The Fury of Kings: A gripping epic fantasy adventure (The Erland Saga Book 1)

Fury of Kings is a worthy successor to Game of Thrones. Like GoT the story is set in a medieval world and unfolds through multiple characters’ points of view as their land descends into war. And what a cast of characters! There’s an honourable general serving a sadistic king. There’s a dissolute prince with a scheming mother. Throw in a psychopathic warlord, a neglected ‘wild child’ princess, a studious girl who may be preternaturally gifted, and wizards… and you have a rich, believable, complex world. A world with its own back-story and future, that draws you in and leaves you wanting to know more. A believable world where bad things can happen to good people and no-one is invincible.There’s magic, but it’s low key, at least in this book; acknowledged to be possible but playing little part in everyday lives. I suspect and hope we’ll see more of that in the sequel. There’s also a menacing intelligence stirring on the mighty mountain at the heart of the land. That too is building up to play greater role.Like GoT, world-building of this breadth does not lend itself to a simple ending. The reader joins a narrative that carries one forwards, breathless to know what comes next. I, for one, will be part of that ride.

I picked this up on the recommendation of a friend and was soon transported to Erland - a captivating fantasy realm where armies clash in the field, magic lurks in dark corners and intrigue abounds throughout. Moule has a talent for world-building and the sights and sounds of Cliffark and Merivale are particularly vivid. This is a must-read for any fantasy enthusiast. The wait for Book Two of the saga and a return to Erland will be an impatient one!

Really good new novel with some nods to you know who. Not afraid to move major players off the board. I enjoyed the characters and plot development. If you enjoy fantasy then this is shaping up to be a winner.

This was recommended by a friend and does not disappoint. This is fantasy from the same stable as Game Of Thrones, but better. Leaner, tighter and less bloated. Where GOT blunders around with a cast of thousands, with plot lines that travel but never arrive, FOK rattles along with just the right balance of backstory, epic mythology and action. You get the feeling that the author knows where this is going, they actually have a plan for the narrative. And although it definitely not a children's book, it's mercifully free of violence as shock tactic, which other similar books tend to rely on.Overall, highly recommended, will be looking out for future books.

Great modern fantasy suitable for fans of ASOIAF and FATF. Look forward to reading book 2.

Really enjoyed & very much looking forward to the next in the series!

Great book, very good storyline which kept the tension throughout the book. Why oh why when authors release a book which is the first in a series they give no indication of when we might expect the next book or even the name of it. Infuriating! Book 1 was an excellent book.

I am 12% into this book and will probably give up on it. The comparisons with George R R Martin (which persuaded me to buy the book) are horrifying to me. This is not in the same league.So far the author has wheeled out a bunch of cliched, uninteresting characters, with no complexity whatsoever. Feuding brothers, baddies and goodies, quarrelsome brothers, plucky young women who (I expect) will surprise all the men by participating in the story and being useful, as though overturning their society's sexism and brutalism was something that took nothing more than strength of character.Conversation are stilted because they serve the single function of explaining the plot. Nothing is subtle or ambiguous, no surprises yet.The best I can say is that it has been a really easy read.