Even if, because of the complexity, they probably really do need to work through it themselves. When the format fails, bogged down in detail and unnecessary complication, things end up needing to be explained a bit too much by one person or another, making it feel unnatural. To say it brings about some dodgy familial connections is a bit of an understatement. So people might not be who you think they are. Not only is there high stakes politics, ethnic and religious wars, and familial infighting on an epic scale, there’s body-swapping. There’s a constant need to remember which Kihrin knows what and when he learned it, especially because the overarching plot is seriously convoluted. The dual storyline of Kihrin in first person and then in third from differing perspectives sometimes created a strange dissonance, almost like it was two different people, and not just because of the character development acquired in one half or the other. The chapters are short, high energy, and thrilling. When it works it creates an escalating tension as the chapters flip, each one ending on a cliffhanger, so that it’s impossible to put the book down. It’s an interesting premise, but one that nevertheless has its own challenges. If that isn’t complicated enough, the resulting recoding (magical rock, remember?) from which this book is supposedly drawn is then provided with somewhat snarky commentary in footnote style from a whole other character who is also involved in the story at various points.

But here’s the hook, she has some very particular skills that means the story she’s telling is also his, adding parts of the plot not only on a different timeline, but from varied perspectives too.

His tale is told in alternating chapters, while his jailer, Talon, accounts for the other. Kihrin languishes in a jail cell, bullied by his captor into narrating the events that led him to this point. Right from the outset, it’s clear this book isn’t set up in the usual fashion.

After all, he’s in prison when we meet him. well, his chances don’t seem like they’ll be looking up any time soon. But since his new life involves evil magicians, a death cult, a war between gods and demons, the kind of family that epitomises the whole keep-your-enemies-closer philosophy, and dragons….

Everything he’s ever believed is lies, new truths discovered through violence and death. Kihrin is many things: orphan, thief, long lost son of a prince, destroyer of the world? Whatever else he is, he’s also having a really bad time of it.

The ruin of kings book