This book cover is beautiful, which first drew me to the book. However, it became very apparent to me how different the two authors' writing styles were. I enjoyed one of their writing styles, and I didn't enjoy the other. So, I ultimately did not love the book as much as the book cover made me believe I would.

"In the Name of Honor" by Courtney and Clarke Collins was such a fun read! It’s got all the classic fantasy feels, but with a modern spin that makes it feel fresh and exciting. The story follows Princess Kaleela, a half-elven royal who is equal parts stubborn, brave, and so easy to root for. After her father, the king, is taken captive, she takes matters into her own hands and sets off on a dangerous rescue mission. Of course, there’s a broody, loyal guardsman along for the ride, Dimitar, whose quiet strength and slowly building feelings for Kaleela had me hooked from the get-go. You know me, I live for a good slow-burn romance!

The world-building here is lush without being overwhelming. The authors weave in details about the Corrupted (spooky, menacing creatures that add just the right amount of tension) and the complexities of Kaleela’s queernorm kingdom. It’s clear a lot of thought went into making this world rich and inclusive, and I loved every second of it. There’s a bit of "The Lord of the Rings" energy here (a compliment I don't give lightly given it's my favourite book ever), with all the adventure and moral quandaries, but it still feels like its own unique story.

The romance is a subtle thread, not the main event, but it’s the kind that simmers beautifully. Kaleela and Dimitar’s dynamic is full of those charged moments where you’re practically shouting at the pages for them to just admit their feelings already. Ugh, so good.

If I have one tiny quibble, it’s that the pacing occasionally stumbles. Some scenes linger a bit too long on exposition, which slowed things down. But honestly, the rich storytelling and emotional depth more than make up for it.

I’d give this one a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars! The spice level is bell pepper 🫑 - the romance is sweet and heartfelt but sticks to longing looks and tender moments. If you love daring quests, nuanced characters, and a sprinkle of romance, you’ll absolutely adore this book.

This will be published on my instagram (kerryreadsbooks_) in early February 2025

The blurb for this book sounded exciting and promising: a great adventure and rescue mission with a romance plot. Although the book is categorized as Adult, I quickly noticed the writing style was very juvenile. The dialogue was oversimplified and did not sound how people in their twenties would speak. There was no flow between events or time to understand the importance of things happening. One line I recall is Dimitar saying he was starting to trust Kaleela, but there were no events or actions that showed that. There was a lot of telling instead of showing or leaving it to the reader to infer. In the beginning the story seemed stuck, and it could've just started with the King getting captured by the Corrupters. The Conan story was unnecessary. Olaf seemed to have a lot to say to Kaleela about how he met Dimitar, but the readers weren't let in on the conversation, and I think that would've been helpful for the readers to learn more about these characters' backstories. I am a reader who likes to read characters that are relatable or have an interesting story so I can attach to them and find important the things they find important, but I didn't get that with these characters. They were shallow. By the time they found out that Kahled had been captured, it seemed like it should be important to care about his rescue but because I had no time to connect with the characters, I found myself not wanting to continue the story because there were no stakes. No reasons or backstory given as to why leaving him in the hands of the Corrupters would mean peril. The Corrupters were also not explained that much at all. Why do they exist? Why are people shocked the are back? How do they work? All things the characters seemed to know, but the reader didn't. I did not finish the book for these reasons.

Thank you to Shadow Spark Publishing for the advanced reader copy of this anticipated release!

This book had all of the details I typically look for in a read: adventure, action, lovable characters and romance. I thoroughly enjoyed how in depth the author went into on each main character, and how different they were presented.

I also have to acknowledge how well written this story was. It was exceptionally well done. There was no cheesyness, bad grammar or poor writing.

The only reason this wasn’t a 5 star read to me is because I would have loved for this story to be more than 1 book so there was more back story to the evil they are fighting and more of a fight. The fight encompasses the last 15% of the book and it felt too quick.

Actual rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

This book was an absolute delight. The characters were so fun and brought such a sense of found family and close friendships. The slow build yearn from Dimitar throughout the story was so perfectly paced and just made you feel it in your bones. Even the battle scenes were very well thought out and rather tense. My only complaint was I wished a few plot points were better fleshed out with a few characters. But overall I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this book.

This book had a lot in it. I will say it was not for me so much even though it sounded like it was. It was all good! But it lacked something that made it feel great. This books pacing really threw me for a loop in terms of keeping me engaged. The characters felt a little flat as well. It just had so much heart and was doing all the right things... just not in the way I would have hoped.

If you love Lord of the Rings, D&D, knight quests and adventures, and a classic hero tale, this is for you. But if you want something new and interesting, it might not be.

Overall, I did finish and was happy to see a good conclusion~

Thank you to Netgalley for sending me the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Courtney and Clarke Collins deliver a sweeping tale of loyalty, sacrifice, and courage in In the Name of Honor. This riveting blend of epic fantasy and romance will keep readers enthralled from start to finish.

From the first chapter, this epic fantasy draws readers into a beautifully crafted realm of magic, danger, and intrigue. At its center are Kaleela, a half-elven princess struggling with grief and duty, and Dimitar, a steadfast guardsman torn between his loyalty to the king and his growing care for her. Their dynamic is a perfect blend of tension and tenderness, anchoring a story that is as much about human connections as it is about epic battles.

The authors excel at creating a character-driven narrative that explores the complexities of its heroes. Kaleela’s resilience in the face of loss and Dimitar’s internal conflict between duty and desire make them relatable and inspiring. Their partnership evolves naturally, with moments of vulnerability and strength that deepen their bond without detracting from the urgency of their quest.

