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The King Trials #1
The King's Trial
A mute radical. A brutal queen. A quest through a deadly maze.
Yosyph fences his heart and keeps his mouth shut. Posing as a mute tavern-hand, he gathers information on his bigoted queen and silently seeks to raise a rebellion. But when he discovers the monarch’s scheme to enslave thousands, he fears leading a revolt now would only end in a massacre.
Desperate for allies in the coming war, Yosyph travels through a deadly desert in search of his kin. But he’s shocked to discover his only option to defeat the queen’s vast military is an ancient magic that will consume him–unless he opens himself to the voice of his god.
Will Yosyph’s unexpected answers to his prayers stop his realm from descending into bloody darkness?
2019 Whitney Awards Nominee
The writing style is smart and engaging. Brave young men, vivacious heroine. Vibrant world, exciting stakes… I’d recommend to fans of Blades of Acktar, The Queen’s Thief, and The Minstrel’s Song! -- H.S.J. Williams, author of Moonscript
- GenresFantasyYoung Adult
297 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 27, 2019
18 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
M.L. Farb
11 books47 followersML Farb is the Whitney Award Finalist and SPFBO Semi-Finalist author of noblebright fantasy and retellings of less known fairytales.
To learn more about her adventures and her favorite books see: https://mlfarbauthor.com/home-2/about...
WHAT READERS SAY
“The writing style is smart and engaging. Brave young men, vivacious heroine. Vibrant world, exciting stakes!” – H.S.J. Williams, author of Moonscript
“Farb has created story line, character development, humor, plot twists, incredible prose, and deep truths that are all phenomenal.” – Petey (Goodreads)
“I love JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis, Lloyd Alexander, and now ML Farb.” – John (Goodreads)
“This could be one of my all time favorite series, right up there with Harry Potter and the Hunger Games!“ – Mari (Audible)
“It is an exquisite tale of hope and redemption.“ – Onlinebookclub review
“It can be difficult to find a story that can boast exciting adventure, true love, clever riddles, exceptional and believable character arc, as well as a complete lack of rudeness or depravity. “
– Melanie (Goodreads)
To learn more about her adventures and her favorite books see: https://mlfarbauthor.com/home-2/about...
WHAT READERS SAY
“The writing style is smart and engaging. Brave young men, vivacious heroine. Vibrant world, exciting stakes!” – H.S.J. Williams, author of Moonscript
“Farb has created story line, character development, humor, plot twists, incredible prose, and deep truths that are all phenomenal.” – Petey (Goodreads)
“I love JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis, Lloyd Alexander, and now ML Farb.” – John (Goodreads)
“This could be one of my all time favorite series, right up there with Harry Potter and the Hunger Games!“ – Mari (Audible)
“It is an exquisite tale of hope and redemption.“ – Onlinebookclub review
“It can be difficult to find a story that can boast exciting adventure, true love, clever riddles, exceptional and believable character arc, as well as a complete lack of rudeness or depravity. “
– Melanie (Goodreads)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
August 12, 2021
This was more 3 1/2 than 3 stars.
Likeable characters, interesting setting, (which alternated between a fractious kingdom and the desert), and a plot which moved at a fairly good clip.
There are some religious overtones, so it might not work for everyone. Since I don't find that offensive, I liked this clean story.
I'm on the fence for now about reading the second book. Apparently there are four different points of view. (This book only had two.) I cannot stand multiple POVs but two was more doable than four. So the jury's still out for the sequel. But who knows?
Likeable characters, interesting setting, (which alternated between a fractious kingdom and the desert), and a plot which moved at a fairly good clip.
There are some religious overtones, so it might not work for everyone. Since I don't find that offensive, I liked this clean story.
I'm on the fence for now about reading the second book. Apparently there are four different points of view. (This book only had two.) I cannot stand multiple POVs but two was more doable than four. So the jury's still out for the sequel. But who knows?
March 2, 2020
A great book for tweens/early teens, girls or boys, especially those who like historical-feeling, non-magical fantasy. The writing style is smart and engaging. Brave young men, vivacious heroine. Vibrant world, exciting stakes.
There is unfortunately a “girl must choose between two brothers” subplot that will be continuing to the second book, which isn’t my favorite thing, but at least the girl is clear about just wanting to get to know them both better before she makes any decisions.
I’d recommend to fans of Blades of Acktar, The Queen’s Thief, and The Minstrel’s Song!
There is unfortunately a “girl must choose between two brothers” subplot that will be continuing to the second book, which isn’t my favorite thing, but at least the girl is clear about just wanting to get to know them both better before she makes any decisions.
I’d recommend to fans of Blades of Acktar, The Queen’s Thief, and The Minstrel’s Song!
