This series really keeps getting better and better as does De Castell as a writer. He knows to hit the right emotions and make you grow along with the character. At the same time, he puts his characters through all kinds of hell, particularly in the case of Kellen a lot of emotional hell. A newer geography, a newer kingdom but the same power plays and conspiracies that threaten to enmesh Kellen and his business partner. One thing is given that the next book is the last book, I wonder where the book is leading to, there is the episodic sense still. The sense of building up towards something explosive is a bit muted

De Castell is getting a little goofy with this series. I was right to stop after the first three books. However, for filler entertainment while trying to decide what I "really" want to read, these are mindless reads. I down loaded book #6 to my Kindle. In for a penny, in for a pound. Might as well knock myself out with mindless.

Nothing really to review. The hero continues to get himself and his squirrel cat into ridiculous situations. You know the outcome, because there is another book. LOL!

As this is the fifth entry into the series, please be aware there will be spoilers for the previous four books.

When I gambled with my life I always played my opponents' cards, not my own.

Kellen and Reichis are continuing their wanderings when Kellen manages to commit treason against the Daroman Empire. He is subsequently drawn into a battlefield he has very little experience with- the Queen's court. What follows is a tale of political intrigue, mystery, betrayal, and growth, with Kellen and Reichis doing all in their power to keep up and stay alive.

As with each previous book in this series, I loved every minute of my time alongside Kellen and Reichis. The story was fascinating, and different in many ways from what came before. This kept the plot fresh, but was told in the comfortingly familiar voice I have come to love. The dynamics between Kellen, Reichis, and the new characters in the tale do a magnificent job of demonstrating just how much Kellen has grown. Even Reichis- he showed a great deal more wisdom than I would have expected. Ferius' ongoing impact upon the both of them was also clear. I very much appreciate this aspect, not only because Ferius is my favourite, but also because it shows realistically that people stay with us, even when they aren't physically present.

There is a lot more focus on the political side of survival in Queenslayer. Kellen must learn how to conduct himself in the court of Darome. If he overplays his hand, he won't live to regret it. Speaking of which, the focus on cards in this book was enjoyable. It is as if Kellen gets to develop and show off a different set of skills in each novel in this series.

Given the political setting, there is a great deal of intrigue, injustice, and betrayal occurring in this book. While not as intense as Soulbinder, this does lend itself to a darker, more dangerous tone than some of the earlier novels.

I enjoyed this story, its characters old and new, and the setting. I am definitely looking forward to Crownbreaker, the final main installment of this series, and I am counting down the days until my preorder downloads to my Kindle. If you enjoy watching characters grown and adapt, exploring an ever expanding world, and its fantasy elements, I cannot recommend the Spellslinger series enough.

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An Amazing Fifth Entry in a Wonderful Fantasy Seried

I will be writing a proper review shortly, but as with all previous books in the Spellslinger series, this one was simply brilliant. Watching Kellen grow and adapt, the truths of the world reveal themselves, and Reichis eat just one more eyeball, I feel at home.

They just keep getting worse. Kellen has supposedly been on the road for two years now. He remains an impulsive idiot, not seeming to have matured in the slightest. His father remains cardboard evil, his sister is even more cartoonishly evil, and he just won't ignore them This book has even more idiots than usual, including the head Marshall and other folks.

Kellen shows up, does something stupid, and the queen of Daroman does something stupid and doesn't have him killed. She's young and plots are all around. This could have been good, but it's becoming clear that Castell doesn't have the skills to make it so.

If this was an ongoing series, I'd be done. However, the next one is supposedly the last, and my library has it; so I'll probably skim just to see if things are wrapped up as badly as the story has flowed. Sigh, the pain of the pandemic keeping my choices limited...