This epic fantasy novel weaves themes of vengeance, intergenerational healing, and sacrifice, delivering a captivating narrative and unforgettable characters. The storytelling evokes traditional fantasy tales, featuring brave knights, princely half-elves, devoted friends, heart-wrenching choices, and an engaging love story, all while offering a contemporary perspective.

Despite being debut authors, they have succeeded in creating an incredibly rich world, brimming with intricate details and populated by unique and complex characters who stand out thanks to their distinct and multifaceted personalities.

Undoubtedly, the writing is one of the book’s strengths, as it builds tension and keeps readers hooked, leaving them eager to discover what will happen in the next installment of this trilogy. All in all, an excellent way to launch a career in the fantasy genre.

A guard who dreams about becoming a knight is made to guard the half-elven princess all the while she is grieving the death of one father while the other has gone off to face a deadly creature... together they journey to save the king. Dimitar dreams about being promoted to a knight, but after his latest mission where he delivers the news to the king that the other king has been killed and that the Corrupted creatures are back.... the king gives him the duty of protecting his daughter while he goes to face the creature. Dimitar isn't exactly happy he's been made a guard to the half-elven princess Kaleela and she is absolutely not happy that her father has left her and not let her join him in his war mission. But when more news comes both Kaleela and Dimitar must work together and find more allies as they go to protect the king and face off against deadly creatures. I hate to be the one to say this but this one was a big miss for me. I was intrigued by the premise and the cover is stunning... but the actual book was so boring and the characters felt flat. I would have probably had a better time if this was a movie, but as a book I just felt myself getting bored and putting the book down constantly. I wasn't in the characters and honestly didn't really care about their journey at all. Sadly this one did not work for me, but if you like fantasy books that kind of feel like a lowstakes dnd campaign, maybe give this a go?

Release Date: January 27, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Shadow Spark Publishing for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

DNF @ 10%. I just could not get into this story. The characters were flat and boring and the premise didn't interestvme once I started diving in. Thankcyou to NetGalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for my review.

This was a solid 3 stars for me. I really didn’t start getting into it until around 25% through the book, and even then there were times I flew through chapters and others that dragged for me - which is why I rated like I did.
The world building was beautiful and thorough but I truly ended up loving the characters; especially Ral! I also appreciated the different POVs which made the story so multidimensional.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Collins’ for the opportunity to read this book!

Thank you to Victory Editing, NetGalley, and the Collins for providing me with a digital arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own!

4 stars / 4.25 stars

This is a high fantasy book that feels LOTR-esque while still remaining new and fresh with its worldbuilding. I wouldn’t say it's cozy, but because of the quest and the 4 characters we’re following (guardsman, thief, a princess, and the guardsman’s best friend)… it feels like the type of book I would enjoy between longer, bleaker series.


I was gripped from the first chapter and it was the type of book I needed at the time. Though it has all the classic fantasy tropes we love, Collins includes lots of representation that I think most books in this category lack (ex. was very intrigued in how sign language was written into the story). This made me feel more seen and attached to the characters of this world.


I LOVED Olaf and Ral and wish they had more POV chapters! I did enjoy Dimitar and Kaleela’s chapters, but I wish the romance didn’t take as much page time in their POVs. I’m usually a sucker for romantic subplot, but I think it could’ve slow-burned a little more. At the very least, there shouldn’t been more angst in regards to their stations even if Khaled wouldn’t supported them regardless 🙂


Another thing to note… the plot kinda dragged in the middle. There were times where I felt like the characters were bouncing from place to place very conveniently. Though there was urgency, I think the plot could’ve done with more intimate character moments or depth to the backstories of Dimitar or Olaf. This might be something that will be expanded on in Book 2.


This is one of the few stories that does found family well. I loved seeing Dimitar’s growth and willingness to change his opinion on Ral. All 4 characters had lovely moments with each other and were not just contained to their prior relationships. I need more Ral x Kaleela x Dimitar in Book 2!!

