The Radiant King

The start of Dalglish’s (“Vagrant Gods”) latest epic fantasy series is effortlessly engaging, following six immortal siblings who are swept into a holy war. Faron, too softhearted to endure the endless cycle of lives, burns to erase the passage of years. When he reawakens, he’s recruited by his embittered brother Sariel to overthrow their brother Eder, who has broken their sacred vow of peace. Eder now leads the overreaching Astral Kingdom and has delivered the power of radiance—the power of gods—into human hands. Their best chance to stop him is to ally with Princess Isabelle as she stokes the fires of rebellion. The dynamics of a broken family are the standout feature of this ruthless saga, with relationships fraught with tension, reflecting the uncertain world. Characters carry the scars of lifetimes, and such personal strife influences the larger political conflicts. Readers are plunged right into the thick of battle, unfolding in a world that is both ethereal and fey. The action is balanced by an introspective tone that explores the nature of souls and the fallacies of humanity.