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The Book of Deacon #6
The Coin of Kenvard
In the wake of the Perpetual War, the world cannot afford for history to repeat itself.
Myranda and Deacon have helped to guide their world out of the clutches of the D'Karon. But victory has come at a price. Deacon's mysterious affliction is becoming more than he can handle. Will he be forced to choose between his own life and finding the source of the anomalies that threaten his home?
The Coin of Kenvard is the sixth full-length novel in the Book of Deacon Saga, and marks the end of the Perpetual War Era for the series.
Myranda and Deacon have helped to guide their world out of the clutches of the D'Karon. But victory has come at a price. Deacon's mysterious affliction is becoming more than he can handle. Will he be forced to choose between his own life and finding the source of the anomalies that threaten his home?
The Coin of Kenvard is the sixth full-length novel in the Book of Deacon Saga, and marks the end of the Perpetual War Era for the series.
- GenresFantasy
255 pages, Paperback
First published April 16, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 9, 2022
And so ends (or at least I think for now) one of the best fantasy series I have ever read.
Joseph R. Lallo’s Book of Deacon series came onto my radar as one of the first indie writer stories I had considered. Frankly, the paperback version I got from the print on demand system was an earlier edition (I think) and had some typos, etc. in it so at first I wasn’t digging it. But then I got into the world Lallo created, and became entranced by the system of magic he created, along with the world and its war-weary fatigue from a conflict created (by an outside force as you learn later in the series). I ended up really liking The Book of Deacon. I read further volumes. Enjoyed those. Absolutely LOVED The D’Karon Apprentice. So this series takes up space in the (maybe not so hallowed halls of my gray matter—depends on who you ask) personal pantheon of great fantasy series along with the first three Dragonlance books, the Shannara trilogy, and the Belgariad.
And a fitting end The Coin of Kenvard is. The Northern Alliance is doing okay, now three separate and independent kingdoms, as it had been before The Perpetual War. Tressor has diplomatic ties with them. It’s a little bumpy, but they are managing. And they are working together to make sure peace lasts.
But then a new kind of threat, unlike anything the Chosen, much less the world, has previously faced, arises. There is some doubt as to how to deal with it. Deacon and Desmeres, still afflicted from conditions from prior tomes, hatch a plan.
And then it all goes to crap. Sort of. Or at least it seems like that. To some. Like the Chosen. Especially Ether. Good grief, the temper on that elemental. Time for her to switch to decaf I think. And is Deacon okay? Is he crazy like a fox? Or has he finally been sniffing too much parchment ink and just gone batsh!t crazy. Hmmm… You’ll just need to read this to find out. And if you haven’t even started this series yet? Dude? What are you waiting for? Life is short.
Anyway, this is a rollicking good story with elements and ideas that are new, even in the Book of Deacon world.
Joe Lallo does fantasy right. I loved this book. Since it had been a while since reading The Crescents, I might have benefitted from a bit more backstory reminder, but that’s a soft criticism and more a function of my sometimes foggy memory on details. There was one area, around Chapter 5 that had a bit too much exposition. But same thing. He was telling me a great story and I loved it. He managed to do even more world-building in this volume, which I had scarcely thought possible! I loved I also loved how Lallo kept me guessing until the very end how everything was going to turn out and whether or not everything was gonna turn out okay. Great, great, GREAT imagination.
I’ve heard it said that fantasy is at its best and succeeds as a story when it ultimately deals with people. Something like that. I don’t recall where I heard that, but I steadfastly believe it to be true. I was reminded of this concept when I read the passage below, which I won’t lie tugged at the ol’heartstrings:
Anyway, this was a great book. I’m rating it only 4 stars because I still feel like The D’Karon Apprentice was a better book. GR doesn’t allow half stars otherwise, this would be 4.5 or 4.75. I could totally see an argument for 4.95, too.
Still wish it had a map though, Mr. Lallo!
