Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

Kings of Paradise - Richard Nell

January 25, 2021.
Requested by Beena.

I might try to join this one in a few days. I already have it on my kindle and have been meaning to read it.

Thank you for this speedy thread Jenna! Yay, glad to have you!

I don't have a lot of spoilers, not far in Anni

Up to Chapter 5
(view spoiler)[ I feel so sorry for Ruka, poor boy! Having his mother die in his arms, thinking that he caused it. :( And before, when the women were threatening to cut his hands off!

Pretty much instantly liked Kale, that whole scene with the training officer was really funny. Can' wait to see more of him. (hide spoiler)]

I'll stalk this thread to refresh my memory

Beena, I may also try to join in reading this one in a few days.

I really enjoyed this series. Which is strange because I did not expect to.

Paula wrote: "I'll stalk this thread to refresh my memory"

Good idea!

Cool Heather!

Ha, I know you liked this one Mayim, your review (and Petrik's) convinced me to pick this up!

I started as well, I've got the audiobook additionally and it's the same narrator as Gardens of the Moon :) I overall enjoyed his narration the last time around and so the first impression was quite positive.
Can't say much about the overall story, but so far I really enjoy it.

Chapter 1 - 2 (view spoiler)[ I like the way the book started and I'm curious to learn more about Ruka's past and how he ended up at this point. I'm not sure I completely understand the world yet, seems like the author prefers showing instead of telling.
Do we know in what way Ruka is different from other children? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 3-4 (view spoiler)[ I also instantly liked Kale :) I'm looking forward to learn more about him and Amit as well :) (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 5 (view spoiler)[ Oh no :( Poor Ruka! I wonder if the accusations were right, that the old woman poisoned Ruka's father and now his mother. (hide spoiler)]

Glad you're enjoying it too Anni! I couldn't put it down last night and ended up going to bed late lol

(view spoiler)[ I'm not sure I completely understand the world yet, seems like the author prefers showing instead of telling.

Yeah, I'm finding it tad hard to completely consolidate in my mind too. Same with all the religious stuff.

I wonder if the accusations were right, that the old woman poisoned Ruka's father and now his mother.

I think I must've completely missed that somehow! (hide spoiler)]

Up to Chapter 10 (view spoiler)[ Chapter 7- Bit worried for Kale for disagreeing with his father so much! I also really like his brother (the crown prince) and their relationship. (Forgot his name already though lol).

Chapter 9- Enjoyed that whole scene with Ruka killing them all. And his eyes! They are like a wolf's. Part of me did feel sorry for them though and thought in a different world Ruka could've joined them...

Chapter 10- "Because your oar flaps through the water like a limp cock". Lmao! Love that line!

I love what Kale's doing with his team! How he wants to stand up for every boy that's picked on by the sergeant. Good precursor for the future... Gah, the sergeant's such a bastard for removing him as captain and from his team!

Struggling with some of these names; sri kon? I keep saying it as siri kon lol.. (hide spoiler)]

Beena wrote: "Glad you're enjoying it too Anni! I couldn't put it down last night and ended up going to bed late lol"

Sounds promising :)

Read a couple more chapters, not got much to say about the story at the moment as I haven't gotten very far, except these couple of things which isn't related to any particular chapter... (view spoiler)[ Kale and his brothers are definitely giving me Blood Song feels (but like a tad milder version lol) with all their training and their closeness, love it! I also want Kale and Lani to be a thing, but doesn't look likely that that's going to happen... I think all their scenes together have been really well done too, it's not often a male fantasy author hits all the right emotional notes in them.... (hide spoiler)]

I'm glad I joined you :) Really like it so far! Uh right, that aspect also reminded me of Blood Song! While reading, I also thought of Brett's Demon Cycle, without being so over-sexualized (in a ridiculous way) as Btett's later books...

Up to Chapter 9 (view spoiler)[ Agreed! I love scenes where you understand both parties. I also really liked the atmosphere that was created here, and wolf as a nickname seems fitting. I hope we learn more about his eyes! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 10 - 13 (view spoiler)[ As interesting as Ruka's storyline is, I'm glad we got a lot of Kale here!
I don't have much to say, but I really enjoyed it.
I guess it was to good to be true... I'm afraid by the time Kale will return, she will be back home and married or something. I still hope they somehow will end uo together someway later! And yeah, the author is doing a pretty good job, I'm quite impressed, especially as it is his debut novel!

I'm really curious when and how Ruka and Kale's path will cross. (hide spoiler)]

Moved to Nell folder. I think most people have started the read already, but if you don't have a copy, check out this thread and Richard will get you a free copy: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

If you already have a copy, he's also going to pop in to chat a bit there, too. :)

I'm glad I joined you :) Really like it so far!

Yay, me too! I had a feeling it would be good, so I'm glad I got somebody to buddy read with me!

Not read Demon Cycle yet, so can't comment on that, but thanks for the warning lol.

Yep totally agree with everything you said about Chapter 9 too.

RE Chapter 13 (view spoiler)[ Yeah, I had a feeling his dream of marrying Lani wouldn't come true :( Hopefully as you say they will somehow meet again but I think you're right about what will happen. Now he's being forced to this monastery place which I have a feeling is gonna be nothing religious...

Totally agree, I loved all of Kale's chapters too! Yep can't wait for them two to encounter each other, somehow I think they'll be enemies... (hide spoiler)]

I've been hooked since literally the first sentence of this book. Once I catch up with you all, I'll take a look at the spoilers lol

Glad you've joined us Heather!

Chapter 16 (view spoiler)[ Dala's chapters were a bit long, but I liked this last one, where the nightmen became the monsters in the night. And I'm glad that Dala has Birmun to love. (hide spoiler)]

I read this one about a year ago, and am doing a quick reread. Is everyone planning on reading the trilogy, I was finally able to get them in print the end of last year?
I think the parallel from the grit to the warmth of the two lands is interesting. Although, danger abounds both lands.
I will respond when everyone gets further. There are several interesting twists to come!!!

Chapter 17 (view spoiler)[I actually thought that Ruka was gonna kill Egil and eat him lol. Loved that chapter, specially his thought process whilst Egil was oblivious to how close he came to harm, haha. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 18 (view spoiler)[Damnnn! Okay, I so didn't expect that! I'd never questioned her sanity or faith up till now, but the way Dala was imagining the other two priestesses as demons really was cray! Wow, I'll be honest, I looked at the start of this chapter and realised it was Dala and wasn't really interested (much prefer Kale or Ruka) but shit! That's where the grimdark was hiding! Lol. I was so expecting Dala to turn into the righteous priestess, standing up for all the mistreated, forgotten children with Birmun as her faithful warrior (though granted, her plan of killing men in the night to get there was questionable) that I didn't even consider this! Definitely feels like a point of no return has been crossed by both Dala and Birmun- how gory were those deaths?! Ha. I do feel a bit sorry for Birmun though, he could've had an actual life, he wasn't far gone, but now he's thrown his lot in with her and feels it's his only choice. (hide spoiler)]

I'd definitely like to read the trilogy Frank. Yeah the two climates are an interesting contrast, it keeps messing me up that North is warm and South is cold though lol. Ooh interesting!

Up to Chapter 22, not got much to say but this made me chuckle from Chapter 20; (view spoiler)[ He gave another fatherly pat that endangered his life. Love Ruka's chapters. It's interesting how in the torture scene with Egil that he can disengage his mind from what he's doing... All that stuff he does in his "Grove", it's like mental training... (hide spoiler)]

And where's Kale?! I wanna know what happened!! Dammit!

Finally back to Kale and I'm loving it! (Chapter 23 FYI)

As before not a lot to say, but I've got that feeling where you're just waiting for something to kick off, you know? For something instrumental to happen but it just hasn't got to that point yet....

Beena wrote: "I'd definitely like to read the trilogy Frank. Yeah the two climates are an interesting contrast, it keeps messing me up that North is warm and South is cold though lol. Ooh interesting!"
Yes that tripped me up a bit, however if I lived in the Southern Hemisphere I guess that would be different , LOL.

Beena wrote: "I'd definitely like to read the trilogy Frank. Yeah the two climates are an interesting contrast, it keeps messing me up that North is warm and South is cold though lol. Ooh interesting!"

I really enjoy it as well and would like to continue.

The last few days were pretty bad, and I don't feel very good today either, but I plan to continue this weekend and hope to catch up

Sounds like several (Beena, Anni) of us are interesting in reading the trilogy.
I hope more will join in and we can set some dates for book 2 and 3.

The last few days were pretty bad, and I don't feel very good today either, but I plan to continue this weekend and hope to catch up

Hope everything's ok Anni. x No worries, read in your own time!

Sounds like several (Beena, Anni) of us are interesting in reading the trilogy.
I hope more will join in and we can set some dates for book 2 and 3.

Definitely Frank! Paula said she's interested too, so that's one more.

Up to Chapter 27 (view spoiler)[ Ah fuck, fuck, fuck. I knew those two having sex was a bloody bad idea! I guessed what Farahi was going to say to Kale before he said it.... Oh my god, poor Kale, I'm absolutely horrified for him!! The irony is, if they hadn't gone and done that, Lani would've married Tane and I'm pretty sure they could have continued a secret affair... (Tane knows how Kale feels about her after all and their marriage would've been a functional thing...) Ughh, I so don't want it to happen but I can't see him getting out of this :( (hide spoiler)]

yes, I'm also interested.

Beena(view spoiler)[poor kale. His father is the worst (hide spoiler)]

He really is Paula!!

Up to Chapter 35 (view spoiler)[ Chapter 28- Awww, thank god for Tane! I went into that chapter with a lot of trepidation, I'm SO glad his brother saved him! And those moments where he acted like a father to him, listened to him and held him were so touching. Also, I knew Lo was having him on- that his father and brother never managed those tests in that time- more like not at all it seems now. Yet again get that feeling about Kale that he's destined for something great and doesn't realise his full potential...

Chapter 29- phew, bloody relieved! I did wonder why Tane didn't just squirrel him away in the night, would've been easier. At least he's being sent away for education, I think it'll be good for him to get away. Still feel bad that him and Lani can't be with each other, though he's right, Tane will treat her well and that's  as much as he can hope for sadly..

Chapter 35- Bloody hell, Ruka's lost it hasn't he?! It's like the only thing holding him together was the thought of having his revenge on Kunla and when he finally did, his mind just snapped... Loved that he did exactly to her what was done to him in the trial bit, he very cleverly outmanoeuvred her. And glad she finally got what she deserved- now that was a gory death too lol- but it didn't really bring him any satisfaction or peace did it... (hide spoiler)]

Up to Chapter 10

I'm also feeling as though I don't completely understand the world yet, but I'm enjoying it so far.

Ruka (view spoiler)[ Ruka was an intriguing character right off the bat for me with the first line "Ruka stared at the corpse of the boy he'd killed, and his stomach growled." What a first impression that made.
Still not entirely sure why everyone keeps calling him a demon, but the events of Chapter 9 with Ruka killing them all and his wolf eyes makes me want to read more of his chapters. (hide spoiler)]

Kale (view spoiler)[I loved Kale right away as well. Chapter 10 with him working with the team seems to be setting up for a lot of different possibilities with his storyline. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 39 (view spoiler)[ So is this gonna be a war between the priest, priestess and shaman? Hmmm... (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 41 (view spoiler)[ Woah! Don't know what Kale did there! Apparently managed to see his own birth- at first I thought it was Lani, and was like oh my god she's pregnant... And the fact that his father was terrified and begging her not to die, who would've thought he contained emotion... perhaps this is the reason he's never warmed to Kale, though he seems pretty detached from the rest of his sons too....

I'm absolutely loving Kale's chapters, though I'm curious to know what path he will actually take; he seems to have run through several training processes now when you would expect the character to have moved on...

Oh yeah and another thing I forgot to mention (can't remember which chapter this was), I'm surprised Ruka waited so long to put his "destroy the world" plan into action, even if he did go and explore the North and learn their ways first, two years seems like a long time... (hide spoiler)]

Glad you're enjoying it too Jenna.

RE Ruka (view spoiler)[ I think he's seen as a demon purely because of his deformity and eyes; any person out of the ordinary is seen to be touched by Noss, which is one of the worst things for those southerners as we've seen... (hide spoiler)]

I finished this last night, really enjoyed it!

End (view spoiler)[ Somehow, I didn't expect Kale to manifest powers like that! I dunno why, just didn't seem like it was on the cards for him.. Man, he moved on fast though! Granted, he'll never get to be with Lani, but still! I thought you were heartbroken mate lol.

That ending though! I wasn't surprised by Lani choosing to be Ruka's wife, I think instead of being a terrified captive to him, she might actually one up him and/or come to understand why he is the way he is and sway his intentions. Such a shame about Tane- I knew that the Southerners were going to invade but somehow I thought he'd escape harm. Also, I'd have liked to actually have seen the invasion unfold...

Def looking forward to the next book, how will Kale react when he sees what's become of Lani and his son... And can't wait to see what he does next and to grow more into himself. (hide spoiler)]

Beena, you’re so fast! I’m on chapter 17 and a bit confused by the time jumps in the GE storyline.

Other than that, enjoying it! I’ll have to circle back to chime in on the spoiler discussion once I’m on my laptop.

Pahaha, no I'm not!! I ain't got nothing on the vast majority of people in the team reading competition, reading is like an Olympic sport for them lol.

Ah I didn't pay too much attention to the dates tbh, just let it go over my head. Glad you're liking it, look forward to discussing it with you. :)

Beena wrote: "Hope everything's ok Anni. x No worries, read in your own time!"

Thank you! Yeah, everything is ok, I guess... Our horse died last week, we had him since I was 4 or 5, and he was always there, so it's quite strange that he isn't anymore. I wasn't really in the mood for reading... I still miss him, but it's ok, he had a long life and I'm happy for all the time we had.

Thank you! Yeah, everything is ok, I guess... Our horse died last week, we had him since I was 4 or 5, and he was always there, so it's quite strange that he isn't anymore. I wasn't really in the mood for reading... I still miss him, but it's ok, he had a long life and I'm happy for all the time we had.

Aww, no! That's so sad, I'm sorry for your loss. Yeah don't blame you, it's like losing a family member. :( Aw, bless you, sending you some virtual hugs. x

Re Chapter 16 (view spoiler)[ Yeah, Dala's chapters were rather long. I like that we see her again after the night Ruka attacked her home. And that's an interesting path she's taking. I'm really curious how her "career" will evolve.
On the other hand I don't really like her relationship with Birmun... Her move getting the nightmen to work for her was really strong, but the way she treats him and herself... I don't know, I'm not a fan. (hide spoiler)]

Beena
(view spoiler)[yeah, kale has now so much power and I also didn't expect that. Haha, yeah, he moved on quite fast

I also wish we had seen the invasion. I basically want more of ruka bexause he is very interesting (hide spoiler)]

Anni, I'm sorry for your loss. Hope you are feeling better now

@Paula, Yesss me too, feel the same about Ruka!

Thanks guys ❤️

Chapter 17 (view spoiler)[Uh yeah, I was also wondering if he is going to save him from the wolves or cheer them on. But I think meeting Egil will be good for Ruka, I mean the only experience with society was when he was rather young. I don't think it will change his views or his general plan, but it might give him another perspective. :) (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 18 (view spoiler)[ Oh yeah, shit! That went pretty bad pretty quickly! I also already preferred the other two main characters, because their story was... well more interesting to be honest.
Suddenly there was a lot going on, I'm with you Beena that this chapter doesn't made her more likeable... She indeed seemed a liiiiittle crazy, but it doesn't sound as if it was her plan all along. I think Birmun said something like that Dala wanted them alive not dead, but the plan didn't work out.
For how smart they acred before, this final step of the plan was rather dumb and sloppy tho... If you can call it a plan anyway. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 19 (view spoiler)[ Wait... I'm pretty bad with names, but wasn't High Priestess Kunla, the one Dala will go to, the same that was involved in Ruka's childhood drama? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 25 (view spoiler)[ Yeeeeah, finally more Kale chapters :) I'm wondering if Ando might somehow be some kind of younger manifestation of Lo to help Kale?
And I'm curious if the meditational state is somehow similar to Ruka's cave... (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 26 (view spoiler)[ Uhoh... I have a reeeeally bad feeling. I'm afraid Kale's father might mary Lany just out of spite... I'm sure he will du something horrible no matter what.
Oh and Meli was a traitor... Oh no :( (hide spoiler)]

Beena wrote: "I finished this last night, really enjoyed it!

I'm glad you enjoyed it, yes I found (view spoiler)[ Kale's magic came quickly, and with such strength, I thought it would have developed slowly. Ruka was a character I enjoyed, but he has turned oh so much. I wonder what Nell has in store for these characters and the supporting players? (hide spoiler)]

Anni
(view spoiler)[yeah, priestess kunla is the one involved in rukas childhood drama (hide spoiler)]

@Anni RE Chapter 25 (view spoiler)[ Hahaha, your reaction is exactly the same as mine, I couldn't wait to get back to Kale! I really doubt that Ando is a manifestation of Lo, I don't think he would be so inclined to help him.

And I'm curious if the meditational state is somehow similar to Ruka's cave...

Ohh, interesting! That never occurred to me at all, I think you might have a point there! (hide spoiler)]

@Frank, yeah, I think we're definitely in for some surprises!

Finished as well :) I really enjoyed the book, but I liked the first half more than the second. For me the last third felt a bit jumbled... So much happend and still there were bits left out, I would have liked to see.

(view spoiler)[I was pretty surprised by how strong Kale became and especially how fast it happened! I wish we had seen a bit more of him developing his powers, on the other hand the fighting scene with the ice was pretty cool and it makes sense that his powers came to him while he was defending someone, who was important to him :) I'm honestly not surprised Lianne (?) betrayal, to me her appearance seemed a bit too convinient.
I think I also like Kale's POV best, looking forward to see more of him.

And Ruka? Oh boy... I'm quite disappointed that so much of his story was left out. But judging by the preview at the end of book one, it seems we will get a lot more oif his story in the next book.

I mentioned the demon cycle before, but Ruka reminded me of a psycotic version of "the warded man" even more by the end, especially with all the runes and the tattoos. (hide spoiler)]

Fair enough Anni :)

Anni wrote: "Finished as well :) I really enjoyed the book, but I liked the first half more than the second. For me the last third felt a bit jumbled... So much happend and still there were bits left out, I wou..."

Anni - much agreed with your comments. It will be interesting what will happen next, as the author states, many surprises.