The Fifth Kingdom

So it wasn't immediately clear to me that this book was four stories in one.  It looks like each story was previously released separately and now the author made a compilation so readers can see the story beginning to end without purchasing additional books. I quite liked it! Even though it's four stories, I found it to be a quick read and the story is very fast paced.  It has a fairytale feel to it, with clean language and even adult situations were handled with care, which I personally liked.  It's one of those stories that parents and teenage kids could both read, discuss, and enjoy together.  There's action, a mystical romance, and secret betrayals all compiled into a magical fantasy world.

I absolutely loved the mystique and fantasy element in this book. What was a nice surprise is that it was four stories in one books and the two main characters are mentioned throughout.. It reads kind of young but that didn't really bother me one but but because so much was going on. The two main characters, Lucinda a sorceress princess and Matthew prince commander and there paths are joined in chance encounter. Lucinda is afraid of her powers because she can't control but once she does,,, wow she becomes a badass!

I did not expect to like this story as much as I did and highly recommend it as fantasy read.

Thanks to Netgalley, Lisa M James and the publisher for free copy after publication.

Available: 2/20/20

This was a thoughtful fantastical debut from the author and there were many elements that I enjoyed of this. The fact that it was a series meant there was lots to get your teeth into and it produced a very fulsome narrative and storyline.
The storyline and characters encouraged the reader to reflect on gender roles and responses to powerful women and engaged with the sociopolitical context around women ruling or holding high positions in states and kingdoms.
Although there was a lot packed in which made the story diverting and absorbing, at times things felt rushed - particularly in the epilogue which tied the story up too quickly for me.
I also thought there was a lack of context to foundational elements of the 'world' that the story was set in such as the lack of information on the shadow realm.
I think more on the history of the 'world' and kingdoms - particularly concerning the presence of magic would have made the story easier to follow at times as I felt I was filling in gaps myself without knowing if my assumptions were correct.
A good, compelling read overall.

In an intriguing way to write fantasy, Lisa M. James has broken down a tale lasting years, ancient spirits, torn families and a seemingly impossible love story into four novellas all under one cover. THE FIFTH KINGDOM is a tale of magic, fear, and a twisted sense of revenge as two lovers from long ago almost destroy four kingdoms when one sorceress sets her mind on payback for her own suffering.

Driven by and focusing on a few main characters, the author has not forgotten to build a world that feels real. Emotionally taut, the action is in drama created when hearts, fear and human differences become entwined in a miasma of facts (as known by the characters) and fantasy, myths and magic. Pain drives the actions of a rejected and feared queen who, only by the accident of birth made her different than those around her. Will history repeat itself when two lovers follow the same path?

I really enjoyed each novella, which while continuing the tale, gave a nice break-point and slight focus change to move this tale along. While the pace was sometimes uneven, it does NOT detract from this tale, but rather gives readers a believable break from the high intensity portions. Recommended for magical fantasy and doomed lovers readers!

I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Lisa M. James! This is my honest and voluntary review.

I totally got lost in this excellent fantasy book, which I loved. It gripped me from the very start of the book This was a big story comprising a fantasy world made up of the 4 books previously published. An interesting world has been created, and made to seem believable. I really enjoyed the overall story and bought totally into the main characters and all the trials and tribulations they went through.

It was great to see such a strong female lead and I loved the way she interacted with Matthew. The good versus evil dimension and the link to key characters in the past kept you as the reader on your toes, Just loved the whole story thread and the way the story unwrapped through the differing four parts of the book.

Definitely one to be recommended if you enjoy these type of stories with good fighting evil. A five star read for me and a book which will stay with me.

I would like to say thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing a copy of this book to me for an open and honest review.

I truly enjoyed this book is has great world building and well developed characters! The MC is a strong and believable female lead wit other well rounded and solid main characters that made this a fun and enjoyable read. Even though this book is comprised of 4 novellas i was quickly pulled in by the story arc book The plot is well written with interesting twists that kept me both guessing and engaged in the story.

I really loved the good versus evil vibe and how the natural development of the characters powers and strengths did not feel forced or rushed. I definitely recommend this book and I would read more from this author!

I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review.

What an amazing fantasy book! I loved how it was write & how intriguing the storyline was! But can we talk about the amazing Main girl character omg! I highly recommend this book to everyone! It definitely got me out of my reading slump!