Tiran ~ A Tale of Crows and Keys by Ben Lynch

Written with a feel of the past in a world that is more fantasy than real and reminiscent of medieval times, this was an intriguing read that seems to be the first in a series.

What I liked:
* Reading something a bit different and written in a way that stretched me – and comes to mind my reading of the Scarlet Letter and needing to get into the “flow” before it was easy to take in
* That each chapter was titled with the character who would be telling that portion of the story making it easier to follow
* The hints that came in about the land, laws, people, and legal system
* That it made me stretch
* That I felt I got to know the characters and then found some to root for and others that I hoped would cease breathing before the book ended
* The variety of characters in the story
* Ramses: a young man with a girl he likes who works hard, loves his mother, wonders about his soldier father away from home, and has dreams
* Amon & Silas: bounty hunters with a rigid code of laws, good friends, depend on one another, strong, lethal, and damaged
* Nyssa: a woman that played a part and will perhaps continue to do so
* The plot, pacing and setting that slowly hinted at then presented a plot that will need to be sorted out in future books

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* How easily more than one person in the book was willing to do evil things – including murdering innocents
* That I had trouble getting into it and found myself skimming while feeling it might be geared to a younger-than-I-am audience

Did I enjoy this book? Sort-of
Would I read more in this series if it is a series? Maybe

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3-4 Stars

Tiran: A Tale of Crows and Keys is an immersive, high-stakes adventure that had me hooked from the start. Amon, Bale, and Ramses are the kind of characters you can’t help but root for—each of them carrying their own burdens while navigating a world of shifting alliances, ruthless ambition, and ancient secrets. The storytelling is layered and gripping, with every twist hitting like a well-placed dagger. I loved how the world felt alive, from the sun-scorched deserts to the dark corridors of Cedar Keep— the author makes every scene feel cinematic. If you enjoy morally complex characters, unpredictable betrayals, and action that keeps you flipping pages, this one’s for you.

This is a good medieval fantasy that’s very heavy on the medieval elements and very light on the fantasy ones.

After the prologue which takes place in a desert and a year prior, the rest of the story is told over a couple of days in and around Cedar Keep and through multiple POVs. Cedar Keep is described vividly and the places that you get to visit (the market, tavern, manor, prison and others) are immersive and believable.

The atmosphere is what truly grabbed my attention and it’s also the story’s greatest quality. It is bleak, raw, gritty, grim and rough around the edges. The stench of blood, leather, sweat and piss is palpable.

Right from the beginning there are hints at some mystery or conspiracy about which you are fed only morsels throughout the first half of the book. Unfortunately, the more is uncovered about the mystery and the more the characters are preoccupied with it the less interesting it became to me. The description on the back promises twists, chaos and whirlwind of intrigue, but I have found it rather timid in these areas. For an experienced reader it should be easy to see where the story is going, however the journey itself is very entertaining.

The writing and style took a few paragraphs to get used to but I have thoroughly enjoyed it.

If you are looking for immersive atmospheric read and you don’t mind a minimalistic plot then give this a try. I was hooked right from the first chapter.

Disclaimer: At the time of writing this review in February 2025, the kindle version which I have purchased contains multiple typos and errors. Also, minor formatting issues are present on practically every page. My review of the book is solely of the story and not the product.

A big thank you to Ben Lynch and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Oh. My. Stars. This book is like Game of Thrones met The Witcher in a dark alley, and I am OBSESSED. Tiran: A Tale of Crows and Keys delivers mercenaries with baggage, nobles with secrets, and a market vendor who’s just trying to make it out alive—but oh no, things get WILD. Every chapter is a mix of gut-punching tension, betrayals you should have seen coming but didn’t, and a world so rich you can practically taste the desert dust. If you love books that grab you by the collar and drag you through every twist and turn, this one is calling your name. 🗝️🐦🔥