The Last Sun

K.D. Edwards has the most beautiful writing style. It still floors me that The Last Sun was his debut novel. While the books get increasingly more painful, that’s not because of an evolution of writing style necessarily. It’s more just the build of the story. There are some authors who grow so much throughout a series that the debut novel seems almost out of place as you continue reading. Like the pilot of a tv show or the first season of Parks & Recreation. Not Edwards. That’s not to say he is not growing as an author! A reason that I hold him in high regard is that he does grow in his awareness and inclusion. Edwards is an author that listens to his reader base. When he is informed of something that could be considered “problematic,” K.D. Edwards works to fix it throughout the books.The Last Sun is a perfect world-building novel. It sets up the series neatly, while never sacrificing a sentence to laborious “show not tell” rhetoric. If something does not yet need to be explained, Edwards doesn’t waste a moment explaining it. Everything in the book feels deliberate. Even the smallest of quips or nods to character details has something to lend to the greater arc of the story. Each introduced character plays a part; this boils down even to characters whose purpose seems only to die. These minor characters unlock a level of compassion amongst larger-than-life seeming major characters.Throughout the novel, we are given nods to characters who may one day play a more important role in the series. Casual mentions of the members of the Arcanum give us little details that bloom into importance as the series develops. This goes beyond characters. Parts of the world are mentioned that may seem trivial earlier in the novel, but we understand why Edwards drops the names later on. If not in this novel, you discover them in later novels. I truly forgot how many of these moments there were in this book.Though this debut novel is certainly lighter than the following pieces of the series, it is not without it’s trigger warnings. I was listening to the Westlands scenes (for those who know… you know) while driving. My knuckle grip on the wheel would have been excruciatingly painful if not for my carpal tunnel brace. Notable trigger warnings for this novel (and the series as a whole) can be found here. I’d like to specifically mention the graphic depiction of rape in this novel. I suppose it’s not a depiction so much as a depiction of almost-rape and the graphic memory of one. However, for those of us who have trauma that is specifically triggered by this, it is important to know about. And, happily, we see Rune able to take revenge on a small piece of this trauma in The Last Sun.Throughout my reread of this book, I found myself delighted often by the familiarity of the world. I think something important about the series as a whole is that it takes pieces of history and incorporates it in the magical mythology of the world Edwards creates. There are moments that are almost history lessons and we see how the fantastical Atlantis could have influenced them. The books incorporate familiar mythology as well.Rereading the book reminded me of the exact moments I fell in love with each character. Rune’s love of coffee. Brand’s incessant snark. Addam’s gentle compassion. Quinn’s instant love of our protagonist. Max’s softness. The Tower’s dad vibes. I could go on and on.All-in-all, The Last Sun remains one of my favorite books of all time. I would recommend it to anyone interested in modern/urban fantasy. This series is full of political intrigue, a highly unique magical system (with nods to D&D), mystical realism, and highly developed characters. If you’re looking for a series with the following representation, this one is for you: nonbinary representation (later books/side content), queer-accepting society, a MLM main romance, found family, asexual representation, polyamory.

I just finished the second book The Hanged Man. I wanted to make sure it was as good as the first book before I wrote a review. It was better. The Last Sun introduces us to Rune St. John and New Atlantis an island of previously unknown magic users and mythical creatures. This book is action-packed from beginning to end. Rune is hired by his mentor to find a missing person. As the story progresses we learn about Atlantis, new and old, the magic system and its limitations, and the society and its power structure. The ruling class/courts are the magical heavy hitters and the inspiration behind the tarot. Clever. The book is well written and well-paced. Even with all of the action nothing is redundant, every sequence reveals something new and adds to the story. The hands-down best part of this book is the characters. Rune and Brand have the most complicated and compelling relationship, friendship, brotherhood... I don't know what to call it but I want to know more. Max, Quinn, Adam, and Ciaran are all different and flawed in totally believable ways. This book introduces you to the setting, makes you fall in love with the characters, and hints at their potential. Rune manages to be both a badass and an endearing slacker. He is a man on the cusp of solving a family tragedy and coming into his own. There is a lot of violence, mature issues, and F-bombs in this book. Surprisingly the romance is subtle and mostly deals with relationships. Finding out who these people are and how they fit together is what led me to read the second book. The Hanged Man fills in details with new characters and a fuller understanding of how society works. The building story arc is well done. As excited as I am about the third book, I don't want the story to be over. There are so few authors writing quality books in my chosen genre. This book is a rare find. I only gave it 4 stars because there were too many things I didn't quite get after reading it. If you think of the series as one story it makes sense. The first book is act one. However, the second book is so good it has to get the 5-star rating.

I loved this story so much that as soon as I finished it I bought the sequel. Now I am waiting for the 3rd book in the series.The basic plot is a nothing special. The penniless heir and his sole companion scratch a living as mercenaries/detectives, then gather a rag-tag group of companions and start to attempt to reclaim his birthright. But the world building is excellent, the characters interesting and varied. The details of the plot are interesting and not predictable. The hero has special powers that are gradually revealed, but still makes mistakes and is very human.Can you tell I loved it?

Rune St John is the sole surviving heir to a former great house of New Atlantis. But he’s also a man hiding a secret shame that can never become public knowledge. Because of this, he’s also something of a maverick. A loner, who – along with his bodyguard and companion, Brand – now makes ends meet by working as a freelance private eye in a city full of scions and unimaginably powerful deities.When Rune is hired to search for Lady Judgment’s missing son, Addam, he assumes he’s been given just another ordinary assignment. But as he begins to question Addam’s relatives and business associates, any semblance of normalcy soon disappears. Even worse, it seems Rune is too good at his job, because his investigation attracts the unwanted attention of creatures that shouldn’t exist. Creatures who would see him dead, and aren’t in the least bit fussy as to how they go about trying to achieve that end.The problem is, he can’t give up! Some of the clues he unearths hearken back to the fall of the Sun Court, and the skeletons in the closet from his own past that he is only too willing to kill to keep.It’s inevitable that things quickly go from bad – to weird, to macabre – to worse, leading Rune to question what the hell is really going on, because there’s no way this is a simple abduction.I’ve got to say, K. D. Edwards has done a marvelous job. Employing an innovate – and I must stress, rather cool magical system – The Last Sun is set in an alternative world where the legend of the lost city now lives on in modern-day New Atlantis. Clever. It’s familiar enough that you immediately connect to the environment, yet so unusual, you can’t help but be spellbound by the mystical elements. Just the ingredients you’d expect in a quality fantasy romp. An engaging narrative; down-to-earth – and often cynical – humor; and a pleasing interplay of characters, help the story fly past. And it does!You don’t need a full deck of Arcana to know what the future holds. Trust my Judgment. I thoroughly enjoyed The Last Sun, and I’m sure you will too. So, the Devil with Temperance! Jump in your Chariot or shuffle down to your nearest bookstore or online retailer and deal yourself a Sun, Moon and Star of a treat.You’d be a Fool to miss it!

This book is incredibly readable.The characters are well developed and the banter is witty.My only criticism is the resolution of what takes place in this book, a large part of it takes place 'off stage' and the outcomes are simply reported.Given how much fun this book is to read, and it is the author's first, my criticism is tiny.I am so looking forward to the next book in the sequence.

Compelling characters, heartbreak and the all important Humour.Gotta love a book that showcases these things so effortlessly.I really enjoyed this read and I am buying the next book now.

Enjoyed the writing doe this fast flowing novel. Would haveIke perhaps just a tad bit swearing from one character but generally well rounded characters and interesting story.