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Poisoner of Kingfountain #3
Master of the Royal Secret:
From Wall Street Journal bestselling author Jeff Wheeler comes the heart-racing conclusion to the Invisible College series. The fate of the world hangs in the balance as two star-crossed lovers fight to beat impossible odds and secure a future together, and for humanity, or risk an all-consuming winter.
A bargain was struck beyond memory, sealed by an immortal covenant that promised either peace or extinction for humanity. The Aesir will uphold this covenant, whatever the outcome, but the Erlking will do everything in his power to ensure their victory. Two people hold the key to defeating him, but only one of them remembers who they are.
Everyone believed that Robinson Hawksley perished when the Aesir attacked the university at Nirshoye. But with memories unlocked, he now remembers the past and must await the final Awakening of the Aesir. When he revives from a magical sleep, he discovers that the Invisible College is in shambles, that those who practice magic are persecuted and put in debtor’s prison when they cannot pay the exorbitant fines leveled against sorcerers.
To end the coming calamity, Robinson must discover where the Erlking’s daughter is currently a Semblance, a doppelganger living among mortals but not knowing her true identity. It will take every creative instinct and an indefatigable purpose for the last sorcerer of the Invisible College to achieve the impossible. To thwart the Erlking himself who has finally come among mortality in a guise of his own.
There can only be one Master of the Royal Secret.
A bargain was struck beyond memory, sealed by an immortal covenant that promised either peace or extinction for humanity. The Aesir will uphold this covenant, whatever the outcome, but the Erlking will do everything in his power to ensure their victory. Two people hold the key to defeating him, but only one of them remembers who they are.
Everyone believed that Robinson Hawksley perished when the Aesir attacked the university at Nirshoye. But with memories unlocked, he now remembers the past and must await the final Awakening of the Aesir. When he revives from a magical sleep, he discovers that the Invisible College is in shambles, that those who practice magic are persecuted and put in debtor’s prison when they cannot pay the exorbitant fines leveled against sorcerers.
To end the coming calamity, Robinson must discover where the Erlking’s daughter is currently a Semblance, a doppelganger living among mortals but not knowing her true identity. It will take every creative instinct and an indefatigable purpose for the last sorcerer of the Invisible College to achieve the impossible. To thwart the Erlking himself who has finally come among mortality in a guise of his own.
There can only be one Master of the Royal Secret.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 31, 2016
2216 people are currently reading
3006 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Wheeler
106 books5,286 followersWall Street Journal bestselling author Jeff Wheeler took an early retirement from his career at Intel in 2014 to write full-time. He is a husband, father of five, and a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Jeff lives in the Rocky Mountains.
Learn about Jeff’s many worlds at www.jeff-wheeler.com, or participate in one of his online writing classes through Writer’s Block (www.writersblock.biz).
Learn about Jeff’s many worlds at www.jeff-wheeler.com, or participate in one of his online writing classes through Writer’s Block (www.writersblock.biz).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 403 reviews
May 3, 2026
4.5 stars
I somehow missed the ARC for this book (oops) and went and bought it instead. This is the conclusion of this four-book series, and I have loved it from beginning to end. You definitely need to read all the books, and in order!
There were some big twists in book 3, so the premise of this book is all spoilers. I can only say it jumps ahead 23 years, and magic has been banned in that time, which is obviously not good! The book is a great adventure with a wholly satisfying ending. It’s hard to find good steampunk/gaslamp fantasy, but this has been a great ride.
I’ve noticed that good writers have something they excel at: Brandon Sanderson is a genius in world-building. Jonathan Stroud is a genius at humor. Michael J. Sullivan is a genius at characters. And Jeff Wheeler is a genius at pacing. There was never a dull moment, never a scene that lagged.
It took me a little while to get used to the audio narrator, but she did well.
Language: Clean
Sexual Content: None
Violence/Gore: Moderate – one-on-one fighting, gun violence, beatings
Harm to Animals:
Harm to Children:
Other (Triggers):
I somehow missed the ARC for this book (oops) and went and bought it instead. This is the conclusion of this four-book series, and I have loved it from beginning to end. You definitely need to read all the books, and in order!
There were some big twists in book 3, so the premise of this book is all spoilers. I can only say it jumps ahead 23 years, and magic has been banned in that time, which is obviously not good! The book is a great adventure with a wholly satisfying ending. It’s hard to find good steampunk/gaslamp fantasy, but this has been a great ride.
