Monarch: A Prince Out of Time

Monarch, Book 1

By: J. McCoy, Eligos

Narrated by: Luke Daniels

To save the kingdom, he'll have to stop his own murder....

It’s hard to be a drunken idiot when the world keeps burning down around you. Cairn, the charming-yet-utterly-irresponsible heir to the Uskarrion throne, is all too happy to toss the crown aside. But an invasion, conspiracy, and rise of a terrifying villain result in his untimely death.

Then, Cairn reawakens. It's a decade earlier, and he's in his childhood body. But he remembers everything...there's much to accomplish. First, however, he'd really love to stop himself from dying.

Monarch is a progression fantasy epic set in a time loop where planning and cleverness are as vital as swordplay. It a story about a spoiled prince who discovers what it means to rule. Watch as he gains power, learns magic, forges alliances, and delves deeper into the mystery of the loop itself and the nature of his relationship with the ruthless antagonist.

©2022 Aethon Books (P)2022 Podium Audio

10/10

Just an amazing read/listen. Carin (one of the main characters) is one of the best written protagonists O have ever had the pleasure of following. Through out the story he grows in a way that just feels so real and authentic. The time loop feels real in the way that it affects characters. There are the consequences, the moral and emotional weights associated with being in a world that isn’t going to exist the next time day, and the weight of those choices sets this story apart and is another part of it that makes me love this story. The side characters are complex and interesting, all with fleshed our dreams and motivations separate from Carin. The plot and mystery of the situation are thrilling and well written. Each little bit of information that we learn feels like an understanding is reached only for the next piece to change everything is a way that makes sense in the puzzle piece of the story. Just a great story, 10/10

impressive story

I went into this not expecting much but I was impressed. it has its faults here and there and can feel disorganized at times but only if you do not pay attention

Book was amazing

I loved the book and the performance was awesome, also I loved the blooper section at the end

Why haven't I heard about this before?

I was hooked from the prologue. I have to find out how that scene came about. The story captivated me throughout, engaging characters, believable world, and a fascinating concept. I see a trilogy released but not sure if just 2 more books can lead up to the promise in that prologue. Hopefully the wait between installments isn't too long.

Narrator did phenomenal too. Every character sounded distinct and tone was a good match and I didn't want to stop listening.

Slight complaint is that for an obviously non earth world, using proper names from Greek mythology and wholesale transplantation of the Norse afterlife, Valkyries and all, it's so out of place. It does relieve a little need for exposition using familiar names, but it came off as lazy world building in an world that otherwise felt nicely fleshed out.

Slow start but turns out pretty epic

Really glad I took a chance on this one. The genre has a lot of really great stuff but this stands out as particularly fun. Beware though, the author has adopted this irritating literary device where the story starts midway into a situation that later gets explained. If you like that then you’ll appreciate this even more… just not my favorite way of telling a story.

amazing performance and story.

Can't wait for the next installment. Both the story and the performance from Luke Daniels are amazing.

Interesting take on time loops

The main character ultimately gets stuck in a time loop, but instead of starting and stopping in the same place, the time loop resets after each death similar to a save point from a video game. I like the litRPG adjacent aspects of this story that include a magic system that is advanced without the use of stats, developing talent with practice. With the main character being a Prince, he is able to bring interesting resources and influence to many situations that allow the story to move at good pace that likely would not be possible for someone lacking this type of background. I'm interested to see where the story goes and get a better explanation of what is driving the time loop.

over all it was nice

some of the voice acting is corny but I liked it way. over all it was a good job. I also likenthe story it is like Re:Zero but I this one better. Over all well done and enjoyable.

real characters brought to life.

when a mind and a soul are the only thing you can take with you, you'd best protect them above all else.

never did I think a character was acting outside of their character. their motives are real as much as their fears. and the narrator brings them all to life with his varried accents and tone fitting..... tone.

very enjoyable read, if a bit slow for the first few resets.

a lot like re/life

reminds me of an anime with a more capable protagonist

a bit dark but I enjoyed it