The Kheld King by L.L. Stephens
Headstrong, Easily Duped Putz Squanders His Grandfather’s
Accomplishments
An Indie Book Review by Joseph Poopinski
4 Stars
Please
read the first book in this epic Triempery Revelations series, Sordaneon, if
you haven’t yet done so to meet one of my favorite characters in literature, the
honorable former king, Marc Frederick.
Alas, only his fantastically lengthy shadow reaches this second installment. Inheriting his grandfather’s throne, Stefan
is this story’s titular monarch.
Woefully unqualified, anger-prone, excessively suspicious in all the
wrong avenues, inept at heeding council & disrespectful of those who
honestly supported him, the crowned Kheld botches & bungles his way to
undermining the safety & security of his person, family, the kingdoms &
the godly entities—the Wall & Rill—themselves. Though Stefan’s wishes & goals might
eventually someday hold water, the precipitous reality demands collaboration
& honoring alliances now, not his obstinate vindictive maneuvering. From the unfolding narrative’s intricacies
& vivid descriptions, we know even Stefan’s successes miss the mark long
before they become true disappointments.
How clear can it be that Nammuor wishes evil upon them all?
The realm’s phenomenal scope & its denizens’ memorable personalities amaze me. Dorilian shines throughout, escaping, rescuing, honoring friendship, learning & especially as a leader boldly refuting society’s corrupted politics. Little Levyathan brilliantly matches Dune’s Alia. Jooar Zetharnna has the coolest name! If you appreciate psychological depth or rejoice at personal growth in the face of adversity, consider this (quintessentially Marc Frederickian) insight: “Some things can never be put behind us… We measure ourselves by these things. Those people. Those places. Those acts. Some make us stronger; some weaker. Some increase us & some diminish.”
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