Kings or Pawns by J.J. Sherwood

5 Stars.

I was very lucky to have been given this opportunity to read Sherwood's first novel in this series. I have read some really wonderful reviews about this book on Goodreads and know that her writing career will be a very productive one. Your fans love your books! Thank you again. 

The story finds itself in the midst of corruption in the elven city of Elvorium and is being run by a council of elves after the king and his supporters left. Prince Hairem has now ascended the throne of the elven kingdom after his father died. What follows is not just a story of a political battle, but the story of brutal murders by an assassin and the warlord Saebellus threatening the city of Sevrigel (part of the elven world) from outside the walls.

Ah, such an intriguing and enjoyable read. It took me a little while to get into this book and not because I was bored or didn't enjoy the writing style. There was a lot of world building and setting the scene to start off with which a book like this definitely needs. It also took a little while to get used to all the different names of places and people (I still don't think I can say half of them aloud!) but I certainly wouldn't call this an issue. Character development, story development and just the whole thing worked so well and the writing is excellent. Sherwood has created a great start to a great series here and there is certainly something for everyone, even for those who don't exactly read fantasy as a genre alone. I have read some reviews that have compared this series to 'The Lord of the Rings' series and I personally have never read the books or was I a massive fan of the films. I can see where people get this somewhat comparison but this is certainly more than just fantasy for me. There was an aspect of grittyness to the story and had a little bit of crime/thriller thrown in there. There was also the political aspect of the story which overall gave this novel something new for all the fantasy fans out there. Sometimes, even for those who love the genres they love for a reason, are always looking for something a little different and new; this is definitely the novel for that!

Overall, this was a really great novel which has some great potential for the future of its series. I would certainly recommend picking this book up even if you aren't a massive fantasy fan due to everything that goes with it. Definitely looking forward to the next book in the series!

Steps of power are doing an online book tour starting on the 1st August for all you bookish lovers and their fans!

Their website will feature reviews and blogs (including mine!), host giveaways and contests for all readers, reviewers and fans to participate in. There will be a grand prize drawing too. All of this will take place at: http://StepsofPower.com.

There is also another link to follow if you would like to take part in their Kings or Pawns giveaway: (this will run from July 25th-September 10th)
 http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/MmRjMzM0ZjBjNzY5ZGNiZDRhODA3YWI1Yjk5Y2E2OjI=/

If you would like to visit the steps of powers website when my review/link to my blog goes live, stay tuned to their site on August 9th. Please get looking, I know I will!

Happy reading :)