I picked up this arc under the impression that it was the conclusion to a trilogy, so imagine my surprise when I binge all three books only to find out that this one ends on an INSANE cliff hanger with a fourth book in the future. I am so shook up and foaming at the mouth to get my hands on the final book.

As my first time reading Justin Lee Anderson I had such a blast with this series, and this book in particular was incredibly epic. I love a story that sweeps me away and keeps me enthralled the entire time, and that's a difficult feat with such long, dense books. I'm super impressed by this author's capacity for world building, character crafting, and truly mind blowing twists. I finished this book and had to pace the room to process all that had happened.

Anderson has a lifelong fan in me now, and I can't recommend this series enough to any epic fantasy fans. It's a must read.

My thanks to NetGalley and Orbit books for an advance copy of the third book in a fantasy series that has the temerity to add more twists, more betrayals, more heartbreaking moments, along with lots of hearts and other parts being torn asunder, in s story that constantly surprises, and never slows down.

With the heat comes that moment in all booksellers loves that we hate to hear. Summer reading. Assigned books, summer reading, graduation gifts, books have to fit into a lifestyle that makes watching big budget films on a phone make sense. Some of these people would find a flash fiction story too long. I do love that there is an underclass, usually younger who still love to get lost in a big series. As one of my colleagues put it, Kids still want to make a pilgrimage somewhere new, and wild. Especially new. In fantasy books when I hear new, and big, and get the feeling they can take a little crazy, I have a series, I usually go to. The Eidyn series is a fantasy novel where everything is turned up to not just eleven, but fifteen, with lots of magic, moral questions, battles, betrayals, and a lot of plot twists. Written by Justin Lee Anderson, the third book in the tertalogy The Damned King continues the adventures of a brave group of companions at war with the truth as people see it, and a dark force that has plans of its own.

Any discussion of this book might ruin the surprises that happened in the early books, so I will be a little vague. Aranok and his companions have gone through much since the overthrow of the evil king and victory was declared. A strange plague is corrupting and killing people. A dark force of demons is striding the land, taking territory that no one discusses. Aranok has made a lot of discoveries that change much that he holds as true, and this knowledge has made him the target of assassins, and even more overt threats. This all comes together in the town of Traverylin, which is cut off from the world by the dark evil, known as the Thakhali, with armor that make them hard to kill, claws that make them dangerous, and a thirst for flesh that makes them unstoppable. Even in these dark times sides are being chosen as many are content with the truth they know, even if it kills. And things will only get darker.

There is much about this story that might seem familiar, it is not. Anderson is much too good a writer to do that. Anderson has created a story and once the expectation was set for what was happening, pulled the rug out from under the reader, and never lets up. Anderson is a clever world builder, giving each place its own feel, and its own reason for being in the story. The magic is a simple system to understand, and Anderson is adding to it slowly as our characters learn more. The characters are changing in ways they don't expect as certain parts of the story are found to be untrue, or disguising something. Also Anderson has a good way of bringing readers back into the story, which helps as some people read a lot, and it helps to know what happened, before getting to what is happening now.

This is the third book, so don't start here, as much will be confusing. Start with the first and enjoy the story as it unfolds. Also this is a violent little tale with lots of people not making it to the end sometimes So be aware. Perfect for people who love big stories, big plots, and lots of surprises. I can't wait for the next book.

Well boy this leaves things in a hopeless dark place doesn't it! What a book so many twists and turns that I didn't see coming! A very good addition to the series that just threw so many wrenches into the hero's plans!
And with the huge conflict at the end and the twist in the epilogue I'm so excited to see where the next book could even go!
Once again this is a great classic fantasy that has so many of the tropes that are known to the genre while also bringing so many new things to it as well. A very good read!

A really great final book in what has been a consistently good series. Really like Anderson's writing and I'm excited to see what he's writing next.

In The Damned King, the third installment of Justin Lee Anderson’s four book epic, the stakes are higher, the betrayals cut deeper, and the emotional toll on the characters ( and by proxy the us readers) is palpable. Building upon the momentum of the previous books, Anderson delivers a tale steeped in political intrigue, moral dilemmas and explosive twists.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths lies in its character development. Our friends are tested in new (and often harrowing) ways, with loyalties constantly shifting and personal convictions unraveling under pressure. The titular “Damned King” becomes a symbol of both corrupted power and tragic consequence, blurring the line between heroism and villainy in a way that is in it's essence Anderson's style.

The world remains layered, atmospheric, and unflinchingly brutal when necessary. Magic systems and theological undercurrents intertwine with military strategy and interpersonal drama, creating a narrative that simply epic. A great continuation of the saga and I'm ready to see how Anderson concludes this epic!

Thank you to Orbit Books for letting me geek out and continue this series! Also Netgalley for making it possible!

I love this series! This one ends on a BIG cliff hanger, but the twists throughout the story are superb. Please read!

Thanks to NetGalley and Orbit for the ARC, I appreciate the opportunity to read this early!

I finally finished The Damned King, and let me say… what a wild, mind-bending ride. It took me a little longer to get through than expected (thanks to a much-needed vacation), but once I dove back in, I was utterly swept up in the chaos. This book is packed with everything that made The Lost War and The Bitter Crown compelling, tense action, intricate politics, unexpected turns, and characters you love, hate, and love to hate.

Everyone’s back: your favorites, your not-so-favorites, and some who might make you question your moral compass. The stakes are higher, the tension is tighter, and a twist smacks you across the face when you think you know where it’s all going.

When I finished, I genuinely found myself staring at the last page, thinking, “What the hell did I just read?” And I don’t mean that in a bad way at all. I was shocked, speechless, and immediately wanted to talk to someone about it. Justin Lee Anderson isn’t just pulling punches, he’s throwing literary haymakers, and The Damned King hits hard.

If you’ve been on this journey from the beginning, you’re in for an unforgettable conclusion. And if you’re new to the series, start from book one, you’ll thank yourself later.

Oh Mr. Anderson, im in love with this series! I've whozzed through it because I was so excited & because it's such a fast read.

A direct continuation from book two, but extremely messy, and very fast paced.

We receive different perspectives of the same action occuring in the city, as it's being overwhelmed by a horde of Thakati. We get different vantage points & sometimes the end of those scenes are only viewed through another's lense...

The bloody good fighting, action, magic & dark humor, almost reads like a medieval superhero team! I loved every minute & am dying for what is said to the final installment

The book's only get progressively better, so strap in for a wild third ride with this one....

This series is epic, truly epic. This continuation is a rollercoaster of emotions, actions and really brings out the feels. With the death of the usurper king things have gotten worse as his partner in crime takes over and makes things even worse. Thousands of demons descend on the defenseless city and Aranok is one of the few able to defend it. While the blackening is cured, thousands of its victims are dying all over without medical help. Samily rushes to use her magic to rescue as many as she can. The team of heroes must come together like never before and put aside their grudges with each other to have any hope of saving Eidyn. The energy is high, the battles fierce and the emotions will make you feel it. Excellent writing.

Best book in the series yet. I've loved the found family, quest based plot so far, but in the damned King, the scope becomes a whole lot more epic. We have battles, betrayals and plenty of twists and turns. Fans of the first two books will be plenty happy with the way the series is going. I cannot wait for the fourth and final book now!