The Corrupted creatures are chilling antagonists, their vile presence adding an ever-looming sense of danger. The rescue mission that propels the plot is a thrilling ride filled with unexpected twists, vivid battles, and heart-stopping suspense. The stakes are impossibly high, forcing Kaleela and Dimitar to make choices that weigh personal sacrifice against the greater good.

Its emotional depth sets *In the Name of Honor* apart. The story doesn’t just focus on external conflicts but also delves into themes of grief, honor, and the lengths we go to for those we love. The balance between action-packed sequences and quieter, introspective moments keeps the pacing dynamic and engaging.

This book is a must-read for fans of epic fantasy with a strong romantic subplot. It combines the grandeur of a high-stakes adventure with the intimacy of a character-driven story, captivating readers until the end. Highly recommended for those who love stories of bravery, heartbreak, and hope in the face of impossible odds!

Solid three stars!
I went into this with high hopes, expecting something new and exciting based on the blurb. However, as an avid fantasy reader, I couldn’t help but feel like I’d read this story before. That said, for those newer to the genre, this could be a great introduction to fantasy.

There were moments where the authors’ voices came through too strongly, which pulled me out of the story and made it harder to connect. Additionally, the narrative felt bogged down by filler at times, making it a bit of a chore to keep going. A tighter edit could have kept the pacing more engaging.

That being said, it’s clear that a lot of effort went into this book, and it shows. The characters were sweet and likable, which added charm to the story. Ultimately, while it didn’t fully meet my expectations, I believe it will resonate with its intended audience and do well.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this before its release.

“In the Name of Honor” by Courtney and Clarke Collins was a magical masterpiece that took me on an emotional rollercoaster. The masterful world-building, subtle romance, intense adventures, and found family all left me yearning for more. The authors are definitely Tolkien fans so get ready for an immersive narrative that will give you all the feels!

You will find:
-High fantasy
-Touch her and die
-Dragons
-Found family
-Betrayal
-Dual POV
-hand signing

Favorite characters: Ral and Olaf (but I love them all!)

I will be here for the trilogy…I’m invested!

Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Spark Publishing for this ARC!

fantastic read - great mix of world-building, character development and action - writing was really good and I did not notice a difference in writing styles as it all flowed really well - I also like that there is no massive cliffhanger but also room to tell more of the story

I read this book in fits and turns over the Christmas break - not because I didnt want to, but because I was so busy I didn't get the chance to read as much as i'd like. This is a really fun fantasy story with a range of characters from the honourable not-quite-Knights Olaf and Dimitar, the half elf princess and the thief to rescue a king and save the world. While I would argue the pacing wasn't as strong at the end, I enjoyed the journey. Very inspired by LOTR and it touches on a range of themes that keep the reader engaged. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

I enjoyed the premise of the book. The cover is gorgeous and the writing is straight-forward and engaging. However, I felt there was an information overload about the history of the Corruptors and the elvens. Olaf was a fun character, but his dialogue did seem jarring at times. More background or childhood memories of Kaleelah would've definitely helped me to form a stronger connection to her. I loved Dimitar's enthusiasm to protect the king and the way he handles guilt as he trains to become a High Knight.

Unfortunately, I started skimming pages 50% into the book. I thought the pacing of events was good and the adventures that Kaleelah goes through. However, I wish I felt more attached to the characters or inclined to read about their adventure.

I loved this so much. As a LOTR fan this story warmed my cold dead heart. This journey brought together a beautiful found family. I loved every character, even the bad guy was compelling. A serious(ly hot) body guard, a hilarious half giant, a badass princess and a cheese thief?!? Perfect.

The pacing was excellent. The world building was elaborate and dare I say, lush. I hope this isn’t a stand alone because I would love to go back into this world.

I appreciate the opportunity to read this unfortunately I will not be finishing this.

I don't have anything I particularly disliked from a technical standpoint. I just couldn't get into it and don't think it was the right story for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Spark Publishing for this ARC!

I haver never read Tolkien nor have I watched any of the LOTR movies. High fantasy has never interested me. But this book… this incredible book has changed my mind! This book gets five giant, shiny, irrevocable stars! I have been hooked and drawn in by books from the beginning but there have been very few books where I am *emotionally* invested from the beginning and this book had done it.

The world-building, the subtle and understated romance, the side characters, the gripping and thrilling adventures, the heart wrenchingly immersive narrative style were all done in such a masterful way. The pacing was spot-on, at no point did the story feel rushed nor did it drag. It was one of those "I’ll just read on more chapter but then I blink and it’s twenty chapters later and I missed a meal" type of the books. As a romantasy reader, I feel thoroughly schooled by this book on the definition of "epic fantasy." I will be following this trilogy. I am now emotionally invested.

*4.5 stars*

In the Name of Honor is a wonderful fantasy book; reading it reminded me of the first time I read The Lord of the Rings, which is about the highest praise I can give! This story combines epic world-building with well-written, complex characters caught in a battle between good and evil. I really enjoyed the way the authors paid homage to classic fantasy, while still writing something that feels unique and new; that is not easy to do in our fantasy saturated world, and I thought they handled it extremely well. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I really hope the series continues!

I would recommend In the Name of Honor to any readers who love epic fantasy with a strong cast of characters and lots of adventure.

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc! All thoughts & opinions in the review are my own.

This book takes the heart of The Lord of the Rings, blending moments of darkness with rays of light.

From a noble knight driven by honor to a fierce princess who can hold her own in battle, the Collins’ have crafted a richly layered fantasy world that invites you to lose yourself within it.

With its intricate characters and immersive setting, it offers a captivating blend of adventure, heart, and complexity.

A great start to what will no doubt be a wonderful series ✨