Category: Book Review

The author managed to pull off a miracle and gave us a fabulous conclusion to this epic fantasy series. Tyentso is amazing in this novel with her no b.s attitude. Thurvishar and Senera’s footnotes are really cute. Those two have come a long way.

If you love epic fantasy, immersive world-building, multiple POVs, grey characters, dragons, gods, and queens, this series is for you.

There is so much material in here for another series or two, so I am hoping the author visits this universe again.

Minor nitpick: the main trio achieving this brilliant equilibrium in their relationship happens through their past lives or off pages. Wish some time was devoted to this complex relationship dynamic and how they are going to avoid jealousy and other very human emotions. Especially given how the antagonist was driven by jealousy over several millennia.

The author mentions writing this book during the COVID pandemic. While it is an apt metaphor for most of us being stuck within our four walls, as the fourth installment in the series, I found this book to be the weakest.

Several people (some we have not seen since book one) are gathered at the lighthouse to rescue Kihrin, and the entire story is told through flashbacks/visions.

In a book with a dozen or so characters, it is hard for me to care equally about all of them. In this book, all the side characters are given prominence, and in the fourth book of a five-book series, I just don’t have the energy to invest in all these romantic entanglements of side characters. And the fact that most of these people assembled in that lighthouse have had relationships with one or more of the others makes it messy.

I hope book five is less focused on all the love stories and more on the plot.

This book was better than the last one. It is great to see the four volunteers together in this novel. Thurvishar is a phenomenal character, and I totally ship him and Senera.

Unlike book two, the story moves forward at a fast clip. That ending had me reach for book four immediately.

Like the first two books, this book is not for the faint-hearted. The world is immense, the cast is massive, everything is interconnected, and most of us cannot remember that many things. Don’t worry if you don’t remember who the dragons are related to or what their cornerstones are, etc. Just enjoy the ride.

In the continuation of this epic tale, “Name of All Things” whisks us away to the captivating realms of Jorat and Janel. The appearance of dragons adds a thrilling dimension. Similar to its predecessor, the narrative introduces a myriad of characters, demanding either a keen memory or an easy-going spirit when you lose track of what Tya is the guardian of.

The story, predominantly relayed through flashbacks, flows serially, making it easier to follow.

The introduction of Qown, the Vishai priest, and Senera enriches the already extensive cast, and the inclusion of footnotes by the narrator adds an extra layer of enjoyment.

The author’s ability to weave a complex, interwoven narrative continues to impress me. While the majority of the novel aligns with the timeline of the first book, the plot takes a significant leap forward toward the conclusion. For enthusiasts of epic fantasy, this installment holds a plethora of delights.

One minor critique pertains to the cultural norms of Jorat, where effective rulers are expected to embody predominantly male qualities. I do wish that feminine attributes like empathy, compassion, and the possession of a kind heart were not looked down upon.

You can read my review of the first book here.

Robin Hobb is my favorite fantasy author, and Jenn Lyons is now a very close second.

The Ruin of Kings is complex, rich, and completely enthralling. What an amazing world this author has built.

Kihrin is the protagonist. At the start of the story, he is a captive. The events leading up to his capture are narrated by his guard and Kihrin. I really enjoyed the alternate timelines between the chapters. And the footnotes by our scribe provide some colorful context, so don’t skip reading those.

When Kihrin goes to rob a mansion, he witnesses two men and a demon torture another. As the demon comes calling, Kihrin has to flee. As his world is upended, Kihrin slowly learns why gods and demons are meddling in his life. And meddle they do. Throw in a few prophecies, and you cannot stop reading.

Brilliant twists and turns, a fantastic magic system, incredible weaving of multiple threads together, and wonderful characters make this a great read.

This book is for fantasy lovers who are not fazed by keeping track of a dozen main characters and a similar number of threads. I am off to read the next book in this series.