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The Rotten King
Protected for almost ten centuries by the magic within its walls and the strength of the Olorum line, the city of Helvia stands as a bastion of tradition, civility, and good wine. The return of its lord, more than a decade after his mysterious disappearance, should have been an auspicious sign. But now it seems that misfortune has shadowed his return, come to plague the ancient city.
As the rains of Lament lash the land in an unrelenting downpour, monstrous creatures and assassins now lurk in the dark corners of the city, stalking the streets at night. A series of gruesome murders and rumors of an army to the east have the citizens of Helvia on edge, and all eyes now turn to Lord Melyon to guide them through these troubled times. Two unlikely allies stand at his side: Teriel, a no-nonsense witch from the swamps of the Ire, and Lyrant, an errant sell-sword with the curse of Chaos seemingly never far behind. As rot begins to fester in the city and beyond its walls, will Helvia and its defenders be strong enough to prevail?
As the rains of Lament lash the land in an unrelenting downpour, monstrous creatures and assassins now lurk in the dark corners of the city, stalking the streets at night. A series of gruesome murders and rumors of an army to the east have the citizens of Helvia on edge, and all eyes now turn to Lord Melyon to guide them through these troubled times. Two unlikely allies stand at his side: Teriel, a no-nonsense witch from the swamps of the Ire, and Lyrant, an errant sell-sword with the curse of Chaos seemingly never far behind. As rot begins to fester in the city and beyond its walls, will Helvia and its defenders be strong enough to prevail?
- GenresFantasy
650 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 23, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
June 15, 2026
4.25 stars.
Thank you to the author for the ARC in exchange for a review!
The Rotten King is a gripping epic fantasy novel filled with rich world building, beautiful and descriptive writing, complex characters and a plethora of fantastical creatures! From the very beginning of this novel, I was in awe of how deep and integrated the lore is in this world, from journal and letter snippets to writings about the gods at the beginning of each chapter, the author's effort and years of planning really shine through and serve to make the novel bursting with life.
This novel has a very dark and moody tone throughout, making the atmosphere grim and adding to that strong build up of foreboding that culminates at the end of the novel. If you're looking for an easy breezy book to read, then this is not for you as The Rotten King is brutal from start to finish, the characters make choices that many people would disagree with, and their actions have consequences that haunt them through it all, BUT with an army advancing on their doorstep, I supported their right and wrongs! All of the battle scenes were very easy to follow, and felt so real which is a testament to how fantastic T.G. Willow's writing was. As someone who is extremely squeamish, I struggled a tad with some of the gore, but that comes with the epic fantasy territory haha so I'm not holding that against this book.
The plot starts off pretty slow, as is the case with most fantasy novels, as we are learning about the characters and the world, but once it started to pick up, I got really invested! There are so many different aspects of the plot that thankfully didn't feel confusing, and instead it was easy to understand, especially with the glossary of terms, places and characters at the beginning of the story. With three POV characters, I was worried that the narration would get muddied but each character had a distinct voice and I was pleased that they felt different and individual! I really enjoyed reading from each of our POV characters (Lyrant, Melyon and Teriel). They each offered different insights into the story, despite being in the same location for a decent portion of the novel, their backstories and histories each serve a different purpose as to what the reader gets out of their perspective. However, my favourite character was undoubtedly Lyrant! He goes through so many horrors, in this book and throughout his whole life basically, and I just want to wrap him up in a hug!!!! I also really enjoyed Melyon and Teriel's perspectives, their entwined stories and their love and anguish that comes with that was delicious!
I was also really impressed with the different creatures that feature in this book. Vampires play a huge role in this novel, and I really enjoyed how they were more unusual compared to the vampires we see in most fiction these days. Their weaknesses were interesting and established throughout, and I appreciated how they didn't break the rules that were set up for their species. There are also shape-shifters, witches, and a variety of other magic systems that were so intriguing, and I hope we can see more of them in-depth in book 2!!
Overall, I had a fantastic experience with this novel!! Once again, I want to point out how well T.G. Willow integrated the lore of this world. From the start, I could tell the world was incredibly thought out and I appreciated that from the first page until the last. If you're looking for a dark fantasy novel with interesting magic systems, breathtaking writing, and deep, complex characters then this is the book for you!!
Thank you to the author for the ARC in exchange for a review!
The Rotten King is a gripping epic fantasy novel filled with rich world building, beautiful and descriptive writing, complex characters and a plethora of fantastical creatures! From the very beginning of this novel, I was in awe of how deep and integrated the lore is in this world, from journal and letter snippets to writings about the gods at the beginning of each chapter, the author's effort and years of planning really shine through and serve to make the novel bursting with life.
This novel has a very dark and moody tone throughout, making the atmosphere grim and adding to that strong build up of foreboding that culminates at the end of the novel. If you're looking for an easy breezy book to read, then this is not for you as The Rotten King is brutal from start to finish, the characters make choices that many people would disagree with, and their actions have consequences that haunt them through it all, BUT with an army advancing on their doorstep, I supported their right and wrongs! All of the battle scenes were very easy to follow, and felt so real which is a testament to how fantastic T.G. Willow's writing was. As someone who is extremely squeamish, I struggled a tad with some of the gore, but that comes with the epic fantasy territory haha so I'm not holding that against this book.
The plot starts off pretty slow, as is the case with most fantasy novels, as we are learning about the characters and the world, but once it started to pick up, I got really invested! There are so many different aspects of the plot that thankfully didn't feel confusing, and instead it was easy to understand, especially with the glossary of terms, places and characters at the beginning of the story. With three POV characters, I was worried that the narration would get muddied but each character had a distinct voice and I was pleased that they felt different and individual! I really enjoyed reading from each of our POV characters (Lyrant, Melyon and Teriel). They each offered different insights into the story, despite being in the same location for a decent portion of the novel, their backstories and histories each serve a different purpose as to what the reader gets out of their perspective. However, my favourite character was undoubtedly Lyrant! He goes through so many horrors, in this book and throughout his whole life basically, and I just want to wrap him up in a hug!!!! I also really enjoyed Melyon and Teriel's perspectives, their entwined stories and their love and anguish that comes with that was delicious!
I was also really impressed with the different creatures that feature in this book. Vampires play a huge role in this novel, and I really enjoyed how they were more unusual compared to the vampires we see in most fiction these days. Their weaknesses were interesting and established throughout, and I appreciated how they didn't break the rules that were set up for their species. There are also shape-shifters, witches, and a variety of other magic systems that were so intriguing, and I hope we can see more of them in-depth in book 2!!
Overall, I had a fantastic experience with this novel!! Once again, I want to point out how well T.G. Willow integrated the lore of this world. From the start, I could tell the world was incredibly thought out and I appreciated that from the first page until the last. If you're looking for a dark fantasy novel with interesting magic systems, breathtaking writing, and deep, complex characters then this is the book for you!!
May 30, 2026
ARC REVIEW
Where to even begin with this? This was my first time doing an arc read and what a fantastic story to start with! I genuinely don’t think I have any cons from this read. It was everything I personally want to see in my high fantasy reads. The world building was extensive and well thought out, but easy to follow, and I loved all the little excerpts at the start of each chapter. They really make it feel like you’re catching a glimpse into a living time and place. I was hooked on the story from the beginning; you’re really just thrust right into the world and the action and it’s like you’re right there along for the ride.
I’ve got a few key notes to mention in my review, but as a general overview, if you’re a fan of The Starless Crown (Moonfall Saga), The Priory of the Orange Tree, The Witcher, or Castlevania, I found this book to basically be a culmination of all these things with its own fresh take.
In other more specific terms, I loved the magic system in this world. There are different varieties and they all have distinct rules and features which I thought really helped flesh out the world, and also give it a sense of realness. On that note, I also loved that the main characters were 30+ age wise, and all of their relationships and histories were very complex and unique.
Their histories are told very naturally too, not just immediately laid out in long spiels. They’re more told through reiterated facts throughout the story, like as if you’re old friends with the characters and they’re just reminding you of things you already knew.
The plot definitely keeps you on your toes throughout most of the story, especially towards the end when the pace picks up, but it remains easy to follow along with and I was able to predict what some of the major plot twists were going to be. Not in a boring predictable way, but because the twists had been set up so well that when they did come, they made perfect sense.
I will say if you’re not someone who’s big on world building and plot development, you might find some parts of the story a little slow, but I personally love being immersed in world building and getting to know the story set up before the plot really kicks in! All in all, I loved this book and highly recommend it. As a physical copy lover, I’ll definitely be picking up another copy of it once it’s out!
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SPOILER INCLUDED REVIEW FROM HERE ON
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Little more in depth review from here on, starting with Lyrant’s character. I love how complex he is with the mystery of his past, the traumatic details we do know, and how he struggles to mesh his current world with his previous one. I wish we got to learn more about his curse but I’m assuming that’ll be yet to come in the continuation of the story 👀 I’m especially intrigued by the reflection that is him but isn’t, and the whole thing with him being Unnamed. Give me the juicy details of this curse, Authors 🙂↕️ His relationships with Melyon and Mirean really seal how complicated his past is, and how he doesn’t know how to realign who he was with who he is.
As for Melyon and Teriel, I liked the tension brought from his being a vampire and how she was changing too. I feel like in most stories featuring vampires, they’re portrayed as either undisputed monsters or their love interests forgive every single thing about them and romanticize their fate. Teriel did not do this. Her struggles with letting herself acknowledge the full truth of what Melyon was while also not being blind to those facts made sense for a human who is in love with a vampire. And also the fact that what they shared was changing her in some ways definitely made her fear and regrets make sense.
