The King's Regret by Philip Ligon, the first book in the Falconbone Series, is a thrilling read for young adult fans of fantasy, adventure, action, and science fiction. Eleven-year-old Jason Falconbone is a refugee on a floating mountain that once belonged to his family's arch-enemies, the Cardinals. Jason's father, Lord Falconbone, and his people resist the king and his Air Armada after it bombed the Falconbones' Airendale Castle under false accusations. Jason helps his uncle, Leo, restore an old airship called The King's Regret. Yet, the boy feels like a prisoner of the mountain that keeps its secrets in the hidden tunnels. Jason has already lost his mother and his best friends. He will do everything to help his father return safely after a dangerous mission, even if it means allying with an adversary.

Philip Ligon's The King's Regret is a great gift for young adult readers and those who want to revive the excitement of reading classic pirate and adventure novels. The brisk narrative jumps right into the action that doesn't stop until the heart-pounding closing scenes. This entertaining and thought-provoking novel has a memorable cast. Jason is very young but often thinks and acts like an adult. While striking, this contrast should not surprise us as Jason still lives through a personal tragedy. The author describes Jason as a boy who misses adventures with his friends but understands his new responsibility toward his family and those who depend on them. Jason's older and sometimes annoying sister, Leah, their Uncle Leo, and the mysterious Julian L’Aeden are among other vivid and complex characters. This coming-of-age story will engage young adult readers with dizzying airship battles, well-guarded family secrets, humorous interactions between the siblings and the strict Nanny Grace, and the mystery surrounding Jason himself. I highly recommend this book to all readers.

The King’s Regret by Philip Ligon is the first book of The Falconbone Series. Jason Falconbone has a pleasant life in his home at Airendale Castle, but everything changes the night the king’s men attack their community. The horrific attack leads to the deaths of many, including his mother and friends. The survivors, under the leadership of the Falconbones, gather in a hideaway in the mountains. Jason and his sister Leah are the last of the Falconbones, apart from their father, who leaves on a dangerous mission to win their old enemies over to their side. Jason is tired of being protected all the time; he seeks adventure and is desperate to prove his worth. When an unknown traitor tries to endanger the refugees, he finally gets a chance to show everyone that he is more than just a kid.
 
Philip Ligon’s The King’s Regret is a great pick for young fans of action and adventure. The characters in the story are quite realistic. Jason is at a stage between childhood and adolescence, and his inner conflicts and turmoil are relevant to his age group. Leah, the older child, takes pride in her lineage. Her pride and attitude do not make her outright obnoxious; rather, these traits play a role in the development of this character as a complex individual. Through the perspectives of Jason and his friend Suzanne, the author shows that everyone struggles in their own way, but the differences in the challenges often lead one to believe that the grass is greener on the other side. This book is recommended for young adults aged twelve to fifteen.