King of Assassins

A fitting finale for a fine trilogy. R.J. Barker's Wounded Kingdoms have been an interesting place to spend some time. His take on magic is a creative (well, destructive might be more appropriate word...). Other fantasy settings have created worlds where magicians are pariah's, but the logical set up in Barker's world is the best I have seen for this trope. This magic system does have a more important role to play in this finale which is doubly satisfying.

Our protagonist, Girton, is again tasked with a PI style role of finding an assassin, but the stakes are raised even higher this time. Our setting has moved to the capital, where Rufra eyes the throne of the High King. Something is amiss, beyond the general sense of decay and corruption that pervades the world of the Wounded Kingdom. Girton still has his stubborn moments of stupidity, but they are toned down a bit from the previous novel - you can sense his growth as a character. His duty is becoming clearer and his struggles with that along with his challenging relationship with Rufra give a wonderful tension and fragility to the line of what is right in this world.

This was the ending the series deserved - a fantastic end to an extremely good trilogy.

A great finale to the trilogy, but grim, very grim.