I give “Kingdoms and Chaos” a solid ****4 stars**** because I still love the humor, the characters, and the ever-building story. Considering the new pace and direction of the story, I expect at least two more books in the series.Author Kel Kade lives in Texas and serves as an adjunct college faculty member on occasion, inspiring young minds and introducing them to the very real and fascinating world of geosciences. Deaths are less detailed and analytical, and more gory. Rezkin does spend half a chapter in the nude, though it’s less detailed and sexual than even the river scene from book 1.Īs for the violence, it does take a turn from the careful assassin to smash-and-slash war. The amount of reference banter is about the same, though this book does include one instance of off-screen love-making. If you’ve read the other books in the series, then I’m guessing you don’t mind bloody deaths and sexual references. HIGHLIGHT FOR VAGUE SPOILER> Funny enough, the only couple who doesn’t get married/bonded, is the only couple who’s actually happy with their arrangement.<<

They spend a significant amount of time in one country ruled by women, and apparently that means everyone gets married/bonded. FOUR new couples are arranged, and thankfully not ALL the women are in love with Rezkin (which was my main irritation for book 1). The romance plot takes a swing on the pendulum for this book.

So, it’s not really explained, but at least he cares for his friends again. Strangely (but thankfully), Rezkin almost instantly returns to his regular state of paranoia, and he spends most of the book in countries other than Cael.There’s a little expansion on the fae and demons, as they battle more strange creatures and Rezkin encounters more mystical beings, but it doesn’t take a huge leap with a bunch of info-dumping like the third book did.The other countries are well developed and all act differently to Rezkin’s offers and abilities, so even though the concept (of asking rulers for something, and they grant it IF Rezkin does _ fill-in-the-blank_) is repetitive, the motions are not. Still, the “errands” are interesting as they unfold in various ways.

It’s very linear as Rezkin approaches several different monarchs/rulers who all say “If you want me to do this, then do this.” This can be slightly frustrating since this makes the main plot feel like a check-off list of errands.

The main plot of book 4 is pretty similar to book 3.

Considering book 4 as a continuation of book 3, here are my thoughts:

Kel kade dark tidings