What do you think?
Rate this book
The King's Man #1
The King's Man I
Healing is his calling. Love is his curse. And this is just the beginning.
Cael knows the healing magic is for the privileged, and par-linea like him exist only to serve. But when his forbidden spellbooks vanish and his father arranges his marriage to settle a debt, he flees into the royal woods, where he stumbles upon dying soldiers and a poisoned noble.
Using illegal medius magic, he saves the noble’s life, only to entangle himself in a dangerous game of politics. Now hunted for magic he shouldn’t possess, his only escape is to secretly compete in the mage examinations and prove himself a true vitalian.
But the capital is a den of vipers, and two men stand in his way: Silvius, the secretive fugitive who saved his life and kissed him like a promise, and Quintus, the sharp-tongued merchant who challenges him at every turn.
Both dangerous.
Both holding secrets.
Both about to change his life forever.
THE KING’S MAN is an epic romantasy filled with slow-burn passion, courageous choices, and the relentless spirit of a healer determined to beat all odds. This six-book series is one continuous journey and romance arc and is best read in order for maximum enjoyment. For readers who love:
slow-burn, rivals-to-lovers
romance filled with tension
A rebellious healer who refuses to bow to the system
A mysterious noble with a sharp tongue and sharper secrets
Forbidden magic, political intrigue, and high-stakes deception
Perfect for fans of "The Captive Prince," "The Magician’s Guild," and "The Priory of the Orange Tree."
Cael knows the healing magic is for the privileged, and par-linea like him exist only to serve. But when his forbidden spellbooks vanish and his father arranges his marriage to settle a debt, he flees into the royal woods, where he stumbles upon dying soldiers and a poisoned noble.
Using illegal medius magic, he saves the noble’s life, only to entangle himself in a dangerous game of politics. Now hunted for magic he shouldn’t possess, his only escape is to secretly compete in the mage examinations and prove himself a true vitalian.
But the capital is a den of vipers, and two men stand in his way: Silvius, the secretive fugitive who saved his life and kissed him like a promise, and Quintus, the sharp-tongued merchant who challenges him at every turn.
Both dangerous.
Both holding secrets.
Both about to change his life forever.
THE KING’S MAN is an epic romantasy filled with slow-burn passion, courageous choices, and the relentless spirit of a healer determined to beat all odds. This six-book series is one continuous journey and romance arc and is best read in order for maximum enjoyment. For readers who love:
slow-burn, rivals-to-lovers
romance filled with tension
A rebellious healer who refuses to bow to the system
A mysterious noble with a sharp tongue and sharper secrets
Forbidden magic, political intrigue, and high-stakes deception
Perfect for fans of "The Captive Prince," "The Magician’s Guild," and "The Priory of the Orange Tree."
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 13, 2025
139 people are currently reading
411 people want to read
About the author
Anyta Sunday
111 books2,742 followersSpecialising in slow-burn romances where emotions reign, intimacy lingers, and chemistry sizzles—stories that leave you holding your breath and cheering for love, with just a splash of spice to sweeten the journey.
Check out my website:
Contact: http://www.anytasunday.com/?page_id=386
Für deutsche Leser:
http://www.anytasunday.de/
In italiano:
http://www.anytasunday.it/
Check out my website:
Contact: http://www.anytasunday.com/?page_id=386
Für deutsche Leser:
http://www.anytasunday.de/
In italiano:
http://www.anytasunday.it/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
August 3, 2025
3.5 Stars
My heart already HURTS… and I’m only one book into a six part series!! Sweet lord, I am in big trouble. This series may prove to be the end of me but what a way to go.
Firstly, the beginning read as a hot mess in my estimation. The reader gets plonked right in the middle of things. No explanations, no set-up, no introductions, no mamby-pambying the reader, just seemingly disjointed scenes playing out, with multiple vague meetings between characters that all felt very “unreliable narrator” to me.
This isn’t the first time I’ve felt disoriented while reading Anyta Sunday’s writing, but I also know from experience that she either finds her grove with the story (or I do) OR her whole nebulous style of writing is actually deliberate and purposeful—which, now having finished book one, I surmise the latter is very much the case here.
Shakey opening chapters aside, I was proper hooked before long. I’m not exactly sure what it was that grabbed me so intensely, but with the broad-strokes high-fantasy setting, the impassioned low-born mage healer MC, and his TWO mysterious and equally magical love interests (of much higher stations) sweeping in and out of the story to varying degrees of impact and intrigue, I was essentially hooked before the mid-point of the story had even passed me by.
In historical Anyta Sunday fashion, this is undoubtedly going to be the slowest of slow-burn romances and I’m already devouring every enticing second of it. With twelve years of her stories behind me, I can pretty confidently say that Sunday is my personal favourite slow-burn author in the M/M romance genre and she holds that mantle up well, even after so many stories and years later.
If, like me, you kinda-not-so-secretly (usually) loathe love-triangles in your romance reads, this might take a bit of convincing to get you to read it. But, like with her slow-burn prowess, I trust that Sunday also knows the dos and don’ts around a very tension-filled but ultimately crowd-pleasing love-triangle trope. I may be calling it early, but I feel like it’s really obvious already (from the cover alone) who the end-game love interest is, and I’m so far completely satisfied with how it’s all playing out.
If you ever read and enjoyed any of Sunday’s earlier fantasy works, such as Locked (an aborted series, but never forgotten) or her work under the pen-name Dru Wellington, with the Knights of the Compass series), then you should most definitely be checking this series out, especially because it’s all finished, and, I believe all already out for consumption by the time you’re reading this.
For me, it’s straight on to book two, where, author willing, my heart survives what’s to come.
***A special thanks to the author and publishers (via Book Sirens) for providing an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily (and enthusiastically).
My heart already HURTS… and I’m only one book into a six part series!! Sweet lord, I am in big trouble. This series may prove to be the end of me but what a way to go.
Firstly, the beginning read as a hot mess in my estimation. The reader gets plonked right in the middle of things. No explanations, no set-up, no introductions, no mamby-pambying the reader, just seemingly disjointed scenes playing out, with multiple vague meetings between characters that all felt very “unreliable narrator” to me.
This isn’t the first time I’ve felt disoriented while reading Anyta Sunday’s writing, but I also know from experience that she either finds her grove with the story (or I do) OR her whole nebulous style of writing is actually deliberate and purposeful—which, now having finished book one, I surmise the latter is very much the case here.
Shakey opening chapters aside, I was proper hooked before long. I’m not exactly sure what it was that grabbed me so intensely, but with the broad-strokes high-fantasy setting, the impassioned low-born mage healer MC, and his TWO mysterious and equally magical love interests (of much higher stations) sweeping in and out of the story to varying degrees of impact and intrigue, I was essentially hooked before the mid-point of the story had even passed me by.
In historical Anyta Sunday fashion, this is undoubtedly going to be the slowest of slow-burn romances and I’m already devouring every enticing second of it. With twelve years of her stories behind me, I can pretty confidently say that Sunday is my personal favourite slow-burn author in the M/M romance genre and she holds that mantle up well, even after so many stories and years later.
If, like me, you kinda-not-so-secretly (usually) loathe love-triangles in your romance reads, this might take a bit of convincing to get you to read it. But, like with her slow-burn prowess, I trust that Sunday also knows the dos and don’ts around a very tension-filled but ultimately crowd-pleasing love-triangle trope. I may be calling it early, but I feel like it’s really obvious already (from the cover alone) who the end-game love interest is, and I’m so far completely satisfied with how it’s all playing out.
If you ever read and enjoyed any of Sunday’s earlier fantasy works, such as Locked (an aborted series, but never forgotten) or her work under the pen-name Dru Wellington, with the Knights of the Compass series), then you should most definitely be checking this series out, especially because it’s all finished, and, I believe all already out for consumption by the time you’re reading this.
For me, it’s straight on to book two, where, author willing, my heart survives what’s to come.
***A special thanks to the author and publishers (via Book Sirens) for providing an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily (and enthusiastically).
November 29, 2025
2,5 stars.
How to say this..
I get that this is a 6-books-series. Obviously there's time to develop a detailed plot.
But I've read now 310 pages (the whole first book) after having read the glossary-novella and I am still confused why the author's writing felt so much all over the place.
I now know that Cael wants to become a healer of the highest order (a luminist) and that he believes he loves the prince Nicostratus, but why he believes this is a mistery to me.
We got chapters of Cael meeting a masked man, chapters of Cael meeting the prince, chapters of Cael meeting Quin. Cael escaping from home, because of his father's unwillingness to accept Cael's yearning to heal with magic, Cael returning home to safe someone dear, Cael escaping from home, Cael saving people, Cael not saving people, Carl returning home.
It all felt so random, it was very frustrating to read.
I'll continue (I guess?), at least with book 2 to see how long it takes for Cael to connect some dots.
First I'll need a comfort read, though, because this book left me feeling too little.
How to say this..
I get that this is a 6-books-series. Obviously there's time to develop a detailed plot.