First of all, I'd like to thank the ARC! It was truly a pleasure to read your work of fiction.
In The Name Of Honor is a great fantasy book with many actions, twists and turns, and heartwarming relationships. At first, I thought this book's gonna be too slow-paced for me. But as I read more and more pages, I realized I was completely wrong. I adore books with great world-building, and In The Name Of Honor has a clever and nice world-building that I love. It was so creative with the unique creatures and the whole war storyline. My favorite part was about the Reclamation War's story, it was so interesting!
The other thing I admired was the elaborate relationships between the characters. I loved Kaleela and Dimitar together so much, but my favorite relationship was Olaf and Dimitar's. Their brotherhood was just so beautiful. For me, they were like the other half of each other in every situation. Speaking of Olaf, making his speaking different from the others was so creative! That made him special, and he had my heart the whole book.
And I'd love to remark that I loved that Ral had a disability. And the whole background story of his. I just love Ral so much that's all I can say.
I try to write everything in a nutshell in this paragraph: I'm looking forward to reading other books from Courtney and Clarke Collins, especially from this universe. I want to know more about things such as Conrad and Khaled's friendship, the Reclamation War era, and about everything! Overall, I loved In The Name of Honor, and I hope I get the chance to read other stories from this world.

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of the charming book via Victory Editing and NetGalley and have throughly enjoyed reading it.

I did find it hard to get into, there was little world building to start with which I struggled with, but the characters had me turning the pages and I’m glad I did.
The world building was actually quite dense in the end and though it borrows bits and pieces from other fantasies it still felt unique and new.

The overall book feels like a YA novel mixed with some old school epic fantasy. It was an easy read but still had enough layers to not be boring.

The prose is what I’d call ‘floral’. It’s soft and flows a little more lyrically or like a slightly old fashioned way of writing, which worked well for the story.

The characters really do steal the show here though and the party of four covers everything you need in a story, with a lot of heart and some laughs along the way too.

Overall this was a really enjoyable read and I can’t wait to read more from this writing duo!

This is a really fast-paced adventure. The story does take a little while at the beginning to start, but once the action begins, it flows pretty steadily non-stop through to its conclusion. I really liked the bonds between the characters, specifically between Conrad and Khaleel, and Olaf and Dimitar, as well as the friendship that grows with Ral over the course of the story. However, I didn't feel super invested in the romance (it's a tiny thread in the story, not a huge storyline) - I would have maybe enjoyed it a bit more if it didn't almost feel like it popped out of nowhere.

I will say that at some moments, things move a little too quickly, and the heros did feel like they were being rushed from place to place. There are multiple POVs in this story, sometimes a new one would randomly pop up, which sometimes felt like it slowed the story and I didn't always love it.

The battle and fighting scenes were meticulously plotted and easy to follow, which is not always an easy feat! However, I struggled to believe that Kaleela was an unparalleled fighter, mainly because I felt that we were mostly told it throughout the story and spent very little time seeing evidence of it.

Overall, this was a fun fantasy story that hits most beats in the genre, and I think it will appeal both to those wanting to try out a fantasy story for the first time, as well as long-time readers of the genre.

Thank you to NetGalley, the Collins’, and Shadow Spark publishing for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This is an incredible debut that drew me in right from the beginning. The Collins’ were able to create a high-stakes adventure/rescue that is filled with battles and great acts of heroism, but still be considered a wonderfully cozy fantasy that I read cozied up next to a fire.

The characters were lovable and given depth and background that made them feel fully dimensional and not just a name on the page. The way that grief and then courage in the midst of that grief were navigated felt very well done.

In the Name of Honor was more than I had hoped for and I am incredibly grateful to have been given the opportunity to read this story!

Incredibly sweet writing. At first I was finding the story on the slower side and the characters a little two dimensional, but I held an open mind, which paid off. As you follow Dimitar and Kaleela on their quest to save not only the King, but also the entire realm, the characters start to come to life!

I am impressed by the slow reveal of Ral’s back story, as well as the personal growth young Dimitar shows. A main character who can apologize when wrong is so needed as an example of positive masculinity.
I have grown especially attached to Olaf! He’s hilarious and loyal through and through. Book boyfriend material.

One of my favorite things about this book was the inclusion of sign language. It’s not something I often get to see characters in fantasy books using, and it so seamlessly fit into the plot. In every world there would realistically be amazing characters with disabilities, so it’s awesome to see that here. I could have done with more of Ral! Kind of hoping for a book two now, and it felt like the end left some room for that story to continue.

If you’re looking for likable characters, LOTR vibes, and slow-burn romance as a sub-plot - it’s all here.

My last thoughts are that I want to give:
The cover art is gorgeous! Definitely unique, dark, and worth seeing on a bookshelf.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! It was a treat.

𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐲 & 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
This was a patchwork of many fantasies I have already read. Beat for beat, my mind was finishing the sentences I was reading as it predictably taped together what I’d expect.

⭐ ⭐/5 stars

In this genre, many readers love fantasy stories with your favorite themes like scenes in taverns, fancy meals, extravagant dances, every monster/ magic race having a presence, a FMC talented at archery, or dreaming about being a knight… I understand those are expectations, but they were listed in the story like they were checking boxes rather than being immersive or transformative. Readers seeking familiarity may enjoy this while I prefer new and unexpected elements, so this one wasn’t for me. But I don’t want my review to turn anyone away.

While I’m not feeling intrigued or necessarily drawn in, I can only imagine this was a labor of love for the genre. All these bits and pieces come from other stories and for some, there’s comfort in that.

👑

The villains were cool and scary, but I lost interest in their POV chapters. To me, this breaks the tension in the story. I’d rather be guessing what they are up to.

The descriptions felt uneven. There were detailed bursts describing one thing and then flying past new characters and locations with hardly any detail. There were so many places, it felt like not enough time was spent developing the story (beyond one adventure to the next) or characters.

The romance was also uninteresting. It seemed like they only liked each other due to their proximity. It was suddenly there without enough banter, flirting, or shown (not told!) feelings. Overall, it was rather stiff.

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞:
👑 Roaming Adventures
👑 Multiple POVS
👑 Goblins, Giants, Dwarves, Dragons… oh my!
👑 Knights & Royalty
👑 Fights-back FMC

Tags:
#bookreview #fantasybook #arcread #netgalley #inthenameofhonor #vowsandvalor #fantasyromance #dragonfantasy #epicfantasy #booklovers #newbook #publishday #releaseday

This is my honest review in exchange for a NetGalley ARC.

Courtney and Clarke Collins have crafted a lush fantasy world that feels both timeless and deeply inclusive, making In the Name of Honor a standout entry into the genre. Drawing inspiration from classic epics like The Lord of the Rings while incorporating modern sensibilities, the novel expertly weaves themes of honor, loyalty, and love into a gripping narrative.

At its heart is Princess Kaleela, a determined heroine who refuses to sit idly by when her father is kidnapped. Alongside loyal guardsman Dimitar, she embarks on a perilous quest to face the vengeful Corrupted and save her kingdom from collapse. With richly detailed world-building and a cast of characters as diverse as they are lovable, the Collins' story brims with heart and adventure.

Readers will find much to love in the book's inclusivity, featuring characters across different races, genders, sexualities, and abilities, all of whom feel integral to the story rather than token additions. Ral, in particular, stands out for his complex backstory and emotional depth, resonating deeply with many reviewers.

While some may feel echoes of familiar fantasy tropes—heroic knights, reluctant royalty, and mysterious villains—the Collins inject these archetypes with fresh life through their nuanced character development and deft emotional storytelling. The romance, a slow-burning subplot, strikes a balance that will appeal to both fantasy purists and fans of character-driven tales.

Admittedly, the pacing may feel uneven for some readers, with a slow start giving way to an unputdownable second half. Additionally, seasoned fantasy enthusiasts might recognize parallels to classics like Tolkien, which could feel overly derivative at times. However, for newer readers or those craving a comfortingly nostalgic read, this will be a delight.

Overall, In the Name of Honor is a testament to the enduring power of classic fantasy infused with modern values. With its mix of lighthearted camaraderie, gut-wrenching emotion, and high-stakes adventure, the book is sure to leave a lasting impression. Fans of sweeping epics and heartfelt stories will find themselves eagerly awaiting the next installment in this promising series.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!

This book was beautiful! Right at the first page I was hooked and I stayed hooked through the whole story. The characters are all lovable (other than the villains of course), the plot is intriguing, the writing is consistent, the whole story is compelling. The slow burn was to die for and I love that it started out as guard and princess, turned to friendship, and ended in a budding romance. The friendship between Olaf and Dimitar was so refreshing! I do wish we had gotten more about their backstories and how they became friends, in my opinion they’re the only characters that didn’t get as fully rounded of a story as the other main characters. Ral’s story was so heartbreaking and I hope the next book is focused on him and Master Karn because I neeeeeed to know what’s going on there! Throughout the whole book I could feel all the emotions the characters were feeling and their genuine love and respect of King Kahled was tangible. I assume there will be more to this as it says book 1 and I truly can’t wait to see where it can go!

