Mordan has lost their king, and Harruq Tun is a poor replacement. He has slain a god, but he cannot quell the unrest growing between the angels and the humans they are supposed to protect. The thin line between protectors and rulers blurs with each bloody death.
An army of beast-men lays siege to the north, while in the south, the nation of Ker invades seeking to overthrow the rule of angels. Those same angels are Mordan's only hope of defending itself on two fronts, if only they would look beyond the rebuilding of their fallen city.
Wizards and paladins, priests and angels, they all seek to benefit from the chaos. But a single figure manipulates them all from the shadows, seeking to overthrow the kingdom Harruq and his friends have fought so desperately to defend, and replace it with another…
THE KING OF THE VILE by David Dalglish New kingdoms arise from the ruins of the old. ------
About the Author:
David Dalglish currently lives in rural Missouri with his wife Samantha, and daughters Morgan and Katherine. He graduated from Missouri Southern State University in 2006 with a degree in Mathematics and spends way too much time playing Hearthstone.
Man, these books do not let up. Each one builds and plots and stirs, turning what has happened upside down and leaving you breathless for whatever may come next.
CRAP! These are all of them that are out! Hurry, Mr. Dalglish! I NEED MORE HALF-ORCS!!!
Okay, granted I've been rooting for David Dalglish since I read the first Half-orcs book. I mean, the writing style, the character development, and the way the story just grips you, making you forget the time or *even worse* food! I thought, rather negatively, that this book would take a downward turn but boy I was wrong, and I've never been happier! It doesn't let up. I mean it's one thing when you're fighting against demons, dark prophets and even war gods—you know they're the bad guys. But when an established force of good turns on you? The conflict isn't just a physical one, it's downright existential, challenging everything you believe. I loved it all!
Patiently waiting for the next one: The King of the Fallen!
The beauty of Dalglish's writing is his ability to take huge ideas and deliver them through fiction so the reader isn't overwhelmed. He also isn't shy about going places that are just plain messed up. Taking heroes and turning them into villains, taking villains and turning them heroes, these may sound like tropes but in the hands of Dalglish they become incredible journeys of discovering the limits and depths of human imagination and faith. This is a story of values twisted by ego into caricatures of goodness. And through it all the characters we've loved continue to push forward in hope.
My man David Dalglish does it again, this addition to the Half-Orc series was just as captivating as the first six, and I continue to be enthralled by his adept storytelling. Thank you for creating this wonderful world David, i look forward to your next epic tale :)
This was still good with just as good fights as I have come to expect from Mr Dalglish and yet I do like the more personal and intimate moments between the character too.
I really enjoyed this series. After reading the epilogue of book 7, I actually expected David to actually stick with the plan of having the evil ending to the series. Death and failing of the heroes is what I actually expected. I am sad that I finished the book with SSSOOOO MANY other plots unfinished but, after walking it off and cooling off for a hour, I can only expect that there would have to be more to this series. Hopefully. Obviously it would be way to difficult to close more than nine sub plots. But still DDAMMIT! So good. An awesome author. My first time reading his work. Have to say he has become a favorite. His ability to teleport you to the world of Dezrel and imagine you are into each battle sequence, each convo. Standing next to the great brute Harruq and his family that he has grown with. Really look forward to the next book (if there will be). Now, just have to cool off and start he next series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
English has created complex, compelling characters and continues to develop both the characters and their stories. If you have read the half orc books, there is no more to say. If not, grab them and dive in from the beginning. Not since Elric has there been more unlikely protagonists. English writes characters with depth and consistency. This edition deals with what happens when angels live among humans and have lost communication with their God.
I read this book first when it released, and again now. It's every bit as compelling and gripping as so many other of David's work. If you've been a fan of the half-orc series so far, you'll be more than happy to journey through this awesome addition to the series.
David Dalglish has kept me hanging on in a series that is great for all of its twists and turns. In my opinion he is destined to become one of the greats.