But I've read now 310 pages (the whole first book) after having read the glossary-novella and I am still confused why the author's writing felt so much all over the place.
I now know that Cael wants to become a healer of the highest order (a luminist) and that he believes he loves the prince Nicostratus, but why he believes this is a mistery to me.
We got chapters of Cael meeting a masked man, chapters of Cael meeting the prince, chapters of Cael meeting Quin. Cael escaping from home, because of his father's unwillingness to accept Cael's yearning to heal with magic, Cael returning home to safe someone dear, Cael escaping from home, Cael saving people, Cael not saving people, Carl returning home.
It all felt so random, it was very frustrating to read.
I'll continue (I guess?), at least with book 2 to see how long it takes for Cael to connect some dots.
First I'll need a comfort read, though, because this book left me feeling too little.
May 22, 2025
3.5
The story is interesting. There are not so many fantasy books out there which are about healing magic and how it's restricted for the elite caste, while there is no such fuss about other types of magic. So we get a tale about a rarely used fantasy topic where a boy shoots for the moon because he believes he can, and by doing that he is inadvertently challenging the social structure of the kingdom. We get such a tale together with proofed Sunday characters – at least I see that in Cael and Quin while Silvius is staying strangely bland.
At first I liked how Sunday began her story, telling us about those moments when the paths of the other two characters are crossing Cael's path until the real story started and it still felt like it's about temporary meeting with one or the other character just with more of a storyline. So it took me a while to get into it which probably was also because I had a hard time to understand the world building. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate it when I can find my own way into a fantasy world, when an author only gives enough information to understand where we are and what might happen. Maybe it's me but even at the end I wasn't able to see the bigger picture. Compared to that, my issue with the use of new terms, titles or words specific for this fantasy world is only a bit grumbling and could easily solved by adding a glossary.
The story is interesting. There are not so many fantasy books out there which are about healing magic and how it's restricted for the elite caste, while there is no such fuss about other types of magic. So we get a tale about a rarely used fantasy topic where a boy shoots for the moon because he believes he can, and by doing that he is inadvertently challenging the social structure of the kingdom. We get such a tale together with proofed Sunday characters – at least I see that in Cael and Quin while Silvius is staying strangely bland.
At first I liked how Sunday began her story, telling us about those moments when the paths of the other two characters are crossing Cael's path until the real story started and it still felt like it's about temporary meeting with one or the other character just with more of a storyline. So it took me a while to get into it which probably was also because I had a hard time to understand the world building. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate it when I can find my own way into a fantasy world, when an author only gives enough information to understand where we are and what might happen. Maybe it's me but even at the end I wasn't able to see the bigger picture. Compared to that, my issue with the use of new terms, titles or words specific for this fantasy world is only a bit grumbling and could easily solved by adding a glossary.
June 4, 2025
DNF ~26%
This author's books are very hit or miss, and I suspected a 6-book series from them wouldn't quite work, but I was curious. Unfortunately, a quarter through book 1, and I'm exhausted. We're thrown into the book with really no setup, and as I often find with this author's works, the connections between characters seem to form inexplicably fast, forming a camaraderie that feels unearned. I get the impression there are a lot of identity shenanigans throughout the whole series, and it's just not a plot device I want to drag on--I was already frustrated with it, and I know there's more to come. Sadly, a pass for me.
This author's books are very hit or miss, and I suspected a 6-book series from them wouldn't quite work, but I was curious. Unfortunately, a quarter through book 1, and I'm exhausted. We're thrown into the book with really no setup, and as I often find with this author's works, the connections between characters seem to form inexplicably fast, forming a camaraderie that feels unearned. I get the impression there are a lot of identity shenanigans throughout the whole series, and it's just not a plot device I want to drag on--I was already frustrated with it, and I know there's more to come. Sadly, a pass for me.
May 4, 2025
3.5
I was definitely listening to at first while starting this. There are many names and no explanation or background at times. Once I fell into the story more and got my footing under me I enjoyed this.
I do wish we had an index to explain what and who things and certain people are. You are dropped into this world and it starts immediately like a roller coaster with no relief. It felt jarring at times but underneath all of that is an interesting story that somehow won me over.
ARC received for review
All thoughts and opinions are my own
I was definitely listening to at first while starting this. There are many names and no explanation or background at times. Once I fell into the story more and got my footing under me I enjoyed this.
I do wish we had an index to explain what and who things and certain people are. You are dropped into this world and it starts immediately like a roller coaster with no relief. It felt jarring at times but underneath all of that is an interesting story that somehow won me over.
ARC received for review
All thoughts and opinions are my own
May 4, 2025
It's been a while since I read anything by Anyta Sunday, and as far as I am aware she's only done contemporary before. For a first foray at fantasy, it was good. Exciting and fast-paced. I could have used more exposition into the world building and the state of being of the world, kingdom, and magic, but you can tell Anyta did think about it.
May 14, 2025
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.75 stars
The King’s Man is definitely a slow burn romance that has hidden identities, masked men, and political intrigue. Book One initially struggles to find its footing. The start feels rather jumbled and rushed and it’s not always clear what is happening and to whom or why. At times, it feels like chunks or sections are missing and it took about half the book for things to settle down and start making a bit more sense. This may be off putting to some, but I encourage you to stick with it, as the story, once it solidifies, is a good one and the characters are well constructed.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
3.75 stars
The King’s Man is definitely a slow burn romance that has hidden identities, masked men, and political intrigue. Book One initially struggles to find its footing. The start feels rather jumbled and rushed and it’s not always clear what is happening and to whom or why. At times, it feels like chunks or sections are missing and it took about half the book for things to settle down and start making a bit more sense. This may be off putting to some, but I encourage you to stick with it, as the story, once it solidifies, is a good one and the characters are well constructed.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
September 20, 2025
4.5 stars.
This fantasy story transports you to a richly detailed world of magic, myth, and legend, setting up the remainder of the adventure.
Although the prelude is short, it's to the point and sets the scene for Quin and Cael beautifully.
Cael is so young and naive in this first book, tormented by a noble and mysterious youth who smirks and rolls his eyes at all of Cael's antics, some of which are doozies Due to his impetuous and adventurous nature, he finds himself in all sorts of trouble. His lust for life, his stubbornness, and his attempts to wrong all rights are absolutely adorable.
The world-building in this first book is immersive, the characters complex and relatable, setting the story up for all kinds of adventures and plot twsts. Not Anyta Sunday's usual fare, but an enjoyable start and very written read, I'm keen to see how the story progresses.
This fantasy story transports you to a richly detailed world of magic, myth, and legend, setting up the remainder of the adventure.
Although the prelude is short, it's to the point and sets the scene for Quin and Cael beautifully.
Cael is so young and naive in this first book, tormented by a noble and mysterious youth who smirks and rolls his eyes at all of Cael's antics, some of which are doozies Due to his impetuous and adventurous nature, he finds himself in all sorts of trouble. His lust for life, his stubbornness, and his attempts to wrong all rights are absolutely adorable.
The world-building in this first book is immersive, the characters complex and relatable, setting the story up for all kinds of adventures and plot twsts. Not Anyta Sunday's usual fare, but an enjoyable start and very written read, I'm keen to see how the story progresses.
May 26, 2025
‘Prince Nicostratus Aetherion. The boy who saved me from drowning. The boy I saved from poison. The boy who would grow up to change my life forever.’
This is a fantasy slow burn MM book with magic and mystery.
‘ I discovered his name beneath the violet oak, a long way from home, when I was only nine. Even then, he was sharp-tongued and far too composed. And even then, I couldn’t stop staring at him. Prince Nicostratus Aetherion. The boy who saved me from drowning. The boy I saved from poison. The boy who would grow up to change my life forever.’
Many years pass ….
A luminist, in glowing white robes, ringing his spiritual bell as he walks the far side of the underbridge.
……
Cael , the main character meets “Maskios!”
‘That beautiful, fake face pinches. “That’s not my name.”
Calix Solin / Maskios
Cael has a love and knowledge for healing , like his grandfather, but he’s lower class and not allowed to practice magic healing.
Cael and Calix have a kind of friendship , brief moments in time but Calix abruptly goes away.
There’s also Akilah, his friend but I also think his aklo ? Aklos- I’m still abut confused about these people. I think they are servants. ?
It’s 3 years later.
Cael is being forced into an arranged marriage.
‘What do I know of love? My entire romantic experience . . . an accidental campout with someone so far above me he might as well be a star, when we were barely out of childhood. And a series of chance encounters with an infuriating man who never showed me his real face. The vanishing man. The man who left me behind over and over until finally, he never came back at all. What would I know. But still— ‘
Cael runs away but ends up meeting Silvius and having to help him by taking him back home.
Cael also meets Quin… by launching himself onto Quin back, thinking that he is saving his friend , Frederica.
‘I launch myself onto his back, arms wrapping his shoulders, legs locking at his hips. I’m expecting—with the combination of surprise, my force, and his injury—he’ll stagger away from Frederica.’
They have some flirty moments.
“You know him?” “From our local luminary. If he sees me here, I’ll get into all kinds of trouble.” “And clinging to me won’t get you in trouble?” “I’ll take your punishment over his any day.” “You have no clue what you’re saying,” Quin mutters.’
They all live in a Kingdom, a small one but the kingdom has magic. I think the bigger ones don’t , do that’s how their kingdom makes their money and defends themselves.
“When the last king died, I’d hoped his son might make a step towards change—have the courage to listen to the people, establish fairer laws—but . . .” “But what?” Quin speaks between clenched teeth, and I wonder at what part of the conversation I’d begun to offend him.’
There’s a Queen.
‘Queen Veronica, now. She’s no longer the young girl, devoted to all things plum, that I once played with.’
A kind of love triangle between Cael, Quin and Silvius.
There’s a love light? That can be given?
Ooh we find out Quin has a wife and a son !! Wtf 😭😭😭
Cael thinks Silvius is a prince. “So that makes you . . .” Nicostratus Aetherion. My Prince Nicostratus.
Cael says they’ve met before but Silvius / the Prince doesn’t remember as he lost his memories when he was 12.
Frederica is the prince’s aunt.
“Frederica . . . is queen of her own kingdom?”
Cael and Silvius share a kiss.
Cael receives permission to attend examinations, official training to be a real healer/ Vitalian, with full privileges.
Quin wants Cael to end things with Prince Nicostratus .
“He has my first kiss!”
Something sad lurks in Quin’s eye, like a part of him regrets doing this. He looks at me over the vial. “Doesn’t mean . . . he’ll have your last.”
Cael is to study at the royal city .
End of book 1 !!
Wow what a series this is going to be, it has everything! Mystery, magic, love, longing, friendship, flirting, death, sadness, family.
This is a fantasy slow burn MM book with magic and mystery.
‘ I discovered his name beneath the violet oak, a long way from home, when I was only nine. Even then, he was sharp-tongued and far too composed. And even then, I couldn’t stop staring at him. Prince Nicostratus Aetherion. The boy who saved me from drowning. The boy I saved from poison. The boy who would grow up to change my life forever.’
Many years pass ….
A luminist, in glowing white robes, ringing his spiritual bell as he walks the far side of the underbridge.
……
Cael , the main character meets “Maskios!”
‘That beautiful, fake face pinches. “That’s not my name.”
Calix Solin / Maskios
Cael has a love and knowledge for healing , like his grandfather, but he’s lower class and not allowed to practice magic healing.
Cael and Calix have a kind of friendship , brief moments in time but Calix abruptly goes away.
There’s also Akilah, his friend but I also think his aklo ? Aklos- I’m still abut confused about these people. I think they are servants. ?
It’s 3 years later.
Cael is being forced into an arranged marriage.
‘What do I know of love? My entire romantic experience . . . an accidental campout with someone so far above me he might as well be a star, when we were barely out of childhood. And a series of chance encounters with an infuriating man who never showed me his real face. The vanishing man. The man who left me behind over and over until finally, he never came back at all. What would I know. But still— ‘
Cael runs away but ends up meeting Silvius and having to help him by taking him back home.
Cael also meets Quin… by launching himself onto Quin back, thinking that he is saving his friend , Frederica.
‘I launch myself onto his back, arms wrapping his shoulders, legs locking at his hips. I’m expecting—with the combination of surprise, my force, and his injury—he’ll stagger away from Frederica.’
They have some flirty moments.
“You know him?” “From our local luminary. If he sees me here, I’ll get into all kinds of trouble.” “And clinging to me won’t get you in trouble?” “I’ll take your punishment over his any day.” “You have no clue what you’re saying,” Quin mutters.’
They all live in a Kingdom, a small one but the kingdom has magic. I think the bigger ones don’t , do that’s how their kingdom makes their money and defends themselves.
“When the last king died, I’d hoped his son might make a step towards change—have the courage to listen to the people, establish fairer laws—but . . .” “But what?” Quin speaks between clenched teeth, and I wonder at what part of the conversation I’d begun to offend him.’
There’s a Queen.
‘Queen Veronica, now. She’s no longer the young girl, devoted to all things plum, that I once played with.’
A kind of love triangle between Cael, Quin and Silvius.
There’s a love light? That can be given?
Ooh we find out Quin has a wife and a son !! Wtf 😭😭😭
Cael thinks Silvius is a prince. “So that makes you . . .” Nicostratus Aetherion. My Prince Nicostratus.
Cael says they’ve met before but Silvius / the Prince doesn’t remember as he lost his memories when he was 12.
Frederica is the prince’s aunt.
“Frederica . . . is queen of her own kingdom?”
Cael and Silvius share a kiss.
Cael receives permission to attend examinations, official training to be a real healer/ Vitalian, with full privileges.
Quin wants Cael to end things with Prince Nicostratus .
“He has my first kiss!”
Something sad lurks in Quin’s eye, like a part of him regrets doing this. He looks at me over the vial. “Doesn’t mean . . . he’ll have your last.”
Cael is to study at the royal city .
End of book 1 !!
Wow what a series this is going to be, it has everything! Mystery, magic, love, longing, friendship, flirting, death, sadness, family.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2025
Note -- this is an ARC review for The King's Man: Trilogy Edition V1, which is to say, books 1 and 2 of the previously published series
I've read a couple of Anyta Sunday's contemporaries with somewhat mixed success, but then when I did my re-read of the Enlightenment series, I saw that Joanna Chambers thanked Anyta Sunday for beta reading in the afterword and decided to take a gamble on her fantasy series ARC. (It made sense in my head at the time.) Unfortunately, this was not for me. I thought the story and worldbuilding had a lot of potential -- I could see what the author was going for -- but the writing was simplistic, not to say banal, and I just did not vibe with Cael AT ALL. Like, the book starts with him being forced into marriage to save his family's finances, which! Bad! Very bad! But he's such a whiny shit about it that I was legit annoyed with him being annoyed at his forced marriage. What happened to sucking it up in stoic silence, my dude?? And he wants to be a magical healer, but he's also a whiny shit about that! It's just! Whiny! So whiny! Two pages in and I was already hitting the "girl (gn), please" stage. And that's how the next 300+ pages went. Which is a lot of girl, pleasing.
Honestly, it did get a bit better character-wise as it went on (the writing was a struggle throughout), but my first impression of Cael was so petulant teenager-coded that he never really stood a chance. Oh well. Win some, etc.
I got an ARC from GRR in exchange for an honest review.
I've read a couple of Anyta Sunday's contemporaries with somewhat mixed success, but then when I did my re-read of the Enlightenment series, I saw that Joanna Chambers thanked Anyta Sunday for beta reading in the afterword and decided to take a gamble on her fantasy series ARC. (It made sense in my head at the time.) Unfortunately, this was not for me. I thought the story and worldbuilding had a lot of potential -- I could see what the author was going for -- but the writing was simplistic, not to say banal, and I just did not vibe with Cael AT ALL. Like, the book starts with him being forced into marriage to save his family's finances, which! Bad! Very bad! But he's such a whiny shit about it that I was legit annoyed with him being annoyed at his forced marriage. What happened to sucking it up in stoic silence, my dude?? And he wants to be a magical healer, but he's also a whiny shit about that! It's just! Whiny! So whiny! Two pages in and I was already hitting the "girl (gn), please" stage. And that's how the next 300+ pages went. Which is a lot of girl, pleasing.
Honestly, it did get a bit better character-wise as it went on (the writing was a struggle throughout), but my first impression of Cael was so petulant teenager-coded that he never really stood a chance. Oh well. Win some, etc.
I got an ARC from GRR in exchange for an honest review.
May 14, 2025
This was highly entertaining - action-packed!
It jumped from one major event to the next without allowing any time to get to know the world, the characters, the relationships, anything. I would have loved this book to just… chill a bit.
It jumped from one major event to the next without allowing any time to get to know the world, the characters, the relationships, anything. I would have loved this book to just… chill a bit.
May 8, 2025
The King's Man: Book 1 is a book I couldn't put down once I got into it. It took a little while to get into because so much happens and some background would have been nice. I ended up loving Cael so much. This was definitely a rollercoaster ride with all the world building. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I would definitely recommend this book.
May 27, 2025
This review is a combo of both Book One and Two
I was so lost in the beginning of this book. I felt like there was a whole story that I missed. Confusing and convoluted but very interesting so I struggled my way through it. A lot of names tossed around, hidden identities, social prejudice, and almost mystical healing made for a compelling book.
Cael want to be a vitalian, a legitimate healer. Every time he helps someone he risks his life and those of his family. Meeting someone who he knew mirrored a false face set the course of his life in the direction he wanted it to go, he just didn’t know it.
His journey to the royal palace isn’t an easy one. Nicostratus and Quin both confuse and entice Cael. His time spent with each of them is precious and painful.
As he battles for his future as a vitalian, evil forces work against him and the men that mean so much to him.
It did become easier to comprehend as the story progressed.
The book ends not so much on cliffhanger as it does with anger and pain.
I received an arc of this book.
I was so lost in the beginning of this book. I felt like there was a whole story that I missed. Confusing and convoluted but very interesting so I struggled my way through it. A lot of names tossed around, hidden identities, social prejudice, and almost mystical healing made for a compelling book.
Cael want to be a vitalian, a legitimate healer. Every time he helps someone he risks his life and those of his family. Meeting someone who he knew mirrored a false face set the course of his life in the direction he wanted it to go, he just didn’t know it.
His journey to the royal palace isn’t an easy one. Nicostratus and Quin both confuse and entice Cael. His time spent with each of them is precious and painful.
As he battles for his future as a vitalian, evil forces work against him and the men that mean so much to him.
It did become easier to comprehend as the story progressed.
The book ends not so much on cliffhanger as it does with anger and pain.
I received an arc of this book.
May 12, 2025
3.5 stars. A rather confusing start, with lots of character names and words specific to this world, which are not explained. It was rather complicated trying to figure it all out, while the world building otherwise was quite good. Cael was a really determined character, wanting to help everyone even though this was incredibly dangerous for him and those around him. I will definitely be starting the next episode.
May 26, 2025
I am a bit stunned here. I like Anyta Sundays books and I had high expectations in reading a fantasy book by this author.
but unfortunately, I just did not understand it or could not follow the pacing.
there is always something happening, and even if nothing should happen, there happens a lot. there is no down-time in this book, no time to really get to know the players
to really appreciate and build a slow-burn or figure out if there is a love triangle or not
the idea of this book was really, really great - but for me it was just too much and not enough
but unfortunately, I just did not understand it or could not follow the pacing.
there is always something happening, and even if nothing should happen, there happens a lot. there is no down-time in this book, no time to really get to know the players
to really appreciate and build a slow-burn or figure out if there is a love triangle or not
the idea of this book was really, really great - but for me it was just too much and not enough
May 2, 2025
I’ve been so excited for this series when it was first announced!!! Anyta Sunday’s Rock is one of my fave books of all time!!!
After devouring the sneak peek of The King’s Man, I was already obsessed, and when I had the opportunity to read an ARC I jumped on that so fast!! WOW I LOVE THIS SO MUCH! It gives me Last Herald-Mage and Kirith Kirin vibes but without all the superfluous language—this book is jam packed with so much happpening it was impossible to put down. The illustrations inside are also a nice touch!
Oh i think Cael is the most precious boi, he sort of reminds me of Cooper from Rock—cheeky, loveable blonde. He needs to be protected and cuddled and loved!! OHHHH THE SLOWBURN IS SO SLOW MY GOD PLSSSSS WHATS GONNA HAPPEN NEXT?!?? I’m so ready to consume the others NOW!!!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
After devouring the sneak peek of The King’s Man, I was already obsessed, and when I had the opportunity to read an ARC I jumped on that so fast!! WOW I LOVE THIS SO MUCH! It gives me Last Herald-Mage and Kirith Kirin vibes but without all the superfluous language—this book is jam packed with so much happpening it was impossible to put down. The illustrations inside are also a nice touch!
Oh i think Cael is the most precious boi, he sort of reminds me of Cooper from Rock—cheeky, loveable blonde. He needs to be protected and cuddled and loved!! OHHHH THE SLOWBURN IS SO SLOW MY GOD PLSSSSS WHATS GONNA HAPPEN NEXT?!?? I’m so ready to consume the others NOW!!!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Read
May 28, 2025No rating. DNF.
I’ve enjoyed this author in the past, but I stopped this book at 30%. The story just jumps from one “event” to the next non stop. The entire first 30% is almost all very convenient events that our main character just so happens to bump into. He then heals someone and then rushes to the next event. It’s just repetitive and convenient.
It just feels like the whole story is a big shortcut and no effort was put into making situations flow or feel believable and it just feels like lazy writing to me. I’m not usually this harsh but I really did expect something else from the author and I was quite excited when I saw the series.
At the end of the day I won’t be rating this positively or negatively because I didn’t finish it.
I’ve enjoyed this author in the past, but I stopped this book at 30%. The story just jumps from one “event” to the next non stop. The entire first 30% is almost all very convenient events that our main character just so happens to bump into. He then heals someone and then rushes to the next event. It’s just repetitive and convenient.
It just feels like the whole story is a big shortcut and no effort was put into making situations flow or feel believable and it just feels like lazy writing to me. I’m not usually this harsh but I really did expect something else from the author and I was quite excited when I saw the series.
At the end of the day I won’t be rating this positively or negatively because I didn’t finish it.
Read
May 27, 2025DNF, stopping at 50% because it's just too confusing.
June 11, 2025
I'm dropping this because love triangles aren't my thing. Especially extended ones! I was planning on continuing, but apparently the love triangle will last at least past book 3.
June 22, 2025
Spoilers
Due to the odd way the story is told in the beginning, it did take me a while to get into it. But like the other reviews said, I was pulled in pretty quickly after I got over that hump. I also hate that River died. So sad and senseless. Also, is Quinn another love interest? There is definitely chemistry there.
Due to the odd way the story is told in the beginning, it did take me a while to get into it. But like the other reviews said, I was pulled in pretty quickly after I got over that hump. I also hate that River died. So sad and senseless. Also, is Quinn another love interest? There is definitely chemistry there.
Read
June 16, 2025absolutely not. thank you no.
May 21, 2025
Confusing
I wanted to like this, it is the genre I normally read, but i couldn't get into it. There was no explanation of the different terms used and I had no feelings for the main character. I realize it is slow burn, but I have no idea who the other main character is supposed to be. Maybe having an index of terms at the beginning would have helped?
I wanted to like this, it is the genre I normally read, but i couldn't get into it. There was no explanation of the different terms used and I had no feelings for the main character. I realize it is slow burn, but I have no idea who the other main character is supposed to be. Maybe having an index of terms at the beginning would have helped?
June 25, 2025
Anyta Sunday’s new series, The King’s Man, sets the reader loose in a fantasy world rich with magic, intrigue, and slow-burn passion. It’s an exciting departure from Sunday’s usual contemporary romance. I jumped at the chance to read and review the first book in what is supposed to be a six-book series, all following the same characters. The first 30 percent of this book might confuse readers, but sticking with it pays off handsomely in the end.
In the first book of The King’s Man series, we first meet Cael, a half-blood mage in a world where only full-blood mages are allowed to perform magic. Quickly, readers discover the main players in this world of intrigue: Silvius, a mysterious man whose true face Cael does not know, and Quin, a sharp-tongued merchant who is Cael’s constant foil, who is seemingly forever disappointed in Cael’s inability to stay out of trouble.
Or so it seems. What’s truly going on in this world is much, much deeper than initial assumptions.
Excited To See this ARC
When I saw this ARC on Booksirens, I was super excited. I have enjoyed many, many of Anyta Sunday’s previous works. I snatched up the chance to read and review this book. Once I finished it, pretty much read it in one day, I couldn’t wait to start the second book, so I downloaded it from Kindle Unlimited so I could keep reading.
Pushed Into the Deep End Approach
This is an exciting start to this series. This book has it all: an Inequitable society that favors the rich, characters with hidden identities and unclear motivations, political machinations, and just out of sight court intrigue. There’s also Cael, the nail-bitingly impulsive and utterly charming main character. Healing drives Cael. He’s determined to practice magic. Despite the death sentence getting caught would result in, he knows in his core that he’s capable of it. He dreams of a world where half-blood mages, or pan-linea, can wield the same magic as the privileged linea.
That being said, The King’s Man suffers from many first-book-in-a-series ailments. While it evens out after a while, I initially struggled to understand what was happening.
Plot Summary
Generations of Cael’s family have been healers. Healing is a fundamental part of him. But he wants more. He wants to be a vitalian. A vitalian is a healer who heals with a higher level of magic. Non-vitalian healers like his father heal with folk remedies and lower-level magic.
Big problem though, Cael is a par-linea, or a half-blood. Par-linea are forbidden from practicing magical healing. He cannot even study to become a vitalian. Only pure-blood linea are allowed. He’s risking his life if he ignores these laws and heals people with stronger magic as a par-linea. The government executed Cael’s grandfather because of it.
The thing is, though, Cael knows he’s powerful enough to be a vitalian. He knows deep inside that it’s not fair that only the privileged can become vitalian, just as it is unfair that only the rich and powerful can afford to be healed by them. His sense of moral injustice compels him to rock the boat, to challenge the whole structure of his society, even knowing the risk that if caught, he could be dooming both himself and his entire family to death.
Cael pursues his dreams while being helped along the way by mysterious figures, two figures who have carefully hidden their true identities. But the pathway to victory is hardly clear. It doesn’t help that Cael can’t seem to keep himself out of trouble to save his life.
As the plot thickens, the curtain is pulled back to reveal a rich world imbued with potent herbs, rich magic, attacking wyverns, and a developing love triangle between Cael and two very mysterious characters.
Themes
Several important themes stand out from the first of The King’s Man series.
Forbidden Magic and Fighting a Corrupt and Inequitable System
In a society where only some are allowed to wield the magic that seems innate to their world, Cael deeply feels a sense of injustice. It’s palpable. Why shouldn’t he be allowed to do the magic that he’s able to do? For Cael’s dreams to come true, he will to fight the systems to change the status quo.
Cael just can’t help himself, which at times seems improbable. The trauma of his grandfather being executed for using magic he wasn’t supposed to should cause Cael to at least pause, to feel the danger he’s in. But he pushes forward with little regard for his own safety. He’s lucky he’s got friends in high places, is all I am saying.
High Stakes Political Intrigue and Deception
And oh, what high places! Readers just barely get hints of what’s going on in the broader political realm, and they prompt a lot of questions. It’s only in the last third do readers start to get some answers. But this isn’t a one-and-done thing. This is book one of SIX books, so it’s okay. The true story may still be hidden, but have faith. All will be revealed in time.
Slow-Burn Romance
The slowest of burns, really. I’m all in, fam. I literally can’t wait for this to develop further. I have ideas. Spoilery ideas. Stomach swooping ideas. But I will refrain from speculation at this point.
Characters
There are many, many side characters in this story. Of note, I like Akilah quite a lot, as Cael’s pseudo-sister who’s always got his back. I don’t quite understand if she’s an Akla (a female who is of the servant-class) or just a friend. But she’s Cael’s ride or die, so I am a fan. So many other names, though, from tutors who you’ll be surprised are on Cael’s side, to Fredrica, someone who readers won’t understand just who she is, but who is nonetheless there when Cael needs her to be. The world-weaving is rich with characters.
Cael
Cael is the main character. The story sticks close to him. It’s in close 3rd person, so we are more privy to his feelings than other characters. His motivations drive the story ahead, and the other main characters are drawn to him. Beyond that, I’ve already introduced who Cael is with a fair amount of detail, so I won’t rehash what I’ve already said.
Silvius
Silvius is ‘masked’, meaning his face has been magically altered. So his true identity is unknown. Cael is drawn to him. And Silvius seems drawn to Cael, as he shows up in his life over and over. Silvius is a mystery. Who is he, and what are his motivations? Cael looks forward to his interactions with Silvius and develops a crush on him, which he feels is the start of something, of love.
Quin
Quin is another character who seems to keep popping into Cael’s life, to a much different reception. They seem naturally inclined to butt heads, to antagonize each other. Quin presents himself as a merchant, someone rich and privileged, but who is willing to help pull Cael up by his bootstraps. His motivations are completely hidden, but one starts to get ideas…
Glows
Unique Magic System
While at first it’s hard to get a good image in your head of what magic in this world looks like, once you do. I think readers will find it fascinating. Magic is innate in people, enhanced by consumed herbs and teas. Mages manifest spells able to heal, make someone fly, and more. It’s a very unique take on magic. Once readers find their footing, they will find the whole system super enjoyable.
Grows
Jump In, the Water’s Confusing
After a glance at the map of the world, the book starts mid-scene and dumps the reader right in. There’s a lot of the necessary world-building going on, but it’s confusing. Names for people and magic constructs thrown around without explanations, I read the first third of the book with the sense that I didn’t know at all what was happening.
I understand why an author might throw us into a world like this. They don’t want to show all their cards too early, after all. It’s a valid way to start a book. And I’ve read and reviewed books where this was done to great effect. The difference is, though, that the main character in that book didn’t understand the culture he found himself in. He had an incomplete picture, so it made more sense for the reader to be equally in the dark.
Confusing Start
In this book, though, well. I am not going to sugar-coat this: It was confusing at first. Very confusing. Sure, leave key details hidden in the mist. One wants to keep the plot exciting. It’s ok to leave the reader guessing, where they don’t know exactly what’s going to happen. Sometimes.
But it’s also important to reward initial confusion with an explanation. Balance is key: the reader deserves some explanation. Don’t leave the reader guessing for too long; give them something to start with. If a reader is confused for too long, they might just give up on a book.
Patience, Young Padwan
For what it is worth, I am glad I stuck around, because once the story developed sufficiently, I finally found my bearings. Sunday is a master at her craft, and she has fully imagined a complicated, detailed world for this series. But by choice, it’s one that the reader is initially not supposed to understand.
Patience is needed. Because I think it will all become clear in time. Remember: this is a marathon, not a sprint.
Recommendation
Readers of fantasy romance will enjoy this. I recommend it to anyone who likes Lily Mayne’s Folk series, The Riehse Eshan Series by Adelaide Blaike, The Radiance series by Tavia Lark, and of course, I can’t not mention Captive Prince. If you like any of those, you’ll dive into this one, and after that brief initial struggle, you’ll like it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Overall
The sky clears in book two. Additionally, action hits faster and more consistently. If you find this first book a bit of a struggle, I want to strongly encourage you to stick with it, because the story emerges and solidifies and is super, super good. Persevere, friend. It’s worth it!
In the first book of The King’s Man series, we first meet Cael, a half-blood mage in a world where only full-blood mages are allowed to perform magic. Quickly, readers discover the main players in this world of intrigue: Silvius, a mysterious man whose true face Cael does not know, and Quin, a sharp-tongued merchant who is Cael’s constant foil, who is seemingly forever disappointed in Cael’s inability to stay out of trouble.
Or so it seems. What’s truly going on in this world is much, much deeper than initial assumptions.
Excited To See this ARC
When I saw this ARC on Booksirens, I was super excited. I have enjoyed many, many of Anyta Sunday’s previous works. I snatched up the chance to read and review this book. Once I finished it, pretty much read it in one day, I couldn’t wait to start the second book, so I downloaded it from Kindle Unlimited so I could keep reading.
Pushed Into the Deep End Approach
This is an exciting start to this series. This book has it all: an Inequitable society that favors the rich, characters with hidden identities and unclear motivations, political machinations, and just out of sight court intrigue. There’s also Cael, the nail-bitingly impulsive and utterly charming main character. Healing drives Cael. He’s determined to practice magic. Despite the death sentence getting caught would result in, he knows in his core that he’s capable of it. He dreams of a world where half-blood mages, or pan-linea, can wield the same magic as the privileged linea.
That being said, The King’s Man suffers from many first-book-in-a-series ailments. While it evens out after a while, I initially struggled to understand what was happening.
Plot Summary
Generations of Cael’s family have been healers. Healing is a fundamental part of him. But he wants more. He wants to be a vitalian. A vitalian is a healer who heals with a higher level of magic. Non-vitalian healers like his father heal with folk remedies and lower-level magic.
Big problem though, Cael is a par-linea, or a half-blood. Par-linea are forbidden from practicing magical healing. He cannot even study to become a vitalian. Only pure-blood linea are allowed. He’s risking his life if he ignores these laws and heals people with stronger magic as a par-linea. The government executed Cael’s grandfather because of it.
The thing is, though, Cael knows he’s powerful enough to be a vitalian. He knows deep inside that it’s not fair that only the privileged can become vitalian, just as it is unfair that only the rich and powerful can afford to be healed by them. His sense of moral injustice compels him to rock the boat, to challenge the whole structure of his society, even knowing the risk that if caught, he could be dooming both himself and his entire family to death.
Cael pursues his dreams while being helped along the way by mysterious figures, two figures who have carefully hidden their true identities. But the pathway to victory is hardly clear. It doesn’t help that Cael can’t seem to keep himself out of trouble to save his life.
As the plot thickens, the curtain is pulled back to reveal a rich world imbued with potent herbs, rich magic, attacking wyverns, and a developing love triangle between Cael and two very mysterious characters.
Themes
Several important themes stand out from the first of The King’s Man series.
Forbidden Magic and Fighting a Corrupt and Inequitable System
In a society where only some are allowed to wield the magic that seems innate to their world, Cael deeply feels a sense of injustice. It’s palpable. Why shouldn’t he be allowed to do the magic that he’s able to do? For Cael’s dreams to come true, he will to fight the systems to change the status quo.
Cael just can’t help himself, which at times seems improbable. The trauma of his grandfather being executed for using magic he wasn’t supposed to should cause Cael to at least pause, to feel the danger he’s in. But he pushes forward with little regard for his own safety. He’s lucky he’s got friends in high places, is all I am saying.
High Stakes Political Intrigue and Deception
And oh, what high places! Readers just barely get hints of what’s going on in the broader political realm, and they prompt a lot of questions. It’s only in the last third do readers start to get some answers. But this isn’t a one-and-done thing. This is book one of SIX books, so it’s okay. The true story may still be hidden, but have faith. All will be revealed in time.
Slow-Burn Romance
The slowest of burns, really. I’m all in, fam. I literally can’t wait for this to develop further. I have ideas. Spoilery ideas. Stomach swooping ideas. But I will refrain from speculation at this point.
