The Bookwyrm's Review of Legacy of the Devil Queen by Joe Jackson

 

Author: Joe Jackson

Length: 418 Pages/ 14 Hours, 22 Minutes (Audio)

Publisher: Aethon Books

Release Date: June 16, 2020/ July 30, 2020

Narrator: Chelsea Stephens

Genre: Epic Fantasy

Rating: 5/5 Stars

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With a series that stretches 11 books, its easy to think that there will be, for lack of a better word, filler, books in the series. Four books in and it looks like this series will not be one of those, with the action and the stakes for the world seemingly increasing with each book. The personal stakes for head of the demon hunter order Kari Vanador have never been higher, or more potentially tragic.

PLOT SUMMARY

In the wake of a deadly attack, veteran demon hunter Karian Vanador faces a daunting task: sending her friends and family into danger without being at their side.

With her pregnancy progressing, she must uncover a spy within her own Order, expose servants of the demon kings living right in her home city, and match wits with enemies that she knows little, if anything, about. And in all of this, she must act as a general, putting the lives of her friends and family at risk to see to an end she can't accomplish herself.

Erijinkor Tesconis also faces a daunting task: lead the Silver Blades and their allies without Kari's expertise and sword arm. Though a capable leader, he and his companions face an unknown danger, something only seen once before in the world.

Both will face tests that push them to their limits, weighing the balance of love for their families against duty and a deep-seated desire to protect an entire world. But can either of them stand against the legacy of the Devil Queen herself?

OVERALL IMPRESSION

The way that this series has been developing definitely shows the author has a long term plan for how the series is mapped out. He doesn't just add characters just for the sake of completing a scene, he brings them in thinking about how they will affect the series three books down the line. The path Kari is on if one of the most interesting in any fantasy I've ever read. I can't think of many series in which a warrior like Kari would have to deal with so many critical issues while also dealing with being pregnant, and having her body betray her when she need to be at her peak. She is forced to trust in others to do tasks she normally would, something she is loath to do. She also has to deal with the reality that her mate Grakin is facing the end of his life at some point in the next few years, and all the ramifications from that. 

We do get a more in depth look at some of the supporting characters, as well as some new characters, including Kari's father-in-law, who is a member of the demon hunter order himself, and has a lot of unresolved issues with his family. Watching how the interplay in the family develops is definitely not the usual stale fantasy trope. These read like real people with real problems and successes, and having to deal with a threat that has seemingly returned from the dead and brought pain to Kari's family really adds to the feeling there are real stakes involved with the story. 

NARRATION

The narrative duties are handled quite ably by Chelsea Stephens. She does a nice job of keeping the narration flowing, never lapsing into a monotone or having any long pauses or noises interrupt her flow. She does a good job creating individual voices for the characters through changing pitches, tones, cadences and accents. She really helps bring the story to life.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was what you'd call a page turner, being one of those books I stayed up way too late reading at night reading, not being able to put it down. The characters keep developing in new ways, really drawing you in to the story, and the action just keeps ramping up as well. This is one series I heartily recommend for fans of epic fantasy, especially because the series is complete at book 11, and there's no waiting years for the next one. Get into the action today!