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A review by kitvaria_sarene
Kings of Paradise by Richard Nell
4.0
This book is dark. Really dark. Do not read it if you don't like horribly grim books and a full on anti hero in a bleak world.
However if you like to read grimdark, and if the book starting with cannibalism as a way to survive doesn't turn you off - this might be perfect for you!
To balance Ruka, who was incredibly easy to care for, despite the despicable things he needs to do, we also get a full on hero.
Kale is a prince, pretty much perfect at everything he turns his mind to, and has a golden heart. He is too amazing all around, but as Ruka was going through such horrors, this somehow worked well. If it was just Kale, I would have found it annoying, this way it contrasted and I think the book needed it in a way
And then we have the third POV Dala. I was excited to get a female main character, who was more than just a romantic interest! But sadly I really couldn't click with her at all. I never really got a grip on her personality and therefore didn't care for her either. I wish she was better developed or written. Instead her parts of the story really were a slog, and I must confess I did wish for her to just find a quick end, so I wouldn't have to spend more time following her around. Not even because I disliked her, but simply because I didn't care.
And while we're on the topic of romance - this was a mixed batch in this book. At first the romance actually seemed to make sense for the story, and it didn't feel like it was added just to tick a box. Though I found it funny how all the virgins were amazing at sexual encounters right away... All natural professionals it seems!
The actual plot important romance, the big love you'll never forget? Forgotten about 10 pages after. And there went my happy: "Oh this is much more sex than I like in my books, but at least it's kinda realistic and makes sense instead of Insta love".
On the other hand I adored the friendships and the love between brothers in here. I dearly wish more fantasy books had other important relationships than just romance/sex based ones - and this one delivered nicely on that!
All in all this book was a good read, that could have been amazing with a little bit more editing, especially for the pacing and the female characters. I enjoyed it a lot, and plan to read the sequel, as I need to know what will become of Ruka and Kale!
However if you like to read grimdark, and if the book starting with cannibalism as a way to survive doesn't turn you off - this might be perfect for you!
Ruka Stared at the corpse of the boy he’d killed, and his stomach growled
To balance Ruka, who was incredibly easy to care for, despite the despicable things he needs to do, we also get a full on hero.
Kale is a prince, pretty much perfect at everything he turns his mind to, and has a golden heart. He is too amazing all around, but as Ruka was going through such horrors, this somehow worked well. If it was just Kale, I would have found it annoying, this way it contrasted and I think the book needed it in a way
And then we have the third POV Dala. I was excited to get a female main character, who was more than just a romantic interest! But sadly I really couldn't click with her at all. I never really got a grip on her personality and therefore didn't care for her either. I wish she was better developed or written. Instead her parts of the story really were a slog, and I must confess I did wish for her to just find a quick end, so I wouldn't have to spend more time following her around. Not even because I disliked her, but simply because I didn't care.
And while we're on the topic of romance - this was a mixed batch in this book. At first the romance actually seemed to make sense for the story, and it didn't feel like it was added just to tick a box. Though I found it funny how all the virgins were amazing at sexual encounters right away... All natural professionals it seems!
The actual plot important romance, the big love you'll never forget? Forgotten about 10 pages after. And there went my happy: "Oh this is much more sex than I like in my books, but at least it's kinda realistic and makes sense instead of Insta love".
On the other hand I adored the friendships and the love between brothers in here. I dearly wish more fantasy books had other important relationships than just romance/sex based ones - and this one delivered nicely on that!
All in all this book was a good read, that could have been amazing with a little bit more editing, especially for the pacing and the female characters. I enjoyed it a lot, and plan to read the sequel, as I need to know what will become of Ruka and Kale!