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King's Dark Tidings #5

Dragons and Demons

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Every kingdom Rezkin touches has shattered, and the turbulence in his homeland is spreading across the Souelian.

From the shards of kingdoms past, he begins to forge a new empire. But there is a price to pay for power, and the balance has come due.

When Rezkin is confronted by something mysterious and ancient, he is stolen from his intended path and driven toward shocking revelations about his identity. With every whisper of knowledge comes new dangers and one certainty.

Rezkin’s past has finally caught up with him, and the mad king Caydean is playing a darker game than anyone realized.

555 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 6, 2022

1037 people are currently reading
3168 people want to read

About the author

Kel Kade

14 books3,497 followers
Kel Kade lives in Texas and occasionally serves as an adjunct college faculty member, inspiring young minds and introducing them to the fascinating and very real world of geosciences. Thanks to Kade’s enthusiastic readers and the success of the King’s Dark Tidings series, Kade is now able to create universes spanning space and time, develop criminal empires, plot the downfall of tyrannous rulers, and dive into fantastical mysteries full time.

Growing up, Kade lived a military lifestyle of traveling to and living in new places. These experiences with distinctive cultures and geography instilled in Kade a sense of wanderlust and opened a young mind to the knowledge that the Earth is expansive and wild. A deep interest in science, ancient history, cultural anthropology, art, music, languages, and spirituality is evidenced by the diversity and richness of the places and cultures depicted in Kade’s writing.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 317 reviews
3 reviews
July 29, 2023
I don’t think i would be reading any future books for that writer , he is not reliable, Yes , there is a trust relationship between the readers and the writer , the writer starts a series and the readers support him cause they trust him to deliver the end of the attractive story.
Yet that writer is starting a new series, hoping to benefit from his readers more and more to support it , while he did not deliver the finally of the first series, Stop , you are not fooling anyone here , it is a business to you , just a milking cow , you are starting with one teat and near the end you grab the next one and the cow is to keep providing , and when that second teat nears the end also you will start a new series , maybe you will release the old teat at that point !!!!! That is not Art for you , it is only business, Sorry
Profile Image for Viridiana Kholin.
163 reviews30 followers
August 6, 2023
So.. this was disappointing.
Why ? Well let's make a list.
There will be spoilers if vague ones.

1. The useless Eragon storyline.

I get it, elves and dragons are cool and all, but it should maybe have been saved for a future story, it doesn't fit in the way this series was going. The whole elves arc felt forced and pointless in the overarching plot. Aelvanon were supposed to be an ancient race, almost forgotten and that was perfect. It showed the modern twist in this old fantasy trope. We don't need another dude with a dragon egg pining after an elven beauty. It's not on brand with the main character we all grew to love and it pains me greatly.
Rez was original, in his way of thinking, in his actions, he was different form what we were used to seeing these last few years.

2. There was an amazing sale on tropes, so I took a dozen !

I feel like the author had a lot of ideas and tropes that she likes, but she went and stuffed them all in there without any of them being developed or meaning anything. And we don't continue on any of the paths that were paved in the previous books. By the fifth book, the world should be at least established and we should move on and develop what is already there. And yet, here we have new supernatural groups one after the other, completely forgetting the charaters and plot points previously made. It feels like a first book where the author tries to stuff as many cool tropes as possible without reason.


We already had a cool world and characters that we wanted to follow. Why not continue their story and start to build to their conclusion?
Which brings me to the next point.

3. The build up that leads to nowhere.

Every writer of a series talks about the marathon of the middle. The books that are not as fresh as the beginning and not as exciting as the ending, but which are there to build towards the climax and which are usually used to demonstrate character arcs, beautiful amazing, character arc. Not here though.
Rez was making progress with his humanity, learning as he went and discovering, very slowly what it was to feel and love his friends, his people. He did everything to overcome his upbringing and become a good ruler...
But it was all negated in the end. First he is not really human because??? Eragon, see point number one.
And then the ending. I get it, it's cool for certain characters to let everything go and become the solo hero. But if the author wanted us to be glad of it, she should have built the pressure and shown us how the chains of his crown weighted on Rez, spend some time on the island, frustrated by all the things he couldn't do, and build towards that last conclusion, instead of running around trying to cram new tropes everywhere and stopping the charaters in their evolution. That ending would have gone against his character arc anyway, but it would have been understandable!

You know what would have made sense ?

If Tam had to go be a solo hero after his captivity, telling Rez that he had to find himself now, deal with the trauma, and letting him become the solo, dark horse, hero that you can pull out of your sleeve when the situation seems desperate, for another one of the secondary characters.
It would have made sense if Rez gave him the blade anyway and told him to keep his ears open for word of his missing brother. And you know where I'm going with this.
Anyway, none of this happened and I think I'm done with this series.

It might seem a harsh review and I am sorry for that because I loved this series so much. But I truly am disappointed.
Yeah, that's all for me then.
1 review
May 11, 2021
For those of you asking why she, Kel is a woman, hasnt written any more KDT yet, she self-published all the KDT stuff. When she got an actual publisher they made her write something else and gave her a set amount of time before she could go back and write KDT. We dont know what that timeline looks like, so please stop saying that she is doing wrong by her fans.
9 reviews
September 23, 2020
Why hasn't the conclusion been released before the author started another series? :(
1 review
Read
February 14, 2021
Kel Kade is the new Patrick Rothfuss....congrats
1 review
December 31, 2020
I understand authors have multiple projects and do not tend to force inspiration for their books, I'm highly disappointed in the way she's kept everyone guessing for the past two years with no notification of sorts to the readers on the previous series before starting another one🤦 I think this is blatant disregard of the readers, I would not be reading any of her books anymore neither will I advising anyone to pick up any book she writes in my reading circles since she tends to leave her books half finished without considering her readers!!!☹️

I rest my case
Profile Image for Kasia (kasikowykurz).
2,425 reviews59 followers
November 4, 2024
No okay, dobrze mi się słuchało, fajnie wrócić do świata Rezkina, ale to jest już piąty tom i końca nie widać? Nie umiem stwierdzić tez w jakim kierunku to zmierza, bo ten tom to było takie pomieszane z poplątanym - są i nowe wątki, i nowe postacie i smoki i brakowało jeszcze żeby zaczęli padać jak muchy i wstawać zza grobu. Zapewne po kolejny tom sięgnę bez marudzenia, ale chciałabym tu widzieć jakiś cel (ewentualnie może w kierunku końca?), bo trochę się boję, że dostaniemy modę na sukces niedługo..
31 reviews
October 11, 2024
I'm so sick of go ding a great nook and then never getting a conclusion. Kings Dark Tidings series is starting to wander and will likely never get finished, just like Patrick Rothfuss. Writers should have some obligation to their readers and supporters to write complete stories. J K Rowling kept faith and gave complete narratives that all tied together in the end.
Profile Image for Genevieve Grace.
978 reviews119 followers
October 2, 2022
WE'RE BACK BAYBEEEEEE

My best boy, the legendary hypercompetent idiot, my favorite Mary Sue! The nineteen year old king of a thousand lands! Lord of assassins, spies, demons, mages, armies, and everyone fortunate enough to lay eyes upon his exquisite and constantly-described frame!

*drumroll* It's REZKIN and... after the hideously shameful Lon Leresh episode of which we shall never again speak... WE ARE BACK.

Anyway, I was nervous about this. We had the whole Lon Leresh thing. We had the whole Frisha fracas. We had the long, long wait between books. Even so, my trust in this series' stupid, self-indulgent glory is such that I paid REAL PEOPLE MONEY for this book. And I was not disappointed.

**Spoilers Begin Here**

In this installment, Rezkin's latest acquisition is... ELVES.
1) On a related note, we get some answers on Rezkin's mysterious power. Wesson isn't there to see it, but he I'm sure would be satisfied to discover that there IS a reason Rezkin can do "impossible" things yet claims not to be a mage.