Joseph R. Lallo’s Book of Deacon series came onto my radar as one of the first indie writer stories I had considered. Frankly, the paperback version I got from the print on demand system was an earlier edition (I think) and had some typos, etc. in it so at first I wasn’t digging it. But then I got into the world Lallo created, and became entranced by the system of magic he created, along with the world and its war-weary fatigue from a conflict created (by an outside force as you learn later in the series). I ended up really liking The Book of Deacon. I read further volumes. Enjoyed those. Absolutely LOVED The D’Karon Apprentice. So this series takes up space in the (maybe not so hallowed halls of my gray matter—depends on who you ask) personal pantheon of great fantasy series along with the first three Dragonlance books, the Shannara trilogy, and the Belgariad.
And a fitting end The Coin of Kenvard is. The Northern Alliance is doing okay, now three separate and independent kingdoms, as it had been before The Perpetual War. Tressor has diplomatic ties with them. It’s a little bumpy, but they are managing. And they are working together to make sure peace lasts.
But then a new kind of threat, unlike anything the Chosen, much less the world, has previously faced, arises. There is some doubt as to how to deal with it. Deacon and Desmeres, still afflicted from conditions from prior tomes, hatch a plan.
And then it all goes to crap. Sort of. Or at least it seems like that. To some. Like the Chosen. Especially Ether. Good grief, the temper on that elemental. Time for her to switch to decaf I think. And is Deacon okay? Is he crazy like a fox? Or has he finally been sniffing too much parchment ink and just gone batsh!t crazy. Hmmm… You’ll just need to read this to find out. And if you haven’t even started this series yet? Dude? What are you waiting for? Life is short.
Anyway, this is a rollicking good story with elements and ideas that are new, even in the Book of Deacon world.
Joe Lallo does fantasy right. I loved this book. Since it had been a while since reading The Crescents, I might have benefitted from a bit more backstory reminder, but that’s a soft criticism and more a function of my sometimes foggy memory on details. There was one area, around Chapter 5 that had a bit too much exposition. But same thing. He was telling me a great story and I loved it. He managed to do even more world-building in this volume, which I had scarcely thought possible! I loved I also loved how Lallo kept me guessing until the very end how everything was going to turn out and whether or not everything was gonna turn out okay. Great, great, GREAT imagination.
I’ve heard it said that fantasy is at its best and succeeds as a story when it ultimately deals with people. Something like that. I don’t recall where I heard that, but I steadfastly believe it to be true. I was reminded of this concept when I read the passage below, which I won’t lie tugged at the ol’heartstrings:
Anyway, this was a great book. I’m rating it only 4 stars because I still feel like The D’Karon Apprentice was a better book. GR doesn’t allow half stars otherwise, this would be 4.5 or 4.75. I could totally see an argument for 4.95, too.
Still wish it had a map though, Mr. Lallo!
May 14, 2020
Short, but a needed addition to the Deacon trilogy. I can't help but think that several of the sequels to the original series would be better written as a second trilogy, however I enjoyed this one never the less. Nice follow up.
March 11, 2021
Refreshing life
Above all else I've learned from this series, is Joseph's ability to bring life to characters through conflict and complexity. Both internally and externally, he's created characters in such a way that we can share in their emotions. While, much like Deacon, I didn't find all the answers I was looking for in this book, I'm happy even if this is the end of our tale.
Above all else I've learned from this series, is Joseph's ability to bring life to characters through conflict and complexity. Both internally and externally, he's created characters in such a way that we can share in their emotions. While, much like Deacon, I didn't find all the answers I was looking for in this book, I'm happy even if this is the end of our tale.
November 23, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyed it. But start with Red Shadow.
July 9, 2021
Heartbreaking yet full of humor and redemption
I think my heading says it all,Read the whole seri,the characters grow with each story, even the knees who were hard to take
I think my heading says it all,Read the whole seri,the characters grow with each story, even the knees who were hard to take
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews