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Pillars of Peace #1
The Look of a King
Two young men.
One with a dark past, the other with a bright future.
Cyrus is a storyteller frustrated by the mundane trappings of village life, while Prince Augustus struggles to meet high expectations after an upbringing of royal privilege in the bustling capital. As both try to forge their own paths, a royal assassination unexpectedly closes the gap between them. The nation of Easthaven is thrown into war with their oppressive neighbours, and so begins a conflict from which neither can walk away.
Will a young prince finally measure up to his destiny? Will a storyteller create a legend of his own?
Cyrus and Augustus's lives may seem worlds apart, but perhaps they aren't so different after all...
The Look of a King is a fast-paced, adventure fantasy for readers aged 12+. It is perfect for readers who enjoy the pacing of books like The Hobbit, but with the unpredictable ruthless quality of Game of Thrones, where nothing is as it seems. Readers have described The Look of a King as 'enthralling', 'engrossing', 'fantasy without the waffle'. The book will suit reluctant or time-poor readers who want a book that is easy to pick up and dive into with movie-like action. Book II: No Place for Peace - coming October 11th, 2021.
One with a dark past, the other with a bright future.
Cyrus is a storyteller frustrated by the mundane trappings of village life, while Prince Augustus struggles to meet high expectations after an upbringing of royal privilege in the bustling capital. As both try to forge their own paths, a royal assassination unexpectedly closes the gap between them. The nation of Easthaven is thrown into war with their oppressive neighbours, and so begins a conflict from which neither can walk away.
Will a young prince finally measure up to his destiny? Will a storyteller create a legend of his own?
Cyrus and Augustus's lives may seem worlds apart, but perhaps they aren't so different after all...
The Look of a King is a fast-paced, adventure fantasy for readers aged 12+. It is perfect for readers who enjoy the pacing of books like The Hobbit, but with the unpredictable ruthless quality of Game of Thrones, where nothing is as it seems. Readers have described The Look of a King as 'enthralling', 'engrossing', 'fantasy without the waffle'. The book will suit reluctant or time-poor readers who want a book that is easy to pick up and dive into with movie-like action. Book II: No Place for Peace - coming October 11th, 2021.
270 pages, Paperback
First published March 7, 2021
22 people are currently reading
1498 people want to read
About the author
Tom Dumbrell
7 books105 followersTom was born in 1987 in Chelmsford, Essex. As a boy, he fell in love with the fantasy worlds of video games and those written by the likes of J.R.R Tolkien and Philip Pullman.
Despite an early passion for storytelling, Tom obtained a BA in Tourism Management before a varied career in the travel industry, bringing to life another of his passions. When he is not working, Tom is an avid fan of his beloved Ipswich Town. He also writes and performs music and enjoys long walks with his wife and dogs.
Tom currently lives near Colchester, Essex, and The Pillars of Peace trilogy was written during the coronavirus pandemic with huge influence and editing support from his wife, Breana.
Contact Tom: tomdumbrell@aol.com
Despite an early passion for storytelling, Tom obtained a BA in Tourism Management before a varied career in the travel industry, bringing to life another of his passions. When he is not working, Tom is an avid fan of his beloved Ipswich Town. He also writes and performs music and enjoys long walks with his wife and dogs.
Tom currently lives near Colchester, Essex, and The Pillars of Peace trilogy was written during the coronavirus pandemic with huge influence and editing support from his wife, Breana.
Contact Tom: tomdumbrell@aol.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
June 16, 2021
An engaging, coming-of-age fantasy story with a lot of plot twists!
The Look of a King is set in a medieval land where a brewing rebellion and political alliances threaten its future. This story follows two young men that live totally different lives: Augustus, the King in waiting, and Cyrus, a storyteller from a small village. However, the fates of these two young boys are drastically changed forever when disaster strikes the empire.
When I picked up this book, I didn’t know what to expect and therefore didn't have very high expectations for it. However, Tom Dumbrell is a friend of mine, and I wanted to support him and read his book. So what did I think?
The Look of a King was a pleasant surprise. Although this book initially feels similar to many classic fantasy books, Dumbrell does a fantastic job at making the plot compelling and exciting. One of the best aspects of this story are the plot twists. I thought the plot was going to be quite predictable, but boy was I wrong. There are twists and turns throughout this book, which will make the reader keep guessing to the very end. Some of the revelations really shocked me!
Moreover, The Look of a King has fantastic pacing, making this such a page-turner. By adding interesting plot elements and turns, Dumbrell kept me engaged in the plot throughout the story. I also loved the character, Garret! If you are picking up this book, then I am sure you will love Garret too.
If you are looking for a fantasy story with beautiful prose or lyrical writing, then you will not find it in this book. Dumbrell’s prose is quite simple and accessible. This is not necessarily a criticism since Dumbrell’s prose makes this story flow much faster.
My main issue is with the main protagonist Cyrus. Cyrus experiences horrifying things in this book, and he is then thrust into a crazy situation. To keep this review spoiler-free, I will not get into what parts I struggled with, but I did not feel like Cyrus acted very realistically at times. Although I loved following Cyrus’s growth throughout this book, I had some issues with how Cyrus handles some of his challenges.
In conclusion, The Look of a King is an enjoyable coming-of-age story, with relentless pace and satisfying plot twists. Dumbrell is clearly a creative and clever author, and I can’t wait to pick up the sequel.
4 / 5 stars
A special thanks to Tom Dumbrell for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Look of a King is set in a medieval land where a brewing rebellion and political alliances threaten its future. This story follows two young men that live totally different lives: Augustus, the King in waiting, and Cyrus, a storyteller from a small village. However, the fates of these two young boys are drastically changed forever when disaster strikes the empire.
When I picked up this book, I didn’t know what to expect and therefore didn't have very high expectations for it. However, Tom Dumbrell is a friend of mine, and I wanted to support him and read his book. So what did I think?
The Look of a King was a pleasant surprise. Although this book initially feels similar to many classic fantasy books, Dumbrell does a fantastic job at making the plot compelling and exciting. One of the best aspects of this story are the plot twists. I thought the plot was going to be quite predictable, but boy was I wrong. There are twists and turns throughout this book, which will make the reader keep guessing to the very end. Some of the revelations really shocked me!
Moreover, The Look of a King has fantastic pacing, making this such a page-turner. By adding interesting plot elements and turns, Dumbrell kept me engaged in the plot throughout the story. I also loved the character, Garret! If you are picking up this book, then I am sure you will love Garret too.
If you are looking for a fantasy story with beautiful prose or lyrical writing, then you will not find it in this book. Dumbrell’s prose is quite simple and accessible. This is not necessarily a criticism since Dumbrell’s prose makes this story flow much faster.
My main issue is with the main protagonist Cyrus. Cyrus experiences horrifying things in this book, and he is then thrust into a crazy situation. To keep this review spoiler-free, I will not get into what parts I struggled with, but I did not feel like Cyrus acted very realistically at times. Although I loved following Cyrus’s growth throughout this book, I had some issues with how Cyrus handles some of his challenges.
In conclusion, The Look of a King is an enjoyable coming-of-age story, with relentless pace and satisfying plot twists. Dumbrell is clearly a creative and clever author, and I can’t wait to pick up the sequel.
4 / 5 stars
A special thanks to Tom Dumbrell for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 17, 2021
This was a fantastic debut by Tom Dumbrell!
This book (and series) is not a long, drawn out, epic fantasy with 200 characters and plotlines to keep straight in your head at only 260 pages. I'm I'm slow reader and read this in 4ish days.
What this book lacks in world building it makes up for in prose and story lines. After finishing a popular book I struggled with the prose with, it was refreshing to read this book, and seemed to allow me to read quickly and effortlessly. The plot moves along from the very first chapters, and you aren't bogged down with a quarter of a large tome on a walking journey between cities like other books. (Thank god)
One of my favorite aspects of this book are the multiple plot twists that you likely won't see coming. They're not so ridiculous, and completely add to the enjoyment of the book.
I could have seen this type of story being a 3 or 4 book series at 500+ pages each, but the way it's presented and unfolds, I felt, was beautifully done and lends itself to 2 more quick reads. This did not seem like a book written by a first time author.
I ended up giving this 4 stars because of some untapped potential in which really only a longer book could have landed itself too, and I felt like some extended fight scenes or more action with the antagonists would have played well. But I highly recommend this if you're looking for a well written, quick moving, enjoyable high fantasy novel that keeps you guessing!
Hope you found this helpful! 😁
JJ
This book (and series) is not a long, drawn out, epic fantasy with 200 characters and plotlines to keep straight in your head at only 260 pages. I'm I'm slow reader and read this in 4ish days.
What this book lacks in world building it makes up for in prose and story lines. After finishing a popular book I struggled with the prose with, it was refreshing to read this book, and seemed to allow me to read quickly and effortlessly. The plot moves along from the very first chapters, and you aren't bogged down with a quarter of a large tome on a walking journey between cities like other books. (Thank god)
One of my favorite aspects of this book are the multiple plot twists that you likely won't see coming. They're not so ridiculous, and completely add to the enjoyment of the book.
I could have seen this type of story being a 3 or 4 book series at 500+ pages each, but the way it's presented and unfolds, I felt, was beautifully done and lends itself to 2 more quick reads. This did not seem like a book written by a first time author.
I ended up giving this 4 stars because of some untapped potential in which really only a longer book could have landed itself too, and I felt like some extended fight scenes or more action with the antagonists would have played well. But I highly recommend this if you're looking for a well written, quick moving, enjoyable high fantasy novel that keeps you guessing!
Hope you found this helpful! 😁
JJ
May 14, 2021
Headlines:
Historical in a fantasy world
Coming of age in war time
Identity
The Look of a King was a fast and engaging read. It was historical, in a fantasy world but not a magical world. It had some themes I really enjoy like found family, familial relationships and all that happening during a time of great unrest and war in this world.
The protagonist Cyrus was very likeable, humble and lacking in self belief but due to the circumstances of the story, there was a lot of character growth. Cyrus was a young man, finding his way in the world, finding a personal route in life until holy twist on a stick, things happened.
Talking of twists the story had a smattering of them, none of which I saw on the horizon, so that kept me glued to the story. There were some great side characters, those to cheer for and those not so much. The two sides of the coin could not have been more different despite outward appearances and ugh, I did not like one character in particular.
I would say that this book is definitely a grower, it didn't start with a boom but it got me on board in a few chapters. I've ended it really wanting to know what's going to happen with the double crossing, double-faced characters and with those I'm rooting for. Tom Dumbrell has written a great debut with care; it's definitely worth checking out.
Thank you to the author for the gifted copy, this did not affect my honest review.
Find this review at A Take From Two Cities Blog.
Historical in a fantasy world
Coming of age in war time
Identity
The Look of a King was a fast and engaging read. It was historical, in a fantasy world but not a magical world. It had some themes I really enjoy like found family, familial relationships and all that happening during a time of great unrest and war in this world.
The protagonist Cyrus was very likeable, humble and lacking in self belief but due to the circumstances of the story, there was a lot of character growth. Cyrus was a young man, finding his way in the world, finding a personal route in life until holy twist on a stick, things happened.
Talking of twists the story had a smattering of them, none of which I saw on the horizon, so that kept me glued to the story. There were some great side characters, those to cheer for and those not so much. The two sides of the coin could not have been more different despite outward appearances and ugh, I did not like one character in particular.
I would say that this book is definitely a grower, it didn't start with a boom but it got me on board in a few chapters. I've ended it really wanting to know what's going to happen with the double crossing, double-faced characters and with those I'm rooting for. Tom Dumbrell has written a great debut with care; it's definitely worth checking out.
Thank you to the author for the gifted copy, this did not affect my honest review.
Find this review at A Take From Two Cities Blog.
October 16, 2022
The Look of a King Book Review - Spoiler Free
(I was gifted a copy of this book by the author for an honest review)
The Look of a King by Tom Dumbrell was a fast-paced, adventure-filled read with so much going on considering the short page count. I really enjoyed this debut novel and hope to continue the trilogy soon.
The Characters
I’m going to start with the characters first - mainly Cyrus. His point of view is the main one throughout the book, and what an adventure he goes on. He goes from a village storyteller to a situation in which he is completely out of his depth, but like any hero of a story, he rises to the challenge.
One of my only complaints with this book is the fact that we didn’t get much of other points of view throughout the story. I enjoyed Garret’s point of view, but then we never got it again, and he was a great character!
The Plot
If you’re looking for a fast-paced read, pick up The Look of a King! Being a short book, there are very few slow moments, or scenes where not much is happening, so you’re basically forced to keep reading.
I think I would have liked it more if this book was a little longer, allowing the characters (Cyrus, specifically) to absorb what’s happened and reflect on it a bit more. Also, the reduced page count meant that we didn’t get a huge amount of relationship-building, and what we did see wasn’t as deep as I wanted it to be.
Having said that, Cyrus and his two advisors had enjoyable banter that felt very brotherly.
Writing Style
Tension when it was needed was fantastic. Tom Dumbrell has a fantastic way of writing atmosphere too - the scenes felt light when they needed to, and dark and ominous during the tenser scenes.
Additionally, you could really feel the setting. By that I mean when we were in the castle, on a ship, in the woods - wherever - I felt like I could see and feel the surroundings. The descriptions were functional, not beautiful, but they did such a fantastic job.
Final Thoughts
The Look of a King is a great book and perfect for anyone looking for a quick read between large fantasy books like The Wheel of Time. I would recommend this to anyone who likes politics in their fantasy, such as fans of Joe Abercrombie and Trudi Canavan.
(I was gifted a copy of this book by the author for an honest review)
The Look of a King by Tom Dumbrell was a fast-paced, adventure-filled read with so much going on considering the short page count. I really enjoyed this debut novel and hope to continue the trilogy soon.
The Characters
I’m going to start with the characters first - mainly Cyrus. His point of view is the main one throughout the book, and what an adventure he goes on. He goes from a village storyteller to a situation in which he is completely out of his depth, but like any hero of a story, he rises to the challenge.
One of my only complaints with this book is the fact that we didn’t get much of other points of view throughout the story. I enjoyed Garret’s point of view, but then we never got it again, and he was a great character!
The Plot
If you’re looking for a fast-paced read, pick up The Look of a King! Being a short book, there are very few slow moments, or scenes where not much is happening, so you’re basically forced to keep reading.
I think I would have liked it more if this book was a little longer, allowing the characters (Cyrus, specifically) to absorb what’s happened and reflect on it a bit more. Also, the reduced page count meant that we didn’t get a huge amount of relationship-building, and what we did see wasn’t as deep as I wanted it to be.
Having said that, Cyrus and his two advisors had enjoyable banter that felt very brotherly.
Writing Style
Tension when it was needed was fantastic. Tom Dumbrell has a fantastic way of writing atmosphere too - the scenes felt light when they needed to, and dark and ominous during the tenser scenes.
Additionally, you could really feel the setting. By that I mean when we were in the castle, on a ship, in the woods - wherever - I felt like I could see and feel the surroundings. The descriptions were functional, not beautiful, but they did such a fantastic job.
Final Thoughts
The Look of a King is a great book and perfect for anyone looking for a quick read between large fantasy books like The Wheel of Time. I would recommend this to anyone who likes politics in their fantasy, such as fans of Joe Abercrombie and Trudi Canavan.
November 15, 2022
The Look of a King was a really quick read and I had a really good time with it. There’s no real magic to speak of, it’s just a straight-forward fantasy world where we’re talking about the characters and the politics and we’re looking at the warfare aspect of it rather than magic and magical creatures etc.
The story was maybe a little bit obvious if you read the synopsis and the first few chapters, I quickly gained a pretty good idea of where it was going to go, but I was pleased to see that there were some good twists and turns in there as well. Being a quite short book, I felt that it was a little light on the details in some places, and some of the decisions made were a bit quick and convenient, where I would have expected to see some discussion over them.
Due to the nature of the story, there was a fair portion of the book where we just completely miss out on the development of one character. It would probably be impossible to include this while maintaining the element of “surprise” (unless doing so by flashback or similar), but I still felt that I was missing something there, especially as the surprise itself wasn’t very… surprising.
The story was maybe a little bit obvious if you read the synopsis and the first few chapters, I quickly gained a pretty good idea of where it was going to go, but I was pleased to see that there were some good twists and turns in there as well. Being a quite short book, I felt that it was a little light on the details in some places, and some of the decisions made were a bit quick and convenient, where I would have expected to see some discussion over them.
Due to the nature of the story, there was a fair portion of the book where we just completely miss out on the development of one character. It would probably be impossible to include this while maintaining the element of “surprise” (unless doing so by flashback or similar), but I still felt that I was missing something there, especially as the surprise itself wasn’t very… surprising.
August 7, 2024
A super quick and easy read! Tom Dumbrell has taken a classic tale and worked some magic with it! Cyrus has a great coming of age story and Augustus has a punchable face ( in a god antagonist sort of way). The two characters are almost yin and yang. A solid read for anyone looking to get into adult fantasy. If I’m going to critique something it would be that you can see certain plot points coming fairly easily.
August 15, 2022
A Coming-of-Age story for all ages!
This Bookstagram darling was such a fun, fast-paced read. It mainly follows my boy, Cyrus, a young farm boy who is thrust into a new world. He is honourable and, again, young. In some ways, this book felt firmly in the Middle-grade category, but in other ways it felt YA or Adult. So I'd make sure you go in knowing it's quite a mix, which I thought was fun. I also want to mention that at the beginning of the book it seems like Augustus will be main protagonist. That's not the case. Trust me...keep reading.
As the story progresses, it grows in scope, and Cyrus grows right along with it. He settles into his new life, trying hard to be what he needs to be in a world that seems set on tearing him down. I found myself rooting for him above all else.
Overall, really enjoyed this book, and I've heard the series only gets better. Fast-paced and full of heart, The Look of a King is a wonderful debut.
This Bookstagram darling was such a fun, fast-paced read. It mainly follows my boy, Cyrus, a young farm boy who is thrust into a new world. He is honourable and, again, young. In some ways, this book felt firmly in the Middle-grade category, but in other ways it felt YA or Adult. So I'd make sure you go in knowing it's quite a mix, which I thought was fun. I also want to mention that at the beginning of the book it seems like Augustus will be main protagonist. That's not the case. Trust me...keep reading.
As the story progresses, it grows in scope, and Cyrus grows right along with it. He settles into his new life, trying hard to be what he needs to be in a world that seems set on tearing him down. I found myself rooting for him above all else.
Overall, really enjoyed this book, and I've heard the series only gets better. Fast-paced and full of heart, The Look of a King is a wonderful debut.
July 6, 2021
8/10
I really enjoyed The Look of a King. This book follows two individuals, Augustus who is the future king and Cyrus, a small town story teller. These two are very different characters in personality, but they do have some unexpected similarities.
The medieval and war setting was a great choice for this book and really drew me into the world, giving me vivid descriptions of the surrounding environment and characters. It was also refreshing to have no magic system and focus on the politics and war of the world and the character driven plot.
This book was very enjoyable and I found it was well paced with not a dull moment. I read this book very fast as at some points I just could not put it down. I didn't really know what to expect going into this book, and there were definatley some plot twists that I did not expect. I fell in love with certain characters and became quite attached to them and really felt sympathy for Cyrus and his situation/feelings.
This was a really promising start to a fantasy series and I really look forward to any future books by Tom. If you enjoy fantasy and the likes of A Song Of Ice and Fire then I definitely recommend picking this book up.
I really enjoyed The Look of a King. This book follows two individuals, Augustus who is the future king and Cyrus, a small town story teller. These two are very different characters in personality, but they do have some unexpected similarities.
The medieval and war setting was a great choice for this book and really drew me into the world, giving me vivid descriptions of the surrounding environment and characters. It was also refreshing to have no magic system and focus on the politics and war of the world and the character driven plot.
This book was very enjoyable and I found it was well paced with not a dull moment. I read this book very fast as at some points I just could not put it down. I didn't really know what to expect going into this book, and there were definatley some plot twists that I did not expect. I fell in love with certain characters and became quite attached to them and really felt sympathy for Cyrus and his situation/feelings.
This was a really promising start to a fantasy series and I really look forward to any future books by Tom. If you enjoy fantasy and the likes of A Song Of Ice and Fire then I definitely recommend picking this book up.
July 18, 2022
My review on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7GYPSMAELWE
4/4.25. Really solid debut and I’m excited to see where the story goes in the next book. I read this in about a day as the pacing is intense and the writing style is extremely fluid and easy to consume. I liked the twists and turns and the overall plot was solid.
Great start to the series! I’ll be doing a full YouTube review soon.
4/4.25. Really solid debut and I’m excited to see where the story goes in the next book. I read this in about a day as the pacing is intense and the writing style is extremely fluid and easy to consume. I liked the twists and turns and the overall plot was solid.
Great start to the series! I’ll be doing a full YouTube review soon.
September 26, 2021
If I have to describe my reading experience for this book in one word, it would be EXHILARATING. This is a very fast paced, plot driven story where stakes are always high making action and adventure its wonderful by-products. Without giving much away, this story follows two young individuals, with different upbringings and values, their diverging paths set on a collision course starting with a royal assassination. Tom does a fantastic job in packing this 260 page-turner with all the exciting elements I look for in fantasy - medieval escapism, savage duels, court politics, border conflicts, touch of romance, and ofcourse some eye popping plot twists. Magic system is non existent in this book but it's still a question mark for me for the series as a whole because I think we are introduced to a concept, which may probably be the result of my overthinking, but I'm not discounting anything just yet 🤭
When it is both fast paced and short, it definitely becomes challenging to give the readers more insight into this world & add layers to the characters but that was a conscious decision taken by the author and although I would have loved to read through some travel time and visualize the surroundings better, I respect the overall approach because I enjoyed it nonetheless 🙂
What truly left me wanting for more is the conclusion of this book. It's brilliantly set up with multiple stoylines to follow in the sequel and judging by how solid this debut is, I'm only counting down the days for it's release.
I highly recommend you checking out this good book which in my humble opinion has the potential to be the beginning of a great series!
When it is both fast paced and short, it definitely becomes challenging to give the readers more insight into this world & add layers to the characters but that was a conscious decision taken by the author and although I would have loved to read through some travel time and visualize the surroundings better, I respect the overall approach because I enjoyed it nonetheless 🙂
What truly left me wanting for more is the conclusion of this book. It's brilliantly set up with multiple stoylines to follow in the sequel and judging by how solid this debut is, I'm only counting down the days for it's release.
I highly recommend you checking out this good book which in my humble opinion has the potential to be the beginning of a great series!
November 2, 2023
This is another book that was very nicely sent to me by the author. Don’t get me wrong...I in no way offered a review, or promised to write one, nor did he even ask for me too...
But I really enjoyed what he wrote here in his story, so therefore I WANT to talk about it!
When reading the back of the book, I found myself interested right off the bat. I mean, this stuff is right up my alley anyway, but I did wonder how it would stand out from the rest too...
To me, this has a very medieval, crusader-style England/Europe feel to it that I really liked. As a fantasy tale with no magic system, it was definitely nice to see this story feel more grounded like a story you’d hear in history.
The twists and turns in this story definitely have a George R. R. Martin-esque weaving to them, but as it’s told in only two perspectives it’s easy to follow for those that aren’t that huge into gigantic tales. I will say though that I did enjoy it to the point where I wondered about the characters we get to meet. And in that sense, means I would have read more perspectives and more storylines, which is the most Martin feeling part of all.
I’m really not even sure what else I can say because I want to remain spoiler free, but I need more people to read this, so that I can talk more openly about it. And I definitely need a sequel.
5/5* please find/buy/read it immediately.
But I really enjoyed what he wrote here in his story, so therefore I WANT to talk about it!
When reading the back of the book, I found myself interested right off the bat. I mean, this stuff is right up my alley anyway, but I did wonder how it would stand out from the rest too...
To me, this has a very medieval, crusader-style England/Europe feel to it that I really liked. As a fantasy tale with no magic system, it was definitely nice to see this story feel more grounded like a story you’d hear in history.
The twists and turns in this story definitely have a George R. R. Martin-esque weaving to them, but as it’s told in only two perspectives it’s easy to follow for those that aren’t that huge into gigantic tales. I will say though that I did enjoy it to the point where I wondered about the characters we get to meet. And in that sense, means I would have read more perspectives and more storylines, which is the most Martin feeling part of all.
I’m really not even sure what else I can say because I want to remain spoiler free, but I need more people to read this, so that I can talk more openly about it. And I definitely need a sequel.
5/5* please find/buy/read it immediately.
December 1, 2021
I had a blast with this one. The Look of a King is fun and fast paced with lots of twists and turns, and most importantly REALLY likeable characters (especially Roscoe!). Highly recommend.
April 14, 2022
3 Stars
An interesting debut from Tom Dumbrell! I didn't know what to expect but although it was more medieval fiction than fantasy, I still really enjoyed reading it.
The story is based around a young man named Cyrus who is a storyteller that has had a very tough life. Cyrus finds himself in the middle of yet another battle from a neighbouring country and adventure and excitement begins.
The lead Cyrus was my favourite character. He is brave and kind and puts others before himself. However he isn't perfect and definitely has insecurities. The other main character is Prince Augustus who we definitely are not meant to like! He is vain and rude with a real nasty streak.
The story of these two young men was definitely interesting and I enjoyed seeing how things played out. I guessed some of the twists but a few surprised me which was great! The book definitely held my attention and I enjoyed getting to know this new world.
However, I do have a few issues with the book. Firstly it was very short and this meant that a lot of the scenes were over too quickly and not given enough time to grow. Especially the final scenes which were over in a blink. This meant that there was no real tension as it needed time to build. It also made many of the scenes unrealistic as decisions were made too quickly and without any real thought. It would have been much better if there had been more detail added to the story. I was also not a fan of some of the dialogue as it read to almost be a little silly with a lot of exclamation marks.
Overall, I enjoyed the book but wish it had more detail and depth to it. Tom Dumbrell can definitely write and has a great imagination and with a few changes this could have been a great book. I has a lot of potential and I think I will continue the series to see how the plot continues.
Please note that I was gifted this book in exchange for an honest review.
An interesting debut from Tom Dumbrell! I didn't know what to expect but although it was more medieval fiction than fantasy, I still really enjoyed reading it.
The story is based around a young man named Cyrus who is a storyteller that has had a very tough life. Cyrus finds himself in the middle of yet another battle from a neighbouring country and adventure and excitement begins.
The lead Cyrus was my favourite character. He is brave and kind and puts others before himself. However he isn't perfect and definitely has insecurities. The other main character is Prince Augustus who we definitely are not meant to like! He is vain and rude with a real nasty streak.
The story of these two young men was definitely interesting and I enjoyed seeing how things played out. I guessed some of the twists but a few surprised me which was great! The book definitely held my attention and I enjoyed getting to know this new world.
However, I do have a few issues with the book. Firstly it was very short and this meant that a lot of the scenes were over too quickly and not given enough time to grow. Especially the final scenes which were over in a blink. This meant that there was no real tension as it needed time to build. It also made many of the scenes unrealistic as decisions were made too quickly and without any real thought. It would have been much better if there had been more detail added to the story. I was also not a fan of some of the dialogue as it read to almost be a little silly with a lot of exclamation marks.
Overall, I enjoyed the book but wish it had more detail and depth to it. Tom Dumbrell can definitely write and has a great imagination and with a few changes this could have been a great book. I has a lot of potential and I think I will continue the series to see how the plot continues.
Please note that I was gifted this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 31, 2021
Morning everyone, I'm sure many of you here are familiar with @tom_dumbrell, and his self published debut novel, The Look of a King. I've had the great pleasure of chatting with Tom on a number of occasions both before and after picking up this book on Kindle Unlimited, and I know even more of you have likely already read TLOAK or have it on your TBR.
We begin in a familiar setting, a divided kingdom, and assassinated King and a lowland boy struggling to make something of himself, but the book quickly takes a very unfamiliar twist, which hooked me right in
My first impression, something I've found lacking in some debut novels I've read, is a strong grasp of the "basics" of story telling. The language used is eloquent, the dialogue flows incredibly well and allows us to be warmly introduced to an excellent and interesting cast of characters and an intriguing world ripe for building upon, it wastes no time diving in some well executed action sequences too.
The story is fast, paced, almost too fast at times, if I had to nit pick, I enjoyed this book more than enough to have happily read more pages and chapters, stretching out some of the story and character arcs, developing (particularly the protagonist) struggles and character growth a bit more in the in between of some of the books big (and brilliantly executed) twists more. But it's a good thing there's more books planned, so plenty more time for that.
