REVIEW
Tiran ~ A Tale of Crows and Keys by Ben Lynch
Written with a feel of the past in a world that is more fantasy than real and reminiscent of medieval times, this was an intriguing read that seems to be the first in a series.
What I liked:
* Reading something a bit different and written in a way that stretched me – and comes to mind my reading of the Scarlet Letter and needing to get into the “flow” before it was easy to take in
* That each chapter was titled with the character who would be telling that portion of the story making it easier to follow
* The hints that came in about the land, laws, people, and legal system
* That it made me stretch
* That I felt I got to know the characters and then found some to root for and others that I hoped would cease breathing before the book ended
* The variety of characters in the story
* Ramses: a young man with a girl he likes who works hard, loves his mother, wonders about his soldier father away from home, and has dreams
* Amon & Silas: bounty hunters with a rigid code of laws, good friends, depend on one another, strong, lethal, and damaged
* Nyssa: a woman that played a part and will perhaps continue to do so
* The plot, pacing and setting that slowly hinted at then presented a plot that will need to be sorted out in future books
What I didn’t like: * Who and what I was meant not to like
* How easily more than one person in the book was willing to do evil things – including murdering innocents
* That I had trouble getting into it and found myself skimming while feeling it might be geared to a younger-than-I-am audience
Did I enjoy this book? Sort-of
Would I read more in this series if it is a series? Maybe
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.
3-4 Stars
BLURB
In A Tale of Crows and Keys, the journey through a vast, perilous world of political intrigue, ancient secrets, and personal redemption unfolds through the eyes of a mercenary bound to his fate. Follow Amon, a scarred bounty hunter burdened by his past; Bale, a blind noble whose sharp mind sees more than most; and Ramses, a young market vendor dreaming of a life beyond the walls of Cedar Keep, as they navigate treacherous deserts and fractured cities, all the while hunting a target who may hold the key to a power far beyond their comprehension. The sun-drenched sands of Daharia and the shadowed, ancient halls of Cedar Keep set the stage for an epic clash of ideologies and desires, where betrayal and sacrifice go hand in hand. Lynch's writing breathes life into a world where each decision is fraught with danger, and the line between friend and foe is often blurred. Amon’s quest for vengeance against a shadowy enemy leads him to unearth mysteries about his past that threaten to destroy everything he has ever known. From the bustling markets to the silent, oppressive halls of power, the stakes grow ever higher, and the clash between duty and survival becomes a battle of wills. This fast-paced, gritty tale immerses you in a world where loyalty is fragile, the cost of ambition is steep, and the past has a way of catching up with even the most hardened souls. With richly developed characters and a plot filled with unexpected twists, Tiran is a gripping saga for those who crave complex characters, fierce action, and a world teetering on the edge of chaos. Prepare to be pulled into a whirlwind of intrigue, where every key unlocks a new door to peril, and every crow has its role to play.