2) In a minor plot twist, the elves DON'T like Rezkin. They think he's a bastard aberration, actually.

3) In a less surprising twist, some elves come to like Rezkin. There is a slight romance subplot set up, which is not my favorite. Kinda awkward. Reminds me of Eragon and the elf lady he went insane over. THERE'S EVEN A PART where Rezkin uses his power foolishly and horribly screws up a poor innocent, like Eragon did to that baby that one time.

4) Frisha subplot! It's bad! I'm very afraid, but at the same time hopeful that this is Frisha's BIG CHANCE to finally get in on moving the plot forward and getting some personal growth! We'll see!

5) Okay. The dichotomy that's set up with the elves' power and Rezkin's emotional suppression is very intriguing and also nail-biting. What is the way forward for him? He was making so much good progress and I can SEE the person he is working on becoming... but now what? Where do we go from here?!?

6) Tam!!!!!!!! I'm so happy to have him back! What a guy. Truly he has come so far.

7) There's an awesome part where Rezkin goes into a town to shake down the local criminal underworld as the Raven, and the local criminal underworld is weirdly unimpressed. Like, whomst? The Raven? Why? Isn't he from like... some far away place? Rezkin is nonplussed at his reception and it's great. I love this subversion of what we all have come to expect.

8) I love Wesson. The worldbuilding answers we got regarding him were great. I like his Lon Lereshi wife a LOT less, unsurprisingly. I'm hoping she is on the road to becoming a more complex person, but if other female characters' development can be used as any kind of a map, it's likely to be a long journey.

9) THE ENDING

Like? If I had any doubts, they were brutally stomped to death in the first few chapters. This was the exact feverish, late-night, cackling in glee, binge-reading experience I want from this series. It was so good. So much fun. What an awesome throwback to simpler, stupider times.

HOWEVER. Like I said... the ending.

I'm not complaining about it, but boy it threw me for a LOOP and I am nervous.

I hope the next book comes quicker than this one did, but regardless? No matter how slow it comes I am Rezkin's hopeless, devoted slave.
Profile Image for Gavin.
1,077 reviews445 followers
January 3, 2025
This fifth installment in Kel Kade’s King’s Dark Tidings series was another fun and solid addition to the story. While it didn’t quite recapture the magic of the first two books, it still delivered the adventure, action, and character development I’ve come to love from this series. Rezkin remains one of my favorite fantasy characters of all time and watching his journey unfold continues to be a ton of fun!

The story picked up right where Kingdoms and Chaos left off, answering the burning question of who attacked Rezkin in the cliffhanger ending of the fourth book. This confrontation sparked a new series of adventures that took Rezkin and his companions to new and exciting corners of the world. We finally met the Elves and shapeshifters hinted at in earlier books and even got to see some long-awaited showdowns back in Ashai. The demons played a more prominent role in this one and that added a darker edge to the story and added a bit of additional threat and tension.

One of the strengths of this book was the personal growth we saw in Rezkin. For the first time, he truly began to question whether he was more than the Rules and the purpose his masters instilled in him. The emotional challenges he faced, combined with the introduction of new companions who pushed him in unexpected ways, added depth to his character and kept me fully invested in his journey.

The supporting cast also had some great moments. Wesson and Tam both got solid story arcs that allowed them time to shine. Tam’s adventures, in particular, added a lot to his character, making him feel more fully fleshed out. Nanessy also emerged as a key companion to Rezkin in this book, and I enjoyed getting to know her better.

That said, not everything worked for me. I’m still not sold on Rezkin’s new romantic interest. I was super invested in the Rezkin/Frisha romance from earlier in the series and the shift away from that dynamic has definitely slightly hurt my overall enjoyment of the story. I’m hoping the new direction for Rezkin’s personal life will eventually win me over, but for now, it feels like something is missing. Feels to me like Kel Kade listened to the Frisha haters and pulled the plug on that romance. Azeria has stole Frisha’s whole story arc and she is not half as much fun. Azeria is Rezkin’s equal but half the fun of the early books was the fact that Frisha was so different from him!

