Chronicles of Kings & Councils

I mean, where do I start with this fantastic grimdark fantasy. Chronicles of Kings and Councils is the first book in the Harbingers series by Meg Edwards. Sold to me via Megs own tiktok account as a story similar to that of the character of Milo from Atlantis: The Lost Empire, I knew I had to read it almost instantly. I am so glad the algorithm put Meg on my FYP because reading this book was an adventure on its own. I will go into this further, but to whet your appetite, know that I have never read a book with such excellent character arcs and development. 

I knew I was going to enjoy this book after only a couple of chapters in, when I was utterly confused and trying to track every key character, the politics and layout of the world. For me, this is always a good sign that I'm about to be fully encapsulated by the book. There is no greater feeling for me than when I'm reading a new fantasy, lost in the sauce, just for it to then all click into place. The “OH!” Moment is everything a girl could want, and this book gives it to me so good. I have sat here and tried to rationalise my next statement, but I can't. 

Edwards plotting IS a genius. It's as simple as that. Every single person and event is like a square of a rubix cube, and Edwards manipulates it so gently, and with such precision, you begin to see the book retrospectively as the dots connect. You suddenly go from uncertainty to feeling so knowledgeable about this world Edwards has created in the turn of a page. You can guess and make assumptions about where a certain plot line is going, yet she turns it on you and completely blindsides you with something you never thought would be imaginable, yet it makes perfect sense. 

One of the ways that Edwards is able to do that is because of her character development and arcs. I don't want to issue out spoilers but the change in the male main character is staggering, the character you meet at the beginning of the book is essentially dead and buried with how much he changes, it should be jarring but Edwards is so methodical and has planned every possible eventuality that it just becomes right. I can easily say with my hand on my heart that I have NEVER read a book with such intense character development. 

It's not just the MMC. The FMC Risala also goes through her own mind breaking arc. It's not rushed. It's not an afterthought, it's not less than the MMC's, it's perfect. What makes it work so well is the pacing of the book, Edwards gives us the time to bond with the character and learn about them before completely changing who they are. 

Not only does Edwards create formidable characters, but she also makes them intelligent. And I'm on about Sherlock Holmes, Johnathon Creek, and Sheldon Cooper levels of intelligence, but with raw darkness and edge. For me, this was sensational. I adore intelligence, I simp over it, and in turn, I am obsessed with the characters that show it. In balance there's also a few moments where it's like the 4th wall has been broken which add a refreshing spot of humour, each one got a loud exhale of a laugh out of me before I dove straight back into the grimdark story telling.  

This book really is a truly epic fantasy that challenges you and your way of thinking. It is utterly memorable, I'm genuinely sad that I can't experience it again for the first time, and I am SO hyped for book 2.