Thank you to Gollancz and Will for allowing me a ARC to provide my thoughts. All thoughts are my mine.

The story takes on an older Wen Alder/Foolish Cur, reflecting on his past. He wants to learn magic without the limitations of his Nayani heritage and the Siennese disdain for magic. His grandmother is a central character that wants him to revolt against the Empire. While his mother doesn’t want that. I shall call him Foolish Cur because that is an apt name for many of the decisions he makes in the book’s course, which aren’t significant. He is competent, yes, but he’s also misguided at the same time. Foolish Cur wants his way, a third way where he’s free from all the burdens that are placed by his background. He’s torn between two heritages, and that’s what eats at the core of his soul in this book. How can one man break away from this? On the one hand, the Siennese torture and kill those who practice magic and yet make use of it in battle. On the other, the Siennese recently conquered the Nayani, and they have been rebelling against them. Foolish Cur could have been a double agent, which he tries too, but fails at it miserably. This entire book is about a young man trying to discover who he is and what he wants.

I experienced this Foolish Cur becoming the Hand of the Emperor of Sien through strict tutoring by his tutor, Koro. Foolish Cur, being the son of a wealthy merchant, exchanged tutors often. He is often selfish, complacent, and arrogant. But when you’re young, you’re bound to be that way. You don’t have the maturity of age at that point. At some points in the story, I felt Foolish Cur was often reacting to events rather than being actively involved in the story. At other points, the pacing slowed down in some areas. I sent him to the city of An-Zabat and experienced an adventure that one could say was exhilarating. He fell in love with Atar, whom I liked as a character and I want to see more of her in book 2. There are deeper truths hidden, and as you read each chapter, you learn a degree of what this world is really about. It is a cruel world with gods that aren’t benevolent. More evil is what I would describe to them.

There is plenty of action with Gods, there is plenty of action in battle, but what has to be commended is making an area of politics I find boring in fantasy very interesting. Economics. Or, the Ministry of Finance. Often in fantasy, you do not see much elaboration of a role like this. In it, when Foolish Cur becomes the Minister of Trade and Finance in the city of An-Zabat, he has to oversee a lot of decisions but he also realises that most of his decisions make no impact when the older bureaucracy don’t want him to reform the already deteriorating situation that is happening within the city. At other points, there are many so interesting characters in this novel. But for most of them, I didn’t feel too attached to them as I would have wanted. They were there as well rounded-developed characters, but sometimes I felt the narrator was too distant from them sometimes.

I found an example to colonialism, and one subject I studied was French Colonialism at University, and the conclusion I can draw from that is there was no doubt good-intentioned French Colonial Governors that wanted to make things better for the Algerians and the Senegalese subjects that were considered ‘citizens’ of France. But the bureaucracy that wanted corruption to fester often stopped them. For example, An-Zabat, the Sienese occupation of An-Zabat is divided into Siennese Settlers and An-Zabti Subjects. The Siennese settlers lived in absolute luxury and diverted wealth from the city’s people to the pockets of their merchants. In the same way, in French Colonial Algeria, the European settlers were at the top of the food chain and the Algerians were at the bottom. Many of the An-Zabti people are forced to live in slums, even rocky areas, I imagine. This has already developed a powerful breed of resentment of An-Zabti people, although I would have wanted the author to show those Pro-Sien An-Zabti people that do work with the Sienese occupiers show just how hypocritical it was. And Foolish Cur has to deal with these in a situation of scenarios.

The last part I will note is that I enjoyed the mixing of East Asian Culture with Middle East influences. Trade between the Medieval Islamic World and China often bloomed through the Silk Road, and the Indian Ocean, which included South-East Asia. What I see is a sort of Medieval European World that is mixed with Medieval China/Korea and incorporating perhaps the Sultanate of Zanzibar in the end? I often prefer fantasy that expands from the realm of Medieval Europe and explores the bigger world, because there is history out there that is under-neglected and ignored. So I appreciate the fact the author made me go through the city streets of An-Zabti, through the bazaars, and I got to see camels in this book. Camels. We need more camels in fantasy.

Overall, the book was well written, well-paced, and thoroughly enjoyable to read. I loved it. Fantastic writing, and it’s a 10/10 from me.

I have submitted my Amazon/Waterstones Review but they are being processed for submission,

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

‘Hand of the Sun King’ is the first instalment in a new series of an Asian inspired fantasy which follows the main character Wen Alder (or Foolish Cur) as he battles with his family ties to old magic and the pressures put on him by his parents to push aside the old ways and make a place for himself within Sienese ruling.

The story itself follows Alder from a young age where he learns about his heritage and ties to the old magic and outlawed practises, to his lessons and teachings which will prove him fit to work for the Emperor when he comes of age - of which he will have to choose between.

It is beautifully written and very well paced I found myself dying to know how everything would play out, the last few chapters I just KNEW I would have to read the next instalment when it comes out

The characters are all a joy to read, from the main character to every named/side character you meet everyone is so well developed and the dynamics they all have are brilliantly created.

Overall a very enjoyable read, and although I was lucky enough to be given an advance copy I will be picking this one up to add to my collection!

Thanks again to NetGallery and the publisher Orion Publishing Group for the ARC.

Publication Date- 5th Aug 2021

The Hand of the Sun King is an Asian inspired fantasy set in an expanding empire called Sien. The story centres around Wen Alder, when we first meet Wen Alder, we meet a young child from the conquered lands of Nayen.
His mother is a native to the country, but his father is from the Sienese Conquerors, making Wen Alder a boy that straddles two cultures and two ways of life.
And it is these clashes of culture that Drive the book.
As I said, whilst I had it on my radar, I did not know what exactly what into when I started the book. The book is done as a first-person narrative from the point of view of alder. Initially, this is a compact view as the story mainly centres around Alder and his family. In particular, his grandmother, Koro Ha, who clearly dislikes the fact that her daughter has married a husband from the cruel empire (as she sees it) and sets about teaching young Wen Alder in the ways of the Nayeni. The first thing that she does is gives him a proper naming ceremony in the tradition of the Nayeni peoples, and thus, Foolish Cur is born.
However, not only does she give Wen Alder another name, but she also teaches him the customs and traditions of the people that he comes from on his mother’s side, but she also introduces him to witchcraft.
However, after a near fatal accident when experimenting with witchcraft, Wen Alder pursues his Sienese side. And with this we learn about the culture of the Sien.
As Wen Alder becomes older, he is bound more and more by tradition, and his father’s vision of him becoming a ‘Hand’ of the Emperor, and subsequently serving the emperor in any way he can. This leads Wen Alder to be tutored in all the ways of the empire, so that he can successfully b able to undertake the Imperial examinations and hopefully realise his dream of making his own path for himself that is not shackled to either one of his conflicting heritages.
This is where the book opens up! As Wen Alder (or Foolish Cur) begins to experience life outside of his father’s cosseting, we begin to see the world along with Wen Alder, and follow him on his journey as he navigates his way around the Sienese Empire, it’s custom and it’s pitfalls.
All the way through this book, I was constantly surprised in the way that it unfolded, and this kept me engaged throughout the book and The Hand of the Sun King kept me gripped throughout as we follow Wen Alder, as he moves from boy to man.
One of the things that I liked about JT Geathouse’s writing was that he manages to fit in a number of fantasy tropes, such as the old coming of age story, the magic school story, the found family element and the journey of self-discovery (even though I never get bored of most of these tropes) and manages to breathe new life into these common aspects of fantasy fiction and make them seem new.
Besides an engrossing plot, JT Greathouse writes some fantastic characters that are endearing and relatable, and that you want to spend time with. However, they are not the perfect characters, for instance, the main character Wen Alder is not always particularly likeable at times. However, it fits in with the narrative of the story.
What I mean by that is that when Alder is a teenager, he is a know-it-all stick in the mud who believes everything that everyone says to him. He is ambitious and will not let anyone get in his way so that he can fulfil his ambitions. He can be stuck up and believe in his own power just a little too much, but throughout the story JT Greathouse creates situations which knock him down a peg or two (which he deserves) However, this character arc sees him developing, both in his skills of sorcery and in his personality.
There is conflict throughout the whole of the book. Not just in the sense that people are fighting, but Wen is always at conflict with himself, with the two cultures pulling him in different directions, and he is left unable to clearly determine which side he should be on.
In addition to this the side characters all have a role to play ad you cannot help but like them (or sometimes hate them), depending on the situation.
As well as the characters, JT Greathouse’s prose is just delightful. Initially when we meet Wen Alder, the prose is as retrained as he is, and the prose is clipped and precise. However, as the book becomes more and more epic in its scale, so does the prose, especially when we start to see the story take off in a direction that you do not expect about midway through the book. Through it all JT Greathouse writes rip roaring action scenes and again, these become grander in scale as the book progresses.
Throw in a hefty ability to write cracking world building and you are on to a winner. As I said earlier, initially, the world is compact as is Wen Alder’s world view. But, when he gains more insight, more experiences we begin to see more of the world and the scale of it.
I cannot praise this book highly enough, it’s just brilliant and shows me why I love this genre so much!

Meet one of my new favourite epic fantasies. I adored it. Absolutely devoured it.
As a book that has a strong school trope in the first quarter it was already right up my alley, but throw in a world that is fantastical, new and brilliantly fleshed out and I am completely and utterly sold. Our main character, who also doubles up as our narrator, has a magnetic personality that had me diving into the story from the first page. His character growth is a main plot point which fit sublimely with the raw and honest narrative that he used during the telling of his tale. The magic systems were everything any fantasy lover could ever ask for, with a well-developed history for all the many societies as well as the cultures in which they can be found. Politics and an empire devouring all that stands before it are two more tropes that you can expect to find amongst the pages of this novel. The twists and turns the story take are thoughtfully picked and interwoven flawlessly to create an ever changing, fast passed tale of adventure and high stakes. Throughout the story the author had me forming theories which he dashed against the rocks and rebuilt in a new direction. The ending had me smiling due to its perfection, all the while leaving me in wonder about where this will go in the next installment. It also has me yearning to get my hands on said installment. This is truly a wonderful contribution to the world of fantasy literature, one that leaves behind the western tropes and themes and brings something new to the mix with its settings and the cultures that had a distinctly eastern feel about them.
This is a book I would definitely recommend to any lover of a well spun story that has magical elements. It was not a gory, bloody book as many epic fantasies tend to be, but it also does not shy away from the more real details of war and battle when the situation calls for.
A new favourite for many, I am sure.

This is a fascinating start of a new fantasy series and I loved it.
It's the slow burning story of Wen Alder/Foolish Cur. He's a boy of mixed origin, ambitious and gifted.
It's also the story of someone who's catch in the middle of clashing cultures, oppressors and oppressed.
The world building is amazing and rich in details, it's clearly inspired by Chinese culture and loved the magic system.
It's not a fast paced/action packed book as this is the story of coming of age and growing up.
I can't wait to read the next instalment as I loved this one.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I will say that I mostly picked up this book because I was initially attracted to the cover, look at it, it’s so pretty! Then, Petrik Leo did a review of this and I was convinced that I could definitely like this one. He hasn’t failed me in his recommendations so far. So, I requested it and I am so glad I did! This is a brilliant debut and I can’t wait to read the next books in the series. It also might have been the timing and the kind of book I needed at the time I picked it up, who knows?

This is the first book in the Pact and Pattern trilogy and it starts with a story of a young boy being introduced to the push and pull of his life very early in his life. Wen Alder or as his grandmother named him, Foolish Cur, has always had the disadvantage of being born from the marriage of two warring factions. The father’s side of the family can trace their ancestors back to being the right Hand of the emperor and the mother’s side of the family has always rebelled against the emperor’s everlasting grip of the lands they called their own. From a very young age, he is tutored by his grandmother of the older magic and by his family-appointed tutor who taught everything a young man from a prominent family should be learning. During this period, he started to yearn for a third way to get away from the shackles of both sides of his family. He wants to be free from both sides of his family who continuously put pressure on him to be the best.

Wen Alder thinks that the first step to get rid of the expectations would be to become the Hand of the Emperor, only then can he dream of having the kind of freedom he craves. He would find a middle path and for that, he needs to pass the Imperial Examinations. I think you can see where this is going, there’s a certain charm to this coming of age fantasy because the tropes of school, magic and calligraphy are done so well. Tropes when done well can be the best things ever and this is one of those instances. There’s friendship, there’s heartbreak, there’s betrayal and a fascinating magic system. Everything I love in a book.

This is from only one POV, that of Wen Alder and while that can sometimes be a con for books, luckily, for this one, it worked well. Wen Alder’s personality and his growing up trying to find a way around his family’s expectations. He’s privileged and he is mostly aware of it but he sometimes forgets and then is reminded by people around him. He’s kind hearted and at the same time, foolish with his heart. There’s the natural thirst for knowledge which blends well with his natural gift of actually being great at magic. Sometimes, his thirst for knowledge doomed him and it woven in so well, too! Just when he starts getting a little too comfortable with himself, he’s brought down again and again. Misery becomes his friend a little too many times but the character growth from that was amazing to see. His relationships with the people around him were written so well. He loved the people but he also had so many problems with the people he loved. It was just so good to read about the side characters and their interactions with Alder.

The world building is done so well that the world feels lived in. The author did really well in revealing different parts of this world. The cultures and traditions felt real, lived in and their struggles and magic also worked around the environment they lived in. It made sense for the magic to have evolved the way it did in those locations. There’s always a sense of impending war in this book, the loyalties that always feel divided in Alder’s mind. I loved the way Alder’s mind opened up as he travelled and so did ours. Our understanding of the world changed along with Alder’s. It was the most joyous journey but it made for a great story. The magic system, its branches spread around and evolved depending on the land people lived on. There’s ancient gods, magic systems that sound super cool, brutal scenes that could potentially break your heart the way they did mine. The way battles are written in this book feel tense and we can’t help but want to read what happens next. There’s not many battle scenes nor is it action packed but the battles that do happen tend to leave bruises and scars behind. So, be prepared for that.

Overall, I think I loved the book. It is immersive, the characters are interesting and Wen Alder’s journey towards adulthood is worth reading about. I can’t wait to read the next book because I have to know what happens next.

The Hand of the Sun King is the first instalment in the Pact and Pattern trilogy and Greathouse’s grimdark fantasy debut combining the intricate magic of Brent Weeks and the emotional heft of Robin Hobb, this is a novel about family and loyalty in the face of adversity. Wen Alder was born into two worlds. On his father’s side, a legacy of proud loyalty and service to the god-like Sienese Emperor spanning generations. And it is expected that Alder, too, will follow this tradition by passing the Imperial exams, learning the accepted ways of legitimate magic and, if he serves with honour, enhancing his family's prominence by rising to take a most powerful position in Sien—the Hand of the Emperor. But from his mother, he has inherited defiance from the Empire, a history of wild gods and magic, unlike anything the Imperial sorcerers could yet control. It began when his spirited, rebellious grandmother took Alder into the woods and introduced him to her ways—ways he has never been able to forget. The ways of forbidden witchcraft, before she abandoned him to join the resistance.

Now, on the verge of taking the steps that will forge the path of his life, Alder discovers that the conflict between the Empire and the resistance is only the beginning of a war that will engulf both heaven and earth, gods and man—and he may be the key to final victory for whichever side can claim him as their own. This is a captivating and superbly written novel woven into an intriguing first-person auto fictional tale. Greathouse's writing flows like silk, the world he has created practically leaps off the page, and Alder’s conflicted journey kept me hooked from beginning to end. It really it is something special and a standout fantasy of 2021 so far. It is a gripping combination of history and philosophy, remixed with some of my favourite fantasy elements including a complex magic system, a coming-of-age story, a morally conflicted protagonist, ancient mysterious gods and a massive world-spanning empire. An enchanting, intimate yet spacious world full of magic, intricate detail and richly imagined fantasy elements. Highly recommended.

Wen Alder is a child of two worlds. Born into a rich household in the ever-expanding Sienese empire, he is expected to exceed in his examinations, take up a scholarly position and quietly work to further his family’s power and reach in the empire. But when he is six years old, Alder’s grandmother gives him a new name, branded into him by the witch magic of Nayen, and as Foolish Cur he begins to discover a world beyond the polite and structured society of Sien. The Hand of the Sun King follows Alder, Foolish Cur, on his quest to learn the pure magic of the world, through countries and wars and rebellions.

I loved this book. With its expansive magic system and fascinating cast of characters, The Hand of the Sun King is an exploration of culture, imperialism and the reach of religion that is intensely immersive and beautifully paced.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
Genre: Fantasy
Trigger Warnings: Fantasy violence, animal abuse (offscreen).
Would I recommend this? Yes.
Would I read a sequel? Definitely!

The Hand of The Sun King, is a debut novel and by far the best debut I have ever come across.

I took my time reading this book, I just devoured every word and was thoroughly lost within its pages.
This novel follows Alders coming of age journey of self discovery trying to find his place in the world. This proves difficult as his family is divided and he is torn between which side to align with or maybe a third way could be found.
A very character driven story of success, failures, manipulation, deceit, curiosity and foolishness, I was unconditionally devoted to Alders story.

Themes of anxiety are covered through out the book and as someone with GAD I completely related to Alders negative self talk especially when faced with the unknown and then at times when knew what he was doing (or at least thought he did) or upon undertaking something he excelled at his character came across as a little arrogant and obnoxious, this I related to as someone with an anxious mind as it is so satisfying to be good at something, therefore it can be easy too inadvertently come across this way upon doing something your not anxious about. However that's just my personal take, others may read this differently. I'm sure on the many re reads I have planned I may interpret this differently at a later date. That being said, it is clear though that even with Alders self assured decisions his biggest lessons are learnt the hardway.

Philosophical themes are also prominent throughout, lots to keep me pondering and so many affirmative quotes I am struggling to narrow down a favorite!

The Magic System is unique and quite complex, details of this is withheld from Alder and he has to learn or at least gain an education of the different elements throughout, however it seems he is quite the natural BUT the key is knowing how and when to use it, as such were taking along for the ride as Alder acquires mastery in these magical abilities.

The world building is vivid and covers politics, cultures and economics. Written with such prose I cannot compliment the author enough for writing such a rich and brilliant and easy to navigate world, that is truly captivating to the reader.

In relation, to the many side characters, enough is told that was sufficient to Alders journey and how each character influenced his path.

Overall this book had me rooting for Alder even though he can be a literal fool but with good intentions.
If you enjoy character driven fantasy such as the likes of Robb Hobb then this is a must read for you!

I now have a favorite fantasy book. This is 5 stars by far and I cannot wait to for the next installment.

Thanks to netgalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a free review copy of this book. I am now however off to purchase a physical copy as this deserves a special place upon my bookshelf!

Interesting fantasy premise where magic was free but due to a Pact with the Gods has been constrained and limited power for each region to set magical elements. Our protagonist is Wen Alder or Foolish Cur, born of two different cultures, his fathers with ties to the conquering empire and his mothers with ties to native magic and rebellion.
Alder is consummed with passing the Imperial examinations to bring honour back to his fathers family name, however he has also been inducted into the Nanyen ways of magic which drives him to seek magical power from all the regions of the Empire.
Initally I found Alder a difficult character to like as his driven nature, immaturity and arrogance were at the fore. However as his story progresses through power, betrayal and realignment Alder deepens as a character and visibly learns from his errors which had me rooting for him at the climactic end to this book.
A great read particularly in the latter two thirds for me - definitely worth trying..
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for access to this ARC all views are my own.

Thank you goes to Netgalley and Gollancz for providing me with a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In his debut novel titled “The Hand of the Sun King”, the author, J.T. Greathouse, serves us a story submerged in a world greatly influenced by Asian history and culture (mostly Chinese).

It’s a story of Wen Alder told as an autobiography or a memoir of a sort.
The main character spins a tale about his youth since being a child forced by a father into a path to elevate their family in the Empire. At the same time, Alder’s grandmother teaches him about the history, culture, and language of her people, all of that banned in the Empire. She names him Foolish Cur (very fitting as it turns out later) and shows him the secret of magic.
Although torn by two colliding cultures, Alder works hard to fulfill his father’s will and becomes Hand of the Emperor, but all he dreams of is to know everything about unlimited magic. And this brings him only suffering and troubles.

The world itself is quite coherent and rich with mythology and magic. The magic system, its patterns and canons, may seem complicated, but somehow it fits the world it resides in. It gives a vibe similar to “Avatar: The Last Airbender” since here, as well, the powers relying on elements depend on the land of their wielder.
And that’s where the Empire comes into a play, or rather invade. The Emperor conquers neighboring lands to steal the magic and add it to his canon.
This is where my cognitive dissonance begins to scream. This happens a lot when a white author is using Asian culture (or any other that is not theirs) to build their world. The references may be quite thin veiled, but there’s no need for broad knowledge about Chinese culture to discern most of them. I wouldn’t see that much problem if Alder was an outsider who tries to understand a world that’s new to him.
For people who don’t perceive it as an issue, this book might be okay. Despite the first-person point of view—which I, personally, don’t like very much—the story is quite fast-paced. I found this weird and a little perverse pleasure in waiting to how fast the main character would get into trouble with the choices he made.
What I did like, was the lack of excessive description of romance; we know it’s there, but the author spares us any detailed love or sex scenes.
Since it is Greathouse’s debut novel, I’d rate this book 3/5 for quite delightful prose and how the story is strong with cultures clashing and colonization themes, but I find the world building choices troubling, problematic even.

Thank you Netgalley and Gollancz for providing me with a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book wasn’t for me.

The story follows the main protagonist Wen Alder, born to a Sienese father and a Nayeni mother.
The Sienese empire has conquered many lands, destroying native culture and magic.

Alder’s father dreams of restoring the Wen family name and he spends a lot of money hiring tutors for his son to pass an exam that will give him a high position within the Empire. While Alder is studying the empire’s doctrines and history from an early age, his grandmother also tells him stories about the Nayeni traditions and their ancestors' magic. He also learns about the rebellion led by his uncle against the empire.
During most of the book Alder finds himself struggling and trying to decide if he will fulfill his father’s dream of returning prestige to his family or his grandmother’s dream of a Nayen free of the oppressing empire. To follow one of them would mean betraying the other.

Alder is young, inexperienced and only wants to learn to use magic but he must decide which path he will follow.

Let’s say that this book wasn’t for me. I was bored. The pace is slow, Alder’s inner struggles are repetitive and the magic system is soft, which is not a bad thing as long as it's innovative and this wasn’t the case.

Although the writing isn’t bad, the story was lackluster for the first 90% of the book. Nothing exciting or thrilling happened until I hit the last 10% of the story and it was only then that it started catching my interest. I didn’t care about the characters either. The story just felt…flat for me.

If the second book is consistently as good as the last chapters of this one, the series will improve.

It's a coming-of-age story of Wen Alder aka Foolish Cur. A boy torn between two worlds due to his Nayeni and Sianese heritage. When the time came to pick a side, he decided to carve his own path, a path that would allow him to attain freedom from the shackles of the legacies that binds him.

First of all, the world-building is East Asian-inspired and vividly imagined. We see and experience the picturesque world through Wen Alder's eyes. It is rich in culture and folklore, and history. It explores themes such as war and its aftermath, poverty, oppression, and colonialism.
The magic system is complex and fascinating. Each country has their own unique magic. And we learn as Wen Alder learn to wield it.

Also, J.T. Greathouse's prose is beautiful and poetic. The prose flowed naturally which was perfect for the slow pacing of the book. I savored it and the lush descriptions painted the scenes vividly.

Wen Alder's characterization is well done. He's a deeply flawed character who longs for knowledge and prone to being cold and proud due to his upbringing. He is impatient, arrogant since he's smarter than most people and he makes poor choices due to this. His relationship with his grandmother, friendship and loyalty are an important part in shaping his character arc.

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒖𝒏 𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒈 is a beautiful and refreshing read. It has intricate plot, political maneuvering, and tragic events that Robin Hobb's fans would love. It's definitely one of the best debuts I read this year and I'm eagerly anticipating to see where it goes next.

Rating: 9.25/10

Thanks to the publisher and author for an advance reading copy of The Hand of the Sun King (Pact and Pattern #1) for review consideration. This did not influence my thoughts or opinions.

The Hand of the Sun King is a staggering fantasy debut with poetic prose and near flawless characterization. Wen Alder, aka Foolish Cur, is another noteworthy protagonist to add to the ones I have had the company of journeying with this year, alongside Kinch Na Shannack, Alwyn Scribe, and Aram Raythe. Greathouse will become a household name before too long, and I can only imagine will make plenty of 2021 ‘Best of’ lists.

I can’t really start the meat of this review without mentioning the cover. What I love so much about it is that as you journey further into the novel, the cover starts making more and more of an impact on you as a reader. You pick out details here and there from the story that just fit. So, Patrick Knowles, massive kudos on the perfect cover art.

So, let’s get into the writing.

This does not read like a debut novel whatsoever. I was swept away by Greathouse’s prose and his ability to have me completely enamored with his protagonist. The journey we take with Alder throughout the novel is one rife with obstacles, disappointments, trials, tribulations, tiny arrays of hope, and a ton of injustice; and you as the reader are there with him through every. single. step. You’ll applaud when he succeeds, scratch your head with multiple decisions he makes, and feel for him as he attempts to strike a balance between what is right, wrong, and easy.

The toughest part about his journey is choosing what path he will take: the one forged by his father or the one brought to light by his mother’s heritage. It is almost like making a choice between your mother and your father. Which one do you want to go with, and which will you leave behind? Best hope the old “the grass is always greener” adage doesn’t come back to bite you, leading your mind to drown in chaos.

While the world-building takes a bit of a backseat to the character-driven narrative, it is still something to behold. There is plenty of history spilled out and over throughout the many page turns and the descriptive terms the author employs really bring the reader into the setting with ease. The magic system itself is very intriguing, especially with its limitations, and still doesn’t feel fully fleshed out. I believe I could watch as Alder tries, fails, and learns about his craft long into the night.

The Hand of the Sun King will be one of my top reads in 2021, there is no doubt. It is a coming-of-age fantasy story with hope, friendship, loss, grief, magic, and a focus on the choices we make alongside the repercussions that come with them. It is a brilliant novel, and one that I liken to The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison. One that I did not want to end, and can only imagine where it is headed next.

I had to give up around mid-point. This wasn’t a bad book. The Asia-inspired world worked well, with rich details, and the language was good. The magic system was interesting, if baffling. Yet it couldn’t hold my interest. The plot didn’t go anywhere even though something was constantly going on. Events simply sprang out of the blue, taking the main character, Wen Alder, with them and leaving the reader as baffled as him.

More importantly, I didn’t like Wen (or was it Alder?). I found him both selfish and boring. Having read quite a few Asian historical fantasies recently, the westernization of his attitudes to his family and future expectations didn’t fit the book’s world that relied on filial duty like the cultures it’s based on.

Maybe I wouldn’t have minded as much if the author had westernized the entire culture similarly. Now Wen’s attitude seemed incompatible and gave a notion that the author hasn’t really understood the culture he emulates. It made Wen seem petulant and childish as he struggled against his expectations, and I simply couldn’t root for him.

The Hand of the Sun King is set in a fantasy world in which the great Sienese Empire is slowly conquering its neighbours, and the eternal Emperor takes the magic of the conquered lands and incorporates it into his canon, which he allows his Hands and Voices -trained mages- to tap into. Wen Alder, son of a Sienese merchant and a Nayeni woman, has been preparing his entire life to take the Imperial Exams, for the chance to rank highly and learn the canon of magic. The world building draws a lot from the Eastern cultures of our world, particularly Chinese elements when it comes to the Sienese empire, and I appreciated the way the familiar and the fantastical blended together to create this compelling story of colonies, free choice, and those caught between it all.

In many ways, this book is a coming of age, and the narrative structure reminded me very much of Patrick Rothfuss’ The Name of the Wind, with Alder telling the story of his life, from the first time he sees his Nayeni grandmother perform witch magic and his desire to attain that power pushes him onwards to his magical education and travels through the Empire. Alder’s story begins the night his grandmother takes him to the old Temple of the Flame and gives him a naming mark, divining his Nayeni name: Foolish Cur. From then on, he sneaks out every night to learn of the culture, language, fighting techniques and, finally, magic of his mother’s people. When Alder reaches for magic, he feels its infinite power and the flow of the universe, but his grandmother gives him his witch marks, confining his magic and cutting off that awareness.

On the other side of that, Alder’s Sienese father has high hopes that his only son will succeed in the Imperial Examinations and place their family higher in society, and through this Alder sees a way to learn the Emperor’s magic, which might bring him closer to that first feeling he experienced. In this way we follow Alder as he becomes an apprentice Hand to the Emperor, and struggles to keep the balance between his Nayeni roots and his Sienese education, especially when he comes face to face with the conflict between the two during a fight with the rebels of Nayen. Determined to find a third path and escape the choice between his loyalties, Alder sets out to the West, hoping to gain answers in An-Zabat, another colony of the Empire.

J.T. Greathouse is a phenomenal writer, balancing the slow moments of his main character’s childhood with bursts of action as he comes into moments of conflict, all slowly building towards the moment in which Alder’s internal conflict comes to a head. He captures perfectly the feeling of being torn between to identities, and it was a joy to get to know Wen Alder and Foolish Cur as they searched for the truth of the world. The language is at times blunt and at times beautifully poetic, and the two entwine perfectly to create sentences that hit right to the heart – I made a note of many as I read the book! Though there were a few moments that, in the reading, felt a bit monotonous, the whole would not exist without them, and I raced through the second half of this story, and eagerly await the next segment of Alder’s journey! A brilliant debut on a grand scale, and definitely an author to watch out for.

"The Hand of the Sun King" instantly hooked me. At first, it was the writing (excellent!) and the characters (all brilliantly brought to life!), and then, as the story built, the plot had me in a choke-hold. I absolutely loved this book, and I'm so excited that it's the first in a series. The following books have a lot to live up to. Don't miss this book if you love fantasy.

My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.

With the current revival of Fantasy books with an Asian or Oriental tone, this novel is rather appropriate. It also helps that it is a great debut novel.

The story deals with one of those traditional tropes - that of the opposing perspectives of good and evil. Wen Alder is a person in a Chinese style Empire from a humble background. His father’s merchant family is one who has been disgraced before, but now is on the rise, mainly due to Alder’s father’s connections to the Emperor and Alder becoming the Emperor of the Hand – a senior assistant to the Emperor.

However, Alder’s mother was one of the oppressed Nayeni – a group whose magical beliefs were suppressed by the invading Sienese Empire years ago. Wen’s grandmother had powers, magical abilities that she believes are also in Alder, and at the beginning of the novel trains Wen in secret to develop them. This is something that if found out by the Emperor or any of his officials would lead to Wen’s execution.

He is given a secret, alternate name, that of Foolish Cur, and has secret marks cut into his right hand by his Grandmother, in order to stop unfortunate magical accidents happening in the future. This happens to Alder early in the novel as he is testing his latent abilities and he is aware that it must not happen again.

So: with lots of set up, the first part of this story is a rite-of-passage/coming-of-age story told by the protagonist. Alder becomes elevated to a new position working for the Emperor and makes friends with the son of one of his important advisors known as Voices.

In the second part of the book Alder, with new responsibilities, is sent to war against the Nayeni at Iron Town with disastrous results. He is then sent to far-away An-Zabat where he meets new people, falls in love and learns about himself. This has consequences which the last part of the book brings to a conclusion.

The novel deals with the indecisions of life as Wen is growing into adulthood. Not only is he trying to deal with changing circumstances, but as the story develops, we find Wen wrestling with that age-old dilemma of having to choose between two life-options. One of them will lead to Wen being a hero, the other to being the villain. But which path is right? Or is there a third option?

Throughout all of this, the setting is different enough to keep the readers attention. Greathouse holds a BA in history and philosophy with a minor in Asian studies as well as a Master's in Teaching from Whitworth University, and he spent four months of intensive study in Chinese language and culture at Minzu University of China in Beijing, which has clearly influenced him and this work.

Without being <em>“all that I know, because I’ve researched it”</em>, Greathouse uses this knowledge and understanding to create not just a difference in cultures but differences in philosophy as well. The plot is enhanced by the use of allegory, parables and folk-stories throughout to create a depth to the story that is not typical to many of this type.

What really makes this better than many is the thought and detail given to the background. The magic and its consequences are examined in detail as Alder tries to determine the best way forward. Neither path is particularly obvious in its benefits and the author does well to point out that, in the time-honoured tradition, that for every action there are consequences. Which makes Wen’s choice all the more difficult.

After a slow-ish start, there are some expected plot points along the way but some unexpected twists too which make the story more than you might expect originating from such traditional tropes. I found this to be one of the better written stories of this type, and by the end I really wanted to know where the characters go to. Told in an Asian style setting and with a logical magical aspect, and you have a story that soon picks up pace and engages the reader until the end. The ending shows that there is more to tell in this story, which succeeding books will no doubt tell. I am looking forward to seeing where this one will go to.

This is the first instalment in the Pact and Pattern series.

Wen Alder was named so by his parents. To his grandmother, however, he is Foolish Cur. He was raised to become a respected Siennese citizen by the former and schooled in the Nayeni teachings, in secret, by the latter. As he grew, knowledge of these opposing cultures impacted his understanding of the world around him and left him longing for more than what either alone could grant him. This desire led him far from home and instilled in him an ambition that would see him rise in ranks and status. But to stand in a place of power is to stand exposed, and the Emperor has his sights set upon this young man so willing to stand out in a crowd.

I was immediately captivated with this immersive and atmospheric story. The early focus remained largely on the differing cultures that Wen has being schooled in. Through them, the reader gained knowledge of the history of this dissected kingdom and the discontent of those not at the top of the social hierarchy. Wen was very much torn between them both, as he found much to respect and admire in these opposing cultures that made up both sides of his identity.

Despite this slightly slower, but no less interesting, start, the pacing soon began to increase. Years of Wen's life flew by with only partial glimpses, of the events that occurred during them, granted to the reader. Some insights to his examinations to become a hand to the Emperor, his magical and martial training, his new friendships formed, the new cities he ventured to, the battles he took part in, and his involvement with rebel gangs were just some of what was peppered throughout the rest of the book. I could have spent an entire novel just focusing on each one of these aspects, but became just as immersed in those continually occurring to ever feel like the novel was too hasty in its depiction of events.

Wen grew from boy to man and the book altered in focus from academics to the politics of war. The pacing might have been fast but no detail was spared when Greathouse conjured each scene. I felt fear and excitement and never being able to predict what was to come next aided in my helpless immersion into this story.

I'm so eager to continue on with this already incredible series. I would also be just as eager for this author to do a Leigh Bardugo and pen some other books related to it. So many folk/fairy tales were mentioned throughout, with passing mentions to desert demons and sky gods, which would make for fun reading and only further enrich this diverse and opulent world.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I don't often give fantasy debuts/first of a series 5 stars. This is because there is always so much to learn in regards to magic, culture, maps, people etc. that it's just a lot on your noggin. The Hand of the Sun King however manages to explain everything in a really clear way that still progresses the story.

The main character Wen Alder, or Foolish Cur, is fascinating. He has 2 legacies to choose from. His father's who trace back to the Emperor, or his mother's who trace back to the early god's and witches in opposition to the empire. The character arc is brilliant. He's not a 'good' character. He's selfish and greedy but at the same time he's just a young boy coming of age. We as readers get to follow all his terrible decisions understanding that he has literally been thrown in at the deep end.

The world is rich and captivating. So many cultures, magic, folklore etc. The magic systems are complex and detailed yet explained in such a clear way. I honestly loved the end of the novel where he finds his own way without the usual tools (trying not to spoil the story).

A thoroughly engaging read that I will definitely be purchasing.