Format: Paperback, 336 pages
Release Date: December 27, 2022
Publisher: Kensington
Source: Publisher
Genre: Fantasy
In the G.A. Aiken’s fantasy follow up to the USA Today bestselling Scarred Earth Saga’s The Princess Knight and The Blacksmith Queen,
two sisters battle for a single throne, warring factions take up arms, a
land is divided, and uncertain allies become very certain lovers . . .
With subtle commentary on today’s political polarization, this riveting
epic celebrates strong female characters and champions the underdog
within a diverse, high fantasy framework.
Gods save the queen!
Ainsley
Farmerson has always planned to break free of the family business—and
the family drama. But what was once farming, smithworking, and bickering
over the dinner table has turned into open warfare between sisters.
Sides have been taken, lives are on the line, and Ainsley has no doubt
which sister must be queen. She’ll do whatever is necessary to take down
the soulless Beatrix. Even if that means joining forces with angry
battle nuns, irritating monks, and overbearing centaurs.
Gruffyn
of the Torn Moon Clan has no time for human beings. And yet . . . there
is something about the uncontrollable princess that he can’t ignore.
Maybe it’s the way her eldest sisters underestimate her. Or her bravery
facing down dragons and mad queens from distant lands. Whatever the
reason, Gruff is willing to fight by this human’s side. Not only for the
entertainment value, but because she’s right. Beatrix must never be
queen. So whatever he has to do, whoever he has to destroy, Gruff will
battle beside Ainsley. Fast. Hard. And with absolutely no mercy . . .
The Heretic Royal is the 3rd installment in author G.A. Aiken's The Scarred Earth Saga. The saga of the Farmerson clan pits sister against sister with divided loyalties making for inherently high stakes drama. It has become apparent to me, that the author intends to write a story about the entire Smythe-Famerson Clan. Well, maybe just the sisters. The first installment featured blacksmith Keeley, who is now Queen of her own realm. The second installment featured Gemma, who is a former War Monk, now raised to the position of Princess Knight.
Now, this third installment seems to focus most of its time split between Ainsley, Gemma, Keeley, younger sister Isadora and the evil sister, Beatrix who has no soul. Ainsley Farmerson has always planned to break free of the family business—and the family drama. But what was once farming, smithworking, and bickering over the dinner table has turned into open warfare between sisters. Sides have been taken, lives are on the line, and Ainsley has no doubt which sister must be queen.
Gruffyn of the Torn Moon Clan of Centaurs has no time for human beings. And yet there is something about the uncontrollable princess Ainsley that he can’t ignore. Maybe it’s the way her eldest sisters Keeley and Gemma underestimate her. Especially Gemma. Or her bravery facing down dragons and mad queens from distant lands. Whatever the reason, Gruff is willing to fight by this human’s side. Not only for the entertainment value, but because she’s right. Beatrix must never be queen.
Ainsley will do whatever is necessary to take down the soulless Beatrix. Even if that means joining forces with angry battle nuns, irritating monks, and overbearing centaurs as well as newly arrived dragons led by Annwyl, the Bloody who from passed over the Amichai Mountains to encounter the person who has been stealing children. Griff will also do whatever he has to do, whoever he has to destroy, Gruff will battle beside Ainsley. Fast. Hard. And with absolutely no mercy.
Even though this book is more or less filled with snark and some romance, it is the Dragons and Centaurs that once again carry the weight of the story with their antics, and desire for bloodshed. While this story focuses on Ainsley and Gruffyn; Keeley and Caid plus Gemma and Quinn do feature in the story too, and readers are introduced to Isadora, yet another sister/daughter. But, never forget that sister Beatrix, who nearly killed Keeley, is waiting patiently to make her move.
I am curious about one thing however. The author's Dragon Kin series made to 6 books. Are we to expect the same of this series as well? If you have read the Dragon Kin series, expect to see not only Annwyl, but Fearghus, Briec the Mighty, Gwenvael the Handsome, Dagmar Reinholdt aka the Beast, Ragnar the Cunning, and Ghleanna the Decimator and others. It is fair to say that my rating was for the lack of action. While there is some towards the end of the story, it's more or less a game of chess where the players are putting all their pieces into place before moving ahead.
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