Jack Whitsel is a native Californian, but has made Oregon his home since 1982. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree of Finance from Portland State University, but studies medieval history in his spare time. His favorite genres are fantasy and historical fiction with a medieval emphasis. Shadows of Kings, the first novel of the Dragon Rising Series is the love child born of these two passions.
Author: Jack Whitsel
Synopsis:
Steel and sorcery clash as the Harhn incursion sweeps through the Hugue. Mankind faces its greatest peril without the Order Knights of legend to defend them. Crusading deep in the frontier, the Order is unaware of the savage beasts threatening their homeland as the Hugue realms muster their armies for war. Between a cunning Harhn sorcerer, and an alliance forged with the decadent Darkfey, the horde threatens to extinguish the domains of men. Only Lord Baudouin and Lady Lucia, a Dragon Maiden from the Order, stand in the enemy's path. One must find the strength to unify the realms. The other must discover the strength within her, while coming to terms with the agendas of her Order. But only together will there be any hope to repel the onslaught, and preserve the future for a mysterious girl they do not know. Jack Whitsel is a native Californian, but has made Oregon his home since 1982. His favorite genres are fantasy and historical fiction. Shadows of Kings, the first novel of the Dragon Rising Series is the love child born of these two passions. "I love the elements of fantasy when mixed with the gritty aspects of a medieval society."
Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:
It's been awhile since I settled in for a good high fantasy novel, and this was definitely a good one.
Shadows of Kings is a fabulously written first installment to the DRAGON RISING series with engaging characters, non-stop action, and heart.
The world created by Jack is solidly built and commands attention - the best and worst of medieval times brought to life on the page.
Shadows of Kings gives us dragons, elves, sorcerers and sorceresses, bestial villains, gallant knights, kings, queens, and lowborn with purpose.
The plot starts solid with the Hugue fighting for their lives and their land against the Horde with the help of the Knights of the Order and the Dragon Maidens. It builds to an amazing crescendo as the sole survivor of one of the magickal families, Lucia, works with some veteran knights (Baudoin and his group) and some newly proven allies (Gui - I love Gui!) against the Horde and the Dark Elves to salvage what they can and protect whom they must. There's plenty of treachery, backstabbing, torture, surprise, magic, mayhem, and even a little romance along the way, and it ends in such a way that the reader cannot help but want the next installment as soon as possible.
I found myself struggling a bit at the beginning though. There are A LOT of characters and sects revealed and it was a little hard to keep things straight right up front. Once I got all of the names, territories, and leaders down though, I couldn't put it down.
LITERAL ADDICTION gives Shadows of Kings 4 Skulls and would recommend it to fans of the genre. I think we've found a new up and comer in the fantasy realm and I can't wait to see what Jack brings us next.
It's been awhile since I settled in for a good high fantasy novel, and this was definitely a good one.
Shadows of Kings is a fabulously written first installment to the DRAGON RISING series with engaging characters, non-stop action, and heart.
The world created by Jack is solidly built and commands attention - the best and worst of medieval times brought to life on the page.
Shadows of Kings gives us dragons, elves, sorcerers and sorceresses, bestial villains, gallant knights, kings, queens, and lowborn with purpose.
The plot starts solid with the Hugue fighting for their lives and their land against the Horde with the help of the Knights of the Order and the Dragon Maidens. It builds to an amazing crescendo as the sole survivor of one of the magickal families, Lucia, works with some veteran knights (Baudoin and his group) and some newly proven allies (Gui - I love Gui!) against the Horde and the Dark Elves to salvage what they can and protect whom they must. There's plenty of treachery, backstabbing, torture, surprise, magic, mayhem, and even a little romance along the way, and it ends in such a way that the reader cannot help but want the next installment as soon as possible.
I found myself struggling a bit at the beginning though. There are A LOT of characters and sects revealed and it was a little hard to keep things straight right up front. Once I got all of the names, territories, and leaders down though, I couldn't put it down.
LITERAL ADDICTION gives Shadows of Kings 4 Skulls and would recommend it to fans of the genre. I think we've found a new up and comer in the fantasy realm and I can't wait to see what Jack brings us next.
Shadows of Kings
No comments:
Post a Comment