This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite
The epic fantasy series Empire's Foundation by Ryan Toxopeus continues with Book 2: A Wizard's Gambit. After their success in defeating the dragons that had secretly ruled the empire, Eliza, Thomas, Sarentha and their allies focus on rebuilding and moving forward with their lives. However, peace is too brief, as the dragons return with a vengeance and new enemies emerge. Worst, suspicions in their own alliance threaten their plans for a better future.
We learn more about Matthew Strongblade, Thomas’s ancestor, and how he and his allies started their fight for freedom against a demon lord who enslaved them. In the present, Thomas questions his ability to carry the Strongblade name and his duty as the First Knight for the new king. Meanwhile, Sarentha’s thirst for knowledge leads to his learning of the arcane, and Eliza finds herself somewhat divided between her duty and love.
This second installment is not quite a standalone. In order to grasp the premise and plot as a whole, it’s important that readers read the previous book, A Noble’s Quest. The Empire’s Foundation series has stories within stories, so without Book 1 the events can be somewhat confusing. The number of characters grows slightly, but Toxopeus handles them well and gives them enough space to be significant parts of the plot. I find the existing characters from Book 1, particularly the protagonists, have been nicely developed. The details of the world-building have been expanded with more political issues, history details and secrets. Simply put, this is another enjoyable read from Toxopeus.
