Indeed, with the bad guy dispatched on page one, this is very much a book about kindness. On the whole, the book is pretty light and fluffy, keeping the focus on found family, creative ways of running a kingdom, and Arek’s gradual acceptance of the title “King Arek the Kind” that is bestowed upon him by his people (he would have preferred something more dashing). There’s also a lot of humor, as Arek tries to resign himself to Matt’s apparent lack of interest and instead “woos” his other companions. There’s a lot of teen moping in this book about relationships (Arek is seventeen or eighteen and presumably the other questers are around the same age).

Also in the know are all of Matt and Arek’s friends. Too bad he thinks that the guy he actually loves, his best friend Matt, isn’t interested, although the reader is, of course, immediately aware that Matt is very interested indeed. But instead, this book explores what happens next, after everyone has a bath and the blood gets cleaned up.Īrek and his best friends/quest companions now have a kingdom to rule – and for magic reasons, Arek has to wed as soon as possible or fall victim to a magical curse. This, of course, is the point at which most stories end. Arek was prophesied to slay the Vile One and yay, he did, even though it was much more difficult and messy than he had expected. He is accompanied by Matt (his best friend and mage), Bethany, (a bard with a magic harp), Lila (a thief who, later in the book, acquires a crow companion), Rion (a knight), and Sionna (a warrior). The book opens with the Chosen One, Arek, standing over the body of a slain evil king. However, I have a soft spot for this charming story in which a young group of questers has to sort out their feelings while managing a kingdom that they didn’t think they’d be responsible for. I’m not usually fond of the trope in which the main conflict between a couple is that neither can bring themselves to admit their feelings. Oh my gosh you guys, this book is just as dreamy and adorable as its cover suggests.

So this is ever after ft lukens