Review: The Reluctant King (Sword’s Edge Chronicles, Book 4) by L.S. King
Being Thane was hard enough, but now Alcandhor must make Claim and become King to save his friend and scribe as well as his people. The question is: just how long will he last in this job?
In the prior novel, Laws and Prophecies, readers saw Alcandhor’s trusted scribe Maradhor in trouble. He had married a member of the Laird’s family, a young woman named Atinna, despite such marriages being forbidden by ancient law. The rest of the nobles didn’t want to see the Ch’shalna (Ranger) Clan allying with the Laird’s, since before they became the Rangers, the Laird’s clan served Ch’shalna. Intermarriage between the two clans left open the possibility of old alliances being tightened, thereby weakening the nobles’ power, and so they forbid it.
Disregarding Atinna’s pleas, the nobles refused to change the law so that she and Maradhor could wed. To try to avoid her, Maradhor left for another province, where he came down ill. Atinna, having gone to the same province to say good-bye to him, tended him specially. She and Maradhor both believed he was dying, so they wed against all law in secret.
Only with Mattan’s help, Maradhor survived. Worse, someone saw the necklet Maradhor wore. Necklets are symbols of marriage and it didn’t take a genius to guess Atinna had made it. Breaking the law like this means they only have two options: be sent to the mines to die as criminals for simply falling in love, or run.
The Story
To save Maradhor and Atinna from being sent to the mines as criminals, Alcandhor did what he had refused to do his whole life: he made Claim. When humanity first came to this world, his forebear Zaidhron ruled as king. Zaidhron eventually stepped down but his family – by treaty with the Enaisi, the alien race who helped them to escape their dying homeworld – remained in charge of security. This security was not only meant to stop wrongdoers but to prevent their new homeworld from being exploited to death as their prior one had been.
Except the nobles, once they learned that Maradhor and Atinna had wed, insisted on not only sending them to a lingering death in the mines, but on creating their own standing units of Rangers. Doing the latter would violate the treaty with the Enaisi and put all mankind at risk. Alcandhor could only protect his friend and his world in one way alone: by making Claim to become king. It is not a job he wants, but the alternative is to keep allowing his and the Laird’s clan to be kicked around like beaten dogs while putting the whole planet at risk.
Now on the verge of taking the throne, Alcandhor has a lot to do. Having sent drum messages that Maradhor and Atinna may return because they are safe, he is confused that they have not shown up yet. Worse, he still must deal with the nobles, several of whom are replacements for those who killed the old Laird in book one. As Thane of the Rangers he would need to ask permission to go through their records with a fine tooth comb to see what dark secrets, embezzlement, and other wicked things they have done and are doing their best to hide.
But as ascendant king, he can order their records searched, so he simply gives the command. Even knowing that they will blame most of their perfidies on their predecessors, this will help deal with a variety of problems, albeit it will cause some others. Cornered rats will always fight, after all.
Alcandhor also tells Haladhon that he rescinds the order which keeps his cousin and best friend from living outside the city of Zaidhron with his legal mistress and their daughters. Now he can wed and live with her properly. Except that this last change comes too late: Haladhon learns when he reaches the city that his mistress was murdered trying to protect their daughters from a lascivious young man, whom his daughters killed in self-defense.
As preparations for his coronation continue and tensions mount, Alcandhor finds his mind turning to Lantral and Nelatan provinces, both of which are under the command of scheming nobles. Why is his mind drawn there? Is it danger? Or is it something more?
The Characters
Alcandhor continues his growth from Laws and Prophecies as he leads his people into a new age while trying not to show how utterly terrified he is of assuming his new position. Meanwhile, Maradhor shows both good sense and bad: having known Alcandhor since he was young and his vehement refusal to make Claim, he takes his bride Atinna into the mountains, laying a false trail to the sea. He is thus out of hearing distance of the drums and so he does not know it is safe to go back, which puts his and Atinna’s lives at risk. By trying to save them, he may just doom them.
Meanwhile, Alcandhor’s uncle, Lamadhel, is sent on a delicate mission – one that proves very ugly and requires all his strength to restrain his impulses. This gives readers a good look at a heretofore minor background character whose previous position was simply to give advice. Now, Lamadhel may prove he is worthy of giving advice by dealing with the nasty issue before him.
Tam and Marcalan continue to grow, as does Mattan, who soon must face an old prophecy he believes but fears to see come true. As if that were not enough, Mattan also calls on some of his friends to return to this world to teach mankind the lore they have lost over a millennium. These friends are Dassel, Atesni, and Talkai. The three new Enaisi are well-drawn characters, but Dassil receives the most screentime here, giving readers the best look at his character.
The World
L.S. King continues to deepen the world of the Sword’s Edge Chronicles, revealing how humans – the Teldheri – were rescued and repatriated to this world. Readers learn a little more about how Teledhar died, the factions among the Enaisi, the laws of this world, and why matters are as they stand now in the series. There are also hints of how the world is changing: from the implication that something significant happened when Tam’s mother died, to women seeking Ranger training in light of Tam’s example, to Alcandhor’s kingship and the challenges therein, the world is not going to remain as it was or is for long. More changes are coming, leaving the characters and the audience wondering what will happen next!
Politics
None.
Content Warning
Sex slavery and the punishment for it are dealt with in The Reluctant King delicately but it is still a touchy subject even for the characters in question. Maradhor and Atinna’s “nestling” is indicated briefly and with taste, though Atinna’s first attempt is not well-timed. Alcandhor’s ex-wife’s behavior and implications are shown along with the effect her behavior has on his sons, as his daughter remains indifferent to the mother who does not love her. A suicide attempt is also made and stopped. The fallout from Haladhon’s daughters being assaulted and losing their mother to murder is also discussed several times in the narrative.
Who is it for?
Anyone who loves high fantasy mingled with science fiction will love this book, just as they loved the previous entries in the series. The Reluctant King digs deep into political intrigue and will appeal to those looking for a novel that tackles themes of change, law, and royalty while demonstrating just what the heroes are risking in a believable manner. Readers who want ancient mysteries and lost technology will enjoy this book, as will those who want to see bad guys receive their just reward. For fans eager to read the next installment in King’s series, this book is a must-have. Romance aficionados will also like this latest installment in a series that would make Andre Norton proud and J.R.R. Tolkien smile. Young Adult readers will love the chance to delve into a world that sugarcoats nothing while promising much.
Why buy it?
It is good, solid fun and a thought-provoking read. They do not make adventure narratives like this anymore. What else could one ask for in the way of summer reading?