The story caught me off guard a number of times, just when I thought it was going away I was yanked in the opposite direction. I won't give anything away but the the sorry and twists are great and well executed, right up until the big finale, which has left me with both a wounded heart, and eagerly awaiting book 2
We begin in a familiar setting, a divided kingdom, and assassinated King and a lowland boy struggling to make something of himself, but the book quickly takes a very unfamiliar twist, which hooked me right in
My first impression, something I've found lacking in some debut novels I've read, is a strong grasp of the "basics" of story telling. The language used is eloquent, the dialogue flows incredibly well and allows us to be warmly introduced to an excellent and interesting cast of characters and an intriguing world ripe for building upon, it wastes no time diving in some well executed action sequences too.
The story is fast, paced, almost too fast at times, if I had to nit pick, I enjoyed this book more than enough to have happily read more pages and chapters, stretching out some of the story and character arcs, developing (particularly the protagonist) struggles and character growth a bit more in the in between of some of the books big (and brilliantly executed) twists more. But it's a good thing there's more books planned, so plenty more time for that.
The story caught me off guard a number of times, just when I thought it was going away I was yanked in the opposite direction. I won't give anything away but the the sorry and twists are great and well executed, right up until the big finale, which has left me with both a wounded heart, and eagerly awaiting book 2
March 3, 2022
4.25 rounded up.
I found The Look of a King via social media recommendations, so finally decided to give it a spin. I’m extremely glad I did, because I ended up loving every moment of it.
The Look of a King (TLoaK) is a relatively short book that packs a huge punch with how much happens in 280 pages. Personally, I’m one for fast paced high action reads, and in my opinion TLoaK delivered this in every way. I never felt like there was that typical lull in a fantasy story, or that it was bogged down by too much world building and descriptions, instead there was just the right amount to immerse me in this intriguing world.
TLoaK is set in a medieval world within the confines of Easthaven, a kingdom enjoying peace under its ruler King Anselm. It’s quickly made clear that peace and alliance hang on a thread as the old make way for the new. A very young, inexperienced and headstrong King Augustus is forced to follow in his fathers footsteps and lead his country. At this point I wasn’t sure where the story was going, but Dumbrell brilliantly delivered some intriguing twists and turns that drove the plot forward and immersed me further into its world. I can’t explain why, but somehow TLoaK gave me the kind of nostalgic feelings I used to experience when reading or watching fantasy when I was younger. I somehow got adult (keep that mind clean) Disney vibes from the book (sorry Tom if this wasn’t what you hoped!).
TloaK is definitely a character driven fantasy, which for me is what I search for in fantasy. It introduces the reader to a strong and varied cast of characters, firstly there is Cyrus, a man who does not posses many skills other than the ability to weave a great tale, yet somehow finds himself in all right and wrong situations. I won’t say too much about Cyrus, the protagonist, in fear of giving away key points of the story, other than the fact that I found him the perfect character for the situation he was thrown into. One character that hugely stood out for me was Garrett, who felt like the father figure or even Gandalf, without the magic. The interactions between Cyrus and Garrett were both welcoming and heart-warming, and at times sarcastically funny. Lastly, in terms of main characters there is Augustus, who had some interesting qualities, that really became the centre point in making him the ideal antagonist.
Dumbrell’s prose flowed well and drove the story forward, making this a real page turner, so that I virtually finished it in one sitting. In fact, I found Dumbrell’s writing almost poetic in the way that it captured scenes so eloquently. The added humour at times made the story even more heart-warming to me.
If it wasn’t obvious, then it is now, go grab this heart-warming, nostalgic and fast-paced indie fantasy. It’s a brilliant one-sitting-read or a cure if you’re suffering from the old fantasy slump/hangover.
I found The Look of a King via social media recommendations, so finally decided to give it a spin. I’m extremely glad I did, because I ended up loving every moment of it.
The Look of a King (TLoaK) is a relatively short book that packs a huge punch with how much happens in 280 pages. Personally, I’m one for fast paced high action reads, and in my opinion TLoaK delivered this in every way. I never felt like there was that typical lull in a fantasy story, or that it was bogged down by too much world building and descriptions, instead there was just the right amount to immerse me in this intriguing world.
TLoaK is set in a medieval world within the confines of Easthaven, a kingdom enjoying peace under its ruler King Anselm. It’s quickly made clear that peace and alliance hang on a thread as the old make way for the new. A very young, inexperienced and headstrong King Augustus is forced to follow in his fathers footsteps and lead his country. At this point I wasn’t sure where the story was going, but Dumbrell brilliantly delivered some intriguing twists and turns that drove the plot forward and immersed me further into its world. I can’t explain why, but somehow TLoaK gave me the kind of nostalgic feelings I used to experience when reading or watching fantasy when I was younger. I somehow got adult (keep that mind clean) Disney vibes from the book (sorry Tom if this wasn’t what you hoped!).
TloaK is definitely a character driven fantasy, which for me is what I search for in fantasy. It introduces the reader to a strong and varied cast of characters, firstly there is Cyrus, a man who does not posses many skills other than the ability to weave a great tale, yet somehow finds himself in all right and wrong situations. I won’t say too much about Cyrus, the protagonist, in fear of giving away key points of the story, other than the fact that I found him the perfect character for the situation he was thrown into. One character that hugely stood out for me was Garrett, who felt like the father figure or even Gandalf, without the magic. The interactions between Cyrus and Garrett were both welcoming and heart-warming, and at times sarcastically funny. Lastly, in terms of main characters there is Augustus, who had some interesting qualities, that really became the centre point in making him the ideal antagonist.
Dumbrell’s prose flowed well and drove the story forward, making this a real page turner, so that I virtually finished it in one sitting. In fact, I found Dumbrell’s writing almost poetic in the way that it captured scenes so eloquently. The added humour at times made the story even more heart-warming to me.
If it wasn’t obvious, then it is now, go grab this heart-warming, nostalgic and fast-paced indie fantasy. It’s a brilliant one-sitting-read or a cure if you’re suffering from the old fantasy slump/hangover.
June 18, 2021
The Look of a King is an exciting, enjoyable and fast-paced debut novel set within a medieval fantasy kingdom. The author writes with an easy-to-read style (I read the book within 2 days), and in Cyrus has created an engaging main character.
The story is 260 pages long - the book description on this page describes it as being suited to reluctant or time-poor readers, and I can understand why it says this. I think this is a great read for people who want the excitement and escapism of a well-written fantasy story, without committing themselves to reading a 500 - 1,000 page tome! I have passed my copy to my 18 year old son, who I also think will enjoy it.
The story is 260 pages long - the book description on this page describes it as being suited to reluctant or time-poor readers, and I can understand why it says this. I think this is a great read for people who want the excitement and escapism of a well-written fantasy story, without committing themselves to reading a 500 - 1,000 page tome! I have passed my copy to my 18 year old son, who I also think will enjoy it.
November 9, 2022
I decided to re-read this book for refreshing my memories as I continue to read the series.
Just like in first time, I enjoyed the story very much! “The Look of a King” is a great example of high fantasy classic with all beautiful elements of the genre!
Into the sequel now!
Just like in first time, I enjoyed the story very much! “The Look of a King” is a great example of high fantasy classic with all beautiful elements of the genre!
Into the sequel now!
October 22, 2021
Fun rollicking times!
