King's Folly ~ Review

King's Folly
The Kinsman Chronicles #1
By Jill Williamson

For those who like the feel of paper between their fingers as they traverse their way through a book - this book is for you. This brings the first three parts (Darkness Reigns, The Heir War, and The End of All Things) of the Kinsman Chronicles which were released in a digital format into a physical book format.

Darkness has covered the land in which the Five Realms dwell and the long foretold Five Woes seem to be coming forth as if in response to the evil brought forth by the King Echad of Armania. Echad rules with a cruel glee - no one is safe from his whims or his worship of Barthos, even his own children.

Strife rules the court of Armania as the remaining sons are locked in an undeclared war to secure the title of heir. Prince Wilek, eldest son of Echad, longs to be named Heir and to bring an end to the sacrifices his father insists upon. Second son Janek has a cruel streak that would make him a ruler similar in nature to his father. Third son Trevn, is a teenager who has a great love and loyalty for his older brother Wilek. Trevn also has determined to rebel against the expected by actually caring for the people around him.

But a series of disasters is throwing the Realm of Armania into chaos - endless quakes, massive sinkholes, floods. The Five Realms are teetering on the verge of war, chaos, and utter destruction if the old prophecies are to be believed. They are after all just old prophecies, but the troubles that are slowly spreading throughout the lands could be the fulfillment of what they long ago decided to ignore or abandon.

There are many forces at work both for and against Armania within and without the palace. Who can be trusted is of utmost importance as the end draws near. But who do you trust in a court where no one trusts anyone and everyone seeks only their own advancement? Betrayals, deceptions, and divisions rule but the truth is available to those who search it out. And discovering these truths may be the only thing that can save the Realm.

As the crisis hits, long hidden secrets are discovered. Who will survive the Five Woes is in doubt as the world they've always known comes to it end.

I have several characters whom I have really gotten to like Wilek, Trevn, Zeroah (Wilek's intended bride), Mielle (Zeroah's honor maiden), and Trevn's companions/aids Sir Cadoc Wyser and Hinckdan Fuluk.

Each new offering from Jill Williamson becomes a new favorite and the Kinsman Chronicles is no exception.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.
About the Book:

The gods are angry. . . . 

Volcanic eruptions, sinkholes, ground shakers--everything points to their unhappiness. At least that is what the king of Armania believes. His son, Prince Wilek, thinks his father's superstitions are nonsense, though he remains the ever dutiful First Arm of Armania.

When a messenger arrives and claims that the town of Farway has been swallowed by the earth, the king sends Wilek to investigate. But what Wilek discovers is more cataclysmic than one lost city. Even as the ground shifts beneath his feet, Wilek sets out on a desperate journey to save his people and his world. But can he do it before the entire land crumbles?