November 30, 2020
Excellent YA Fantasy
I loved the converging storylines and the character growth in this book! The story is told from the first-person point of view of Yosyph, the rebel army leader opposed to the wicked queen, and the first-person perspective of Halavant, the spoiled son of the same queen. The author does a fantastic job getting you hooked on both plotlines, and I loved alternating between Yosyph’s story and Halavant’s as the plot unfolded and secrets were revealed. This book is perfect for a young adult audience with clean content and relatable characters throughout the well-edited pages.
I loved the thought-provoking topics throughout the book and was deeply moved by Yosyph’s faith journey. The lesson he learned struck a chord with me in my faith walk, and I appreciated the author’s ability to weave a simple yet profound message into the story. I can’t say enough about how much I loved Halavant’s transition; I could not stand him at the beginning of the book, but his character developed so much as the story continued.
The book culminated in an exciting race against time and a satisfying conclusion. Several edge-of-your-seat instants and some heartwarming and humorous moments in the final chapters made me appreciate this book even more. The final sequence of events left me standing on solid ground but eager to plunge into the sequel!
I reviewed this book through OnlineBookClub.org. I was not required to leave a review on this site.
OnlineBookClub Review: https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/vie...
I loved the converging storylines and the character growth in this book! The story is told from the first-person point of view of Yosyph, the rebel army leader opposed to the wicked queen, and the first-person perspective of Halavant, the spoiled son of the same queen. The author does a fantastic job getting you hooked on both plotlines, and I loved alternating between Yosyph’s story and Halavant’s as the plot unfolded and secrets were revealed. This book is perfect for a young adult audience with clean content and relatable characters throughout the well-edited pages.
I loved the thought-provoking topics throughout the book and was deeply moved by Yosyph’s faith journey. The lesson he learned struck a chord with me in my faith walk, and I appreciated the author’s ability to weave a simple yet profound message into the story. I can’t say enough about how much I loved Halavant’s transition; I could not stand him at the beginning of the book, but his character developed so much as the story continued.
The book culminated in an exciting race against time and a satisfying conclusion. Several edge-of-your-seat instants and some heartwarming and humorous moments in the final chapters made me appreciate this book even more. The final sequence of events left me standing on solid ground but eager to plunge into the sequel!
I reviewed this book through OnlineBookClub.org. I was not required to leave a review on this site.
OnlineBookClub Review: https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/vie...
November 18, 2020
The King’s Trial is well written. The characters are relatable, rounded, and engaging. Though Yosyph is joined on his hero’s journey by the delightful Katrin, Halavant, a spoiled prince, must travel his own path. Each of the three grows in both faith and ability as the story progresses. And, though I am so much older than the target audience, I enjoyed this Teen/YA Fantasy. The plot pulled me forward with a steady hand and the world building enriched the tale. I look forward to reading the next book in this series. This book would be an excellent read for a younger person who needs action and suspense to draw him or her into the story, but once hooked could devour the book in no time. I highly recommend The King’s Trial.
August 27, 2019
I've got to say that this is one of the best books I've read with wonderful characters who grow on their journeys, stellar writing, fantastic world-building, and a twisty, nail-biting plot. The only thing less than positive I have to say is that the ending isn't really an ending, which frustrates me no matter what book I'm reading. So, just a caution that everything won't be wrapped up at the end. At least it's not a cliffhanger!
Lots of quotable lines, but I'll have to buy the paperback so I can mark them (I still haven't figured out how to do that in my Kindle). I want a paperback of this one anyway, because the cover art is so gorgeous!
Lots of quotable lines, but I'll have to buy the paperback so I can mark them (I still haven't figured out how to do that in my Kindle). I want a paperback of this one anyway, because the cover art is so gorgeous!
July 6, 2019
I just finished reading The King's Trial this morning. I wholeheartedly recommend this clean fantasy adventure! All the main characters went through their own journeys (literal or metaphorical) of growth, and I like that I would not have predicted where some of those would lead. There was an element of romance, but it wasn't entirely predictable either (predictability is what bothers me about most romance novels). A twist near the end caught me by surprise, which was also fun. But my favorite thing about The King's Trial was the part of the story where Yosyph must travel through a maze of rock formations using a series of clever riddles/clues to tell him where to go. In one scene, he had to sing a particular song, walking at a pace where his feet kept rhythm with the tune, and then turn each time the word "left" or "right" came up in the song lyrics. I thought that was quite clever!
Though the main conflict does get resolved and there's no cliffhanger, a few loose ends in the story make me look forward to the sequel. If you enjoy fantasy or adventure stories, why not download your copy of The King's Trial now?
Though the main conflict does get resolved and there's no cliffhanger, a few loose ends in the story make me look forward to the sequel. If you enjoy fantasy or adventure stories, why not download your copy of The King's Trial now?
August 14, 2019
I'm not a blogger, and I rarely accept requests to review books. I'm also not over keen on the fantasy genre, so when the author of this book asked me if I'd be interested in a review copy, I didn't expect to accept. However, I took a look at the Amazon 'Look inside' sample. What I read was very well written, and I realised this might be an enjoyable task.
