Darkness Reigns ~ Review

Darkness Reigns
The Kinsman Chronicles Part 1
By Jill Williamson

Darkness has covered the land in which the Five Realms dwell and the long foretold Five Woes seem to be coming forth as if in response to the evil brought forth by the King of Armania.

Within Armania, King Echad rules with a cruel glee - no one is safe from his whims or his worship of Barthos, even his own children.  Prince Wilek, eldest son of Echad, longs to be named Heir, to bring about an end to the sacrifices that his father insists upon.

A series of disasters is throwing the Realm of Armania into chaos. A quake has brought Cape Waldemar into the sea.  An entire city has been lost to the Lowerworld. 

Mielle finds herself newly installed within the court of Armania.  Serving as an honor maiden to Lady Zeroah is her best hope of bringing help to the those living within the Sink.  But court corruption and politics is more dangerous than Mielle had anticipated or expected.  Mielle is dedicated to helping Lady Zeroah with her upcoming marriage to Prince Wilek and to do this she must ferret out information about the prince.  Information that will help Zeroah win his heart.  But who do you trust in a court where no one trusts anyone and everyone seeks only their own advancement. 

This is the first part of the first book of the Kinsman Chronicles and I am totally hooked eagerly awaiting the second part.  There is nothing more satisfying than a book that leaves the reader waiting for the next part. This book introduces to a vast cast of characters who seem to be on a course that will bring them together - how and in what matter remains to be seen.  

Bring on part 2 and The Heir War...

I was provided an advanced pre-released copy of this book, but have also since purchased it. Darkness Reigns released today - December 1, 2015, and you can get it for a fantastic price free!

About the Book:

The god of the soil is furious. Volcanic eruptions, sinkholes, earthquakes--everything points to his unhappiness. At least this is what the people of Armania in the Five Realms believe. Amidst the unsettling state of the world around them, the princes of Armania live their lives focused more on who will claim the throne after their sickly father, King Echad, dies. That is until Prince Wilek's concubine turns up dead--beside her, a bloodied message that seems to have come from the mother realms. - See more at: http://jillwilliamson.com/