I’ve noticed that good writers have something they excel at: Brandon Sanderson is a genius in world-building. Jonathan Stroud is a genius at humor. Michael J. Sullivan is a genius at characters. And Jeff Wheeler is a genius at pacing. There was never a dull moment, never a scene that lagged.
It took me a little while to get used to the audio narrator, but she did well.
Language: Clean
Sexual Content: None
Violence/Gore: Moderate – one-on-one fighting, gun violence, beatings
Harm to Animals:
Harm to Children:
Other (Triggers):
October 25, 2018
Well, that was unexpected.
The Maid's War is a prequel to the Kingfountain series, on which I've recently been binging. This is the second series that I've genuinely devoured by Mr Wheeler, and I found The Maid's War to be a worthy prequel.
It's actually a retelling of the story of Jean d'Arc which has, for years, been one of my favorite magical myths. There were, of course, several differences, as this was an adaptation and not a literal retelling of Ms d'Arc's story. One thing I really appreciated, though, was that Mr Wheeler proffered an explanation as to why Ms d'Arc's voices chose sides in the war. Truly fascinating.
I highly recommend this book if you like fantasy tales and/or have enjoyed the other books in the series. If you are interested in the life and times of Jean d'Arc, the extraordinary person who inspired The Maid's War, I would recommend the historical novel, Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc, by the Sieur Louis de Conte written by Mark Twain, of all people. Apparently he was kind of obsessed with her.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy the story.
The Maid's War is a prequel to the Kingfountain series, on which I've recently been binging. This is the second series that I've genuinely devoured by Mr Wheeler, and I found The Maid's War to be a worthy prequel.
It's actually a retelling of the story of Jean d'Arc which has, for years, been one of my favorite magical myths. There were, of course, several differences, as this was an adaptation and not a literal retelling of Ms d'Arc's story. One thing I really appreciated, though, was that Mr Wheeler proffered an explanation as to why Ms d'Arc's voices chose sides in the war. Truly fascinating.
I highly recommend this book if you like fantasy tales and/or have enjoyed the other books in the series. If you are interested in the life and times of Jean d'Arc, the extraordinary person who inspired The Maid's War, I would recommend the historical novel, Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc, by the Sieur Louis de Conte written by Mark Twain, of all people. Apparently he was kind of obsessed with her.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy the story.
October 30, 2025
This book picks up two decades after the revelations at the end of The Alchemy of Fate. The entire premise of this book is different due to the twist in the previous book.
I don't want to spoil too much so this review is vague and not that long. The unanswered questions I had from the previous books were clarified and it changed the perception of the entire Invisible College series. Things are turned on its head, more challenges must be faced and overcome, and the magic is as wonderfully intricate as in always.
I always love how small actions in earlier books come to fruition in the end - small acts of kindness can have long lasting effects, rippling across time. That is definitely one of the things I will take away from this series. Small kindnesses in the present can have big impacts that you or I cannot fathom in the future.
3.75 stars
A big thank you to NetGalley, Jeff Wheeler, and the publisher for the free eArc in exchange for an honest review.
I don't want to spoil too much so this review is vague and not that long. The unanswered questions I had from the previous books were clarified and it changed the perception of the entire Invisible College series. Things are turned on its head, more challenges must be faced and overcome, and the magic is as wonderfully intricate as in always.
I always love how small actions in earlier books come to fruition in the end - small acts of kindness can have long lasting effects, rippling across time. That is definitely one of the things I will take away from this series. Small kindnesses in the present can have big impacts that you or I cannot fathom in the future.
3.75 stars
A big thank you to NetGalley, Jeff Wheeler, and the publisher for the free eArc in exchange for an honest review.
October 9, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this final installment in the Invisible College series. This series is unlike anything I’ve read before. It’s a mix of low fantasy and sci-fi and historical steampunk setting with a dash of romance and a dash of mystery.
I really love the characters. I’m not using their names here because I don’t want to spoil a big part of the third book, but both the male lead and the female lead are excellent. I loved their individual characterization as well as their connection together. I loved their backstories and histories. I am so excited that the author revealed in the author’s note at the end that we have not seen the last of them.
I knew this book was going to have a satisfying ending, but I was still on tenterhooks up until the final chapter as I was waiting to see how the story would pan out. The ending was exactly the kind of conclusion I wanted to see for this series. I’m so glad I decided to pick up the first book on a whim last month because the Invisible College is a series that will stick with me.
