The Glossary at the back of the book helps a lot with this issue… if only I’d noticed it was there! If you have trouble remembering names or keeping characters straight you might struggle a bit. The large number of characters and the complexity of the story were a bit difficult for me to keep up with. Some of the most important protagonists lived terrible lives of death and torture, but are redeemed through their friendships, their ability to trust despite their pasts, and their loyalty to each other and their gods. Some of the worst characters, who perform the most heinous acts, are the ones trying to save everything. Lyons does more than just make you empathize with the villain she shows you a depth to each character that makes it impossible to label any of them as just “good” or “evil”. The moral dilemmas presented in The Ruin of Kings are surprisingly nuanced. These three perspectives come together to tell the story of a hero who isn’t really a hero, and villains who just might be trying to save the world. Finally, there are regular footnotes made by a magician who’s making a case for Kihrin’s acquittal to the emperor.

She starts the story earlier, and the two alternate and fight over details throughout the book. Kihrin tells the story from where he thinks it begins, but is regularly interrupted by his jailer, a shapeshifter who can read minds and retains the memories of her many victims. The storytelling of this novel is very unique there are effectively three storytellers. Will he take hold of his destiny, or is he merely a pawn in the machinations of those far stronger than him? Even his newfound allies seem convinced he’s supposed to be the one to bring everything crashing down, and Kihrin feels helplessly caught in the middle. Kihrin isn’t really keen on the idea, but his enemies don’t seem to believe him. Kihrin, a thief raised in a whorehouse, is suddenly caught up in the plans of some very powerful people after he’s deemed the Chosen One, the boy meant to destroy everything he knows and loves. The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons is the story of a boy destined to end the world.

The ruin of kings book series