The Kingless Crown

Kingdom of the White Sea, Book 1

By: Sarah M. Cradit

Narrated by: Kimberly M. Wetherell

Length: 20 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

From the USA Today and international best-selling author of the Saga of Crimson & Clover comes a gripping new epic fantasy world that will leave you breathless to the very last moment.

A crown woven together by lies.

A kingdom with the power to unravel them.

Four Reaches. Four brides. Only a fortnight separates the young women from becoming reluctant queens of the usurper king, Eoghan Rhiagain.

Twenty years earlier, King Eoghan’s father cunningly devised marriages between the highborn sons and daughters of the oft-warring Reaches, sealing the unions before they could protest, shattering existing betrothals in place of forced alliances.

Now, Eoghan, the cruel boy king who stole his crown through murder, demands the eldest daughters of these unions. To accept is unfathomable. To refuse is treason.

The lords and ladies of the kingdom have no choice but to prepare their beloved daughters for the horrors ahead. But they’ll soon discover there are no longer any daughters left to present. All four have disappeared, painting the world with their rebellion.

Theirs is not the only rebellion. Across the kingdom, little fires light within. From the enigmatic sorcerers in the northern mountains, to the magi who both wield and regulate the kingdom’s magic, and beyond...to a place where two prisoners are not what they seem.

As the Reaches ready themselves to face the king, the kingdom hovers on the edge of chaos.

And there are many who recall, in candlelit secrecy, tales of a time before....

©2021 Sarah M. Cradit (P)2021 Spotify Audiobooks

Such a masterpiece.

When I first saw this book advertised before its release I knew I had to have it. The cover and title were so compelling and the synopsis for this book really spoke to me.

I enjoyed Sarah M. Cradit's writing style very much. It was easy to form a connection with her storytelling. The writing was concise and had an easy flow despite the intense world-building. I admit that the world-building was vast and sometimes a little heavy. That doesn't mean that it wasn't brilliant though. The world-building was expertly crafted and I think that it was comparable to most adult high fantasy series. The author has some family trees, maps, and other information about the world and characters on her website that is really helpful when you start reading so that you don't get confused. Or maybe that is just me. =P The construction of the plot and the ideas used in the story were crafted marvelously. I was so impressed with the creativity and the skilled storytelling.

There are SO many characters in this series that it is hard to keep track of them all and how they are related to each other. It may be a little daunting at first but it is well worth it, in the end. These characters were so vibrant and complex. There were a lot of POVs in this book and each one of them was distinct with a unique voice. Even though there was a huge cast of characters, each one came alive in the storytelling with individuality. I am a huge fan of multiple POVs in books and this book was one that really benefited from it. I especially liked how there was a wide range in the ages of the characters with a voice. From children to adults, there was a lot of representation.

There are many different romantic subplots in this book and I can't wait for some of them to blossom. Some of the romances have been there from the beginning and I am enjoying their journeys. I have a feeling that not all of the romances in this story will work out in the end. I do love the tropes used surrounding the romances and I think that the couplings thus far have been very compelling.

Overall, this was such a masterpiece and I fell so hard for this world and its cast of characters. This book had a definite sword and sorcery feel to it that is very akin to traditional high fantasy. The magic was on the lighter side but I feel that there is more in store as the story plays out. I loved all of the politics and the machinations of all the different characters at play. Everyone had an agenda and I was a fool for all the drama. This book was full of secrets that played out in such an entertaining way. I have seen this series compared to Game of Thrones and I fairly agree with that. If you are a fan of fantasy stories with noble families and all of their drama then this series will be perfect for you!

What a World!!

I am going to start with that I LOVE Sarah's books and her universe. I first read The Sylvan and the Sand, a stand alone novel set in the same world as The Kingless Crown, and now I just want more of it all.

Sarah has woven together a beautiful world, rich in history and dramatics. While listening to The Kingless Crown I wanted to piece together all the information I was getting and the existing knowledge I had from the other books. It is absolutely amazing how much Sarah crams into an already large book. The world of the Kingdom of the White Sea will not disappoint readers who love world building, high stakes, adventure, family secrets, cast out magic, and the list goes on and on. I am so excited to venture further into this world both in this trilogy and the plethora of other reading materials from Sarah!

Okay Story

I am not enjoying this book. There are a ton of characters and really no point to them. They each there there own thing and there is no connection. I’m only on chapter 5 but probably won’t finish as I find it boring.