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Another Kingdom #3
The Emperor's Sword
Austin Lively’s life is going right for once. When his new script, Another Kingdom , is unexpectedly purchased by a top producer at an enormous price, his movie career and wildest dreams seem to be taking off. His only problems? A recurring vision of a magical landscape he can’t quite remember, and a giant mouse with a woman’s face who seems to be following him. When his beloved Jane Janeway is accused of murder and imprisoned, Austin realizes this dream life is really a nightmare, and his only hope to save his soul and rescue Jane is to give up his success, return to the Eleven Lands, and find Emperor Anastasius so he can restore Queen Elinda to her throne. It’s a task easier said than done, especially when he discovers the emperor is dead. With a crazed hitman on his trail in Los Angeles and new dangers lurking around every corner in the Eleven Lands, time and luck are running out. As his enemies begin closing in on all sides, Austin must enter the biggest fight of his life to follow the emperor to hell itself and face the most shocking revelation of all.
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First published March 9, 2021
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Andrew Klavan
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March 26, 2021
This could have been a three-word review: Maud is back. That would have told anyone who was two books into this trilogy all he needed to know. Or, at least a great deal. But, well, here goes with the rest of it …
Lady Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out, at the entrance of the gates she speaks: How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?
The Book of Proverbs was written probably around 3000 years ago, so it turns out, a long, long time.
I approached The Emperor’s Sword – the final book in Andrew Klavan’s Another Kingdom trilogy – with great anticipation and sanguinity. Austin Lively, our unlikely hero, millennial schlub, and Hollywood hanger-on, had been slowly transforming in the first two novels into a man of courage and heart. For a brief recap of the first two, view spoiler:
So, I opened The Emperor’s Sword. Oh … Austin. You jerk.
So, Austin Lively is now living the dream in Hollywood. His story has been optioned by a major producer and he is swimming in cash, fast cars, and sexy starlets. And yet, there is another dream – a deeper, darker, more disturbing dream of a kingdom and a quest – that haunts his lonely hours. His sister, now confined and kept drugged in a mental asylum, reaches through her fog and urges him, “You have to remember. The book—remember the book you read? Another Kingdom. Please, Aus. You have to.” The voices, she tells him, are calling to him – voices of the righteous of the Eleven Lands and Galiana. The voice of Elinda, the wisest queen. “She is waiting for you, Aus. She is waiting for you to remember. We all are. We need you to remember.” Yes, we do.
And, I don’t think it is too much of a spoiler to say that he does. The woman he loves with an intensity and virility that never fails to delight me, Jane Janeway, is in dire peril, her life is at stake and time is quickly running out. Austin knows that to save her he must dare to unlock the secrets he has hidden away from himself. He also knows that, once he regains this knowledge, his dream life in Hollywood will be destroyed. The locket from Galiana that has become his guide, his protector, and his talisman in this world becomes his portal of remembrance for the other one. As he holds it, it all rushes back to him – the worldwide conspiracy of Orosgo, the quest to find the Emperor Anastasius, the brooding, over-arching presence of the evil wizard Curtin that binds both worlds in folly – and he rushes forward into mountain passage of the Eleven Lands, into the blizzard, into battle with a snowman most abominable.
OK, Austin. I’m glad that whole jerk thing was a passing phase.
I came in with high hopes for The Emperor’s Sword, and it did not disappoint in any way. I was completely immersed from start to finish – weeping, laughing, gasping, shuddering. When I turned the final page, through great gulping tears, I had immense joy and satisfaction—and even renewed hope for this old world in which we have so much trouble. I underlined so many things and wrote so many notes, but I fear that to share them would be to rob any readers who might see this review of the thrill of uncovering them in the narrative. Suffice to say, as I had noted previously, the books just get deeper, richer, fuller as they go, as every good story does, and the finish left me both happy and sad to the utmost.
True to his muse, Klavan does not shy away from the cursing and violence and sex that saturates modern culture, but that ought not to put anyone off. This story is deep and profound and very Christian in its worldview and message. (But that ought not to put anyone off, either.) Klavan is not afraid to write of ugly and debased things when he needs to, but even in the midst of horror and debauchery, he turns strikingly beautiful phrases that bring surprise tears to my eyes. He's funny as hell, writes like an angel that has visited the damned, and leans into the shadows with a flickering light. And he writes about women in a way that makes me glad and grateful to be one. Speaking of which, did I mention that Maud is back?
Another Kingdom, The Nightmare Feast, and The Emperor’s Sword – these three books together – comprise the best, truest, realest story I have read in a long time. It fills me up in ways that few modern works do. Would that it could have gone on forever, but Wisdom is a lady, and a lady always knows the right time to leave.
When Wisdom reigns, each man may go his way. May it be so.
Lady Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out, at the entrance of the gates she speaks: How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?
The Book of Proverbs was written probably around 3000 years ago, so it turns out, a long, long time.
I approached The Emperor’s Sword – the final book in Andrew Klavan’s Another Kingdom trilogy – with great anticipation and sanguinity. Austin Lively, our unlikely hero, millennial schlub, and Hollywood hanger-on, had been slowly transforming in the first two novels into a man of courage and heart. For a brief recap of the first two, view spoiler:
So, I opened The Emperor’s Sword. Oh … Austin. You jerk.
So, Austin Lively is now living the dream in Hollywood. His story has been optioned by a major producer and he is swimming in cash, fast cars, and sexy starlets. And yet, there is another dream – a deeper, darker, more disturbing dream of a kingdom and a quest – that haunts his lonely hours. His sister, now confined and kept drugged in a mental asylum, reaches through her fog and urges him, “You have to remember. The book—remember the book you read? Another Kingdom. Please, Aus. You have to.” The voices, she tells him, are calling to him – voices of the righteous of the Eleven Lands and Galiana. The voice of Elinda, the wisest queen. “She is waiting for you, Aus. She is waiting for you to remember. We all are. We need you to remember.” Yes, we do.
And, I don’t think it is too much of a spoiler to say that he does. The woman he loves with an intensity and virility that never fails to delight me, Jane Janeway, is in dire peril, her life is at stake and time is quickly running out. Austin knows that to save her he must dare to unlock the secrets he has hidden away from himself. He also knows that, once he regains this knowledge, his dream life in Hollywood will be destroyed. The locket from Galiana that has become his guide, his protector, and his talisman in this world becomes his portal of remembrance for the other one. As he holds it, it all rushes back to him – the worldwide conspiracy of Orosgo, the quest to find the Emperor Anastasius, the brooding, over-arching presence of the evil wizard Curtin that binds both worlds in folly – and he rushes forward into mountain passage of the Eleven Lands, into the blizzard, into battle with a snowman most abominable.
OK, Austin. I’m glad that whole jerk thing was a passing phase.
I came in with high hopes for The Emperor’s Sword, and it did not disappoint in any way. I was completely immersed from start to finish – weeping, laughing, gasping, shuddering. When I turned the final page, through great gulping tears, I had immense joy and satisfaction—and even renewed hope for this old world in which we have so much trouble. I underlined so many things and wrote so many notes, but I fear that to share them would be to rob any readers who might see this review of the thrill of uncovering them in the narrative. Suffice to say, as I had noted previously, the books just get deeper, richer, fuller as they go, as every good story does, and the finish left me both happy and sad to the utmost.
True to his muse, Klavan does not shy away from the cursing and violence and sex that saturates modern culture, but that ought not to put anyone off. This story is deep and profound and very Christian in its worldview and message. (But that ought not to put anyone off, either.) Klavan is not afraid to write of ugly and debased things when he needs to, but even in the midst of horror and debauchery, he turns strikingly beautiful phrases that bring surprise tears to my eyes. He's funny as hell, writes like an angel that has visited the damned, and leans into the shadows with a flickering light. And he writes about women in a way that makes me glad and grateful to be one. Speaking of which, did I mention that Maud is back?
Another Kingdom, The Nightmare Feast, and The Emperor’s Sword – these three books together – comprise the best, truest, realest story I have read in a long time. It fills me up in ways that few modern works do. Would that it could have gone on forever, but Wisdom is a lady, and a lady always knows the right time to leave.
When Wisdom reigns, each man may go his way. May it be so.
September 30, 2022
At last we reach the epic conclusion. Wow, I don't think I've been this invested in a series in a looong time.
In a word, I would describe this story as absurd. Yeah. Very much so. There were several times where I was just laughing like, "what even is this book??" It was hilarious. It was quite disturbing, at points (not for the faint of heart, or easily grossed out, I'm afraid *cringe*). But it was kinda wonderful too. (Maud and Natani made my heart so full, I love them.)
Once again, Austin's voice in this story was amazing. It felt so real and relatable and hysterical, and may have been one of the the main reasons I enjoyed these books so much.
I do have a little shtick with how rushed the ending seemed. It just felt a little dumped to me, if that makes any sense. But then the other ending was just... *chef's kiss* beautiful. I may have teared up a little. And the epilogue was pretty satisfying.
To sum up my feelings about the trilogy as a whole, I would say... not a perfect peace of literature, but a good story. :)
In a word, I would describe this story as absurd. Yeah. Very much so. There were several times where I was just laughing like, "what even is this book??" It was hilarious. It was quite disturbing, at points (not for the faint of heart, or easily grossed out, I'm afraid *cringe*). But it was kinda wonderful too. (Maud and Natani made my heart so full, I love them.)
Once again, Austin's voice in this story was amazing. It felt so real and relatable and hysterical, and may have been one of the the main reasons I enjoyed these books so much.
I do have a little shtick with how rushed the ending seemed. It just felt a little dumped to me, if that makes any sense. But then the other ending was just... *chef's kiss* beautiful. I may have teared up a little. And the epilogue was pretty satisfying.
To sum up my feelings about the trilogy as a whole, I would say... not a perfect peace of literature, but a good story. :)
August 7, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, an excellent way to end the trilogy. These three books have been a lot of fun to read. I wholeheartedly encourage anyone who wants to read a well written story of good triumphing over evil to give this trilogy a try.
November 23, 2022
Having had my expectations raised slightly by the second book, I started this one. I realized what people meant when they said it was gripping. Yeah, as in gripping the edge of a toilet seat when you have the flu.
Let's start with the basics. The antagonist--though it's hard to tell in the beginning if Austin is the antagonist or not, based on his disgusting behavior--is flat and boring. Austin, again in tis book, gets things made easy for him without having demonstrated anything heroic--actually after having demonstrated the contrary--that he is completely unfit for being a decent human being at all, let alone a hero.
For those who will say Klavan was demonstrating how a person can fall into sin and be restored ,no. I get that and I've seen dozens of literary depictions of this (for a great recent example, see Andrew Peterson's story of Peet in the Wingfeather Saga). In "Another Kingdom", there was no repentance, there were no consequences, no acknowledgement at all of horrific sin.
Klavan needs to take a lesson from Anthony Hope in what being a real man means--cue Rudolph Rassendyll--and how to write one of the best villains in literature--cue Rupert.
Three final points.
1)There's a supposedly major plot twist (though totally boring) in which Austin finds out that he actually didn't make it out of the maze in the last book, because he didn't ultimately refuse the evil choice offered to him by the antagonist. Klavan tries, feebly, to insist that Austin still wanted to do the right thing in spite of not refusing the evil choice. This is in direct contradiction to basic human psychology and common sense, which is this rule--you do what you want to do. See Romans for a more through treatment of the subject.
2)Klavan again delights in describing women in the nude. Near the end, he describes the transformation of a character from an animal back to woman. This is magic. The author makes the rules. So he made theses rules. And insists on transforming her first in to the nude and describes Austin ogling her (knowing she is engaged, if that means anything), and then he finally decides to magic her clothes on. What a jerk.
3) Finally, as soon as the name Anastasius was introduced, I knew where the plot was going. I'd be very interested to see if other readers also saw this coming. I could tell for two reasons. 1) the obvious meaning of Anastasius as "resurrection" and 2) Klavan's glaringly obvious predilection to give Austin totally undeserved powers and roles. So, really, the only question was, how as Austin going to become the Emperor? And yes, I was right. He did become the emperor.
Ok, last thing. I haven't even mentioned the feeble way he tries to keep the audience on cliffhangers as he splices back and forth between worlds. There are multiple plot holes here, and I didn't even bother remember them all, since the issues of character development and morality (or lack of them) as a much bigger issues to me.
Overall, I would give this a negative three like the first one. It's truly sad that this is what goes for a bestseller written by a self-proclaimed Christian nowadays.
Let's start with the basics. The antagonist--though it's hard to tell in the beginning if Austin is the antagonist or not, based on his disgusting behavior--is flat and boring. Austin, again in tis book, gets things made easy for him without having demonstrated anything heroic--actually after having demonstrated the contrary--that he is completely unfit for being a decent human being at all, let alone a hero.
For those who will say Klavan was demonstrating how a person can fall into sin and be restored ,no. I get that and I've seen dozens of literary depictions of this (for a great recent example, see Andrew Peterson's story of Peet in the Wingfeather Saga). In "Another Kingdom", there was no repentance, there were no consequences, no acknowledgement at all of horrific sin.
Klavan needs to take a lesson from Anthony Hope in what being a real man means--cue Rudolph Rassendyll--and how to write one of the best villains in literature--cue Rupert.
Three final points.
1)There's a supposedly major plot twist (though totally boring) in which Austin finds out that he actually didn't make it out of the maze in the last book, because he didn't ultimately refuse the evil choice offered to him by the antagonist. Klavan tries, feebly, to insist that Austin still wanted to do the right thing in spite of not refusing the evil choice. This is in direct contradiction to basic human psychology and common sense, which is this rule--you do what you want to do. See Romans for a more through treatment of the subject.
2)Klavan again delights in describing women in the nude. Near the end, he describes the transformation of a character from an animal back to woman. This is magic. The author makes the rules. So he made theses rules. And insists on transforming her first in to the nude and describes Austin ogling her (knowing she is engaged, if that means anything), and then he finally decides to magic her clothes on. What a jerk.
3) Finally, as soon as the name Anastasius was introduced, I knew where the plot was going. I'd be very interested to see if other readers also saw this coming. I could tell for two reasons. 1) the obvious meaning of Anastasius as "resurrection" and 2) Klavan's glaringly obvious predilection to give Austin totally undeserved powers and roles. So, really, the only question was, how as Austin going to become the Emperor? And yes, I was right. He did become the emperor.
Ok, last thing. I haven't even mentioned the feeble way he tries to keep the audience on cliffhangers as he splices back and forth between worlds. There are multiple plot holes here, and I didn't even bother remember them all, since the issues of character development and morality (or lack of them) as a much bigger issues to me.
Overall, I would give this a negative three like the first one. It's truly sad that this is what goes for a bestseller written by a self-proclaimed Christian nowadays.
August 22, 2023
A series which began very promising to me has met it’s end, as tragic as falling off a cliff.
I’m one of those Christians who dislikes Christian allegory, and when I see it coming a mile away am even less interested.
The Emperor’s Sword didn’t excite, surprise or grip me. The prose felt more interested in parody and play than in telling a serious story, but demanded me to take it more seriously.
Many may enjoy this novel, but as for me and my house I will read something else.
I’m one of those Christians who dislikes Christian allegory, and when I see it coming a mile away am even less interested.
The Emperor’s Sword didn’t excite, surprise or grip me. The prose felt more interested in parody and play than in telling a serious story, but demanded me to take it more seriously.
Many may enjoy this novel, but as for me and my house I will read something else.
December 7, 2021
Klavan is a master of painting a picture that surrounds you from all sides. Another Kingdom felt like I had put on a VR headset or was in a Universal Studios simulation ride that put on the gas from page one and didn't break until the last chapter of Book 3 was complete. Austin Lively came to life with humor, strength, and self-doubt that made his character come to life and was identifiable, unlike some hero characters written without true human nature. Maude the Squirrel Girl is my all-time favorite character in the series, and I could read her scenes over again for a good laugh.
Highly recommend Another Kingdom for readers looking to step into a full steam ahead adventure.
Highly recommend Another Kingdom for readers looking to step into a full steam ahead adventure.
January 8, 2024
This might be the weirdest series I have ever read, but this book may have made it one of the best series I have ever read. The way Klavan is able to bring the two storylines together, while effortlessly weaving in so many lessons and themes is truly amazing. This book makes clear the themes of good vs evil. How the devil makes headway in this world. The power and importance of forgiveness. What it means to be a man, what it means to be a woman. How to stand for the truth. Klavan subtly weaves all of this without making the book too preachy, and he’s able to make this book the most exciting of the three in series.
May 10, 2021
This is the third book in Andrew Klavan's Another Kingdom trilogy. Though it is possible to read this one as a stand-alone, it makes much more sense if you start with the first two.
The books follow Austin Lively back and forth between modern L.A. and a classic fantasy realm, portal-style. When it starts out, he finds himself unexpectedly in the other place after innocently stepping through a door. As the series progresses, Austin gains more control over his ability to move between worlds and, in this book, is even able to use that ability to get himself out of difficult situations. Depending upon which realm we are in, Galiana and L.A. take turns being "another kingdom." It rapidly becomes clear that although Galiana has wizards, demons, ghosts, man-eating yetis, torture, angry mobs, and even, I kid you not, a "Sh*t Monster," nevertheless L.A. is arguably the more chaotic and depraved of the two kingdoms.
Klavan has many laugh-out-loud one-liners, and the very prominent themes arise naturally through the course of the story rather than feeling forced. The trilogy is also very twisty in terms of the way that plot developments in the two different kingdoms intertwine with each other, and The Emperor's Sword, being the third book, is the one where it all comes together. Klavan began his career as a crime writer, so he knows his way around a twisty mystery, and the L.A. parts of the story are populated by plenty of hard-boiled cops, both good and bad.
Goodreads is showing me reviewing the audio CD version of this book and I can't change the edition without deleting this entire review (oops). I actually listened to the audio version last year, then I re-read this book this year in hardback. This led to the discover that I am VERY print-oriented. The audio version is fine, but when I listened to it instead of reading it, I missed out on so much that it almost seems like a different book. So, know thyself, and consume this volume in a form that matches your preferred learning channel.
The books follow Austin Lively back and forth between modern L.A. and a classic fantasy realm, portal-style. When it starts out, he finds himself unexpectedly in the other place after innocently stepping through a door. As the series progresses, Austin gains more control over his ability to move between worlds and, in this book, is even able to use that ability to get himself out of difficult situations. Depending upon which realm we are in, Galiana and L.A. take turns being "another kingdom." It rapidly becomes clear that although Galiana has wizards, demons, ghosts, man-eating yetis, torture, angry mobs, and even, I kid you not, a "Sh*t Monster," nevertheless L.A. is arguably the more chaotic and depraved of the two kingdoms.
Klavan has many laugh-out-loud one-liners, and the very prominent themes arise naturally through the course of the story rather than feeling forced. The trilogy is also very twisty in terms of the way that plot developments in the two different kingdoms intertwine with each other, and The Emperor's Sword, being the third book, is the one where it all comes together. Klavan began his career as a crime writer, so he knows his way around a twisty mystery, and the L.A. parts of the story are populated by plenty of hard-boiled cops, both good and bad.
Goodreads is showing me reviewing the audio CD version of this book and I can't change the edition without deleting this entire review (oops). I actually listened to the audio version last year, then I re-read this book this year in hardback. This led to the discover that I am VERY print-oriented. The audio version is fine, but when I listened to it instead of reading it, I missed out on so much that it almost seems like a different book. So, know thyself, and consume this volume in a form that matches your preferred learning channel.
May 28, 2022
If I were to sum up this third and final chapter of this story in three words, I would say Redemption, Resolution, Absolution.
Just like my last review, I'm sticking with the Star Wars reference. This feels just like Return Of The Jedi. You loved it a lot, but the second installment was the best (The Nightmare Feast).
This story, however, is well written, but sometimes, I felt like things were just happening too perfectly. Having said that, this story is epically fantastic in its relation to the real world (more below). I also really enjoyed the healthy perspective on the patriarchy.
If you're looking to read this series of books and wondering if you should even bother if the ending falls flat, well my friends, you will not be disappointed.
**SPOILERS**
This book was written with great detail, focusing on the spiritual aspect of life in general.
I was disappointed that Curtain was not completely defeated. Knowing that's how I feel, I understand why Mr. Klavan ended it the way he did. Evil is not truly defeated. Good cannot exist without evil, darkness without light, and so on.
We all know evil exists in the world; it's just amazing to think what kind of creatures are sucking on the souls of everyday people.
Do yourself a favor and read all three of these books back to back if you can because it feels like one awesome story from start to finish.
Just like my last review, I'm sticking with the Star Wars reference. This feels just like Return Of The Jedi. You loved it a lot, but the second installment was the best (The Nightmare Feast).
This story, however, is well written, but sometimes, I felt like things were just happening too perfectly. Having said that, this story is epically fantastic in its relation to the real world (more below). I also really enjoyed the healthy perspective on the patriarchy.
If you're looking to read this series of books and wondering if you should even bother if the ending falls flat, well my friends, you will not be disappointed.
**SPOILERS**
This book was written with great detail, focusing on the spiritual aspect of life in general.
I was disappointed that Curtain was not completely defeated. Knowing that's how I feel, I understand why Mr. Klavan ended it the way he did. Evil is not truly defeated. Good cannot exist without evil, darkness without light, and so on.
We all know evil exists in the world; it's just amazing to think what kind of creatures are sucking on the souls of everyday people.
Do yourself a favor and read all three of these books back to back if you can because it feels like one awesome story from start to finish.
July 27, 2022
REALLY highly enjoyed this one. Culminated all of the best elements and loose threads into a prolonged climax for the series that worked beautiful. Shockingly better than the previous two by a significant degree.
In the first book everything seemed like obvious set-up despite its self-contained arc. The story of both worlds was good, but the IRL stuff was slightly more interested.
In the second book everything was really slowed down due to it being in the middle - middle book syndrome and all. Really great moments but overall slightly bland. The IRL stuff was still the highly, where the other stuff somewhat dragged.
This final book had everything at its best including some incredible thematic symbolism in some very cool scenes that were honestly incredibly bold decisions that I highly respect.
In the first book everything seemed like obvious set-up despite its self-contained arc. The story of both worlds was good, but the IRL stuff was slightly more interested.
In the second book everything was really slowed down due to it being in the middle - middle book syndrome and all. Really great moments but overall slightly bland. The IRL stuff was still the highly, where the other stuff somewhat dragged.
This final book had everything at its best including some incredible thematic symbolism in some very cool scenes that were honestly incredibly bold decisions that I highly respect.
February 27, 2024
This third book in the Another Kingdom trilogy was the most intense of all. I feel like there is a lot that I missed in these books because I am missing current cultural references and inferences. The whole trilogy is a gritty fantasy allegory- how can it not be gritty when it takes place in present day LA and Hollywood - and the Emperor’s Sword is the grittiest of the three. But each book has moments of humor, warmth, and the characters are memorable. The language and some of the scenes could give it an R rating or definite PG13 if it were a movie.
I would love to hear the original radio drama-style podcast that became these books. I can see these books being studied in someone’s high school or college literature class. They would make good book club books as well.
I would love to hear the original radio drama-style podcast that became these books. I can see these books being studied in someone’s high school or college literature class. They would make good book club books as well.
April 19, 2021
This book was such a joy to consume. It gives hope to the reader. Austin keeps getting into desparate situations, but somehow has hope and keeps fighting and truth wins out. My favorite line in this book was a quote that Maude told Austin, " Despair is an illusion. The battle is already won." I think it was that. Since it is audio, I can't remember it exactly. But anyway, this book gives the reader hope as well. When the world looks like everyone has a slug like demon sucking on their neck and good can never win, somehow, "Wisdom will reign." The Good has already won the war, even when it doesn't look like it during the battle.
April 15, 2023
Satisfying ending to the trilogy. Solid storytelling. Entertaining fantasy with jibes at the left.
February 17, 2025
Lacks many storyline plot points. It was written like poof the thing a character needs just randomly appears with zero reasoning of the how or why the thing is there. The author repeats that pattern constantly throughout the entire book and claims it as "magic". That's not a real way to make a fantasy story but it is just lazy lame excuses to define it in the genre.
Also the author writes the main character as a misogynistic cisgender white male as if he was God's gift to protect or save week women. It makes me think of how much the author is writing his own misogynistic wishes into the character. Disgusting.
By the way, Mr Andrew Klavan, there are no week women their heroes will never be narrow minded misogynistic men.
Also the author writes the main character as a misogynistic cisgender white male as if he was God's gift to protect or save week women. It makes me think of how much the author is writing his own misogynistic wishes into the character. Disgusting.
By the way, Mr Andrew Klavan, there are no week women their heroes will never be narrow minded misogynistic men.
September 12, 2022
Finished this book last year, but I don't remember when because I stayed up almost all night reading the first %, and then took a long break before finishing it.
Never would've thought a story this wild would've ended so... well...
You'd just have to read it to understand.
10/10 (tears were shed)
I also really enjoyed the author's writing style. It grew on me.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this series. It was a really fun read with deep, hidden meanings and lots of thrilling twists and turns.
Never would've thought a story this wild would've ended so... well...
You'd just have to read it to understand.
10/10 (tears were shed)
I also really enjoyed the author's writing style. It grew on me.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this series. It was a really fun read with deep, hidden meanings and lots of thrilling twists and turns.
March 18, 2021
I am so sorry to say that I just finished what is the last of a three book series. I have only given it five stars because six was not an option. Why couldn't they be 10,000 pages each. It is not often that you are blessed as a reader to find stories so compelling, exciting and with such depth that you don't want them to end. If you have not yet read Andrew Klavan, do yourself a big favor and start Another Kingdom.
The wordmanship and pace are perfect.
The wordmanship and pace are perfect.
July 2, 2021
This was a great book to conclude a great series. Mr. Klavan has a very unique and real way of writing. I found it gripping and enjoyable. And I loved the ending. There are so many books that you love but when you get to the end you just feel let down. This was not one of them.
I listened to the audiobook on the Daily Wire website and Michael Knowles did a fantastic job with narration. It added alot to the story. I highly recommend it.
I listened to the audiobook on the Daily Wire website and Michael Knowles did a fantastic job with narration. It added alot to the story. I highly recommend it.
April 27, 2024
Bravo Andrew Klavan! Best trilogy written in a long time. So much has been revealed in Another Kingdom. The fight continues. Let wisdom reign, and each man go his way. And each woman also go her way, hopefully blessed to travel that way with her chosen good man of valor.
Readers, be sure to start with the 1st book in this series and read them in order for full enjoyment and enrichment.
Kudos to narrator Michael Knowles—he is the perfect Austin Lively.
Readers, be sure to start with the 1st book in this series and read them in order for full enjoyment and enrichment.
Kudos to narrator Michael Knowles—he is the perfect Austin Lively.
March 8, 2021
The entire trilogy was excellent! Klavan writes exciting storylines with some predictability but also plenty of surprises that made this final installment engrossing. Knowles’ delivery was engaging and it felt like he had a lot of fun portraying the different characters. I’d recommend the entire trilogy on audiobook.
January 7, 2022
read, read, read
I absolutely loved this series. Fun, exciting,very well written, original and one of these “I can’t put it down” series. I started the first one and immediately had to buy the secondand third.
If you like original themes and can expand your imagination, I highly recommend.
I absolutely loved this series. Fun, exciting,very well written, original and one of these “I can’t put it down” series. I started the first one and immediately had to buy the secondand third.
If you like original themes and can expand your imagination, I highly recommend.
March 22, 2022
Klavan does a good job of wrapping up the series and completing it. And the way that he starts the book is a real surprise: it's not at all what I think you'd have expected coming out of book 2. But it rings true to life: that real heroes have feet of clay, can fall, can make mistakes ... and can find redemption.
April 19, 2021
This book was awesome. Once things pick up they really pick up. A whole ton of fun action and the characters only got better. At the beginning of the trilogy I didn't like the protagonist but by the end I was 100% rooting for the guy
July 15, 2021
Absolutely amazing story. It's nothing like other books...and at the same time there are common threads of life and morals and heroic themes woven through this series. This last book was a perfect end! Best fiction book series I've read - ever!
September 27, 2021
All three of these books were entertaining and fun to read. I'm guessing Klavan is trying to market this to become a screenplay or a miniseries. Fun read for the Fantasy/Sci-Fi fan. Recommend to anyone who likes that genre
November 21, 2021
Great Trilogy to read on a rainy weekend.
Great trilogy. The last book was by far my favorite. Awesome plot lines and characters. Made me look at life a bit differently. Highly recommend for a rainy weekend.
Great trilogy. The last book was by far my favorite. Awesome plot lines and characters. Made me look at life a bit differently. Highly recommend for a rainy weekend.
April 12, 2022
Can I give it 6 stars? This book was awesome. Gripping. The story was intense and the world that was created in the first few books paid off immensely. The allegory present in this book wasn’t hitting you over the head the whole time but at some points it was so poignant and beautiful. Great book.
April 12, 2023
This is the weakest book in the series. It fixes the issue I had with the 2nd book where Austin had no companions on his journey. Some of the last battle was interesting. Still a good book and a satisfying ending, just didn't have the wow factor that the first one had.
May 20, 2024
Klavan's fantasy adventure has its weaknesses, it's heavy-handed with the politics and every character is an archetype, but it's also a very clever fantasy story. I'm not a big fan of fantasy, so the flipping between the real world and the fantasy would is a perfect mix for me.
December 4, 2025
It was a great ending to the series. A lot of plot development again at the beginning just like the first book. Would definitely recommend the series. I believe it is read out loud for free on Spotify.
January 1, 2026
The end of the trilogy - a little heavy handed at times, but beautiful in its execution and highly entertaining throughout.
Full disclosure: I would read Andrew Klavan's shopping list and give it five stars.
Full disclosure: I would read Andrew Klavan's shopping list and give it five stars.
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