Probably one of the easiest 5 star reads I’ve come across in a while. It was such an immersive tale, with loveable characters and a great, enchanting plot. It was so beautifully written, with each characters’ arc developing naturally as the story unfolded. 💛

In the Name of Honor is a very traditional fantasy novel with all of your typical roles; the knight, the princess, the guard, the royals and the great evil.

Had the opportunity to read the Arc of this book and I loved the experience. Such a good book!! I will definitely be reading the next books.

Grateful for the opportunity to read this ARC. I can safely say I enjoyed it. It was quite a traditional fantasy novel- with Kaleela’s FMC character a delight to read. Although, I’ll caveat that this fantasy’s book plot wasn’t anything different to the regular fantasy books that I’ve read. Perhaps I’ve just read too many recently though.

Thanks to NetGalley & Shadow Spark Publishing for an eARC of this book. The following review is my honest opinion.

1 star feels too harsh so I bumped it up to two for the premise and initial description of this book but I was incredibly disappointed with the execution - it just felt very....bland, I couldn’t bring myself to care about any of the characters or the overarching story. It had all the makings of a terrific fantasy series but I feel that this book is a mishmash of ingredients from previous epic fantasy's that have come before it (LOTR, ASoIaF, Wheel of Time etc). I struggled through this book which in all honesty I should have DNF'd.
This was all tell and no show, the main characters were flat and actually a bit lifeless. Olaf was supposed to be 25 but spoke down to the main MC as though he were 50 something. The main MC had no personality, he had a lot of honour though as we kept being told, and the main FC was haughty and innocent at the same time. There were too many descriptions of throne rooms and suits of armour and not any actual story development.

I always enjoy the POV style layout of fantasy books but this one felt strenuous with certain characters, we were not left guessing about the ‘bad guys’ motives either as we had a front row seat to that through a characters POV which I’m guessing this was supposed to build tension but the writing style let it down.

Also the names felt wholly ridiculous to me (and that’s hilarious coming from someone who reads a lot of fantasy) Dimitar???

All in all, not terrible but it feels done so many times before and could do with a better writing style.

I feel absolutely terrible, but after much consideration I DNFed this book at @49%

In The Name of Honor is a very ambitious fantasy book that draws clear inspiration from some of my epic fantasy favourites. The prelude was very promising and it sounded right up my alley. This debut novel had so much potential and it’s obvious that the authors worked really hard on it. It seems to check all the right boxes for epic fantasy, but ultimately, it fell flat for me.

The plot is definitely interesting but in the end everything seemed to be straight out from an epic fantasy novel checklist while missing something special or different to make it stand out: The world and plot was no different from any other epic fantasy book and the characters, ultimately, felt flat, almost one dimensional, like caricatures of what they should be like. It felt like there was a lot of telling instead of showing. There’s a lot of “Character X felt this" but no actual display of emotions or actions. The dialogue felt scripted in a lot of instances and the situations usually predictable, leaving very little for the reader to work out for themselves.

Sadly, this book really didn’t work for me. But if you’d like a typical epic fantasy with lower stakes, or a comfort read, maybe it’s worth to pick this one up.

I was very excited about this book, but something as simple as not being able to send it to my Kindle really ruined the experience for me. I will be picking the book up in the future, and look forward to being able to read it then.

The book description certainly draws you in, but the book itself isn’t what I was expecting. I feel there was a lot missing from the book in a lot of parts and in others there was way too much.
The characters felt flat, not relatable at all. I don’t know… their interactions did not feel natural. There was so much background missing… at times what they were doing just didn’t fit with the rest of the story or it felt too expected.
I really wish I had enjoyed this more but sadly I skipped through a lot simply because it wasn’t getting to the point.

When King Kahled is captured after trying to save his friend and fellow king Conrad from corruptors, the evil forces of the world, his daughter and the knights tasked with protecting her in his absence set out to save him instead. Along the way they encounter an eternally cloaked mute thief, goblins, elves, and dragons in their quest to save their king. Dimitar, one of Kahleds knights must also grapple with his growing feelings for Kaleela, princess and daughter of Kahled, who is at the same time processing meeting her elven maternal family for the first time.

This was cute. I don’t know if I’d necessarily equate it to the lord of the rings but it’s definitely inspired by it, if in nothing but the orcs. In my opinion, the stakes didn’t seem high enough. No harm actually felt permanent. Not that I want any of the companions to die, but someone should have to make an impact.

Thank you to the Authors and Netgalley for the ARC! Sorry I'm a bit late on the review...

This book was a lil bit Lord of the Rings, a lil bit DnD with it's own unique spin and a lot of heart. This story was masterfully crafted, pieces falling together from the beginning to create a supremely satisfying ending. The last half was nearly impossible to put down, the battles an fight scenes made my heart race, and the romance was so sweet!

