King - A Review

Akabe is the Infinite's chosen king to rule the people of Siphra. He doesn't feel that he should be king, but he wants to honor the Infinite and rebuild His Temple. His advisers clamor for him to marry and the only woman he feels would be a great queen is Ela of Parne, the Infinite's Prophet. Ela firmly believes that she will never marry, even though she loves Kien Lantec. Though she refuses the king's request, she follows the Infinite's will and marries the man she loves. The king marries a mysterious young woman who may be a threat to both his reign and to the Temple. When assassins attempt to kill the king multiple times, Akabe, along with the queen and friends Kien and Ela Lantec, go into hiding at the far ends of the kingdom. Yet even there, danger lurks. When the women are taken captive, will Akabe and Kien obey the Infinite and stay where they are or will they risk everything for the women they love? And will Ela and the queen follow the Infinite's orders to speak the truth no matter what may happen?

This is the conclusion to the Books of the Infinite Series. I've enjoyed both Prophet and Judge and was really looking forward to reading King. While I thought that Judge moved rather slowly, I was eager to delve into King. I was not disappointed in this book. Once again a mix of Old Testament prophets (I recognized some of Moses, some Samuel) as well as Old Testament kings (mainly David and Solomon) fill the pages of the book. My favorite character is still the destroyer-horse, Pet/Scythe, but the rest of the characters were engaging as well. I was thrilled to see that Ela and Kien finally got their happily ever after. And the storyline of the king and queen kept me reading to the end. I think of the three books in this series, this is the best, and my favorite.

I received this book for free from Bethany House Publishers for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis, fantasy, RJ Larson, Byran Davis,

Rating - 4.5 stars which will round up to 5 stars

Prophet - A Review

Ela of Parne loves the Infinite. When He calls her to become His prophet, she doesn't refuse. With her sister, she sets out to follow the will of the Infinite. When she's thrown into prison for speaking the Word, she meets a young Tracelander, Kein Lantec, and they form an unlikely partnership. He is one of the few she's come into contact with that actually seeks the Infinite. Ela knows that prophets die young. Will her fate be death at seventeen or will the Infinite in His mercy have other plans for her and Kein?

It's hard to break into Christian fantasy. Yet, I feel that R. J. Larson has written a novel that does just that - break into Christian fantasy with a fresh voice. Early into the book, around the third page, I was captivated. My personal favorite character Was Ela's destroyer horse, Pet. The way that Pet protected her and was reluctant to let her out of his sight was quite funny. Even when Pet had been ordered to obey Kein. I recognized several Old Testament prophets and their stories in Ela's story. One thing that I picked up on, was that Ela understood the depths of her Creator's love. And she realized that she was worthless without Him.

I'm looking forward to book 2, Judge.

I recommend this book to Christian fantasy fans, fans of JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis, Brandon Sanderson, and fantasy lovers everywhere.

I received this book for free from the publisher, Bethany House, for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating - 4 stars