Great new coming of age medieval tale. Wonderful characters, some great twists and a quick read. Adventure for the 15 and up crowd!
Read
September 16, 20224 ⭐️
The Look of a King is the first entry of the self published fantasy series the Pillars of Peace written by Tom Dumbrell. I’ve wanted to get to this series for a while now after hearing so many great things and The Look of a King certainly didn’t disappoint. For a debut fantasy novel, this was ace.
First things first, the pacing in this was terrific. Dumbrell does not mess around with leading you straight into the meat of this story. Major events very quickly transpire, with the rest of the novel continuing at breakneck speed, only slowing down very briefly at times, before kicking back into high gear again.
The story very quickly grips you in with an intriguing plot of court politics and murderous machinations, with a young man from seemingly humble origins and a dark past rapidly embroiled in circumstances beyond his control. I managed to finish this book in just under a day, in two sittings; not just because it’s a short novel but because it’s the story is just that gripping. There are many twists and turns that are pulled off adeptly, which constantly keeps the reader guessing and wondering what could happen next.
Dumbrell has created a very clear dichotomy of character morality within these pages. The villainous characters are particularly odious and it’s hard to not root for our MC and his allies in their quest to oppose them.
My only criticisms are that I wish we got to spend a little more time with some of the characters as they develop, so we could form a stronger emotional connection with them; and that some of the battle scenes were a bit more fleshed out. That said, that’s a product of this being a slightly shorter novel - everything written for the most part is done exceptionally well. I have seen some criticism that the MC makes some foolish decisions but I attribute that being to the general naïveté of the MC and the situation he has been thrust into.
Overall, a brilliant first entry into what seems to be a more grounded fantasy series. I’ll be jumping straight into the rest of the series, which I hear continues to just get better. Very much enjoyed this and I’m excited to see where things go!
The Look of a King is the first entry of the self published fantasy series the Pillars of Peace written by Tom Dumbrell. I’ve wanted to get to this series for a while now after hearing so many great things and The Look of a King certainly didn’t disappoint. For a debut fantasy novel, this was ace.
First things first, the pacing in this was terrific. Dumbrell does not mess around with leading you straight into the meat of this story. Major events very quickly transpire, with the rest of the novel continuing at breakneck speed, only slowing down very briefly at times, before kicking back into high gear again.
The story very quickly grips you in with an intriguing plot of court politics and murderous machinations, with a young man from seemingly humble origins and a dark past rapidly embroiled in circumstances beyond his control. I managed to finish this book in just under a day, in two sittings; not just because it’s a short novel but because it’s the story is just that gripping. There are many twists and turns that are pulled off adeptly, which constantly keeps the reader guessing and wondering what could happen next.
Dumbrell has created a very clear dichotomy of character morality within these pages. The villainous characters are particularly odious and it’s hard to not root for our MC and his allies in their quest to oppose them.
My only criticisms are that I wish we got to spend a little more time with some of the characters as they develop, so we could form a stronger emotional connection with them; and that some of the battle scenes were a bit more fleshed out. That said, that’s a product of this being a slightly shorter novel - everything written for the most part is done exceptionally well. I have seen some criticism that the MC makes some foolish decisions but I attribute that being to the general naïveté of the MC and the situation he has been thrust into.
Overall, a brilliant first entry into what seems to be a more grounded fantasy series. I’ll be jumping straight into the rest of the series, which I hear continues to just get better. Very much enjoyed this and I’m excited to see where things go!
October 24, 2022
CW: blood, violence, injury, fire, war, death, death of parent
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A book that feels original yet also enjoyably familiar, The Look of a King is a coming of age tale that centres on a village storyteller and a prince who’s lives collide when the peace of their kingdom is threatened by war.
Fairly short and fast paced the story leans more towards historical fiction than fantasy (which is what I went in expecting) however, the medieval setting has that classic high fantasy feel.
Dumbrell’s writing is wonderfully immersive and effortlessly captures the atmosphere of world as well as the action and tensions that arise as the plot unfolds.
For less than 300 pages there is a lot packed in and despite being very plot driven we are still presented with some great character relationships and little snippets of the history of the world which was interesting to learn about. Also the humour!! (I LOVED the pirate joke!) Honestly never a dull moment in this one!
Though the use of some classic tropes meant the direction of the story was a little predictable at times, the narration overall was highly engaging and the likeability of the lead protagonist, Cyrus meant I was invested to see his journey all the way through.
The pacing not letting up until the very end did mean that the closing events of the book felt a little rushed however, they have set up the sequel nicely and I am definitely interested in checking it out!
Final Rating – 3.75/5 Stars
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A book that feels original yet also enjoyably familiar, The Look of a King is a coming of age tale that centres on a village storyteller and a prince who’s lives collide when the peace of their kingdom is threatened by war.
Fairly short and fast paced the story leans more towards historical fiction than fantasy (which is what I went in expecting) however, the medieval setting has that classic high fantasy feel.
Dumbrell’s writing is wonderfully immersive and effortlessly captures the atmosphere of world as well as the action and tensions that arise as the plot unfolds.
For less than 300 pages there is a lot packed in and despite being very plot driven we are still presented with some great character relationships and little snippets of the history of the world which was interesting to learn about. Also the humour!! (I LOVED the pirate joke!) Honestly never a dull moment in this one!
Though the use of some classic tropes meant the direction of the story was a little predictable at times, the narration overall was highly engaging and the likeability of the lead protagonist, Cyrus meant I was invested to see his journey all the way through.
The pacing not letting up until the very end did mean that the closing events of the book felt a little rushed however, they have set up the sequel nicely and I am definitely interested in checking it out!
Final Rating – 3.75/5 Stars
February 8, 2022
The Look of a King is the debut novel by Tom Dumbrell, and a stellar start to The Pillars of Peace series.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The character work is exemplary and a real stand out. Our main characters Augustus, Cyrus, and Garrett are well defined and easy to relate with, and the latter two are dripping with charm. They are highly likeable characters that you want to read about. Cyrus is particular has a great journey, and I enjoyed watching him grow throughout the story. The Look of a King will have you rooting for the heroes, while waiting for those scummy villains to get their “just desserts”.
The plot itself moves deftly and was exhilarating. I know it’s a short book, but I finished this quicker than I thought I would. I always wanted to read just one more chapter to see what would happen. The plot itself is filled with court politics, schemes and betrayals, and enough twists that kept me second guessing what would come next.
While focusing on a smaller area of the map, the world building is enough to give the reader enough information to establish an idea of the setting, while leaving room for expansion in the sequels.
Despite being only 260 pages, Tom expertly weaves together a quick paced plot, touching characters, and just enough court politics/world building to keep the reader informed/engaged while also questioning/pondering what’s to come. A wonderful debut that I can highly recommend. I’m excited to see what the sequel brings, and where Tom’s writing career goes.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The character work is exemplary and a real stand out. Our main characters Augustus, Cyrus, and Garrett are well defined and easy to relate with, and the latter two are dripping with charm. They are highly likeable characters that you want to read about. Cyrus is particular has a great journey, and I enjoyed watching him grow throughout the story. The Look of a King will have you rooting for the heroes, while waiting for those scummy villains to get their “just desserts”.
