I picked this book up on whim and I adored it from page one. I am not always the used to adult fantasy but this book captured me from page one. It was such a easy book to digest and that is largely thanks to young lead only 8 years old. Owen was the prefect point of view to explore this new world and i loved it. Jeff was also able to find ways to develop this world throughout this read and I grew to love this world and these characters. It was such a special read, I loved it. I found this read to be so charming an I also loved the world that was built that book had so many unexpected twists and turn that kept me on the edge of my seat. I can't wait to read book 2 soon. This is a great read for someone is hoping to dive into more adult fantsay reads but they scare them. I found owen POV to be so easy to read from. ( )

I picked this book up on whim and I adored it from page one. I am not always the used to adult fantasy but this book captured me from page one. It was such a easy book to digest and that is largely thanks to young lead only 8 years old. Owen was the prefect point of view to explore this new world and i loved it. Jeff was also able to find ways to develop this world throughout this read and I grew to love this world and these characters. It was such a special read, I loved it. I found this read to be so charming an I also loved the world that was built that book had so many unexpected twists and turn that kept me on the edge of my seat. I can't wait to read book 2 soon. This is a great read for someone is hoping to dive into more adult fantsay reads but they scare them. I found owen POV to be so easy to read from. ( )

Enjoyable and a quick read. Not quite as character-deep as The Wretched of Muirwood trilogy, nor as well-researched. It's because I read them out of order that I had such high expectations for this one, and it definitely didn't let me down--it just wasn't quite what I expected.

Still. Things I loved: world-building and place description. I loved imagining this world and the court of the King. I also loved the complicated relationships forming in this first installment, and look forward to seeing how wide the branches from these deep roots grow!

Only three stars because I've read better from Wheeler. Still absolutely delightful and entertaining. Read it! ( )

I was initially drawn in by the plot and promise of court intrigue. The beginning holds a sense of mystery and dread. That dissipated pretty quickly. I wanted to enjoy this book but I just can’t get over the simplistic writing and the author’s preference to tell, not show. I felt like I was reading a children’s novel. ( )

3.5*

Review pending ( )