Vice versa, Melyon’s internal struggle between what he is and his remaining humanity helped make him a compelling character who wasn’t reduced to just a monster or just a misfortune hero. Melyon and Teriel really mirrored each other and it was refreshing how authentic their relationship felt with the problems arising through it. I also loved how kind and gentle Melyon could be, and that Teriel was a badass and a strong woman without her character being turned into a total jerk; she definitely still had a soft side too (just something I personally feel like happens in books too many times.)
Now with Ellit, all I’ll say is I called the twist and it was fantastic, and Lyrant deserves better. Also I would not be mad if we’ve not actually seen the last of Ellit, though Lyrant doesn’t need another ghost 😭😂
I think that basically sums up everything I had for this review, so huge thanks to the authors for this arc reading opportunity and y’all go buy this book as soon as it’s available 👀
Where to even begin with this? This was my first time doing an arc read and what a fantastic story to start with! I genuinely don’t think I have any cons from this read. It was everything I personally want to see in my high fantasy reads. The world building was extensive and well thought out, but easy to follow, and I loved all the little excerpts at the start of each chapter. They really make it feel like you’re catching a glimpse into a living time and place. I was hooked on the story from the beginning; you’re really just thrust right into the world and the action and it’s like you’re right there along for the ride.
I’ve got a few key notes to mention in my review, but as a general overview, if you’re a fan of The Starless Crown (Moonfall Saga), The Priory of the Orange Tree, The Witcher, or Castlevania, I found this book to basically be a culmination of all these things with its own fresh take.
In other more specific terms, I loved the magic system in this world. There are different varieties and they all have distinct rules and features which I thought really helped flesh out the world, and also give it a sense of realness. On that note, I also loved that the main characters were 30+ age wise, and all of their relationships and histories were very complex and unique.
Their histories are told very naturally too, not just immediately laid out in long spiels. They’re more told through reiterated facts throughout the story, like as if you’re old friends with the characters and they’re just reminding you of things you already knew.
The plot definitely keeps you on your toes throughout most of the story, especially towards the end when the pace picks up, but it remains easy to follow along with and I was able to predict what some of the major plot twists were going to be. Not in a boring predictable way, but because the twists had been set up so well that when they did come, they made perfect sense.
I will say if you’re not someone who’s big on world building and plot development, you might find some parts of the story a little slow, but I personally love being immersed in world building and getting to know the story set up before the plot really kicks in! All in all, I loved this book and highly recommend it. As a physical copy lover, I’ll definitely be picking up another copy of it once it’s out!
.
.
.
.
.
.
SPOILER INCLUDED REVIEW FROM HERE ON
.
.
.
.
.
.
Little more in depth review from here on, starting with Lyrant’s character. I love how complex he is with the mystery of his past, the traumatic details we do know, and how he struggles to mesh his current world with his previous one. I wish we got to learn more about his curse but I’m assuming that’ll be yet to come in the continuation of the story 👀 I’m especially intrigued by the reflection that is him but isn’t, and the whole thing with him being Unnamed. Give me the juicy details of this curse, Authors 🙂↕️ His relationships with Melyon and Mirean really seal how complicated his past is, and how he doesn’t know how to realign who he was with who he is.
As for Melyon and Teriel, I liked the tension brought from his being a vampire and how she was changing too. I feel like in most stories featuring vampires, they’re portrayed as either undisputed monsters or their love interests forgive every single thing about them and romanticize their fate. Teriel did not do this. Her struggles with letting herself acknowledge the full truth of what Melyon was while also not being blind to those facts made sense for a human who is in love with a vampire. And also the fact that what they shared was changing her in some ways definitely made her fear and regrets make sense.
Vice versa, Melyon’s internal struggle between what he is and his remaining humanity helped make him a compelling character who wasn’t reduced to just a monster or just a misfortune hero. Melyon and Teriel really mirrored each other and it was refreshing how authentic their relationship felt with the problems arising through it. I also loved how kind and gentle Melyon could be, and that Teriel was a badass and a strong woman without her character being turned into a total jerk; she definitely still had a soft side too (just something I personally feel like happens in books too many times.)
Now with Ellit, all I’ll say is I called the twist and it was fantastic, and Lyrant deserves better. Also I would not be mad if we’ve not actually seen the last of Ellit, though Lyrant doesn’t need another ghost 😭😂
I think that basically sums up everything I had for this review, so huge thanks to the authors for this arc reading opportunity and y’all go buy this book as soon as it’s available 👀
May 19, 2026
First and foremost, thank you to the author for the ARC! I found out about "The Rotten King" by mere chance and was lucky enough to get a copy, and read it a bit before the official release.
A gripping, albeit a little slow and confusing start of the story, but only because it's an epic fantasy and those take time. The map and list of characters and words definitely helped. I especially liked that there were different gods, and that this is going to be a wide-scale world with different lore and cultures. I'm a bit disappointed that we didn't get an Erisimouri POV from someone within Erisimour, even tho there were a lot of Erisimouri characters (but they weren't part of all that, sooo). It would have helped understand the conflict and resentment towards them, not just finding out things "second hand" or from bigots. But this is a trilogy, so I suspect we'll get there in the next instalments.
Surprisingly, the character I liked the most was Lenta, who I hope will have a bigger role or some screentime in the rest of the series. She was fun to follow from others' POV.
I also liked the plottwist surrounding the Rotten King. When I started reading, I expected something completely different, so that was interesting. Overall, the book felt like a mix of "Salem's Lot" and "Empire of the Vampire", in terms of having an epic fantasy with vampires where the vampires had their own lore, rules and were quite menacing. I liked how water was their weakness and the whole concept of Lament (kudos for using that part of the vampire myth, you don't see it that often in modern fiction). There was also something very D&D about it, in terms of atmosphere and characters' actions; I can't explain it, iykyk.
A gripping, albeit a little slow and confusing start of the story, but only because it's an epic fantasy and those take time. The map and list of characters and words definitely helped. I especially liked that there were different gods, and that this is going to be a wide-scale world with different lore and cultures. I'm a bit disappointed that we didn't get an Erisimouri POV from someone within Erisimour, even tho there were a lot of Erisimouri characters (but they weren't part of all that, sooo). It would have helped understand the conflict and resentment towards them, not just finding out things "second hand" or from bigots. But this is a trilogy, so I suspect we'll get there in the next instalments.
Surprisingly, the character I liked the most was Lenta, who I hope will have a bigger role or some screentime in the rest of the series. She was fun to follow from others' POV.
I also liked the plottwist surrounding the Rotten King. When I started reading, I expected something completely different, so that was interesting. Overall, the book felt like a mix of "Salem's Lot" and "Empire of the Vampire", in terms of having an epic fantasy with vampires where the vampires had their own lore, rules and were quite menacing. I liked how water was their weakness and the whole concept of Lament (kudos for using that part of the vampire myth, you don't see it that often in modern fiction). There was also something very D&D about it, in terms of atmosphere and characters' actions; I can't explain it, iykyk.
June 23, 2026
Review of an Advanced Reader Copy provided by the authors
Do you want to read a book where authors truly understand how to balance show and tell. This is the one for you.
I know, I know, the book is a brick. BUT! Every scene feels intentional, allowing the story to unfold naturally while still delivering the emotional weight it aims for. The atmosphere is grim, moody, and immersive from beginning to end. The prose is beautifully crafted, perfectly matching the dark tone of the story and drawing you deeper into its world with every chapter.
One thing this book does exceptionally well is make choices matter. Actions have consequences, and the story never shies away from the fallout. It's brutal from start to finish, delivering plenty of gut-wrenching moments along the way. Se that's worth picking it up for! I love when authors actually dare to punish their characters for their actions.
The beginning can be, for certain readers, admittedly slow, but the payoff is absolutely worth it. The careful build-up creates a stronger emotional impact when the story truly takes off.
Now, I may be a little biased, as I was one of the first beta readers for this project. In fact, I've beta read it twice and even had the chance to read the very first draft. Because of that, I've seen firsthand how much this book has evolved. The growth is incredible. From scenes that once felt so so awkward to moments that now hit with devastating emotional force. The authors have put an immense amount of work into refining this story.
If you're looking for a character-driven novel that will play with your emotions and leave a lasting impression, this is one you should definitely pick up.
And to the authors - thank you for the incredibly kind acknowledgment. Seeing my name included meant more than I can say. Congratulations on your release. You've worked hard for this, and it shows ❤️
Do you want to read a book where authors truly understand how to balance show and tell. This is the one for you.
I know, I know, the book is a brick. BUT! Every scene feels intentional, allowing the story to unfold naturally while still delivering the emotional weight it aims for. The atmosphere is grim, moody, and immersive from beginning to end. The prose is beautifully crafted, perfectly matching the dark tone of the story and drawing you deeper into its world with every chapter.
One thing this book does exceptionally well is make choices matter. Actions have consequences, and the story never shies away from the fallout. It's brutal from start to finish, delivering plenty of gut-wrenching moments along the way. Se that's worth picking it up for! I love when authors actually dare to punish their characters for their actions.
The beginning can be, for certain readers, admittedly slow, but the payoff is absolutely worth it. The careful build-up creates a stronger emotional impact when the story truly takes off.
Now, I may be a little biased, as I was one of the first beta readers for this project. In fact, I've beta read it twice and even had the chance to read the very first draft. Because of that, I've seen firsthand how much this book has evolved. The growth is incredible. From scenes that once felt so so awkward to moments that now hit with devastating emotional force. The authors have put an immense amount of work into refining this story.
If you're looking for a character-driven novel that will play with your emotions and leave a lasting impression, this is one you should definitely pick up.
And to the authors - thank you for the incredibly kind acknowledgment. Seeing my name included meant more than I can say. Congratulations on your release. You've worked hard for this, and it shows ❤️
June 23, 2026
Thank you to T. G. Willow and her team for an anticipated reading copy in exchange for a review!
This was a JOURNEY, let me tell you. As an avid Soulsborne fan, this was nothing short of fantastic. The magic was VAST and so diverse, the world building was a joy with little snippets of lore at the start of every chapter that gave you a more in depth window of how the world worked and its folklore, the action scenes had me perched on the literal edge of my chair, and the CHARACTERSSS.
I laughed, I teared up, I mourned and I raged alongside these beautifully written characters.
As a Hobb fan, slower books with a focus on characters are 👌 chefs kiss no notes perfect, and I loved meeting all the characters in this book. Terri, Lyrant and Lenta specifically are so so so so incredible and I can’t wait to read more of them.
And the vampires, oh my lord, I LOVEEE when authors give a fresh spin on a well known creature such as the vampire, and the way T. G. Willow molded their weaknesses and made them fit so well in the rest of the moody, rainy world.
It’s also very fitting that I finished the arc on accident on the day that it’s being released! I can’t wait to see what book 2 holds, and hopefully my boy Lyrant catches like a modicum of a break.
This was a JOURNEY, let me tell you. As an avid Soulsborne fan, this was nothing short of fantastic. The magic was VAST and so diverse, the world building was a joy with little snippets of lore at the start of every chapter that gave you a more in depth window of how the world worked and its folklore, the action scenes had me perched on the literal edge of my chair, and the CHARACTERSSS.
I laughed, I teared up, I mourned and I raged alongside these beautifully written characters.
As a Hobb fan, slower books with a focus on characters are 👌 chefs kiss no notes perfect, and I loved meeting all the characters in this book. Terri, Lyrant and Lenta specifically are so so so so incredible and I can’t wait to read more of them.
And the vampires, oh my lord, I LOVEEE when authors give a fresh spin on a well known creature such as the vampire, and the way T. G. Willow molded their weaknesses and made them fit so well in the rest of the moody, rainy world.
It’s also very fitting that I finished the arc on accident on the day that it’s being released! I can’t wait to see what book 2 holds, and hopefully my boy Lyrant catches like a modicum of a break.
June 23, 2026
An unexpected brilliant read
I must admit that I do not usually pick up fantasy books. It is just not my typical genre, but something about the description of The Rotten King by T J Willow caught my eye and I am so incredibly glad it did. I was hooked from the very first page.
The world building is fantastic without being overwhelming. Sometimes fantasy can feel like homework with endless pages of history, but the author balances everything beautifully. The characters are brilliantly written and deeply relatable, which made it so easy to get completely invested in their journey. I realised halfway through that I was genuinely rooting for them as if they were real people.
The pacing is spot on and the plot kept me guessing until the final sentence. It has a wonderful atmosphere that feels both gritty and magical at the same time.
If you are a massive fantasy fan you will love this, but if you are someone who usually avoids the genre like me, please give it a go. This book has officially converted me and I will definitely be reading more from this author in the future.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I must admit that I do not usually pick up fantasy books. It is just not my typical genre, but something about the description of The Rotten King by T J Willow caught my eye and I am so incredibly glad it did. I was hooked from the very first page.
The world building is fantastic without being overwhelming. Sometimes fantasy can feel like homework with endless pages of history, but the author balances everything beautifully. The characters are brilliantly written and deeply relatable, which made it so easy to get completely invested in their journey. I realised halfway through that I was genuinely rooting for them as if they were real people.
The pacing is spot on and the plot kept me guessing until the final sentence. It has a wonderful atmosphere that feels both gritty and magical at the same time.
If you are a massive fantasy fan you will love this, but if you are someone who usually avoids the genre like me, please give it a go. This book has officially converted me and I will definitely be reading more from this author in the future.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 23, 2026
Thank you so much to the author for the ARC!
4.5⭐️
This book is a dark fantasy with an exquisitely crafted plot and worldbuilding. There are vampires, shapeshifters, and three POV characters each with their own unique personalities and outlooks. The twists in the story leave me wanting more, so I’m very excited that there will be more books in the series.
Having such a well fleshed-out magic system is deeply satisfying, and the way in which the world’s history is revealed is very natural and not overly pedantic or info-dumping, which is often difficult to pull off with such epic world-building, so well done!
Each of the characters has things to love and admire about them, without flaws that avoid that feeling of a character being too perfect. I cannot pick a favorite as I love each one for different reasons.
If you’re into dark fantasy or vampires, love in-depth worldbuilding, and don’t mind a bit of gore, this is the book for you.
4.5⭐️
This book is a dark fantasy with an exquisitely crafted plot and worldbuilding. There are vampires, shapeshifters, and three POV characters each with their own unique personalities and outlooks. The twists in the story leave me wanting more, so I’m very excited that there will be more books in the series.
Having such a well fleshed-out magic system is deeply satisfying, and the way in which the world’s history is revealed is very natural and not overly pedantic or info-dumping, which is often difficult to pull off with such epic world-building, so well done!
Each of the characters has things to love and admire about them, without flaws that avoid that feeling of a character being too perfect. I cannot pick a favorite as I love each one for different reasons.
If you’re into dark fantasy or vampires, love in-depth worldbuilding, and don’t mind a bit of gore, this is the book for you.
April 12, 2026
4.5⭐️
An epic fantasy with vampires? Immediately, yes.
Willow skillfully weaves beautiful prose that brings Helvia to life. It was so difficult to put this book down. The characters are complex and well fleshed out, and it’s clear the author put immense thought into crafting the story, characters, and world. The world is detailed and vast, making it feel incredibly immersive. Despite its scope, I had no trouble following the lore and storylines, which speaks to Willow’s skill. My favorite character is Melyon—he’s my dark cinnamon bun hero. There are vampires, necromancy, animal shifters, and a wide variety of magic systems. As someone who adores fantastical worlds with unique magic systems, this was the perfect fit for me.
My only small criticism was that I predicted one of the plot twists. However, this didn’t impact my reading experience much, as the main focus was on the buildup of a sense of foreboding.
I’m beyond excited for the next book’s release. I’ll be daydreaming about these amazing characters in the meantime. Thank you to the author for the ARC!
An epic fantasy with vampires? Immediately, yes.
Willow skillfully weaves beautiful prose that brings Helvia to life. It was so difficult to put this book down. The characters are complex and well fleshed out, and it’s clear the author put immense thought into crafting the story, characters, and world. The world is detailed and vast, making it feel incredibly immersive. Despite its scope, I had no trouble following the lore and storylines, which speaks to Willow’s skill. My favorite character is Melyon—he’s my dark cinnamon bun hero. There are vampires, necromancy, animal shifters, and a wide variety of magic systems. As someone who adores fantastical worlds with unique magic systems, this was the perfect fit for me.
My only small criticism was that I predicted one of the plot twists. However, this didn’t impact my reading experience much, as the main focus was on the buildup of a sense of foreboding.
I’m beyond excited for the next book’s release. I’ll be daydreaming about these amazing characters in the meantime. Thank you to the author for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
4,5 Stars; ARC-Review, thank you T.G. Willow for giving me the book for an honest review!
"For a vampire that can love is a vampire that is doomed. Their heart shall be their undoing." (Page 423)
"There was nowhere he belonged; he had spent so long running away from who he was that he had gotten lost somewhere along the way." (Page 56)
The Rotten King is a wonderful thick Epic Fantasy Book with grimdark vibes (it is not grimdark genre! but has that grim and dark vibe but that is it) which is normally not where you find me. Here I think I found a slight and good taste test and decided that this is just the right amount of that particular taste for my palate! A bit grim, a bit dark. A fight against it to keep what good you found.
I was reminded of how much I loved the series Castlevania and why. The vibe was so similar to me, different cities and cultures mingling with all those troubles, magic bringing back what is dead and lost, Vampires with Personality and Feelings that goes further than just "sucks blood and looks good while doing so", the ethics with magic and power, and I loved that. The struggle between what is monster and what is human (a person) and the question of where do we draw the line in horrible situations of survival captured my attention. I am very eager to return to this world and to see more cities and seasonal changes! And to see and follow the characters again, to learn more about them, see them struggle once again and climb out.
Lyrant (The worst of Luck), Teriel (the witch queen that I throw my hands in the air for in frustration) and Melyon (Emo King of bloody Self-Sacrifice) try to find and have a home in a society of a city where none of them can be truly themselves. But for that the city has to keep existing safely and the undead are prowling the night while the dead rise from graves for a rebel army.
The quality of the world building is breathtaking for me. As I said further up the world reminded me with it's vibes of the series Castlevania. The magic and the gods even go further and feel real and integrated while reading. The religion is there and has consequences to how society reacts to people and things. Legends are still around and being told over old games to children.
