Kings of Heaven: Ash and Sand Book 3 by Richard Nell

In this very anticipated final installment of Ash and Sand, we witness the depth of character which has carried this epic trilogy from start to finish. The prose is practically impeccable, the world building is amazing, and the story line is so engrossing it will haunt you.

*Mild spoiler warning for books one and two.

After things go awry in a complicated plan in Pyu, Ruka must deal with the loss of his friend and ally. Tane is now the king and his his treacherous aunt Kikay is still seeking Ruka’s death and the power she craves in the islands of the South Aluka Sea. Ruka gives the kingdom back to the Aluka to rule. His people will remain in Sri Kon, and an accord must be reached. Whether he can manage a peace with the the emperor of the world in Naran is another matter. Even convincing the King of Nong Ming Tong, father of the Pyu Queen Lani, that he is in imminent danger from Narania is a task he didn’t foresee.

In Ruka’s grove, he digs a grave for Kale, the Pyu prince and his friend until the death of King Farahi when he was killed in retaliation while bringing with him the power of magic to bear on the invading men of ash in Sri Kon. But, unlike his other silent ghosts, Kale quickly learns to speak to Ruka. Kale wants Ruka to stay away from Lani, the love of his life and mother of his son. Soon his actions in the grove, reach beyond into the real world once again.

After a decade of preparation, Ruka returned to a war he didn’t plan, and deaths he didn’t want to cause. It is only with the help of Queen Lani that Ruka can show King Kapoule the danger coming to his peaceful and prosperous merchant kingdom.

This finale has less of Ruka, and more of the side cast from the first two books. Ruka is struggling with self doubt and and remorse at the results of his actions, even if the results are good ones. Since Ruka cannot forget a single moment of his life, all his losses and pain are always fresh in his mind. He seeks peace and must use everything at his disposal to find it. The reader will want the same and there is the hope that Ruka may find what he seeks when all is said and done.

A story full with political intrigue and magic beyond description, the Ash and Sand series is a bloody tale that manages to find the root goodness of humanity in the most surprising ways and in the most surprising people.

4.75/5 stars

Blog Tour! Look for fantastic reviews from Petrick at Novel Notions, Adam at Fantasy Book Review and tomorrow, Charles at Booknest.eu

Be sure to check out the newest story prequels in The God King’s Legacy (God King Chronicles Book 1) with the new amazing cover by Shawn T. King

Pre-order your copy here.

Richard Nell concerned family and friends by quitting his real job in 2014 to ‘write full-time’. He is a Canadian author of fantasy, living in one of the flattest, coldest places on earth with his begrudging wife, who makes sure he eats.

His books mix his love of history and ideas with the epic glory of fantasy, because reality could use some sprucing up. He’s the author of dark, epic fantasy Kings of Paradise and Kings of Ash, and a new gritty flintlock series starting with The God King’s Legacy. He hopes you like them.

Richard can be found at http://www.richardnell.com/