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Crownless
A fugitive storyteller running out of time. A prince hiding from his mother. A kingdom on the brink of collapse. A search for a world of magic.
Convinced his tales are true, storyteller Jinji is determined to find the legendary fae realm of Shinac to save his world from a dread lord trying to cross over—before a fatal illness ends Jinji’s life.
Prince Jetekesh is caught between a controlling mother and his affection for his dying father—until he’s kidnapped and forced to journey with a delusional storyteller and a motley band of fugitives in search of a myth.
Hunted by the queen, hindered by a malady, and invaded by an enemy empire, Jinji and Jetekesh race across a crumbling kingdom to find the alleged gate between worlds.
But even if Shinac exists, how can a humble storyteller and deposed prince hope to stand against a devastating evil?
Convinced his tales are true, storyteller Jinji is determined to find the legendary fae realm of Shinac to save his world from a dread lord trying to cross over—before a fatal illness ends Jinji’s life.
Prince Jetekesh is caught between a controlling mother and his affection for his dying father—until he’s kidnapped and forced to journey with a delusional storyteller and a motley band of fugitives in search of a myth.
Hunted by the queen, hindered by a malady, and invaded by an enemy empire, Jinji and Jetekesh race across a crumbling kingdom to find the alleged gate between worlds.
But even if Shinac exists, how can a humble storyteller and deposed prince hope to stand against a devastating evil?
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First published June 4, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 23, 2021
It was a good book and I enjoyed reading it. It had a great storyline and it was a very good book.
June 21, 2021
ARC Review✨
I feel this book gives the very meaning of what a journey can be. You go there, into the world and through an adventure with characters that carry such depth and story to them. You experience them just as truly as the world Woodscourt has created. The emotions these characters experience are so relatable.
Jinji - the storyteller was definitely my favourite.
I recommend to anyone that is looking for a strong story threaded with fantasy and character development.
No spoilers but that ending... I had tears threatening for sure. Fantastic book and throughly enjoyed.
I feel this book gives the very meaning of what a journey can be. You go there, into the world and through an adventure with characters that carry such depth and story to them. You experience them just as truly as the world Woodscourt has created. The emotions these characters experience are so relatable.
Jinji - the storyteller was definitely my favourite.
I recommend to anyone that is looking for a strong story threaded with fantasy and character development.
No spoilers but that ending... I had tears threatening for sure. Fantastic book and throughly enjoyed.
April 26, 2021
An interesting read. Once I got into it, I couldn't put it down.
June 19, 2021
I received a digital ARC copy of Crownless in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely ADORED this book. I am particularly in love with the multi-dimensional characters M. H. Woodscourt created for this story. After I finished reading, I continued to think of the characters of the page. And THAT is truly an indication of quality writing! In the modern world, I feel that stories often value complex plot and flashy book “fluff” as the factors determining a book’s worth. As a result, some of the best things about literature, the characters, are often sacrificed. I often find myself frustrated by lack of character development and flat, caricature-esque characters who struggle to move the story forward. In “Crownless,” the development of multi-dimensional characters was the very thing driving the plot forward- and it was so well-executed. The characters were unique and complex and dynamic as the story progressed. The careful crafting of the unique world around them perfected every detail of this story.
I grew to love each story-line as it developed and watching intertwining lives of this band of misfit travelers. With that being said, I would be remiss to not put a spotlight on the individual character of Jinji. His wisdom and perspective of the word served as a balance to the bitterness and confusion in the other characters. Additionally, the wisdom he imparts throughout this story is valuable even outside the confines of the novel. I loved the tales woven for this traveling storyteller and the value they contained. My particular favorite was one about an unappealing young female healer and her relationship with a prince. I highlighted several of his thoughts, including those on the “moral grounds” of slavery.
While I gush endlessly about my love for this book, I must admit that I did struggle with keeping the characters names straight in the beginning. This is something I always have hard a time with as new characters are quickly introduced. However, the very thing that I struggled with in the beginning was exactly what I cherished by the end of the book. I highly recommend “Crownless” for those who love world-building and fantasy. Thank you M.H. Woodscourt for crafting such a timeless tale.
I absolutely ADORED this book. I am particularly in love with the multi-dimensional characters M. H. Woodscourt created for this story. After I finished reading, I continued to think of the characters of the page. And THAT is truly an indication of quality writing! In the modern world, I feel that stories often value complex plot and flashy book “fluff” as the factors determining a book’s worth. As a result, some of the best things about literature, the characters, are often sacrificed. I often find myself frustrated by lack of character development and flat, caricature-esque characters who struggle to move the story forward. In “Crownless,” the development of multi-dimensional characters was the very thing driving the plot forward- and it was so well-executed. The characters were unique and complex and dynamic as the story progressed. The careful crafting of the unique world around them perfected every detail of this story.
I grew to love each story-line as it developed and watching intertwining lives of this band of misfit travelers. With that being said, I would be remiss to not put a spotlight on the individual character of Jinji. His wisdom and perspective of the word served as a balance to the bitterness and confusion in the other characters. Additionally, the wisdom he imparts throughout this story is valuable even outside the confines of the novel. I loved the tales woven for this traveling storyteller and the value they contained. My particular favorite was one about an unappealing young female healer and her relationship with a prince. I highlighted several of his thoughts, including those on the “moral grounds” of slavery.
While I gush endlessly about my love for this book, I must admit that I did struggle with keeping the characters names straight in the beginning. This is something I always have hard a time with as new characters are quickly introduced. However, the very thing that I struggled with in the beginning was exactly what I cherished by the end of the book. I highly recommend “Crownless” for those who love world-building and fantasy. Thank you M.H. Woodscourt for crafting such a timeless tale.
June 28, 2021
Crownless is fantastic - beautiful world building, an awesome main quest, and personal quests for all the characters! The places are rich and beautiful and the characters are interesting and well written. It was just a lovely book to read and very exciting!
There are some good lessons in here about love, friendship, forgiveness, marriage, and just being a good person. There's a part about marriage contracts in the fae world being magical and I just loved that bit. There is a bit of blood and killing, but overall, this a clean book with no cursing or sexual situations. Definitely recommend!
There are some good lessons in here about love, friendship, forgiveness, marriage, and just being a good person. There's a part about marriage contracts in the fae world being magical and I just loved that bit. There is a bit of blood and killing, but overall, this a clean book with no cursing or sexual situations. Definitely recommend!
May 10, 2021
Great story! Crownless was an easy-to-read, enjoyable fantasy novel. The characters were fun and likable. I loved the twists that popped up when I least expected it. Woodscourt does a great job of allowing characters to grow over the course of the story, and I enjoyed rooting for people that I once disliked. The depth of descriptions of the people and world are solid. The only dislikes I had were that some scenes with multiple people were difficult to follow who was speaking at times. Overall, great book! :-)
I received an advanced copy of the book and am writing a fair an honest review of my own opinions.
I received an advanced copy of the book and am writing a fair an honest review of my own opinions.
June 16, 2021
Crownless
is a standalone high fantasy that was an incredibly unique and captivating read. Although the storyteller is the central main character, the novel ends up as an ensemble tale where all the characters each have their time to shine and the reader gets to know all of them along the way. This story had me guessing until the end as, at first, it seemed slightly chaotic, but it turned out to be organized chaos where it is clear there is a vision for the story and everything comes together at the end. The author, just like the main character, is an excellent weaver of stories!
In the world of Nakania, Jinji, also known as Jinji Wanderlust, travels around as a Storyteller of tales of a lost prince and the legendary kingdom of Shinac. While visiting the kingdom of Amantier, he is arrested as stories about the fae are against the law. He is taken to the royal city, Kavacos, to be presented to Queen Bareene. She is now in charge as her husband, King Jetekesh the Fourth has fallen mysteriously ill and his outlook is not hopeful. He is sentenced to be a prisoner where he meets Jetekesh, the 15-year-old Crown Prince of Amantier.
Through a series of events, Jinji escapes with the help of Rille, a 10-year-old seer and daughter of the now deceased Lord Lunorr. She is also the cousin of Jetekesh. Her guardian is now Yeshton, a soldier, who also was the one who arrested Jinji. Along for the ride on this escape is Jetekesh and Tifen, the prince’s protector. This group of individuals are now led by Jinji to search for Shinac as Jinji believes it to be a real place. Queen Bareene wants her son back, so she is now after the group. To make matters even more complicated, the Queen has surrendered Amantier to the conquering empire, KryTeer ran by the Holy Emperor, Gyath elvar Keen d’ara KessRa. His armies are ran by his first born, Aredel elvar Gilioth d’ara KessRa, the High Prince of KryTeer (also called the Blood Prince).
There are a lot of twists and turns in this story as you have the heroes and villians that all have depth and you find yourself invested in all of their stories. There is the spoiled prince Jetekesh, the lonely Rille, and the lost characters, such as Yeshton, that all learn and grow throughout the story. They a band of misfit characters that range in age from children to older adults, so it was nice to see the different generations all working together for a common purpose. At first the characters and the plot seemed confusing as there are lot of characters to keep track of and the end game was not as apparent early on, like it is in similar novels. However, it still managed to keep my attention and invested in the story. Some of the characters the readers gets to know a little more than others, but it did not take away from the overall enjoyment of the story.
On its surface, the story can be summed up to a storyteller, a spoiled prince, the prince’s protector, a lordless knight, and a young seer travel together to escape an evil queen and an invading empire. All of the people on both the “good” and “evil” sides are broken individuals that try to find potential to heel. The world of Nakania is a place full of potential, so I am excited that the author plans to write more novels, although this one will remain as a standalone. This was a surprising read and a very entertaining character-driven story! [4.5 rating rounded to 5]
In the world of Nakania, Jinji, also known as Jinji Wanderlust, travels around as a Storyteller of tales of a lost prince and the legendary kingdom of Shinac. While visiting the kingdom of Amantier, he is arrested as stories about the fae are against the law. He is taken to the royal city, Kavacos, to be presented to Queen Bareene. She is now in charge as her husband, King Jetekesh the Fourth has fallen mysteriously ill and his outlook is not hopeful. He is sentenced to be a prisoner where he meets Jetekesh, the 15-year-old Crown Prince of Amantier.
Through a series of events, Jinji escapes with the help of Rille, a 10-year-old seer and daughter of the now deceased Lord Lunorr. She is also the cousin of Jetekesh. Her guardian is now Yeshton, a soldier, who also was the one who arrested Jinji. Along for the ride on this escape is Jetekesh and Tifen, the prince’s protector. This group of individuals are now led by Jinji to search for Shinac as Jinji believes it to be a real place. Queen Bareene wants her son back, so she is now after the group. To make matters even more complicated, the Queen has surrendered Amantier to the conquering empire, KryTeer ran by the Holy Emperor, Gyath elvar Keen d’ara KessRa. His armies are ran by his first born, Aredel elvar Gilioth d’ara KessRa, the High Prince of KryTeer (also called the Blood Prince).
There are a lot of twists and turns in this story as you have the heroes and villians that all have depth and you find yourself invested in all of their stories. There is the spoiled prince Jetekesh, the lonely Rille, and the lost characters, such as Yeshton, that all learn and grow throughout the story. They a band of misfit characters that range in age from children to older adults, so it was nice to see the different generations all working together for a common purpose. At first the characters and the plot seemed confusing as there are lot of characters to keep track of and the end game was not as apparent early on, like it is in similar novels. However, it still managed to keep my attention and invested in the story. Some of the characters the readers gets to know a little more than others, but it did not take away from the overall enjoyment of the story.
On its surface, the story can be summed up to a storyteller, a spoiled prince, the prince’s protector, a lordless knight, and a young seer travel together to escape an evil queen and an invading empire. All of the people on both the “good” and “evil” sides are broken individuals that try to find potential to heel. The world of Nakania is a place full of potential, so I am excited that the author plans to write more novels, although this one will remain as a standalone. This was a surprising read and a very entertaining character-driven story! [4.5 rating rounded to 5]
June 8, 2021
This was a very enjoyable read. It started off slow and took me until about Chapter 9 to really get into it. The beginning was a bit confusing and mysterious but as the pace picked up, it all started to make a bit more sense.
I liked the characters; Jetekesh was probably my favourite just because it focuses a lot on him and his reactions to all these different situations. He's a key piece in this game of chess, so to speak. He was also probably the most developed of the characters. Although there were many times that I wanted to punch him in the face, the reader can't help but feel a little sympathy towards him because of his backstory.
I found the character of Rille to be a little annoying at first, particularly in her relationship with Jetekesh. They're always squabbling. Within their roles, it's easy to forget they're children but it's apparent in the way they react to situations.
Jinji and Yeshton were more mysterious characters and I feel like I didn't know enough about them to fully make a judgement on them. They were essential to the story but I couldn't depict them in my mind as I could with Rille and Jetekesh.
There was a sad death scene of an antagonist and it was unique because it was told from the perspective of the antagonist as they died. This character also briefly explored the effects of a miscarriage and grief so if those are sensitive topics for you, you may want to put this book down.
The magic in this book, if any at all, was soft magic, I would say. Stuff like visions. I didn't mind this much.
This was a long book, 40 chapters long but it was engaging. Overall I enjoyed this book.
Thank you to the author for giving me an ARC of this book.
I liked the characters; Jetekesh was probably my favourite just because it focuses a lot on him and his reactions to all these different situations. He's a key piece in this game of chess, so to speak. He was also probably the most developed of the characters. Although there were many times that I wanted to punch him in the face, the reader can't help but feel a little sympathy towards him because of his backstory.
I found the character of Rille to be a little annoying at first, particularly in her relationship with Jetekesh. They're always squabbling. Within their roles, it's easy to forget they're children but it's apparent in the way they react to situations.
Jinji and Yeshton were more mysterious characters and I feel like I didn't know enough about them to fully make a judgement on them. They were essential to the story but I couldn't depict them in my mind as I could with Rille and Jetekesh.
There was a sad death scene of an antagonist and it was unique because it was told from the perspective of the antagonist as they died. This character also briefly explored the effects of a miscarriage and grief so if those are sensitive topics for you, you may want to put this book down.
The magic in this book, if any at all, was soft magic, I would say. Stuff like visions. I didn't mind this much.
This was a long book, 40 chapters long but it was engaging. Overall I enjoyed this book.
Thank you to the author for giving me an ARC of this book.
May 16, 2021
This book was just amazing. First things first, Jinji is one of my absolute favorite characters of all time now. I would love so much to meet him. He is such an interesting character and his backstory just makes you root for him even more. A storyteller on the run from a sinister queen who doesn't approve of his fairy tale stories, Jingi influences everyone he meets from high kings to palace servants. Jingi is convinced that in order to save his world he must find the fae realm of Shinac and bring back the one true prince. He is so full of life and joy despite battling a terminal illness.
Prince Jetekesh is a fifteen year old spoiled teenager who shows two different sides of himself. One the one side is his devotion and affection for his dying father the king, and the other is his stubborn and spoiled side with his controlling mother the queen. Although he got on my nerves quite often, it was enjoyable to see him grow throughout the story.
Yeshton and Rille were two other characters with an interesting relationship. The way they interacted and grew with one another was intriguing and I couldn't help falling in love with their dynamic.
I will say the story of Shinac and the missing prince had me guessing if characters we were introduced to were them and it kept me interested the entire book. The story is somewhat left on a cliff hanger so I can only hope that there will be more told of these characters stories. I would love to return to these characters and this world again.
Thank you to M.H. Woodscourt and BookFunnel for a review copy.
Prince Jetekesh is a fifteen year old spoiled teenager who shows two different sides of himself. One the one side is his devotion and affection for his dying father the king, and the other is his stubborn and spoiled side with his controlling mother the queen. Although he got on my nerves quite often, it was enjoyable to see him grow throughout the story.
Yeshton and Rille were two other characters with an interesting relationship. The way they interacted and grew with one another was intriguing and I couldn't help falling in love with their dynamic.
I will say the story of Shinac and the missing prince had me guessing if characters we were introduced to were them and it kept me interested the entire book. The story is somewhat left on a cliff hanger so I can only hope that there will be more told of these characters stories. I would love to return to these characters and this world again.
Thank you to M.H. Woodscourt and BookFunnel for a review copy.
May 24, 2021
5 CRANKY STARS
I loved this amazing story. It was just enough different that I didn't feel like I was reading bits and pieces from other books which is common in this genre. It was also a "can't put down' type of story. The characters will steal your heart, especially little Rille.
KryTeer is the evil kingdom trying to conquer the world. The Blood Prince is the Emperor's son leading this campaign. Not everyone is who they appear to be and there are many surprises and twists to this story. Jinji is a wandering storyteller and plays a major role in this story. Magic is something forbidden and hidden in this world but it is present. I don't want to repeat all the characters as you can read their names in the synopsis at the listing for the book. The lands they travel through make you think of the Middle East with an Arabian Knights vibe to the country of KryTeer. Intrigue and mystery surround everything these characters encounter as we watch young Crown Prince Jetekesh of Amantier come into his own. He is stronger than his mother ever knew but at times you will want to reach out and slap him to tell him to grow up.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and I think most other readers will too.
I loved this amazing story. It was just enough different that I didn't feel like I was reading bits and pieces from other books which is common in this genre. It was also a "can't put down' type of story. The characters will steal your heart, especially little Rille.
KryTeer is the evil kingdom trying to conquer the world. The Blood Prince is the Emperor's son leading this campaign. Not everyone is who they appear to be and there are many surprises and twists to this story. Jinji is a wandering storyteller and plays a major role in this story. Magic is something forbidden and hidden in this world but it is present. I don't want to repeat all the characters as you can read their names in the synopsis at the listing for the book. The lands they travel through make you think of the Middle East with an Arabian Knights vibe to the country of KryTeer. Intrigue and mystery surround everything these characters encounter as we watch young Crown Prince Jetekesh of Amantier come into his own. He is stronger than his mother ever knew but at times you will want to reach out and slap him to tell him to grow up.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and I think most other readers will too.
April 30, 2021
A wonderfully refreshing read, this character-driven book steers away from some of the more tired tropes, while holding on to some of the more beloved ones and doing them proud. It has a good plot that organically grows from the pasts and desires of the cast.
Very well written, Crownless delivers beautiful prose from an author who knows not only how to show rather than tell, but who shows beautiful vistas of magic, hope, and tragedy in a well turned phrase.
The reader follows the journey of protagonist Jinji Wanderlust, a haunted man full of hope. You see Jinji through the eyes of flawed fellow travelers whose dynamics makes this book a joy to read. In particular, I loved the often painful growth of Prince Jetekesh, who lends to the trope of 'spoiled prince needing a serious spanking and wake-up call' a fresh and believable perspective.
I'll be the first to say this book is different. I can't quite class it, and frankly that makes me happy. While I love a lot of the things that make up fantasy, it's nice to find something that is on it's own a bit. It left me wanting more from this world, and sad to leave it, and Jinji behind.
Very well written, Crownless delivers beautiful prose from an author who knows not only how to show rather than tell, but who shows beautiful vistas of magic, hope, and tragedy in a well turned phrase.
The reader follows the journey of protagonist Jinji Wanderlust, a haunted man full of hope. You see Jinji through the eyes of flawed fellow travelers whose dynamics makes this book a joy to read. In particular, I loved the often painful growth of Prince Jetekesh, who lends to the trope of 'spoiled prince needing a serious spanking and wake-up call' a fresh and believable perspective.
I'll be the first to say this book is different. I can't quite class it, and frankly that makes me happy. While I love a lot of the things that make up fantasy, it's nice to find something that is on it's own a bit. It left me wanting more from this world, and sad to leave it, and Jinji behind.
May 3, 2021
I was given an ARC in exchange an honest review. Some well defined characters and some great world building in this alternative fantasy adventure. Characters I wanted to die did and those that I thought would die survived and when they did survive, I didn't see it coming, so I thought that was a nice twist.
I did feel at times that conversations between Characters was bordering on "white room syndrome" at the beginning of the book, with little or no description of the building they were in. A prime example of this was Queen Bareene's palace and the farm the travellers stayed in. This made it difficult for me to build a picture in my head of the surroundings. This was rectified later on and I found it easier to see the location in my minds eye.
There wasn't a huge amount of action in the book and to begin with there was lots of frowning and grabbing at sword hilts, but a sword isn't actually drawn until seventy percent of the book has passed. There is a lot of talking and story telling and this is due to a main character being a story teller I suspect.I don't know if this book is part of a series or not. It certainly felt like there was more to see here. If you are a fan of Robert Jordan than give this book a go. You won't be disappointed.
I did feel at times that conversations between Characters was bordering on "white room syndrome" at the beginning of the book, with little or no description of the building they were in. A prime example of this was Queen Bareene's palace and the farm the travellers stayed in. This made it difficult for me to build a picture in my head of the surroundings. This was rectified later on and I found it easier to see the location in my minds eye.
There wasn't a huge amount of action in the book and to begin with there was lots of frowning and grabbing at sword hilts, but a sword isn't actually drawn until seventy percent of the book has passed. There is a lot of talking and story telling and this is due to a main character being a story teller I suspect.I don't know if this book is part of a series or not. It certainly felt like there was more to see here. If you are a fan of Robert Jordan than give this book a go. You won't be disappointed.
June 11, 2021
KryTeer is an evil kingdom.
The prince must learn who is, the real him past his father's manipulative and deceptive ways.
This book is a rollercoaster of emotions.
The author designed a lovely world. The plot was a bit slow at the beginning but soon took a good pace and piqued my interest.
The Author wrote with a beautiful writing style and brought each character to life.
It felt little confusing during multiple character speech because I was unable at that moment I was unable to grasp who was speaking what dialogue.
Well-paced.
Each character made a strong growth throught the story.
The story was fun and interesting with unexpected twists.
An intriguing story teller, achild with magic.
A story of a spoiled Prince, an evil kingdom and his transformation into his real self.
A journey to know that there is a world out there with huge peoblems than his own.👌
My most favourite character was Jinji from the very first page.❣
I received a digital ARC in exchange of honest review.
The prince must learn who is, the real him past his father's manipulative and deceptive ways.
This book is a rollercoaster of emotions.
The author designed a lovely world. The plot was a bit slow at the beginning but soon took a good pace and piqued my interest.
The Author wrote with a beautiful writing style and brought each character to life.
It felt little confusing during multiple character speech because I was unable at that moment I was unable to grasp who was speaking what dialogue.
Well-paced.
Each character made a strong growth throught the story.
The story was fun and interesting with unexpected twists.
An intriguing story teller, achild with magic.
A story of a spoiled Prince, an evil kingdom and his transformation into his real self.
A journey to know that there is a world out there with huge peoblems than his own.👌
My most favourite character was Jinji from the very first page.❣
I received a digital ARC in exchange of honest review.
April 30, 2021
What an interesting read! It started off a bit slow and, to my mind, too much time was spent on Prince Jetekesh's musings. It picked up pace with the escape and fleeing for their lives. The storyline is remarkably different and captivating. A young prince, spoilt by an obsessive mother, a dying king, poisoned by his wife, a storyteller all fear, a princess without a father or home and a Blood prince annexing kingdom after kingdom. All these fascinating characters come together to aid each other and to displace an evil king. I particularly liked young spunky Rille, who's not afraid to speak her mind. Jinji is such a beautiful character, giving hope to all. Yet none of these characters are what they seem, all fight their own inner demons and overcome them. I enjoyed how the author draws one in, slowly pulling at the rope, until you're totally ensnared! Recommended read!
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review
May 3, 2021
Get comfy, grab a cup of tea or coffee, and get some tissues.
OMG, ok so I started this book two days ago, and I can’t put it down, once I started reading I can’t stop myself. This book has everything you want and more. I fell in love with all the Characters but Jinji has a special place in my heart, I just love him so freaking much.
This book was a roller coaster of emotion and to be honest, I cried like a baby at the end of the book like really ugly cried.
This is a book everyone should read. Thank you so much to author M.H Woodscourt for making such a remarkable story.
OMG, ok so I started this book two days ago, and I can’t put it down, once I started reading I can’t stop myself. This book has everything you want and more. I fell in love with all the Characters but Jinji has a special place in my heart, I just love him so freaking much.
This book was a roller coaster of emotion and to be honest, I cried like a baby at the end of the book like really ugly cried.
This is a book everyone should read. Thank you so much to author M.H Woodscourt for making such a remarkable story.
July 7, 2021
What can I say about Crownless? I had the pleasure of being a beta reader for this book, and I loved revisiting now in it's published form. It was a joy to both reread familiar scenes and see what had changed, and I still love this world and its characters.
Woodscourt brings us into yet another magical reality with a diverse cast of personalities who each have their growing pains and evolution. We journey and learn with them, not only about their world, but also about what it means to live in it and the the lessons that encourage growth as a person. There are so many moments where turning the page equalled pulling at my hearstrings as I ached with the characters. Other times it equalled warmth and love.
One of the interesting things about this book is that at first I thought it might not be for me. Now I know that it is as I love Jinji, Jetekesh, and everything else about it.
Woodscourt brings us into yet another magical reality with a diverse cast of personalities who each have their growing pains and evolution. We journey and learn with them, not only about their world, but also about what it means to live in it and the the lessons that encourage growth as a person. There are so many moments where turning the page equalled pulling at my hearstrings as I ached with the characters. Other times it equalled warmth and love.
One of the interesting things about this book is that at first I thought it might not be for me. Now I know that it is as I love Jinji, Jetekesh, and everything else about it.
May 18, 2021
I picked up this book because the summary sounded so interesting (and funny, to be honest). I'm happy that it lived up to my expectations. The author creates such a lovely world, through her writing style and I fell in love with Nakania. We get hints of both the Western and Eastern real world and its cultures. I liked how fast-paced the storyline was, and how well developed each character is. Throughout the story, there's enough character growth/change, that kept me satisfied.
May 28, 2021
I loved this book, the world the author has created was fascinating and magical. I loved the voices of all the characters, and it felt like at times I was sitting around the table, listening to them. I received this book as an ARC from the author and I'm so glad I did, as I'm a fan and I'm loving reading fantasy more and more.
This was a fun read, ideal for those who love YA fantasy and I'm looking forward to reading what the author does next!
This was a fun read, ideal for those who love YA fantasy and I'm looking forward to reading what the author does next!
June 20, 2021
A fugitive storyteller running out of time. A prince hiding from his mother. A kingdom on the brink of collapse. A search for a world of magic.
A unique story with unusual and interesting characters .
Slow at first but ramped up into action very quickly.
Highly recommended.
A unique story with unusual and interesting characters .
Slow at first but ramped up into action very quickly.
Highly recommended.
April 30, 2021
An unusual and fascinating high fantasy, I'm glad I got to review an ARC copy from this stellar author. It sucked me in almost at once. Woodscourt delivers an unconventional hero and a compelling narrative without any romance yet all the feels of a diverting cast. The growth of the prince astounded me. The twists at the end blew my mind. I laughed and cried. A novel worthy of five stars!
July 2, 2021
An absolutly gripping story from start to finish!
Jinji the wunderlust has been wondering from place to place telling tales of lost prince's and fae. This is until he is arrested by a solider called Yeston and taken to Queen Bareene of Amantier who plans to make these fairy tales stop, however nothing goes to her plan!
I thoroughly enjoyed this story I was gripped from when I first started, the description of jinji to start with is peculiar but as the story goes on you find yourself warming to him more and more as well as some of the other charecters. This friendships that grow the fellowships that form the hardships that have been faced have had me awestruck I have loved it from the first page to the last. Perhaps M.H. Woodscourt is a storyweaver themselves
I will deffinatly recommend this book to be read. An epic fantasy adventure 4/5 stars
Jinji the wunderlust has been wondering from place to place telling tales of lost prince's and fae. This is until he is arrested by a solider called Yeston and taken to Queen Bareene of Amantier who plans to make these fairy tales stop, however nothing goes to her plan!
I thoroughly enjoyed this story I was gripped from when I first started, the description of jinji to start with is peculiar but as the story goes on you find yourself warming to him more and more as well as some of the other charecters. This friendships that grow the fellowships that form the hardships that have been faced have had me awestruck I have loved it from the first page to the last. Perhaps M.H. Woodscourt is a storyweaver themselves
I will deffinatly recommend this book to be read. An epic fantasy adventure 4/5 stars
May 18, 2021
I read this book in the beta stages and loved it. I should have written a more in depth review instantly to post later, but I didn't think about it.
M.H. Woodscourt is an amazing storyteller. I dare say she weaves a tale as well as Jinji. Her worlds are perfectly imagined and wonderfully penned. Her characters are real, flawed, and easy to fall in love or hate with. Her stories leave nothing to be desired ... except more.
M.H. Woodscourt is an amazing storyteller. I dare say she weaves a tale as well as Jinji. Her worlds are perfectly imagined and wonderfully penned. Her characters are real, flawed, and easy to fall in love or hate with. Her stories leave nothing to be desired ... except more.
June 25, 2021
I absolutely loved this book! Crownless is a very character driven stand alone fantasy. It’s told in third person from multiple POVs though the main ones are Yeshton, a soldier, and Jeketesh, a young prince. When the Kingdom of Amantier is taken over by the hostile KryTeer forces, an unlikely group of people end up on a quest of sorts to head south to the Drifting Sands to avoid capture, and perhaps to find the legendary land of Shinac. The characters range all over the spectrum from good to evil and there are some surprises along the way. Jinji stood out to me above all the others. He is a storyteller who has a magical ability to bring stories to life and despite a difficult life and serious illness, he is good to his core. I loved the tales of his that are woven throughout Crownless! They add so much to the book and really influence the other characters, especially Jeketesh who grows from a spoiled boy to a promising young prince. I also really liked Lady Rille, a young girl who sees the future. She’s confident and not afraid to voice her opinion even though she’s young and scared for her life. All in all this is a fantastic book that is very well written and has an in depth world and history. I highly recommend it if you enjoy character driven stories!
I received an ARC from the author and I’m voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I received an ARC from the author and I’m voluntarily leaving an honest review.
June 17, 2021
I was lucky enough to be chosen to do an ARC read of "Crownless" by M.H. Woodscourt, From the first time I saw the cover I was excited to read this. I was not disappointed. M.H Woodscourt introduced me to interesting and relatable characters, I liked the multi-point of views, it helped me to understand each character as individuals but also how they interacted with each other. I wished there was more to this well thought out world and look forward to reading anything else that M.H Woodscourt publishes.
If you are looking for a good YA novel with multiple POVs and great world-building then go buy a copy of "Crownless" When it is released on the 19th of June. I will be purchasing a Paperback copy to add to my book collection.
If you are looking for a good YA novel with multiple POVs and great world-building then go buy a copy of "Crownless" When it is released on the 19th of June. I will be purchasing a Paperback copy to add to my book collection.
June 20, 2021
Excellent book! I enjoyed reading this well-thought-out story of Jinji Wanderlust and his sojourners. It captured my imagination and kept me interested until the end. There was one part which seemed a bit anticlimactic instead of having the fireworks I expected, but overall, a very satisfying read.
June 19, 2021
[ARC Review]
I read Forsaken, a prequel novella before I started on Crownless. I wasn't overly wowed by Forsaken but it definitely got me curious enough that I wanted to know more about the world of Nakania and it's characters. M.H. Woodscourt does write beautifully and in comparison the prequel really was just peanuts!
Crownless is a YA Epic Fantasy Ensemble story about a Prince who has to learn to acknowledge the manipulative and destructive influence of a parent and learn who he, himself, really is. The story follows the spoiled prince on a transformative journey -alongside dishonoured knights, a child with magical abilities and a strange storyteller with a complex past- where he is confronted with the fact that, perhaps, there are bigger problems in the world than his own.
My favourites:
- The worldbuilding. With influences from both Western and Eastern cultures the world of Nakania gives visions of epic Asia, exotic 1001 Nights and romantic tales of valiant knights on horseback. Thanks to the way she uses these real life cultures it's easy to imagine you're IN the story, and thanks to the magical influence of the mysterious realm of Shinac you never stop asking the question 'what else is there in this world?' which I love.
- Easy reading & pretty prose. I would say Crownless ranges from mid-to relatively fast paced. Despite the fact that it go's along quite easily and is a comfortable read, it's pages are filled with prose that will make your eyes sparkle.
- The characters. I love that each and every one of the characters seems to have secrets and a purpose of their own. The glimpses from different POV's made me curious about most of their own backstories and with some of them I wish I could read more!
What I missed:
- The personal plot: this is just a minor sidenote, because it was only visible here and there. There were a few moments in the story, including the ending, where I felt that it was a little more plot-driven. To feel more character driven, I would have liked to see Jetekesh' inner struggle more so some of his choices felt more like HIS choices, and less like he was a bystander.
Sexual content: none
Coarse language: none
Violence and gore: moderate (not very descriptive)
Trigger warning: one of the characters hint that their conception wasn't voluntary on their mother's part. There are no descriptions.
In every sense of the word I would dub this a 'clean read'.
In conclusion
If you like beautiful Eastern inspired scenery, good people trying to make the best of things in confusing circumstances, wondrous magically shaped mysteries and transformative character arcs in multiple POV's, then Crownless is definitely your next Fantasy adventure!
I read Forsaken, a prequel novella before I started on Crownless. I wasn't overly wowed by Forsaken but it definitely got me curious enough that I wanted to know more about the world of Nakania and it's characters. M.H. Woodscourt does write beautifully and in comparison the prequel really was just peanuts!
Crownless is a YA Epic Fantasy Ensemble story about a Prince who has to learn to acknowledge the manipulative and destructive influence of a parent and learn who he, himself, really is. The story follows the spoiled prince on a transformative journey -alongside dishonoured knights, a child with magical abilities and a strange storyteller with a complex past- where he is confronted with the fact that, perhaps, there are bigger problems in the world than his own.
My favourites:
- The worldbuilding. With influences from both Western and Eastern cultures the world of Nakania gives visions of epic Asia, exotic 1001 Nights and romantic tales of valiant knights on horseback. Thanks to the way she uses these real life cultures it's easy to imagine you're IN the story, and thanks to the magical influence of the mysterious realm of Shinac you never stop asking the question 'what else is there in this world?' which I love.
- Easy reading & pretty prose. I would say Crownless ranges from mid-to relatively fast paced. Despite the fact that it go's along quite easily and is a comfortable read, it's pages are filled with prose that will make your eyes sparkle.
- The characters. I love that each and every one of the characters seems to have secrets and a purpose of their own. The glimpses from different POV's made me curious about most of their own backstories and with some of them I wish I could read more!
What I missed:
- The personal plot: this is just a minor sidenote, because it was only visible here and there. There were a few moments in the story, including the ending, where I felt that it was a little more plot-driven. To feel more character driven, I would have liked to see Jetekesh' inner struggle more so some of his choices felt more like HIS choices, and less like he was a bystander.
Sexual content: none
Coarse language: none
Violence and gore: moderate (not very descriptive)
Trigger warning: one of the characters hint that their conception wasn't voluntary on their mother's part. There are no descriptions.
In every sense of the word I would dub this a 'clean read'.
In conclusion
If you like beautiful Eastern inspired scenery, good people trying to make the best of things in confusing circumstances, wondrous magically shaped mysteries and transformative character arcs in multiple POV's, then Crownless is definitely your next Fantasy adventure!
March 3, 2022
Looking to venture in epic style fantasy books but find yourself a bit overwhelmed by names, world building, complex family ties, sizable tomes etc? Crownless is the perfect book. It is clear and simply written. This is not saying it is a simple story—it is a beautifully developed fantasy world and exceptionally well presented story that reads easily. The details are outlined within the story so it doesn’t have the direct explanation, it explains through action. Combined with a well paced adventure and it’s excellent character building, you get a great fantasy world that is not convoluted.
The ease of this novel was one of the things that made it such a page turner for me. I never felt the need to put it down when I reached the end of the chapter to get my brain to catch up. When I finished it, I went ahead and purchased two more books by M.H. Woodscourt because I loved her style and story so much.
The ease of this novel was one of the things that made it such a page turner for me. I never felt the need to put it down when I reached the end of the chapter to get my brain to catch up. When I finished it, I went ahead and purchased two more books by M.H. Woodscourt because I loved her style and story so much.
May 24, 2023
An Epic Adventure
An unforgettable epic adventure that brings together Storyteller Jinji, a soldier named Yeshton, Prince Jetekesh, Seer Rille, and Blood Prince Aredel. This is to become the most fateful quest in existence, one in which these intriguing characters venture across Amantier, into the mysterious magical realm of Shinac, and at last to the dangerous kingdom of KryTeer. They all must learn to trust each other along the way while also learning what it means to be kind, loyal, and a good friend -- not that this is easy. Many obstacles and shocking secrets dare to hinder them, stoking the fires of mistrust and fear. In the end, though, two great battles are fought to save Nakania and the lost land of Shinac, drawing the tale to a bittersweet ending.
An unforgettable epic adventure that brings together Storyteller Jinji, a soldier named Yeshton, Prince Jetekesh, Seer Rille, and Blood Prince Aredel. This is to become the most fateful quest in existence, one in which these intriguing characters venture across Amantier, into the mysterious magical realm of Shinac, and at last to the dangerous kingdom of KryTeer. They all must learn to trust each other along the way while also learning what it means to be kind, loyal, and a good friend -- not that this is easy. Many obstacles and shocking secrets dare to hinder them, stoking the fires of mistrust and fear. In the end, though, two great battles are fought to save Nakania and the lost land of Shinac, drawing the tale to a bittersweet ending.
August 10, 2021
Crownless by MH Woodscourt has only one flaw - that it is a standalone.
This is perhaps the greatest compliment I can give to any book. The characters are so expertly, lovingly described that I would read an entire series based on them. The plot services their growth, allowing them each a suitable arc of their own, meaning each is dynamic and multifaceted. As is typical of Woodscourt, use of language to describe setting is phenomenal, and worldbuilding is excellent. This is not a story that falters or languishes, the pacing is crisp but never jarring.
Overall, a very well-deserved five stars.
This is perhaps the greatest compliment I can give to any book. The characters are so expertly, lovingly described that I would read an entire series based on them. The plot services their growth, allowing them each a suitable arc of their own, meaning each is dynamic and multifaceted. As is typical of Woodscourt, use of language to describe setting is phenomenal, and worldbuilding is excellent. This is not a story that falters or languishes, the pacing is crisp but never jarring.
Overall, a very well-deserved five stars.
May 7, 2021
*3.5 stars
Magic is difficult to understand, even for those who believe in it.
Trigger points: Kings, tales, tale-weavers.
A queen that hates stories because she finds them dangerous. Jinji (wanderlust) is the unfortunate storyteller who gets captured and brought to the castle. However Prince Jetekesh wants to use him as his play thing and listen to his stories. Jinji tells the Prince, a story of another Prince of Shinac, that got exiled. Shinac is real and magical, it dissappeared because of the greed of human beings.
In the Saga Province stays lady Rille who is known as a witch searching for wanderlust. She escapes to free wanderlust from the dungeons. While rescuing wanderlust, she also kind of kidnap her cousin. The greedy queen sold amantier to Kryteer.
There begins the journey of the crown Prince Jetekesh of Amantier with his protector Tifen, Lady Rille of Sage Province, wanderlust and soldier Yeshton.
Basically this is a story where the Prince learns to become mature. It is not my favourite but definitely not bad. Everyone can read this book.
Magic is difficult to understand, even for those who believe in it.
Trigger points: Kings, tales, tale-weavers.
A queen that hates stories because she finds them dangerous. Jinji (wanderlust) is the unfortunate storyteller who gets captured and brought to the castle. However Prince Jetekesh wants to use him as his play thing and listen to his stories. Jinji tells the Prince, a story of another Prince of Shinac, that got exiled. Shinac is real and magical, it dissappeared because of the greed of human beings.
In the Saga Province stays lady Rille who is known as a witch searching for wanderlust. She escapes to free wanderlust from the dungeons. While rescuing wanderlust, she also kind of kidnap her cousin. The greedy queen sold amantier to Kryteer.
There begins the journey of the crown Prince Jetekesh of Amantier with his protector Tifen, Lady Rille of Sage Province, wanderlust and soldier Yeshton.
Basically this is a story where the Prince learns to become mature. It is not my favourite but definitely not bad. Everyone can read this book.
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