I noticed another slight flaw that impacted my enjoyment of this one vs the perfection of the first two books in the series: Rez is no longer the untouchable Superman he was in the early books. Now we have Elves, Fay, and Demons kicking his ass as well as folks occasionally outwitting him. One would think making Rezkin more vulnerable would add depth to his character and the story but I’m shocked by how much this development bothered me lol. Turns out Rez turning whole kingdoms on their head without breaking a sweat for utterly ridiculous reasons was something I really loved about this series!

All my moaning about the slight flaws of this fifth book aside this was still a fantastic read. The mix of action, humor, and emotional development kept me hooked from start to finish. While not quite as mind-blowing as the first two books, Demons and Dragons continued to deliver the addictive storytelling that makes this series such a favorite of mine.

Rating: 4.5 stars. This was still a strong installment with some fantastic worldbuilding, character development, and high-stakes action, even if a few personal storylines left me slightly frustrated. I’ll round up to 5 just because I love the KDT series but I was definitely slightly tempted to round down thanks to the Frisha related (un)happenings!
Profile Image for Michelle.
656 reviews57 followers
September 23, 2022
Book 5 in the Kings Dark Tidings series.

I had been looking forward to this book for years. When the author started a new series before continuing the KDT one, (especially when as readers we were left kind of hanging at the end of book four), I was worried that she had backed herself and the story into a corner. Well, she didn't. I was thrilled when the pre-order link popped up!

The problem I had with this book has to do with the aforementioned years. I couldn't remember very much about the storyline. I also couldn't remember many characters with the exception of a few. I wish that I had just re-read the first four before starting this! Memo to my future self. A nice summary of events leading up to this book would've been really useful. As the book progressed I would think, "I remember him/her now!" but I think I missed out on a lot of the character dynamics with this questionable memory catch-up. My memory is definitely not what it used to be 🤔

The story itself is entertaining. There is a lot of the type of gallows humor that is pretty much typical for this author. That I did remember! The events occur at a fast clip. The characters tend to be at cross purposes, so it's kind of like a dark comedy of errors. Rezkin cited his Rules to live by throughout. I did remember his Rules. Rezkin, by the way, is really developing in unexpected ways. The ending was not as I had hoped, but there are so many plot points that I really didn't expect things to be wrapped up in a nice neat bow. I really and truly hope that it won't be years before the next one is published!

I'm going to have to go back to the beginning of the series and read all five so that I will know what the heck is going on. lf this helps another reader then my job is done!
10 reviews
Read
February 14, 2021
Wow !!! Great 4 books but I agree w previous posts a author should have a responsibility to the readers to finish the series before starting others !!! To waste hrs on a unfinished series is tragic and is to say the least the publishing companies fault... this is truly what happens when a bad publishing move can change the career of a talented author and frankly pisses me off when no date to release or any such finish is in site as such why the hell would I now waste any further time reading any other series posted by this author?? 3 days of straight reading for 4 books only to die off and have 0 answers for the ending... what a total and complete freaking waste of time ty so much for the start of a amazing series only to be left high and dry because some stupid ass publisher wants a dif series to try to capitalize on a larger market at the expense of so many who thoroughly enjoyed this series and have been waiting for a conclusion !!! If series was finished I'd rate the series 5 out of 5 as of now I rate it a 0 not worth your time since it has no end and no date for one... totally upset
1 review
September 13, 2022
Her main website appears to be dead. Nothing on her facebook. I will not read any of her other series and she has not provided a reason for dropping KDT. I really enjoyed her writing.
Profile Image for Tedric.
47 reviews
July 10, 2021
I'm stupified after reading all the complains about the fact that Kel Kade hasn't written this book yet and that she should have and, yadda yadda yadda.