The plot itself moves deftly and was exhilarating. I know it’s a short book, but I finished this quicker than I thought I would. I always wanted to read just one more chapter to see what would happen. The plot itself is filled with court politics, schemes and betrayals, and enough twists that kept me second guessing what would come next.
While focusing on a smaller area of the map, the world building is enough to give the reader enough information to establish an idea of the setting, while leaving room for expansion in the sequels.
Despite being only 260 pages, Tom expertly weaves together a quick paced plot, touching characters, and just enough court politics/world building to keep the reader informed/engaged while also questioning/pondering what’s to come. A wonderful debut that I can highly recommend. I’m excited to see what the sequel brings, and where Tom’s writing career goes.
January 29, 2022
For my sins, Im a quick read. Quick enough to blast through Tom Dumbrell's TLOAK in less than a day, which is appropriate, because of what a whirlwind read the book is.
I've seen TLOAK recommended for reluctant fantasy newbies, and while I don't disagree, I think those with a deep love of the genre will find much they love and recognise in Tom's work as well, a novel which particularly excels in its final acts. Any who have read my work will know how much I love a twisty plot, which Tom delivers in spades, without cheapening the plot. Not an easy task.
Reading TLOK is like ordering a gourmet sticky toffee pudding from an award winning restaurant. You dig in, and on first bite there's much to love and savour, but wait, what's this? Aftertastes of nutmeg, rich dates, and a home-made caramel drizzle sauce to top it off? Oh how you spoil us!
Congratulations on your achievement, Tom.
I've seen TLOAK recommended for reluctant fantasy newbies, and while I don't disagree, I think those with a deep love of the genre will find much they love and recognise in Tom's work as well, a novel which particularly excels in its final acts. Any who have read my work will know how much I love a twisty plot, which Tom delivers in spades, without cheapening the plot. Not an easy task.
Reading TLOK is like ordering a gourmet sticky toffee pudding from an award winning restaurant. You dig in, and on first bite there's much to love and savour, but wait, what's this? Aftertastes of nutmeg, rich dates, and a home-made caramel drizzle sauce to top it off? Oh how you spoil us!
Congratulations on your achievement, Tom.
October 20, 2021
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I will not deny that upon reading the first chapter of this novel, I felt a strong sense of dread. Fearing that perhaps I will not enjoy this novel. I wouldn’t say it to be the strength of the first character introduced, but more an effect of choice. I dare not say it is a bad choice. Some would find it to be quite intriguing—provoking a strong sense of curiosity and fervor to know more of the story. For myself, though, it was a catalyst that could’ve broken my pacing if not for my testing the chapters forthcoming.
It is mesmerizing how Tom Dumbrell effectively wrote this novel. Each chapter has a consistency so good that it felt like reading it was as natural as breathing. With a highly accessible writing, it makes you feel at ease. Although, in all honesty, I was looking for a little bit of that purplish prose. However, it is in the author’s best interest that it wasn’t at all present; taking into consideration how purple prose can be quite…vexing.
Something that I was impressed as well is the narration of the story. It began with a neutrality (at least in my perspective) that I found to be engaging. As the story progresses, it introduces the reader to the vastness of the world, the peculiarity of each characters, and the intrigues riding behind the shadow of the story. Moreover, the use of storytelling as a gateway for readers allows a strong connection that made it feel like you are part of the narrative and not just a bystander.
Unfortunately, as much as I enjoyed reading the novel, I wasn’t particularly tethered to any of the characters. I would’ve easily said that I felt for a certain queen, but there wasn’t much to her that warrant my saying that. I do think that they’re all well-written. It was more in the background that I think lack flavour for me to say that I wanted to be best friends with the characters. In addition, I believe that there are insufficiency with some characters’ story. I wanted more from them, really.
The Look of a King was a quality read through and through. If you fear reading it for the YA tag, I can guarantee you that the characters are not at all tiring. There are obvious personality traits of a young adult, but it did not drag them towards that exasperating level whereas you just want to throw the book in flames. Also, the story was not at all arid. It was overall entertaining and it didn’t feel short, however I think that it can do a little work with the intensity and pacing of climatic events. All that being said, I am very much looking forward to what happens next in the story.
I will not deny that upon reading the first chapter of this novel, I felt a strong sense of dread. Fearing that perhaps I will not enjoy this novel. I wouldn’t say it to be the strength of the first character introduced, but more an effect of choice. I dare not say it is a bad choice. Some would find it to be quite intriguing—provoking a strong sense of curiosity and fervor to know more of the story. For myself, though, it was a catalyst that could’ve broken my pacing if not for my testing the chapters forthcoming.
It is mesmerizing how Tom Dumbrell effectively wrote this novel. Each chapter has a consistency so good that it felt like reading it was as natural as breathing. With a highly accessible writing, it makes you feel at ease. Although, in all honesty, I was looking for a little bit of that purplish prose. However, it is in the author’s best interest that it wasn’t at all present; taking into consideration how purple prose can be quite…vexing.
Something that I was impressed as well is the narration of the story. It began with a neutrality (at least in my perspective) that I found to be engaging. As the story progresses, it introduces the reader to the vastness of the world, the peculiarity of each characters, and the intrigues riding behind the shadow of the story. Moreover, the use of storytelling as a gateway for readers allows a strong connection that made it feel like you are part of the narrative and not just a bystander.
Unfortunately, as much as I enjoyed reading the novel, I wasn’t particularly tethered to any of the characters. I would’ve easily said that I felt for a certain queen, but there wasn’t much to her that warrant my saying that. I do think that they’re all well-written. It was more in the background that I think lack flavour for me to say that I wanted to be best friends with the characters. In addition, I believe that there are insufficiency with some characters’ story. I wanted more from them, really.
The Look of a King was a quality read through and through. If you fear reading it for the YA tag, I can guarantee you that the characters are not at all tiring. There are obvious personality traits of a young adult, but it did not drag them towards that exasperating level whereas you just want to throw the book in flames. Also, the story was not at all arid. It was overall entertaining and it didn’t feel short, however I think that it can do a little work with the intensity and pacing of climatic events. All that being said, I am very much looking forward to what happens next in the story.
January 12, 2022
I loved this book, once I got into the flow, it was a quick and beautifully written read. It felt Arthurian in nature and I loved the medieval details, the sword fighting, and the worldbuilding, there was so much attention to detail and I'm looking forward to digging into book two! Well done Tom, on a stunning debut!
June 30, 2021
I was sent a copy of this ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review. [spoilers]
This story follows Cyrus, a storyteller from a lowly village with a heart of gold and nerves of enough trauma to last 3 life times. When his village is attacked, he stumbles upon a man who is his exact twin. When his double falls from the edge of a cliff, Cyrus discovers he was King Augustus (son of the recently deceased King Anselm) and finds himself filling his royal shoes at a time of war and poverty.
I actually really enjoyed this book, and it’s not my usual genre so I was pleasantly surprised. I think the writing style was very good; description was well-balanced with dialogue but detailed enough that the medieval-inspired world was believable. However, the fight scene at the end felt a little rushed and I would have liked to have seen more time dedicated to padding that out with actual fighting to make it a little more exciting.
For me, Cyrus made the perfect character arc from whiney (and quite frankly bloody irritating) little boy, to likeable, King Arthur type hero by the end of the book and I couldn’t help but feel hard done by because of it. Let me explain. I love a villain…but a morally grey villain! His twin brother Augustus is not morally grey. He’s a dick. And he wins in the end. Yes I know, it’s part of an ongoing series but I was still disappointed because the fantasy goblin in my head wanted a happy ever after for Cyrus.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and could see this being adapted into a film for sure.
Rating: 👑 👑👑.5
This story follows Cyrus, a storyteller from a lowly village with a heart of gold and nerves of enough trauma to last 3 life times. When his village is attacked, he stumbles upon a man who is his exact twin. When his double falls from the edge of a cliff, Cyrus discovers he was King Augustus (son of the recently deceased King Anselm) and finds himself filling his royal shoes at a time of war and poverty.
I actually really enjoyed this book, and it’s not my usual genre so I was pleasantly surprised. I think the writing style was very good; description was well-balanced with dialogue but detailed enough that the medieval-inspired world was believable. However, the fight scene at the end felt a little rushed and I would have liked to have seen more time dedicated to padding that out with actual fighting to make it a little more exciting.
For me, Cyrus made the perfect character arc from whiney (and quite frankly bloody irritating) little boy, to likeable, King Arthur type hero by the end of the book and I couldn’t help but feel hard done by because of it. Let me explain. I love a villain…but a morally grey villain! His twin brother Augustus is not morally grey. He’s a dick. And he wins in the end. Yes I know, it’s part of an ongoing series but I was still disappointed because the fantasy goblin in my head wanted a happy ever after for Cyrus.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and could see this being adapted into a film for sure.
Rating: 👑 👑👑.5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2021
This is a coming of age fantasy novel featuring some very well written characters.
This book started off strong by making me absolutely hate Prince Augustus, who honestly deserves a very public, very embarrassing death. Giving off strong Geoffrey Lannister vibes, the prince is the absolute worst. I would argue that he is the villain of this story, though perhaps not the main antagonist.
Cyrus, on the other hand, is a delight. He starts off as most of us do - an unsure loser who cannot do the right thing to save his life (or, more pointedly, the lives of others). Watching him grow and gain confidence in himself as he figures out who he is was a wonderful journey. He is thrown into some insane plot lines but uses these to figure out who he wants to be. He cares about the people more than anything else, which is exactly what I look for in a fantasy MC.
My only issue is how okay everyone was with the revelations and betrayals. While I appreciate hijinks in Fantasy, I felt some of the plot twists should have had bigger repercussions or reactions from the characters involved and affected.
The plot is fast-paced, and while the book takes place during serious and difficult times, the storyline wound its way to being amusing. I found myself engrossed in this book, and had a good time reading it. I'm excited to read the next in the series!
This book started off strong by making me absolutely hate Prince Augustus, who honestly deserves a very public, very embarrassing death. Giving off strong Geoffrey Lannister vibes, the prince is the absolute worst. I would argue that he is the villain of this story, though perhaps not the main antagonist.
Cyrus, on the other hand, is a delight. He starts off as most of us do - an unsure loser who cannot do the right thing to save his life (or, more pointedly, the lives of others). Watching him grow and gain confidence in himself as he figures out who he is was a wonderful journey. He is thrown into some insane plot lines but uses these to figure out who he wants to be. He cares about the people more than anything else, which is exactly what I look for in a fantasy MC.
My only issue is how okay everyone was with the revelations and betrayals. While I appreciate hijinks in Fantasy, I felt some of the plot twists should have had bigger repercussions or reactions from the characters involved and affected.
The plot is fast-paced, and while the book takes place during serious and difficult times, the storyline wound its way to being amusing. I found myself engrossed in this book, and had a good time reading it. I'm excited to read the next in the series!
December 17, 2021
The Look of a King is fast paced coming of age story in medieval setting. First I would like to point out this
story is set fantasy kingdome but there is no magical elements. I kept waiting for the magic (my own fault) which is why I’m pointing this out.
While the book is short in length, it was self contained, with a credible plot, well written action scenes and believable characters. It’s refreshing for me as a avid fantasy readers to read a book that doesn’t waste extra pages on unnecessary descriptions and additional characters and gets to the point quickly. The story was focused and that was a great thing.
On the other hand, the story felt very simple to me. There were plot twists, some felt predictable, some I hadn’t anticipated . The writing style is straightforward and easy to read, no lyrical flowery prose.
Although I didn’t find myself totally engrossed in the story, I have to say, for the page count, it was a good story with interesting charecters who were portrayed really well
I think this book would appeal to readers looking for fast paced plot driven story with political intrigue and medieval fictional but not magical setting. Would appeal to YA readers as well.
*I purchased my own copy of this book, not gifted.
story is set fantasy kingdome but there is no magical elements. I kept waiting for the magic (my own fault) which is why I’m pointing this out.
While the book is short in length, it was self contained, with a credible plot, well written action scenes and believable characters. It’s refreshing for me as a avid fantasy readers to read a book that doesn’t waste extra pages on unnecessary descriptions and additional characters and gets to the point quickly. The story was focused and that was a great thing.
On the other hand, the story felt very simple to me. There were plot twists, some felt predictable, some I hadn’t anticipated . The writing style is straightforward and easy to read, no lyrical flowery prose.
Although I didn’t find myself totally engrossed in the story, I have to say, for the page count, it was a good story with interesting charecters who were portrayed really well
I think this book would appeal to readers looking for fast paced plot driven story with political intrigue and medieval fictional but not magical setting. Would appeal to YA readers as well.
*I purchased my own copy of this book, not gifted.
June 3, 2021
This book was just what I needed as my TBR was filled with everything non-fantasy but I was itching to jump into something fantastical. War is brewing and unbeknownst to Cyrus, his life is about to take a massive turn. The pacing of this debut was spot on. Never did I feel like the story was dragging with unnecessary plot devices or chapters at any moment. The author hit on all the key aspects of the story with small time jumps that I think worked extremely well to aiding the story as whole. As a character reader I latched on to all the characters immediately but my favorites were Cyrus and Garrett. I definitely was not expecting the twisty ending and am super excited to wait in anticipation for the next book in the series. An incredible self published debut with a stunning cover and an amazing story inside. Recommend to anyone who is a lover of fast paced fantasy!
March 29, 2022
*re-read* 5 glorious stars still.
Fantasy with a medieval-esque feel? Yes, please. I said some colorful words, I felt the swell of pride, the pain of loss, I hated characters, and I loved characters. Dumbrell hit the notes. It is fast paced and reads easy. I unabashedly binged this book. It kept me entertained every page along the way.
The characters were so well written, it makes you crave to know more of their stories. While there was trope that many have explored, Dumbrell didn't stop there. He took the predictable and spun it like a top. I'll definitely be waiting for the next book in the Pillars of Peace series.
Fantasy with a medieval-esque feel? Yes, please. I said some colorful words, I felt the swell of pride, the pain of loss, I hated characters, and I loved characters. Dumbrell hit the notes. It is fast paced and reads easy. I unabashedly binged this book. It kept me entertained every page along the way.
The characters were so well written, it makes you crave to know more of their stories. While there was trope that many have explored, Dumbrell didn't stop there. He took the predictable and spun it like a top. I'll definitely be waiting for the next book in the Pillars of Peace series.
August 25, 2021
Once in a while we come across a book that really captivates us and makes us become lifetime fans of the author. This is one of those books and I can’t wait for the next installments of the series.
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