King by R.J. LarsonMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Netgalley
Genre: Fiction with a religious element
Book Description: Fantasy Meets the Old Testament in a Novel That Will Reach Readers of All Ages. Against his wishes and desires, Akabe of Siphra has been chosen by his people to be King. But what does a warrior know of ruling during peacetime? Guided by the Infinite, Akabe seeks to rebuild the Temple in the city of Munra to give the sacred books of Parne a home. But dangerous factions are forming in the background. To gain the land he needs, Akabe must forsake the yearnings of his heart and instead align himself through marriage to the Thaenfall family. Meanwhile, Kien Lantec and Ela Roeh are drawn still closer together...while becoming pawns in a quest to gain power over the region. As questions of love and faith become tangled with lies and murderous plots, each must seek the Infinite to guide them through an ever more tangled web of intrigue and danger.
My thoughts: When I accepted this book for review, I didn't realize that it was the third book in a series. I noticed that the cover looked compelling and the synopsis was interesting.
I began to read and found myself caught up in the story. R.J. Larson does such a good job of explanation and laying her groundwork, that I didn't miss reading the first two books before starting this one. I am, however, interested in reading the first two.
Akabe is a young king. He did not aspire to the throne of Siphra, but found himself in the position regardless. He is faced with court intrigue and an enemy who would love to see him dead. He has a strong belief in the Infinite and seeks to do His bidding.
As one of his first projects, he wants to rebuild the temple that was destroyed. His dream almost comes to an abrupt end when the deal begins to unravel. He barters for the sacred temple land and finds himself with a wife from a different culture and religion.
Somehow the young King must find a balance between his country, his marriage, his faith, and his friends. He must figure out how to keep hold of his struggling country and stay true to his creator.
I found this book to be fascinating. I honestly enjoy reading book that hold religious content. I love reading about different societies and structures. I found many situations that reminded me of the bible. The rebuilding of a sacred temple, the builder doing it without seeking God's will, but doing it for his legacy. The prophet is a young woman by the name of Ela. In the old testament, El denotes God. I do not know if R.J. Larson intentionally added these elements or if it was a coincidence, but it was fun for me to pick them out.
This is a clean book. There is a strong religious presence, but it does not follow any one religion of today.
You can find the first two books at Amazon as well.
Read an Excerpt:
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Ela couldn't help draining her juice, despite its tartness. Let Tamri and Prill frown at her appalling manners—she was thirsty. Finished, she looked for the servant, but he’d vanished.
Beside her, little Barth grumbled, “Mine tastes sour.”
Akabe grimaced at the pitcher left in their midst. “True. The aftertaste is bitter.”
Aware of an unpleasant icy burning around her lips and down her throat, Ela flung aside her cup. “Majesty…!”
She wrenched Barth’s half-empty cup from his small hands. He already looked sick.
Matron Prill threw down her own cup and said the word Ela feared to voice.
“Poison!”
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A hired servant brought cups, then filled them with juice from a metal pitcher beaded with moisture. They all waited until the king lifted his cup. Following his lead, they drank.
Ela couldn't help draining her juice, despite its tartness. Let Tamri and Prill frown at her appalling manners—she was thirsty. Finished, she looked for the servant, but he’d vanished.
Beside her, little Barth grumbled, “Mine tastes sour.”
Akabe grimaced at the pitcher left in their midst. “True. The aftertaste is bitter.”
Aware of an unpleasant icy burning around her lips and down her throat, Ela flung aside her cup. “Majesty…!”
She wrenched Barth’s half-empty cup from his small hands. He already looked sick.
Matron Prill threw down her own cup and said the word Ela feared to voice.
“Poison!”
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