Kings of Paradise

Ash and Sand, Book 1

By: Richard Nell

Narrated by: Ralph Lister

A deformed genius plots vengeance while struggling to survive. A wastrel prince comes of age, finding a power he never imagined. Two worlds are destined to collide. Only one can be king.

Ruka, called a demon at birth, is a genius. Born malformed and ugly into the snow-covered wasteland of the Ascom, he was spared from death by his mother's love. Now he is an outcast, consumed with hate for those who've wronged him. But to take his vengeance, he must first survive.

Across a vast sea in the white-sand island paradise of Sri Kon, Kale is fourth and youngest son of the Sorcerer King. And at 16, Kale is a disappointment. As the first prince ever forced to serve with low-born marines, Kale must prove himself and become a man, or else lose all chance of a worthy future, and any hope to win the love of his life.

Though they do not know it, both boys are on the cusp of discovery. Their worlds and lives are destined for greatness, or ruin. But in a changing world where ash meets paradise, only one man can be king....

©2017 Richard Nell (P)2018 Richard Nell

wow!

Best book of the year! Can't wait for the sequel! This series is going to be epic!

Simply, Astonishing.

This is one of if not the most gripping stories ive read. Story, world, CHARACTERS, magic, brutality, emotion... Standing ovation Richard Nell.
Please, please and please! Release second and third part on audiobook. Take my money now.

Criminally underrated

Best series I’ve listened to since First Law. This author needs more recognition. Use a credit and you will not be disappointed.

Hmmm. I’m not sure

I listened to the book and there were some parts that I genuinely liked. Several of the characters were genuinely interesting, but it seemed as if the author skipped over some of their development. Maybe those gaps will be addressed in later books? I would have liked to experience those missing details more deeply in order to more fully appreciate the respective characters’ journeys.

Good writing, bad performance

I genuinely don't understand how people can listen to this narrator without cringing. Im sure he's a nice guy and he works hard, but his volume is erratic, his enunciation weird, and his diction/pace is just wrong. Example: a huge pause between words where it's clear there is no period or comma (it was all.....over the place).

The writing itself is good, if you can get past the first tired tropes. it starts with the same dumb coming of age stories you've already read a hundred times. After that, though, the characters grow and the prose matures with them into some pretty interesting moments. I do wish it weren't so predictable (you know protagonist hero isn't actually going to die), but the inner dialogue and tone keep you invested.

great entertainment

loved it, need the others on auditable , can't wait for the rest of the trilogy

The Scribblings Review of Kings of Paradise

A disfigured orphan plans his revenge on those responsible for the death of his mother & his exile.
A younger prince searches for a way to prove his worth and discovers a power believed lost.
A novice priestess is determined to remake her order as she sees fit.

Kings of Paradise is not for the faint of heart but it does let you know this upfront. Any book where the first paragraph has a main character intent on cannibalizing someone he just killed can’t be accused of not giving you fair warning.

A lot of work has obviously gone into this book, beginning with the world building. Distinct nations, races and locales are well-developed so that each stands out. There is also a great sense of history in the world as well, with lands having their own legends and traditions, some of which the characters either find themselves victims of or look to turn to their advantage.

Each of the three main characters are given chapters from their point of view to advance the story. Ruka is probably the most difficult. Beginning as a child, shunned and cursed by everyone except his mother, he quickly develops into a ruthless killer as well as the above mentioned cannibal. He also seems capable of great mental feats, including his creation of a mental place which echoes the mind palace of another famous cannibal. As the years pass, and he attains his first measure of revenge, his goals begin to change, becoming more enamored with building his own myth and launching conquest.

Kale is the one in the most traditional (and least blood-thirsty) mold. Being the younger son of a king, he has no especially defined role and is put into military service, then later a monastery, in hopes he might find a place (or be out of the way). As he progress, he begins to show both a natural leadership and a strong independent streak.

The third character, Dala, is somewhere between the two. Driven to protect those close to her but equally ruthless to those she considers threats. As she begins to gather influence to herself, both those aspects grow in tandem, as does her ambition.

The characters almost never interact, with only a single (but important) meeting between two of them. It seems as if the majority of that will be saved for future installments which I will be eagerly awaiting based on this. Having said that, it does connect to one of my few problems with the book. The chapters aren’t necessarily distributed evenly, focusing more on completing one story before switching. While I can understand the reasoning, more than once I did find myself wanting to get back to one of the other characters. But that’s only a minor quibble compared to the riches Kings of Paradise offers.

good listen

great performance good story. very vivid and clear and many good characters and if you buy with credit point a great price.

Quickly became one of my all time favorites

Fantastic in all facets -
This series and author needs to be talked about more.

Joins my podium of all time greatest grimdark alongside JAs First Law and Bakkers The 2nd Apocalyspe.

Awesome book ! I really feel bad for Ruka.

I listed to the book 3 years ago and loved it.
I'm relistening to it again now because the 2 other books in the series just got audio books and I need a refresher.