[Book review] King's Wrath by Fiona McIntosh

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Fiona McIntosh was one of the writers whose books got me into reading what I would call “dark fantasy”.  I probably use that term slightly differently than its real meaning, but in my definition, it includes novels that have more overt violence or disturbing imagery in them.  McIntosh’s novels not  only contain those darker elements, but weave them into the tales in a way that justifies their being there.  It’s not violence for its own sake, but the stories don’t shrink away from the darker side.  King’s Wrath has some pulse-pounding moments, but also delivers a solid and action-packed story.

It is now ten years since Loethar came out of the Steppes with his army to conquer the kingdoms of the Set.  Things are running smoothly under the self-proclaimed Emperor’s rule.  But of course, there are always those who believe that the hereditary rulers should be returned to the throne, and none believes this as ardently as Leonel, prince of the Valisars.

Unbeknownst to him, other factors are also in play.  Piven, his simple-minded brother, has regained his senses and now harbors an unsettling single-minded desire to rule.  And Leonel’s long-lost sister has been returned to their world unaware of her lineage. 

Who should rule?  Loethar is competent  but a conqueror, Leonel is rightfully the heir but untested, Piven was until recently a half-wit, and nobody knows anything about Princess Genevieve.  As all the players are drawn together, it may fall to the legendary magic of the Valisars to lead the kingdom to its fate—for good or for ill.

While I have always admired McIntosh for the ability to plot a good story, she surpasses herself in King’s Wrath.  Quite a few of things that readers may have taken for granted get turned on their ears here in a most believable fashion.  For example, the beginning of this trilogy paints Leonel as the hero, the fearless young warrior desperate to regain his kingdom.  But by the time readers get to this final volume—and indeed, there are hints of it in the second book as well—that’s not as certain.  On the other side, Loethar is first painted as a dictator with delusions of grandeur, but getting to this third book leads readers to a very different viewpoint.  By the end, who you cheer for may be unexpected.

I also applaud the author for her characters.  It would have been very easy for some of the characters to come across as mustache-twirling villains, but they didn’t.  Each one has reasons and motivations for what he or she does, and it gives depth where readers might not otherwise buy into what happens.  The slight hiccup in all of this is when outlaw Kilt Faris and Genevieve fall in love at first sight.  What complicated this for is the fact that they are also magically bound—Kilt is an aegis, someone who can bind themselves to a Valisar heir and protect them against harm.  It’s hard not to wonder how much of their feelings come from the bond, and how much comes from a real regard for each other.

Readers should know to pay close attention to who is doing what, where, and with who.  There are several groups of characters in various locations at any given time, and since certain characters travel and meet up with multiple groups, following who is where and involved in what actions can get a bit tricky. 

Fiona McIntosh’s books don’t disappoint, and readers looking for explosive action, well-realized characters and exciting conflicts should look no farther than her novels.  King’s Wrath is yet another reason to devour whatever McIntosh chooses to write, because it will always deliver the goods.

Read an excerpt

Also by this author: Bridge of Souls, Odalisque

This book was provided by the publisher.