Crownbreaker
by Sebastien de Castell
audiobook read by Joe Jameson (Hot Key Books, 2019)
The self-contained plot fizzes a bit, but only because Kellen’s mission to confront—and possibly kill—a Berabesq child god, morphs instead into a finale to end the series as a whole. De Castell offers an understated denouement, respectful of character arcs.
King of Thorns
by Mark Lawrence (Harper Voyager, 2012)
audiobook read by Joe Jameson (HarperCollins, 2012)
Jorg Ancrath remains a quintessential antihero, redeemable (if at all) only through dint of his brutal self-honesty and the reader’s lingering hope that he might come good. Lawrence also affords him the appeal of fighting, mostly with his wits, against impossible odds.
Queenslayer
by Sebastien de Castell (Hot Key, 2019)
audiobook read by Joe Jameson (Hot Key, 2019)
Kellen remains resourceful (and de Castell ingenious in flipping him between frying pan and fire), but in the absence of Ferius Parfax becomes rather too insistent on self-sabotage. His inner bleakness adds a darker, more adult tone at the expense of escapism.
Prince of Thorns
by Mark Lawrence (Voyager, 2011)
audiobook read by Joe Jameson (HarperCollins, 2012)
Lawrence’s debut is an impressive piece of genre subversion, casting adolescent antihero Jorg Ancrath against every convention of what is appropriate from a fantasy protagonist, yet still retaining the reader’s backing. Jorg’s conversational sociopathy is particularly well served by Jameson’s audiobook reading.
Soulbinder
by Sebastien de Castell (Hot Key, 2018)
audiobook read by Joe Jameson (Hot Key, 2018)
Sebastien de Castell raises the stakes in this fourth instalment, introducing new characters while confronting Kellen with ever-more-knotty imperilments to untangle. Reichis’s absence is a blow but the emotional moments feel genuine and Kellen continues to mature, boding well for the series.
Charmcaster
by Sebastien de Castell (Hot Key, 2018); audiobook read by Joe Jameson (Bonnier, 2018)
A coming-of-age story for Kellen, who matures in important ways and continues to prove highly resourceful, yet remains vexingly (at times unbearably) slow on the uptake. Joe Jameson’s audiobook reading is again a highlight, as are the plethora of strong female characters.
Shadowblack
by Sebastien de Castell (Hot Key, 2017); audiobook read by Joe Jameson (Bolinda, 2017)
A decent sequel, its impact diminished not by the necessary lessening of stakes but by a resetting of Kellen’s maturity, robbing him of the gains made in the first book. Magical highlight: Joe Jameson’s portrayal of Reichis, the pocket desperado squirrel cat.
Spellslinger
by Sebastien de Castell (Hot Key Books, 2017); audiobook read by Joe Jameson (Bolinda, 2017)
Sebastien de Castell delivers a fully realised magical world with perils and pitfalls aplenty, an unobtrusive moral, and a quick-thinking young protagonist. Joe Jameson’s audiobook reading gives excellent voice to the characters. With all due respect, this leaves Harry Potter for dead.