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The King's Company
After a seemingly never-ending war, Tom has finally brought peace to his kingdom and proven himself as a ruler. To celebrate their victory, a longtime ally and fellow king presents him with a gift—a slave boy, beautiful and nothing like any slave Tom has ever had before.
“Were you born a slave, or are you one of those captured? Have you ever been free?”
Torn from everything he knows, Adrian finds himself frightened and confused by this strange king who now owns him. He’s learned to expect pain and punishment, but his new master seems only interested in talking to him.
“You will listen to my secrets. And you will keep them to yourself.”
Fascinated by the boy in his possession, Tom begins to understand how little he knows about the slaves in his kingdom. Although he’s always thought they were treated too harshly, he’s never truly seen how they live and die.
“I don’t want you to be afraid of me.”
In theory, the king’s word is the law. In practice, however, not even a king can change the world with words alone.
“Were you born a slave, or are you one of those captured? Have you ever been free?”
Torn from everything he knows, Adrian finds himself frightened and confused by this strange king who now owns him. He’s learned to expect pain and punishment, but his new master seems only interested in talking to him.
“You will listen to my secrets. And you will keep them to yourself.”
Fascinated by the boy in his possession, Tom begins to understand how little he knows about the slaves in his kingdom. Although he’s always thought they were treated too harshly, he’s never truly seen how they live and die.
“I don’t want you to be afraid of me.”
In theory, the king’s word is the law. In practice, however, not even a king can change the world with words alone.
- GenresLGBT
457 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 4, 2023
7 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Zarlina Josefsson
13 books27 followersM/M books
Slow burn, big feelings, messy love.
Writing something soft in a coffee shop right now.
Slow burn, big feelings, messy love.
Writing something soft in a coffee shop right now.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 3, 2023
When your friend publishes a book & sends you an ARC in exchange for an honest review, but you can't find the words to write said review, what do you do? Asking for me.
These characters will stay with you after reading. There's angst & comfort & softness & hurt & a bunch more. Romance, friendship, growth. Character-driven good stuff. If you're into m/m & medieval settings & reflecting on what it means to be a person, this is the right book.
These characters will stay with you after reading. There's angst & comfort & softness & hurt & a bunch more. Romance, friendship, growth. Character-driven good stuff. If you're into m/m & medieval settings & reflecting on what it means to be a person, this is the right book.
March 5, 2023
This book is definitely one of my favourites from Zarlina. The story is full with angst while having so many moments of pure warmth. Adrian is the most delicate relic! It is so heartbreaking to read about his former, current and what he believes to be his future life. Every time he would speak, I felt the need to wrap him in blankets and protect him from the world.
A wonderful read that will bring out a few tears. I adored every second of it!!
*Disclaimer: I was sent an ARC by the author in consideration of an honest review.
**Which this is.
A wonderful read that will bring out a few tears. I adored every second of it!!
*Disclaimer: I was sent an ARC by the author in consideration of an honest review.
**Which this is.
dnf
March 24, 2023DNF @ 20%, no rating.
First, I love the author’s note.
As for the story, the writing just feels like it’s just rehashing Tom’s thoughts and feelings on slavery, famine, sex with minors over and over and over. I really like the parts where he interacts with Adrian, but those are so few compared to everything else. I don’t think I need to read conversations with Adrian on his thoughts on slavery, and his thoughts about them with himself, and with his mother, and his advisor. And while he seems to have pretty strong thoughts on it, he wavers a lot and lapses into “only a slave” thoughts and is rather spineless about standing up for himself when faced with his mother.
It’s a slavefic. I get it, I don’t need to be beat over the head with that. But it’s also a romance and I need more interaction with the LI and I need Tom to show like an iota of interest in him as something besides company.
First, I love the author’s note.
As for the story, the writing just feels like it’s just rehashing Tom’s thoughts and feelings on slavery, famine, sex with minors over and over and over. I really like the parts where he interacts with Adrian, but those are so few compared to everything else. I don’t think I need to read conversations with Adrian on his thoughts on slavery, and his thoughts about them with himself, and with his mother, and his advisor. And while he seems to have pretty strong thoughts on it, he wavers a lot and lapses into “only a slave” thoughts and is rather spineless about standing up for himself when faced with his mother.
It’s a slavefic. I get it, I don’t need to be beat over the head with that. But it’s also a romance and I need more interaction with the LI and I need Tom to show like an iota of interest in him as something besides company.
April 2, 2023
I saw this on tiktok and thought I would give it a go. Plot wise I did really enjoy it, at first it was a bit slow but it did pick up pace about 100 odd pages on. My only fault is the amount of times the author said “lowly” at times it was getting so repetitive and moderately annoying. But if you can look past that, the way she writes about her two main characters, I’m in love!
February 4, 2023
it's my friend's book, it's damn good and you should read it
(I am not good at reviews but don't worry, don't read me read the book)
(got the ARC for free because MY FRIEND WROTE THIS BOOK but it didn't affect my rating in any way)
(I am not good at reviews but don't worry, don't read me read the book)
(got the ARC for free because MY FRIEND WROTE THIS BOOK but it didn't affect my rating in any way)
dnf
January 2, 2024DNF. Sadly I could not get into this. This is slave fic and I'm sure a lot of people will like reading it but it was just not my cup of tea. Also it only had the POV of the 'owner' and I did not like him much even though he tried to be 'nice'.
November 29, 2023
Absolutely loved this book. It kept me on my toes. I couldn’t put the book down once I started reading. I was not expecting the ending, definitely had a twist and didn’t go in the direction I thought it would have. It was really well written, the conflicting emotions, the journey, totally worth the read. Honestly looking forward to future books from her.
February 28, 2024
One of the best medieval mm romance books I have ever read. I've read many and none of them brushes these kind of subjects like this one. You get to see pain from both sides, they are all described so well, so beautiful. I wanted to scream and cry and throw things at how beautiful it is, from beginning to end. You get to know the characters in ways you normally don't. You see the small stuff, the stuff people never bother to write about but actually should because it makes the character more real. The author really does that with this one. It's amazing.
I've cried. Laughed. Squealed. Wanted to bang my head against the wall because I can't express how this makes me feel. Like yes it's amazing and makes me FEEL all the things but there are no words to make this book justice.
It is just absolutely fantastic. With an ending that makes you cry, but also makes you feel hopeful.
BUY IT!! READ IT!! LOVE IT!!
I've cried. Laughed. Squealed. Wanted to bang my head against the wall because I can't express how this makes me feel. Like yes it's amazing and makes me FEEL all the things but there are no words to make this book justice.
It is just absolutely fantastic. With an ending that makes you cry, but also makes you feel hopeful.
BUY IT!! READ IT!! LOVE IT!!
April 11, 2025
A medieval mm romance. What more could you ask for?
Heartbreak? Angst? Forbidden love? Trust me, there's a lot of that, too ;) I mean, have you ever seen me write something that won't break your heart in one way or another?
Heartbreak? Angst? Forbidden love? Trust me, there's a lot of that, too ;) I mean, have you ever seen me write something that won't break your heart in one way or another?
January 8, 2026
After years of war, King Tom has finally secured peace for his kingdom. As a symbol of victory, he is given a slave boy named Adrian. From the start, it’s clear that Adrian is terrified, expecting cruelty and punishment like he has known all his life. What he finds instead is a king who wants to talk, listen, and understand, something that confuses him just as much as it frightens him.
The relationship between Tom and Adrian develops slowly and carefully. Tom begins to question the system he has always accepted, realizing how little he truly knows about the lives of slaves in his own kingdom. Adrian, meanwhile, struggles to trust kindness after a lifetime of suffering. Their conversations are quiet but meaningful, filled with fear, curiosity, and growing awareness on both sides.
This book is less about action and more about emotional growth and moral conflict. It shows how difficult real change can be, even for someone with power. Tom learns that being king does not automatically give him the ability to fix everything, and that good intentions alone are not enough to undo generations of harm.
The writing is thoughtful and immersive, and the characters feel real and complex. Adrian’s fear and confusion are heart breaking, and Tom’s gradual awakening is believable and human. The story doesn’t rush, allowing the weight of its themes to fully settle.
The King’s Company is a serious, sometimes uncomfortable read, but also a meaningful one. It’s about seeing people as people, questioning unjust systems, and understanding that change takes courage, time, and action, not just words.
The relationship between Tom and Adrian develops slowly and carefully. Tom begins to question the system he has always accepted, realizing how little he truly knows about the lives of slaves in his own kingdom. Adrian, meanwhile, struggles to trust kindness after a lifetime of suffering. Their conversations are quiet but meaningful, filled with fear, curiosity, and growing awareness on both sides.
This book is less about action and more about emotional growth and moral conflict. It shows how difficult real change can be, even for someone with power. Tom learns that being king does not automatically give him the ability to fix everything, and that good intentions alone are not enough to undo generations of harm.
The writing is thoughtful and immersive, and the characters feel real and complex. Adrian’s fear and confusion are heart breaking, and Tom’s gradual awakening is believable and human. The story doesn’t rush, allowing the weight of its themes to fully settle.
The King’s Company is a serious, sometimes uncomfortable read, but also a meaningful one. It’s about seeing people as people, questioning unjust systems, and understanding that change takes courage, time, and action, not just words.
March 5, 2023
Amazing
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews