Overall, this book was compelling. The main premise is a fantasy version of the Roman empire clashing with a fantasy version of the medieval church at the height of its power, and the people caught up in that clash. The story drew me in and the writing made me want to keep reading.

That said, I had a few issues with the book. First, show, don't tell. The story starts in the middle of events, and you get some backstory as to who the characters are and what they are doing. I personally don't like info dumps and would have preferred a few set up chapters about the beginning of the journey. I also felt, given how crucial the character of the priest is, it would have been more compelling to see him join the group and watch that part of the story unfold, instead of just being told he joined them and was rather irritating with his questions. You have no sense of any kind of dimension to the priest - he's just the evil villain who shows up later. But he must have had some charisma of a kind to gain the support of so many.

I also felt the love plot to be forced and it felt rather out of place. I honestly didn't feel like either person really cared about the other because they really didn't know each other. We were told over and over how in love they were, but I didn't see it.

And finally, I don't like being hit over the head with ominous foreshadowing. So many chapters end with a foreboding "had we only known what was to come, we would have made different decisions". That alone made me want to put the book down because I'd rather be surprised by a plot.

So, 4 stars for me. A good story, interesting characters (though at times a bit flat) and quite well written. Despite the things I've mentioned, the writing was not clunky or simplistic. I think I will look to continue with this series as it gets written.

An odd thing about this book is that the only character on the cover and the character mentioned in the book’s description as an "unforgettable protagonist destined to become a fantasy icon" is not the main character of the story! It’s certainly an interesting choice and I’m unsure whether or not it is an effective one. Helena, our actual main first-person POV character, is likable and authentic. We see Sir Konrad Vonvalt (the aforementioned coverboy/man) and the story itself through her eyes. It was a tad distracting trying to puzzle out how this served the greater narrative, and I can’t say I ever arrived at an answer.

Luckily, Richard Swan’s writing flows nicely and made for a pleasant reading experience. The murder mystery nestled inside the larger, empire-spanning conspiracy was compelling and left me curious to explore this world beyond what is shown in this specific story. I’m on the fence over whether I’ll continue on to book #2, but this was a solid start to an intriguing new series.

Richard Swan’s rThe Justice of Kings is the first volume of an epic fantasy trilogy set in the Sovan Empire, a Middle Ages type fantasy Empire filled with walled cities, knights on horseback, religious orders, and more. It’s an empire that encompasses much of the civilized world with, of course, barbarians raging in the north and the south. What knits thus giant kingdom together though is the rule of law and the promise that no man is above the law. The law is enforced by roving justices who speak with the Emperor’s authority and are judge, jury, and executioner all in one. They also have a few magic tricks up there sleeves like the Voice (like the Bene Gesserit voice) which no ordinary man can resist.

Sir Konrad Vonvalt is among the most fabled of the justices. His legend includes being a great swordsman with a history of battles. He has roved the town’s for two years without returning to the capitol city, accompanied by only a man at arms, Dubine, and a clerk, Helena Sedenka. He needs no army at his back. His authority is questioned by none – until now.

Although the trilogy is ostensibly about Justice Vonvalt, the story is told through the point of view of Helena, a nineteen year old orphan waif who falls fir the first guardsman she meets and has quite a bit of maturing to do. Vonvalt sees in her a possible future Justice, or perhaps more. Telling the story through her rather innocent eyes gives this novel its feel, authentic, innocent, growing. Helena is but a lowly clerk, but there are flashes of something more in her and, as we all know, sometimes the world teeters on the brink often upon the deeds of those you would least expect.

As a narrative, though, the pace begins slowly and takes a while to develop, but this is one worth hanging in there for. In the end, we get our hints of magic, our deadly battles, and the stakes rising to the point we can see that civilization itself is at great risk.

A new name to remember in fantasy!! Whoah that was great! First novel? Really, this is amazing! Solidly build world, great characters and a strong plot that keep you engage all the way through! Just read it and thanks me later!!