The Bookwyrm's Review of The Secret King: Letháo by Dawn Chapman

 Buy on Amazon

Buy on Audible

RATING: 9.5/10

SYNOPSIS

Kendro, King of the Aonise, can do nothing to prevent their sun from collapsing, consuming their home planet Letháo in a single fiery blast. Running out of time and options, he evacuates the entire population, setting off into the unknown galaxy in four crowded ships. Under constant danger from their ancient enemy, the Zefron, treasonous dissent seeps into his inner circle. Threatened inside and out, Kendro struggles with whom to trust, until a mysterious vision finally brings hope to the distraught King. A new home awaits the Aonise, if Kendro can only unite them long enough to survive the journey.

REVIEW

There are certain elements that will always draw me to a sci fi story. Things like an overwhelming alien threat. A complex set of politics set across an entire planet's population and a desperate escape to an uncertain future. A leader with an actual mental connection to he people he or she rules. Epic space battles and wars to the knife. These are all elements that are a part of this story. It has shades of all of these and so much more. If you took Battlestar Galactica and meshed it with Kevin J. Anderson's Seven Suns Saga, you would have a good starting point to what this story has going on.

The world building, or in this case, destroying, is really well done. With the imminent destruction of their planet Lethao, the Aonise have to evacuate the entire population on four giant ships that haven't been completed or tested. Needs must though, especially since on top of planetary destruction, the Aonise greatest enemy, the alien Zefron, are on their way to finish off what the planet's destruction didn't. After the escape, we get to see what life on these giant arcs is all about, especially in a stratified society like the Aonise, who have a very delineated power structure, based on the mental and energy power abilities of the ruling class, with the King being the most powerful, literally connected mentally to all his subjects. His level of power is mind boggling, but there are always those that want to replace those on top. The fear, desperation and rage as an entire planets population is forced to live side by side for an unknown time, with the fear of destruction by aliens is vividly portrayed, and feels so realistic. 

The characters are a really interesting mix. The main character is Kendro, King of the Aonise, who has to face the worst choices any ruler ever could. He is a good ruler, but he can make the hard decisions if he has to, including splitting his own power to enable his people to escape, leaving himself weakened in a time when he can't afford to show weakness. He has to play an interesting political game, where he must appear as powerful and confident as usual, all while recovering from using so much of his power to escape. With multiple threats to his rule, including one much closer than he expected, Kendro is caught in a cloud of uncertainty in an uncertain future.

The secondary characters are also well thought out. Kendro's wife Mika is a smart, savvy partner to Kendro, dedicated to both Kendro and the Aonise, who has a strong personality, able to withstand personal trials with grace and dignity. Octav is Kendro's Second in command. He is intelligent and implacable, as dedicated to saving the Aonise as Kendro. Brie, a ships doctor, is one of my favorite characters. She is such a caring, compassionate person, but strong willed and is willing to make sacrifices I would never have expected. These and so many other characters make up a great supporting cast, who we get to know throughout the story. This is not a book with two dimensional characters, but fleshed out realistic people dealing with the worst situation imaginable.

The main villain, and that is what he is, is Dalamaar, and he is the best kind of villain. Cold, calculating and ruthless, he is the kind that is always thinks three steps ahead. He is lurking in the shadows moving his pieces on the board until he reveals himself in one of the best mic drop moments at the end of the book that I've read in recent years. It's just such a deliciously cold, calculated moment, and it was perfect for his character. I can't wait to see where his story fits into the ongoing series. 

The audio book version is narrated by Greg Tremblay. He has really good narrative pacing, never becoming monotone or having weird pauses as he performs. He is also good at creating mood and emotional resonance by changing cadence and tone, and he is excellent at creating different voices for each of the characters. He does a great job bringing the story to life.

With it's mix of sci-fi elements, This is a book that should have a broad appeal to sci-fi fans. There is just so much to enjoy. I give this book my highest recommendation.