Characters
There are many, many side characters in this story. Of note, I like Akilah quite a lot, as Cael’s pseudo-sister who’s always got his back. I don’t quite understand if she’s an Akla (a female who is of the servant-class) or just a friend. But she’s Cael’s ride or die, so I am a fan. So many other names, though, from tutors who you’ll be surprised are on Cael’s side, to Fredrica, someone who readers won’t understand just who she is, but who is nonetheless there when Cael needs her to be. The world-weaving is rich with characters.
Cael
Cael is the main character. The story sticks close to him. It’s in close 3rd person, so we are more privy to his feelings than other characters. His motivations drive the story ahead, and the other main characters are drawn to him. Beyond that, I’ve already introduced who Cael is with a fair amount of detail, so I won’t rehash what I’ve already said.
Silvius
Silvius is ‘masked’, meaning his face has been magically altered. So his true identity is unknown. Cael is drawn to him. And Silvius seems drawn to Cael, as he shows up in his life over and over. Silvius is a mystery. Who is he, and what are his motivations? Cael looks forward to his interactions with Silvius and develops a crush on him, which he feels is the start of something, of love.
Quin
Quin is another character who seems to keep popping into Cael’s life, to a much different reception. They seem naturally inclined to butt heads, to antagonize each other. Quin presents himself as a merchant, someone rich and privileged, but who is willing to help pull Cael up by his bootstraps. His motivations are completely hidden, but one starts to get ideas…
Glows
Unique Magic System
While at first it’s hard to get a good image in your head of what magic in this world looks like, once you do. I think readers will find it fascinating. Magic is innate in people, enhanced by consumed herbs and teas. Mages manifest spells able to heal, make someone fly, and more. It’s a very unique take on magic. Once readers find their footing, they will find the whole system super enjoyable.
Grows
Jump In, the Water’s Confusing
After a glance at the map of the world, the book starts mid-scene and dumps the reader right in. There’s a lot of the necessary world-building going on, but it’s confusing. Names for people and magic constructs thrown around without explanations, I read the first third of the book with the sense that I didn’t know at all what was happening.
I understand why an author might throw us into a world like this. They don’t want to show all their cards too early, after all. It’s a valid way to start a book. And I’ve read and reviewed books where this was done to great effect. The difference is, though, that the main character in that book didn’t understand the culture he found himself in. He had an incomplete picture, so it made more sense for the reader to be equally in the dark.
Confusing Start
In this book, though, well. I am not going to sugar-coat this: It was confusing at first. Very confusing. Sure, leave key details hidden in the mist. One wants to keep the plot exciting. It’s ok to leave the reader guessing, where they don’t know exactly what’s going to happen. Sometimes.
But it’s also important to reward initial confusion with an explanation. Balance is key: the reader deserves some explanation. Don’t leave the reader guessing for too long; give them something to start with. If a reader is confused for too long, they might just give up on a book.
Patience, Young Padwan
For what it is worth, I am glad I stuck around, because once the story developed sufficiently, I finally found my bearings. Sunday is a master at her craft, and she has fully imagined a complicated, detailed world for this series. But by choice, it’s one that the reader is initially not supposed to understand.
Patience is needed. Because I think it will all become clear in time. Remember: this is a marathon, not a sprint.
Recommendation
Readers of fantasy romance will enjoy this. I recommend it to anyone who likes Lily Mayne’s Folk series, The Riehse Eshan Series by Adelaide Blaike, The Radiance series by Tavia Lark, and of course, I can’t not mention Captive Prince. If you like any of those, you’ll dive into this one, and after that brief initial struggle, you’ll like it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Overall
The sky clears in book two. Additionally, action hits faster and more consistently. If you find this first book a bit of a struggle, I want to strongly encourage you to stick with it, because the story emerges and solidifies and is super, super good. Persevere, friend. It’s worth it!
June 24, 2025
As happens with many fantasy books, I’d have liked an introduction of the world and a glossary. For example, what’s linea, luminarium, Skeldars, ankle, drakopagon or eparch? I’m not completely sure after two books. I want to know and understand since the beginning, not chapters laters if ever explained. This is, in my opinion, a common mistake for many authors, they know their worldbuilding, but we readers don’t, get lost (or frustrated) and drop the books. Having the introduction and glossary is only beneficial, who wants them can read them, who don’t can just skip them.
I don’t like Cael too much, he’s selfish and makes a lot of assumptions. I knew there was going to be a love triangle of sorts and I was ready for it, I just didn’t expect the protagonist behaving so badly with the good one and so infatuated with the other one for the wrong reasons, it’s… not right.
Cael corrects River using wrong pronouns for Ilios, and a few sentences later he uses them wrong.
People die.
There’s lots of smirks and giggling.
After reading the whole series: If you like a lot of drama (with sense or without), secondary characters and animals dying, and a main character stupid and taking wrong decisions all thought six books you may enjoy the series. I tried to like it, but in the end was not for me.
«“Dreams are free.”
“No. Dreams are motives, starting points for action.”»
I don’t like Cael too much, he’s selfish and makes a lot of assumptions. I knew there was going to be a love triangle of sorts and I was ready for it, I just didn’t expect the protagonist behaving so badly with the good one and so infatuated with the other one for the wrong reasons, it’s… not right.
Cael corrects River using wrong pronouns for Ilios, and a few sentences later he uses them wrong.
People die.
There’s lots of smirks and giggling.
After reading the whole series: If you like a lot of drama (with sense or without), secondary characters and animals dying, and a main character stupid and taking wrong decisions all thought six books you may enjoy the series. I tried to like it, but in the end was not for me.
«“Dreams are free.”
“No. Dreams are motives, starting points for action.”»
May 4, 2025
*review for books 1 & 2 together*
Cael's journey got off to a bit of a slow start, but by the end of these first installments I was hooked on his progress towards becoming a vitalian, the unexpected connections he formed with Quin and Silvius, and the sinister political maneuverings that put everyone Cael loved at risk. I especially loved how each of the characters in this book had complex backstories and experiences that shaped their motivations throughout the story -- some of which I got to watch unfold firsthand. Cael was by no means a perfect leading man -- he made mistakes, rushed into things impulsively, and wrestled with self-doubts throughout the course of his journey. He was the kind of man who led with his heart, and while that made him an empathetic and lovable main character, it also led him down difficult paths when it would have been easier for him to choose a life that adhered to society's expectations.
In terms of the writing style, the biggest thing that threw me off at the start of this book was the influx of new terminology, people, and places that I didn't understand. I want to go back and reread the first section of this book now that I've wrapped my head around the rules of this universe because I'm sure I missed a lot of detail that would have helped set the groundwork for the rest of the story. Once I got my bearings, I did find it easy to experience the rest of the story through Cael's eyes, and it was equal parts thrilling and nerve-wracking to see where his adventures took him. One of the first things I learned about the kingdom was that practicing healing magic as a non-full-blooded linea was forbidden, and of course that was the exact path that Cael had set his sights on. That alone would have left him looking over his shoulder for the rest of his life, but then he had to go and get tangled up with a couple of mysterious men whose presence changed the course of Cael's future yet again.
As Cael took steps towards pursuing his passion for healing, his relationships with Quin and Silvius evolved in delightfully frustrating ways. Silvius was the kind-hearted charmer, the man who was easy to love and who didn't hold back from expressing his interest in Cael. He was the most obvious choice for a love interest, and that's precisely why he was far less interesting than Quin, the sharp-tongued, prickly man who constantly challenged Cael and kept him at arm's length. Quin had a stack of secrets he was keeping from Cael, bantered and needled him into being the best version of himself, and only let the smallest slivers of authentic emotion out as a last resort. He was a wonderfully elusive presence in Cael's life, somehow always there when Cael really needed him, someone Cael could never quite get out of his mind even if he didn't know why. I am not ashamed to admit that I am desperate to see Quin and Cael as endgame, and even though there were only the barest hints of a romance building between them I hoarded every interaction they had throughout this book. I don't even think Cael realizes how much of an anchor Quin became for him, but I am eagerly waiting for the day when he has that wake-up.
Outside of the slow-burn romance (though it was one of my favorite aspects of the book), Cael's day-to-day life was far from routine or ordinary. Between frantic requests to heal loved ones, studying in secret for the vitalian exam, and sneaking around with Quin and Silvius, there was plenty to keep me guessing about where the plot was headed next. I feel like I've only just scratched the surface at some of the royal politics and sinister dealings in the palace, but all the setup is there for a fascinating and high-stakes undertaking to take back control from the duke. I was also pleasantly surprised by how well I got to know several of the side characters in this book, and I'm already looking forward to seeing how their friendships and rivalries will continue to change with time. All in all, I'm pretty excited to see what's in store next for Cael, Quin, Silvius, and the rest of the kingdom, and if this book is any indication it will be a challenging, unpredictable, and heartfelt quest for good.
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
Cael's journey got off to a bit of a slow start, but by the end of these first installments I was hooked on his progress towards becoming a vitalian, the unexpected connections he formed with Quin and Silvius, and the sinister political maneuverings that put everyone Cael loved at risk. I especially loved how each of the characters in this book had complex backstories and experiences that shaped their motivations throughout the story -- some of which I got to watch unfold firsthand. Cael was by no means a perfect leading man -- he made mistakes, rushed into things impulsively, and wrestled with self-doubts throughout the course of his journey. He was the kind of man who led with his heart, and while that made him an empathetic and lovable main character, it also led him down difficult paths when it would have been easier for him to choose a life that adhered to society's expectations.
