Bumpy Oak Books

**I was provided an electronic copy through NetGalley from the publisher in exchange for honest review.**

Actual rating: 3.5

Keylin Rivers brings forward All the King’s Traitors, a YA fantasy centered around a rocky political climate and magical stones which grant the holders powers. The journey is told through following multiple perspectives of characters that are key in determining the future of Azanthea.

Reading the synopsis, this book really sounded like my thing. And, objectively speaking, it is. I found the magic system to be interesting and a cool twist on elemental magic. I thought the general plot was good, and easy to follow, with the occasional thoughtful twist. I usually really enjoy stories from multiple perspectives, and I really don’t see how Rivers could have created the story that was made without using them. I think, this time, I really was just reaching to feel a connection to a character.

By the end of the novel, I was just beginning to be invested in Vallich and want to know what would happen next for him. The literal end made me interested in Ion. Other than that, I simply wasn’t invested in the characters, and I’m not sure I can even isolate why that is. I did feel that the shifting perspectives was throwing me off a bit for this book in their timing, but typically I’m able to adapt to that sort of thing.

Thanks to the doozy of an ending, I’m interested in reading more of this story in the future.