The Sun Prince

L.R. Schulz knocks it out of the part with a grand slam with this continuation of the Bonds of Kin series. Just because The King Radiant is no more doesn't mean our story with the Glaives siblings is over! Peace hasn't been achieved, rumors surface that the Skae are real, the sun might be dying, and who is the mysterious Sun Prince from across the sea?

A King's Radiance was a nice fantasy story but The Sun Prince is better in every way! More epic, more grand, more adventures, more risks, more emotion, more battles, more fantasy, and more creatures! This book doesn't suffer from being the second in a series. It's actually better than the first book. It keeps all the heart and emotion from the previous installment but amps everything up!

We have the same cast of characters, mostly focusing on the Glaives siblings, who all continue to be great. But new characters are introduced and two of them are standouts. First, there is Zeek. What is it and what is its story? It's interesting to see this world from its point of view. And then there is The Sun Prince himself! He's one of my favorite characters, and getting to know him was great. Is he a friend or foe? I won't say but he is a great character.

There was a shock at the end of Part One that really rattled me. I honestly questioned myself if the story could continue to be as good as it was with what happened. Even though it was jarring, I, like the other characters, slowly got over it and continued to move on.

I will make a note that there was one small sex scene. It wasn't very descriptive or lewd but for some reason, it did kind of jar me. I wasn't expecting it. It doesn't take away anything or dampen the story, it just seemed like it was kind of out of place. But that's just me.

This is an example of what all second books should strive to be. Take everything you loved about the first and just add more! Don't miss out on this!

The sequel to A King's Radiance, I'm lucky to have gotten an ARC!
Lumindal has been defeated, new kings have been crowned, alliances honored, and new horrors are arising. Just because they defeated the King-Radiant and his Eagles, doesn't mean that everything is okay. If Zur's power is fading, the Sun Prince may be their savior. 
This is an absolute banger of a sequel. The author has improved on every single aspect from the first book and delivered us a near perfect second. The characters we know and love are back, and there's even more new faces to learn and love. The author has broadened the scope of just about everything, and he's sticking the landing. 
The Sun Prince, while virtually functioning as the novel's villain, is also dynamic and strong on his own. It's as if the author has the ability to pick apart every single aspect of his characters, dissecting, then reassembling them until they can each function perfectly. Even as lead characters. 
The climax is huge, the combat is written clearly and beautifully. Yet it's gritty and horrifying as blood and guts tend to be. The illustrations peppered throughout give life to the words in the page, and each one is uniquely wonderful. 
Again, this is an author that must be read. Personally a 5/5*. “Go back to the shadows”...we see what you did there.