I really love the characters. I’m not using their names here because I don’t want to spoil a big part of the third book, but both the male lead and the female lead are excellent. I loved their individual characterization as well as their connection together. I loved their backstories and histories. I am so excited that the author revealed in the author’s note at the end that we have not seen the last of them.
I knew this book was going to have a satisfying ending, but I was still on tenterhooks up until the final chapter as I was waiting to see how the story would pan out. The ending was exactly the kind of conclusion I wanted to see for this series. I’m so glad I decided to pick up the first book on a whim last month because the Invisible College is a series that will stick with me.
December 16, 2018
I like Jeff Wheeler's writing style. It's fluent and the world building is fabulous. This prequel to the Kingfountain series is based on the fabled Joan of Arc. Told from Ankarette Tryneowy-The infamous Queen's Poisoner and the Duke of La Marche- Alensson's perspective. The world of Kingfountain is rich and magical. It's full of political maneuverings and deceit and I was immediately attracted towards the duke's character. What let me down was the Maid of Donremy. Her character was bland and under developed. The book was missing the zest that would liven up the story. Even the battle scenes couldn't spark any excitement in me. It did connected a few pieces from the past and prophesied the birth of Owen Kiskaddon and him being Fountain Blessed.
September 11, 2017
4 Stars
I enjoyed this prequel as it gives us backstory not only on Ankarette and her ties to this part of history, but also the full story about "The Maid of Donremy," that has been hinted at in the first three books so far. The sword of King Andrew and the scabbard that made an appearance in the previous books are all part of this story. Alensson, duke of La Marche plays a pivotal role as the tale is told from his point of view. "The Maid's War" is a beautiful ode to the story of Joan of Arc. Having read Mark Twain's book "Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc," this narrative is true to her personality and the unflagging belief she had in her mission. Her compassion, confidence, and courage stand out in this story about sacrifice, duty, honor, and integrity. There are some emotional and tender moments between Alensson (the gentle duke) and Genette (the maid of Donremy) that really touched me. Jeff Wheeler intended this book to be a bridge of sorts between the first three books and the next three books. I loved the ending and the revelation that Ankarette discovers.
I enjoyed this prequel as it gives us backstory not only on Ankarette and her ties to this part of history, but also the full story about "The Maid of Donremy," that has been hinted at in the first three books so far. The sword of King Andrew and the scabbard that made an appearance in the previous books are all part of this story. Alensson, duke of La Marche plays a pivotal role as the tale is told from his point of view. "The Maid's War" is a beautiful ode to the story of Joan of Arc. Having read Mark Twain's book "Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc," this narrative is true to her personality and the unflagging belief she had in her mission. Her compassion, confidence, and courage stand out in this story about sacrifice, duty, honor, and integrity. There are some emotional and tender moments between Alensson (the gentle duke) and Genette (the maid of Donremy) that really touched me. Jeff Wheeler intended this book to be a bridge of sorts between the first three books and the next three books. I loved the ending and the revelation that Ankarette discovers.
July 31, 2017
I loved this book. You can read my full review on Audible. I highly recommend the entire Kingfountain series.
"How her notes of encouragement comforted me. I grew to love her more in those years of prevation than many husbands ever love their wives. Troubles are the furnace, my dear, troubles and heat. Troubles and heat. Does not a baker need fire to stiffen the dough? For every kind of pie there is a proper time in the ovens. The Fountain has a purpose, nay, a recipe, for each of us. If we endure the flames well, then we become more than the eggs, the floor, the spices, the drabs of honey."
"How her notes of encouragement comforted me. I grew to love her more in those years of prevation than many husbands ever love their wives. Troubles are the furnace, my dear, troubles and heat. Troubles and heat. Does not a baker need fire to stiffen the dough? For every kind of pie there is a proper time in the ovens. The Fountain has a purpose, nay, a recipe, for each of us. If we endure the flames well, then we become more than the eggs, the floor, the spices, the drabs of honey."
November 13, 2017
This is a prequel to the KINGFOUNTAIN series, though I think it makes more sense having read the other books first.
While I've thoroughly enjoyed books 1-5, this one was surprisingly flat, mostly because I wasn't drawn to the Maid of Donremy as a character. Wheeler freely admits to basing her on Joan of Arc, which isn't a problem for me, but somehow this maid felt lacking, underdeveloped, uninspiring. A disappointment, because I've been so engrossed by previous stories.
It does provide some interesting background, but I think you'll be more impressed with the rest of the series.
