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The Kane Saga #1
Kingdom of Lies
Magic is back in Adelith, and with it the return of Cyran.
Elijah spends his days preparing for the annual Hollom horse race and working at his guardian Merrick's forge. That is, until Merrick is summoned back to Castle Aebarrow in Adelith by the king.
Unable to stay in Rheanydd without a legal guardian, Eli is forced to go with Merrick who takes up the position of captain and trains the new guards. But the more time Eli spends in Adelith, the more his lost memories resurface-and they throw up worrying questions about his past.
As a member of Princess Sienna's Elite Guard, Eli saves her life when it's threatened by the presence of a mysterious Missing Prince. Eli's heroics incur the wrath of a mad sorcerer known only as The Master, hell-bent on ending the courting prince's life.
Elijah enters a dangerous path of self-discovery where magic and secrets intertwine. The truth about his past is within reach, but can he unlock his memories and solve the riddles in time to save the true heir to the throne? Or will the castle be brought crumbling down once more?
Elijah spends his days preparing for the annual Hollom horse race and working at his guardian Merrick's forge. That is, until Merrick is summoned back to Castle Aebarrow in Adelith by the king.
Unable to stay in Rheanydd without a legal guardian, Eli is forced to go with Merrick who takes up the position of captain and trains the new guards. But the more time Eli spends in Adelith, the more his lost memories resurface-and they throw up worrying questions about his past.
As a member of Princess Sienna's Elite Guard, Eli saves her life when it's threatened by the presence of a mysterious Missing Prince. Eli's heroics incur the wrath of a mad sorcerer known only as The Master, hell-bent on ending the courting prince's life.
Elijah enters a dangerous path of self-discovery where magic and secrets intertwine. The truth about his past is within reach, but can he unlock his memories and solve the riddles in time to save the true heir to the throne? Or will the castle be brought crumbling down once more?
296 pages, Paperback
Published August 9, 2021
8 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
R.S. Williams
14 books45 followersR. S. Williams is a fantasy author from Somerset, England who lives with her husband, daughter and two cats.
She started writing in her late teens and grew up on a steady diet of books and tv shows feeding her imagination. When not writing, Rhianne can be found reading a book, watching Netflix, playing video games, spending too much time on TikTok or going to the theatre.
Be sure to follow Rhianne on BookBub for the latest on sales https://bit.ly/BookBubRSWilliams
She started writing in her late teens and grew up on a steady diet of books and tv shows feeding her imagination. When not writing, Rhianne can be found reading a book, watching Netflix, playing video games, spending too much time on TikTok or going to the theatre.
Be sure to follow Rhianne on BookBub for the latest on sales https://bit.ly/BookBubRSWilliams
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 10, 2022
Kingdom of Lies feels like a good old, classic epic fantasy, along the lines of The Lord of the Rings and Eragon.
This book is a serious slow burn in every sense of the word. The romance between Elijah and the love interest (no spoilers here!) is hinted at and there are some sweet and swoon worthy scenes peppered throughout, but it isn’t the main focus of the story so fans of low romance fantasy will be happy.
The plot also builds slowly, but the pace does keep the pages turning, and the world the author has created is uncovered piece by piece, revealing magic, betrayal, fascinating herbology (I may have pinched this term from Harry Potter, but you get my meaning), and even dragons.
My favourite thing about this book was the characters, and especially a few of the secondary characters. There is a strong theme of friendship and loyalty (not surprising for a book with ‘lies’ in the title), and I loved the bromance between Elijah and Sahab.
The magic system is subtle and I’m looking forward to learning more in the next two books, as well as the prequel novella, Tournament of the Elite.
I would say, if you like classic sword and sorcery, epic journeys and battles against mysterious foes, a light sprinkling of romance that doesn’t overshadow the main plot, and, of course, dragons, then The Kane Saga is right up your alley!
This book is a serious slow burn in every sense of the word. The romance between Elijah and the love interest (no spoilers here!) is hinted at and there are some sweet and swoon worthy scenes peppered throughout, but it isn’t the main focus of the story so fans of low romance fantasy will be happy.
The plot also builds slowly, but the pace does keep the pages turning, and the world the author has created is uncovered piece by piece, revealing magic, betrayal, fascinating herbology (I may have pinched this term from Harry Potter, but you get my meaning), and even dragons.
My favourite thing about this book was the characters, and especially a few of the secondary characters. There is a strong theme of friendship and loyalty (not surprising for a book with ‘lies’ in the title), and I loved the bromance between Elijah and Sahab.
The magic system is subtle and I’m looking forward to learning more in the next two books, as well as the prequel novella, Tournament of the Elite.
I would say, if you like classic sword and sorcery, epic journeys and battles against mysterious foes, a light sprinkling of romance that doesn’t overshadow the main plot, and, of course, dragons, then The Kane Saga is right up your alley!
November 4, 2022
I received Kingdom of Lies (The Kane Saga #1) by R.S. Williams through StoryOrigin. LOVED FROM START TO FINISH. In this book when his Guardian Merrick is summoned to Adelith to become captain of the guard to train new guards Eli needs to go with him. The more time he spends in Adelith the more his lost memories resurface. Also while there he is made a member of Princess Sienna's Elite Guard and saves her life when it is threatened by the presence of a mysterious missing prince. Elijah enters a dangerous path of self discovery where magic and secrets intertwine and the truth of his past is within reach if he can unlock his memories. This great book is available on Amazon
September 13, 2022
I would like to thank R S Williams for letting me have a free copy for an honest review.
OVERVIEW
A good story, even if it is a fantasy trope. A prince, hidden to save his life from an unknown enemy who has killed the rest of his family. A birthmark that proves he is the missing prince. He has no idea of his true identity.
Having said that, the fact that this idea is not an uncommon one does not mean it cannot be dealt with in a different way, and be an entirely different story which Kingdom of Lies does.
I love the cover. It's magnificent.
CHARACTERS
Elijah, the prince, is a likeable character, although he does not have much depth.
There was little to distinguish most of the characters from each other, except for Leon.
When we first meet him, he is antagonistic to Elijah. He is mouthy to his superiors, but never gets punished for it. Then, suddenly, at the end, he's suddenly friendly and joking, and talking as if he’d been best friends with Elijah all along. But Leon is a minor character.
There was little change in most of the other characters throughout the book.
WRITING
The writing was poor. As I read, I thought it was the first book by a novice writer who had got to the end and pressed 'publish'. There are many mistakes, both typos and grammatical errors. Sometimes this caused confusion.
The author confused me at times by using a pronoun that did not refer to the last person mentioned.
There were several places where the syntax was confusing, and she also had disembodied eyes floating around on more than one occasion. (Elijah's eyes fell to the floor.)
There were other places where I was confused, and could not understand what was going on, and a few places where she contradicted something she had said previously.
I was surprised to read in her acknowledgements that she thanked her critique partners and her beta readers, as I saw nothing to indicate any input from them.
If I hadn't promised a review, I don't think I could have finished this book in spite of the good story, as I kept being annoyed by the poor writing.
OVERVIEW
A good story, even if it is a fantasy trope. A prince, hidden to save his life from an unknown enemy who has killed the rest of his family. A birthmark that proves he is the missing prince. He has no idea of his true identity.
Having said that, the fact that this idea is not an uncommon one does not mean it cannot be dealt with in a different way, and be an entirely different story which Kingdom of Lies does.
I love the cover. It's magnificent.
CHARACTERS
Elijah, the prince, is a likeable character, although he does not have much depth.
There was little to distinguish most of the characters from each other, except for Leon.
When we first meet him, he is antagonistic to Elijah. He is mouthy to his superiors, but never gets punished for it. Then, suddenly, at the end, he's suddenly friendly and joking, and talking as if he’d been best friends with Elijah all along. But Leon is a minor character.
There was little change in most of the other characters throughout the book.
WRITING
The writing was poor. As I read, I thought it was the first book by a novice writer who had got to the end and pressed 'publish'. There are many mistakes, both typos and grammatical errors. Sometimes this caused confusion.
The author confused me at times by using a pronoun that did not refer to the last person mentioned.
There were several places where the syntax was confusing, and she also had disembodied eyes floating around on more than one occasion. (Elijah's eyes fell to the floor.)
There were other places where I was confused, and could not understand what was going on, and a few places where she contradicted something she had said previously.
I was surprised to read in her acknowledgements that she thanked her critique partners and her beta readers, as I saw nothing to indicate any input from them.
If I hadn't promised a review, I don't think I could have finished this book in spite of the good story, as I kept being annoyed by the poor writing.
September 18, 2022
Kingdom of Lies tells the story of Elijah, who is brought to the palace for the first time since he was very young as his uncle is to oversee the King’s Guard. Elijah starts to discover things about his past and he begins to work as an elite guard for the princess. He quickly discovers a plot to kill a forgotten prince who has the rightful aim to the throne and is believed to be Princess Sienna’s soon to be betrothed. He must find a way to stop this group from acting and things are not always what they seem in this realm.
This book is very action packed and has a lot of sub plots in it. The world building and character development are top notch. The story is easy to follow, but there is definitely a lot happening.
It’s told solely from the MMC POV which I hadn’t read in a while and I really enjoyed it. As Elijah is discovering things in in his past about his parentage, it makes complete sense to have everything in his POV. It’s very clear that other people know things that he is just now learning. While I’d have loved to seen some of Sienna’s POV, I liked that you didn’t know quite how she was feeling about Elijah until the end.
I look forward to seeing more of this story unfold in the second book.
This book is very action packed and has a lot of sub plots in it. The world building and character development are top notch. The story is easy to follow, but there is definitely a lot happening.
It’s told solely from the MMC POV which I hadn’t read in a while and I really enjoyed it. As Elijah is discovering things in in his past about his parentage, it makes complete sense to have everything in his POV. It’s very clear that other people know things that he is just now learning. While I’d have loved to seen some of Sienna’s POV, I liked that you didn’t know quite how she was feeling about Elijah until the end.
I look forward to seeing more of this story unfold in the second book.
August 11, 2021
4.5 Stars
Kingdom of Lies is the first book in The Kane Saga by R. S. Williams. This was my first time reading from this author and they did not disappoint. This was a great series starter, readers are given just enough information to drag them into the story and leave them wanting more. I loved all the intrigue, I made some assumptions due to the book blurb about things I expected to happen and although I was right about some stuff, there was other stuff I got wrong. That makes a book even better to me because it fails to be predictable. In a world where the central character is still finding themselves (like who they even are), it's a definite bonus to refrain from being predictable.
I love Eli more and more as the story went on. His truth changes as he remembers more about himself and he doesn't run from the challenge. There are other great characters in the cast, but I felt that Eli really got to shine. I think this series will get even better as the story progresses further.
I would like to thank the publisher and author for providing me with an advanced copy of this story through StoryOrigin. I am providing a voluntary honest review.
Kingdom of Lies is the first book in The Kane Saga by R. S. Williams. This was my first time reading from this author and they did not disappoint. This was a great series starter, readers are given just enough information to drag them into the story and leave them wanting more. I loved all the intrigue, I made some assumptions due to the book blurb about things I expected to happen and although I was right about some stuff, there was other stuff I got wrong. That makes a book even better to me because it fails to be predictable. In a world where the central character is still finding themselves (like who they even are), it's a definite bonus to refrain from being predictable.
I love Eli more and more as the story went on. His truth changes as he remembers more about himself and he doesn't run from the challenge. There are other great characters in the cast, but I felt that Eli really got to shine. I think this series will get even better as the story progresses further.
I would like to thank the publisher and author for providing me with an advanced copy of this story through StoryOrigin. I am providing a voluntary honest review.
August 13, 2021
Thank you to @authorrhiannewilliams for my #gifted #ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Kingdom of Lies is the first book in the Kane Saga Trilogy; following Elijah as he learns of forgotten truths and works to unravel the mysteries of his past.
I really enjoyed this book. The character development was well done and I really enjoyed the flashbacks Elijah experienced upon his return to the castle and he started to discover more about his true identity.
The development of the world was done really well and I could visualise many different scenes as they were occurring. You learn of the important elements of the land but there is enough mystery to keep you intrigued whilst leaving potential for further development in future novels.
The pacing was well done however I do feel the final action scene was a little bit rushed. I felt it could have been a little longer however I don't believe any important pieces of information were missing.
The conclusion of the Epilogue was fantastic. It gives the reader anticipation for the next instalment and leaves you trying to guess how the plot could next unfold.
In summary, I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait to continue with the series.
Kingdom of Lies is the first book in the Kane Saga Trilogy; following Elijah as he learns of forgotten truths and works to unravel the mysteries of his past.
I really enjoyed this book. The character development was well done and I really enjoyed the flashbacks Elijah experienced upon his return to the castle and he started to discover more about his true identity.
The development of the world was done really well and I could visualise many different scenes as they were occurring. You learn of the important elements of the land but there is enough mystery to keep you intrigued whilst leaving potential for further development in future novels.
The pacing was well done however I do feel the final action scene was a little bit rushed. I felt it could have been a little longer however I don't believe any important pieces of information were missing.
The conclusion of the Epilogue was fantastic. It gives the reader anticipation for the next instalment and leaves you trying to guess how the plot could next unfold.
In summary, I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait to continue with the series.
August 11, 2021
Kingdom of Lies is a classic hero/lost prince tale.
This novel has all the things you’d expect from a good YA fantasy. A hero discovering his past and finding his path while stumbling on the way. A cute romance. And lovable side characters that tie everything together. I do wish the story surprised me more but this is only the beginning of Elijah’s journey and I look forward to seeing how it continues.
If you’re looking for a well-written, classic YA read, you should check this one out!
Highlight: I haven’t read a fantasy novel from only a male POV in a long time. That aspect was definitely refreshing!
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
This novel has all the things you’d expect from a good YA fantasy. A hero discovering his past and finding his path while stumbling on the way. A cute romance. And lovable side characters that tie everything together. I do wish the story surprised me more but this is only the beginning of Elijah’s journey and I look forward to seeing how it continues.
If you’re looking for a well-written, classic YA read, you should check this one out!
Highlight: I haven’t read a fantasy novel from only a male POV in a long time. That aspect was definitely refreshing!
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
September 20, 2022
I finished reading the prequel ‘Tournament of the Elite’ earlier this week, so had some background of the Missing Prince.
The sequel has even more palace politics, double-crossing, secrets, romance, and drama. It was even a wee bit nostalgic since it reminded me of the movie ‘Candleshoe’ with Jodie Foster. A possible pretender to the throne, a bunch of kids/teens who gather together to plot how they can save the kingdom, hidden passageways. And prophecy, swords, elves, sorcery, assassins… what else could a teen want?
The. Next. Book.
‘Return of the Dragons’ released earlier than I expected, so gotta go!
The sequel has even more palace politics, double-crossing, secrets, romance, and drama. It was even a wee bit nostalgic since it reminded me of the movie ‘Candleshoe’ with Jodie Foster. A possible pretender to the throne, a bunch of kids/teens who gather together to plot how they can save the kingdom, hidden passageways. And prophecy, swords, elves, sorcery, assassins… what else could a teen want?
The. Next. Book.
‘Return of the Dragons’ released earlier than I expected, so gotta go!
October 4, 2022
A fun new fantasy!
Parents: suitable for 13+
Language: G; none
Violence: PG-13
Sexual content: sexual tension PG-13 at most
The story is an entertaining new fantasy. Imagine what it’s like to live a lie believing it to be the truth… and discovering what you believe is the truth to be a lie. The story sucks you in at a good pace and is extremely original in it’s telling. I’m excited to see where the story goes from here. If the description even vaguely struck your fancy, pick this up!
Narrator (4⭐) had good differentiations and a pleasant tone.
—I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Parents: suitable for 13+
Language: G; none
Violence: PG-13
Sexual content: sexual tension PG-13 at most
The story is an entertaining new fantasy. Imagine what it’s like to live a lie believing it to be the truth… and discovering what you believe is the truth to be a lie. The story sucks you in at a good pace and is extremely original in it’s telling. I’m excited to see where the story goes from here. If the description even vaguely struck your fancy, pick this up!
Narrator (4⭐) had good differentiations and a pleasant tone.
—I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
March 13, 2023
Secrets come to light.
A coming of age story in which Eli learns everything about his life was a lie, and must come to terms with a new reality and all the dangers that come with it.
There is an excellent villain, known only as The Master, who always seems to be one step ahead, causing no end of grief for Eli.
There are a fair number of characters, but each is well written, and they are easy to keep track of as individuals. The secrets and backstory are revealed at the perfect pace — at the right time and amount of information.
Quentin Hudspath was a great storyteller.
Some arcs are resolved, but there are still questions to be answered. A great start to the series.
A coming of age story in which Eli learns everything about his life was a lie, and must come to terms with a new reality and all the dangers that come with it.
There is an excellent villain, known only as The Master, who always seems to be one step ahead, causing no end of grief for Eli.
There are a fair number of characters, but each is well written, and they are easy to keep track of as individuals. The secrets and backstory are revealed at the perfect pace — at the right time and amount of information.
Quentin Hudspath was a great storyteller.
Some arcs are resolved, but there are still questions to be answered. A great start to the series.
April 28, 2022
This is a brilliant read! It pulled me in from beginning to end and held my attention. The world building is detailed and imaginative. This novel has strong, well developed characters and an interesting story line that keeps you turning the pages. Elijah wonders who are his friends and who are his enemies or are they both a little or lot of each. I recommend this novel and would read more novels by this author. I am glad I found this author and she will continue to be part of my reading library.
November 28, 2022
Amazing story, just needs editing.
This book and the storyline are truly amazing. More often than not lately, the books I find are the same story, just with different characters. This was definitely much more creative and was very refreshing to read. My only complaint is the punctuation. It's either missing, in the wrong spot entirely or has unnecessary punctuation added. A little editing could go a long way, but with that being the only complaint, I'd definitely recommend this book.
This book and the storyline are truly amazing. More often than not lately, the books I find are the same story, just with different characters. This was definitely much more creative and was very refreshing to read. My only complaint is the punctuation. It's either missing, in the wrong spot entirely or has unnecessary punctuation added. A little editing could go a long way, but with that being the only complaint, I'd definitely recommend this book.
October 24, 2021
Elijah has been in hiding for nine years without even knowing it or even who he really is. He has been raised by his uncle with a different last name. His memories have been hidden from him with magic for his protection. Suddenly everything comes crashing down when his uncle is ordered back. Someone is out to kill him as he learns his true identity. Love this book. The characters are wonderfully written and the story line reminds me of King Arthur. A real page turner.
August 11, 2022
R. S. Williams writes an original story that is intriguing and a good adventure. Overall the main character is interesting and likeable, while the supporting characters are all well developed as well. The world is well built and you find yourself wanting to hear more and more about their surroundings. The overall story is excellent and the plot moves at a great pace for the genre. Audio Version: Quentin Hudspeth does an amazing job with the narration.
March 13, 2022
I received a copy of this book as a contest winner on Instagram. YA fantasy is outside my usual genre, however, it was one of my favorite childhood genres. It was a fun dive back into YA fantasy complete with magic, romance, and treacherous villains. The unraveling of Adelith’s mysteries are just beginning to unfurl in this first installment of R.S. Williams’ new series.
May 21, 2022
I love a good hidden-price trope! This book has low magic, but I think that will grow as the saga continues. I enjoyed the main character and his overall struggle within the story. When I think about fantasy, this is what I imagine! Great start to a series!
September 5, 2022
Great start in this fantasy series!!
My first read from this author and I wasn't disappointed. I found myself getting caught up in the characters and the story. Lots of mystery, dark secrets, and intrigue. Very enjoyable audio narration. Looking forward to more!!
My first read from this author and I wasn't disappointed. I found myself getting caught up in the characters and the story. Lots of mystery, dark secrets, and intrigue. Very enjoyable audio narration. Looking forward to more!!
July 29, 2022
Fantastic gripping story, always wanting to give you another page turner. Definitely a series to watch. Loved it.
August 1, 2023
We follow the story of Elijah, who is discovering who he really is and a past that's been hidden from him. Great fantasy read.
November 5, 2023
Decent read good story well written characters
May 16, 2024
When there's too much stupid, I just can't...
Dnf 40%
Dnf 40%
September 17, 2022
Elijah has been raised by his uncle since he was a small boy, living in a small village where he was worried about nothing but training to win a horse race. But things change when King Roderick sends a messenger asking his uncle Merrick to return to the castle. When they arrive, Elijah begins having headaches, and there are snatches of visions that he can't seem to understand. To complicate matters, there are rumors that the missing prince, heir to the throne, has been found and everyone seems to think it is Prince John, who has come to the castle to court Princess Sienna. As the rumor spreads, the danger mounts, though, as the assassins who murdered the previous king and queen are back to finish off the little prince they missed the last time.
This book grabbed me right from the beginning, and I enjoyed every minute I spend reading it. The story that was woven did a great job of revealing little bits and pieces as they were needed, without overwhelming the reader with lots of excess information. I also liked the interactions between the different characters, as they really helped to round out their personalities. I definitely hope the author finishes the next book in the series soon, because I need to know what happens next!
I had the opportunity recently to listen to the audiobook, and I really enjoyed it. It is narrated by Quentin Hudspeth, who did a wonderful job, enhancing the experience. If you have a chance to listen to the audiobook, I definitely recommend taking it. Hopefully, I'll be able to listen to book 2 as well.
This book grabbed me right from the beginning, and I enjoyed every minute I spend reading it. The story that was woven did a great job of revealing little bits and pieces as they were needed, without overwhelming the reader with lots of excess information. I also liked the interactions between the different characters, as they really helped to round out their personalities. I definitely hope the author finishes the next book in the series soon, because I need to know what happens next!
I had the opportunity recently to listen to the audiobook, and I really enjoyed it. It is narrated by Quentin Hudspeth, who did a wonderful job, enhancing the experience. If you have a chance to listen to the audiobook, I definitely recommend taking it. Hopefully, I'll be able to listen to book 2 as well.
July 8, 2022
Received as an ARC from Story Origin; also received as an audio review copy from Story Origin, narrated beautifully by Quentin Hudspeth; whose performance gives this already epic tale added depth to the author's words.
When the life you've lived is a lie... then what is the truth? This is what Elijah finds himself discovering when he joins his guardian in the city of Adelith. As he slowly begins to unravel his own unique past, Eli goes from accidental hero to a threat for a bizarre, powerful sorcerer. Beautifully written with a memorable cast, particularly Eli; a worthy a new fantasy series is only beginning to unfold. Highly recommended.
When the life you've lived is a lie... then what is the truth? This is what Elijah finds himself discovering when he joins his guardian in the city of Adelith. As he slowly begins to unravel his own unique past, Eli goes from accidental hero to a threat for a bizarre, powerful sorcerer. Beautifully written with a memorable cast, particularly Eli; a worthy a new fantasy series is only beginning to unfold. Highly recommended.
December 14, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. A book for anyone who enjoys magic, hero’s and villains. A real page turner. Really enjoyed all the characters especially Merrick how he was so devoted to protecting Eli. All his companions and how they became friends and stood up for each other . Very thrilling and a lot of twist and turns. Enjoyed it tremendously. Looking forward to the next in series.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews