This book is absolutely incredible in so many ways I’m kind of at a loss of where to start, so let me start with the characters. Áed is amazing. He’s so easy to root for, and he, as well as all the side characters, feel fully fleshed out. All he and his partner really want is to give Ronan, the boy they’re raising, a better life than either of them had. It’s not much but it’s a goal. Áed is disabled and he’s gay, neither of which define him or drive his main conflict, which is really refreshing. Instead, his found family accepts him for who he is and loves him for who he is, facing the battles that do come at his side.

And the battles that come his way are hard to describe without spoiling anything because this is a book about self-discovery, as Áed learns about himself. It’s dark, it’s brutal, it’s touching, and it’s heartwarming. It makes you feel all the feels, and that’s why I love it so much. The author did an absolutely brilliant job and I’m going to be a little annoying about this book for a while because it’s just that good. Don’t forget that besides reading indies, another good way to support great authors is to ask your library to get the book (if your library takes purchase suggestions). And, of course, telling all your friends like I’m doing now!

If you’re a fan of dark fantasy, found families, (ooh, there’s more tropes I could list but I don’t want to spoil things), or of authors like Robin Hobb, then try this book!

My one complaint is that the worldbuilding was so cool, it could have gone even deeper (but really, it was about on Robin Hobb’s level, and about that level for dark and gritty).
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4.5

Book source ~ Tour

When tragedy finds Áed, he and his 7-yr-old ward Ronan leave the crime-ridden Maze behind and head for the White City where they hope to live a better life. People who try to find it never return so while the journey is perilous, the destination may be deadly. Out of options, they strike out into the unknown towards a future he never, in his wildest dreams, thought would be his.

I read the excerpt for this last year for the BBNYA (Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Awards) and when it didn’t move into the finals I was disappointed because I really wanted to finish it. When it came up for a tour with The Write Reads I immediately jumped at the chance to get my greedy mitts on it. I’m glad I did. What a great story!

The writing is fantastic, painting a clear picture without over-describing. I hate when authors use too many words when a few will do. I love the characters. All of them. Yes, even the ones who I want to stab in the neck. Repeatedly. The dialogue rolls smoothly and there’s plenty of plot to chew on with danger, surprises, peril, humor, tragedy, and character growth. Author E.G. Radcliff is an author that will be going on my Favorite Authors list and one I’ll keep a weather eye out for new books. If you like your Fantasy rich and full-bodied then I suggest you pick this up. It’s a keeper. ( )

I thoroughly enjoyed this Celtic inspired fantasy which is the first in a series. Aed scrapes out a difficult life in the Maze, where he depends on Ninian and Ronan. His mother is long since gone, having left in the night with only a parting letter for him that Ninian read as Aed could not. When something terrible happens, Aed and Ronan are forced to journey to the nearby White City, and the novel becomes a coming-of-age journey where Aed discovers his true legacy and hidden powers. I really enjoyed the lavish descriptions of the city and the marketplace. Everything was easy to picture and see in my head. Aed doesn’t understand his magic or where it’s coming from and so people keep getting hurt which leads to terrible consequences for him and Ronan. Parts of this book feel like set up for the rest of the series, but I enjoyed the way things unfolded and the neat reveals that were spread out along the way, including some of my favorite tropes. I’m definitely curious to see what happens for Aed and Ronan (and some of the other characters introduced towards the end of the book, who I bet will play larger roles in future books) next! ( )

When I started reading The Hidden King I was enraptured. E.G. Radcliff pulls you into the story leaving you with the edge of the seat feeling and almost demanding to know what's next. I typically enjoying waiting till the Author decides to reveal information but in this book I am impatient to know what's coming next.

If you are a big fan of fantasy YA you owe it to yourself to read this.The characters are real, relatable too and their relationships are engaging and compelling. Radcliff included a map of the elaborately described cut Location so you, the reader, always know where the characters are in the stpry. It was a perfect touch and helps the story become alive.