Series: The Legacy of the Mercenary King #1
Published by Gallery / Saga Press on June 23, 2020
Genres: Fantasy, Mystery, Crime
Pages: 608
Format: eBook, ARC
Source: Publisher
I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Kingman family did not die with whimpers. History was shaped by our births and deaths, and whether I liked it or not, I would be no exception.
Kingdom of Liars gives me campy murder mystery vibes. The story opens with a prologue, in which Michael Kingman is on trial for killing the king—ten years after his father was executed for killing the crown prince, Davey Hollow. Michael tells himself, and thus the reader, that he only ever did what he believed was necessary, and he holds his silence as the jury pronounces him guilty of regicide. The court erupts into chaos, a Warden drags Michael away, Michael awaits his execution—and the reader is left wondering if he really did it.
Cue chapter one. Michael tells his story. As a proud Kingman, Michael dreamed of upholding his ancestor’s legacy as great leaders in the community. Since his father’s execution, however, Michael’s family has been branded as traitors and stripped of their place in court. His siblings seem have to moved on—his brother serves as the royal family’s dog, and his sister works in the asylum where his mom’s been committed. Unable to settle into society, Michael performs crimes with his friends against minor royals for the money to treat his mom, and because a part of him still holds a grudge against the world for turning against his family. When the opportunity arrives for him to return to court and prove his father’s innocence, Michael takes it.
Michael is quick to speak, quick to anger, and quick to act. As he admits, he’s known for his persistence, not his intelligence. His character may be off-putting for some readers—his sassy attitude gets him into trouble on multiple occasions with other characters—but it feels like a defensive mechanism for the hardships his family has gone through. I recommend giving his character a chance if you enjoy the plot; it took time, but Michael’s character grew on me. A Kingman at his core, Michael is fiercely loyal to a fault. Even when the people he loves turn on him, and even helping them jeopardizes his plans, he does his best to help them. As Michael learns more about the Hollows and the factions making a bid for power, he understandably fluctuates on where he stands in the political and social climate of the Hollows. In keeping with his brash personality, these shifts felt abrupt at times, but the action and tension continue to push the story forward.
The mysteries of who killed the crown prince and who killed the king drives the plot. Coupled with this mystery is the intrigue of what happened during the time period that Michael cannot remember. Does he have the right impression of his father, or has he forgotten a crucial event that would change everything he thought he knew? If memories can’t be trusted, can Michael truly trust the people who approach him for friendship or favors?
The Kingdom of Liars delivers a satisfying conclusion to the mystery of who killed the king while setting the stage for the next chapter in Michael Kingman’s life, as he forges his own path as a Kingman. Expect mysteries and intrigue, magic and mayhem, and shocking revelations. Family and friends also play significant roles. I look forward to reading The Two-Faced Queen, book two in The Legacy of the Mercenary Kings!
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction says
It’s funny because I think about mysteries and fantasies as being such different things, but why not a mystery in a fantastical world? I guess I’ve read plenty of them but didn’t really think of it in those terms. LOL!
Crystal (Kester) says
Same! It’s neat that Martell genre blends mystery and fantasy in The Kingdom of Liars!