The Crippled King

The Dwarves of Ice-Cloak, Book 1

By: A. Trae McMaken

Narrated by: Peter Noble

Who can withstand the vengeance of dwarven kings?

The life of a dwarven prospector is one of shame, loneliness, and a constant battle for survival. Striking it rich is the only way for Naen to keep his bones from bleaching in the sun without heritage or memory. When riches finally fall into his hands, he encounters a group of indentured servants fleeing from a vengeful master. A dwarf-maid named Jade leads the refugees, but she has her own desires for her future and they don't seem to include Naen. Yet in the face of the brutal wilderness, they need help to survive, and the experienced Naen could give it. When spring comes, should he leave them to their fate and return to the wilds alone, or should he stay with the outlaw dwarves and face the coming onslaught?

Mocked as the King of the Cripples, the epithet could become Naen's true heritage as the ragged refugees prepare their mine to withstand the vengeance of dwarven kings.

©2022 A. Trae McMaken (P)2024 Tantor

great story and world building!!!!

awesome story wrote from a very interesting perspective! highly recommend!!! if you like fantasy novels you came to the right place!

Incredible world-building Dwarven fantasy you can't pass up

Let me start out with saying there is a disappointing amount of Dwarven books out there which is why I was so excited to try this one. I was expecting a half baked story by someone that doesn't understand what talent is. In the first chapter, I knew I couldn't be more wrong. I have yelled - both a victory cheer and angrily, laughed, and felt gut punched throughout this entire book, it's THAT level of impactful and engaging. Also, I wrote this to have no spoilers. That was not easy.

The Crippled King is a book I found by chance and figured I'd go ahead and try. This was one of the best book decisions I've ever made. From the beginning, the world building paints you a picture perfectly paced and that writing talent continues through the entire book, yet it's never boring or too much because again, the pacing of it is beautiful. While there is action, the beauty in this book is the building.

Too many books have main characters or heroes that have too much work out for them too often, and without enough struggle. Most authors want to baby their main character, build an arc of success and victory that's all too easy and common. I bet one just popped into your mind when your read this. Yet McMaken created Naen to suffer in ways you'll feel along with him, love him at times and hate him at others. Naen is fallible in the most utterly best way that gives him and adds so much more depth to the story, his path, and in his world.

McMaken takes obvious knowledge of the Dwarven race we know and somehow makes new but familiar and brings to life what can only be defined as an absolute must read. It's a book you'll read again. It sticks with you. I seriously can't wait to continue reading the rest of the series. If the other books are even half as good, they'll still be some of the best Dwarven fantasies, and books in general, that I've read. Which is kind of a lot of books.

Speaking of bringing the book to life, the narrator Peter Noble? This man brought so much to the reading of this book without overdoing it. He was absolutely the best choice for narrating this book and I'm stoked he reads the rest. He lends so much to this book, I've spent 15 minutes trying to find the words to describe and finally I've given up because I don't know how. 10/10.

Seriously. Get this book.

All hail Broken Spear, King of the Cripples!

The Dwarven fantasy you've been waiting for.

Memorable characters, inspiring story, and quality writing. I expected a narrator with a bit more gruffness, like Dominic Keating did for Caroline Alexander's Iliad, or even Richard Armitage playing Thorin: but the chosen narrator grew on me within a few chapters and did a splendid job. Looking forward to where this series takes us!