This is a good story, and a solid first book in a new series. I would argue that you might want to read Sand and Ichor before you start this book, because a couple characters from that novella play a major part in the events happening in this book. Also, it will give you better understanding into Rhaka's motives, and why he behaves the way he does. 

But ultimately, you don't have to read the novella to enjoy this book, because this story is about Genry and his difficult journey of trying to grapple with circumstances that are out of his control.

I liked Genry, though he came across as naïve and overly idealistic most of this book. But what else would you expect from a 17 year old boy? He is the youngest of the royal siblings. He never expected to assume any important political role in the kingdom. Everyone assumed that his sister Ellix would be the next Queen and she was groomed for this role since childhood. All Genry ever wanted was to become a knight. That's what he trained for, that's what he dreamt about, and he couldn't care about anything else.

I really felt for him when circumstances conspired against him, and he realized that that dream was now shattered. Talk about a soul-crushing discovery - that in order to do your duty to your kingdom and your family, you would have to abandon everything you ever dreamt about and become basically a puppet in the hands of your family. No wonder he ascended the stairs so quickly and without regret at the end of the book - he had nothing tying him to the world of the living. 

It's also a very interesting world that the author created. At first, it seems almost a utopia - a thousand years of peace and prosperity... Until you realize that that peace is bought at the price of magical enslavement. The oaths that the citizens make to the crown are binding magical contracts, and attempting to break such a contract causes real physical pain. A kingdom where everything is a contract, where every good deed is expected to put the other person in debt. There is no altruism, only duty. There is no self-sacrifice unless it's worth something. That's a sad state of affairs.

And I would say that the mad seer created a self-fulfilling prophecy in the end. Had she not tried to kill Genry, who knows what kind of crown prince he would have become? If his soul had remained intact, he might made different choices when he becomes a king. I'm afraid she created the Tyrant she was so afraid of.

All in all, this is a really good book, even if the story dragged in place, and I felt like we were circling around the drain a couple times with nothing happening. I am definitely looking forward to the next book. I want to see what becomes of Genry, and Ellix, and Rhaka.

PS: I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Surprisingly light storytelling and adept world building!

I really enjoyed this!! It took me a couple chapters to get into, I’ll admit, it took a while to really get to the meat of the story. As with many first books in fantasy series’ a lot of time is spent laying out the world and overarching conflicts. The introductions here were so smooth and easy to grasp though! Once the plot really kicked in I was hooked.

I definitely look forward to reading more!

The 1st book in the Hex King series and I was excited to read the story from the blurb.

L. Marton creates a well written, and straightforward story, that is very vivid and almost immediately brings Galan to life.

Ellex and Genry, while twins, are opposites, from their personality right down to their gender. While Ellex is a social butterfly looking for her next adventure, Genry would be happy with quiet.

Prince and princess live in a land of a thousand years of peace, but it is said that bad omens show that the kingdom will be taken over even when they have no rivals, political or otherwise.

As with most the story begins slow and remains this way for a reasonable portion of the book, but builds pace.as the story evolves.

Enjoyable pace, good story telling, interesting magic...sword & sorcery recommended. I look forward to the next books in this world...