Queen's Kestrel 1

by Danny Rogan

Saving the princess was just the start.
Alongside a beautiful huntress and a mysterious red-haired woman who turns into a magic sword, Trent Marston will face bounty hunters, demonic trees, and powerful necromancers as he plots his revenge against a traitorous king and builds his new tribe as a Queen’s Kestrel. And with each victory, his legend grows...

Genres: Harem, Fantasy

402 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 9, 2024

Reviews

[GrumpyOldMan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was pretty decent, and a fast read for being 400 pages long.

The MC is a young man in his early 20s who has graduated from some sort of "scout" school and has a class designation of Kestrel. He gets visions sometimes, and one vision has him seeing the crown princess of the city he's a guard to being assassinated by the king who wants to remain in power of the matriarchy place. So, the MC manages to rescue the princess, and as part of that rescuing, he's given a magical rapier. Said rapier can turn into a beautiful woman, the one on the cover. The MC is jailed on suspicion he murdered the princess, but the sword woman helps him escape the city.

Now, the MC already has a promised woman that he rescued just before he turned 18, another prophetic encounter from his visions. She's his first harem member, and the sword woman is the second. They are fairly different in personality, but neither gets a ton of screen time in the book.
The intimate scenes are just ok.

I will read the next book in the series just to see where the author takes the plot. This wasn't great, but good enough.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was fine. The story and characters were much more interesting than the Primal Conjurer series at least. However, the writing is very repetitive and I get the sense that the author doesn't know how to stick to their (his?) own rules. Exposition seems to happen, be discarded or forgotten about, then happen again for padding. Certain words seem to be presented as in-world vernacular and then not mentioned again past the first few times (bottom is said like four times in one chapter and then never seen again). The author also has a bad habit of constantly restating things, such as the pose one characters takes to do a transformation.

Can't recommend.

[ShiverDome · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good story for the first 50% of the book, and then the author realized he wanted a harem and smut, so the events and characters took a backseat to meaningless fan service and very odd behavior from all the people involved.

The story stopped making sense, the decisions made were nonsensical, and the overall tone shifted to something resembling a softcore porn film plot, where the events are manipulated to create the next sex scene.

To delve a bit deeper:
There is a conspiracy afoot. The king is trying to get rid of his daughter, the legitimate ruler, just before her coronation, with the only one who can stop it is the protagonist, who, in this magical world, possesses a power of premonition in the form of a repeated dreams -- and during the first half of the book, it was interesting, believable (for the most part) and created the ground for a very compelling story.

The MC manages to save the princess by staying behind, killing the ones who chase after her, and then is arrested and brought in to be tortured by those who think he killed the princess, apart from the very top officials, who seek to make him a scapegoat to hide their treachery; the beginning of a thrilling story.

However, since around the 50% mark, the characters started making silly decisions, like the MC going to his childhood home, where the authorities, who now believe he killed the princess, would be looking for him; he makes that decision for no conceivable reason apart from the need to "recruit" the first harem member.

Then, we get a long and tedious exposition about the traveling companion: the sword he received from the princess when he chose to stay behind, only to find that it's a magical sword that can turn into a young woman (because this is a harem story). That story is told in a very odd and lengthy way. Then some suggestive scenes take place, which fills the lore of this world with nonsense: the woman, while being a sword killed some tainted enemies, so she is now tainted herself, and the only way to remove that taint is for the MC to 'brush' that taint off of her skin. All of her skin. Why can't she do it herself? For very smutty reasons.

Jumping forward, they encounter the MC's love interest (the first one who he has been pining over for years) and the sex scene starts 30 seconds after their meeting after they were apart for a long time and her knowing he is being chased. Do they first go to a safe location, like their village? No. Do they talk about everything that has been going on? Don't be silly.
After the sex, we are greeted with a long exposition about tribal dogma and how the MC is expected to create the harem. He doesn't need to be the one who suggests it; he doesn't need to be the one to find the solution to establish his harem; he is forced into it.

On and on the silliness continues. There are repetitions, the MC not getting what people are saying to him, for the benefit of them needing to expend on the same things over and over, so the most oblivious reader might understand -- but all they manage to do is make the MC look like a dribbling idiot.

The story has contrivances, deus ex machina, and every interaction going for the benefit of the MC and what he wants to do. Most of it seems to be the result of poor planning and wasting time on smut instead of developing the story so that conversations and events make sense.

[Cody Hatch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is going to sound like criticism, but it really isn't. If I had to give this book a letter grade, it'd be a B. And not just overall, on every point.

The characters are fine, but a little bland. The setting is slightly novel, but mostly just an assembly of tried and true tropes. The plot is obvious but moves the story along. The dialogue is fine, the writing and editing is fine. Everything is fine.

This is very unlikely to be anyone's pick for "favourite book"; it probably won't show up on anyone's top 10 list unless they've only read a couple dozen books. But it's also likely to be a pleasant read. If the subtitle ("A Harem Fantasy Adventure") doesn't make you walk away in disgust, then you'll probably enjoy the book. Why wouldn't you? It won't have the best world building you've ever seen, or the snappiest dialogue, or the most likeable characters, but it's still above average.

I will note that the series as a whole (at least as of book 5) may actually be shaping up to excel in one area - if the author pulls it off, there could be a really great ending, and might make be retroactively bump my star rating up one if it happens. Spoilers for everything through book 5:Obviously the protagonist is going to end up with the princess, who has clearly fallen for him and he, charmingly, has zero idea. But what the protagonist hasn't really realised is that by the end of book 5, he and his little tribe has assembled a ton of power; two immortal mageblades, four mages, including a super-rare and powerful primal conjurer, a rare and high valued life mage, the only known chaos mage, and a powerful death mage, the crown princess of one of the three main powers on the continent, the ambassador from (and trusted advisor to the head) of the Primal College, a famous hero, a skilled spy… So while he's thinking "oh, the princess will have to marry a powerful noble or king", she'll be able to legitimately say she wants to marry the most powerful man on the continent—the protagonist. Which will be super cute if it happens.

[Jarred · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a bit awkward, I've read concurrent books in this genre, and this one has a good story and overall world-building based on the lexical usage of its characters, but the relationship between the main character and his harem makes me feel awkward, in a sense, that it feels unnatural?
Like it's conveniently put into. The back story is there but it is like forcing a square block into a circle hole. In any case, this is the first book I've read from this author, maybe I'll grow into it.
A good experience overall, 4.1/5.

[S Seaberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Series Beginning

An enjoyable read. Well written book with interesting characters. The character development was good and made the characters come to life. The storyline was easy to follow and had enough twists and turns to keep the reader interested. Proofreading was great. Danny Rogan is a good storyteller and I look forward to exploring some of his other work when I finish this series.

[Frank Bertino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining Read

Trent has been accepted for training to become a kestrel,a type of scout. Traitors have targeted the Crown Princess for death. Trent finds out and takes steps to prevent it. The princess escapes but Trent is captured and labeled as a traitor and murderer of the princess. He escapes and finds out more about his magic sword. Fighting, stealth, harem, and strategy ensue. I like the action, humor, magic, intrigue, and romance. I look forward to the next book.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving everything this author writes.

This book was absolutely phenomenal! The author’s writing is nothing short of masterful, crafting a story that pulled me in from the very first page. The romance was beautifully developed., The characters were rich and interesting. Every moment was engaging, every interaction felt real, and the storytelling was just breathtaking. I couldn’t put it down

[Tracy S McCoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The authors best story so far!!!

Wow, an amazing story and I am sure the series will be just as enjoyable to read!!! So much amazing adventures, characters that are a joy to learn about and a powerful enemy that needs destroyed!!! I can't wait to see what comes next!!! This should be a must read !!!!

[Empty · Rating 2 out of 5]

Readable to some extent if you are bored out of your life.
Horrendous, heroically righteous MC. I don't know why they still write this type of character. World-building is just as bad; Everything doesn't make any sense. In a world with magic, why are royal guards just ordinary humans, btw?
There are many repetitions of previously mentioned things, either due to word stuffing or the use of AI.

[User Name · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading the book very much. Good action and politics. Waiting to see how the next book continues from this. The only problem i had is that, for a 400 page novel very little happened in the entire book. It wasn't boring at all when reading but once i look back, there wasn't anything happened that makes the 400 page justice.

[Ben Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

I think I have a soft spot for a childhood crush reunited books, so that was an unexpected bonus. Not even considering that, this is a book series I'm super excited about. It's got all the right things and a great story premise. Hopefully, we will get the next book soon!

[Dean Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was very good story hit all the high spots. MC and surrounding cast. Check, a bit of magic new love old love. End of the book set the next one up to continue the tail. Good pace flowing action. Hard to beat this one.

[James Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slow Start!

But the story took off quickly,
With our hero coming alive the story took off!
Not only were the characters exquisitely depicted, but all of his surroundings as well.
The trials Trent went through could only be imagined by an author as talented as Mr. ROGAN!

[Diana Rees · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pleasant surprise

Helluva book, honestly. Spice was spicy! Plot was very good. Classic fantasy quest, but well done!
The female characters could have been a bit less enamored with the MC, but it IS a male fantasy after all.

[Kip Hert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read.

Fine buildup to an excellent possibility for grand adventure.
Main characters fleshed out well. Makes me gasp and read with emotion in the drama of the moment. Great battle drive. Close to yelling "Duck you fools!"

[Mike Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good story of no good deed goes unpunished. I enjoyed the story and look forward to more

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good versus evil

Fantasy, love, combat, magical, intriguing set of circumstances that captures your imagination. I absolutely recommend and look forward to the next story!

[Raymond Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read

Love the plot and characters of this new series. Danny has again brought out a wonderful storyline. Fun surprises await any who delve into this well written adventure.

[James Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good book

I really loved this book and can’t wait for the next book in the series. I hope you all read it and fall in love with this series.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

All the characters were fun to get to know solid story. Can't sit for the next one. Keep up the good work

[Ronald L Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it

Fresh original complex compelling. Want to read the next one! Hope I can give the same assessment to that one

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story

The world and lore were fascinating. The characters were complex and dynamic. The story kept me wanting to know more.

[Ken Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Tale of Daring Do.

This is a tale of magic swords and a despicable king who will try to kill his own daughter, the rightful ruler.
Not a X rated read.

[Robert L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book

This is a fine fantasy harem adventure novel. It is well written and edited. I especially like Ruby. I anxiously await the sequel.

[XR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow... I am completely blown away by Rogan's story telling. This book captured my attention from the get go and has me gripped to get to the heart of the story. I am utterly impressed.