This was a little be slow of a read. In fact I put it aside and then picked it back up. I can't say that it was the book because sometimes high fantasy with lots of politics just drags for me until I really get into it. I will say the action was great and all the building of this world will be well worth it as the series progresses. I look forward to seeing all the characters and exploring more of this world.

Review copy for honest opinion

Thanks to Netgalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Fury of Kings is a debut epic fantasy by RS Moule. It's got all the check boxes of epic fantasy: sprawling world, multiple povs, political intrigue, war, magic, etc. It did, however, feel very GRRM lite to me. Sometimes for good and sometimes to its detriment.

The book started really strong for me. Good pacing and building of the world and the plot. There's a mystery in the beginning and enough action while still maintaining that slow epic fantasy burn. We start off with multiple solid povs across the kingdom of Erland with characters ranging from the strong stoic warrior to thieving teens to a partying nobleman. The plot hits the ground running with a dead heir to the throne, an old king with no wife, and the new Heir coming from a rival family.

Unfortunately, it started to unravel a bit and didn't end on the strongest note for me. I think this had to do with how many POVs there are, and while I'm not saying each don't have purpose and value, they seemed to be a bit jumbled in order, maybe? Or some of them lacked direction at the moment but will be an important character later, so the author felt the need to include them now. This meant we would suddenly pick up with a characters viewpoint when they had been a side character till then in the book, then they would disappear again. I think it was also a struggle because so many of the character pov were taking place in the same city, which is a bit of the antithesis to epic fantasy. Usually, your characters are spread all over the world, lending scope to the narrative, and I think the reversal hurt this book. We started out spread over the kingdom, but so many characters traveled to the same city in no time at all. It almost felt like things began to be repeated from another unnecessary viewpoint.

The inevitable GRRM comparison will probably hurt this book as there are a few things that were predictable because of it. I don't want to give any spoilers, and I'm in no way saying this book is a copy, but a couple of events felt very inspired by a Song of Ice and Fire.

But all that being said, I thought this was a solid epic fantasy debut. The beginning was a really strong start, and for a while, this book was reaching for unputdownable status. The writing is direct, and the characters are relatable and varied in their own ways. The battle scenes are another high point to the book. I haven't been that tense reading about a fantasy battle in a long time.

I recommend this book for anyone seeking an enjoyable epic fantasy read, and I look forward to seeing what book 2 brings.

This book is why I love fantasy! It has amazing world building, strong characters and gives the need of wanting more. I can’t wait to see where this series goes!!

In Jennifer Moore's "The Wilderness Retreat," readers are taken on a journey of self-discovery and healing.

The protagonist, Sarah, finds herself at a crossroads in her life after a painful divorce. Seeking solace and renewal, she decides to embark on a wilderness retreat. As Sarah ventures into the remote wilderness, she is initially overwhelmed by the challenges it presents. The physical demands of hiking and camping push her to her limits, and the solitude forces her to confront her inner demons.
However, as she immerses herself in the beauty and tranquility of nature, she gradually begins to heal.

Through her interactions with the other participants in the retreat, Sarah learns the importance of community and support. She discovers that she is not alone in her struggles and that there are others who understand her pain. Together, they share their stories, offer encouragement, and support each other on their journeys of healing.
One of the most significant turning points in Sarah's journey comes when she encounters an elderly woman named Mary. Mary shares her own experiences of loss and heartbreak, and she teaches Sarah the power of forgiveness. Sarah realizes that holding on to anger and resentment is only hurting herself, and she begins to let go of the pain that has been holding her back. As the retreat draws to a close, Sarah returns to her everyday life transformed.

She has gained a renewed sense of purpose and hope, and she is ready to face the challenges ahead with newfound strength and resilience. "The Wilderness Retreat" is a powerful and moving story about the healing power of nature and the importance of human connection.

Jennifer Moore's evocative writing and deeply drawn characters create a compelling and unforgettable narrative that will resonate with readers long after they finish reading.

Nicely written, and strong characters, but I just didn't quite connect with it and struggled to really get invested. Personally, I don't think it's the fault of the book, I just didn't click with it, but could easily see why it would absolutely appeal to a lot of other readers

I was getting lord of the rings vibes from this book. But it also felt very new. I can’t wait to see where the series goes, and how many books are in the series. I love slow, winding epic fantasies.

Reviewed by Elliose Hopkins for the British Fantasy Society:

Gelick has the blood of kings. They say that Eyrispeak has no summit and can be seen from everywhere. A Lutum, coming of age, Gelick’s time has come. He must ascend the mountain and return a man… if he returns at all. Not all of them do. Magic is changing, and dreams shift. A thief sets his sights on too high a prize, and a cruel and ageing king refuses to yield.

In Violet Hall, 11-year-old Pherri is not too young to realise that something is brewing. Daughter of the famous Andrick Barrelbreaker, King Hessian’s military advisor, and herself the king’s niece, Pherri – as usual – is sent off with her tutor. Meanwhile, her brothers get to hear the news that this very day called their father away so early and saw him return in a rage. Pherri decides that this time she will not be left out.

Rymond Prindian, the morning after a ‘more-sensible-than-some’ night before, is rudely awoken to discover he is next in line to the Erland throne. Being king has never been one of Rymond’s life goals, much to his mother’s disgust, and by the look on her face, she has already hatched a plan. How is he going to get out of this one?

This first book in The Erland Saga places female characters equally on its pages and weaves a compelling and engrossing narrative framed by the mystery of Eyrispeak. In the setting of ancient, patriarchal societies, we have power struggles, a magic system that has only begun to be revealed, and a fiery cast of characters that begin cold, detached and ruthless before cleverly growing on you, leaving you as charged for their success as they are themselves.

The Fury of Kings is the first in a new series from digital publisher Second Sky. By the end of this debut, it is clear that Moule is an author unafraid to make the hard choices and take his characters along the paths of dark deeds and bleak outcomes. Slow to start, it nevertheless delivers bold writing that fits well among its grimdark fellows and promises much more to come.

Lots of world building and characters, so it takes a little while to get into, but once I was invested I could not put it down. Every character had a place and added something great to the story. Very excited to see what the next book brings!

This was a truly fantastic start to the Erland Saga that had me gripped from start to finish. The murder of the King's son and his only male heir sends the country into chaos. The King's loyal half-brother Andrick Barrelbreaker must help his older brother keep the throne.

This book had a GOT feel to it, with a huge range of characters, from different places, social strata's and ages. At times, I found the POV changing within a chapter a tad confusing and it took me a while to get used to the style. The characters are fantastic and well fleshed out, both the good and bad and in-between. I really found myself caring for them and wanting them all to survive the politics of those schemers dragging everyone into a war.

I found the pacing to generally be fast, and the twists and turns had me turning the pages till late into the night. .
This was a truly solid start to the series, which I can't wait to continue. A definite if you're a fan of fantasy.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing an ARC in return for an honest review.

With strong characters, complicated political problems and loyalties, and mysterious magic - this book had all the things I like in an epic fantasy.

The magic is there, but we don't see a lot of it in this first book of the series. In fact, I'm not sure if we ever will. But it has a nice place, and I'm intrigued.

The battles were epic and well described. I thought of Cornwell's Saxon Stories with the descriptions of shield walls. The politics were also very well done and seeing the differences in the three primary cities was such a great way to see how leadership functioned. I was prepared to think of one kingdom as "good" and the others as "evil", but my mind changed several times during the course of the story. My favorite part of the book was the characters. There were some good women characters, some people that fooled me, and all are well described.

The book does end on a cliffhanger, and I'll certainly be looking for the next one.

The Fury of Kings is the first book in the Erland Saga and it is an epic fantasy. I was gripped from the start.

The King's son has been murdered and he has no heir. The time of peace is over as throughout the kingdom people pick sides and war looms. The armies of the West are being gathered. Strange storms are raging on the mountain that towers over the capital.

After decades of peace, the kingdom of Erland is sliding toward disaster. The rebellious lords of the West are gathering their armies. On the mountain that towers over the capital, strange storms rage.

Against this backdrop, we have a cast of characters who are trying to live their lives. Orsain, the son of Erland's greatest warrior who wants to prove himself in battle. His sister, Pherri, who is left to roam wild and is taken under the wing of the court wizard. A group of thieves trying to make their way in life.

The stories intermingle and create a fascinating story, with echos of magic and the cries of battle. It is a gripping fantasy and I can't wait to find out what else is to come.

This was a big book and totally enthralling all the way through. More like the SCI/Fantasy books I used to read. Long books with lots to get involved in.. Some really interestinbg characters and it will be fascinating to see how their lives progress.. Lots to look forward to as the story develops. Can't wait!!

Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture Audio, and Second Sky for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

The Fury of Kings is the first book in a brand new series called The Erland Saga. With The Fury of Kings, we are transported into a Kingdom where a dark power is threatening to rise, and enemies are getting ready to strike. The kingdom ends up going through a crisis when the King's only son is killed, and a new heir comes into play, and they will go to any length to secure the throne. Then, there is Andrick the Barrelbreaker who once upon a time at the age of 16 led an army. Now, a decade later with the kingdom in upheaval, he must decide if he should protect his family or go to battle for a brother he no longer recognizes.

It has been a while since I read an epic fantasy book and I have been wanting to get back into reading more heavier, epic fantasy books and have only stepped away from them a bit due to my lack of focus when it comes to focusing on books with a lot of information, world building, political intrigue, etc.

The Fury of Kings starts off very promising and has a very promising plot. The world building was well done at times with excellent characters that really shine through the book, but because there is so many characters point of views in this book that it becomes hard to keep track of them/remember who is who. However, this may because I read this in audiobook format, which fantasy sometimes does not work well on audiobook and should be read physically so you can get a better understanding of the world, magic system, and characters.

My biggest struggle with The Fury of Kings was it being a really slow story and it felt it dragged for a good chunk of the story. Due to how slow the story was, I felt like I could not give it my full attention and kept losing my focus.

I think if I physically read this book instead of listened to the audiobook, then I probably would have rated this book at 4 stars compared to the 3.5 stars I rated this as. I will be picking this up physically when the time comes for book two to come out so I can see if my perceptions of this book changes if I read it physically. I do admit it is a great start of an epic fantasy story for a debut author and I think this author will get better and better with each book or series since you can tell they love the craft of fantasy by how they wrote this story.

The Fury of Kings is the initial book in the Erland Saga, an epic fantasy series, written by R.S. Moule, perfect for those that look for an ambitious story spawning several POVs in the style of George R.R. Martin. The kingdom of Erland is broken, and several actors are trying to get control over the situation.

The murder of King Hessan's only son threatens to break the fragile peace that is held in Erland; and soon, an heir to the throne makes his move to reclaim his rights. War winds are blowing over Erland, and Andrik Barrelbreaker is called by the king to lead his army, bringing the rest of his family to the capital.

With this premise, we are soon in the middle of complex politics and war movements, but keeping the focus on the small characters and how their actions can change the conflict direction. Moule throws us early into the action and the blood, but goes more for the epic aspect of this kind of fantasy; there's almost no dull moment, even when we are having the first contact with the world of the Erland Saga.

A world made in a medievalesque way, patriarchal, but where many strong women are fighting to break the conventionalisms; a world where in the style of ASOIAF, magic is only present in reduced quantities, Magi are rather uncommon, but I think this will change the more we advance in the story.
Moule introduces us to this world slowly and uses the different POVs to portray different parts of the world, building some mystery all over the place (especially when we are talking about Eryispek).

Despite being the initial book of a saga, we don't have an excessively long introduction, opting the author to only develop those parts we will need for the narration. Said that, it is true that the first 100 pages or so could be called slow depending on the criterium used.

If you are looking for a new epic fantasy saga, spawning several POVs, The Fury of Kings is the perfect starter. Especially if you like Gwynne or Martin, you should try this book.

A debut epic fantasy by R.S Moule, The Fury Of Kings is an immersive tale that I revelled in from the very start. Fantasy is a genre I have only discovered over the last few years in a real way. Before this, I did enjoy books from Terry Pratchett. These days, I look forward to any fantasy book that can transport me out of the real world for a while. This book did just that.

Told from multiple characters perspectives that I love as it gave me a fuller, more rounded picture of everything. The characters themselves and the settings were so vivid that I almost felt I was with them throughout their battles. I was captivated by this world. R.S. Moule's world building was detailed enough to allow me to see it as I read.

It was a great start to the series and one I hope to follow throughout. I'm looking forward to learning much more about the characters and seeing how they develop. I always love magic within a fantasy, and in this book, the magic was well explained, but I would like to see much more of it in the books yet to come.


The fact that the pages flew by and I just had no intention of putting this book down at any point makes it a book I got so involved with. I am already impatient to see what's next for everyone when the next book is released!
Thanks to Second Sky Books and NetGalley.

The Fury of Kings put me through a whirlwind of emotions with the main emotion being the love I have for this book

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy of the fury of kings. i felt this was more on the sci-fi line than fantasy and i ordered it for my store for my store any way because the story was intriguing.

My thanks to the lovely Noelle Holton at Bookouture’s imprint, Second Sky Books, who invited me to participate in the blogtour for ‘The Fury Of Kings’ by R.S Moule which is published in paperback and e-book from May 12th!

Erland is a country divided in half by the Pale River, an uneasy and hard fought for peace keeping both halves united under King Hessian. It exists -I think- in the foothills of a mountain that has no summit, at least not one that anyone has found when the book starts. Until, that is, his son, Jarhick is killed, not in war, but by someone who despite being surrounded by bodyguards and soldiers, got close enough to stab him with a poisoned blade. A painful and protracted death taking 10 days to conclude, leaves Hessian with a daughter and no heir, as well as a heap of problems.

As with many fantasy worlds, the lineage is patriarchal so as soon as that drop of royal blood hits the water, sharks begin to circle.

Hessian’s enemies sense weakness. His daughter, Halena, is unmarried. His enemy’s son is betrothed to a girl who would make not only an increased sense of danger to the Erland Throne, but also Andrick Barrelbreaker, Hessian’s brother. Coming up with the notion to gazump Prindian’s matrimonial plans, Hessian believes he can still hold onto his throne. But will it really be that simple when the first chapter of an almost 600 page fantasy novel reveals poisoning , plotting and prophecy? I think not…

It must be incredibly difficult in this post GRRM world, for fantasy writers to create a world without being referred back in reference to a man who is a titan of the field. It leads to high expectations and shortfalls, however, what it has shown is that there is an appetite for massive, sprawling world building, and that schemes, shenanigans and supernatural undertones will always be in fashion.

The women we are introduced to are initially seen as adjuncts to the males, either as daughters or wives of, and that limited viewpoint really comes back to bite the men in the arse time and time again as they ignore sensible advice, or pass ideas of as their own-see Pherri as the book reader, the learner, who suggests from her own research into lineage that uncle Hessian marries Lady Ciera Istlewick as one of many examples, as her father, Andrick, tells Hessian he thought of it himself. Then you have Halena, the daughter of Hessian who is left vulnerable to unwanted attention after her brother’s death. A Cersei-esque figure of Lady Breta Prindian rounds out, for this reader, the most memorable women from the novel. Her ambition knows no bounds and she seems an early contender as commissioner of the poisoned blade.

As this world wobbles on its axis, however, a deeper and darker power begins to make itself known , setting up a climatic battle between men, and more.

Knee deep in mythology and world building, the only gripe I would have about getting lost in Erland is that I would have loved some maps, and family trees. I read an e-book ARC but definitely will look into getting a paperback as I found it a very long book for my old eyes to cope with(although with an e-book, it was easier to look up names of people , there is quite the cast of characters!)

For such a big book it does fly by at pace, there is a necessary amount of exposition for it being the world building initial outing, however, the setup for book 2 is really well placed to leave you wanting more. I really enjoyed it and appreciated the care and planning which went into alternating the viewpoints of the chapters, the multiple protagonists providing a rounded viewpoint of this brand new world,

I already posted my review of this book on Amazon and Goodreads this is another well thought out world with some really interesting characters and it has a lot of great action scenes that really add to the world and the characters in the intensity of the things that are going on once again like all my reviews no spoilers for me just my thoughts on how I thought and how I feel it was compared to other fantasy books that I've read and this is a solid four stars can't wait for the next book

There is quite a descriptive account of a fight between a character and a bear in the Prologue, I found this quite disturbing and almost didn't read more. But if you like fantasy and especially long saga fantasy then this should appeal to you. I'm not sure about the Game of Thrones comparisons as I've never read nor watched any of it.