Hi Cara,
At the beginning of the year, I reviewed Jenn Lyons debut novel The Ruin of Kings. The Name of All Things is the second book in the series and I couldn’t wait to dive back into the magical and dangerous world Jenn has created.
You can have everything you want if you sacrifice everything you believe.
Kihrin D’Mon is a wanted man.
Since he destroyed the Stone of Shackles and set demons free across Quur, he has been on the run from the wrath of an entire empire. His attempt to escape brings him into the path of Janel Theranon, a mysterious Joratese woman who claims to know Kihrin.
Janel’s plea for help pits Kihrin against all manner of dangers: a secret rebellion, a dragon capable of destroying an entire city, and Kihrin’s old enemy, the wizard Relos Var.
Janel believes that Relos Var possesses one of the most powerful artefacts in the world―the Cornerstone called the Name of All Things. And if Janel is right, then there may be nothing in the world that can stop Relos Var from getting what he wants.
And what he wants is Kihrin D’Mon.
(Synopsis from Goodreads.com)
The Name of All Things should be named The Name of All Things Amazeballs.
One of my favourite, if not my favourite element of Jenn Lyons books is the footnotes. As a character from the book has collected the diaries of the main characters and is commenting on their view of the evens.
Below are some of my favourite.
“I assume this is an example of Joratese humor. ‘His woman.’ Ha!
“Love the assumptions he’s making here. Yes, because all the Hellwarriors simply must be men. Oh, how I hate Quuros misogyny.”
“No, that was one of the religion’s core tenets: ‘Hey, did you know the gods are just wizards who are really good with spells? Maybe you shouldn’t worship them.’ Seriously, I amazed the Vishai faith was ever legalized anywhere.”
“Who’s a good puppy? Rebel is, Yes, she is! Don’t judge me, damn it. She’s adorable.”
The Plot of All the Name of Things, takes place over years and told from two main POV. Janel and Brother Qown. Both POV help flesh out what happened while Koihrin was dealing with his problems. It also connects certain aspects that happen in The Runi of Kings to All of the Name of Things.
Another Aspect of All the Name of Things I loved and found fascinating is how Jorat see gender. The see themselves as Stallions and mares, and gender doesnt impact, as it depends on the person. Stallions protect and mare look after. Also that they can change gender after serving Galava for a year. They are rewarded is the ability to chose the gender than matches thier soul. Although these things arent seen in other areas of the Empire which is such a shame. But the Empire is ran by man so whats to be expected.
The Name of All Things add to The Runi of Kings feeling of not truly knowing if the main character are on the Good side of the story. As they believe what they are doing is stopping Relos Var. But what if Relos Var is the Good guy who is doing bad things for the greater good.
Is it bad that even though Senera doesn’t come across greatly, I like her more as she loves her dog?
The Name of All Things is action-packed with battles, rebellions, espionage, fights, flirting, dragons, magic, Gods, thieves and revelations.
My Rating for The Name of All Things is 5 out of 5.
Thank you to @JamiedoesPR and Tor for sending me a finished copy of The Name of All Things for a fair and honest review.
The Name of All Things is published 31st October 2019.
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Thanks for reading,