I loved reading this. It was a very classic feeling fantasy quest style story and there were many times I felt myself drawing parallels between DnD and stories I grew up with like Lord of the Rings. In terms of writing style, the Collins' have very direct way of phrasing things and there were times that I wish I was shown more than told, but it was never to the point where I thought it took away from the story.

In terms of characters, I felt they were all fairly likeable if a bit predictable. They fill classic fantasy archetypes which, while unsurprising, add to the feel that this is a classic fantasy novel. Of all of the characters we meet, I loved Ral the most and enjoyed watching Willem grow more comfortable around the group. I also appreciated the natural way different sexualities and people with disabilities were portrayed and fit into the world.

Finally, I LOVED that, while this is a series, this book felt like it had a definite ending and didn't leave us on a massive cliffhanger. The main conflict of the book was resolved, but the promise of greater, related threats, still loomed on the horizon to line up a sequel while giving us closure. I can't begin to describe how more I love this about the ending of this book.

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley.

"In the Name of Honor" by Courtney & Clarke Collins is a traditional fantasy novel. Introducing readers to a world filled with familiar archetypes: a strong female protagonist, a valiant knight, and a touch of comic relief. The narrative follows Princess Kaleela and her loyal guardsman, Dimitar, as they embark on a character building journey to rescue her father from malevolent forces known as the Corrupted.

While the story offers a comforting familiarity reminiscent of classic fantasy tales, it occasionally treads too closely to well-worn tropes, leading to moments that feel derivative. For instance, certain scenes echo iconic moments from established works, which might diminish their impact for seasoned fantasy readers.

The writing style leans towards a younger audience, often telling rather than showing, which can hinder deeper immersion into the world and its characters. However, the book shines in its inclusive world-building, presenting a diverse cast that reflects various gender identities and backgrounds, adding a refreshing layer to the genre.

In summary, "In the Name of Honor" is a commendable debut that, despite its reliance on familiar fantasy elements, offers an inclusive and heartfelt adventure. It's a suitable read for those seeking a light, traditional fantasy journey, though it may not fully satisfy readers looking for innovative storytelling.

I enjoyed the idea of this book and the beginning of it certainly pulled me in.
Pretty quickly though, it felt like two different voices were writing it (it looks like two authors are listed, and it definitely felt like I could tell the difference). The writing and dialogue would kind of switch back and forth from more high fantasy/proper and casual/modern writing.
I also wish there was more detail on basically everything. We got a lot of “this is how it is” instead of getting much of any backstory or reasons why. More detail and depth honestly may have made up for the writing style switching.
I did DNF around 65% after trying my best to finish before the archive date. The writing and storyline were just a little too back and forth and predictable for my personal preference!

Absolutely devoured this book! As a fan of high fantasy, Tolkien-esque books, this one did that genre so well! I really enjoyed the plot, world building, and characters in this novel. The found family aspect and sprinkles of romance also were perfectly placed throughout. I definitely recommend this book!

I really enjoyed this book overall. I definitely found it to be more YA than adult, but I loved that it was very traditional fantasy. It had all of the characters you would expect: strong FMC who doesn’t know she is stunningly beautiful, humble & heroic knight on a mission that obviously runs counterintuitive to hers, and the jester/comedic relief best friend. I appreciated the modern twist on this traditional story by having the character list be diverse and inclusive. Actually included in the story, and not just thrown away by the plot, there were different races, genders, sexualities, and ability.

I think the only complaint I’ve seen with this book is that it feels recycled from Lord of the Rings, but I am a new reader - getting really invested around 2019 - and I’ve never read those books or seen those movies. Therefore, the idea of an Elven Princess was exceptionally fun and unique. In a world of fae, we have returned to elves.

The inclusion of a slow burn romance is always good for me, and I love seeing a romantic book where the two MCs aren’t trying to kill each other. This wasn’t a slow burn that makes me mad. Instead, I found myself begging them to just kiss kiss kiss!!!! I feel like I could tell this was written by a couple who yearns, but I still found the author’s voice to be clear and consistent throughout. I’m sure that was aided by the differing POVs (which I also love!).

Great choice for any fantasy reader!

In The Name of Honor is an very ambitious fantasy book that draws clear inspiration from The Lord of the Rings and The Wheel of Time. While this familiarity may appeal to fans of classic fantasy, it also makes the story feel derivative. The world itself, though filled with potential, lacks the depth of immersive worldbuilding that could have made it stand out.