In terms of the writing style, the biggest thing that threw me off at the start of this book was the influx of new terminology, people, and places that I didn't understand. I want to go back and reread the first section of this book now that I've wrapped my head around the rules of this universe because I'm sure I missed a lot of detail that would have helped set the groundwork for the rest of the story. Once I got my bearings, I did find it easy to experience the rest of the story through Cael's eyes, and it was equal parts thrilling and nerve-wracking to see where his adventures took him. One of the first things I learned about the kingdom was that practicing healing magic as a non-full-blooded linea was forbidden, and of course that was the exact path that Cael had set his sights on. That alone would have left him looking over his shoulder for the rest of his life, but then he had to go and get tangled up with a couple of mysterious men whose presence changed the course of Cael's future yet again.
As Cael took steps towards pursuing his passion for healing, his relationships with Quin and Silvius evolved in delightfully frustrating ways. Silvius was the kind-hearted charmer, the man who was easy to love and who didn't hold back from expressing his interest in Cael. He was the most obvious choice for a love interest, and that's precisely why he was far less interesting than Quin, the sharp-tongued, prickly man who constantly challenged Cael and kept him at arm's length. Quin had a stack of secrets he was keeping from Cael, bantered and needled him into being the best version of himself, and only let the smallest slivers of authentic emotion out as a last resort. He was a wonderfully elusive presence in Cael's life, somehow always there when Cael really needed him, someone Cael could never quite get out of his mind even if he didn't know why. I am not ashamed to admit that I am desperate to see Quin and Cael as endgame, and even though there were only the barest hints of a romance building between them I hoarded every interaction they had throughout this book. I don't even think Cael realizes how much of an anchor Quin became for him, but I am eagerly waiting for the day when he has that wake-up.
Outside of the slow-burn romance (though it was one of my favorite aspects of the book), Cael's day-to-day life was far from routine or ordinary. Between frantic requests to heal loved ones, studying in secret for the vitalian exam, and sneaking around with Quin and Silvius, there was plenty to keep me guessing about where the plot was headed next. I feel like I've only just scratched the surface at some of the royal politics and sinister dealings in the palace, but all the setup is there for a fascinating and high-stakes undertaking to take back control from the duke. I was also pleasantly surprised by how well I got to know several of the side characters in this book, and I'm already looking forward to seeing how their friendships and rivalries will continue to change with time. All in all, I'm pretty excited to see what's in store next for Cael, Quin, Silvius, and the rest of the kingdom, and if this book is any indication it will be a challenging, unpredictable, and heartfelt quest for good.
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
October 2, 2025
It was everything I wanted and then some. Except for the infuriatingly slow burn, are you kidding me?!!!
First part of the book is very opaque, we're thrown into a world with no explanations or setting. There are terms coming at you that you have no idea what they mean and they don't get explained, you have to infer their meaning from the context, and honestly it didn't hinder my reading significantly, but I can imagine people giving up on the book because of that. I did love the pacing. There's no drag, the plot moves along, and it's one thing after another after another, I was so immersed. Cancelled engagements, didn't take any calls, I was invested. For me this book was really good. But that's because this is what I love to read. From genre to themes, and plot, and tropes, and characters, everything, it was everything I love in one book.
The magical system was chef's kiss, the kingdom of Lumin, where is takes place, is made of 3 kinds of people: non linear = folks without any magical ability (aka most people), par linea = people who are partially magical (some magical reserve and can cast some spells but not as well and complex as the full linea) and get looked down on by our third group/elites/ruling class the full linea = fully magical (they have full magical reserve which means they can store more magic in their bodies and cast more complex and more difficult spells because they have enough magic in store to do so).
Cael, our poor adorable MC is par linea, specifically 1/8th linea. He loves helping people, and will help any and every one (including animals) that he comes across that needs help, no matter the cost to him. He wants to become a doctor which in this world is called a vitalian. Now, there are different tiers of vitalian, and he wants the top tier which is called a complex vitalian. Problem is he's only 1/8ths par linea and the complex vitalians in this kingdom are all full linea, but does that stop our stubbornly determined endearing MC? Of course not, he has grit, he is so determined to prove those lofty full linea assholes wrong, and prove to himself and others like him that it's possible. Defies his father, runs away from home, gets into all sorts of trouble. Luckily he makes some pretty powerful friends and some not so powerful ones who help him along the way, and also happen to show up whenever he's in a bind. A little convenient how he kept getting saved, but not so much it's unbelievable, and he does go through it, boy was I not ready for how much pain and suffering he endures 😭 His friends by association go through it too, my heart bleeding for RIVER 😫😭
The romance is yummeeeeeeeeee! Love the way it's done, I hate poly or triangles, buuuuuuuuut, I make great exception for this book. Can't gush enough, love that identities are being hidden to be revealed later on, love that our love interest is absolutely oblivious to love staring him in he face ♥️😭 So so so so so good 🥰 I will reread this so muuuuch, running off to start reading the next book asap!
First part of the book is very opaque, we're thrown into a world with no explanations or setting. There are terms coming at you that you have no idea what they mean and they don't get explained, you have to infer their meaning from the context, and honestly it didn't hinder my reading significantly, but I can imagine people giving up on the book because of that. I did love the pacing. There's no drag, the plot moves along, and it's one thing after another after another, I was so immersed. Cancelled engagements, didn't take any calls, I was invested. For me this book was really good. But that's because this is what I love to read. From genre to themes, and plot, and tropes, and characters, everything, it was everything I love in one book.
The magical system was chef's kiss, the kingdom of Lumin, where is takes place, is made of 3 kinds of people: non linear = folks without any magical ability (aka most people), par linea = people who are partially magical (some magical reserve and can cast some spells but not as well and complex as the full linea) and get looked down on by our third group/elites/ruling class the full linea = fully magical (they have full magical reserve which means they can store more magic in their bodies and cast more complex and more difficult spells because they have enough magic in store to do so).
Cael, our poor adorable MC is par linea, specifically 1/8th linea. He loves helping people, and will help any and every one (including animals) that he comes across that needs help, no matter the cost to him. He wants to become a doctor which in this world is called a vitalian. Now, there are different tiers of vitalian, and he wants the top tier which is called a complex vitalian. Problem is he's only 1/8ths par linea and the complex vitalians in this kingdom are all full linea, but does that stop our stubbornly determined endearing MC? Of course not, he has grit, he is so determined to prove those lofty full linea assholes wrong, and prove to himself and others like him that it's possible. Defies his father, runs away from home, gets into all sorts of trouble. Luckily he makes some pretty powerful friends and some not so powerful ones who help him along the way, and also happen to show up whenever he's in a bind. A little convenient how he kept getting saved, but not so much it's unbelievable, and he does go through it, boy was I not ready for how much pain and suffering he endures 😭 His friends by association go through it too, my heart bleeding for RIVER 😫😭
The romance is yummeeeeeeeeee! Love the way it's done, I hate poly or triangles, buuuuuuuuut, I make great exception for this book. Can't gush enough, love that identities are being hidden to be revealed later on, love that our love interest is absolutely oblivious to love staring him in he face ♥️😭 So so so so so good 🥰 I will reread this so muuuuch, running off to start reading the next book asap!
May 17, 2025
********** Contains Spoilers**********
I’m new to Anyta Sunday’s work and I’m looking forward to reading more. I’ve reviewed both books I & II separately since I received a combined file through GRR.
Book I - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - I enjoyed this book and thought that it was a good start to the King’s Man Series. I enjoyed immersing myself in this exciting world that Anyta has created and I’m looking forward to learning more as the series continues. I did find it quite confusing to start with as we were kind of just got dropped straight into the story without much explanation on what was happening and why. There were also a lot of different names/characters introduced that it was hard to keep track of them, but as this story progressed I was able to follow along more easily. I really liked Cael he’s not perfect and makes mistakes along the way. He just wants to help people using his healing powers, even though it’s against the rules because he’s only a par-linea. There’s two possible love interests for Cael, Nicostratus and Quin. I find Cael’s interactions with Quin throughout this book much more interesting. I’m looking forward to finding out who he eventually ends up with.
Book II - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - I enjoyed this book and thought that it was a good addition to the King’s Man Series. I enjoyed immersing myself in this exciting world that Anyta has created and I’m looking forward to learning more as the series continues. I found this book slower paced than King’s Man I which I liked, as that book was non stop action with very little down time. Cael has finally earned a place in Royal City as a par-linea healer, but things are far from easy. Cael can’t seem to help himself by helping those less fortunate, even if it causes problems for himself or those he cares about. I think that Cael has a lot more chemistry with Quin, they enjoy pushing each other’s buttons but it works for them. Nicostratus is the safer choice but only time will tell how things play out. Man, I want to throat punch the Duke for everything he’s done and I can’t wait for him to get taken out but since there’s four more books left in this series it probably won’t be until like the last book.
