Book Review With Mel and Sue - Kingless Crown by Sarah M. Cradit

Welcome to Book Review with Mel and Sue!  In posts like this Melanie (From Melanie's Muses - just in case there was any doubt) and author Susan Harris will both read the same book and then post their thoughts.  

** Disclosure**
​Any Links To Buy On Amazon Is My Amazon Affiliate Link.
​(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases - Which helps provide for the giveaways!)

The Kingless Crown Official Blurb

​From the USA Today & International Bestselling author of the Saga of Crimson & Clover comes a gripping new epic fantasy world that will leave you breathless to the very last page. A crown woven together by lies.A kingdom with the power to unravel them.Four Reaches. Four brides. Only a fortnight separates the young women from becoming reluctant queens of the usurper king, Eoghan Rhiagain. Twenty years earlier, King Eoghan’s father cunningly devised marriages between the highborn sons and daughters of the oft-warring Reaches, sealing the unions before they could protest, shattering existing betrothals in place of forced alliances. Now, Eoghan, the cruel boy king who stole his crown through murder, demands the eldest daughters of these unions. To accept is unfathomable. To refuse is treason.The lords and ladies of the kingdom have no choice but to prepare their beloved daughters for the horrors ahead. But they’ll soon discover there are no longer any daughters left to present. All four have disappeared, painting the world with their rebellion.Theirs is not the only rebellion. Across the kingdom, little fires light within. From the enigmatic sorcerers in the northern mountains, to the magi who both wield and regulate the kingdom’s magic, and beyond... to a place where two prisoners are not what they seem.As the Reaches ready themselves to face the king, the kingdom hovers on the edge of chaos. And there are many who recall, in candlelit secrecy, tales of a time before...

Basic Info 
(Be sure to scroll to the end for link to a giveaway!)

Standalone or series?
Melanie  - Book 1 in a new series
Susan - Book 1 in a new series

How did we get this book?
After much debate and not agreeing on anything this popped up as an offer from the author and we both received complementary copies for review. 

Why did we choose to read  this book:  Literally there wasn't another book we were able to agree on!

And Now To The Review!

First Impressions:
Melanie -  There are a LOT of characters - like seriously a lot.  The book actually has a glossary of characters and a map before the main story starts so that lets you know it is going to be that way before you start. This is one of the few where I think having a paperback for easy flicking back for reference might be good.

Susan - I agree with Melanie- this book was busy. I loved the map and the reference to all the characters at the beginning, which gave a realistic expectation of what was to come. And just like Mel, having a paperback to go back and forth with would have made it a better experience.

General Review
Melanie - The story is really well written and obviously the author knows her craft. Epic fantasy books have never really been high on my list and honestly this one really only made the cut because Susan and I could actually agree to read it. I haven't read anything else by Sarah but I get the feeling that Epic Fantasy is definitely where she feels at home, and her fans probably will too. There is a LOT of information at the beginning and you really have to pay attention.  As with most Epic Fantasy books it does start to link together towards the end of the book and I imagine as the series progresses that it will all make sense.

Susan  -  The world building in this book is first class and I could imagine it on a TV screen. I like fantasy novels, but find myself drawn to character driven series where I can find characters or side characters to root for and at times, for me, the complex number of characters drew me away from the world itself. That's more of a personal preference than a complaint, because this book is captivating and immerses you into the world. 

Melanie - Agreed! I think it would be great on TV.

Final Thoughts
Melanie - If you like Epic Fantasy (think Game of Thrones - and not even just the TV Series Game Of Thrones - I am talking George RR Martin book level fantasy), then this is definitely a book for you. 

Susan - Game of Thrones, meets The Selection, if the Selection was a little bit more twisted, makes The Kingless Crown a must read for lovers of Epic Fantasy. 

Rating:
Melanie – A Solid 4 stars.  This is a great example of the genre.
Susan -  4 stars for exceptional world building and attention to detail. 

Be sure to let us know in the comments below if you liked our "double take" on the same book and if you have a book you would like us to read just let us know!

BE SURE TO CLICK HERE AND HEAD OVER TO YESTERDAY'S RELEASE DAY POST FOR A GIVEAWAY!