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A Crown for the Promised
Not yet published
Expected 2 Sep 26
The promised crown must be restored. Life must once again light the right.
500 years ago, three Angels bestowed a crown on Lucien Verdant. A crown bound with the promise of preserving life throughout Morbidia.
But the lineage of Verdant turned against humanity and waged a crusade against the entire world, twisting the meaning of their faith. The promise of the Angels is tainted in the service of those who yearns for power.
Five are caught in the turmoil. An acolyte of the Angels questioning the depth of his faith; a crusader seeking a better life; a princess terrorised by love; a bastard fighting for survival; and a mercenary who’s in it for the fun.
500 years ago, three Angels bestowed a crown on Lucien Verdant. A crown bound with the promise of preserving life throughout Morbidia.
But the lineage of Verdant turned against humanity and waged a crusade against the entire world, twisting the meaning of their faith. The promise of the Angels is tainted in the service of those who yearns for power.
Five are caught in the turmoil. An acolyte of the Angels questioning the depth of his faith; a crusader seeking a better life; a princess terrorised by love; a bastard fighting for survival; and a mercenary who’s in it for the fun.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 2, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
The book was throughly enjoyable! I enjoyed a change of pace from the standard Teen - YA “the good guys win in the end”. In the book, there are no definitive “good guys” or “bad guys”. Do take me words with a sizable handful of salt given that I’m just a child and most likely have a far different read of things than adults.
First, the points I enjoyed. One of my favourite pieces of world building found in the book is just how well the first few chapters set the scene. They accomplish an air of mystery around Verdania and very clearly demonstrate the corruption in high verdania. The words impress upon me just how corrupt and wicked the government is but you get the feeling that there is no better option. The words maintain the air of greatness and humility while retaining an undercurrent of corruption. The first Iainira Chapter illustrated this very well.
Another thing I enjoyed is just how meaningless some deaths were. Don’t get me wrong, the deaths of Seraphina, Darius, Phaedra all mattered but my favourite scene showing the futility of death is Sakarafort. The fishermen, the children, the women. They all died for nothing. It didn’t fail to impress upon me just how deep the corruption goes. The knights, despite being portrayed as “defenders of the living” slaughtered innocent civilians and fishermen for nothing. The king ordered their deaths, their massacre for nothing. In a way, I think it gives these meaningless deaths meaning.
Lastly, I loved how the atmosphere of each character changes the speech. For example: Kilgore’s chapters are noticeably more jovial. While Kadmon’s chapters still remain hopeful despite all the suffering happening in them. Right up until the end that is. It really made me feel the depth and personality of the characters without any explicit Tell-not-show.
My main qualm with the book is the fact that there is a board game sharing the universe _after the events of the book_. Don’t get me wrong, I love the board game and am very happy about it but the board game is very liberal with the lore. Just reading the flavour text or looking at the character art speaks of future events. For example, in the card “Children of Thanes” the flavour text mentions Kadmon marching against Verdania. This naturally eliminates any other option than absolute conquest on Kadmon’s part given that you fight him in the game. You know Kilgore dies eventually due to his character art showing him as a skeleton. Although this is foretelling his death, it also effectively gives him plot armour. In his sovereign spotlight, you learn that he is saved by Kadmon. You do not worry about him even when he is dying of Maladi since Kadmon has yet to save him and Kilgore is yet to serve Kadmon. You don’t puzzle over who the traitor of the book is as you’ve learnt all about him. You never question Phaedra as you know Andres carried the cane, would have access to the revolvers and can make use of the corpses. You don’t question what he needs corpses for as in his sovereign spotlight, you learn that he uses the corpses as his body parts. In summary, the board game gives away too much. I didn’t have to puzzle over the mysteries of the book as the board game gave me answers to them.
That concludes the review. Thank you for the chance to try out an ARC, thank you for being fine with my hogging of one spot that entire day during BAGFest 2026. Might I add, I feel that the extra thinking time knowing the answers gave me allowed me to try and decipher the greater mystery. Although it is most likely wrong, I’m fairly confident that Samuel is the great evil. You don’t have to answer me, I’m just thinking aloud here.
Sincerely, that one 12 year old boy.
First, the points I enjoyed. One of my favourite pieces of world building found in the book is just how well the first few chapters set the scene. They accomplish an air of mystery around Verdania and very clearly demonstrate the corruption in high verdania. The words impress upon me just how corrupt and wicked the government is but you get the feeling that there is no better option. The words maintain the air of greatness and humility while retaining an undercurrent of corruption. The first Iainira Chapter illustrated this very well.
Another thing I enjoyed is just how meaningless some deaths were. Don’t get me wrong, the deaths of Seraphina, Darius, Phaedra all mattered but my favourite scene showing the futility of death is Sakarafort. The fishermen, the children, the women. They all died for nothing. It didn’t fail to impress upon me just how deep the corruption goes. The knights, despite being portrayed as “defenders of the living” slaughtered innocent civilians and fishermen for nothing. The king ordered their deaths, their massacre for nothing. In a way, I think it gives these meaningless deaths meaning.
Lastly, I loved how the atmosphere of each character changes the speech. For example: Kilgore’s chapters are noticeably more jovial. While Kadmon’s chapters still remain hopeful despite all the suffering happening in them. Right up until the end that is. It really made me feel the depth and personality of the characters without any explicit Tell-not-show.
