Fiction Reviews
The First King
(2024) Shameez Patel Papathanasiou, Flame Tree Press,
£12.95 / Can$21.95 / US$16.95, trdpbk, 405pp, ISBN 978-1-7875-8920-9
King Idis has declared war by setting the Selene realm on fire. Lucas is the only one who can stop him, but can they really trust a vision of the future? While Cassia, Lochlan and Rosheen are trapped in Vineas, Lucas gathers allies and despite lacking control of his First magic, he knows that one way or another this needs to end now.
The conclusion to South African born, debut author's stunning series, with touches of Suzanne Collins which fans of V.E. Schwab or Sarah J Maas will love. Lucas returns to the Selene realm only to find its been set alight. The king has declared war and is searching for them, especially his prized Healer who has escaped with his traitorous son. But Cassia and Lochlan are still trapped in Vineas and Lucas has no way of getting to them. Armed with something as easily changed as a vision of the future, Lucas has to place his faith in the people around him and call out the uncontrollable First magic lurking inside him. He will be the one to kill the king. He will end this.
Ian Hunter
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