She'll do it when she's good and ready.

Stop whinning.
1 review
May 20, 2021
This writer she is obviously narcissistic like the that writer Patrick something or the writer of Game of Thrones both of which I’ve chosen to forget or at least refused to acknowledge get over it and find a different author One that doesn’t use your devotion against you
1 review
June 14, 2021
Its a writer's prerogative to write at whatever speed they want to write or not write at all.

Its a reader's prerogative to rate a book with a single star if he/she finds the writers actions (not completing a series and starting a new one) questionable.
Profile Image for Chisom.
95 reviews10 followers
September 21, 2022
I finally have some reprieve from the grips of this series...at least until the next book is published.
Profile Image for J. Griff.
497 reviews14 followers
September 29, 2022
I stumbled upon this series 2016 maybe 2017 & really enjoyed the first 2 books (that was all there was at the time) with the nigh-flawless Rezkin, whiny Frisha, bumbling Tam & the rest of the characters that came along thru the series. There was a substantial break in the time between books 4 & this one that had me thinking that the author was just dropping the series as she'd released a book starting a new series with a completely new cast of characters. Then low & behold Ms. Kade was releasing 2 books this year a origin story for Wesson the mage & this book. I don't know how many more "skills" & "powers" an author can give a character, but even for fantasy it feels like a stretch. Since I listened to this book I'm pretty sure I can't spell half the new character's names or races. Although the subplot stories focusing on Tam & Wesson were superbly written & carried out showing real character growth for both these characters. Frisha is still whiny, but it looks like there could be some character growth in her future as well. I didn't care for the ending, for it felt rushed & lackluster for a "cliffhanger" I do hope we won't have to wait too long for the next book in the series. With how Ms. Kade left Rezkin hope this is a temporary mindset cause if not I might be jaded enough to set this series down & not finish.
Profile Image for Skylar.
192 reviews3 followers
October 5, 2022
So let me preface this review by saying I re-read all four books along with the prequel before going into the fifth one. I’d listened to the audiobooks before but was so excited for the return of one of my favourite series I decided to re-read the e-books.

That said, re-reading the series and going into book five gave me a fresh perspective on the series as a whole. Including highlighting some of the faults that I could forgive in the first few books that I’ve found overemphasized and I have less tolerance for in this newest addition of the series.

I think the largest glaring issue, and in a way strength, that the author has done with the King Dark Tidings series is developing both a fascinating and grand world. However, in this book specifically, though she only focuses on a few locations around Rezkin’s growing empire, the world itself is growing too large to keep track of. Now I don’t think a large world is necessarily a bad thing for a high fantasy series. Fact, I think up until this point Kade has done a good job through books 1-4 not overwhelming the reader on all the different locations, gradually introducing them and referencing back to the other countries throughout. However, in this book, though it’s only around three or four new places she’s introducing, even after having refreshed myself with the series, I’m having trouble remembering all the locations, and most importantly all the characters.

I think the largest problem that King Dark Tidings has run into is that there are too many characters and the author isn't sure how to deal with the scale of including all of them. Particularly, the largest thing I found wrong with this book is Kade is brushing over characters we know and love that she’s previously established in the series. I'm not saying she has to focus on everyone we've met so far, but for the characters she does mention going on the adventures in this novel I would have liked a bit more interaction.

Take in point Reaylin. Though not my favourite character, I’ve found myself enjoying her arc from reluctant rebel warrior to accepting her powers as a healer. Then in this book, we have the privilege of meeting her father. However, because of the focus on the overwhelming number of characters being juggled inside this book, when Reaylin reunites with her father there’s barely any impact. If the author spent just a few extra paragraphs on building back Reylin’s character, reminding the reader of who she is by way of some quippy dialogue, this reunion would have been much more impactful overall.

The group that goes on the boat in search of Tam gets sidelined and I largely forgot who was there --besides Farson because of his pretty heart-warming character moments. A lot of their journey is brushed over to focus on the new characters and Nanessy-- who I admit, played as a good conscious to Rezkin in this book now that they've become 'friends'. The two foiled well against each other and it was nice to see Nanessy get a little of the spotlight in this novel.

