I did DNF the book. I couldn't get into it and I really tried! I wanted to love it but it just isn't for me. I did like the writing style, I just wasn't into the actual story itself.

This is a big book; it beautifully describes the world, the politics, and the military surrounding it, but going in, you need to know you're in for a journey. This is an excellent book for history lovers because it blends fantasy with the feel of real-world politics. If you're looking for a new series to get lost in, this is the book for you, 4 stars!

3.5 🌟

I can't imagine all the hard work that goes into a book this size.

The synopsis caught my attention right away. This is a bit of a heavier read with a lot of information and multiple POVs.

Sometimes I felt it was a little over worded, but overall paced well. I would still read the next installment.

The Conquerer's Legacy is the first volume in the The Dust of the Throne series. It's also John Kerry's debut novel.

The story is told from several POV, each chapter tells you which character narrates it. The story pulls no punches and gets gritty right from the beginning. It starts in the past with Sariel leading an army and destroying and looting Soren City.
Chapter Two onwards is set many years later with Sariel dead and a war of succession starting.

A lot of setup is happening in this volume so don't go in expecting a lot of fights and constant action.

This is a really strong debut with lots of intrigue and lots of political tension. I had a lot of fun reading and I'm looking forward to the next installment.

Kerry's 1st book in the dust of thrones series, is exceptional in it's characters, who drive the story through multiple perspectives.

The true beginning of the story begins with an almost silly accident occuring, which causes the death of the famous unifier of the old empires.

The chaos that ensures entwines the lives of a relatively diverse cast of characters including a knight, power brokers, a prince and even a cook who's passions are seen as unpopular.

All cast must rely on different decisions on whether to make changes to usher in a golden age or let the empire continue its chaotic path.

Intrigue and political skull duggery is aplenty in a medieval story that is real, complex, and done well.

This book is gonna be big for somebody who really enjoys military history and political history.
It’s a fantasy at heart, of course, but the political intrigue and the mechanisms that cause war are big themes just as much as the usually trappings of this genre. The magic and the plot surrounding the First Empire will give you a Lord of The Rings vibe but the book itself has almost a medieval feeling. Maybe that’s just me but that’s how I pictured it in my head.

On a personal level, this book was kinda hard for me to get into because I felt as if it very much leaned to the male audience.
I love military books and history books, but I imagine this book is going to evoke a lot more emotion from male readers than female readers. I feel the reader is able to find more empathy and sympathy with the male characters, than the female ones. The male characters feel fully fleshed out and grounded, the female feel kinda flat. That’s my main reason for the 4 stars.

a captivating tale of ambition, intrigue, and the fragile nature of power. this novel weaves political machinations, forbidden love, and the weight of legacy into an engrossing epic!