The Justice of Kings

by Richard Swan

3 out of 5

Synopsis

The Justice of Kings, the first in a new epic fantasy trilogy, follows the tale of Sir Konrad Vonvalt, an Emperor’s Justice – a detective, judge and executioner all in one. As he unravels a web of secrets and lies, Vonvalt discovers a plot that might destroy his order once and for all – and bring down the entire Empire. 

As an Emperor's Justice, Sir Konrad Vonvalt always has the last word. His duty is to uphold the law of the empire using whatever tools he has at his disposal: whether it's his blade, the arcane secrets passed down from Justice to Justice, or his wealth of knowledge of the laws of the empire. But usually his reputation as one of the most revered—and hated—Justices is enough to get most any job done. 

When Vonvalt investigates the murder of a noblewoman, he finds his authority being challenged like never before. As the simple case becomes more complex and convoluted, he begins to pull at the threads that unravel a conspiracy that could see an end to all Justices, and a beginning to lawless chaos across the empire.

Review

Sir Konrad Vonvalt and his team investigate a lady's murder in a seemingly unassuming town; but it leads to a bigger threat than they could have imagined.

I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Despite the blurb for the book being all about the Emperor's Justice, our narrator is actually his scribe, a nineteen year old woman called Helena.

Helena is the only girl in the team, which has been travelling around the country for two years, checking laws have been upheld and providing justice where necessary. It's rare for women to be a part of a Justice's entourage, but Helena is smart, and you get the feeling that she could be a Justice herself one day.

But she is here primarily to regale us with the deeds of Vonvalt.

I liked the world-building and the magic system in this book.

I thought they were well thought out, and shown in a way that never felt like an info-dump.

I thought the Emperor's Justice system was original and very interesting. In the beginning, as we only have Vonvalt as an example, they come across as noble and just. Vonvalt can be swift and merciless, but he's also forgiving for milder crimes.

As the book goes on, his order is still portrayed as a beacon of good, but it's acknowledged that individuals are prone to human weakness.

My biggest issue with this book was the pacing, and constant spinning over the same few dreary details. Yet Helena kept remarking that "shit was about to hit the fan"... but no, really, peace is about to explode dramatically. Yes, we're continuing the same drivel, but things are really going to get fucked up!

It took me two months to finish this book, when I normally read a book this length in a week! I was tempted to DNF several times, but I noticed a few other reviewers that had the same issue, said that it picks up later on.

And it did. Eventually.

I think from when it becomes clear that a certain-somewhere is involved, things start to kick up a gear.

I really started to like our narrator Helena, when she started operating with some independence to the others.

I personally thought that the momentum dropped towards the end.

Yes, there are some big moves going on, but most of it is a bunch of guys posturing, which dampened down the effect.

Because everything was so drawn out, I found it hard to connect with any characters except Helena, so it was hard to feel invested in the result.

The book is well-written, but I just don't gel with the story-telling style.

I won't be continuing the series, but I wouldn't dissuade others from giving it a go.

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