Review: The Orphan King (The Orphan King #1)

Title: The Orphan King (The Orphan King #1)
Author: Tyler Chin-Tanner, James Boyle
Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy
Publisher: A Wave Blue World
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: September 7, 2021
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Prince Kaidan, born to rule as a hero of the realm, is on the move, taking first steps into the life of soaring regal adventure promised by his birthright. After completing secret training with his aunt, the magical Lady Taleissa, Kaidan returns home hoping to pick up where he left off and start an exciting new chapter. Instead, his parents are missing and the kingdom is destroyed, along with everything he’d ever hoped and dreamed. 

With the monarchy overthrown by a rapacious warlord, Kaidan is set adrift in a lawless land where his royal lineage now means nothing but danger; there’s a steep price on his head and everyone is eager to cash in. But when there are no laws, outlaws can become allies, and Kaidan’s got a fighting chance with some new friends on the fringes of society. A new path is set: find whatever pieces of his old life he can and use them to build something new – if he can live that long!

A fresh retelling of the King Arthur myth, THE ORPHAN KING upends the concept of birthright in a magical coming-of-age adventure for the ages.

Review:

As a boy, Prince Kaidan was sent away with his aunt to do some secret training. When he returns three years later, he discovers that his kingdom has been destroyed. His father is dead, his mother is missing, and the knights responsible for it are chasing him. Kaidan meets up with some outlaws who will help him find his family.

This was an exciting, fast paced story. Though Kaidan was returning home, it was bittersweet because he didn’t get along with his father before he left. He was looking forward to seeing his mother, until he saw the devastation of his home. Kaidan had lost his family and his future as King.

I liked the art in this graphic novel. The first few chapters alternated between when Kaidan was younger and when he returned home. It was easy to tell these scenes apart because the scenes from the past had lighter colours and the scenes in the present were darker. Each of the characters also had a distinct outfit, so it was easy to differentiate between them.

The Orphan King is a great new graphic novel!

Thank you Diamond Book Distributors for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What to read next:

Have you read The Orphan King? What did you think of it?