The King’s Questioner is unfortunately not for me at this time. I am marking this one as a DNF for now as I am not currently interested in YA fantasy as much as I used to be, but I know others will enjoy it!

This is just okay for me. I feel like the world wasn't built enough and everything that happened, I saw coming.

With such an interesting story idea this book was right up my alley for a YA Fantasy read but sadly it missed reaching the level for character and world building. It just wasn't quite there, but I did enjoy reading it and I'd be interested in reading further books from this author.

My overall impression of this book was that it was a tad 'under done'. Unique and promising story line with straightforward characters, awkward bits, lacking world-building, and a rushed ending. Not everything was bad but just not fully developed and the story line had so much potential. The King's Questioner had the right darts but just totally missed the bullseye.

Big Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this ARC.

Potentially a brilliant fantasy read, and overall it was enjoyable for me, it just lacked that punch for me. I struggled with it at times as it tumbled into predictably which was a shame.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I really enjoyed everything about this novel. It always impresses me when a writer is able to use magic in an original way and Katz definitely did that with Kalen's ability to read minds. The author did a great job describing the characters and the places to the point where you could really visualize those places in your head while you were reading about them in the novel. The overall storyline was good and was tied together nicely at the end. The only issue that I had with this book was that it sometimes read like fan fiction. I would give this novel a four out of five stars.

I tried to like this book--it's my favorite genre, the premise was engaging, and I liked the characters, but there was something about it that felt unpolished. It felt like discovering a favorite author's first works and finding them disappointing. I have no doubt that the author has the creative spark necessary to write an excellent book, but this is not it. The plot felt forced at points, rushed at others. At one point the characters avoid pursuit by calling on strangers to apprehend their pursuers, without any reason given why the strangers would choose to follow these directions or any likelihood that the apprehension would be successful. The details like that scene made me re-read parts of the book to understand why our characters were making their choices.

Actual star rating is 3 1/2 stars

Note: This review contains NO spoilers

An entertaining and unique mystical story. I was fascinated with its premise/plot. I liked the somewhat imaginative description of Kalen's use of his gift. The characters were likeable and unlikeable alike... Ha! However, it does take a lot of imagination to get immersed into this story. I found that, although an intriguing story, it lacks development in both characterization and world-building. When I read I tend to imagine it form in my mind, but this was not the case with The King's Questioner . It felt more like a blur to me as I read on... As if I couldn't get a clear "picture" of everything.

The King's Questioner is a captivating read needing more development. This has a lot of promise in being an enthralling epic fantasy. Overall, I did enjoy this read. I just didn't get immersed into this world as much as I would have liked when reading a fantasy filled with mystery and magic.

The story line was fun and unique. I absolutely loved it. It's well written, fast paced. You'll be instantly sucked into the story. 

Kalen, the King’s Questioner, has the magical ability to see other people's memories/discover a person's secrets by touch, hidden or not. The king uses him as an interrogator, ignoring the pain and suffering it inflicts on Kalen. When he uncovers a terrifying secret that could potentially destroy the kingdom, secrets from the princes' past, Kalen sets off with some allies- and a thief named Luna to stop that destruction from occurring.

The King's Questioner was unique in it's own way. A clever premise with likable characters, but I feel like they needed more development. 

Overall, this was a great story. Unsure if this will end up being a series, I feel like there's room for more! I recommend it!

If you love reading YA kingdom fantasies, you may want to give this one a try!

This book took on the more typical feels that we tend to see within this genre. We find the main characters immersed in a magical, almost historical world that quickly swept me up.

I gave it 3 out of 5 stars. It was a very enjoyable read with a fun cast of characters. There could have been more development throughout the story, but I don’t think it took much away from the overall experience.

If you are a fan of the Falling Kingdom series by Morgan Rhodes, you may find yourself en joying this one!

I've always wanted to read The Midnight Dance but you know... too many books, too little time... so I'm aware of Nikki Katz and when the opportunity came to participate in this blog tour, I had little hesitation. The blurb feels like it could be right in my alley even if the cover is somewhat unappealing but I'm one of those who thinks less is more and there was just too many things happening there. Still, I could have enjoyed the story... historical fantasy YA has always been a weakness of mine.

The King's Questioner has quite interesting premise with a protagonist who can access your mind by a touch - who wants anyone to rummage to your mind?! And a banished princess who can either destroy or save the kingdom. Friends and frenemies formed a circle to unlock this secret in a bid to save the kingdom. Will they survive? And dare I hope for romance along the way? (I can't help it! I'm a romantic)

This world and its magic were actually exactly what I was looking for. And I truly enjoy the interaction between Kalen, Luna, and Cirrus. I really like their friendship and how they work together. The King's Questioner was very very easy to read but I felt a little two dimensional. I think it was trying to fit too many things into it that there just wasn't enough left to develop the world. There wasn't a twist to jolt me and I'm also left with a number of questions. Overall, interesting world + great friendship + average romance(s) = I like it.

My thanks to Xpresso Book Tours for having me on this tour and  copy of ebook in exchange of honest review

I liked the premise of this book, but I felt like the story was rushed. Kalen is able to see people's memories by touching them. His magic has made him the King's Questioner. He learns through the Prince's memories that there is a Princess that no one knows about and a prophecy of the destruction of the kingdom. The Prince and Kalen along with their friend Luna go in search of the Princess.

4.5 Stars

The King’s Questioner by Nikki Katz is a thrilling YA fantasy story filled with adventure, magic, drama, and plenty of thrills that will keep readers enthralled until the very last page.

Kalen has a rare ability that allows him to access someone’s personal memories with a touch. His gift (or curse as he likes to call it) makes him a valuable asset to the king and the perfect questioner to prisoners of the crown. When Kalen discovers a secret that could either destroy or save the kingdom, he sets out on a mission to find the prince’s younger sister who was banished a long time ago. Will Kalen succeed in figuring out the truth about the princess and safely bring her home?

The premise for this book intrigued me from the very beginning and I’m happy to say that overall, this is an enjoyable and entertaining YA fantasy tale. Even though the beginning chapters are a bit slow for me, there are elements of the story that I found interesting enough to keep me reading and I’m so happy I did. The story picks up quite nicely, the characters are absolutely adorable, and the storyline is thrilling, twisty, and just so much fun! I enjoyed the world-building, the magic, the drama, the suspense, the action, and the twists and surprises. I love the dynamic between Kalen, Luna and Cirrus and seeing them all grow to become better friends is so heartwarming. There’s even a little romance, but I won’t get into details and ruin the fun for you. It’s definitely cute and swoony and just enough to keep you wanting more. I have to say, there are a few minor flaws, some awkward scenes towards the end, and the conclusion just seemed a bit too rushed. However, those didn’t really take away much from the story and all in all, I truly had a great time reading this book and going on an epic adventure with Kalen, Luna, and Cirrus. Definitely going to miss those three and of course, Reign too.

With an engaging storyline, interesting and loveable characters you’ll root for with all your heart, and an exciting adventure you won’t want to end, The King’s Questioner is a must-read fantasy book that will surely thrill plenty of readers. Nikki Katz has created such a fun and fascinating tale filled with danger, action, secrets, magic, friendship, loyalty, and so much more. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend you add this on your TBR!

I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher and Xpresso Book Tours for participating in a Book Blog Tour. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

More book stuff can be found at https://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/

Kalen has a gift (or a curse if you ask him) where he can touch a person and discover their secrets, no matter how well they believe they are locked up. This skill makes him very useful to the king when it comes to interrogating prisoners. When Kalen discovers a secret he was never suppose to know, he sets out on a dangerous mission to save his kingdom and find the truth.

I am a super cover snob and I will admit that I was not really a fan of this cover. That being said, the premise sounds interesting and I had previously read a book by this author that I really enjoyed, so I was willing to give this story a chance. And I am so glad that I did! I ended up spending my whole weekend with this story and the adorable character of Kalen and his random group of comrades, reading the book and thinking about the world and the plot even while I was not reading. I feel like this was enough of a different kind of questing adventure, with touches of real life mixed in with fantasy elements, blending so seamlessly and at the same time keeping me guessing what would happen next.

There was so much going on in the story, be it secrets, conspiracies, missing sisters, all kinds of magical gifts, a terrible journey with assassins dogging their steps, scary encounters, flirting, romance, court intrigue and of course gambling! The cast of characters that were featured in the story were just as complicated as the plot. Kalen was a straight shooter, honest to his core and with a true morality that guided his every action. He was our narrator and I loved seeing everything from his unbiased view. We also have his best friend Luna who is immune to all things magic and can And then their is the playboy prince Cirrus, who use to be Kalen's best friend until that all fell apart, and who is cocky and sure of himself but can't stand the dark. Together the three made the adventuring dream team with cunning, skills and lots of great banter.

I kinda feel like The King's Questioner snuck up on me in the best of ways. I really enjoyed this standalone fantasy read and how the story ended and I highly recommend this for anyone looking for a new YA fantasy adventure with great characters, dangerous challenges and a sweet romance.

Theoretically a fascinating fantasy using the idea of magic mind control abilities.
We have a banished child left to a tortured lonely life because of a prophecy. Prophecies are chancy things at best and the King's actions prove to have been indeed foolish. Personally I felt the king was a despairing, frightened despot. The promise of excitement with Kalen who has the mental ability to unlock the deepest, darkest, hidden secrets, Prince Cirrus whose memories have been tampered with, and the mysterious thief Luna lured me in. Sadly I found the storyline struggled at times resulting in a somewhat predictable read that was not as engaging as I'd hoped for. I'm hoping the next in the series will up the ante.

A Macmillan Children's Group ARC via NetGalley

My review will be posted by and under the blog CRANKY-TBC. She will post on Amazon and Goodreads. Not sure when she will post them.

Book you really hope they make a sequel too, well that was me after reading The King’s Questioner. I definitely need more! The world building was intriguing as well as the abilities. I do love a good royal read! .

Neat take on fantasy fiction with the different powers sorciers have. Lots of adventure with just a touch of romance at the end.

Kalen works for the King as a mind reader. He has the ability to search a person's memories by touch. When the Prince falls into a coma, the king asks Kalen to search his mind for clues about what happened. While in the Prince's mind, Kalen uncovers a secret, one that even the Prince was unaware of. Long ago, a princess was born, but her abilities were blamed for her mother's death and as a newborn she was sent away. Once the Prince awakens, he remembers, and together, Kalen, the Prince, and Luna, a friend, journey to find the Princess.

This was a well written and engaging young adult book. My biggest criticism is that I wish the author had gone into more detail about the world and the magic system. However, I don't think this really took away from the story. The book was fast paced and interesting, enough to hold my attention. Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.

This book has an amazing premise with all the right ingredients: a prince with a mysterious secret, a commoner with magic powers, and a dangerous quest. Unfortunately, it fell flat. The book begins by setting the main character, Kalen, and the prince up as rivals, but the animosity falls away so quickly and without comment that it might as well have not been there in the first place. There is very little characterization and this book very much tells the story rather than showing the reader and immersing them in the world. I was disappointed in this read, but it might be an enjoyable one for a reader who prefers a straightforward, uncomplicated adventure.

I give the book four and half stars. I enjoyed the world the author created and the characters. I only wish that the ending was longer. It felt rushed and it could of used more details on what next. I would recommend the book.