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The Ruby Throne Trilogy #1
Reign of Shadows
For over nine hundred years, the Emperor Kostimon has sat upon the Ruby Throne. He bargained with the dark gods for his immortality-and now he and his kingdom will have to pay the price.
344 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
About the author
Deborah Chester
57 books156 followersThe internationally published, award-winning author of 41 novels, Deborah Chester has written Regency romances, historical romances, young adult, science fiction, and fantasy. She is a tenured professor of professional writing in the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Oklahoma, where she teaches novel and short story writing.
She holds a B.A. with General Honors and an M.A. in Journalism; both degrees are from the University of Oklahoma, where she studied professional writing from author/teachers Jack M. Bickham, Robert L. Duncan, and Pulitzer-nominee Carolyn Hart. Chester has been writing professionally since 1978, and has used three pseudonyms – Jay D. Blakeney and Sean Dalton and C. Aubrey Hall for some of her science fiction and fantasy works.
In 2004, she was inducted into the Writers Hall of Fame of America.
She holds a B.A. with General Honors and an M.A. in Journalism; both degrees are from the University of Oklahoma, where she studied professional writing from author/teachers Jack M. Bickham, Robert L. Duncan, and Pulitzer-nominee Carolyn Hart. Chester has been writing professionally since 1978, and has used three pseudonyms – Jay D. Blakeney and Sean Dalton and C. Aubrey Hall for some of her science fiction and fantasy works.
In 2004, she was inducted into the Writers Hall of Fame of America.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
September 11, 2011
Initially this book can be hard to get into, but as with every fantasy book, once you know all the terms (eg severence, seversain etc) everything falls into place. This is the first book in the Ruby Throne trilogy so of course, the first book focuses on getting the foundation of the series set up. We meet our two main characters Caelan and Elandra, and learn about their current lives which are thrown from one extreme to the other for both characters. Caelan, who has always had it easy has been forced into slaver, while Elandra goes from being a slave in her own house to marrying the emperor.
Here's a quick background on both characters:
At the beginning of the book, Caelan and his cousin Agel are attending a school to train them to become healers. While Agel is happy with his future as healer, Caelan is not. He constantly fights against the rules of the school eventually getting himself expelled. From there, it doesn't get much better for him. He witnesses the horrific murders of his father and their household staff. Caelan then goes into slavery and becomes a gladiator.
Elandra starts off as being a slave in her own home. Her sister, Bixia is being prepared to marry the emporer. However, Elandra finds out that her destiny is to marry the emporer - not her sister. Her aunt is furious that Elandra has taken Bixia's destiny, and inflicts spell blindness on her.
From there, the foundations of the story are laid and we jump down the track to four years later. That's when the story really begins!
Here's a quick background on both characters:
At the beginning of the book, Caelan and his cousin Agel are attending a school to train them to become healers. While Agel is happy with his future as healer, Caelan is not. He constantly fights against the rules of the school eventually getting himself expelled. From there, it doesn't get much better for him. He witnesses the horrific murders of his father and their household staff. Caelan then goes into slavery and becomes a gladiator.
Elandra starts off as being a slave in her own home. Her sister, Bixia is being prepared to marry the emporer. However, Elandra finds out that her destiny is to marry the emporer - not her sister. Her aunt is furious that Elandra has taken Bixia's destiny, and inflicts spell blindness on her.
From there, the foundations of the story are laid and we jump down the track to four years later. That's when the story really begins!
January 25, 2019
Great story
Great story, great writing. Really enjoyed reading this first book in The Ruby Throne Trilogy. Loved Caelan, the underdog in this series
Great story, great writing. Really enjoyed reading this first book in The Ruby Throne Trilogy. Loved Caelan, the underdog in this series
August 26, 2019
I think I have a new favorite author, seeing that this is the third book in a row by this author I loved.
Back to the novel itself - set in a fantasy version of Ancient Rome ruled by an Emperor who refuses to die for a 1000 years even as his empire falls further into decadence and brutality, the novel follows two characters - mainly Caelan but also Elandra.
Caelan is a son of a famous healer who is captured and enslaved during a raid which wipes out his family, and who eventually becomes a gladiator in a brutal arena where every match is a death match. His affinity for weapons, which is pretty magical in nature, just might keep him alive. I am unhealthily invested in Caelan, mainly because I want to see him burn the city to the freaking ground.
Elandra, who I find less interesting, but who I do like a lot, is a bastard daughter of a nobleman, who grew up mistreated by her half-sister and that half-sister's aunt, but has managed to keep her spine and who has a special destiny - to be the ancient's emperor's latest wife and maybe help end his reign. Sort of like Cinderella, if Prince Charming was a murderous devil-worshiping monster.
In short, life sucks in a major major way for both Caelan and Elandra, though more for the latter, since despite all her privations, nobody is treating Elandra like a piece of semi-sentient meat.
I am Team They Should Unite and Murder Half the Empire, but they haven't met yet in book 1 (I believe it happens in book 2 and I get my OTP goodness there.)
This is part of a trilogy which is thankfully complete, otherwise I would have lost my mind waiting for more.
Back to the novel itself - set in a fantasy version of Ancient Rome ruled by an Emperor who refuses to die for a 1000 years even as his empire falls further into decadence and brutality, the novel follows two characters - mainly Caelan but also Elandra.
Caelan is a son of a famous healer who is captured and enslaved during a raid which wipes out his family, and who eventually becomes a gladiator in a brutal arena where every match is a death match. His affinity for weapons, which is pretty magical in nature, just might keep him alive. I am unhealthily invested in Caelan, mainly because I want to see him burn the city to the freaking ground.
Elandra, who I find less interesting, but who I do like a lot, is a bastard daughter of a nobleman, who grew up mistreated by her half-sister and that half-sister's aunt, but has managed to keep her spine and who has a special destiny - to be the ancient's emperor's latest wife and maybe help end his reign. Sort of like Cinderella, if Prince Charming was a murderous devil-worshiping monster.
In short, life sucks in a major major way for both Caelan and Elandra, though more for the latter, since despite all her privations, nobody is treating Elandra like a piece of semi-sentient meat.
I am Team They Should Unite and Murder Half the Empire, but they haven't met yet in book 1 (I believe it happens in book 2 and I get my OTP goodness there.)
This is part of a trilogy which is thankfully complete, otherwise I would have lost my mind waiting for more.
Want to Read
December 1, 2024Nov 2024:
This is the original trilogy setting up the world of The Pearls, which I am currently reading. Ooops my bad… will continue for now and then try to go back to this.
This is the original trilogy setting up the world of The Pearls, which I am currently reading. Ooops my bad… will continue for now and then try to go back to this.
May 19, 2019
Full review to come!
September 4, 2011
3.5
This book surpassed my expectations a bit which is always a good thing. It starts off pretty slow with Caelan being in his teens. I got annoyed by him at times because of his immaturity and the decisions that he made. I was waiting for him to grow up and also to meet the heroine which took until halfway to get to. But once you reach the second half, which is four years later, it gets better.
The world building and character development were well written, as I would expect from a good fantasy author since the setting is one of the more important aspects of the genre.
I was upset that there was no romance at all but I know it'll be present in the second book. Caelan and the heroine don't even meet at all in this book which is a bit frustrating but it does make me want to continue the series.
This book surpassed my expectations a bit which is always a good thing. It starts off pretty slow with Caelan being in his teens. I got annoyed by him at times because of his immaturity and the decisions that he made. I was waiting for him to grow up and also to meet the heroine which took until halfway to get to. But once you reach the second half, which is four years later, it gets better.
The world building and character development were well written, as I would expect from a good fantasy author since the setting is one of the more important aspects of the genre.
I was upset that there was no romance at all but I know it'll be present in the second book. Caelan and the heroine don't even meet at all in this book which is a bit frustrating but it does make me want to continue the series.
February 23, 2020
Clunky bloated prose. Tellathon. DNF.
September 6, 2008
Woo Hoo! I picked up just the first book of this trilogy, and regretted it about 10 minutes later. The story is fast moving and entertaining, with characters that I related to almost immediately. A great read...I can't wait to get started on the next one.
July 10, 2008
This is one of my favorite books. It is very hard to find. Its very well written and I love the gladiator part. I just read it to my kids and they loved it!
Want to Read
February 12, 201512 February 2015: $0.00 FREE on Kindle
April 12, 2021
Interesting book from an author I had heard about through Jim Butcher, but hadn't quite gotten around to reading.
It's got a very classic high fantasy feel to it, with fascinating magic systems and powers; characters from difficult backgrounds discovering powerful destinies; dark cults and evil gods readying themselves for chaos and war. All of this wrapped in something of a coming-of-age story (another classic of the genre). And it's certainly well crafted.
I'm not entirely sure she nails it; Caelan is a bit too bratty, especially since he's the first character we meet. While his evolution is done logically, he sucks pretty hard at the outset and it would be easy for someone to toss it aside while he's whining and railing against his lot in life (which might suck a little, but he's such a brat about it that he doesn't engender much sympathy early on). Elandra's part in this tale advances much faster; maybe a simply structural change breaking up some of Caelan's early story would have eased this?
But the setup is all here and seeing where Chester plans to take these two looks interesting, especially in light of all the other things swirling around. I suspect the second book will be even more interesting.
It's got a very classic high fantasy feel to it, with fascinating magic systems and powers; characters from difficult backgrounds discovering powerful destinies; dark cults and evil gods readying themselves for chaos and war. All of this wrapped in something of a coming-of-age story (another classic of the genre). And it's certainly well crafted.
I'm not entirely sure she nails it; Caelan is a bit too bratty, especially since he's the first character we meet. While his evolution is done logically, he sucks pretty hard at the outset and it would be easy for someone to toss it aside while he's whining and railing against his lot in life (which might suck a little, but he's such a brat about it that he doesn't engender much sympathy early on). Elandra's part in this tale advances much faster; maybe a simply structural change breaking up some of Caelan's early story would have eased this?
But the setup is all here and seeing where Chester plans to take these two looks interesting, especially in light of all the other things swirling around. I suspect the second book will be even more interesting.
November 29, 2024
I decided to read this after reading ACOTAR series and loving it. Since it was written a while back I thought it would be interesting to read an “older” fantasy series in hopes that it would be be as fast paced
The book itself starts off extremely slow I felt. Maybe I just got bored with it? But as it goes on it does get slightly more interesting and I do appreciate taking the time to truly build the world/scene.
The book itself starts off extremely slow I felt. Maybe I just got bored with it? But as it goes on it does get slightly more interesting and I do appreciate taking the time to truly build the world/scene.
June 15, 2025
Picked this up at a little free library and was immediately drawn in! Her writing is amazing and I really felt the characters experience the confusion and pain of the world. I was disappointed that it was a set up book that ended on a big cliff hanger- mostly because I didn’t have the next book on hand to keep going.
March 22, 2024
Kept my attention through the entire book, which is no easy feat. I liked how Caelan was a believably bratty teen at the beginning, but also didn't overstay his welcome that way. Shame this appears to be out of print.
January 17, 2019
It had good elements, complex characters, but the plot seemed tied to a kite string -- it swung wildly without pattern or meaning.
January 22, 2020
I must admit, that this trilogy is awesome and definetely catchy!
August 28, 2022
3.5 stars
May 27, 2025
3.5 stars
August 23, 2015
To be completely honest, I was very generous in giving this book two stars. For the sake of full disclosure, I did not finish this book. I couldn’t. It was an e-book, so I’m not sure of the page number but I stopped reading at 66% of the way through.
First of all, I am SO sick of this fantasy character/story. Boy is misused/mistreated. Boy has some strange magical power. Boy does not understand the power and ends up putting others in danger because of it. Boy is immature and refuses to learn from others and is annoyingly blind to his own mistakes. Meanwhile, the world is in grave peril and the boy’s magical ability just might save it if he could only grow up and stop being a petulant imbecile. Blah, blah, blah.
Moving on, I’d like to talk about the magic in this book. Chester has some really cool ideas, but way too many of them. I like my magic subtle. Mysterious. I like magic that woos my interest. Chester’s magic hits you in the face with a bat. Over. And. Over. Too much magic makes the world unbelievable and it makes you lose interest. Just like I did.
First of all, I am SO sick of this fantasy character/story. Boy is misused/mistreated. Boy has some strange magical power. Boy does not understand the power and ends up putting others in danger because of it. Boy is immature and refuses to learn from others and is annoyingly blind to his own mistakes. Meanwhile, the world is in grave peril and the boy’s magical ability just might save it if he could only grow up and stop being a petulant imbecile. Blah, blah, blah.
Moving on, I’d like to talk about the magic in this book. Chester has some really cool ideas, but way too many of them. I like my magic subtle. Mysterious. I like magic that woos my interest. Chester’s magic hits you in the face with a bat. Over. And. Over. Too much magic makes the world unbelievable and it makes you lose interest. Just like I did.
July 24, 2013
I read this book so many years ago, I can't really remember what happens. Although I remember loving it and wanting to read the next book, but could never find it anywhere. I finally own the trilogy and this is on my read again list!
Definitely better than I remember, changed my four star rating to five. I enjoy Deborah's writing style and wish I could find more of her books in stores. I can't buy the books new online either, I had to buy them second hand on eBay. Can't wait for the next book... to bad I have to work tomorrow...
Definitely better than I remember, changed my four star rating to five. I enjoy Deborah's writing style and wish I could find more of her books in stores. I can't buy the books new online either, I had to buy them second hand on eBay. Can't wait for the next book... to bad I have to work tomorrow...
January 21, 2014
It's the first time I've been able to just sit and read in forever--yeah the long weekend. This book was a gift, and luckily, I got the other two as well. I've read a couple of other books by Chester, and I find her writing really intriguing. She's good at world-building and magic, two skills essential for a fantasy author, and her characterization is sophisticated too.
This story is set in a sort of alternate Rome--and if you like gladiators, fire-breathing dragons, intrigue and witchcraft, this is the trilogy for you.
This story is set in a sort of alternate Rome--and if you like gladiators, fire-breathing dragons, intrigue and witchcraft, this is the trilogy for you.
February 10, 2014
Caelan was a spoiled, rebellious, and fool hardy boy who could not understand his father's way of life or his pacifism which would ultimately lead to his families downfall and would leave Caelan a slave. Elandra on the other hand follows along an almost Cinderella quality but she catches on to the political environment quickly and accepts early on that her future and life is never to be of her own choosing. By the end of the first book neither of the main characters have met but I'm guessing that they will eventually meet. Either way a strong and intriguing world and great first book.
April 8, 2013
I liked the Sword series better, and I had a hard time going back and forth between what I suppose will be the two main characters. This was also a more brutal series, which I have personally grown tired of. I understand making the characters face challenges, work hard to overcome them, and pay the price. But this was a little uncomfortable for me. I still liked it and I may read the others, but this is the best rating I can give it.
February 16, 2015
Reign of Shadows
It was very intriguing, especially for a free kindle book. The Ruby Throne's first book offers a fascinating world with magic in the strangest of places and extremely likable, relatable characters. I'm excited to see the main characters come together and understand their abilities, having a grand adventure at the same time.
It was very intriguing, especially for a free kindle book. The Ruby Throne's first book offers a fascinating world with magic in the strangest of places and extremely likable, relatable characters. I'm excited to see the main characters come together and understand their abilities, having a grand adventure at the same time.
June 6, 2015
Excellent Adventure
This isn't usually the genre I read, but I thought I'd give it a try anyway. I LOVED this book and couldn't put it down. The story is very well-written with amazing imagery and detail. The entire story with all its twists was definitely not what I anticipated. I can't wait to get started on the next!
This isn't usually the genre I read, but I thought I'd give it a try anyway. I LOVED this book and couldn't put it down. The story is very well-written with amazing imagery and detail. The entire story with all its twists was definitely not what I anticipated. I can't wait to get started on the next!
February 17, 2015
Captivating, well written, and refreshingly clean.
I found this book among Amazon's free choices. I'm impressed by this writer. I am going to purchase the remaining two of the series and add them to my collections to keep.
I found this book among Amazon's free choices. I'm impressed by this writer. I am going to purchase the remaining two of the series and add them to my collections to keep.
February 20, 2015
I enjoyed the first one, mainly
The book was an interesting read, with interesting characters and an interesting philosophy. However, it was just a little predictable. I found the naming practice interesting--the witch named Hecati for example.
The book was an interesting read, with interesting characters and an interesting philosophy. However, it was just a little predictable. I found the naming practice interesting--the witch named Hecati for example.
November 22, 2010
An awesome and exciting beginning to a promising trilogy!
August 8, 2011
Better than the title would suggest...I ended up liking this book.
June 24, 2014
Started it this morning & had to finish it tonight. A+ totally what i wanted.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews