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The Shattering of Kingdoms #2
King's Guard
The Mercenary Code has been broken and a new Protectorate Empire has arisen.
In league with renegade mages known as the Fallen, the Protectorate will stop at nothing to expand its reach and unify the factions of Old Caledun by any means necessary. The few who escaped the coup are now in a tenuous struggle against the growing influence of this corrupt new Order.
Mercenary companies loyal to the old ways race to defend one of the last bastions of freedom in the South. In the capable hands of its ardent commander, one city prepares for the decisive battle that will shape the future of Kal Maran. New allies have joined the cause, but can they turn the tide?
In the depths of an ancient subterranean library, two unlikely companions continue to explore the mysteries of a long vanished race. While in the distant Drayen Lands, a foreign noblewoman is thrust to the fore in the midst of an enemy invasion by sea.
And in the North, hope has been rekindled. Surviving the trials of the Wilds and reaching the lands of the Iron Shield, the An'Dari – legendary protector of Kings – has returned. Searching for Caledun’s true heir, his memories hold the key to absolving the sins of the past.
In league with renegade mages known as the Fallen, the Protectorate will stop at nothing to expand its reach and unify the factions of Old Caledun by any means necessary. The few who escaped the coup are now in a tenuous struggle against the growing influence of this corrupt new Order.
Mercenary companies loyal to the old ways race to defend one of the last bastions of freedom in the South. In the capable hands of its ardent commander, one city prepares for the decisive battle that will shape the future of Kal Maran. New allies have joined the cause, but can they turn the tide?
In the depths of an ancient subterranean library, two unlikely companions continue to explore the mysteries of a long vanished race. While in the distant Drayen Lands, a foreign noblewoman is thrust to the fore in the midst of an enemy invasion by sea.
And in the North, hope has been rekindled. Surviving the trials of the Wilds and reaching the lands of the Iron Shield, the An'Dari – legendary protector of Kings – has returned. Searching for Caledun’s true heir, his memories hold the key to absolving the sins of the past.
- GenresFantasy
796 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 10, 2019
108 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
About the author
Emmet Moss
6 books41 followersEmmet Moss writes epic fantasy that whisks readers away to worlds far removed from our own while evoking the classic, sweeping fantasy of yesteryear. He is widely known for his four book saga, The Shattering of Kingdoms (completed in 2021). A labour of love over fifteen years in the making, the first book in the series, The Mercenary Code, won the prestigious Voice Arts Award for Audiobook Narration – Fantasy thanks to the impeccable performance of narrator Simon Vance.
In his latest two novels - A Mantle of Bones (2022) and The Knight of Fulton Court (2023) - Moss introduced his readers to the Earldom of Essenburg. In the midst of these two tales, a new continent in the world of Kal Maran was revealed, expanding the world first introduced in The Shattering of Kingdoms.
The stage has now been set for an epic new saga that will connect many threads from the previous books and reintroduce characters readers have grown to love. Moss is hard at work on a new four-book series and true sequel to The Shattering of Kingdoms. The first book in this new series is planned for release in 2025.
In his latest two novels - A Mantle of Bones (2022) and The Knight of Fulton Court (2023) - Moss introduced his readers to the Earldom of Essenburg. In the midst of these two tales, a new continent in the world of Kal Maran was revealed, expanding the world first introduced in The Shattering of Kingdoms.
The stage has now been set for an epic new saga that will connect many threads from the previous books and reintroduce characters readers have grown to love. Moss is hard at work on a new four-book series and true sequel to The Shattering of Kingdoms. The first book in this new series is planned for release in 2025.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 1, 2021
2.5 Stars
Update! For the full review: essentialreadingsandreviews.blogspot....
What's the story about: In King's Guard, those who are not aligned with the gathering Protectorate army will be surely sought out and destroyed. While the forces of evil take shape, three main storylines are followed as the war for Caledun has begun.
There is just enough to enjoy in this story. Being a decisively middle saga, this book gets little done in too many words. Emmet Moss is definitely a talented author in terms of description, characters, world-building, and emotional resonance. But in this one, the amount of characters and perspectives to keep track of left a certain gravitas out that was a defining feature of The Mercenary Code. Separately, many chapters read like the first draft of what was normally very refined writing. Those chapters felt very forced, clunky, and out of flow with the rest of the story because of character dialogue or actions. I still enjoyed aspects this book, but I'm hoping some of these areas will be cleaned up in Stones of Aer. Would still recommend reading the series!
