The Western King (The Rune Blade Trilogy, Book 2)

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Read
Review: "The Western King" is by far the best book in the Rune Blade trilogy. Although the first book, "Kingmaker's Sword" is also a very good book, "The Western King" definitely surpasses its prequel. Donaugh is a vivid character, and the reader's heart aches when he cannot find fulfulment.

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Read
Review: "The Western King" is by far the best book in the Rune Blade trilogy. Although the first book, "Kingmaker's Sword" is also a very good book, "The Western King" definitely surpasses its prequel. Donaugh is a vivid character, and the reader's heart aches when he cannot find fulfulment.

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Read
Review: "The Western King" is by far the best book in the Rune Blade trilogy. Although the first book, "Kingmaker's Sword" is also a very good book, "The Western King" definitely surpasses its prequel. Donaugh is a vivid character, and the reader's heart aches when he cannot find fulfulment.

Rating:
Summary: Dark and captivating
Review: After reading Kingmaker's Sword, I was actually reluctant to read the sequel, for the simple reason that I didn't think it would live up to the predecessor. Was I wrong! The Western King succeeds on many levels, though not necessarily in the same ways that Kingmaker's Sword does. The humor here is muted in exchange for a very strong sense of fate and sacrifice. The actions centers around Kian's three sons: Keylan and his younger twin brothers, Tiernyn and Donaugh. I felt immediately drawn to Donaugh, who, as youngest brother, constantly (and willingly) stands in his brother's shadow. Although Donaugh is indeed the main character, his character remains shrouded in mystery even at the end of the book. I approve of this. The combination of his sense of compassion and duty and destiny is compelling. Donaugh, seemingly overlooked by the gods, slowly becomes their tool, the salvation of his people, and the "blood and bone" of Celi. His powers are never fully revealed, even at the end, which makes his silent life of service all the more intriguing. Not every character is so thoughtfully painted. Despite his supposed charisma, I never did become attached to Donaugh's twin brother. Donaugh's love life is unfulfilling, both for him and the reader. Besides having a knack for getting together with the wrong girl, his one true love is unearned and unexplained. The intention was sweet, but undeveloped. I did enjoy wrestling with the prophesy about Donaugh's sons, though, because I could imagine many different ways it could be fulfilled as the plot twisted. Ann Marston handles destiny as does no other. She controls the impending mood of the book well. Overall, the author weaves a web that will draw you in and demand you read more.

Rating:
Summary: Dark and captivating
Review: After reading Kingmaker's Sword, I was actually reluctant to read the sequel, for the simple reason that I didn't think it would live up to the predecessor. Was I wrong! The Western King succeeds on many levels, though not necessarily in the same ways that Kingmaker's Sword does. The humor here is muted in exchange for a very strong sense of fate and sacrifice. The actions centers around Kian's three sons: Keylan and his younger twin brothers, Tiernyn and Donaugh. I felt immediately drawn to Donaugh, who, as youngest brother, constantly (and willingly) stands in his brother's shadow. Although Donaugh is indeed the main character, his character remains shrouded in mystery even at the end of the book. I approve of this. The combination of his sense of compassion and duty and destiny is compelling. Donaugh, seemingly overlooked by the gods, slowly becomes their tool, the salvation of his people, and the "blood and bone" of Celi. His powers are never fully revealed, even at the end, which makes his silent life of service all the more intriguing. Not every character is so thoughtfully painted. Despite his supposed charisma, I never did become attached to Donaugh's twin brother. Donaugh's love life is unfulfilling, both for him and the reader. Besides having a knack for getting together with the wrong girl, his one true love is unearned and unexplained. The intention was sweet, but undeveloped. I did enjoy wrestling with the prophesy about Donaugh's sons, though, because I could imagine many different ways it could be fulfilled as the plot twisted. Ann Marston handles destiny as does no other. She controls the impending mood of the book well. Overall, the author weaves a web that will draw you in and demand you read more.

Rating:
Summary: Ann Marston is really making a name for herself!
Review: Ann Marston has done it again, with her memerable characters, and intriguing plot, she's ranking up there with the rest of them.

Rating:
Summary: I've read this book three times; it's fabulous!
Review: Ann Marston is a awesome writer. So far I've read The Western King and Cloudbearers Shadow and I'm eagerly awaiting to read the other two. Once you start this book you can't put it down. It's superbly written, filled with excitment and fasinating characaters in which you will grow to love. I think Ann Marston should be nominated for an award. Believe me if you read this book you won't regret it.

Rating:
Summary: Verra good! Not as good as the first one tho...
Review: Ann Marston takes a good series and pushes it one step further, the only thing missing is a conclusion. The other books in the series, while leaving enough loose ends to keep the series going, come to a final complete conclusion. This book leaves the reader asking for more. The fact that We don't know whether Tiegan's son will be born or what will happen to Celi or even if the Celae people will be able to overthrow the yoke of the Meadun leaves me wanting. If this was truly to be the final book in the "trilogy" then the predictions thatwe have heard about should finally come to pass. Other than that, the book and series are both amazing and are very much worth reading. I highly reccomend them.

Rating:
Summary: Good book...waiting for the close
Review: Ann Marston takes a good series and pushes it one step further, the only thing missing is a conclusion. The other books in the series, while leaving enough loose ends to keep the series going, come to a final complete conclusion. This book leaves the reader asking for more. The fact that We don't know whether Tiegan's son will be born or what will happen to Celi or even if the Celae people will be able to overthrow the yoke of the Meadun leaves me wanting. If this was truly to be the final book in the "trilogy" then the predictions thatwe have heard about should finally come to pass. Other than that, the book and series are both amazing and are very much worth reading. I highly reccomend them.

Rating:
Summary: Verra good! Not as good as the first one tho...
Review: I read Kingmaker's Sword about a year ago, borrowed from my stepbrother. Then at the bookstore I saw all three, so I bought them! I've now read Kingmaker's Sword twice, Western King once, and I'm almost done with Broken Blade! I am in possesion of Cloudbearer's Shadow, and hope to read it soon after I'm done with Broken Blade. By the way, I'm 14 years old, I love to read, and am currently in the middle of writing a book of my own! Well, these books are GREAT so far, and I hope they continue to be so!