House of Bastiion by K.L. Kolarich

When I read a book and find myself thinking about the characters and the plot long after the final word, I know “House of Bastiion” is a five-star novel. That’s what this book does. Like any epic tale, it starts out slowly as the reader gets the background information needed to comprehend the characters. When the riddles start to emerge, this shifts. Perhaps not so much mysteries as queries that are difficult or take a long time to find a solution.

The characters are intriguing and multifaceted. Their pasts influence their present and shape their futures indefinitely. The characters have a lot going on for them, and the reader can relate to them on a number of levels—even if it’s just because we recognize someone in our own life who is similar to them. They are neither entirely nice nor entirely bad. This story has more than one plot. Every character is enmeshed in their own storyline.

The worldbuilding of this book is its first and most obvious quality. There would be no arguing against the author giving life to this planet that she has created! Orynthia’s universe is exquisite and intricate, featuring various cultures and even completely developed languages! Subject matter is deep and intense. While nothing is too explicit, this is not for children.

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Lusica will unavoidably run upon Zaethan Kasim, al’Haidren to the House of Darakai, when she gets to Bastiion because of superstitious stories about Boreal’s propensity for sorcery. However, Zaethan is compelled to put aside his animosity and forge an uneasy alliance with the Boreali al’Haidren in order to defend his claim when his position is threatened by an old foe.

The author’s writing style was quite enjoyable to me. The situations are detailed in just enough detail to let me visualize what’s happening without too complicating things. There are a lot of explanations provided for things that are foreign to me and of that word. The reader is given a very good introduction to them by the author. I really enjoyed this book, and I’m eager for the next one to be released!

About The Book

Centuries after the Forgotten Wars ravaged the world and turned it to ash, the Houses of Pilar, Darakai, Boreal, and Bastiion forged an accord with the royal line of Thoarne, founding a Quadren of advisory to the throne of Orynthia. Every generation, a single haidren from each of the four Houses is appointed to this coveted chair.

Upon her Ascension to adulthood, Luscia Tiergan takes her seat at court as al’haidren to the House of Boreal and is quickly drawn into a maze of political traps and dark secrets. As she adjusts to her new life, Luscia uncovers a pattern of forgotten children, slain in the streets of Bastiion.

Raised on superstitious rumors about Boreal’s penchant for sorcery, Zaethan Kasim, al’haidren to the House of Darakai, inevitably clashes with Luscia when she arrives in Bastiion. But when his position is threatened by an old rival, Zaethan is forced to set aside his hatred and form an uneasy alliance with the Boreali al’haidren to secure his claim.

Following a disturbing stream of innocent bloodshed across Orynthia, Luscia and Zaethan discover their ideals are far more aligned than they might have imagined. But in a land of war and deceit, the path to peace should never be trusted.