I’m looking forward to reading King’s Man III & IV next, as well as more books from Anyta Sunday in the future. I’d recommend this book, series and author to others.
******I received a complimentary copy of this book through GRR. I would still happily review this book even if I purchased it myself. My thoughts and feelings about this book are completely unbiased******
I’m new to Anyta Sunday’s work and I’m looking forward to reading more. I’ve reviewed both books I & II separately since I received a combined file through GRR.
Book I - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - I enjoyed this book and thought that it was a good start to the King’s Man Series. I enjoyed immersing myself in this exciting world that Anyta has created and I’m looking forward to learning more as the series continues. I did find it quite confusing to start with as we were kind of just got dropped straight into the story without much explanation on what was happening and why. There were also a lot of different names/characters introduced that it was hard to keep track of them, but as this story progressed I was able to follow along more easily. I really liked Cael he’s not perfect and makes mistakes along the way. He just wants to help people using his healing powers, even though it’s against the rules because he’s only a par-linea. There’s two possible love interests for Cael, Nicostratus and Quin. I find Cael’s interactions with Quin throughout this book much more interesting. I’m looking forward to finding out who he eventually ends up with.
Book II - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - I enjoyed this book and thought that it was a good addition to the King’s Man Series. I enjoyed immersing myself in this exciting world that Anyta has created and I’m looking forward to learning more as the series continues. I found this book slower paced than King’s Man I which I liked, as that book was non stop action with very little down time. Cael has finally earned a place in Royal City as a par-linea healer, but things are far from easy. Cael can’t seem to help himself by helping those less fortunate, even if it causes problems for himself or those he cares about. I think that Cael has a lot more chemistry with Quin, they enjoy pushing each other’s buttons but it works for them. Nicostratus is the safer choice but only time will tell how things play out. Man, I want to throat punch the Duke for everything he’s done and I can’t wait for him to get taken out but since there’s four more books left in this series it probably won’t be until like the last book.
I’m looking forward to reading King’s Man III & IV next, as well as more books from Anyta Sunday in the future. I’d recommend this book, series and author to others.
******I received a complimentary copy of this book through GRR. I would still happily review this book even if I purchased it myself. My thoughts and feelings about this book are completely unbiased******
August 7, 2025
I just finished reading The King's Man series by Anyta Sunday, and wow — what a ride. This six-book series is set in a beautifully imagined magical kingdom and follows Cael, a gifted healer who, due to his non-pure-blood status, is forbidden by law from practicing magic. His determination to heal regardless of his lineage, and to challenge an unjust system, creates a compelling and emotional arc that spans decades.
The concept of magical healing as the central focus was refreshingly original — I’ve never read anything quite like it. Add to that the slow-building romance, political intrigue, and themes of resistance and change, and you get a series that’s both intellectually engaging and emotionally moving. Watching Cael and the king work to change the kingdom from within was deeply satisfying.
That said, book one was a tough entry point. You're thrown into the world with minimal explanation, which made it hard to follow at first. Magical terms, world-building details, and key characters — some of whom appear in disguise — are all introduced rapidly, and I spent a lot of time feeling confused. I didn’t fully understand who Cael was or what was happening until well into the first book.
However, once I made it through book one, I was completely hooked. I read the entire series in just six days. The pacing picks up, the characters deepen, and the emotional payoff becomes incredibly rewarding.
Reading The Unofficial Guide to Lumen and Love: A King's Man Glossary helped a lot — it provided much-needed context for the world and made everything click into place.
As a longtime fan of Anyta Sunday (The Signs of Love and Love, Austen series are personal favorites), I know how talented she is at crafting slow-burn romances with real heart. That skill shines here too, even in a completely different genre. I admire her boldness in creating such a complex and original fantasy world, and despite the rocky start, I truly loved this series.
If you enjoy magical worlds, political transformation, found family, and achingly slow-burn queer romance, The King's Man series is absolutely worth the read. Just give yourself some time to get through book one — the payoff is well worth it.
The concept of magical healing as the central focus was refreshingly original — I’ve never read anything quite like it. Add to that the slow-building romance, political intrigue, and themes of resistance and change, and you get a series that’s both intellectually engaging and emotionally moving. Watching Cael and the king work to change the kingdom from within was deeply satisfying.
That said, book one was a tough entry point. You're thrown into the world with minimal explanation, which made it hard to follow at first. Magical terms, world-building details, and key characters — some of whom appear in disguise — are all introduced rapidly, and I spent a lot of time feeling confused. I didn’t fully understand who Cael was or what was happening until well into the first book.
However, once I made it through book one, I was completely hooked. I read the entire series in just six days. The pacing picks up, the characters deepen, and the emotional payoff becomes incredibly rewarding.
Reading The Unofficial Guide to Lumen and Love: A King's Man Glossary helped a lot — it provided much-needed context for the world and made everything click into place.
As a longtime fan of Anyta Sunday (The Signs of Love and Love, Austen series are personal favorites), I know how talented she is at crafting slow-burn romances with real heart. That skill shines here too, even in a completely different genre. I admire her boldness in creating such a complex and original fantasy world, and despite the rocky start, I truly loved this series.
If you enjoy magical worlds, political transformation, found family, and achingly slow-burn queer romance, The King's Man series is absolutely worth the read. Just give yourself some time to get through book one — the payoff is well worth it.
May 14, 2025
Thank you, Book Sirens and the author, for a chance to review this book!
TW: Death of a loved secondary character.
The King’s Man: Book One by Anyta Sunday is hands down one of the best books I’ve read in a very long time. I’ve been searching for my next fantasy obsession, and I have finally found it.
When I first opened the book, I wasn’t sure I would even make it past the first few pages. I’m so used to being eased into a story that the entry into an action scene, written in first person, was abrupt and jarring. I’m not a huge fan of first person, and the way the first couple of pages seemed like disjointed thoughts, really had me second-guessing my interest in the book.
However, as the story began to take shape, I was drawn in. This is not a romance book, at least not yet. This is a coming-of-age book that grows into something… more .
I absolutely loved the way the author used disguises and manipulations of the truth to weave the prince into different roles. Cael, who narrates the story, has a stubborn streak that pushes him ever towards his goals.
The action in this book had me on edge, and it’s been a very long time since that has happened. It was exciting and exhilarating, and it really kept the story moving along nicely. As Cael faces new obstacles constantly, his dream is always in his heart. He has a true purpose, and I can’t wait to see how much he grows throughout the books.
There are new and malicious perils to face coming soon, and I’m extremely excited to see where Sunday takes us next. I haven’t been so motivated to continue a series in years, and I’m so glad I found this gem. If you love fantasy and extremely well-written stories, I can’t recommend this book highly enough.
Happy reading!
~𝓘 𝓻𝓮𝓬𝓮𝓲𝓿𝓮𝓭 𝓪𝓷 𝓐𝓡𝓒 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓫𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓘 𝓪𝓶 𝓵𝓮𝓪𝓿𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓶𝔂 𝓱𝓸𝓷𝓮𝓼𝓽 𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀.~
UPDATE
I was mistaken about the disguises, but it only adds layers coming up. Slow burn romance for the win!
TW: Death of a loved secondary character.
The King’s Man: Book One by Anyta Sunday is hands down one of the best books I’ve read in a very long time. I’ve been searching for my next fantasy obsession, and I have finally found it.
When I first opened the book, I wasn’t sure I would even make it past the first few pages. I’m so used to being eased into a story that the entry into an action scene, written in first person, was abrupt and jarring. I’m not a huge fan of first person, and the way the first couple of pages seemed like disjointed thoughts, really had me second-guessing my interest in the book.
However, as the story began to take shape, I was drawn in. This is not a romance book, at least not yet. This is a coming-of-age book that grows into something… more .
I absolutely loved the way the author used disguises and manipulations of the truth to weave the prince into different roles. Cael, who narrates the story, has a stubborn streak that pushes him ever towards his goals.
The action in this book had me on edge, and it’s been a very long time since that has happened. It was exciting and exhilarating, and it really kept the story moving along nicely. As Cael faces new obstacles constantly, his dream is always in his heart. He has a true purpose, and I can’t wait to see how much he grows throughout the books.
There are new and malicious perils to face coming soon, and I’m extremely excited to see where Sunday takes us next. I haven’t been so motivated to continue a series in years, and I’m so glad I found this gem. If you love fantasy and extremely well-written stories, I can’t recommend this book highly enough.
Happy reading!
~𝓘 𝓻𝓮𝓬𝓮𝓲𝓿𝓮𝓭 𝓪𝓷 𝓐𝓡𝓒 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓫𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓘 𝓪𝓶 𝓵𝓮𝓪𝓿𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓶𝔂 𝓱𝓸𝓷𝓮𝓼𝓽 𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀.~
UPDATE
I was mistaken about the disguises, but it only adds layers coming up. Slow burn romance for the win!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews