Article contributed by Yakira Goldsberry
I could probably end up talking all day about this book. There were so, so many feels involved in the reading process! This book made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me somewhat confused, and it made me want to throw it across the room and hug it at the same time.
Knight’s Ransom isn’t really written like other books. While the main character is Marshall Barton, also known as Ransom, the storytelling style was very much like that of classics in that it was a bit omniscient and more withdrawn from the character’s inner thoughts and feelings. It kept me from immediately connecting with the characters and I found that somewhat disappointing, as I love being deep inside a character’s head. However, this also gave the book a very Medieval feel, which was perfect, as it centers around knights, castles, scandals, tournaments, and, of course, a little bit romance. It took me a little bit to get used to it, but after a while I was hooked.
Ransom is quite the interesting character. While he might not be considered dynamic to some, as he had a very high moral code, his serious nature and dedication to the knight’s code balance him out. He reminded me almost of Lancelot from the BBC show, Merlin. Ransom goes from a somewhat petulant child to a very mature adult. His character arc felt very organic and was much appreciated. I mean, there were many things he did that were a bit foolish and had me shaking my head but still, he grew on me. I came to care very much for him. He goes through many a foul situation, which led me to be very indignant. There were a lot of characters that stuck out to me in that way. Claire de Murrow, Sir William, Lord Kinghorn. All of them were such fascinating and dynamic characters whom I enjoyed. Claire, though, will always be my favourite, besides Ransom of course, because of her spunky nature and somewhat shamelessly dramatic personality. And she made me laugh.
There were also characters I very much loathed, like the petulant Sir James. James came across as a very jealous and whiny boy who never learned to grow up. And for some reason just really didn’t like Ransom. If there was one character that made me angry, it was him. There was also Noemie and the assassin, though for the sake of not spoiling the plot, I won’t say anymore, even though there are many choice words I would use to describe James. He got on my nerves that much.
Wheeler’s very large cast of characters sometimes made it hard to differentiate who was who, but eventually I got the hang of it, even though there were two characters with the same name. Thankfully, Wheeler was very clever in his descriptions and character development to keep the two from being mistaken for the other.
The plot of Knight’s Ransom was the most surprising one I’ve read in a long time. It twisted and turned and sometimes even circled back in a way that left me guessing just what would happen next. There were many subtle plot points dropped into the narrative that resolved in an explosion of secrets and intrigue. And then ending! I can’t say what exactly happened, but it left me frustrated, happy, sad, angry and needing more all at the same time. Jeff Wheeler did an amazing job at ending this book with a punch.
I’m giving Knight’s Ransom a solid 9/10 for being a book full of surprise, heartbreak, intrigue and knightliness, and for being a great start to what feels like a solid series!
Knight’s Ransom is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown. A brutal war of succession has plunged the court of Kingfountain into a power struggle between a charitable king who took the crown unlawfully and his ambitious rival, Devon Argentine. The balance of power between the two men hinges on the fate of a young boy ensnared in this courtly intrigue. A boy befittingly nicknamed Ransom.
When the Argentine family finally rules, Ransom must make his own way in the world. Opportunities open and shut before him as he journeys along the path to knighthood, blind to a shadowy conspiracy of jealousy and revenge. Securing his place will not be easy, nor will winning the affection of Lady Claire de Murrow, a fiery young heiress from an unpredictably mad kingdom.
Ransom interrupts an abduction plot targeting the Queen of Ceredigion and earns a position in service to her son, the firstborn of the new Argentine dynasty. But conflict and treachery threaten the family, and Ransom must also come to understand and hone his burgeoning powers—abilities that involve more than his mastery with a blade and that make him as much a target as his lord.
