REVIEW: THE HERON KINGS’ FLIGHT BY ERIC LEWIS
BOOK REVIEWSMAY 18, 2022BY FIONA DENTON

The Heron Kings’ Flight is the second novel in Eric Lewis’ The Heron Kings series. I would like to thank independent publishing house Flame Tree Press and Eric Lewis for sending me an eARC of the novel so that I can review The Heron Kings’ Flight for Grimdark Magazine.

60153087The Heron Kings’ Flight is set in the same medieval low fantasy world as its predecessor but the events of this novel take place a century on from its conclusion. So although reading The Heron Kings may help you to understand the history or geography of this world, it is not essential pre reading. The Heron Kings’ Flight can stand on its own and be enjoyed as the introduction to Lewis’ world if you have not already discovered this series.

Due to the time jump, all of the characters of The Heron Kings’ Flight are new, though there are some nice nods to some of the key characters from the first novel. Our main characters in this instalment are Linnet and Aerrus who are young members of the Heron Kings. The titular band of guerrilla fighters from the first novel has grown into a more organised guild of forest rangers. They have an uneasy truce with the crown and work in the shadows to protect those in need. The Heron Kings have become a forgotten legend in the century of peace and even those they have been helping do not really believe in them after all this time. The betrayal of the Heron Kings and the impending invasion of their surrounding lands threatens this existence and Linnet and Aeruss, along with former soldier Eyvind, have to discover the traitor and try to form a new resistance against the invading god emperor Phynagoras.

I enjoyed Lewis’ writing style in The Heron Kings’ Flight. Much like its preceding novel Lewis has written a clear and concise story, I was never confused as to where we were in the world or what was going on. It still has the dark humour and witty character conversations that I liked and, as with before, the exchanges between characters are where the reader gets the majority of their world building information.

There is also a distinctive difference in Lewis’ descriptions of the violent events in the novel. The Heron Kings’ Flight is still set in an exceptionally brutal and violent world, but this violence is no longer hyperbolic in its extreme. However the explicit and gruesome depictions of violence (including rape) will be too much for some readers and I think are deliberately described to show the harrowing atrocities that humans are capable of committing against one another. There is no fantastical ‘bad guy’ who can be blamed for the events in Lewis’ world; the savagery is entirely down to the choices made by the characters. I did find some of this very hard to stomach and personally would prefer the escapism of more fantasy elements.

However The Heron Kings’ Flight is not relentlessly dark and there are some very humorous or touching lighter moments. The characters and their arcs are engaging and, certainly for the main trio, relatable and mostly likable. There are layers of political intrigue and subterfuge as well as fast paced action. The Heron Kings’ Flight is not for the faint hearted but I think would appeal to fans of medieval style fantasy worlds with a high threshold for gritty and realistic gore. 3.5/5

Linet lives in the Lodge of the Heron Kings, a secretive band of orphans and castouts who live together, train constantly, fight and plunder occasionally, and above all keep their lodge a secret. They are so skilled in hiding and ambushing, so ruthless in their fights, so quick to disappear that most people believe they are the stuff of myth and legend, bogeymen of the forest.

So when the tables are turned and an old enemy is able to ambush a raiding party of the Heron Kings, the implication is clear: they have been betrayed. One survivor, Aerrus, returns to the lodge with word of the massacre and with the news that a group of six men who appeared to be among their allies had left just as the ambush began and were allowed to leave without being challenged by the enemy. Linet and Arreus break with protocol and command to pursue these men. They kill five of the six, but one escapes to bring word of their existence back to his lord.

In a garrison town near the mountains, soldiers and townsfolk alike gather to hear the story of this escapee. His tale captures the attention of an old soldier and his young friend. Eyvind had not been a soldier long, but the region had been at peace long before he took up arms. Other than training, he had never fought a battle nor been near one.

These small events herald a much larger wave coming. A messianic figure from across the mountains has decided to invade. Using spies and infiltrators he has sought to weaken the kingdoms before bringing his massive invasion force over the mountains. And Eyvind, Linet, and Aerrus become central figures in the war to save their land and their people.

Eric Lewis has written an adventure story that is more of an alternate possible history of an unknown country than the typical fantasy. No elves, dragons, or magic in this one. Bows and arrows, swords and daggers, and a mysterious chemical that can violently explode are the weapons of this book. Our heroes must rely on their intelligence, their bravery, their friends and each other to stay alive and fight the invaders. More King Arthur and less King Aragorn.

In some ways, that makes for a more exciting adventure. It’s hard to put yourself in Gandalf’s robes or Harry Potter’s glasses. Magic is cool, especially when tents get bigger on the inside than they look on the outside. But face facts: we are muggles, every one of us. That Hogwarts letter is not coming, no dwarves are going to show up at our door, and dragons remain hidden in our imaginations and not in our mountains or rivers. Although we do not live in semi-feudal early medieval times, we can put ourselves mentally into the shoes of a peacetime soldier who never expected war. We can envision ourselves forced into battles we did not choose. We can in these times following the invasion of Ukraine picture an overwhelming army coming at us…and a plucky band of natives doing everything possible to repel the wave. And (hopefully) succeeding against all odds.

Lewis does not shy away from brutal descriptions of war. This is no sanitary book where the violence occurs off the page. People die. People get cold, and sick, and do awful things they never thought they could possibly do. Sometimes battles are fought with high ideals of protecting family and property. Sometimes they are just a bloodlust for revenge. And the same people can engage in both battles, sometimes within the same hour. This may be a fantasy, but the blood, sweat, and tears feel very, very real.

This is the second book in the Heeon Kings series.
A group of peasants banded together to from the Heron Kings in the first book - they continue to stand strong, until they lose a skirmish. As they struggle to maintain their control, a few young members are determined to defeat their enemies.
They discover a new alchemical weapon- so dangerously effective in could wipe out both sides in a battle.
Well done battle scenes in a relevant time. Great world building.

This was okay but I didn't feel invested in the characters. The story itself had promise and had so much detail. Really enjoyed the story but wasn't fond of the characters.

You can read this second book in The Heron Kings series as a standalone, but you will get even more out of this epic fantasy adventure if you also read the first book, aptly titled The Heron Kings.

Imagine Robin Hood meets Game of Thrones, and that will help you get a sense of how fun, fantastic, and yet brutally violent this story and setting are! You'll find yourself cheering for Linet, Eyvind, and the rest of the Heron Kings every step of the way!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc.

When I read the first book ages ago, I really enjoyed it. Unfortunately, it’s been a few years, and I’ve forgotten just about everything. This book has no recap and has a ton of characters. I had a hard time following things because I couldn’t keep characters straight. The story was interesting most times but lulled at others. This may be better if both books are read back to back.

A good fantasy book that I enjoyed: good storytelling and plot development, interesting characters and world building.
It's fast paced and it kept me hooked.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

A group of foresters hides from view for centuries, protecting those in need. No one knows where they live but everyone knows to stay out of the forests. They give chase to a gang of thieves and are ambushed. They then try and track down the traitor who betrayed them.