The book is long and I was struggling with a general feeling of reading fatigue so I did have a dip in between of a slump and yet it still kept my interest strong to read on. So I think that is already a great sign of quality! And that is and won't be the normal experience. There was always something that pulled me back to know more and see what happens next. So I am sure when I re-read this I won't have a slump. And I do think I will re-read this at some point.
The writing style reads wonderfully smooth and the descriptions paint you the picture you need (and want). With the three POV's I even noticed how the narration voice shifts to fit the regarding character that was being followed intimately, making it all so much more enjoyable.
The characters are very complex, carry their pain and trauma realistically and have their flaws that have consequences for the plot and the relationships with all the others. The way their relationships are interwoven and build up is intensely complex and I loved to unravel it bit by bit when I could. I grew frustrated on occasion with each one, some more often than others, but also could see that there is pain hidden in the past, unwilling to be touched. Giving me the urge to understand more to how they reached this point and why. They don't always share the information about what that pain is, just like other people don't. I am eager to read more to know and understand them because I do feel like I only got to know a bit of them.
"For a vampire that can love is a vampire that is doomed. Their heart shall be their undoing." (Page 423)
"There was nowhere he belonged; he had spent so long running away from who he was that he had gotten lost somewhere along the way." (Page 56)
The Rotten King is a wonderful thick Epic Fantasy Book with grimdark vibes (it is not grimdark genre! but has that grim and dark vibe but that is it) which is normally not where you find me. Here I think I found a slight and good taste test and decided that this is just the right amount of that particular taste for my palate! A bit grim, a bit dark. A fight against it to keep what good you found.
I was reminded of how much I loved the series Castlevania and why. The vibe was so similar to me, different cities and cultures mingling with all those troubles, magic bringing back what is dead and lost, Vampires with Personality and Feelings that goes further than just "sucks blood and looks good while doing so", the ethics with magic and power, and I loved that. The struggle between what is monster and what is human (a person) and the question of where do we draw the line in horrible situations of survival captured my attention. I am very eager to return to this world and to see more cities and seasonal changes! And to see and follow the characters again, to learn more about them, see them struggle once again and climb out.
Lyrant (The worst of Luck), Teriel (the witch queen that I throw my hands in the air for in frustration) and Melyon (Emo King of bloody Self-Sacrifice) try to find and have a home in a society of a city where none of them can be truly themselves. But for that the city has to keep existing safely and the undead are prowling the night while the dead rise from graves for a rebel army.
The quality of the world building is breathtaking for me. As I said further up the world reminded me with it's vibes of the series Castlevania. The magic and the gods even go further and feel real and integrated while reading. The religion is there and has consequences to how society reacts to people and things. Legends are still around and being told over old games to children.
The book is long and I was struggling with a general feeling of reading fatigue so I did have a dip in between of a slump and yet it still kept my interest strong to read on. So I think that is already a great sign of quality! And that is and won't be the normal experience. There was always something that pulled me back to know more and see what happens next. So I am sure when I re-read this I won't have a slump. And I do think I will re-read this at some point.
The writing style reads wonderfully smooth and the descriptions paint you the picture you need (and want). With the three POV's I even noticed how the narration voice shifts to fit the regarding character that was being followed intimately, making it all so much more enjoyable.
The characters are very complex, carry their pain and trauma realistically and have their flaws that have consequences for the plot and the relationships with all the others. The way their relationships are interwoven and build up is intensely complex and I loved to unravel it bit by bit when I could. I grew frustrated on occasion with each one, some more often than others, but also could see that there is pain hidden in the past, unwilling to be touched. Giving me the urge to understand more to how they reached this point and why. They don't always share the information about what that pain is, just like other people don't. I am eager to read more to know and understand them because I do feel like I only got to know a bit of them.
Review of advance copy received from Author
It is an experience on its own to read the book up to the final page, and still not have a succinct summary or review of it to convey what the ride was all about actually.
No thoughts head empty? OR too many thoughts head overfilled? Either way think of your favourite cartoon character staring into space slack jawed, while a neon sign reads ‘processing’ over their head.
Maylon, Terri, and Lyrant, walk into a tavern, well no Terri is out of place she should be back in her swamp. Maylon and Lyrant are The it boys in comparison( insert images of leaving behind stardust wherever they walk). Granted none of the characters are perfect, and there are several side characters brimming with potential, that I would rather be reading about in place of Terri. I do wish some of the side characters had more page time.
Before I spew unsolicited Terri hate on unassuming readers, I need to clarify with as less spoilers as possible that the author makes it clear that this character is toxic. She self-sabotages on a good day. However, sabotage is the common thread that connects our protagonists. While she is actually accomplished, she harbors internal prejudices and a self-aggrandizing image of herself. Ironically a ‘played the villain so well, I am now the villain’ situation. A fitting companion to Maylon who is at once self-loathing, and, longing for acceptance. Lyrant is a perfect boy, the hunger for unnecessary adrenaline rush is no problem at all (bombastic, bombastic side eyes).
The thought put into details is evident — an incredible effort at well rounded world building. We have a corner shrouded in mystery, another thriving with a lord that actually cares, and wine. Lots of wine. I appreciated the idea of seasonal cycles so intrinsically tied to the world. Since this is book one, I will assume it only gets better from here.
For most of the book, the writing flows. The author has been mindful of their readers in a way that the intention shows on paper with moderate chapter lengths. The strength of the story is in its worldbuilding I thought, even though it is character driven. There is this undercurrent of intrigue woven in, even though the magic system I felt clash with its own rules in places if one looks too closely — something that should not take away too much of your attention if you are fine with the concept of magic being ‘magical’ in its own right. The use of vampirism is refreshing in the way it has been done. Effort has been made to truly put a unique spin on it.
Is this a perfect book? No, I felt the weight of the word “epic” in epic fantasy in certain places most definitely. I re-read paragraphs often to combat this feeling of ‘grasping at the edge of something but not quite getting there.’ Is it a work of dedication worth your time? Do you enjoy reading about complex people thrown in the middle of, simply put ‘a lot’ where they grapple at their insecurities along with their responsibilities? Yes have at it, absolutely.
No thoughts head empty? OR too many thoughts head overfilled? Either way think of your favourite cartoon character staring into space slack jawed, while a neon sign reads ‘processing’ over their head.
Maylon, Terri, and Lyrant, walk into a tavern, well no Terri is out of place she should be back in her swamp. Maylon and Lyrant are The it boys in comparison( insert images of leaving behind stardust wherever they walk). Granted none of the characters are perfect, and there are several side characters brimming with potential, that I would rather be reading about in place of Terri. I do wish some of the side characters had more page time.
Before I spew unsolicited Terri hate on unassuming readers, I need to clarify with as less spoilers as possible that the author makes it clear that this character is toxic. She self-sabotages on a good day. However, sabotage is the common thread that connects our protagonists. While she is actually accomplished, she harbors internal prejudices and a self-aggrandizing image of herself. Ironically a ‘played the villain so well, I am now the villain’ situation. A fitting companion to Maylon who is at once self-loathing, and, longing for acceptance. Lyrant is a perfect boy, the hunger for unnecessary adrenaline rush is no problem at all (bombastic, bombastic side eyes).
The thought put into details is evident — an incredible effort at well rounded world building. We have a corner shrouded in mystery, another thriving with a lord that actually cares, and wine. Lots of wine. I appreciated the idea of seasonal cycles so intrinsically tied to the world. Since this is book one, I will assume it only gets better from here.
For most of the book, the writing flows. The author has been mindful of their readers in a way that the intention shows on paper with moderate chapter lengths. The strength of the story is in its worldbuilding I thought, even though it is character driven. There is this undercurrent of intrigue woven in, even though the magic system I felt clash with its own rules in places if one looks too closely — something that should not take away too much of your attention if you are fine with the concept of magic being ‘magical’ in its own right. The use of vampirism is refreshing in the way it has been done. Effort has been made to truly put a unique spin on it.
Is this a perfect book? No, I felt the weight of the word “epic” in epic fantasy in certain places most definitely. I re-read paragraphs often to combat this feeling of ‘grasping at the edge of something but not quite getting there.’ Is it a work of dedication worth your time? Do you enjoy reading about complex people thrown in the middle of, simply put ‘a lot’ where they grapple at their insecurities along with their responsibilities? Yes have at it, absolutely.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Rotten King
By T.G. Willow
Release Date: 6/23/2026
My rating: 4.25⭐️
Huge thank you to the author for sending me an ARC of The Rotten King in exchange for an honest review.
My Thoughts:
I will start off by saying, one of the things I love about The Rotten King is how it handles the world-building, especially since this is the author's fantasy debut. It drops you straight into the middle of the action like you belong there. You figure things out as you go, which to me, makes the whole world feel much more immersive and enhances the reading experience.
I usually have to be in a very specific mood for epic fantasy because so many books with heavy world-building love to resort to massive info-dumps, but I felt like this book avoided that. For those that need it, it includes a glossary, world map, and a cast of characters at the beginning of the book which I found extremely useful to have and refer back to just in case things get a little overwhelming.
Aside from that there are a lot of things this book offered that kept me entertained throughout. We have multiple character POVs to follow, which I always like because it's nice to see different perspectives to keep it fresh. Each character had a really unique and distinct voice, which made it easy to switch between them. On top of that there is some great queer representation, and multiple magic systems alongside vampires, zombies, and dragons, which kept things interesting and entertaining. There was even some unexpected romance that I surprisingly enjoyed (blood play, anyone? lol).
