Information:

• Goodreads: Average of 4.24 out of 13,300 Ratings
• Age Category: Adult
• Genre: Fantasy
• Series: Greatcoats book 2

Summary:

Within the first book, we meet Falcio, Breast, and Kest, three Greatcoats that are trying to follow their late king’s last orders. Without knowing it, they’ve been hunting for King Paelis’ heir, a young girl named after Falcio’s Wife. Finding her doesn’t mean their task is done, though. Now they have to protect this girl from everyone who wants her dead (basically everyone) all while Kest is dealing with his new title, Falcio is paralyzed for longer and longer, and knights, assassins, and basically every other obstacle one could imagine stands in their way.

Review + possible Spoilers:

There is so much that I love about this series and Sebastien’s writing in general. He has a way of making me actually giggle and then completely and totally ripping my heart out. I laughed reading this and cried reading it. Castell somehow writes in a very lighthearted manner, but is still able to convey all the emotions.

I cannot explain in enough detail how much I love Falcio, Kest, and Brasti. Falcio is so singularly focused on following through with his King’s commands that he can’t tell just how many people follow him – not because of his King but because of who he is. It’s so interesting to see a main character who isn’t the fastest and strongest. Kest is a better swords man. Brasti has better eyesight. But Falcio is able to talk things out and think them through. It’s so fun seeing how they work as a team because they each know exactly what they’re able to offer. And I like getting to see that the king, despite Falcio’s Rose tinted view of him, was still just a man. He was not perfect. In fact, he was weak and occasionally conniving. He made calls that were for the better of the population but not the one going on the mission. Which is a great quality for a King to have, but not a quality of someone who is perfect and fair and just 24/7. What happened to Dalianna wasn’t fair. But it made sense strategically.

I will say, though, that I do not like the ‘romance.’ I do not like Ethalia. You want me to get behind the woman who raped this man in the first book? Yeah, he liked it later, but that doesn’t change how he still said no. Repeatedly. And, because it was what was ‘best’ for him, she ignored his rejection. I didn’t enjoy that scene and I don’t enjoy her character now. I’d much prefer him with Valiana instead, if there has to be a romance at all.

The world is so interesting. I would like to know more about the magic within the world, but Falcio hates magic, so we’ll only see bits and pieces. Its still interesting. I especially want to know more about Saints and Gods. What makes up the difference? I hope Kest is still able to be the Saint of Swords. I love that the power can’t seem to make up its mind now that he’s missing a hand.

I’m definitely curious to see what the rest of the series holds. The Greatcoats Lament was heartbreaking. Things seem to relatively (kind of, maybe) be settled as far as who the heir is. But now Valiana has a new role she is playing and numerous dynamics have changed. I loved it. It was fantastic. I cannot wait to read the second.