Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Two Crowns, Three Blades by Robert A. Walker is a compelling fantasy that combines the quest for revenge with a stirring adventure full of action, battles, romance, and strange creatures in the mythical land of Baelon. King Axel of Aranox, devastated by the death of his wife and daughter, has declared war on the GOT (Guild of Takers). The rulers of the Guild (The High Order) respond to the dangers by seeking the murder of not just King Axel but also the other ruler of Baelon, King Tygre. As an ensemble cast of characters weave complicated and compelling plots, each is driven by different motivations but the desire for revenge and retribution lies at the heart of most of their actions. Whilst Tristan Godfrey seeks to find the murderer of his twin brother, Tristan’s true love, Sibil Dunn, has embarked on a mission of her own. Overseer Reynard Rascall is seeking to avenge the death of Spiros, whilst other players mesh together to create a compelling and enthralling adventure. 

Fantasy is not usually my go-to read but Two Crowns, Three Blades was a fascinating, in-depth read with compelling plots, sub-plots, and story arcs that carried me along on a rollicking adventure. Author Robert A. Walker has penned the perfect balance between action, character development, and intrigue. What I particularly enjoyed was that the story is related through differing perspectives which gives the reader much more information on the characters’ motivations. Although there is no shortage of action, battles, and dangerous, mysterious creatures, the narrative is beautifully interwoven with quiet, reflective moments that allow readers to explore fully the depth of each character. I enjoyed the scenes involving Reynard and Charise. Although both were ruthless killers, the banter between them was witty and clever, and added greatly to their journey in search of the elusive GOT gold. The author skillfully keeps so many characters, story arcs, and motivations in play without losing track of the story’s direction. The action, fighting, and unusual creatures will certainly satisfy readers who enjoy a good, old-fashioned medieval-style drama; however, there is a depth to this story that merits interest from all readers. I enjoyed the book immensely and highly recommend it.