{ARC Review} The King Slayer by Virginia Boecker

Synopsis:

An action-packed and suspenseful sequel to The Witch Hunter, perfect for fans of Graceling and the Grisha Trilogy.

"I think, in time, you'll either be my greatest mistake or my greatest victory."

Former witch hunter Elizabeth Grey is hiding within the magically protected village of Harrow, evading the price put on her head by Lord Blackwell, the usurper king of Anglia. Their last encounter left Blackwell ruined, but his thirst for power grows stronger every day. He's readying for a war against those who would resist his rule--namely Elizabeth and the witches and wizards she now calls her allies.

Having lost her stigma, a magical source of protection and healing, Elizabeth's strength is tested both physically and emotionally. War always means sacrifice, and as the lines between good and evil blur once more, Elizabeth must decide just how far she'll go to save those she loves.

*Spoilers for Book One, The Witch Hunter*

Five Reasons to read The King Slayer:

1. Because a stigma-less Elizabeth has to work a lot harder to solve problems. She has to go back to training. She can’t heal lightning fast anymore. She still has many of the skills she trained to get, but she’s no longer invincible. Unlike all the witch hunters who still work for Blackwell and are after her.
2. Because a stimga-marked John is a whole other problem altogether. Gone is the sweet, gentle healer of the first book. In his place is a cold, violent, unfeeling man who is out for Blackwell’s blood. Trouble in paradise. Most definitely.
3. Because Nicholas continues to follow in Dumbledore and Gandalf’s footsteps as the awesome elderly wizard who proves over and over again that Elizabeth is important, not because of what he can get from her, but because of who she is. She intrinsically has worth. I really enjoyed seeing their relationship develop. Plus Nicholas has sweet magic powers.
4. Because Schuyler and Fifer are adorable and hilarious, and I want a novella about them.
5. Because no one is safe in The King Slayer, and there is a lot of death. And war. And action. And magic. And sacrifice.

The King Slayer was a satisfying sequel to The Witch Hunter. As I said in my list, there’s a lot of action, especially in the last 20% or so. But there’s quite a bit before then as well. Elizabeth makes some truly idiotic decisions, but she’s fairly desperate, and she’s never really had people she can trust before now, so I appreciated that she still found it hard to trust Nicholas and company, even though they had become friends. And there were also very likable new friends, and then mildly unlikable old friends from Elizabeth’s past. We additionally got some nice insight into Elizabeth’s past, and through that into some of Blackwell’s character, as we saw memories of her training to become a witch hunter.

I think anyone who enjoyed the first book will be pleased with the conclusion to this historical fantasy.

Content: Recommended for 15+