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 ✨