The One Kingdom & The Isle of Battle

The One Kingdom (2001) & The Isle of Battle ‘The Swans War’ (2002) by Sean Russell

I’m fond of Sean Russell because he is a good writer, and because he writes duologies. I like knowing that a series will not stretch on interminably. So a year or two ago I picked up The One Kingdom and The Isle of Battle, but left them sitting on the shelf, as I really haven’t had time to read much fantasy.

But summer is for reading, so after reading some of his other duologies recently, I was looking forward to a new series. As expected, the books are quite good. However. Sunday evening as I was reading, I noticed it was getting late, but was relieved to see that I didn’t have much more to read… but Wait Just One Second… I didn’t have much more to read, but nothing had yet been resolved!

BETRAYAL!

He wrote a trilogy! Bah! And even worse! The last book came out in Hardback! In October 2004!

So… I’ve ordered the third book–used–and I’m eagerly awaiting it’s arrival. But I feel like I shan’t trust him again after this. Because I HATE starting a series that isn’t completed.

But I’ll read any other books he writes. I just won’t buy them until I’m certain–Certain!–that the series is finished.

Aside from that, this is an excellent series so far. Political intrigue, travel through an unknown land, angry Gods. The feel of this book is quite different from his other books that I have read–the tone and feel are quite distinct, reminding me more of the epic fantasy stories were our Heroes travel to save the world.

Except of course that not everyone is traveling. The Renee and the Wills families, despite the best intentions, seem intent on renewing their war, regardless of the cost to the rest of the country.

Sean Russell managed to keep several different story threads going in the first book, writing just enough of each thread and moving. It is in the second book that these threads are tied together, as forces meet.

As I said, I’m eagerly awaiting the third book, but I’m still dismayed over his sneaking a trilogy out. Next thing he’ll write one of those massive 5 or 10 book series, which at the rate he writes, means that it would be finished just in time for my midlife crisis. In the meantime, I’m struggling to find something else to read while I wait.
Rating: 8/10

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