Best book of the year?

I know the year isn’t over yet, but I might be declaring this early, so here’s your scoop, Lemon8. JDL Rosell’s “The Legend of Tal” is really good (this is The King’s Bargain, book one in the series). It’s like Name of the Wind but not as long (per book) and the author actually writes consistently. I picked up a few Wheel of Time vibes from it early on too, as it starts out on a journey/quest trope that I just love. This book really hit on all of my fav tropes, character types, writing style, pacing, all of it. Much like Dragon Mage did for me last year, which Dragon Mage ended up being my fav book of 2023.

The book follows Tal, an experienced adventurer who is the main character of many tall tales and legends throughout the land, and Gavin, a boy yearning for more than his village can offer. They get wound up in a quest to find a traitor in the king’s midst, which brings about lots of danger for the two. Throughout, you have Tal who is reluctant to go back to his old ways, then Gavin who is reluctant to venture into the new.

I loved this book! But having said that, I know that it won’t be everyone’s cup of coffee. I’m a fan of the the tropes, a fan of characters like these, of writing and pacing like this. Not everyone will like it as much as I did, but I do feel like most would at least enjoy it. Either way, from this tough critic that’s only handed out a handful of 5 stars this year…

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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