I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A bounty hunter brought in to help stop rebel factions outside of a kingdom soon discovers that everything he thought he knew is not as it seems in author Ryan Lanz’s The Silver Crystal, the first in the Red Kingdom series.
The Synopsis
A wise man once said that true victory is bloodless. That man was wrong.
The Red Kingdom is divided. Bounty hunter Rhael is brought in to subdue the rebels outside the city, except they aren’t normal rabble. These Corrupted have unnatural abilities too powerful for the rest of society—something Rhael learned firsthand when they killed his father years ago.
But this mission is different, and Rhael is quickly confronted by everything he once knew, and he discovers he has more of the enemy in him than he thought possible.
One day is all it takes to break a belief.
One day is all it takes to break a city.
One day is all it takes to break a man.
The Review
This was a powerful and memorable read. The incredible world-building that went into this story, as well as the mythology behind the outcasts of this kingdom and the ways people become “corrupted” in their society. The imagery and the depth of detail the author pours into this narrative and the rich history that the narrative unfolds both for this world and the protagonist speak to a depth of passion for this genre that fans will immediately connect with.
The action and intrigue perfectly elevate protagonist Rhael’s character growth, and the themes that the narrative plays on speak to a profound social calling that people don’t always consider. The twists that put the protagonist in the role of a social outcast and show how those often marked as outcasts by society are hunted or persecuted made the action and fantasy elements feel more grounded and engaging overall as the story progressed.
The Verdict
Harrowing, entertaining, and epic in every sense of the word, author Ryan Lanz’s “The Silver Crystal” is a perfect start to this grand fantasy series. The shocking moments this story takes and the complexity of these characters and this world will draw the reader further in, eager to see where the rest of the series takes them. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Ryan Lanz was born and raised on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. He spent five years with a music touring group, traveling to a dozen countries on three continents. Now living in the Midwest, he enjoys writing novels and entertaining his macaw parrot.