Update! For the full review: essentialreadingsandreviews.blogspot....
What's the story about: In King's Guard, those who are not aligned with the gathering Protectorate army will be surely sought out and destroyed. While the forces of evil take shape, three main storylines are followed as the war for Caledun has begun.
There is just enough to enjoy in this story. Being a decisively middle saga, this book gets little done in too many words. Emmet Moss is definitely a talented author in terms of description, characters, world-building, and emotional resonance. But in this one, the amount of characters and perspectives to keep track of left a certain gravitas out that was a defining feature of The Mercenary Code. Separately, many chapters read like the first draft of what was normally very refined writing. Those chapters felt very forced, clunky, and out of flow with the rest of the story because of character dialogue or actions. I still enjoyed aspects this book, but I'm hoping some of these areas will be cleaned up in Stones of Aer. Would still recommend reading the series!
December 9, 2019
Publishing Date: December 2019
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 3.2/5
Review: This novel has all the players that you loved in the first run, only they are weighted down with very slow reveals, long-winded exchanges, excessive scene descriptions, unnecessary story lines and prolonged back stories. The battles are also drawn out and fail to mirror the first novels insightful impact. I am not sure why Danys Ford was relevant. She seemed like an afterthought that was written to balance out the male heavy cast. She is so giving and perfect that if you're not puking rainbows you still might be shjtting pixie spooge.
Silveron is still morose as ever and longs for Danys, which is confusing in itself. The only group worth following is Leoric's crew. At least they embrace the movement in quest like fashion and garner something worthwhile. If this is the setup for the final novel in the trilogy, then a whole heck of a lot of disparate things need to come together in order to defeat the enemy.
A filler novel that sets up the grande finale? Maybe, but still a good read as the author wends and weaves a story line in expert fashion. I just got lost somewhere between the battle of Delfwane and the Dwarves of Aleron.
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 3.2/5
Review: This novel has all the players that you loved in the first run, only they are weighted down with very slow reveals, long-winded exchanges, excessive scene descriptions, unnecessary story lines and prolonged back stories. The battles are also drawn out and fail to mirror the first novels insightful impact. I am not sure why Danys Ford was relevant. She seemed like an afterthought that was written to balance out the male heavy cast. She is so giving and perfect that if you're not puking rainbows you still might be shjtting pixie spooge.
Silveron is still morose as ever and longs for Danys, which is confusing in itself. The only group worth following is Leoric's crew. At least they embrace the movement in quest like fashion and garner something worthwhile. If this is the setup for the final novel in the trilogy, then a whole heck of a lot of disparate things need to come together in order to defeat the enemy.
A filler novel that sets up the grande finale? Maybe, but still a good read as the author wends and weaves a story line in expert fashion. I just got lost somewhere between the battle of Delfwane and the Dwarves of Aleron.
June 29, 2020
Hope the author plans to write 30 books in this series, because it will take that long for anything to happen
1000+ pages in and the protagonist is still amazingly useless... Due to boredom, I may not make it through the next book.
1000+ pages in and the protagonist is still amazingly useless... Due to boredom, I may not make it through the next book.
January 13, 2020
A True Journey
The story continues to grow in character development and grim truths, cast of believable characters emerge on to the stage...well done.
The story continues to grow in character development and grim truths, cast of believable characters emerge on to the stage...well done.
January 18, 2020
*spoiler free review*
An exciting follow up to book 1 in this series! I felt it was much more action packed and the pace was excellent. Having now read the first two in the series I'm even more excited for book 3!
Character depth is much more fleshed out now and I'm beginning to get seriously attached to some of the players and really wondering where Moss leads us in the next chapter. All in all, an overall better story than book 1, you can tell the author is getting more comfortable and has a definite plan for the series.
An exciting follow up to book 1 in this series! I felt it was much more action packed and the pace was excellent. Having now read the first two in the series I'm even more excited for book 3!
Character depth is much more fleshed out now and I'm beginning to get seriously attached to some of the players and really wondering where Moss leads us in the next chapter. All in all, an overall better story than book 1, you can tell the author is getting more comfortable and has a definite plan for the series.
March 9, 2023
I really wanted to like this book. I seriously did. There was nothing that I could point to directly but for some reason I was not engaged. Honestly I had the same problem with the first book but I had already bought the 2ñd and around the end of the first book there was an increase in intensity that grabbed my interest. Unfortunately after I got about 80 percent through, I honestly found that I didn't care.
Maybe I'll try again at another time
Maybe I'll try again at another time
October 17, 2020
This author shows promise - his main characters have some depth, I love the originality of the worlds and characters created. But there is a shallowness at present, an over focus on heroes, and all the women are victims. It’s disappointing in this series.
February 25, 2022
I have read the four books in this series prior to writing this review. This summary will be repeated for all books with additional comments on book 3.
First of all, I enjoyed this series. Had all the elements generally found in this genre. The author does an excellent job of bringing a feeling of intimacy with the characters. You feel their losses. You admire certain characters in the same way that of the characters. This isn't so unusual in lengthy stories except that the I felt much closer to the individuals in this story than I have in other works.
I developed a genuine appreciation several of the main characters who brought vitality and mystery to the story line.
Excellent job. Starts slow but builds up toward a satisfying conclusion.
First of all, I enjoyed this series. Had all the elements generally found in this genre. The author does an excellent job of bringing a feeling of intimacy with the characters. You feel their losses. You admire certain characters in the same way that of the characters. This isn't so unusual in lengthy stories except that the I felt much closer to the individuals in this story than I have in other works.
I developed a genuine appreciation several of the main characters who brought vitality and mystery to the story line.
Excellent job. Starts slow but builds up toward a satisfying conclusion.
February 4, 2020
An epic world worth exploring
The author has found his stride in exploring the motivations and relationships between his very real characters (I would say human, except some of them aren't). I have always enjoyed stories that contain both immediate challenges to the principals, usually caused by their own mistakes, in conjunction with a larger underlying question about what is driving the overall events. A worthy read for Butcher, Hearne and other fantasy fans, set in a novel world.
The author has found his stride in exploring the motivations and relationships between his very real characters (I would say human, except some of them aren't). I have always enjoyed stories that contain both immediate challenges to the principals, usually caused by their own mistakes, in conjunction with a larger underlying question about what is driving the overall events. A worthy read for Butcher, Hearne and other fantasy fans, set in a novel world.
May 6, 2020
I Am Impressed
So nice to find well written books worthy of being read. Too much stuff out there that purports to be science fiction or fantasy that are neither well written or good enough to take reading time. Rewarding to find two books in this series (looking forward to #3) that reward time spent looking for interesting characters, plot, action, villains and heroes. Recommend.
So nice to find well written books worthy of being read. Too much stuff out there that purports to be science fiction or fantasy that are neither well written or good enough to take reading time. Rewarding to find two books in this series (looking forward to #3) that reward time spent looking for interesting characters, plot, action, villains and heroes. Recommend.
July 7, 2021
Spoiler free
The world is interesting, the characters are dull witted and bumble their way into every trap set by the “enemy” some random character sacrifices their life to save them and two steps later they are in the same trap. This book probably could be condensed to less than 100 pages and still include everything. If the heroes weren’t involved in the book the good guys would have already claimed victory.
The world is interesting, the characters are dull witted and bumble their way into every trap set by the “enemy” some random character sacrifices their life to save them and two steps later they are in the same trap. This book probably could be condensed to less than 100 pages and still include everything. If the heroes weren’t involved in the book the good guys would have already claimed victory.
October 29, 2023
I enjoyed the installment. Still a lot of characters to keep up with during the course of the novel. As w/ the first novel, Gavin is a favorite, followed closely by Ethan. I already started listening to the next installment as I cleaned out the garage. Can't wait to see how we progress in the series.
August 2, 2020
Great read
I really enjoyed the continuation of this story. Interesting plot twists kept me turning the pages. Looking forward to the next installment.
I really enjoyed the continuation of this story. Interesting plot twists kept me turning the pages. Looking forward to the next installment.
September 26, 2020
Good read, will definitely keep reading this series.
December 27, 2021
In the tradition of "classic" fantasy (dwarves, goblins, humans, etc) - a fine entry!
4.5
4.5
May 15, 2022
Very Good Series
The story is well written and the cast of characters all have their own lives, ideas and agendas. They are well written. I am thoroughly enjoying this series.
The story is well written and the cast of characters all have their own lives, ideas and agendas. They are well written. I am thoroughly enjoying this series.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews