The Sins of Kings - Book Review

Daniel Thomas Valente's novel, The Sins of Kings, is the thrilling start to The Last of the Valdryz series that sucks readers into a world of royal intrigue and impending doom. The Graymere family, whose legacy stretches through the ages, teeters on the edge of financial ruin and rebellion. As if things weren't chaotic enough, a mysterious stranger crashes into their lives, bringing a storm of secrets and discord. Meet our two incredible protagonists: 16-year-old Princess Edlen Graymere, with her stunning raven hair, and the enigmatic 18-year-old Darrin Cantlay, who becomes a member of the Eyes of the Forest. These two will play a pivotal role in trying to save the kingdom but are weighed down by their families' heavy expectations and past mistakes.

The Graymeres dynasty is losing its grip on its domain. There is division among the kingdom's elites and even in the royal family. Valente's narrative tells the story of the sinister forces that threaten to tear the kingdom apart. To survive, they must overcome their fractured bonds and unite against the encroaching evil before it consumes everything they hold dear. This is a gripping tale of love, loyalty, and survival.

The story is told from the point of view of various characters in the novel. Valente populates his world with all kinds of humanity and creatures. A young giant named Rhen becomes a close, loyal ally of Edlen and, unfortunately, finds himself in deep trouble after a bout with a Knight. A monster called an Akkuladine that is virtually impossible to destroy battles Darrin and his allies; this thing tears its victims apart and leaves the eviscerated remains behind. This is just a small sampling of the huge cast of characters packed into these 438 pages.

Two legs missing a body are discovered in the Nauringale Forest by Darrin, who serves as a Rover (sort of a soldier/guard) in the adjoining forest. The boots that adorned the severed legs displayed the marking representing Graymere. The discovery sets the book's tone and offers a couple of scenarios of what the severed legs meant to the Greaymeres and its future existence. Was it a message for the realm or just a body left behind by an illegal poacher or scrapper in the forest?

The Sins of Kings is a captivating world of political intrigue and explosive conflicts. This brilliantly crafted and intricately plotted novel takes place in the Kingdom of Onyris, where the question of who will rule the kingdom after the king's death hangs in the balance. But that's not all - Valente introduces a number of other plotlines. One is the constant struggle to defend the kingdom from evil elements like the scrappers. The The Eyes of the Forest valiantly fights against these menacing creatures. The genius of the narrative lies in how each plotline is seamlessly intertwined, creating an extraordinary tale that you won't be able to put down. And here's a bonus - this gripping fiction is suitable for teens and adults, as it is void of any explicit content. Don't miss out on this engaging and compelling read!