One of the novel’s strengths is its short, fast-paced chapters, which make for an easy and engaging read. The moments involving the monstrous creatures and their enigmatic king are particularly intriguing, adding an eerie tension that keeps the reader invested. The fight scenes can be difficult to follow, with action sequences that sometimes feel vague due to a lack of strong descriptive verbs. Similarly, there are long stretches without dialogue, which can slow the pacing.

In terms of characters, Ral stands out as the most fascinating, with a distinct personality and a well-developed backstory that is info-bombed in one single chapter. On the other hand, Dimitar is a difficult protagonist to connect with, and his chapters often felt like annoying to get through. Olaf, while a more enjoyable character, has an accent that feels inconsistent, especially given that he and Dimitar share the same upbringing. Kaleela, our other main character and romantic interest, lacks defining traits beyond being beautiful, stubborn, and resembling her mother, making her feel one-dimensional.

The Corrupted, the book’s monsters who are under the command of our villain and share a hive-mind, have an interesting but somewhat inconsistent presence. Initially described as nearly unbeatable in a past war, they now seem much easier to defeat, which lessens their menace.
Additionally, the role of servants in the story is nearly invisible, existing only to provide for the main characters without any real presence of their own.

On the plus side: diversity! This book features a gay couple (though one of them dies early on), Olaf as a pansexual character, a physical disability (though it is very quickly dealt with) and Master Karn, who is indifferent to gender. These elements could have been explored with more depth to feel meaningful.

The novel builds toward an action-packed finale, but the ending itself lacks a satisfying payoff. The final battle unfolds as expected—good triumphs over evil—but with the hint that not all threats are truly vanquished, setting up the next book in the series.

While In The Name of Honor has some engaging moments and a few standout characters, it struggles with originality, worldbuilding, and pacing. Fans of traditional fantasy who need a comfort read may enjoy this.

Rating: 2 stars out of 5.

Interesting and twisty, the world building was so unique and fun. At times a bit overcomplicated and it dragged but it was worth wading through. Absolutely loved it!

While the plot had interesting moments it felt very stiff and forced. The writing felt like it was trying too hard to be high fantasy and it was somewhat predictable.

I’m not really sure why I stuck with it and didn’t DNF this one. I certainly thought about it quite a bit. At some point I think I’d just put too much time into it to give up.

In the Name of Honor isn’t bad exactly. It’s more… unnecessary? The story isn’t new or unique, the characters fulfil the necessary tropes. There’s an eleven princess, a loyal knight servant, the lovable oaf sidekick. There’s danger and adventure and even romance. But the writing just did not do it for me. Everything is so vague it feels like it’s been filtered. Sometimes even the characters seemed to only be saying or doing what was expected because it was expected. There was no emotion or depth and I didn’t connect to any of the characters or their suffering.

Everything seemed fairly wrapped up at the end of the book, though it’s apparently supposed to be the start to a series? It’s probably not one I’ll continue with, regardless.

Thank you to Shadow Spark Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC.

I feel really bad for DNFing this book, because it has a lot of promising qualities. Sadly, this book is just overall not worked out enough for these qualities to shine, which is why I stopped reading at 53%.

I picked up this book because the plot seemed like something I would like. An elven princess on a quest with her guardsman, going to save her father from a corrupted creature? Count me in! Sadly, the book drags and drags and I felt like most of what I read was filler and didn't really have any influence on the over-arching plot at all.

The characters also felt very flat and without any distinct personality. We get a lot of "Dimitar/Kaleela felt" but no actual display of emotions or actions. This was a big issue through the book, where it was a lot of telling but no actual showing. The lack of this and the lack of dialogue (we went entire pages without any talking), made me really struggle with the book and is the biggest reason that I don't feel like I want to finish it.

3..5
Thank you to the publishers and to Collins for allowing me to read this novel early.

This novel is an easy read for fans of tabletop role-playing games, Lord of the Rings, and all high fantasy. It takes the classic high fantasy structure and traditional party build of a great D&D game and puts it into a beautifully written world.

The characters fall into classic archetypes, but they have standout moments that truly bring this book to life.

The story starts quite slowly, and it takes a moment to get into, but by the time you reach part two, you’re fully immersed in the Green Lands and Blackburn.

The authors have a gift for description. Every time they set a scene, it’s very well-rounded and easy to imagine the space, which is a nice touch in a fantasy world.

Final thoughts:

I wish the authors had focused more on the friendly relationships between characters over any romantic subplots.
Not every fantasy novel needs to have romance especially if it feels forced.

I did enjoy the fact that there were queer and non-binary characters. I love that this is becoming something you just see in fantasy. It’s very inclusive, and as a queer reader, it always makes me feel more connected to a world to see characters similar to myself.


Full review is posted on Goodreads, spoilers were removed from this review.