It turns out, Mrs Farb has done me a favour. The King's Trial is much better than I was expecting. The characters are mostly YA, and apart from a couple of minor quibbles, I could believe in them and the almost medieval world the author has created. The further in I got, the more compelling the story. And although this genre is not a favourite of mine, I will definitely read more by this author. This is a very good debut book.
Please note, I was given a free copy for my honest opinion. Had I not enjoyed it, I would not have reviewed it as I rarely review books I can't give a good report on. This is a solid 4 stars. I look forward to watching the author grow as she continues writing.
It turns out, Mrs Farb has done me a favour. The King's Trial is much better than I was expecting. The characters are mostly YA, and apart from a couple of minor quibbles, I could believe in them and the almost medieval world the author has created. The further in I got, the more compelling the story. And although this genre is not a favourite of mine, I will definitely read more by this author. This is a very good debut book.
Please note, I was given a free copy for my honest opinion. Had I not enjoyed it, I would not have reviewed it as I rarely review books I can't give a good report on. This is a solid 4 stars. I look forward to watching the author grow as she continues writing.
August 18, 2021
Once i started reading this book i could not put it down. The characters are well rounded and the story flows seemingly effortlessly.
Definitely a book to get lost in!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Definitely a book to get lost in!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Read
October 29, 2019
The King's Trial
took me by surprise. When I started reading it, it took me a little while to find the "rhythm" of the story, but when I did, I found that I didn't want to stop. I was caught up in a story about finding faith, overcoming hardships (great and small), uniting against tyranny, and the power of love over all else.
Yosyph is endearing in his modesty, and it was wonderful to see him open up and realise his own worth as the story progressed. His tendency to shrink inward is not something he overcomes entirely (which is realistic, he will have to fight that instinct always), but he learns to find value in himself and that he can do anything as long as he trusts God.
I didn't immediately warm to Halavant, but I feel like that's fairly natural, as he starts off full of pomp & lacks compassion, which, when you consider where he's come from (a life of luxury, pandering, and prejudice), makes a lot of sense. Watching him break out of that cycle, be challenged & pushed to his limits, is the true joy of his character arc.
The twists and turns of the plot are well-executed and kept me engaged with the story. There's more to it than the classic overthrow of a tyrant, the story runs deeper than that. The personal and emotional stakes of the characters are what holds it all together. The end of the book isn't the end of the story - there's a lot of loose ends, as it will have a sequel - but I felt the "ending" was a little lacking.
I wasn't overly fond of the love triangle either. It'll be interesting to see how it's handled, but it felt a little cliche. I don't like when it comes down to a girl choosing between two different guys, but it's not enough to severely impact my overall enjoyment of The King's Trial . I look forward to reading the next book!
Yosyph is endearing in his modesty, and it was wonderful to see him open up and realise his own worth as the story progressed. His tendency to shrink inward is not something he overcomes entirely (which is realistic, he will have to fight that instinct always), but he learns to find value in himself and that he can do anything as long as he trusts God.
I didn't immediately warm to Halavant, but I feel like that's fairly natural, as he starts off full of pomp & lacks compassion, which, when you consider where he's come from (a life of luxury, pandering, and prejudice), makes a lot of sense. Watching him break out of that cycle, be challenged & pushed to his limits, is the true joy of his character arc.
The twists and turns of the plot are well-executed and kept me engaged with the story. There's more to it than the classic overthrow of a tyrant, the story runs deeper than that. The personal and emotional stakes of the characters are what holds it all together. The end of the book isn't the end of the story - there's a lot of loose ends, as it will have a sequel - but I felt the "ending" was a little lacking.
I wasn't overly fond of the love triangle either. It'll be interesting to see how it's handled, but it felt a little cliche. I don't like when it comes down to a girl choosing between two different guys, but it's not enough to severely impact my overall enjoyment of The King's Trial . I look forward to reading the next book!
June 11, 2020
Farb has created story line, character development, humor, plot twists, incredible prose, and deep truths that are all phenomenal, making this book stand out on my shelf. I was so captivated that I was tempted to skip paragraphs to find out what happened next but the writing is so good I didn’t want to miss a word! I had a hard time putting it down! I highly recommend this for all! I’m going to read it again by reading out loud to my tweens.
April 14, 2020
I have very conflicted and opposing thoughts on M. L. Farb's "The King's Trial". At times it is clever, heartfelt, and fun while at other times it is formulaic, heavy-handed, and self-indulgent. Portions of the book were great and other parts were so-so. It is not a bad story by any measure but the flaws shown enough to make the read, at times, a chore. It could easily become a five-star book in my opinion if the rough edges were smoothed out.
First, the great: The story is your somewhat tried and true formula of royal teens trying to save their kingdom with a quest. What makes this great is that it is cleverly subverted in interesting ways. For instance, one character goes on a quest to save their love interest but instead saves themself through improving their character. I honestly thought I would really hate the spoiled brat prince but through their storyline, I came to find them interesting and deep. The world-building is intriguing and creates a feeling of a larger sense of place. The characters are all pretty fun. The best parts of the story (from the spoiler section below) were when real historical precedents would peek through about how revolutions and governance work against what we think. For instance, just simply assassinating one bad person doesn't necessarily end a war. The fact that this book thought of that made it much stronger than several other similar books I've read.
Second, the not great: The story begins and ends with a lot of exposition to explain the setting and motivations of the characters. The lead, for example, is a member of a revolutionary group working against the kingdom's monarchy. Over the course of several matter-of-fact flashbacks, we learn some of why the lead is doing this. It feels more like the character is affirming their choice themselves rather than trusting us to trust they have a reason. The end has similar issues in which, after a time skip, we learn how things are going in rapid succession as stated facts. It's not terrible but it made getting into the story harder than it needed to. Secondly, the characters make lots of silent prayers to a god (or possibly gods?) but never discuss the matter in any depth. It seems to play a very important part of the story (as one character literary speaks to a god several times but the matter is left as just a thing that happens. As a fantasy nerd, I love learning about made-up religions. It's one of my favorite parts of games like the Elder Scrolls or Dragon Age. So, the metaphysics of the book left me with more world-building questions than answers but not in the right way.
*Light Spoilers*
Lastly, the story is a bit problematic. One major theme throughout is that the primary lead is not white but rather a member of a dark-skinned "desert people" with magical abilities. This seems to play on the concept of the magical other. The literary history of which is not wonderful. This bothered me only a little at the start as this character only talked about the ability as an abstract skill rather than an intrinsic power. Over the course of the book, however, it was shown to be a supernatural power that was unheard of in the largely white kingdom. It seems like, in a magical world, it would have been fun to have more different kinds of magic or explore why the character was magical. Other issues like how disability was discussed and shown had similar themes of nearing problematic issues. All of which were things that made me step back and distance myself from the story rather than add to it.
*Heavy Spoilers*
The best portion of this story was the heel turn of one of the characters. It turns out that there is more to this story than just an evil queen doing evil for fun. The true villain wants democracy at any stake. Even to the point of starting an unjust war to make it happen. This elevated the story a lot in my mind. Stories like the Lord of the Rings or Sword of Shannara make it seem like just getting rid of the big bad saves the day when in reality there is more nuanced than that to fix a broken system. I appreciated the even-handed exploration of those themes in a fantasy story.
*Spoilers End*
I'm interested to read other works by M. L. Farb. This series could grow into something really interesting if she builds on the ideas in this story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
First, the great: The story is your somewhat tried and true formula of royal teens trying to save their kingdom with a quest. What makes this great is that it is cleverly subverted in interesting ways. For instance, one character goes on a quest to save their love interest but instead saves themself through improving their character. I honestly thought I would really hate the spoiled brat prince but through their storyline, I came to find them interesting and deep. The world-building is intriguing and creates a feeling of a larger sense of place. The characters are all pretty fun. The best parts of the story (from the spoiler section below) were when real historical precedents would peek through about how revolutions and governance work against what we think. For instance, just simply assassinating one bad person doesn't necessarily end a war. The fact that this book thought of that made it much stronger than several other similar books I've read.
Second, the not great: The story begins and ends with a lot of exposition to explain the setting and motivations of the characters. The lead, for example, is a member of a revolutionary group working against the kingdom's monarchy. Over the course of several matter-of-fact flashbacks, we learn some of why the lead is doing this. It feels more like the character is affirming their choice themselves rather than trusting us to trust they have a reason. The end has similar issues in which, after a time skip, we learn how things are going in rapid succession as stated facts. It's not terrible but it made getting into the story harder than it needed to. Secondly, the characters make lots of silent prayers to a god (or possibly gods?) but never discuss the matter in any depth. It seems to play a very important part of the story (as one character literary speaks to a god several times but the matter is left as just a thing that happens. As a fantasy nerd, I love learning about made-up religions. It's one of my favorite parts of games like the Elder Scrolls or Dragon Age. So, the metaphysics of the book left me with more world-building questions than answers but not in the right way.
*Light Spoilers*
Lastly, the story is a bit problematic. One major theme throughout is that the primary lead is not white but rather a member of a dark-skinned "desert people" with magical abilities. This seems to play on the concept of the magical other. The literary history of which is not wonderful. This bothered me only a little at the start as this character only talked about the ability as an abstract skill rather than an intrinsic power. Over the course of the book, however, it was shown to be a supernatural power that was unheard of in the largely white kingdom. It seems like, in a magical world, it would have been fun to have more different kinds of magic or explore why the character was magical. Other issues like how disability was discussed and shown had similar themes of nearing problematic issues. All of which were things that made me step back and distance myself from the story rather than add to it.