However, besides the characters we get a perspective for (Frisha, Tam, Wesson) things feel a bit crowded for everyone else, and the author forgets to address characters during what I believe to be key moments (looking at you VERY dramatic and gut-wrenching scene before the epilogue). The last scene would have been so much more impactful had the author just spent a little more focus on everyone's reaction to what'd just taken place. Plus, considering what 'this' plot point might set up for Tieran, I wish we'd gotten just a few more scenes of him beside the one at the beginning. Would it have interrupted the pace so much to include a longer glimpse of what was happening with everyone in Cael? Their reaction to even finding out Tam is alive, that Frisha may be missing or is 'suspiciously gone'? What was happening there? Don't tell me Tieran would believe Frisha locked herself away for a few days as her assassin bodyguard implied.

Then, what I miss in this book the most—that I found was in all the previous books a lot more— is the characters bantering with each other to build up their dynamics. Kade does it a bit with Wesson and his perspective, but besides Azeria, Entris and Nanessy (and that I found with their group a lot more forced) there's a very serious tone in this novel. I found the comedic heart that was prevalent in the other books sorely lacking in this addition to the series, which was part of why I’ve grown to love the Kings Dark Tidings series. The misunderstandings with Rezkin have always been hilarious. There are a couple of misunderstanding scenes with Tam at the Quarry, but never once like in the other books did I find myself grinning because of a hilarious misunderstanding or reversal situation.

Now, the lack of misunderstanding for Rezkin does mean that as a character he is growing because he's understanding the world better. Fact this book gives him a lot of development in comparison to even the last book. But how the plot actually gives Rezkin that development I'm particularly not a fan of.

Now addressing the faults I’ve found before in the series, but largely ignored, was in regard to how the author has been setting up the romances.

***SPOILERS FOR THE NOVEL AHEAD***

There are no surprises with who people end up with in the King Dark Tiding Series, because Kade loves to lay out in her characters their internal thoughts of who exactly they yearn for. (Except for Tieran and Frisha, who even after re-reading book four I still do not think their relationship really developed, this book doing nothing to progress it; but I digress).

Now in this book, Rezkin is given a love interest in the newly introduced Azeria. And though he’s growing an attraction to her, their chemistry does not feel natural in the slightest. Fact from both sides it feels very forced, Rezkin’s internal thoughts around his newfound attraction he can barely recognize is feels forced from the dreams sequences forward. Now I don’t think Frisha and him were right for each other at all, but at least they foiled each other and had some chemistry and build-up from Rezkin's side.

With Azeria and Rezkin it’s a lot being 'told' from both sides through hints that they’re 'magically' meant to be together. However, the scenes where the two do try and make a somewhat of connection feel somewhat lacklustre. It's even more surprising when other people in Rezkin's group remark on the two's growing attraction when I feel as a reader that the two barely know each other besides this 'magic bond'.

They could still be a great couple, but it just doesn't seem right that Rezkin fell so easily in love (even if they are soulmates or whatever). Even if Rezkin never admits it's love out loud, it seems to be shoved down the reader's throat that I'm supposed to be rooting for this relationship that's barely developed.

I think where I would have liked more focus in this book is simply on Rezkin acknowledging his emotions. Like he's beginning to, for example, acknowledge his compassion for others. When he finds Tam—who I think recovered with little consequence despite that mind-hole build-up, I might add—Rezkin acknowledges he really cares for him and he is even able to heal him like he wasn’t able to do with newly introduced Entries. I love this character moment. Yet it's brushed over, and Tam and Rez have barely a moment together thanks to this large cast getting juggled. But their friendship is part of my investment in the series, and though I love the moment where Rezkin gives Tam the sheyalin sword and crowns him a general, it feels so brushed over. I barely remembered Tam was even with the group after they arrived on the plains. At one point Tam goes and practices his swordsmanship with Rez after he accidentally gives someone else a magical bond (oops) and goes to train to get out his frustration. This is great, it's showing Rez actually reacting to his situations, and growing as a character. Be cool if he could also talk to Tam about this, not just Azuria. We don't even get a scene of Tam and him talking, just a sentence that they trainned, then Tam leaves? What was the point? Why aren't you two talking? I miss your dynamic!

So, as a whole, I wish this book had more focus on Rezkin discovering these other emotions he's kept suppressed all this time, instead of diving deep first into the idea of his attraction for Azeria. I'm not saying this plot-thread can't exist in the book, but it got so repetitive every time Rezkin felt a pang of jealousy about Azeria and felt the need in his internal dialogue. I kind of wanted to see Rezkin explore some other emotions he's acknowledging. What would the impact have been if Rezkin and Farson had more time to acknowledge their relationship of 'love'-- and that was one of the characters who got 'more development'. What about sadness, happiness and fear? Could he have talked about these growing emotions and his fear of them (and growing madness) with anyone else besides Azuria?

To sum up my thoughts, this book reads a bit like the author's second draft. The world and character count of Rezkin’s kingdom and group of friends is getting way too big. And I think if the author actually spent more time expanding, focusing and reminding us of these previous relationships, this book would have been a lot easier and more enjoyable to digest. A lot of plot elements/characters were introduced without a refresher, and I was getting lost at times even after having just re-read the series before going into this book.

Not to mention ***EXTRA SPOILER SPOILER WARNING*** introducing Prince Thresson's location, and finally revealing King Caydean felt a little tagged on at the end. He's the big bad, he can be saved a little. I almost wish he hadn't had any dialogue during his scenes, it might have made him more menacing in his arc for the future. I mean it was cool to see him and his power considering what he did, but again, it felt kind of tagged on and he didn't get enough expansion. This was also the case with Thresson. His introduction was definitely something that could have been saved for the next book. Or at the very least, the reveal of his circumstances. It would have been so much more impactful if we just knew he was alive and not of his circumstance of why he was locked up with Frisha. That way he could get proper focus during the next book in the series, considering all the build-up around him being 'missing' thus far. We never even get to see his reaction to the revelation he has a little brother after that brushed-over conversation. I hope at least his and Rez's first meeting, if it ever happens, will get more than one paragraph.

***Spoiler Warning End***

To conclude, the author doesn't really know how to handle half the population of her characters that we’ve grown to love (except Pride, I always know where that horse is). And if she’s going to include characters we know on missions during the story, at least give them some dialogue, a couple of paragraphs even to let them have a moment to shine.

That said, even if I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the others, I still look forward to where Rezkin’s story will go and in what way he'll (or others) will claim more countries for the True King's empire.
Profile Image for Literackichaos.
130 reviews15 followers
June 27, 2024
Fenomenalny tom, najlepszy z tej serii 🙌

Nie mogłam się doczekać "Smoków i demonów"! Premiera została opóźniona przez wydanie dodatku o Wessonie i już po lekturze wiem, że to było dobre rozwiązanie.

Nie będę rozpisywać się o fabule ponieważ na tym etapie byłyby to praktycznie same spoilery. Skupię się jednak na rozwoju tej opowieści, którego odrobinę się obawiałam. Z reguły gdy seria ma więcej niż cztery tomy jest ryzyko, że całość wymknie się spod kontroli przez coraz większą ilość nowych wątków, na szczęście tutaj tak się nie stało.

"Smoki i demony" to moim zdaniem najlepszy tom z całej serii. Autorka powoli dopływa do brzegu z głównym wątkiem na plecach ale wciąż ciągnie przy tym sporo pobocznych elementów, które zaczynają pięknie układać się w całość. Historia pędzi i ani myśli zwalniać a nowe elementy dodają zupełnie innego klimatu niż w poprzednich tomach. Świat został mocno poszerzony i bohaterowie zmagają się z zupełnie nowymi problemami na swojej drodze. Wracają elementy wspominane w poprzednich tomach i uwielbiam to, że wszystko o czym do tej pory czytaliśmy ma swoje miejsce w tej historii.

Rozwój Rezkina jest zdecydowanie najbardziej widoczny. Nie jestem pewna w takim kierunku pójdzie jego wątek związany z pewnymi emocjami i odkrywaniem samego siebie, ale nie mogę się doczekać aż się tego dowiem.

Czytałam ten tom z zapartym tchem i na nowo zakochałam się w tej opowieści. Czekam na kolejny tom!!
Profile Image for John Hanson.
33 reviews
December 4, 2020
I must admit I agree with the other reviewers. Out just appears the author has used this series to generate interest then fine on to other pet projects whilst never serving to finish any series. Unfortunately this is happening all to frequently with many authors running to many different threads. Mae and Evan Currie included.
1 review1 follower
May 26, 2020
Haven't read it yet so i cannot give an accurate review. Not sure how all these other peoe gave it 5 stars since it doesnt have a name and appears to not be written yet......
19 reviews
Read
March 7, 2021
Very disappointed in the author. Could have been a really great series but now I will never read another of her books she can't be trusted.
Profile Image for Eric.
649 reviews35 followers
October 3, 2025
The journey continues. Authoress, Kel Kade, has added more characters. Those who can shapeshift into the animals of their respective tribes. Innovative, to say the least. And Kade's imagination has no limits as she uncovers even more of the past of existing characters. A demon inserted into the womb of a mother to not possess, but to become part of a human child. Interesting concept of no possession. Interesting ramifications, as well, but I will not add a spoiler.

Kade's world building is exceptional. "King's Dark Tidings," has become an epic. Guess I am over my annoyance at the stretching of this saga into more books. Hence four stars versus three.

Book seven is due mid-November of this year. I suspect I will finish book six in plenty of time.

For future readers, I recommend patience. The saga may never be given a proper ending. Only Kel Kade knows.
Profile Image for Monika Łukasik.
248 reviews
August 21, 2024
Jedyny plus to ograniczenie wątków romantycznych do minimum.
Poza tym autorka komplikuje fabułę aż do znudzenia. W pewnym momencie się męczyłam, na dodatek wszystkie zawiłości fabularne okazały się to do niczego nie potrzebne. Dodawanie nowych bohaterów, form ożywionych czy zmiennokształtnych nie wiadomo po co. Już tylko gwiazdy nie spadały i nie zamieniały się w ludzi. Choć kto wie, może nie zauważałam w momentach maksymalnego znudzenia. Wątek z ratowaniem przyjaciół z kamieniołomu zupełnie niepotrzebny. Większość stron tej części zupełnie nieprzydatnych do fabuły: ożywione kamienie, lwy, kruki czy lamparty. Wątek z Frishą zupełnie od czapy. Końcówka maksymalnie ścięta. Wątki się komplikują i im bliżej końca, tym bardziej czytelnik się zastanawia, jak to zostanie rozwiązane. Ucięte wątki do maksimum i spłycenie fabuły na ostatnich 30 stronach. Jedyne wytłumaczenie, to takie, że autorka będzie tworzyć kolejne części i wątki. Ale nie wiem, czy dam radę to czytać. I jeszcze smok...
Tylko wątek z Wessonem jest jako tako uporządkowany, sensowny i płynny.
Profile Image for Travis.
852 reviews6 followers
September 11, 2022
Kel Kade, Dragons and Demons was well worth the wait. This installment took the series to new heights. You can certainly tell that this series is a passion for Kel. Every detail is executed flawlessly. Every action sequence engaging. Every character gifted with a purpose. It is no surprise that I am a Kel Kade fan. Kel is an author who is truly under appreciated. I for one have inducted her into my auto buy and favorites. Dragon and Demons is by far, for me at least the best in the King's Dark Tidings.
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