Power's Curse

The Rebel Lion, Book 1

By: K. J. Taylor

Narrated by: Morgan Keller

Alara was once ruled by the Leobregae, an order of terrifyingly powerful lion shapeshifters. Arrogant and violent, they wiped themselves out in an endless fight for the throne. Now, only old retired soldier Torrhen Morbihan remembers them, and he is the last of his generation. But when his young apprentice brings him a shining Leobregu sword, everything changes.

Old Tor has a lion in him now, and it wants power...and it will destroy him from the inside out to claim it.

Power's Curse is the first in the Rebel Lion series from K.J. Taylor.

©2018 K.J. Taylor (P)2019 Burning Willow Press, LLC

An interesting concept

A really interesting concept that unfortunately gets brought down by an underwhelming narration. I do hope the author develops his concepts a little more in any sequels.

couldn't deal with the narrator

overall, it was an okay plot concept. I just couldn't deal with the narrator, in the main character. The main character struggles to even want to use his powers for the first part of the book, and just the way the magic system was put together I didn't like. I honestly just couldn't finish it, I might finish it if I hear their book two is better.

Pretty Good Storyline

I thought that this was a fairly good book. I am in my 20s and enjoyed this book, but I would recommend this book mostly for teenagers. I liked the plot and enjoyed the surprises. It had meaning to it and was performed well. I enjoyed the main characters voice. I could have seen slightly more differentiation between the other characters, especially the women.

Fun and unique read.

I thought the world building in this book was particularly unique, the hero being an old man, rather than the usual younger hero stereotype. Also, winged lions isn't a usual trope one would find in a fantasy novel either.

The narration was decent, and I appreciated the fact that things were wrapped nicely by the end of the story, with possibilities for future installments to the series, without ending in a cliff hanger.

Note: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Better than expected

Considering its unusual and kind of wacky premise, it was better than expected.

It definitely leans more conventional in its beginning, and there are more than a few tropes strewn throughout; the classic cynical mentor, the overzealous young lad, the occasionally expected plot twist, etc. But the lion twist kept it interesting enough to finish. It sort of works well enough as a standalone, although it appears to be the start of a series, so I'm unsure if I'll continue on with it.

The narrator did a good job with the characters, however the over-enunciation of words ending in T and D was a bit distracting throughout.

All in all, it was a decent first entry from Taylor.