My main qualm with the book is the fact that there is a board game sharing the universe _after the events of the book_. Don’t get me wrong, I love the board game and am very happy about it but the board game is very liberal with the lore. Just reading the flavour text or looking at the character art speaks of future events. For example, in the card “Children of Thanes” the flavour text mentions Kadmon marching against Verdania. This naturally eliminates any other option than absolute conquest on Kadmon’s part given that you fight him in the game. You know Kilgore dies eventually due to his character art showing him as a skeleton. Although this is foretelling his death, it also effectively gives him plot armour. In his sovereign spotlight, you learn that he is saved by Kadmon. You do not worry about him even when he is dying of Maladi since Kadmon has yet to save him and Kilgore is yet to serve Kadmon. You don’t puzzle over who the traitor of the book is as you’ve learnt all about him. You never question Phaedra as you know Andres carried the cane, would have access to the revolvers and can make use of the corpses. You don’t question what he needs corpses for as in his sovereign spotlight, you learn that he uses the corpses as his body parts. In summary, the board game gives away too much. I didn’t have to puzzle over the mysteries of the book as the board game gave me answers to them.
That concludes the review. Thank you for the chance to try out an ARC, thank you for being fine with my hogging of one spot that entire day during BAGFest 2026. Might I add, I feel that the extra thinking time knowing the answers gave me allowed me to try and decipher the greater mystery. Although it is most likely wrong, I’m fairly confident that Samuel is the great evil. You don’t have to answer me, I’m just thinking aloud here.
Sincerely, that one 12 year old boy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Received an Advance Reader Copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
It is a plot driven epic fantasy book filled with guns, magic, religion and supernatural creatures. I enjoyed the grim and dystopian tone of the book, along with great character development.
It is a cruel world. Death comes easy, sometimes unexpected or meaningless. It shows the ugly side of humans, a corrupted monarchy, discrimination, and traumatized victims.
You can see multiple character's beliefs changing with the story. Characters trying to do what is right despite its unfairness, or turning evil from their circumstances.
The theology is also another interesting aspect this book explores. In this world, gods blessing can be invoked through prayers. And there are tangible outcomes for it.
If that is the case, should it still be considered a religion? Isn't the point of faith is that one does not know if there will be tangible results or proof. Wouldn't it be considered science instead?
Also, who should be more deserving of it, the strength of peoples faith or people with authority and knows the hidden methods to invoke it?
I'm not one who really likes descriptions. So some parts felt a bit too long for me. But occasionally some symbolism, phrases or the environment it paints did stand out to me.
It is a plot driven epic fantasy book filled with guns, magic, religion and supernatural creatures. I enjoyed the grim and dystopian tone of the book, along with great character development.
It is a cruel world. Death comes easy, sometimes unexpected or meaningless. It shows the ugly side of humans, a corrupted monarchy, discrimination, and traumatized victims.
You can see multiple character's beliefs changing with the story. Characters trying to do what is right despite its unfairness, or turning evil from their circumstances.
The theology is also another interesting aspect this book explores. In this world, gods blessing can be invoked through prayers. And there are tangible outcomes for it.
If that is the case, should it still be considered a religion? Isn't the point of faith is that one does not know if there will be tangible results or proof. Wouldn't it be considered science instead?
Also, who should be more deserving of it, the strength of peoples faith or people with authority and knows the hidden methods to invoke it?
I'm not one who really likes descriptions. So some parts felt a bit too long for me. But occasionally some symbolism, phrases or the environment it paints did stand out to me.
Review of advance copy received from Autorin bzw. Autor
This certainly is a multi POV epic fantasy. There are quite a few POV characters that each add to the story. The world is vast, gritty and dark. Dharmawan is able to bring the world to life by painting a organized society and add rich details to everyday life as well as in battle. The characters each have their own motivations, that are true to their characters. The romance subplot(s) felt a little bumpy and aprupt, while still adding to the narrative.
I enjoyed the flintlock aspect and definetly need more of that.
If you like a dark fantasy with a complex backstory, a well fleshed out world and gods - this is a book for you.
I recived an ARC of the book by the author and I'm leaving a honest review.
I enjoyed the flintlock aspect and definetly need more of that.
If you like a dark fantasy with a complex backstory, a well fleshed out world and gods - this is a book for you.
I recived an ARC of the book by the author and I'm leaving a honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book got me back into reading after a long time.
If you are looking for a book with:
- a feudal society similar to Brandon Sanderson's The Final Empire
- a hero's tragic back story
- a bit of romance
- a bit of war/conquest epic
- some magic that isn't like every other typical magic system
- teary/emotional moments
- heart warming moments
- faith
- despair
I would say, this book is for you.
Anyway, I received ARC for free and just leaving an honest review. Can't wait for the next one.
If you are looking for a book with:
- a feudal society similar to Brandon Sanderson's The Final Empire
- a hero's tragic back story
- a bit of romance
- a bit of war/conquest epic
- some magic that isn't like every other typical magic system
- teary/emotional moments
- heart warming moments
- faith
- despair
I would say, this book is for you.
Anyway, I received ARC for free and just leaving an honest review. Can't wait for the next one.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews