15 hidden gems SFF readers need to dig up and read

Cover to the Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyon. Image: Tor

The Ruin of Kings – Jenn Lyon

Jenn Lyon’s The Ruin of Kings is a recent fantasy release, but it’s one that hasn’t received as much hype as some of the other major SFF books that have hit shelves this year. It’s definitely deserving of the same amount of praise, however, as it stands on its own as an epic that’s been compared to the likes of Brandon Sanderson and Patrick Rothfuss.

The Ruin of Kings follows Kihrin, a bastard and an orphan who has spent much of his childhood reading tales of long-lost princes and noble quests. But when Kihrin discovers that he himself is actually the long-lost son of a traitorous prince, he realizes that the experience isn’t exactly what his books have chalked it up to be.

When Kihrin is called to live with his new family, he finds himself a prisoner in his new home, surrounded by deceitful people driven by power alone. He begins to question everything he’s grown up believing about the world, including his role in it. Because, as it turns out, Kihrin may not be destined to become a hero; in fact, he seems to be made to destroy his empire, not save it.

Kihrin’s story is a fascinating one, made more interesting by the various perspectives readers get throughout it. Not only does it poke fun at various expectations and tropes commonly found in fantasy stories, but it still manages to offer a story with exciting moments and high stakes.