W.D. Kilpack III - Crown Prince: Book One of New Blood (New Blood Saga 1)

Author

2021 Firebird Book Award Winner • 2022 The BookFest Award Winner

The future of Mankind relies on the Guardian of Maarihk. Will his Sight be true? Or will his impure Firstblood prove the ruin of us all?

Natharr is Guardian of Maarihk, one of a long line of protectors dating back to the Firstborn Age, before the Aa Conquest. Natharr's is an ancient role, rooted in his Firstblood, giving him Sight to see what is yet to be. He adheres to his sacred duties even in the centuries since the Firstborn were forced to the brink of extinction by the Aa.

Natharr still stands guard over all men, Aa or Firstborn, Seeing what will come to pass, deciding what is unavoidable and what is not. He spends decades planning how to save the life of the newborn Crown Prince Vikari so he may one day reclaim the throne of the land where Mankind was created, back in the time when the Olde Gods still walked.

Reviews
• 4/4 Stars • “Crown Prince stands out with amazing descriptions, complex characters, and intriguing supernatural elements. The storyline is incredibly promising. The author has a flair for setting the scene and creating memorable characters. I absolutely loved the descriptive prowess of this author ... Kilpack genuinely takes the time to help us immerse in the fantasy world, no matter if he describes a battle scene, a peaceful moment, or a mythological creature like a Hamadryad or a Manticore, he always manages to conjure the best images in our minds. The author does a great job of incorporating the supernatural elements in a general atmosphere of myth and legend. There was nothing I disliked about this novel. Fans of sword and sorcery fantasy will definitely find this novel a delightful read. The series has the potential to acquire epic dimensions. I am looking forward to reading the sequel, Order of Light.” — OnlineBookClub.org
• 5/5 Stars • “Crown Prince is one of the most brilliant fantasy novels that I have ever had the pleasure of reading and a book I am now obsessed with! Crown Prince is an incredible, thrilling and memorable story that will take its readers on a journey like no other. The story captivated me from the first page thanks to the book’s sharp literature and strong opening ... [the author] is not only a phenomenal writer for his flawless ability to capture his reader’s attention, but he is also a great writer for his descriptive powers and characterization of characters which will hook his readers! Crown Prince is a sensational, thrilling and addictive story that will thrill you as well as entertain you.” — RedHeadedBookLover.com
• 5/5 Stars • “Crown Prince was such a delight to read! Normally, we don’t see the child growing up ... or really get a chance to get attached to whoever raised him. This author took that trope, shook it up and turned it into something amazing! We get to see the heir as a baby, to see him grow up [and] develop that close bond a son has with his father. It's a really beautiful thing ... normally glazed over ... but you get to see how strong their bond is. I’m so grateful! I really enjoyed how well Darshelle and Natharr played off each other. They have deep conversations that involve a culture clash, where they may not agree with each other’s perspective, but they are willing to try to understand. I [also] loved this author’s world building, especially the magic forest and all the interesting creatures that live in it! If you don’t grab Crown Prince, you’re doing yourself a huge disservice!” — Madam Crystal Butterfly
• 5/5 Stars • “Kilpack delivers a stunning blow to the belief that Indie-Fantasy is worth any less that its salt. Crown Prince is a well-crafted epic with unique plot mechanisms, well-developed and believable characters, and a world grounded in the visceral and the real. I could not recommend this series any higher!” — Clay Vermulm, co-host of Sinister Soup Podcast