The Briar King

I remember starting this years ago and laying it aside, but always recalled it somewhat fondly and don't know why it took me so long to give it another go. It could have had something to do with other shiny books being distracting, maybe Robin Hobb or someone. Fast forward to now and this quickly went from 3 to 4 stars during my early reading and by the end I felt it deserved all I could give it. I'm a little surprised to not see Keyes roll around my feed, because he reminds me of some of the best in the business.

The tone shifts, from where you're down in the mud and blood, to worrying about what dress to wear. It captured a little of Martin in that effect. The character work was reminiscent of Hobb, with not a one that was show more uninteresting. They may have been cookie-cut to some extent, but Keyes portrays them well with a straightforward prose that may throw in a big word or two, or some weird "variation" of an existing one. The chapter hooks — which really drive me when I'm interested — were oh so there. A pleasant surprise with this first, possibly underread book and three more to look forward to. Can't ask for more. show less

This is a book I’ve read before but with all four books in the series now published, I’m interested to know what happens next having already enjoyed the first two books. As I have difficulty in remembering one series from another, I’m aiming to catch up on the series before reading the final two books. This book was a little daunting to re-start given its size but after the first two chapters, the story becomes compelling. The story has a very earthy, pagan feel to it: nature and landscape as much characters as the main protagonists. The characters are a major strength of the story: well drawn and likeable, which makes a change from the trend of fantasy fiction nowadays which shies away from loyal and honourable characters. As if show more it’s impossible to have an interesting protagonist without the roguish element. Makes a welcome change to enjoy the wholesome nature of good and decent. The Briar King is very much a story setting up a great turn of events yet it also strikes the right balance between a successful conclusion and hinting at what is to come. I’ve already cracked open the spine of book two and I’m looking forward to seeing where the characters and the series goes next. show less

This was not the most easy book to get into. It starts out with difficult names, an unknown world, about five different points of view and no clue how those five are related. The chapters are short and as a result, there is a lot of switching between viewpoints, and although I cannot identify what it is that makes it so, the language is such that it is slow to read.

After a while though (ok, it was a long while), I got used to the slower reading pace, and it became clear that all the viewpoints were at least in the same land, and a few of them got together. Finally understanding the world, I did get into it. And loved it. Like I said, it's not a fast read, and although I liked all the (good) characters and lots of things happen to them, show more it was not very exciting or tense. I've got the feeling this is because my affection got divided over all of them, so even though I didn't want any of them to die, I still could live with it, because there were enough of them left. I was very much engaged with the book, though. Somehow there was not a single story line that I disliked or even liked significantly less than any of the others. This is a rare thing in my experience; in most books with multiple story lines, there is at least one that is a necessary evil (necessary to get through to understand the story at least), one that disappoints you when you turn the page and see you've ended up in THAT story line again. The briar king didn't have that at all. All story lines were interesting and all (good) characters in them were engaging. I say good here because the one character I wish was different was the king's crazy brother. I just don't like that type of insane character.

As for the other characters, I really liked seeing how some of them evolved. I liked that the bookish young priest gains some skills in the physical department. Mostly I liked the two really young people, princess Anne and Cazio, gaining an understanding of life and of adventures, learning a bit more realism. That was quite well-done. And, although this is by no means an equal society, I still liked the portrayal of the women. I imagine the 'men fight from the outside, women from the inside' motto of the coven would not sit well with everyone, but the book does hold plenty of interesting and confident women, who, although they do not fight the way men do, still rescue the men as often as the other way around, and can hold positions of power.

So, all in all this book gets four stars, and I've already started the sequel... Which is really necessary by the way, because the book really doesn't end in a way that makes it even seem like you are at an ending. show less

I checked this book out from a library when it was new, but had young children and didn't get to finish it before it was due. Then, life happened and for years, I had a dim memory of how it began and that King was in the title, but couldn't quite remember it and find it again. But then I did and that was a good thing.

This is a folk tale fantasy (or maybe a fantastical folk tale, if that's different) with a story that threads follows several interesting characters - some 'royal' and some 'commoners,' some decent and good, some treacherous and malevolent. Some magic(k) is at play, but at its core, this is a classic good vs. evil story and a decent one at that. There are deaths, some of them grisly as there should be in a book like this, show more but it's PG-13ish and not overly graphic for more sensitive readers.

Reads quickly without requiring a lot of the reader which is exactly what I wanted and needed it to be. In my opinion, this is a good early to mid-fall read ahead of (or just behind) Thanksgiving vs. winter fireplace cozy or summer beach breezy, but you do you and live by your own reading rules.

There are themes of love, friendship, loyalty, honor...and on the whole, it's a good read and adventure saga. I assume there are others installments that follow and move the story line forward. For all I know, the series may be (long) complete. But I haven't yet discovered them and am looking forward to doing so.

Recommended. show less

This was not the most easy book to get into. It starts out with difficult names, an unknown world, about five different points of view and no clue how those five are related. The chapters are short and as a result, there is a lot of switching between viewpoints, and although I cannot identify what it is that makes it so, the language is such that it is slow to read.

After a while though (ok, it was a long while), I got used to the slower reading pace, and it became clear that all the viewpoints were at least in the same land, and a few of them got together. Finally understanding the world, I did get into it. And loved it. Like I said, it's not a fast read, and although I liked all the (good) characters and lots of things happen to them, show more it was not very exciting or tense. I've got the feeling this is because my affection got divided over all of them, so even though I didn't want any of them to die, I still could live with it, because there were enough of them left. I was very much engaged with the book, though. Somehow there was not a single story line that I disliked or even liked significantly less than any of the others. This is a rare thing in my experience; in most books with multiple story lines, there is at least one that is a necessary evil (necessary to get through to understand the story at least), one that disappoints you when you turn the page and see you've ended up in THAT story line again. The briar king didn't have that at all. All story lines were interesting and all (good) characters in them were engaging. I say good here because the one character I wish was different was the king's crazy brother. I just don't like that type of insane character.

As for the other characters, I really liked seeing how some of them evolved. I liked that the bookish young priest gains some skills in the physical department. Mostly I liked the two really young people, princess Anne and Cazio, gaining an understanding of life and of adventures, learning a bit more realism. That was quite well-done. And, although this is by no means an equal society, I still liked the portrayal of the women. I imagine the 'men fight from the outside, women from the inside' motto of the coven would not sit well with everyone, but the book does hold plenty of interesting and confident women, who, although they do not fight the way men do, still rescue the men as often as the other way around, and can hold positions of power.

So, all in all this book gets four stars, and I've already started the sequel... Which is really necessary by the way, because the book really doesn't end in a way that makes it even seem like you are at an ending. show less

7.5/10
Criticism first: the book needs a list of characters and their roles, and either fewer words that have no meaning in English or a glossary that defines them. Yes, context gives some clues, but I like to know what it is I’m reading about.

Now the praise: interesting characters (even the minor ones), lots of twisty plot threads and subterfuge, and good maps. The book was somewhat confusing at first, with changing POVs each chapter and little sense of continuity until the reader is about a third into the book. But then things get rolling and and then story moves right along. I’m looking forward to continuing this series as so many plot threads are still dangling.

What is often cited as a weakness for this book is the standard, cookie-cutter characters that inhabit the story. And while I admit this is very true, I believe that Keyes pulls it off nicely. He takes those typical tropes and works them through an original and intriguing story. His dialogue and plot are great, and his world building is fantastic. The characters themselves are solid in their representation, and I hope that in further volumes of this series, they are fleshed out and given a unique flair all their own. It wouldn't take a lot to make them truly interesting.

That being said, this is a first rate fantasy epic, with a story that moves quickly and bounces from one scene to another. It will leave the reader hanging on the edge show more of one's seat and pushing through the relatively short chapters to see what happens next. A great debut for the series, and I'm looking forward to delving in deeper. Just have to be careful; those briar thorns look sharp. show less