Castle Town 6

By: Anya Merchant

Narrated by: Giancarlo Herrera, Hannah Schooner

Winter has arrived in Harvestglade alongside war. Prince Makoa seeks to defend his lands against the Estorian invaders, yet struggles with his own grief and the daunting magnitude of the problem. The Estorians field an army of men, monsters, and most horrifying of all—politicians, necessitating a creative approach to defense.

Meanwhile, Underqueen Avina continues her dance between identities. The bond that connects her to her esper, Petra, has reached a breaking point. Suffering such perspective swaps at the most inconvenient times, occasionally in dizzying succession, she has no choice but to seek out the sorcerer Hazafallius for a dangerous and untested solution.

©2023 Anya Merchant (P)2023 Anya Merchant

Bold

Anyone that listens to Anya should know that her characters go through trials and this one is no different. Take heart that any misgivings you may have with the ending should be set aside understanding that we are not at the end of the journey.

Epic Fantasy Series

Review is for the series as a whole.
Anya Merchant is known for her pseudo-incest stories with fantastical elements, although it isn't as prevalent in this series as some.

The prince (adopted) is on a quest to become more powerful and become king, so his mother won't have to service whatever slob is in charge. He also has relationships with women he's known since he was a child and an aunt (by marriage), but frankly the adopted mother is the only relationship that feels incestual.

I had low expectations, but was pleasantly surprised. The sex isn't as huge a part of the story as you might think. Instead, this is an epic tale of a naive (but privileged) young man who gains supernatural powers and allies and goes through incredible trials and tribulations in his quest to become king. There are huge, continent-spanning plot developments, and the author isn't shy about killing off characters at times. There is some humor to lighten the mood here and there.

One of the magic systems used in the series is interesting and a little different - it consists almost entirely of opening portals to other realms. You don't cast a fireball, you open a portal to a realm of fire, and the same goes for other magical effects.

I will say that I found the protagonist hard to like. Yes, he's the hero, and there are reasons to feel sympathy for him, and he does in some ways mature emotionally a little, but still... he's kind of a jerk and is overall selfish, impulsive and immature. On the plus side, props to the author for not having an overly perfect and flawless hero. Still, maybe he has a few too many flaws.

Overall, the series was pretty good, although I still prefer the "Domestic Decay" series.

Note: the 8-book series is complete.

brilliant next entry

Really like the book. The way it's turning, that the characters are not invulnerable, not just black and white. that its not just sex. it's a really good story, with an MC that makes a really great journey from the first book to now. Highly recommend it if you like adult themed books with a lot of tension.

What the hell was she thinking with that ending?

I normally love Anya's books but this series is going in a direction that I don't know if I can continue.

okay spoilers ahead


Sucker punching Makoa with having the big betrayal at the end I understand, but to dismember him too? You've already killed the love of his life in Ruby, but to end the book on Makoa begging his mom not to amputate his leg... I get Anya likes to put her MC's through the fire like Daemon and LP, but I personally check out at Amputation.

5 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️I hope there are more books to come in this series! The MC is great along with a really good supporting cast! The story is captivating! The narrators also do a good job of bringing the story to life! Great job Anya Merchant!

Boring and then a bunch of turns to keep the series going

So I’m done with this series. In truth, I should’ve been done with it a couple of books ago. Now the author thinks it’s a great idea to add a bunch of twists and turns just so she can keep the series going. I pity the fact that she has so few ideas that she is forced to keep this story going