*Heavy Spoilers*
The best portion of this story was the heel turn of one of the characters. It turns out that there is more to this story than just an evil queen doing evil for fun. The true villain wants democracy at any stake. Even to the point of starting an unjust war to make it happen. This elevated the story a lot in my mind. Stories like the Lord of the Rings or Sword of Shannara make it seem like just getting rid of the big bad saves the day when in reality there is more nuanced than that to fix a broken system. I appreciated the even-handed exploration of those themes in a fantasy story.
*Spoilers End*
I'm interested to read other works by M. L. Farb. This series could grow into something really interesting if she builds on the ideas in this story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 28, 2021
Hard to Put Down Family Friendly Fantasy
I absolutely loved this book and I am really excited to see where the story goes in book two! I have put it on my kids reading list library. This is a super clean and completely family friendly book, it's free of adult content and bad language. There is some battle violence but it is in no way overly graphic. I have been trying to figure out what book this one reminds me of and I can't put my finger on it... It's unique in its own way and probably would be more of a mash up of many different books. I love how the main characters are so well fleshed out that you really find yourself invested in the story and it does a great job pulling you in. This does fall in more of a realistic knights of the realm like fantasy as the only part of it that has more of the "magic" element is the shadow walking. There is what I would consider a Christian undertone that through most of the book is fairly subtle but there are a few scenes later that do verge toward the preachy side so I am hoping that isn't an increasing trend. For the most part I think it's really friendly to all faiths as it mentions a God, prayer, honor, and trusting / listening to the inner voice but doesn't delve into anything further. The narrator did a great job with differentiations and made it harder to put down. Overall, I really enjoyed it and do recommend it... if you are on the fence just try it out and you won't be disappointed.
—I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
I absolutely loved this book and I am really excited to see where the story goes in book two! I have put it on my kids reading list library. This is a super clean and completely family friendly book, it's free of adult content and bad language. There is some battle violence but it is in no way overly graphic. I have been trying to figure out what book this one reminds me of and I can't put my finger on it... It's unique in its own way and probably would be more of a mash up of many different books. I love how the main characters are so well fleshed out that you really find yourself invested in the story and it does a great job pulling you in. This does fall in more of a realistic knights of the realm like fantasy as the only part of it that has more of the "magic" element is the shadow walking. There is what I would consider a Christian undertone that through most of the book is fairly subtle but there are a few scenes later that do verge toward the preachy side so I am hoping that isn't an increasing trend. For the most part I think it's really friendly to all faiths as it mentions a God, prayer, honor, and trusting / listening to the inner voice but doesn't delve into anything further. The narrator did a great job with differentiations and made it harder to put down. Overall, I really enjoyed it and do recommend it... if you are on the fence just try it out and you won't be disappointed.
—I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
July 9, 2020
While fantasy isn't normally a genre I choose to pick up, I am glad I listened to the audio version of this book. It had sort of a Lord of the Rings feel to it. There was the typical good vs. evil. Yoseph appears to be a simple mute, however, there is much more to him than meets the eye. People speak plainly in front of him, not thinking that he is picking anything up and they certainly don't believe he will repeat anything. It is during one of these times that he learns of the queens plans. Yosef can't let her get away with it. He embarks on a journey that will force him to grow more than he ever believer possible.
I enjoyed the different characters in this book. I also enjoyed the spiritual message and that the book was clean. So many authors, even Christian ones, think they have to include immoral language and scenes to help sell books, but that's simply not true. And this book is proof.
As I said, I listened to the audio version of this book. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it and was quite annoyed when people in my real life interrupted me!
If you enjoy Christian fantasy, this is definitely a book you want to put on your reading list.
I enjoyed the different characters in this book. I also enjoyed the spiritual message and that the book was clean. So many authors, even Christian ones, think they have to include immoral language and scenes to help sell books, but that's simply not true. And this book is proof.
As I said, I listened to the audio version of this book. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it and was quite annoyed when people in my real life interrupted me!
If you enjoy Christian fantasy, this is definitely a book you want to put on your reading list.
April 26, 2021
What an entertaining story. I really enjoyed the action and adventure. The complicated relationships made it even more interesting.
M. L. Garb did a fantastic job with with building up the world and the characters. I had no problems visualizing everything as it was happening. Such a creative tale.
Neal Arango took the story to the next level. A very entertaining performance.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.
M. L. Garb did a fantastic job with with building up the world and the characters. I had no problems visualizing everything as it was happening. Such a creative tale.
Neal Arango took the story to the next level. A very entertaining performance.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.
April 17, 2020
A tale of a young man who journeys from being the unseen hidden ‘mute’ boy to becoming a king. The main protagonist and his hidden depths are fascinating, as his journey. The story is well written and the main character highly likeable. A good balance of action, sense and adventure. I highly recommend this story.
July 27, 2020
I loved The King's Trial; M. L. Farb's writing coupled with the narration by Neal Arango made for an enjoyable experience. I found the plot interesting and refreshing. The development of the characters was great and I am eager to continue their story. I did receive a promotional copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 17, 2020
The King's Trial tells the story of the Yorel Yosyph, who is on a mission to save the people from going into slavery. He plans a revolution against the queen. To do so, he must pass the King's Trial to get help from his people. It is a difficult task with many obstacles. In the meantime, he saves a girl who is the girlfriend of prince Halavant. This book was very well written! I loved the storyline and the characters a lot. There were many twists and turns which made the story unpredictable. I couldn't put it down because I always wanted to know what happened next. I can't wait to read the second book in the series! I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes to read fantasy books.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 1, 2020
Great book for young adults. I hate when YA books tell you what you are supposed to learn from them. This story is thought provoking without being preachy. It is fun and engaging. The characters are interesting and the story engaging. A thoroughly enjoyable read!
April 17, 2020
Got caught up in "what was going to happen next". Liked the characters. They were very believable. Great story line and plot.
December 8, 2020
Suspenseful and imaginative. I loved the character development, the originality, and the unpredictability. Definitely one that makes you want to keep reading.
July 27, 2021
One of my favourite books without a doubt!
I liked the main characters and the plot is clean and clear unlike some that makes me wish I had a dictionary in my hand. I liked Halavant's character development the most, he became likeable in the later half. I found Yosyph interesting right from the beginning and I'm glad he remained likeable till the end. I enjoyed reading this book and I find myself reading it again and again. The author has done a fantastic job!
I liked the main characters and the plot is clean and clear unlike some that makes me wish I had a dictionary in my hand. I liked Halavant's character development the most, he became likeable in the later half. I found Yosyph interesting right from the beginning and I'm glad he remained likeable till the end. I enjoyed reading this book and I find myself reading it again and again. The author has done a fantastic job!
April 27, 2020
What a great book! I found it very colorful and the characters were beautifully detailed. Full of adventure and excitement.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 7, 2020
I was drawn into this excellently written book from the beginning and did not want it to end. The characters and settings are well developed and believable, the plot swift and full of surprises, the themes uplifting, the descriptions poetic and clear. I'm glad there is a sequel!
March 6, 2021
I highly enjoyed listening to the King's Trial and learning about its two main POV characters, Yosyph and Halavant. Yosyph starts off the more likeable one while Halavant is quite the spoiled brat, but Halavant undergoes quite a lot of character development while the flaws in Yosyph's character become more explored in his journey. I like them both about equally well by the end.
I will say, in part as a warning and as a simple statement, that this book does have religious elements and that while they're subtle enough as the book starts to pass as an element of worldbuilding, in the last third or so they become a major plot point.
This normally isn't my cup of tea, but I found the religious elements well done enough in this story that I didn't mind it. If it's not normally your thing either, you may still be surprised by how much you end up enjoying it. The author manages to walk the fine balance between making the religious elements feel life-affirming without becoming too preachy.
Back to the world building, I thought the author did a great job of building up a world with different cultures and how they interact with each other. Yet the mechanics of the world never overshadow the well-developed characters.
I also want to comment on how pleased I was to see a severe head injury a character suffered treated with relatively realistic consequences. That's a rarity in fiction, where one character can be knocked unconscious by a blow to the head but otherwise wake up fine.
Neal's narration really added another layer to this story - I think I still would have enjoyed this as a print piece, but he adds something more that's hard to define. Definitely worth checking out the audio version.
I look forward to seeing how things develop in the next book. Most everything plot-related is resolved by the end, but if nothing else the question of how all of the character's relationships will develop leaves me wanting more.
I received a free copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
I will say, in part as a warning and as a simple statement, that this book does have religious elements and that while they're subtle enough as the book starts to pass as an element of worldbuilding, in the last third or so they become a major plot point.
This normally isn't my cup of tea, but I found the religious elements well done enough in this story that I didn't mind it. If it's not normally your thing either, you may still be surprised by how much you end up enjoying it. The author manages to walk the fine balance between making the religious elements feel life-affirming without becoming too preachy.
Back to the world building, I thought the author did a great job of building up a world with different cultures and how they interact with each other. Yet the mechanics of the world never overshadow the well-developed characters.
I also want to comment on how pleased I was to see a severe head injury a character suffered treated with relatively realistic consequences. That's a rarity in fiction, where one character can be knocked unconscious by a blow to the head but otherwise wake up fine.
Neal's narration really added another layer to this story - I think I still would have enjoyed this as a print piece, but he adds something more that's hard to define. Definitely worth checking out the audio version.
I look forward to seeing how things develop in the next book. Most everything plot-related is resolved by the end, but if nothing else the question of how all of the character's relationships will develop leaves me wanting more.
I received a free copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
August 8, 2019
I was a little iffy going into this one since I've had such meh luck with YA fantasies lately. I was worried for sure. But this gave me hope for the genre!
The story follows Yosyph who seems to be just a mute tavern-hand that people do not notice. However, he is planning the revolt against the evil, xenophobic queen. Things get a touch complicated as his journey goes on. Should he fight head on with his ill-prepared rebellion or attempt the deadly King's Trial and earn his kins' loyalty and their aid in his rebellion.
I was hooked from page one. I finished this in two sittings! I simply could not put this down. Sooooo good.
Yosyph was a fun character even though there were times I wanted to shake him. His POV was the best. The rest were okay and necessary to moving the plot along, but eh. I want more of him!
The world building was okay. I wanted more of this too. I still have some questions about the world. Hopefully more will be answered in the upcoming book. This was a lot of character-building and getting the story going. A lot more story to come, so hopefully we get more world-building in the next.
Oooooo that ending! AAAAH! I need to know what is going to happen next. I have some worries that I won't share since I don't wanna give away spoilers. But I am a touch worried especially with that twist there. We shall have to wait and see I suppose. I can't wait to get my hands on book 2.
Overall, a good story and good characters. I liked Yosyph a lot. The world-building was lacking a touch for me. I am hopeful we'll get more in the next book. If you need a breath of fresh air of the YA fantasy genre, this is the book for you. It gave me hope for the series. A quick read for sure, but I was so invested in everyone here. I can't wait for book 2! Soon I hope! I'll give this 4 stars.
The story follows Yosyph who seems to be just a mute tavern-hand that people do not notice. However, he is planning the revolt against the evil, xenophobic queen. Things get a touch complicated as his journey goes on. Should he fight head on with his ill-prepared rebellion or attempt the deadly King's Trial and earn his kins' loyalty and their aid in his rebellion.
I was hooked from page one. I finished this in two sittings! I simply could not put this down. Sooooo good.
Yosyph was a fun character even though there were times I wanted to shake him. His POV was the best. The rest were okay and necessary to moving the plot along, but eh. I want more of him!
The world building was okay. I wanted more of this too. I still have some questions about the world. Hopefully more will be answered in the upcoming book. This was a lot of character-building and getting the story going. A lot more story to come, so hopefully we get more world-building in the next.
Oooooo that ending! AAAAH! I need to know what is going to happen next. I have some worries that I won't share since I don't wanna give away spoilers. But I am a touch worried especially with that twist there. We shall have to wait and see I suppose. I can't wait to get my hands on book 2.
Overall, a good story and good characters. I liked Yosyph a lot. The world-building was lacking a touch for me. I am hopeful we'll get more in the next book. If you need a breath of fresh air of the YA fantasy genre, this is the book for you. It gave me hope for the series. A quick read for sure, but I was so invested in everyone here. I can't wait for book 2! Soon I hope! I'll give this 4 stars.
January 27, 2020
Ok, this book is pretty cool! I received this book as a eBook from the author, (Thanks Ms. Maria!!!!!!! I LOVED IT!!!) and I must say the book, the characters, the PLOT LINE… Awesome! (Not to mention the super-cool-amazing cover!!!!) This is definitely a book for teens to read like NOW!
I was a little bit worried at first cause I saw the word ‘shadow demon’ but when I realized there wasn’t any demons it was just Yosyph coming out of the shadows scaring people while rescuing prisoners, I was like, “Ha! Jokes on you silly guards!!!”. And there are people who can shadow walk in the book too, which means you separate yourself from your emotions and then you turn invisible. (Which is COOL!) I wouldn’t call it magic, but I did pt it under Magic Alert.
The book is Christian-friendly, but a lot of the time there is mention of ‘gods’. Like Yosyph, the main character, knows there’s one God (Jesus!) but I think everyone else thinks there’s other gods… Weird, but still Christian-friendly! (Though it can be confusing.)
Over all, I do totally suggest this book to teens! It is Christian-friendly and very clean to read. Plus… IT’S JUST PLAIN AWESOME!!!!! (I am TOTALLY going to try and get this book in paper back!!! And the 2nd one too!!!!!!!!) I hope you all have a wonderful day, and want to read this book! -The Young Llama Reader.
I was a little bit worried at first cause I saw the word ‘shadow demon’ but when I realized there wasn’t any demons it was just Yosyph coming out of the shadows scaring people while rescuing prisoners, I was like, “Ha! Jokes on you silly guards!!!”. And there are people who can shadow walk in the book too, which means you separate yourself from your emotions and then you turn invisible. (Which is COOL!) I wouldn’t call it magic, but I did pt it under Magic Alert.
The book is Christian-friendly, but a lot of the time there is mention of ‘gods’. Like Yosyph, the main character, knows there’s one God (Jesus!) but I think everyone else thinks there’s other gods… Weird, but still Christian-friendly! (Though it can be confusing.)
Over all, I do totally suggest this book to teens! It is Christian-friendly and very clean to read. Plus… IT’S JUST PLAIN AWESOME!!!!! (I am TOTALLY going to try and get this book in paper back!!! And the 2nd one too!!!!!!!!) I hope you all have a wonderful day, and want to read this book! -The Young Llama Reader.
June 18, 2022
This was such a refresher to read. Besides being a book with ACTUAL CHAPTER TITLES (it’s a turn-on, y’all), it was a fast-paced story from two POV’s, Yoseph who is a medieval Robinhood of sorts called the Yorel, and Prince Halavant, the current heir to the monarchy. Yoseph’s story follows the life of a rebellion leader while Halavant goes from royalty to peasant as he searches for a runaway bride-to-be.
The quick pace of this story was great building this nation of power vs poverty all the while basing fundamentals on tribal life. I think something that became very interesting to understand was the split of Kings. One refers to the actual issue of monarch rule and transitions to more oligarchical rule or even early democratic values. The other refers to faith with the King being God. Life has many trials, I think beyond saving the kingdom, there was such a strong development of character, too.
I do wish the story actually did slow down a little bit to expand on these virtues, but the story did keep moving with every chapter. I’d say it kept me hooked and excited in all’s done and well. I believe I found this book on OnlineBookClub, but it’s certainly been one of my favorite finds ^^
The quick pace of this story was great building this nation of power vs poverty all the while basing fundamentals on tribal life. I think something that became very interesting to understand was the split of Kings. One refers to the actual issue of monarch rule and transitions to more oligarchical rule or even early democratic values. The other refers to faith with the King being God. Life has many trials, I think beyond saving the kingdom, there was such a strong development of character, too.
I do wish the story actually did slow down a little bit to expand on these virtues, but the story did keep moving with every chapter. I’d say it kept me hooked and excited in all’s done and well. I believe I found this book on OnlineBookClub, but it’s certainly been one of my favorite finds ^^
July 20, 2019
Pros
-Great character development
-Crazy cool landscapes
-Fabulous adventures
-Comic relief
-Relatable problems
-Draws you in
Not-exactly-Cons
-It's her first published book. I fully expect her to get even better.
-I wanted to hear more detail from Yosyph. I often struggled to feel like I was there or to comprehend what he was feeling when he was narrating. I've been wondering if this is a genius representation of his personality. The man of few words doesn't talk as much or give as much detail as I want even in his thoughts.
Things I've done while reading "The King's Trial."
-folded laundry
-discovered I can't get clothes in the right drawers while reading
-prepared very simple food for myself and my children
-snacked a lot
-let my kids run wild and watch too much TV by turns
-stayed up too late
-struggled to fall asleep because I'm thinking about the book and wondering what happens next
Basically I thoroughly enjoyed it and I can't wait to see what happens next!
-Great character development
-Crazy cool landscapes
-Fabulous adventures
-Comic relief
-Relatable problems
-Draws you in
Not-exactly-Cons
-It's her first published book. I fully expect her to get even better.
-I wanted to hear more detail from Yosyph. I often struggled to feel like I was there or to comprehend what he was feeling when he was narrating. I've been wondering if this is a genius representation of his personality. The man of few words doesn't talk as much or give as much detail as I want even in his thoughts.
Things I've done while reading "The King's Trial."
-folded laundry
-discovered I can't get clothes in the right drawers while reading
-prepared very simple food for myself and my children
-snacked a lot
-let my kids run wild and watch too much TV by turns
-stayed up too late
-struggled to fall asleep because I'm thinking about the book and wondering what happens next
Basically I thoroughly enjoyed it and I can't wait to see what happens next!
May 10, 2020
I loved the intricate plot that made me ache for the secrecy and the treasons. Thanks to the dual voices of narration, I felt the urgency and the despair of the people who wanted peace and freedom. I empathized with the fears, love, anger and quiet happiness they felt. This story was one of my favorite because it mixed well plots, characters and a universal message of peace and acceptance without being too stiff. It just was. Part of the story like the message beyond the desert tales of Yosyph’s mother.
It was a quest for honor and justice across some of the most striking literary landscape for two young men that might have more in common that what their prejudices and pride would let them think.
It was a quest for honor and justice across some of the most striking literary landscape for two young men that might have more in common that what their prejudices and pride would let them think.
December 29, 2019
In The King’s Trial, M.L. Farb has created a rich world with deep, relatable characters.
I loved both Halavant’s and Yosyph’s growth throughout the story. Halavant is a prince who has to hit bottom to realize the world doesn’t revolve around him. Yosyph is a quiet man who must learn to rely on God and others. And I can’t wait to see more of Katrin, who I adore.
The book has adventure, political intrigue, faith, a twist I didn’t predict until the last moment, and a bit of romance that makes me anxious to read the next book. I’m glad it’s available now!
4.5 stars.
I loved both Halavant’s and Yosyph’s growth throughout the story. Halavant is a prince who has to hit bottom to realize the world doesn’t revolve around him. Yosyph is a quiet man who must learn to rely on God and others. And I can’t wait to see more of Katrin, who I adore.
The book has adventure, political intrigue, faith, a twist I didn’t predict until the last moment, and a bit of romance that makes me anxious to read the next book. I’m glad it’s available now!
4.5 stars.
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