While I've thoroughly enjoyed books 1-5, this one was surprisingly flat, mostly because I wasn't drawn to the Maid of Donremy as a character. Wheeler freely admits to basing her on Joan of Arc, which isn't a problem for me, but somehow this maid felt lacking, underdeveloped, uninspiring. A disappointment, because I've been so engrossed by previous stories.
It does provide some interesting background, but I think you'll be more impressed with the rest of the series.
January 27, 2018
Loved this series. The Maid of Donremy features strongly in the entire series, so reading this prequel has me wanting to go back and re-read the series.
I did find it hard to keep the countries separated during the reading of the series, but I let that go and had a great time. Plus, in political battles, the boundaries always shift anyway. If you want to stay true to this part of the series though, you may find it helpful to read the author's inspiration for the series, and use that as part of the backstory. You can piece things together easier that way.
I did find it hard to keep the countries separated during the reading of the series, but I let that go and had a great time. Plus, in political battles, the boundaries always shift anyway. If you want to stay true to this part of the series though, you may find it helpful to read the author's inspiration for the series, and use that as part of the backstory. You can piece things together easier that way.
February 16, 2024
Great book I really enjoyed how he told about the Sword of the kings and the Scabbard for it. But he didn't know where the sword or the scabbard was. If you're a fan of Fantasy fiction or just a fan of Jeff Wheeler I think you'll love this series.
July 5, 2023
An interesting prequel to the Kingfountain series! I'm not usually eager to read prequels, but when I decided to pick up where I left off in the series, the library didn't have the book I wanted, so I checked this out instead. 😆
I liked the ways it managed to connect with characters and themes from the series even though this is set years earlier. I knew there were a few parallels to Joan of Arc in the Maid's story, but I didn't realize until the author's note at the end that this is, in some ways, a fantasy reimagining of Joan of Arc. That was very cool to learn about!
I wouldn't say I loved this prequel as much as the books that come after, but it's definitely making me want to do a reread of the series as a whole!
I liked the ways it managed to connect with characters and themes from the series even though this is set years earlier. I knew there were a few parallels to Joan of Arc in the Maid's story, but I didn't realize until the author's note at the end that this is, in some ways, a fantasy reimagining of Joan of Arc. That was very cool to learn about!
I wouldn't say I loved this prequel as much as the books that come after, but it's definitely making me want to do a reread of the series as a whole!
October 1, 2025
Definitely don't read this review unless you have read the other books spoilers for the previous book are below
Overview:
Language 🤐: Clean
Romance ❤️🔥: Kiss only (Not descriptive)
Violence ⚔️: There are some gun fights and recounting of abuse, as well as recounting of a suicide, I didn't feel that anything was overly graphic
⚠️Abuse, Gun Death, Fire⚠️
Tropes/Micro tropes
- 3 POV
- Star Crossed love
- Saving the world from destruction
- Running from the law
- Music Magic
- Hidden Identities
- Ready to sacrifice themselves for one another!
My Thoughts:
My Initial Thoughts:
OH MY GOODNESS THIS SERIES!! 🤩🤩 What an absolute ROLLERCOASTER this was and ah the hint at the ending and the tie ins to Jeff’s other books! AHHHH!! I need to read all of them right this second 😅🤣 I knew some connections but need to read everything to get all the connections better. I just love all of Jeff’s book and the way he weaves his stories together! This series was so wonderful!! The first in this was not my favorite but boy did it just keep getting better and better with each book! I can not wait to read what else Jeff has in store and also get caught up with what I have not yet read! I will be having more of a review to come but man this was a rollercoaster and I just love love this series and these wonderful characters! Jeff just has such a way of making you feel like his characters are your deeply cherished friends so I’m always sad when I finish one of his series!
My Final thoughts:
This series had my heart! Issac being able to reach out to the Fosters again and when they first reconnected my heart was so happy about! Watching Issac fall for Erika again UGH MY HEART! Seriously this series was so so good! I wish I could forget it and read it all again for the first time! I truly hope that this will not be our last time in the world of the Invisible College! I'm going to miss these characters so much! The final scene in this book made me cry! What a wonderful ending to this beautiful story!
Goodness there were truly so many ups and downs in this story to feel Issacs anxiety and oh goodness the scene of the final confrontation that was INTENSE! I loved it goodness I was freaking out through lots of this book not sure how it was going to end and be wrapped up in a way that wouldn't just rip my heart out, which I mean thanks for tearing my heart apart and then putting it back together 😅😭🩷 I love love love this story! It really grew on me so so much! IT was is fun coming into this story and understanding the magic better and what was going on through the revelations of the last book! I seriously just need to go read the whole series again knowing what I know I think it will bring a whole new perspective to this story!
Thanks so much to Jeff, the Punisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own!
Overview:
Language 🤐: Clean
Romance ❤️🔥: Kiss only (Not descriptive)
Violence ⚔️: There are some gun fights and recounting of abuse, as well as recounting of a suicide, I didn't feel that anything was overly graphic
⚠️Abuse, Gun Death, Fire⚠️
Tropes/Micro tropes
- 3 POV
- Star Crossed love
- Saving the world from destruction
- Running from the law
- Music Magic
- Hidden Identities
- Ready to sacrifice themselves for one another!
My Thoughts:
My Initial Thoughts:
OH MY GOODNESS THIS SERIES!! 🤩🤩 What an absolute ROLLERCOASTER this was and ah the hint at the ending and the tie ins to Jeff’s other books! AHHHH!! I need to read all of them right this second 😅🤣 I knew some connections but need to read everything to get all the connections better. I just love all of Jeff’s book and the way he weaves his stories together! This series was so wonderful!! The first in this was not my favorite but boy did it just keep getting better and better with each book! I can not wait to read what else Jeff has in store and also get caught up with what I have not yet read! I will be having more of a review to come but man this was a rollercoaster and I just love love this series and these wonderful characters! Jeff just has such a way of making you feel like his characters are your deeply cherished friends so I’m always sad when I finish one of his series!
My Final thoughts:
This series had my heart! Issac being able to reach out to the Fosters again and when they first reconnected my heart was so happy about! Watching Issac fall for Erika again UGH MY HEART! Seriously this series was so so good! I wish I could forget it and read it all again for the first time! I truly hope that this will not be our last time in the world of the Invisible College! I'm going to miss these characters so much! The final scene in this book made me cry! What a wonderful ending to this beautiful story!
Goodness there were truly so many ups and downs in this story to feel Issacs anxiety and oh goodness the scene of the final confrontation that was INTENSE! I loved it goodness I was freaking out through lots of this book not sure how it was going to end and be wrapped up in a way that wouldn't just rip my heart out, which I mean thanks for tearing my heart apart and then putting it back together 😅😭🩷 I love love love this story! It really grew on me so so much! IT was is fun coming into this story and understanding the magic better and what was going on through the revelations of the last book! I seriously just need to go read the whole series again knowing what I know I think it will bring a whole new perspective to this story!
Thanks so much to Jeff, the Punisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own!
October 18, 2025
Maybe it's just me but that ending was a little bit bewildering and I still have a ton of questions? I might have just missed something?
Overall I really liked this series though and as much as I'm not really sure how TF he's going to tie this lore into Kingfountain, I'm here for it 🤷🏻♀️
Overall I really liked this series though and as much as I'm not really sure how TF he's going to tie this lore into Kingfountain, I'm here for it 🤷🏻♀️
March 18, 2019
a very well done prequel for the series.
July 8, 2019
Review to come...
February 28, 2022
Excellent
Excellent retelling of the Joan of Arc story. I always appreciate when an author does their homework and includes facts instead of making up history out of whole cloth.
Excellent retelling of the Joan of Arc story. I always appreciate when an author does their homework and includes facts instead of making up history out of whole cloth.
November 30, 2019
This book was as enjoyable as the rest of the series. I found it interesting that the author based so much of this story on Joan of Arc. I love learning about Joan of Arc, so this was a fun read and actually quite accurate to her life.
February 2, 2026
This review pretty much says exactly what I was thinking.
I had a hard time getting into the book an didn't feel it was as good as the first 3 in the Kingfountain series - especially The King's Traitor which I just finished before picking up this one. I loved that one. But, I kept reading, and it did get a bit better as the story picked up. It filled in some holes, so that was good, but as the review I linked to mentioned - I may not have felt a need to continue the series if this had been the first book I read.
I do look forward to seeing how this bridges the gap between the first 3 books and the next 3...
I had a hard time getting into the book an didn't feel it was as good as the first 3 in the Kingfountain series - especially The King's Traitor which I just finished before picking up this one. I loved that one. But, I kept reading, and it did get a bit better as the story picked up. It filled in some holes, so that was good, but as the review I linked to mentioned - I may not have felt a need to continue the series if this had been the first book I read.
I do look forward to seeing how this bridges the gap between the first 3 books and the next 3...
November 16, 2025
Great prequel to the Kingfountain series. At last we know who "The Maid" is--a person referred to but not explained in the first three Kingfountain novels. The author reveals her story, filled with interesting details of her character and her wars. If I hadn't already read the first three novels before this one was published, I would have read this one first. Still, it didn't contain spoilers of what's to come in the rest of the series; it filled in some gaps to help complete the tale.
July 8, 2022
It was interesting and good. Just not exciting enough for me to want to finish quickly. So I guess that's kind of a disappointment
November 4, 2017
As always very imaginative
Jeff Wheeler does it again! Each book in this series is full of twists and unseen turns! You will never be bored. As always an excellent read!
Jeff Wheeler does it again! Each book in this series is full of twists and unseen turns! You will never be bored. As always an excellent read!
December 27, 2025
This year's favorite
I have loved this story so much. It has been so sweet and happy to see it finally come to an end. Sad its ending but its all well. Thank you Jeff Wheeler!
I have loved this story so much. It has been so sweet and happy to see it finally come to an end. Sad its ending but its all well. Thank you Jeff Wheeler!
February 6, 2026
Such a great ending to the series that just makes you feel warm and happy. The protagonist we able to overcome everything and feel accomplished in their long journey of finding each other!
June 15, 2025
"The Maid’s War" by Jeff Wheeler is a captivating blend of historical fantasy and adventure that explores themes of duty, loyalty, and the enduring power of hope. Set in the universe of the "Kingfountain" series, the novel serves as a prequel to Wheeler’s other works, providing readers with a riveting backstory that is both self-contained and deeply enriching for those familiar with the series. At its core, the story revolves around two protagonists: a young nobleman named Alensson and the enigmatic and inspirational figure known as the Maid, a Joan of Arc-like character whose legacy shapes the events of the Kingfountain world.
The Maid’s unwavering belief in her divine calling raises profound questions about faith, destiny, and the nature of leadership. Her conviction inspires others to follow her, yet it also exposes her to the manipulations of those who seek to exploit her for their own gain. Wheeler invites readers to consider the fine line between faith and fanaticism, as well as the cost of pursuing one’s destiny at all costs.
As the narrator and central observer of the Maid’s journey, Alensson provides a grounded perspective on the events of the novel. Through his eyes, readers experience the highs and lows of the Maid’s campaign, as well as the personal growth he undergoes as a result of his experiences. Alensson’s transformation from a reluctant nobleman to a loyal follower and eventual leader is one of the novel’s most satisfying arcs.
As with his other works, Jeff Wheeler excels at creating a richly detailed and immersive world. The setting of "The Maid’s War" is steeped in history, culture, and mythology, with the Fountain serving as a central element that ties together the fantastical and the spiritual. Wheeler’s prose is elegant and accessible, balancing vivid descriptions with engaging dialogue and a strong narrative drive. His ability to blend historical elements with fantastical themes lends the story a timeless quality that resonates with readers.
"The Maid’s War" is a poignant and powerful tale that stands as both a gripping adventure and a profound exploration of human nature. Jeff Wheeler’s skillful storytelling and richly drawn characters make this novel a must-read for fans of historical fantasy and those seeking a story that challenges and inspires in equal measure. Whether you are new to the Kingfountain series or a longtime admirer, "The Maid’s War" offers a compelling glimpse into the origins of a world shaped by courage, sacrifice, and the enduring power of hope.
The Maid’s unwavering belief in her divine calling raises profound questions about faith, destiny, and the nature of leadership. Her conviction inspires others to follow her, yet it also exposes her to the manipulations of those who seek to exploit her for their own gain. Wheeler invites readers to consider the fine line between faith and fanaticism, as well as the cost of pursuing one’s destiny at all costs.
As the narrator and central observer of the Maid’s journey, Alensson provides a grounded perspective on the events of the novel. Through his eyes, readers experience the highs and lows of the Maid’s campaign, as well as the personal growth he undergoes as a result of his experiences. Alensson’s transformation from a reluctant nobleman to a loyal follower and eventual leader is one of the novel’s most satisfying arcs.
As with his other works, Jeff Wheeler excels at creating a richly detailed and immersive world. The setting of "The Maid’s War" is steeped in history, culture, and mythology, with the Fountain serving as a central element that ties together the fantastical and the spiritual. Wheeler’s prose is elegant and accessible, balancing vivid descriptions with engaging dialogue and a strong narrative drive. His ability to blend historical elements with fantastical themes lends the story a timeless quality that resonates with readers.
"The Maid’s War" is a poignant and powerful tale that stands as both a gripping adventure and a profound exploration of human nature. Jeff Wheeler’s skillful storytelling and richly drawn characters make this novel a must-read for fans of historical fantasy and those seeking a story that challenges and inspires in equal measure. Whether you are new to the Kingfountain series or a longtime admirer, "The Maid’s War" offers a compelling glimpse into the origins of a world shaped by courage, sacrifice, and the enduring power of hope.
January 28, 2019
3.5 stars
I loved the original Kingfountain trilogy and remember thinking this Maid chick must have been a super bad-ass back in her day. When I heard Mr. Wheeler was writing a prequel centered on that character, I knew I had to get it. I waited quite a while, hoping I'd forget a lot of the details and could soak up the story with a fresh perspective. Having read it, I think the myth was more interesting than the story.
This book is still better than a lot of other fantasy books, I just wasn't all that invested in any of the characters. We get zero backstory on the Maid herself for one. We only meet her after the Fountain has granted her powers and given her visions of the future. So she's basically invincible and omniscient throughout the book. There is little danger for the major players in the story as long as they follow her advice to the letter. And even when thing go badly for the Maid, she has already foreseen it and accepts the outcome willingly. It's somewhat to be expected, I guess, but it drained the tension out of all of the action in the story. Also, I thought her actions would have shaped the course of history for this world. But really all she was there to do was move the chess (excuse me... Wizr) pieces around the board a bit and get thing ready for the real conflict that occurs in the original trilogy. The story felt pretty small when you look back on it.
It did keep my attention for the whole runtime, though. I'd recommend it to any fan of the Kingfountain books. Just don't get your hopes too high on what you'll learn here.
I loved the original Kingfountain trilogy and remember thinking this Maid chick must have been a super bad-ass back in her day. When I heard Mr. Wheeler was writing a prequel centered on that character, I knew I had to get it. I waited quite a while, hoping I'd forget a lot of the details and could soak up the story with a fresh perspective. Having read it, I think the myth was more interesting than the story.
This book is still better than a lot of other fantasy books, I just wasn't all that invested in any of the characters. We get zero backstory on the Maid herself for one. We only meet her after the Fountain has granted her powers and given her visions of the future. So she's basically invincible and omniscient throughout the book. There is little danger for the major players in the story as long as they follow her advice to the letter. And even when thing go badly for the Maid, she has already foreseen it and accepts the outcome willingly. It's somewhat to be expected, I guess, but it drained the tension out of all of the action in the story. Also, I thought her actions would have shaped the course of history for this world. But really all she was there to do was move the chess (excuse me... Wizr) pieces around the board a bit and get thing ready for the real conflict that occurs in the original trilogy. The story felt pretty small when you look back on it.
It did keep my attention for the whole runtime, though. I'd recommend it to any fan of the Kingfountain books. Just don't get your hopes too high on what you'll learn here.
January 30, 2020
Star Rating: 5 stars
Note: This is the 2nd prequel novel to the Kingfountain series and intended to be read after book 3, The King’s Traitor, according the author’s own reading order so this will not be an in-depth review.
As I have probably stated before, one of my goals this year is to finish reading some of the more prolific writers on my TBR. (Robin Hobb, Terry Brooks, and Jeff Wheeler in case you were wondering!!!!!!!) With that being said, I recently finished the Kingfountain series by Jeff Wheeler with The Maid’s War (Yes, I read them out of order because I had to inter-library loan them through my local library, so I read them as they came in.) This tells the story of the Maid of Donremy and her quest to fulfill the Fountain’s wishes in a world filled with treachery and deceit.
The best things about this book is the same things that is good about the entire series, mainly the fact that Wheeler is great at creating female characters that stand on their own as well creating stories that have a kernel of actual history at the center. This story in particular is based on the story of Joan of Arc and the people both inspired and threatened by her, and she also happens to be a strong female character.
All in all, this was a great addition/completion to the series, and I can’t wait to read Wheeler’s other series, actually I already have The Wretched of Muirwood checked out from my library.
Note: This is the 2nd prequel novel to the Kingfountain series and intended to be read after book 3, The King’s Traitor, according the author’s own reading order so this will not be an in-depth review.
As I have probably stated before, one of my goals this year is to finish reading some of the more prolific writers on my TBR. (Robin Hobb, Terry Brooks, and Jeff Wheeler in case you were wondering!!!!!!!) With that being said, I recently finished the Kingfountain series by Jeff Wheeler with The Maid’s War (Yes, I read them out of order because I had to inter-library loan them through my local library, so I read them as they came in.) This tells the story of the Maid of Donremy and her quest to fulfill the Fountain’s wishes in a world filled with treachery and deceit.
The best things about this book is the same things that is good about the entire series, mainly the fact that Wheeler is great at creating female characters that stand on their own as well creating stories that have a kernel of actual history at the center. This story in particular is based on the story of Joan of Arc and the people both inspired and threatened by her, and she also happens to be a strong female character.
All in all, this was a great addition/completion to the series, and I can’t wait to read Wheeler’s other series, actually I already have The Wretched of Muirwood checked out from my library.
May 2, 2019
After reading the previous books in the series, I found this one very disappointing. The previous books held respect for others, compassion and doing the right thing as standards for the protagonists. The Maid of Donremy was written as a person of great compassion and goodness. In this tale as we finally learn about the Maid, she repeatedly harassed and drove out camp followers aka prostitutes. As someone who is supposed to be some paragon of The Fountain, which clearly is a metaphor for Christianity, it would seem far more in character for her to show compassion to these women and help them find other ways of supporting themselves. For as far as I got into the book, the soldiers who consorted with the camp followers weren't criticized or disciplined whereas the women were yelled at, hit and driven from the camp. It focused on this so much in one section early on in the book that I had to stop reading it as I was disgusted by the prejudice. It seemed so incredibly out of character and not the tone expressed everywhere else in the books.
It was very disappointing as I've previously given this author's other books five stars. I now have zero desire to finish the book or read anything else by this author. I've posted this same review on Amazon.
It was very disappointing as I've previously given this author's other books five stars. I now have zero desire to finish the book or read anything else by this author. I've posted this same review on Amazon.
February 26, 2019
Great story worth reading...a real gem!
This story is so we'll written it actually comes alive in your mind. You will actually see it come alive in the stage of your mind... totally unbidden by you. I believe that all excellent storytellers have this gift as does Jeff Wheeler. I read this prequel after I read the first five books of his Kingfountain series. Now I am ready to start reading book six. To date, I have read almost twenty of his books which are well crafted memorable stories really about life. These are excellent books for teenagers, young adults, adults, and the elderly as they teach the timeless principles about real life and not the false lives most of live. This particular book found me crying alot because of the tenders moments in life we all encounter. Real men need to learn to cry xx which comes naturally to women. The this healing that comes from crying and helps us develop forgiveness and compassion.
This story is so we'll written it actually comes alive in your mind. You will actually see it come alive in the stage of your mind... totally unbidden by you. I believe that all excellent storytellers have this gift as does Jeff Wheeler. I read this prequel after I read the first five books of his Kingfountain series. Now I am ready to start reading book six. To date, I have read almost twenty of his books which are well crafted memorable stories really about life. These are excellent books for teenagers, young adults, adults, and the elderly as they teach the timeless principles about real life and not the false lives most of live. This particular book found me crying alot because of the tenders moments in life we all encounter. Real men need to learn to cry xx which comes naturally to women. The this healing that comes from crying and helps us develop forgiveness and compassion.
February 15, 2019
I liked the Maid in the story, this was the main line for me in the book to follow. You do not really need to read the author's note to know that Jean d'Arc was behind the character of the Maid. The Maid was strong and passionate and it is a story about honor and belief. She was everything the story of Jean d'Arc is: compassion, confidence, and courage.
I am reading Jeff Wheeler's books in the order advanced by the author himself in his blog. And I should say, so far it is the right order. Meeting Ankarette here after reading the first 3 books of the Kingfountain brings this warm feeling of nostalgia for the character and her role in this world. The book also brought in some details about the world and lives of people in the Kingfountain, so that was nice. However, I did not find anything new to the magic in the word or the structure. I can even say that if I read this book before the kingfountain series, I would spoil them completely and I would find no hidden story about the world, as secrets were already known and clear.
Therefore I do advice to read these books it as Jeff prescribes, so far this order did not let me down.
I am reading Jeff Wheeler's books in the order advanced by the author himself in his blog. And I should say, so far it is the right order. Meeting Ankarette here after reading the first 3 books of the Kingfountain brings this warm feeling of nostalgia for the character and her role in this world. The book also brought in some details about the world and lives of people in the Kingfountain, so that was nice. However, I did not find anything new to the magic in the word or the structure. I can even say that if I read this book before the kingfountain series, I would spoil them completely and I would find no hidden story about the world, as secrets were already known and clear.
Therefore I do advice to read these books it as Jeff prescribes, so far this order did not let me down.
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