For the Killing of Kings: The Ring-Sworn Trilogy, Book One

Written by Howard Andrew Jones

Narrated by Lori Prince

Howard Andrew Jones' powerful world-building brings this epic fantasy to life in For The Killing of Kings, the first book of his new adventure-filled trilogy.

Their peace was a fragile thing, but it had endured for seven years, mostly because the people of Darassus and the king of the Naor hordes believed his doom was foretold upon the edge of the great sword hung in the hall of champions. Unruly Naor clans might raid across the border, but the king himself would never lead his people to war so long as the blade remained in the hands of his enemies.

But when squire Elenai’s aging mentor uncovers evidence that the sword in their hall is a forgery she’s forced to flee Darassus for her life, her only ally the reckless, disillusioned Kyrkenall the archer. Framed for murder and treason, pursued by the greatest heroes of the realm, they race to recover the real sword, only to stumble into a conspiracy that leads all the way back to the Darassan queen and her secretive advisors. They must find a way to clear their names and set things right, all while dodging friends determined to kill them – and the Naor hordes, invading at last with a new and deadly weapon.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Vibrance Press
• Release date: Mar 25, 2019
• ISBN: 9781624616495

Reviews for For the Killing of Kings

[Billie · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

For the Killing of Kings
by Howard Andrew Jones
High Fantasy

With characters ranging from aging heroes to squires, magic, prophecy, magic stones, monsters, and conspiracy, this book has everything needed to build a new world and introduce the reader to the world and the people who live there. Details, though sometimes a little repetitive, a few times not detailed enough, brought this world to life.

Different characters have their own chapters, though the book was mostly centered around Elenai, a squire who unwilling stumbles upon the conspiracy through her mentor, and thus is framed for murder and treason along with Kyrkenall. And yes, there's violence, blood, and death. Not intended for kids.

After a semi-slow start as the world and characters come to life, the story quickly speeds up. There are some funnies, Kyrkenall has an off sense of humor that makes him one of my favorite characters, but I would not want to cross him.

Sadly though, while the story ends, it's still a cliff-hanger because it's obvious the story's not over. That was the only real drawback for me. Though I didn't care much for the narrator at first. She seemed too happy and almost giddy at the beginning of the story. It didn't fit.

4 stars