I really enjoyed this book, and the whole series, but it left me feeling a bit overwhelmed. It has just about every deus ex machina device available in a sword and sorcery setting. Immortality? Check. Unknown magical abilities coming through in a clinch? Check. Unexpected extreme swordfighting prowess? Check. The romance left me underwhelmed, based mainly on memories of childhood friendship, which undercut the tragedy of the ending. That sounds harsh, but I did actually really like these books. They are highly imaginative, with a complex and intriguing plot and cast. Michael is very likeable, and has a very exciting life, highly entertaining and enjoyable reading.

This was an absolutely fantastic wrap-up of the Legacy of the Mercenary Kings trilogy. Michael continues to be a favorite fantasy ‘hero’ of mine, which I only put quotes around because he struggles with that idea himself. His characterization is complex and his journey is complicated but very satisfying in the end and a joy to read. He’s surrounded by complex side characters that shine both with and without him. I find the dialogue in this book to be particularly enjoyable. It’s quick, witty, and dramatic, never taking itself too seriously but not trivializing the big moments. Perfectly spot-on.

I loved the huge world-ending stakes we get in this final installment which gave a fantastical air to the plot and the action is well-placed. Compared to other epic fantasies, there is no downtime in this book. The hits just keep coming the whole way through leading to a solidly-built, satisfying ending that manages to not just wrap things up but somehow leave enough things open that if there is a second trilogy to come along in this world (please!) I wouldn’t be surprised.

My only complaint is more of a recommendation. This is definitely best read back-to-back with the other books. I wasn’t patient enough to go back and read books 1 & 2 which I’m sure dampened some of the experience because the cast is *big* and the emotional impact of some things was lost by my not remembering the previous books well enough. So, read all three is what I’m saying. You won’t regret it. I’m *very* excited to see more stories from this author in the future after absolutely loving this entire trilogy.


Note: I received a free electronic edition of this book via NetGalley in exchange for the honest review above. I would like to thank them, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to do so.

So happy to have gotten an advanced copy of this book. I wish I had time to reread the first two books first as there are so many different characters to remember. Overall loved this series and eager to find out if there will be more to follow.

I don't like endings. If you look at the books I've read, you'll see more than a few series where I've read all but the last book. Some of these worlds I love living in - I form attachments to characters - I don't want to say goodbye.

There are times when a story is too good and you're helpless except to continue.

This is one of those stories.

"The world needs a villain to reset it, so I am here to play the role with a smile and a bow."


THE VOYAGE OF THE FORGOTTEN is the finale of Nick Martell's action/adventure epic fantasy trilogy, The Legacy of the Mercenary Kings. What began with a boy trying to live up to the legacy of his family's name ends with a man who finally discovers who he is. The question is: Is he the hero of this story? Or the villain?

I loved the first book. I thought okay, this is what I can expect for the next two. Then Nick Martell surprised me by adding a few more elements and aspects for me to fall in love with. I thought I was ready for what he would throw at me in the finale - oh gosh, I wasn't! The magic system and its scope was so much bigger than I imagined. Behemoths. Immortals. GOD. I just....I'm shaking my head in amazement as I write this because I literally can't contain this in my head, it's too small.

I made the mistake of reading the last 3 chapters in public. We were attending one of the last nights of Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios and got there early to get in line.

I cried.

I cheered.

I jumped up and down once, covered my mouth with one hand to muffle myself HOLLERING in victory.

I cried at the end because it was over.

I looked at those around me, (they were looking at me like I was crazy) looked at my husband and told him I'd have to reread the whole trilogy. He asked why on Earth would I do that - I'd literally just read it. BECAUSE - now I need to read the story knowing how it ends so I can take joy in all the twists, turns, and heartache that it took to get here.

What a phenomenal ending to a fantastic story! I admit, I thought this was the weakest of the three books - UNTIL the last third of the book. When I finally saw the bigger picture emerging and how everything was coming together, how freaking clever the author was crafting this massive tale of intrigue - it just blew me away.

This trilogy may be about the legacy of Michael (dumbass) Kingman, but it also gave birth to the start of the legacy that is Nick Martell.

So my friend recommended that I start this series. I read the first book, love. I read the second book, love. Then there was a long wait for this third book. I forgot the storyline a little, and got into other series. This book came out and I was super excited. I grabbed it on NetGalley and couldn't wait to start. The beginning was great, very fast start and then.....slow. Slow Slow Slow. It just took FOREVER to go anywhere. I understand why certain things were being done. I understand why characters were doing what they were doing but I was not entertained. and I was disappointed. I was so excited to fly through this and it didn't work that way. I went through periods of not wanting to read. Finally, I spent the time and the ending picked up and ended pretty well but man was it boring at times. Hopefully if this isn't the end, the next book is a little more fast paced.

Thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Shuster, and Nick Martell for providing me with an advanced reading copy.

this was such a good conclusion to the Legacy of the Mercenary King series, I had enjoyed all of the previous entries and am glad I was able to finish this series. The plot does what I was looking for and it had a great fantasy element. The characters were just as strong as the previous books. I look forward to reading more from Nick Martell.

"The quartermaster rattled off the number of cannons, harpoons, and gunpowder barrels, and even boasted that he had a dozen statues below deck. But there weren’t any others in the water nearby, and, judging by Alexis’s face, it wouldn’t be enough to stop Regal Company, let alone Dark. We were outnumbered ten to one. And that was the wrong side to be on against Mercenaries. One of them equaled ten others at least."