My only real complaint is the length of the book. It took me quite a bit longer to get through than I would have liked. The pacing slows down significantly for me in a few places, but even with some of the slower chapters, I felt the positive aspects of the book greatly outweighed this.
Overall, I would highly recommend picking this up if you are looking for a solid epic grimdark fantasy with immersive world-building. Since this is the first book in a planned series, I am definitely curious to see where the story takes us next!
By T.G. Willow
Release Date: 6/23/2026
My rating: 4.25⭐️
Huge thank you to the author for sending me an ARC of The Rotten King in exchange for an honest review.
My Thoughts:
I will start off by saying, one of the things I love about The Rotten King is how it handles the world-building, especially since this is the author's fantasy debut. It drops you straight into the middle of the action like you belong there. You figure things out as you go, which to me, makes the whole world feel much more immersive and enhances the reading experience.
I usually have to be in a very specific mood for epic fantasy because so many books with heavy world-building love to resort to massive info-dumps, but I felt like this book avoided that. For those that need it, it includes a glossary, world map, and a cast of characters at the beginning of the book which I found extremely useful to have and refer back to just in case things get a little overwhelming.
Aside from that there are a lot of things this book offered that kept me entertained throughout. We have multiple character POVs to follow, which I always like because it's nice to see different perspectives to keep it fresh. Each character had a really unique and distinct voice, which made it easy to switch between them. On top of that there is some great queer representation, and multiple magic systems alongside vampires, zombies, and dragons, which kept things interesting and entertaining. There was even some unexpected romance that I surprisingly enjoyed (blood play, anyone? lol).
My only real complaint is the length of the book. It took me quite a bit longer to get through than I would have liked. The pacing slows down significantly for me in a few places, but even with some of the slower chapters, I felt the positive aspects of the book greatly outweighed this.
Overall, I would highly recommend picking this up if you are looking for a solid epic grimdark fantasy with immersive world-building. Since this is the first book in a planned series, I am definitely curious to see where the story takes us next!
May 25, 2026
I read this as an ARC reader, which is something I’m extremely grateful for as I got to read it early and I can leave an honest review. I’ll break it up into sections, as there are parts I loved and parts I personally didn’t enjoy as much.
To begin with the world building, I thought that, while it does have some very common Fantasy aspects to it, it is was done in a creative way that was pretty immersive. I liked how you are thrown into the world; there isn’t a whole lot of hand holding on terminology or how this world works (which is something I appreciate in a novel, but can also make it hard to start). The book has a set religion which is referenced pretty continuously throughout, but you don’t necessarily have to study the guide to understand it.
The characters are where I had some trouble, as it is split POV between 3 main characters (Lyrant, Melyon, and Teriel). Some chapters I found them all to be engaging, but overall I breezed through Lyrant’s chapters and took longer to read the other two just because I liked them less. If you tend to pick a favorite character, then it might be a drag to get to their POV chapters. The dynamic between them was very interesting though, and like I said it’s not like I hated every single Meylon chapter.
One of the highlights for me was the consistency of the rules that T. G. Willow set for the world. There was definitely some plot armor in some places, but overall (especially for certain characters) there were set rules that made sense and weren’t breached just for plot sake. I also want to take a moment to shout out Lyrant, who is and will remain my favorite character from the book, for the mystery and intrigued around his character that kept me fueled to keep learning more.
Overall, I thought it was a very fun fantasy story, one that I honestly didn’t realize was a series, so I’ll have to stay tuned for upcoming novels. Fair warning, it does end on a cliffhanger, so if that’s a turn off then wait until the others are finished.
To begin with the world building, I thought that, while it does have some very common Fantasy aspects to it, it is was done in a creative way that was pretty immersive. I liked how you are thrown into the world; there isn’t a whole lot of hand holding on terminology or how this world works (which is something I appreciate in a novel, but can also make it hard to start). The book has a set religion which is referenced pretty continuously throughout, but you don’t necessarily have to study the guide to understand it.
The characters are where I had some trouble, as it is split POV between 3 main characters (Lyrant, Melyon, and Teriel). Some chapters I found them all to be engaging, but overall I breezed through Lyrant’s chapters and took longer to read the other two just because I liked them less. If you tend to pick a favorite character, then it might be a drag to get to their POV chapters. The dynamic between them was very interesting though, and like I said it’s not like I hated every single Meylon chapter.
One of the highlights for me was the consistency of the rules that T. G. Willow set for the world. There was definitely some plot armor in some places, but overall (especially for certain characters) there were set rules that made sense and weren’t breached just for plot sake. I also want to take a moment to shout out Lyrant, who is and will remain my favorite character from the book, for the mystery and intrigued around his character that kept me fueled to keep learning more.
Overall, I thought it was a very fun fantasy story, one that I honestly didn’t realize was a series, so I’ll have to stay tuned for upcoming novels. Fair warning, it does end on a cliffhanger, so if that’s a turn off then wait until the others are finished.
Review of advance copy received from Author
🐺ARC REVIEW🐗
The authors put nine years of work into this book and it shows! The world is incredibly well thought out, down to the smallest details, which makes it easy to get immersed in the setting and focus on being emotionally wrecked instead of distracted by silly inconsistencies and things that don't make sense. If you are looking for a light, cozy read, this is not that book. That's not to say there aren't fun moments - there are genuinely parts that made me giggle out loud - but there are some heavy themes and character dynamics that are explored in depth throughout the novel. It was refreshing to see that the more difficult aspects, trauma and bigotry among them, were handled with a care and concern you don't always see in fantasy.
Pretty much all the characters, side characters included, are complex and messy and flawed, yet you still find yourself rooting for them (at least most of the time 😅) because the authors did an excellent job giving readers opportunities to empathize with them and understand why they are the way they are and act the way they do. Teriel in particular is... a strong personality. But my goodness do I relate to her as a woman no longer in her early twenties that's been through some stuff. The three POVs are woven together artfully and feel like distinct human beings with unique voices and insights. I love all three of them dearly, but my heart was still somehow stolen by a side character. 🥰
You could read The Rotten King and have a great time just with the characters and the trouble they get up to, but if you're the type of reader who likes to dig deep, there's a lot to mine for. It's rare that I enjoy a book more on a second read through, but I had a blast rereading it, discovering little details I missed the first time and lovingly sending the authors angry messages about their devious foreshadowing. Now I just have to look forward to the sequel!
The authors put nine years of work into this book and it shows! The world is incredibly well thought out, down to the smallest details, which makes it easy to get immersed in the setting and focus on being emotionally wrecked instead of distracted by silly inconsistencies and things that don't make sense. If you are looking for a light, cozy read, this is not that book. That's not to say there aren't fun moments - there are genuinely parts that made me giggle out loud - but there are some heavy themes and character dynamics that are explored in depth throughout the novel. It was refreshing to see that the more difficult aspects, trauma and bigotry among them, were handled with a care and concern you don't always see in fantasy.
Pretty much all the characters, side characters included, are complex and messy and flawed, yet you still find yourself rooting for them (at least most of the time 😅) because the authors did an excellent job giving readers opportunities to empathize with them and understand why they are the way they are and act the way they do. Teriel in particular is... a strong personality. But my goodness do I relate to her as a woman no longer in her early twenties that's been through some stuff. The three POVs are woven together artfully and feel like distinct human beings with unique voices and insights. I love all three of them dearly, but my heart was still somehow stolen by a side character. 🥰
You could read The Rotten King and have a great time just with the characters and the trouble they get up to, but if you're the type of reader who likes to dig deep, there's a lot to mine for. It's rare that I enjoy a book more on a second read through, but I had a blast rereading it, discovering little details I missed the first time and lovingly sending the authors angry messages about their devious foreshadowing. Now I just have to look forward to the sequel!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Overall 3.75/5
Necromancy 4.5/5
Magic 5/5
Masks 4/5
The Rotten King 1/5
I received this book as an ARC. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
Overall, this was an interesting opening to a series. I appreciated some of the world building choices, particularly the unique take on vampires and other supernatural creatures. There were several elements that intrigued me and have me curious about the larger world. I also appreciated the list of characters and pronunciations as I did have to go back quite a bit.
That said, I struggled quite a bit with the execution. The large number of unfamiliar names, references, and concepts made it difficult for me to stay grounded in the story. The setting also left me confused at times. The blend of older aesthetics with more modern technology, such as electricity, felt unusual. As a result, I sometimes felt like I was missing important context.
I also found the survival rates of certain characters difficult to reconcile with the dangers presented in the story. Other characters, such as opposing army, seemed to suffer significant casualties, while characters such as Terri, Milo, and Lyrant repeatedly survived encounters that appeared equally lethal. Their survival after facing the Death Knight in particular made the stakes feel somewhat uneven and reduced the sense of danger for me.
Additionally, I would classify the romance as a central plot element rather than a subplot. Terri and Milo's relationship is built on love, desire, dependency, survival, and blood, and it serves as one of the primary emotional drivers of the story. Terri's jealousy regarding Milo's alleged interest in another woman further reinforces how much of the narrative revolves around their relationship and its impact on their decisions.
While there were aspects of the book I found interesting, I finished feeling more confused than intrigued. Readers who enjoy significant world building and being dropped into a complex setting may have a very different experience than I did.
Necromancy 4.5/5
Magic 5/5
Masks 4/5
The Rotten King 1/5
I received this book as an ARC. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
Overall, this was an interesting opening to a series. I appreciated some of the world building choices, particularly the unique take on vampires and other supernatural creatures. There were several elements that intrigued me and have me curious about the larger world. I also appreciated the list of characters and pronunciations as I did have to go back quite a bit.
That said, I struggled quite a bit with the execution. The large number of unfamiliar names, references, and concepts made it difficult for me to stay grounded in the story. The setting also left me confused at times. The blend of older aesthetics with more modern technology, such as electricity, felt unusual. As a result, I sometimes felt like I was missing important context.
I also found the survival rates of certain characters difficult to reconcile with the dangers presented in the story. Other characters, such as opposing army, seemed to suffer significant casualties, while characters such as Terri, Milo, and Lyrant repeatedly survived encounters that appeared equally lethal. Their survival after facing the Death Knight in particular made the stakes feel somewhat uneven and reduced the sense of danger for me.
Additionally, I would classify the romance as a central plot element rather than a subplot. Terri and Milo's relationship is built on love, desire, dependency, survival, and blood, and it serves as one of the primary emotional drivers of the story. Terri's jealousy regarding Milo's alleged interest in another woman further reinforces how much of the narrative revolves around their relationship and its impact on their decisions.
While there were aspects of the book I found interesting, I finished feeling more confused than intrigued. Readers who enjoy significant world building and being dropped into a complex setting may have a very different experience than I did.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2026
Any author, or in this case, author duo, that can successfully pull off a book with multiple well-known monsters and put a twist on them that still feels fresh is a genius to me. In this world we have different levels of gods, zombies, vampires, swamp witches, and so many magical creatures. I loved how they all interacted with the world as it seemed so natural.
For fantasy readers who love characters to be front and center and complex, this is for you. We follow three main characters that have ties to each other and the city of Helvia in different ways that slowly unveil themselves throughout. None of the main characters could be classified as generally good or bad while they all have kind and monstrous moments. These kinds of characters are like catnip for me, especially when one of them is a slightly feral witch who’s ultimately keeping everything together.
The world-building was incredibly expansive. Like all epic fantasies the author provided a map, but there was also a diagram of the land’s seasons, a FULL glossary of terms, and cast of characters. With how much information is brought forth in this 715 page book, all of these aids helped me SO MUCH in retaining information.
Aside from the aids, I felt the setting and the lore of the world blended well with the story without info-dumping. The bulk of the book took place during a relentlessly rainy season and the constant dampness was felt. It really added to the gritty nature of the setting.
For such a long book, I was intrigued the WHOLE TIME. I didn’t feel any slog throughout and there was just enough mystery to each POV that I know there will be so much more in the rest of the series! I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for unique characters and a well-thought-out setting. When you read it, come back and gab about it with me!
For fantasy readers who love characters to be front and center and complex, this is for you. We follow three main characters that have ties to each other and the city of Helvia in different ways that slowly unveil themselves throughout. None of the main characters could be classified as generally good or bad while they all have kind and monstrous moments. These kinds of characters are like catnip for me, especially when one of them is a slightly feral witch who’s ultimately keeping everything together.
The world-building was incredibly expansive. Like all epic fantasies the author provided a map, but there was also a diagram of the land’s seasons, a FULL glossary of terms, and cast of characters. With how much information is brought forth in this 715 page book, all of these aids helped me SO MUCH in retaining information.
Aside from the aids, I felt the setting and the lore of the world blended well with the story without info-dumping. The bulk of the book took place during a relentlessly rainy season and the constant dampness was felt. It really added to the gritty nature of the setting.
For such a long book, I was intrigued the WHOLE TIME. I didn’t feel any slog throughout and there was just enough mystery to each POV that I know there will be so much more in the rest of the series! I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for unique characters and a well-thought-out setting. When you read it, come back and gab about it with me!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This has all the feels, vibes, and making of a High Fantasy Classic! The world building is extensive but not in your face all the time. It was refreshing to see the history and explanation as to why things-like vampires and witches-were the way they were. The magic system felt so natural to the world, I loved it! The descriptions of locations didn't rattle on but was placed in such a way it felt like you were seeing it along with the Characters. Helvia's description especially the line:
"Helvia’s walls were a monument of a distant age, standing strong against the onslaught of wind and rain. The walls had been carved by the chosen of Dellel, god of stone, and would never crumble—unlike structures made by the hands of ordinary men."
Can we talk about the Characters!
I need more about Lyrant's curse. I can't wait for book 2(???) In hopes of discovering more about him.
Teriel- My heart hurt for her but also I cheered her on. A bonafide badass in every sense but also she maintained her softness especially with Melyon.
Melyon-He is everything Castlevania's Dracula should have been. His struggle with maintaining his humanity while coming to terms with his vampire side had me seeking out his chapters, the snippets about him.
Honestly, its been a long time since I have read an epic high fantasy that has kept me turning pages at the sacrifice of sleep like this one has. Also this book ripped my heart out in all the best ways.
Releases May 21st, 2026
"Helvia’s walls were a monument of a distant age, standing strong against the onslaught of wind and rain. The walls had been carved by the chosen of Dellel, god of stone, and would never crumble—unlike structures made by the hands of ordinary men."
Can we talk about the Characters!
I need more about Lyrant's curse. I can't wait for book 2(???) In hopes of discovering more about him.
Teriel- My heart hurt for her but also I cheered her on. A bonafide badass in every sense but also she maintained her softness especially with Melyon.
Melyon-He is everything Castlevania's Dracula should have been. His struggle with maintaining his humanity while coming to terms with his vampire side had me seeking out his chapters, the snippets about him.
Honestly, its been a long time since I have read an epic high fantasy that has kept me turning pages at the sacrifice of sleep like this one has. Also this book ripped my heart out in all the best ways.
Releases May 21st, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this book as an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Rotten King is a gripping, gritty, intense adventure. The story is the epitome of epic fantasy. Super rich world building and deep lore. A fantasy world that you can really immerse yourself in. T.G. Willow it’s not only incredible at building this world but there is such a compelling character driven narrative. Speaking of the characters. All of them have very unique voices, and I found myself very invested in each one of the main characters perspectives and what they were doing. My favorite Is Lyrant and he’s now my son. I love him. And I will fight the author for what they put him through🙂↕️. Also there’s like a very delicious simmering chemistry between all of them that was very fun to watch unfold as I was reading.
The plot itself I found to be dark, but in the best way. This is not a book for squeamish people. It is very visceral, the scenes really jump out at you and keep you locked in. There was a particular scene that I’m not going to get into spoiler details but a fight scene that had me on the edge of my seat.
All in all, I think this book is really great for fans of epic fantasy and queer normative worlds and people who like vampires tragic, sad characters.
I really loved reading the Rotten King and I’m really glad I got a chance to read it early!
I rated this book a 4.5 on Pagebound and storygraph! But it’s more 5 than 4.
The Rotten King is a gripping, gritty, intense adventure. The story is the epitome of epic fantasy. Super rich world building and deep lore. A fantasy world that you can really immerse yourself in. T.G. Willow it’s not only incredible at building this world but there is such a compelling character driven narrative. Speaking of the characters. All of them have very unique voices, and I found myself very invested in each one of the main characters perspectives and what they were doing. My favorite Is Lyrant and he’s now my son. I love him. And I will fight the author for what they put him through🙂↕️. Also there’s like a very delicious simmering chemistry between all of them that was very fun to watch unfold as I was reading.
The plot itself I found to be dark, but in the best way. This is not a book for squeamish people. It is very visceral, the scenes really jump out at you and keep you locked in. There was a particular scene that I’m not going to get into spoiler details but a fight scene that had me on the edge of my seat.
All in all, I think this book is really great for fans of epic fantasy and queer normative worlds and people who like vampires tragic, sad characters.
I really loved reading the Rotten King and I’m really glad I got a chance to read it early!
I rated this book a 4.5 on Pagebound and storygraph! But it’s more 5 than 4.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Rotten King
By T.G. Willow
Book Rating: 5 Stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ (It definitely scratches that itch)
Release Date: June 23, 2026
Thank you to the incredible indie author duo T.G. Willow for the providing me with a copy of the arc! You two created a masterpiece with The Rotten King!
Arc Review:
The Rotten King is an epic fantasy filled with secrets, deaths, unique magic, mystery, bonds, fascinating yet dangerous creatures, cinematic fighting scenes, vampires, and so many emotional moments throughout the story!
One inevitable night changes EVERYTHING for Lyrant, Teriel, Melyon, and the people of Helvia. The pacing of The Rotten King was steady and it picked up at the right moments. I knew there was a plot twist with a certain character but I honestly was not expecting it to be THAT! The fighting scenes were incredible...cinematic tbh!
What drew me in the most was the emotional connection of each character through their povs. This is a very character driven story. We get to know each of their feelings, regrets, fears, desires, love, flaws, and their bonds. I wanted to know more about each of their povs which is rare when I read multiple povs so that was plus!
The Rotten King was so good! You are left with an insatiable hunger for more after that hell of a cliffhanger in The Rotten King! I cannot wait to hold the book in my hands!
By T.G. Willow
Book Rating: 5 Stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ (It definitely scratches that itch)
Release Date: June 23, 2026
Thank you to the incredible indie author duo T.G. Willow for the providing me with a copy of the arc! You two created a masterpiece with The Rotten King!
Arc Review:
The Rotten King is an epic fantasy filled with secrets, deaths, unique magic, mystery, bonds, fascinating yet dangerous creatures, cinematic fighting scenes, vampires, and so many emotional moments throughout the story!
One inevitable night changes EVERYTHING for Lyrant, Teriel, Melyon, and the people of Helvia. The pacing of The Rotten King was steady and it picked up at the right moments. I knew there was a plot twist with a certain character but I honestly was not expecting it to be THAT! The fighting scenes were incredible...cinematic tbh!
What drew me in the most was the emotional connection of each character through their povs. This is a very character driven story. We get to know each of their feelings, regrets, fears, desires, love, flaws, and their bonds. I wanted to know more about each of their povs which is rare when I read multiple povs so that was plus!
The Rotten King was so good! You are left with an insatiable hunger for more after that hell of a cliffhanger in The Rotten King! I cannot wait to hold the book in my hands!
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Rotten King by T.G Willow
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Rotten King is a heavy and immersive high fantasy that fully commits to its world. We follow Melyon, Lord of Helvia and vampire hiding his true nature, Terri, a feared witch with a complicated connection to him, and Lyrant, a hired sword whose magic makes him an outcast. What unfolds is a layered story of characters whose fates are intertwined.
The vampires... This delivered and then some! The different classes and types were so well thought out, and if you are looking for something gory, fresh, and deliciously dark, this is absolutely it.
The world building is exceptional, the character development is strong, and the action and battle scenes kept me completely engaged. The romance is exactly what it promises, a meaningful subplot that does not overshadow the main story but adds real emotional weight throughout.
This is not a book you pick up and finish in a day. It is a commitment, and the beginning asks for patience while the author lays the foundation, but it pays off. By the end you will have feelings. Many of them. A great choice for fans of epic high fantasy who love rich lore, complex characters, and layered storytelling.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Rotten King is a heavy and immersive high fantasy that fully commits to its world. We follow Melyon, Lord of Helvia and vampire hiding his true nature, Terri, a feared witch with a complicated connection to him, and Lyrant, a hired sword whose magic makes him an outcast. What unfolds is a layered story of characters whose fates are intertwined.
The vampires... This delivered and then some! The different classes and types were so well thought out, and if you are looking for something gory, fresh, and deliciously dark, this is absolutely it.
The world building is exceptional, the character development is strong, and the action and battle scenes kept me completely engaged. The romance is exactly what it promises, a meaningful subplot that does not overshadow the main story but adds real emotional weight throughout.
This is not a book you pick up and finish in a day. It is a commitment, and the beginning asks for patience while the author lays the foundation, but it pays off. By the end you will have feelings. Many of them. A great choice for fans of epic high fantasy who love rich lore, complex characters, and layered storytelling.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC review of The Rotten King
“The Rotten King with his rotten throne
Lurking in his mountain home
Waiting ‘til the time is right
To steal you in the midst of night”
—Children’s Rhyme
This was grimdark, with sex appeal and the masochist in me loved it.
There are vampires, zombies and dragons, but not the way you’ve seen them before. There’s magic and gods and shapeshifting (and boy do I hope to get more details on these in the next book).
There’s a whole cast of interesting, morally grey characters. They are placed in situations that require them to do whatever is necessary to survive. Some don’t cope well. Some embrace it, showing just how feral they can be when the opportunity arises.
The story steadily builds in suspense where every question I had answered led to more questions. The climax seemed almost unsustainable, with one crushing blow after another. But there was a tiny shred of hope stringing me along. The ending was more an intermission, but was satisfying.
This book gave me amazing visuals (the grotesque psychedelic fungus knight?! the tabletop animancer wearing only bone clothes?). It also had me writing fanfic in my head - Lyrant is my fave baby boy and deserves all the romance!
“The Rotten King with his rotten throne
Lurking in his mountain home
Waiting ‘til the time is right
To steal you in the midst of night”
—Children’s Rhyme
This was grimdark, with sex appeal and the masochist in me loved it.
There are vampires, zombies and dragons, but not the way you’ve seen them before. There’s magic and gods and shapeshifting (and boy do I hope to get more details on these in the next book).
There’s a whole cast of interesting, morally grey characters. They are placed in situations that require them to do whatever is necessary to survive. Some don’t cope well. Some embrace it, showing just how feral they can be when the opportunity arises.
The story steadily builds in suspense where every question I had answered led to more questions. The climax seemed almost unsustainable, with one crushing blow after another. But there was a tiny shred of hope stringing me along. The ending was more an intermission, but was satisfying.
This book gave me amazing visuals (the grotesque psychedelic fungus knight?! the tabletop animancer wearing only bone clothes?). It also had me writing fanfic in my head - Lyrant is my fave baby boy and deserves all the romance!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this book as an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
"The Rotten King" read like a fantasy adventure story that I didn't realize I would enjoy or needed. a thief with some really horrid luck finds himself back in the city of his birth, only to be on the receiving end of some racism. after being the victim of a hate crime, he is saved by a friend thought to be dead, only the friend isn't and is the lord of the city, ruling with a witch. together the three of them must work together to bring out old allies to save their city from something rotten within.
I really enjoyed how well thought out the characters were and how much backstory we got with a "show don't tell" mindset. it really allowed me to connect to each of the characters. I felt for Melyon wanting to protect his sister, as I am the older sister. I felt for Terriel changing and not knowing what to do with the new feelings. I felt for Lyrant feeling out of place and used. the magic system was also incredibly unique and simple and I loved that i didn't have to understand the whole system to understand how the magic would work, in the moment. the book felt complete for its story but also left some things open ended, hopefully hinting at a second book, which I will definitely want to be reading if it happens
"The Rotten King" read like a fantasy adventure story that I didn't realize I would enjoy or needed. a thief with some really horrid luck finds himself back in the city of his birth, only to be on the receiving end of some racism. after being the victim of a hate crime, he is saved by a friend thought to be dead, only the friend isn't and is the lord of the city, ruling with a witch. together the three of them must work together to bring out old allies to save their city from something rotten within.
I really enjoyed how well thought out the characters were and how much backstory we got with a "show don't tell" mindset. it really allowed me to connect to each of the characters. I felt for Melyon wanting to protect his sister, as I am the older sister. I felt for Terriel changing and not knowing what to do with the new feelings. I felt for Lyrant feeling out of place and used. the magic system was also incredibly unique and simple and I loved that i didn't have to understand the whole system to understand how the magic would work, in the moment. the book felt complete for its story but also left some things open ended, hopefully hinting at a second book, which I will definitely want to be reading if it happens
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the authors for the opportunity to read The Rotten King!
What is there to say but that if you want an excellent, character-driven, dark high fantasy story complete with magic, vampires, and secrets, then look no further. This is a deliberately paced story, as the authors take their time building the world and the characters so the reader can fully appreciate the stakes our characters face.
Our three perspectives truly have their own voices, as Melyon is tired but devoted to Helvia, and that comes across in each chapter. While Lyrant is a disaster gay that you can't help but love and want the best for, he unfortunately has pretty bad timing (not his fault). Teriel is an absolute queen and deserves to be treated as such. She is an icon, and again, you want nothing but the best for her as the reader. The cast of side characters is all unique and helps to fully round out this vast world we are exploring.
This is definitely a story that leaves you wanting more and with more questions than answers. However, it is a ride through a fantasy land and characters that we have not seen in mainstream high fantasy in a long time. Please keep this book on your radar, as I believe it will become a classic of the genre soon enough.
What is there to say but that if you want an excellent, character-driven, dark high fantasy story complete with magic, vampires, and secrets, then look no further. This is a deliberately paced story, as the authors take their time building the world and the characters so the reader can fully appreciate the stakes our characters face.
Our three perspectives truly have their own voices, as Melyon is tired but devoted to Helvia, and that comes across in each chapter. While Lyrant is a disaster gay that you can't help but love and want the best for, he unfortunately has pretty bad timing (not his fault). Teriel is an absolute queen and deserves to be treated as such. She is an icon, and again, you want nothing but the best for her as the reader. The cast of side characters is all unique and helps to fully round out this vast world we are exploring.
This is definitely a story that leaves you wanting more and with more questions than answers. However, it is a ride through a fantasy land and characters that we have not seen in mainstream high fantasy in a long time. Please keep this book on your radar, as I believe it will become a classic of the genre soon enough.
Review of advance copy received from Author
thank you to t.g. willow for sending me an arc of this book to review!
4.5⭐️
the rotten king was a wild ride from start to finish, an amazing epic fantasy with in depth world building and the coolest magic systems (there’s a magic based on music how cool is that?!). of course as with many wonderfully detailed books, it is long and at times a little slow - if that is not your vibe, welp!
I was really impressed by the integration of lore - I never felt like I had to search the glossary for definitions! I also adored the snippets at the start of each chapter from different texts, songs and letters! they do a great job at giving you that extra bit of context to the world (my favourite ones are those that cover snippets of the history of gods)!!
the action sequences were super well written, I never felt like they were doing too much or too little and they had a good amount of gore which I love!! also shoutout to the hound skull helmet LOL.
I am super excited to see what is in store for us in the next books and I can’t wait to see more of my favs (namely lyrant and lenta!) <3
4.5⭐️
the rotten king was a wild ride from start to finish, an amazing epic fantasy with in depth world building and the coolest magic systems (there’s a magic based on music how cool is that?!). of course as with many wonderfully detailed books, it is long and at times a little slow - if that is not your vibe, welp!
I was really impressed by the integration of lore - I never felt like I had to search the glossary for definitions! I also adored the snippets at the start of each chapter from different texts, songs and letters! they do a great job at giving you that extra bit of context to the world (my favourite ones are those that cover snippets of the history of gods)!!
the action sequences were super well written, I never felt like they were doing too much or too little and they had a good amount of gore which I love!! also shoutout to the hound skull helmet LOL.
I am super excited to see what is in store for us in the next books and I can’t wait to see more of my favs (namely lyrant and lenta!) <3
June 23, 2026
4.5 ☆
✶ thank you to t.g. willow for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review ✶
the rotten king is a epic fantasy with a romantic subplot full of rich and immersive world-building, complex magic systems, and characters that you will love. the world is so well-thought out and gives a new look at vampires, witches, and necromancy. we follow three main characters: lyrant, teriel, and melyon who have such intertwined backstories and ultimately want to protect the places and people that make them feel safe. the side characters are also very intriguing (i’m looking at you lenta, elion, and ellit). it is long and slow at times, but it makes the pay off worth it.
i enjoyed learning about the world through the multi-pov as each character feels unique. and i am a sucker for a little snippet placed at the beginning of each chapter that deals with the lore. i love the way t.g. willow writes from highly emotional moments to the action sequences.
i am equally excited and scared for what is in store for these characters <3
✶ thank you to t.g. willow for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review ✶
the rotten king is a epic fantasy with a romantic subplot full of rich and immersive world-building, complex magic systems, and characters that you will love. the world is so well-thought out and gives a new look at vampires, witches, and necromancy. we follow three main characters: lyrant, teriel, and melyon who have such intertwined backstories and ultimately want to protect the places and people that make them feel safe. the side characters are also very intriguing (i’m looking at you lenta, elion, and ellit). it is long and slow at times, but it makes the pay off worth it.
i enjoyed learning about the world through the multi-pov as each character feels unique. and i am a sucker for a little snippet placed at the beginning of each chapter that deals with the lore. i love the way t.g. willow writes from highly emotional moments to the action sequences.
i am equally excited and scared for what is in store for these characters <3
Review of advance copy received from Author
Honest Review points from an ARC reader.
-This book is a highly immersive fantasy. The world building was impressive. It was descriptive without feeling fluffy.
-There was great character development, they felt diverse and multi layered. There was good character growth.
-I enjoyed the insights to the complicated relationships. Many books, lack this important detail in my opinion.
-The romance doesn’t overtake the entire story, but rather compliments it.
-This is a longer book which requires some patience. This being a true fantasy read, this means the author took time to lay a solid foundation.
-I do feel as though the biggest issue some readers will have is pacing. Some parts felt a little slow, so some may find this a difficult read. It is very much a fantasy read, which means the world building, character building, a relationship building takes time. But it is worth it in the end.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. And I would highly recommend to others!
-This book is a highly immersive fantasy. The world building was impressive. It was descriptive without feeling fluffy.
-There was great character development, they felt diverse and multi layered. There was good character growth.
-I enjoyed the insights to the complicated relationships. Many books, lack this important detail in my opinion.
-The romance doesn’t overtake the entire story, but rather compliments it.
-This is a longer book which requires some patience. This being a true fantasy read, this means the author took time to lay a solid foundation.
-I do feel as though the biggest issue some readers will have is pacing. Some parts felt a little slow, so some may find this a difficult read. It is very much a fantasy read, which means the world building, character building, a relationship building takes time. But it is worth it in the end.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. And I would highly recommend to others!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an arc copy in exchange for an honest review of the book!
This book was about a 3.5/5 for me.
The lore of this world is SO interesting but I felt like I was having to carefully comb through the book to make connections between characters and other places/peoples/things.
Part of my difficulty with it was how quickly the POV switches seemed to happen. I would just start to understand a characters inner thoughts and then it would jump somewhere else in the story.
Other than that the author(s) did an incredible job describing visceral and emotional scenes. Mild horror vibes which was refreshing to see in a high fantasy book. I did enjoy that each character had definitive flaws that weren’t just forgiven by their personalities or the typical “thats just how they are” style of characterization.
This book is perfect for folks who really like to analyze and chew on the story that’s been presented. If you like dark fantasy, pick this one up!
This book was about a 3.5/5 for me.
The lore of this world is SO interesting but I felt like I was having to carefully comb through the book to make connections between characters and other places/peoples/things.
Part of my difficulty with it was how quickly the POV switches seemed to happen. I would just start to understand a characters inner thoughts and then it would jump somewhere else in the story.
Other than that the author(s) did an incredible job describing visceral and emotional scenes. Mild horror vibes which was refreshing to see in a high fantasy book. I did enjoy that each character had definitive flaws that weren’t just forgiven by their personalities or the typical “thats just how they are” style of characterization.
This book is perfect for folks who really like to analyze and chew on the story that’s been presented. If you like dark fantasy, pick this one up!
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Rotten King is one of my favorite books that I have read so far this year, and I am grateful to have gotten an opportunity to read it before the official release. From the first line, the book begins at an exciting pace and maintains it until the end. There’s a temptation to read fast but when you slow down and take in the details, you feel rewarded. If you want a book with a dark atmosphere, incredible world building, and a deep rooted history, this one is for you!
By far, my favorite aspect of this book was the characters and the dynamics between them. Each character felt like living, breathing people with their own dark pasts and unique personalities. There were multiple points when they made me laugh out loud. But they also made me tear up at times, as well. Lyrant, Teriel, and Melyon are put through so much and I’m afraid that they will have to go through a lot more!
The ending actually destroyed me.
That being said, I cannot wait for the next book!
By far, my favorite aspect of this book was the characters and the dynamics between them. Each character felt like living, breathing people with their own dark pasts and unique personalities. There were multiple points when they made me laugh out loud. But they also made me tear up at times, as well. Lyrant, Teriel, and Melyon are put through so much and I’m afraid that they will have to go through a lot more!
The ending actually destroyed me.
That being said, I cannot wait for the next book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is an ARC review. Thank you T.G Willow for the opportunity to review this book.
The Rotten King is absolutely beautifully written. Throughout the book, your heart is absolutely wrenched from your soul as you explore this world, with these really complex, dark characters. It is absolutely fascinating to see the plot unfold as they continue upon their adventure, discovering new relationships and their own power within themselves. I look forward to the series being continued, to further explore and understand their pasts. To see who they truly are as they were all very interestingly written.
This is not going to be a light fantasy novel series. However, I think this gritty, dark plot was extremely captivating. I couldn't help but take my time to finish this book as I just didn't want it to end.
The Rotten King is absolutely beautifully written. Throughout the book, your heart is absolutely wrenched from your soul as you explore this world, with these really complex, dark characters. It is absolutely fascinating to see the plot unfold as they continue upon their adventure, discovering new relationships and their own power within themselves. I look forward to the series being continued, to further explore and understand their pasts. To see who they truly are as they were all very interestingly written.
This is not going to be a light fantasy novel series. However, I think this gritty, dark plot was extremely captivating. I couldn't help but take my time to finish this book as I just didn't want it to end.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the authors for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I am happy to report that this was an incredible high-fantasy novel that I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish and may have left me staring blankly at a wall wondering how I am supposed to wait for book 2. The story is very captivating, with a compelling plot and characters. This book is accessible to those who may not be used to high-fantasy but does not sacrifice any depth or complexity in the process. The story is fast-paced and easy to follow, with a rich world and diverse group of characters. I loved them all so much!! It was also refreshing to see great queer representation. I highly recommend to any fantasy-lovers out there!
May 12, 2026
4.5
‘I shouldn’t try to be a hero. He knew what happened to heroes. They died’
This is the first ARC I have ever recieved and I loved it!
The Rotten King follows three main characters - a witch (Teriel), a Lord (Melyon), and a sell-sword (Lyrant). The world also features vampires, necromancy and music based magic.
I absolutely love how Willow wrote vampires in here. It is such a unique take on the typical vampire and it added a new level of danger for them and also a surprising amount of humanity.
All of the characters are so well crafted. Lyrant has secrets from his history that I was desperate to understand as I read more. Melyon is facing the enormous strain of being the Lord of Helivia while there is an impending war looming. Teriel though - Teriel is my favourite. She is living in a place where she isn’t accepted while doing everything she can to protect and help the citizens. I just love her.
I highly recommend picking this one up when it comes out on June 23rd 2026!
‘It was her, he lived for her. His heart beat for her’
‘I shouldn’t try to be a hero. He knew what happened to heroes. They died’
This is the first ARC I have ever recieved and I loved it!
The Rotten King follows three main characters - a witch (Teriel), a Lord (Melyon), and a sell-sword (Lyrant). The world also features vampires, necromancy and music based magic.
I absolutely love how Willow wrote vampires in here. It is such a unique take on the typical vampire and it added a new level of danger for them and also a surprising amount of humanity.
All of the characters are so well crafted. Lyrant has secrets from his history that I was desperate to understand as I read more. Melyon is facing the enormous strain of being the Lord of Helivia while there is an impending war looming. Teriel though - Teriel is my favourite. She is living in a place where she isn’t accepted while doing everything she can to protect and help the citizens. I just love her.
I highly recommend picking this one up when it comes out on June 23rd 2026!
‘It was her, he lived for her. His heart beat for her’
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