The Once and Future King
592641
The Once and Future Prince is a story for those who can appreciate and admire writing and story-telling talent.

Olivia Gates uses words beautifully to paint pictures and to bring to the mind's eye so many wonderful metaphors, that at times it seemed poetic. The imagery that she's created has been woven through the entire book, and is captivating and sensual.

 At the start, we were introduced to a young Leandro and Phoebe. Their relationship began with an all consuming desire. But, they were both so insecure: he for the crown, and she for her standing in his world, that they allowed those insecurities to tear them apart. Their growth could have ended there, and they could have remained static characters, but then this book wouldn't have been nearly as fantastic as it is.

There is a scene in the when they were flying over Castaldini after Leandro's eight years of exile. It was so apparent that he loved his country, and coming back was emotional for him. The depth of his pain was so subtly written that it took me by surprise when I wept while visualizing him looking out of the plane window. This was brilliantly done, especially since I never expected that benign scene to touch me as it did.

Olivia Gates exercised patience and restraint in getting them back together in a fully physical way. This book is rare in the sense that she allowed us to live in their world while they nurtured their relationship. So often in romance, the real relationship doesn't begin until the book is almost over. In this book, she allowed us to savor the build-up of their love for a great portion, giving us large doses of Leandro and Phoebe. That was wonderful and satisfying.

Another thing I noticed and really enjoyed about this relationship was the laughter, and the light-hearted banter that she incorporated into their dynamic. Often times, especially in 'Royal' literature, the interactions are formal, almost stuffy. In this case she's infused a breath of fresh air into their otherwise ancient world. That made it much easier to believe their love and gave us a reprieve from the intensity of their desire.

When they finally do consummate their desire, you won't be disappointed. In true Gates fashion, their love is expressed physically, passionately, and repeatedly.

This was beautifully written. I can't recommend enough that your read about the world that Olivia Gates has created in The Castaldini Crown Trilogy.
978584
This novel is set in the time of William the Conqueror.  In the beginning he struggles just to stay alive, betrayal and death lurk in every corner and he never knows who to trust.  However, he manages to stay alive and because of this his determination to rule over a peaceful duchy and later England drives him.  Some of his decisions shock even his most faithful servant and friend, Raoul de Harcourt.  Raoul known as "The Watcher" because he sleeps outside William's door at night to protect him, really does save his life more than once.
More than once I found myself admiring William, for he was a complex ruler and not always ruthless.  However, in the end, I still felt for Harold who briefly became King Harold I of England because no matter what novel I have read about the "Oath" made to William by Harold, it always seemed forced.
Once you get past the flowery chivalry-type language you find a worthwhile page turning novel!  This book was much better than The Golden Warrior by Hope Muntz...and was more insightful of William's personality during his eventful life and leadership.  It is out-of-print but well worth the time to locate and read!
This review refers to the Hardcover edition.
1555035
When I heard there was another Dark Tower book coming out, I was filled with the same excitement I remember feeling when Stephen King announced that books 5, 6, and 7 would be coming out in rapid succession back in the early 2000's. And just like then, it gave me a great excuse to dive back into the world of Roland, The Last Gunslinger and his ka-tet. All this year I have been re-working my way through the books in order and remembering why I fell in love with The Dark Tower series in the first place.

Reading the synopsis of The Wind Through the Keyhole, I couldn't help but wonder what this child's story and the story of the skin-man had to do with Roland's quest for the Dark Tower. After finishing the book, I can answer that wonder with the statement: nothing. This book is more of an excuse for King to revisit some of his most legendary characters without throwing anything that came before and after out of whack.

Although, this book is written with the same mesmerizing prose that defines the rest of the series, I can't help but judge it against the weight of the others. There is no real danger for our ka-tet, just the curiosity of a Mid-World storm called a starkblast that makes Roland recall an episode from his early gunslinging days. I would much rather read about the fall of Gilead at Jericho Hill as at least I would finally know what befell Roland's original ka-tet.

I hope King decides to tell that tale one day because that will definitely be a 5 Star must read! As it is, read this book only if you really miss Mid-World, Roland, and his band of allies drawn from various points in New York. If you go into this as I did hoping for further enlightenment into Roland's past and what happened to his original ka-tet, you will surely be as disappointed as was I. Not in the book as a standalone tale, but as an entry into King's most entrancing literary creation.
217513
This collection reads an enticing taster of things to come. We are introduced to the character Alturis in his younger years as he goes through a number of trials that seem to make up part of his rites of passage to kingship. He is aided at times by the mysterious Sayenne who appears when he is most in need. There are hints of a much larger and epic storyline for which these vignettes are the seeds it will grow from. If I was to draw comparisons with other writers of epic fantasy, I would say that readers of M. Edward McNally's The Norothian Cycle, Tad Williams' Memory, Sorrow & Thorn, and T.H. White's The Once and Future King would enjoy these stories.
3499684
Anyone who is interested in history, especially ancient history or the history of the Hebrews, will enjoy this. This is about a time period and king that most don't know a lot about and it is interesting to learn about him and his time period. There is some violence but this was a violent time period in history and it seems to accurately represent that time period.
4965783
This was an amazing book. I purchased my copy from the library, because it hadn't been borrowed in quite some time, and they were junking some of their books to make room for new ones. Lucky me.

This book follows the life of Hatshepsut, the queen that became king. It was a great book and very interesting. Hatshepsut is a fantastic character, even in real life. There was certainly a lot to use to make this story wonderful. I just couldn't help but adore faithful Senmut ^-^

Certainly, if you are into Egypt and/or Hatshepsut, this book is a must.
1055014
I read this book when it first came out, and I was very excited for it.  I didn't like the ending, but there was hope for Roland.  I re-read the entire series so I could remember everything for the movie.  Unfortunately, the movie combined several elements from all the books, rather than concentrating on the first one.  This is King's Magnum Opus.  If you're a King, fan, you must read this, because it ties all of his universes together.
474633
Although an annotated translation rather than an original book, this oddity deserves the attention of all lovers of the books of T. H. White, author of 'The Once and Future King' which served as the basis for Disney's Sword in the Stone and the musical Camelot.  Here you have pious nonsense served up raw but delightfully.  The medieval folk lived in a sort of fantasy world without realizing it.  White was a gentle soul who is not here to make fun, or not too much fun, of the idiocies of the Middle Ages.
878910
From The Ashes, the second book in The Sojourner Series, is the prequel to Once We Were Kings and takes place 500 years before the reign of the Great Deliverer.

Ying is a young peasant who is found fighting Prince Moh-Gwei for the hand of the lovely Princess, Mei Liang.  Ying met Mei Liang briefly, six years before, when they were about sixteen years old.  He didn't know if she would even remember him, but he knew he had to try and win her hand in the tournament.
After a grueling day of fighting, Ying moved on to the final round, to be fought the next day.  That night, he went outside to read by moonlight. As he began his devotional time with a prayer, he heard voices and the sound of men on horseback approaching.  He quickly hid behind a rock and listened to their conversation.  Ying learned that Princess Mei Liang and her entire kingdom were in grave danger.  He had to warn her, but how.

Ying had learned by reading and listening to the teachings of Aunt Pei, of the ancient sojourners.  He knew to trust his inner voice.

Follow Ying, as he searches for a way to reach Mei Liang before it is too late.  You will be transported to another time and place and you will battle, along with Ying and his friends, to save the kingdom.

I have never been a fan of the Fantasy genre of books, but Ian Alexander has changed my mind.  I thoroughly enjoyed this story and would highly recommend it to everyone!  Give it a try, even if you don't usually read fantasy.  You might change your mind...I did.
2032100
Fans of time travel and the legendary King Arthur will enjoy this book. It's a fast and enjoyable read that incorporates skills learned in the present with the ways of the past. I expect the magic wristband will lead the protagonist on other time traveling experiences in the future. Though the story is about a teen, it seems suitable for middle graders as well.
2567072
This is such a wonderful story telling the tale if a reluctant youth king who does not want that responsibility but because of his love for others he is compelled to be the king that his loved ones want him to be.
4588575
"And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" --- Esther 4:14b
While researching for his book, Finding Favor With The King, bestselling author Tommy Tenney became fascinated with the material. Tenney's fascination resulted in writing Hadassah: One Night With the King, a fictional but biblical sound novel based on the book of Esther. Readers will find a fresh and exciting spin on the familiar story by the writing team of Tenney and Mark Andrew Olsen.
The story begins in present day Israel where a young woman, Hadassah, named after her "great" grandmother of centuries before, is being presented with a very special wedding gift. As a family tradition, an ancient heirloom was to be revealed to a bride during her wedding week. This secretly hidden heirloom was a letter written by Queen Esther (Haddassah).
Some of the sketchy areas in the bible, Tenney has taken creative license to fill in such details as how Mordecai becomes Esther's legal guardian. Weaved into the story are history lessons on the hatred spewed on the Jews by the Amakelites, the crude manner in which young men were made eunuchs and women concubines, and the sense of power behind the kingship of King Xerxes. Readers will be thrilled to read this rich history in between being enchanted by Esther humble approach to her "one" night with King Xerxes. Love indeed is a powerful force as Queen Esther risks her life to save her people.
--- reviewed by Tyora Moody for Christian Bookshelf
3749841
Amazing addition to the BBC's films based on Shakespeare's history plays chronicling the British monarchy. With regards to the other review, this isn't a remake, it's the next two plays in the story of the British crown, the first set came out in 2013 as you stated. For history and drama nerds like me this is quite a treat!!
4508773
A tale of a prince, Trystan, coming of age and never having known magic in his kingdom, Dreach-Sciene. Magic was taken from the nation on the day of his birth, during the war between nations, by the Tri-Gards. Magical beings who should have saved mankind, but instead took a side and condemned the other side to live without magic and for crops to fail and weather patterns to go haywire.

The prince has a loyal companion, part of the royal household, added from a meeting of his father with a Seer years ago. The king was given a prophecy of the future, by the seer, and understood that this young boy would keep his son safe and that his son would be responsible for bringing magic back!

Trystan, his sister and some other friends gather, to seek out the Tri-Gard and try to re-unite them to have them reverse what they did twenty years ago. Enemies of his father, have spies in his nation and know their every step. Some of the kings own men and trusted allies have been turned by the power of the evil King Calis, of Dreach-Dhoun. A new war seems to be on the horizon.

The people of Dreach-Sciene are poor, starving and weak. No real chance of opposing the army of King Calis. If Trystan and his allies cannot find the Tri-Gards soon, it will be too late for his people. They know that one of the Tri-Gards, Ramsey, has been held prisoner in the dungeons of King Calis and been tortured for the location of the other two for some twenty years. It is not expected to be an easy journey.

An interesting story of disbelief of magic, friendship, love, enemies and traitors.  The after effects of war on the two different nations and how they are coping. It was a quick read as there is lots going on to keep your attention and interest. This is book one in the series and I would love to see what happens with the characters next.

I received an ARC copy of the book from the author and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
4557047
Better than the movie!  (And the movie was great!) This was my second time reading it and I enjoyed it just as much this time as the first.  King at his best!
2999708
I never knew about this king, let alone this story surrounding him. I was entranced with the plot and characters, and the plot twist is INCREDIBLE!! I highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves this time period as much as I.
4400229
One of his best, for sure!  I like how King interweaves the past and present of the characters throughout the novel to fill in and flesh out the "backstory".