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of In the Name of Honor by Courtney Collins & Clarke Collins.

Honestly, this book was delightful! My brain couldn’t help but lightly compare it to The Fellowship of the Ring by Tolkien. The descriptions throughout the book fully transported my imagination to vividly see the world and the characters as they went along their journey.

The story is told from multiple points of view, which felt seamlessly done and benefited the reader for a deeper understanding of the story.

If this book was double in size I would have stayed in the world as long as I was allowed to. This book could easily be enjoyed as a standalone but personally, I’m looking forward to the second book in the Vows & Valor series expected Jan. 2026.

Themes present in this story include:
- Change and grow characters
- Inclusive storytelling
- A love story that you get to see gently grow and blossom
- LGBTQ+ representation in an enjoyable capacity
- Magic / Elves / Dragons / Other creative species
- Fighting and war scenes

Overall I think it was a good book.

The writing is a bit immature and there is cliche dialogue in several places. I didn't get as good of a grasp of the world as I would have wanted. I felt confused about the ragging on Kaleela for behind half-elf as there was no discussion on why that's supposedly a bad thing? But even later it was mentioned her existence "breaks the rules of nature?" Are you telling me elves and humans never got it on before the King did.

There was also not much time for the characters to get to know each other and thus let the readers get to know them. You learn everyone's backstory through the narrative, even though you could have done without it. It was also hard to be worried about the King's fate like the characters are when we get a peak into what's up with him every other chapter. Also the who's the overlord question was basically answered in the scene where Kahled saw his face. I left a note on that scene in chapter 15 when I read it saying "bet it's the third high knight". The writing trying to tease that by not explicitly saying who it was until a while later (chapter 41) was a bit useless when it was so obvious.

I say all this but it was still an enjoyable story. I was also happy to have the Kahled/Conrad romance showed on page instead of being hinted at, even though Conrad is dead before the story begins.

In the Name of Honor is an exciting adventure brimming with danger, magic, and intrigue. With goblins, dragons, and a dark overlord looming, the story follows a courageous knight sworn to protect his princess as they embark on a perilous quest to rescue her father. This book is a must-read for fans of epic fantasy, reminiscent of The Lord of the Rings, Dungeons & Dragons, and classic heroic quests. It's a thrilling ride full of adventure, loyalty, and high-stakes battles.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Shadow Spark Publishing for this eARC.

This book was a deeeeelight to read. Completely bingeworthy adventure. I loved the multiple POVs, the battle and bloodshed, the dialogue, the humor, the tiny sprinkle of romance, all of it. The lovable characters made the story so fun and entertaining and the found family trope was done well. The authors included a handful of heavier topics with grace and I do appreciate the inclusivity among all of the written characters.

I'd definitely recommend this if you're looking for a fun adventure read!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

2.5/5
It was just kind of fine. The plot was... fine. The characters were... Fine, I guess. The writing... Did a lot of telling and very little showing. You knew exactly how everyone felt all the time because they would just tell you.

Something about that made all the relationships seem overly awkward as a reader looking in. I didn't like hearing about the romantic feelings because I just kind of felt embarrassed for all those involved.

I tolerated the side characters, though Olaf's written dialect was beyond annoying. Ral was the most interesting character, and we got one chapter of info dump, and then basically nothing until the inexplicable, confusing climax of his arc.

The pacing was off. The first half had all the action, the middle 20-25% dragged beyond belief and then everything happened at the end. Several times I considered dropping the book entirely, though I did end up powering through the last 20% mostly out of spite.

Overall, it was just kind of... Fine. 2.5/5 rounded down to 2.

This is an epic fantasy, complete with a quest, tons of fantasy world history, and a love story between a half-elven princes and her guard. I'd have eaten this up in high school! Today it's a little less my jam. I find that nowadays I'm looking for epic prose along with my epic stories. and the language didn't quite match up with the scope of the story. If you like a more traditional take on epic fantasy than a fae lord falling for a teenage human, but with language more in line with a modern romantasy standard, I think this might meet your needs.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

Sadly, this was a DNF for me due to technical errors. What I was able to read seemed promising. However, there were issues with the kindle version of this book where the pages seemed scanned and didn't quite work well. A shame really, I have given it 3 stars as I believe that I would have enjoyed it if I was able to continue reading.

I wont be leaving a review on social media until I am able to purchase the book and read it properly.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC