The Fury of Kings

Details:

• author: The Fury of Kings
• full title: R. S. Moule
• narrator: Colin Mace
  
• genre: fantasy
  
• topics: #epicfantasy, #kingdom
  
• publisher: Bookouture Audio
• publish date: 17 May 2023
  
• timing: 16:14:00
  
  

My Rating of the Audiobook:

• content: 💙💙💙💙.5
• narration: 💙💙💙💙💙

Goodreads

Excerpt from the Book: 

Lutum tradition dictated that at the end of his fifteenth year, a boy would brave the White, bathe in the blood of the first animal he slew, and return wearing its hide, as a man, hones and hardened by the beast’s spirit. Most came home with the skins of rabbits or goats draped across their shoulders. Those who returned wearing the pelt of a stag and dragging its skinned corpse were heralded; those who clutched the remains of a rodent were mocked.

My Thoughts:

Andrick Barrelbraker led the army and secured the throne for his brother Hessian. Decades later, the Hessian is still king, and the throne is secured for now. But when the king's only son and heir to the throne is murdered, a new contender for the throne suddenly appears.

I didn't know what to expect when I started this audiobook. But I was pleasantly surprised. The Fury of Kings is a great epic fantasy novel with diverse, interesting, and complex characters. There are battles, political intrigues, magic, family history, and more.

I suggest including the character list and family tree at the beginning of this book and the accompanying PDF to the audiobook edition. There are many characters, and the reader may be confused at first.

The audiobook is masterfully narrated by Colin Mace. He made so many characters come to life. Even though the audiobook is over 16 hours long, I never felt it was too long. The story was interesting, and the narrator made listening a pleasant experience.

I wouldn't compare this novel to Game of Thrones because this story is unique and compelling on its own. But I would say that readers who liked Game of Thrones might give this novel a try.

The Fury of Kings is a first novel in The Erland Saga and it is a debut novel  that doesn't feel like it. I will follow up on his work.

About the Author: 

R.S. Moule ('Roger') lives in South London with his wife Eloise and their cat Tinks. He has a passion for writing epic fantasy grounded by human flaws and desires, set in worlds inspired by a childhood divided between his home in the rolling hills of the Cotswolds and summers spent exploring the rugged coastline and deep glens of the Isle of Man. When not reading or writing, he can often be found playing guitar, watching football, or looking for his keys.

About the Narrator:

Colin Mace has recorded over 200 audiobooks. He is also a British theatre, film and TV actor.

He has an assured but warm voice. A voice you have to take seriously with bags of gravitas but capable of being light and witty at the same time. Versatile with a natural ear for many many accents. 

He is an actor with thirty years of experience appearing at the National Theatre, the RSC and the Royal Court as well as working extensively on Television in Maigret, This Country, Dark Heart, Silent Witness, Endeavor, Strangers, A Confession, War of the Worlds and is appearing in the British Blockbuster Military Wives and later in the year will appear in Edgar Wright's new film Last Night In Soho.