once again, I adored seeing him use his tactics to figure out how best to serve, protect, and save his country from whatever comes their way. I also loved seeing him work on his relationship with his queen, on becoming one with her in mind and spirit before taking advantage of marital duties/pleasures. 10/10 ship it.
July 25, 2023
Did not disappoint
Once again into the wee hours. Books one and two took me from cover to cover with no pause so captured was I with the story. So immersed have I become due to author Nieto's telling, the emotions, weaving the tides of kingdom through the eyes of his King and Queen that book three was also an unrelenting trip to the wee hours, unrelenting in that I could not leave until the end of the book. I have the fourth book on pre-order and sincerely hope the wait is not too long.
Once again into the wee hours. Books one and two took me from cover to cover with no pause so captured was I with the story. So immersed have I become due to author Nieto's telling, the emotions, weaving the tides of kingdom through the eyes of his King and Queen that book three was also an unrelenting trip to the wee hours, unrelenting in that I could not leave until the end of the book. I have the fourth book on pre-order and sincerely hope the wait is not too long.
April 6, 2024
Continuing the trend
Another 5.0 stars. The story continues. The intrigue continues. The drama continues. More unexpected twisting and turning things you just won’t see coming bop. You upside the head. Normally you would be dizzy but it’s good. Really good what happens. Unexpected yet right under your nose. You’ll fly through this book like I have, and you’ll hurry on to the next.
Another 5.0 stars. The story continues. The intrigue continues. The drama continues. More unexpected twisting and turning things you just won’t see coming bop. You upside the head. Normally you would be dizzy but it’s good. Really good what happens. Unexpected yet right under your nose. You’ll fly through this book like I have, and you’ll hurry on to the next.
January 14, 2025
Entertaining Read
King Owan and Queen Margurite have not yet developed a close personal relationship in their political marriage. However, efforts to protect her and include her in ruling the kingdom have increased her trust. The kingdom is facing attacks from zealots, with few clues as to their identity. The narrative features engaging action, humor, intrigue, and romance, and the reader looks forward to the next installment.
King Owan and Queen Margurite have not yet developed a close personal relationship in their political marriage. However, efforts to protect her and include her in ruling the kingdom have increased her trust. The kingdom is facing attacks from zealots, with few clues as to their identity. The narrative features engaging action, humor, intrigue, and romance, and the reader looks forward to the next installment.
November 28, 2023
Great!
Oren is not prepared to be king. Having spent most of his life away from the Iron Castle and the last several years in charge of the soldiers protecting the border area near their greatest enemy he is a soldier not a diplomat. Things do not go well when he starts a tour to meet his people.
I am looking forward to the next book.
Oren is not prepared to be king. Having spent most of his life away from the Iron Castle and the last several years in charge of the soldiers protecting the border area near their greatest enemy he is a soldier not a diplomat. Things do not go well when he starts a tour to meet his people.
I am looking forward to the next book.
April 25, 2025
Outstanding
This was an excellent follow-up on edition to the story. I have enjoyed this series very much. The story is well thought out , the characters well developed. Has enough excitement and battle to keep you from being bored. And lots of intrigue and political chancery. I will be reading the next book.
This was an excellent follow-up on edition to the story. I have enjoyed this series very much. The story is well thought out , the characters well developed. Has enough excitement and battle to keep you from being bored. And lots of intrigue and political chancery. I will be reading the next book.
April 1, 2023
Wild ride
Most series develop a rhythm. This keeps you paying attention with personal development and plot twists that keep you unbalanced and interested with every page turn. Looking forward to the next one.
Most series develop a rhythm. This keeps you paying attention with personal development and plot twists that keep you unbalanced and interested with every page turn. Looking forward to the next one.
December 17, 2023
Fantastic
Very well written. Lots of action!! you will not be able to figure out the ending in advance. Usually I can see what is going to happen but not with the way Ron C. Nieto writes.
Very well written. Lots of action!! you will not be able to figure out the ending in advance. Usually I can see what is going to happen but not with the way Ron C. Nieto writes.
January 17, 2025
Intriguing but also kind of boring
The last book I felt terrible for the king. I still do but it seemed overly easy to burn everything including the city. The prophecy thing seems way too difficult for his father to control. I skipped through some of it.
The last book I felt terrible for the king. I still do but it seemed overly easy to burn everything including the city. The prophecy thing seems way too difficult for his father to control. I skipped through some of it.
August 5, 2024
Very easy read. Hard to put down!
April 3, 2025
Very Good
A great setting for this story, I especially like the relationship between the main character (Oren, the king) and his wife, refreshing. Well told.
A great setting for this story, I especially like the relationship between the main character (Oren, the king) and his wife, refreshing. Well told.
August 29, 2025
Yet more twists and turns
Book 3 continues to amaze - more and more unexpected twists and turns and great character development. A truly enjoyable read!
Book 3 continues to amaze - more and more unexpected twists and turns and great character development. A truly enjoyable read!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews