Books Butterfly Editorial Reviews

Four Puppet Kings and a Fool by Seth Hobbs – Editorial Review

Four Puppet Kings and a Fool by Seth Hobbs is a very well written and beautifully crafted Epic Fantasy

Reviewer David Gordon at Amazon describes it as – Rome meets Game of Thrones meets Outbreak – and that is a very apt description

This book would make an excellent TV series and let’s hope HBO or Netflix or Amazon Studios stumble across it

Books Butterfly Editorial Review of Four Puppet Kings and a Fool by Seth Hobbs

Introduction & Context

Prepare to be immersed in a rich and fulfilling epic fantasy world as Seth Hobbs masterfully explores a rapidly changing landscape, where nations of all sizes engage in a mesmerizing battle of political intrigue, conspiracy, betrayal, warfare, and piracy

Uncertainty lurks at every turn and Four Puppet Kings and a Fool will draw you in and not let you go

Main Review

Hobbs paints a vivid picture of a world where leaders and politicians wield their power and wealth to the detriment of their own people, driven solely by selfish interests

The narrative follows the fate of Bovir, the leader of a motley crew consisting of pirates, assassins, and rebels who dare to defy the mighty Sendryne empire. As his destiny becomes entwined with Governor Akasi and his enigmatic brother Avkar, a tale of exile and impending doom unfolds

These characters have no qualms about inflicting harm upon anyone who crosses their path or appears weak and vulnerable. Akasi even resorts to physical punishment

Hobbs skillfully reveals how leaders like General Rotilla Voxinus are manipulated by their superiors. Voxinus pledges his loyalty to Governor Akasi and the great Sendya nation. Voxinus then utilizes the Sendryne treasury, official title, and promises to sway other tribes to the Sendryne cause

The torture of prisoners and payment of spies for information become routine practices. Over time, Voxinus finds his life drained, his faith shattered, and his purpose twisted, as he is forcibly thrust back into the service of Sendryne and a mysterious, terrifying entity

Voxinus wonders if his wounds and disappointments can ever be healed, both in his heart and in his forsaken existence. Losing an arm and precious time with his family pales in comparison to losing his purpose

However, Voxinus still retains a sense of honor, respecting men like Bovir from the woodlands, knowing that the Three Rivers insurrectionist may lack both values and foresight

The author delves into the use of blackmail by leaders within their regimes. Akasi keeps Stoneface on the government payroll, but only if he remains hidden away in the black basement, far from polite company

Innocent Sendrynes suffer from poor diets, diseases, and fall victim to guerrilla warfare. Voxinus is forced to witness the horrors of a brimming mass of men, women, children, and a slave girl subjected to brutal rape by a Sendryne ally

Strengths

The greatest strength of Four Puppet Kings and a Fool lies in its reflection of the real world, where leaders exploit their power and official titles to manipulate treasuries and blackmail their own people for personal gain. This connection to contemporary politics adds depth and relevance to the narrative

Another compelling aspect of the book is the presence of characters like General Voxinus, who possess good intentions despite their positions of power. These individuals strive to maintain law and order, despite their heartbreak at witnessing chaotic scenes of violence

The author skillfully portrays their internal struggles, their commitment to doing what is right, and their attempts to preserve their humanity in the face of brutal war and devious politics

Furthermore, the book sheds light on the plight of every day Sendya citizens who suffer from malnutrition, disease, and the ravages of war. It highlights the disparity between the fortunate and the less fortunate, exposing how the latter often lack a voice in the decisions that determine their destiny

The author also portrays well the suffering endured by women at the hands of ruthless leaders who control and exploit them against their will

Weaknesses

The primary weakness of this book lies in its complex language, which may prove challenging for slower readers and for readers with less developed vocabularies

The intricacy of the prose and the complex political intrigue can lead to a sense of weariness, as readers may need to invest extra time to fully grasp the story

Finally, the parallels to the modern day world can be a bit unsettling. While most readers will appreciate the skillful writing required to achieve this, a few readers might get overwhelmed by how closely the book mirrors the post pandemic modern day world

Conclusion

Four Puppet Kings and a Fool is a well-crafted and delicious dark medieval Epic Fantasy novel that draws readers into the intricate world of Sendryne leadership. Once you understand the book’s flow, it becomes a compelling read that leaves you yearning for further exploration of Sendryne politics

The story also emphasizes the importance of caring for others, portraying both the existence of good leaders with noble intentions and the downfall of those who harbor selfish interests. Overall, the book instils a sense of positivity in its readers

Overall Recommendation

We wholeheartedly recommend Four Puppet Kings and a Fool to anyone seeking a well-crafted epic fantasy

For Epic Fantasy readers – 90/100 and very strongly recommended

For readers interested in a Game of Thrones style world with politics and intrigue and diverse leadership styles – 90/100 to 100/100 and very strongly recommended

For readers who liked Spartacus and/or Rome – 90/100 and very strongly recommended

For general Fantasy readers – 80/100. Please Note: This is a Game of Thrones/Spartacus/Rome style dark medieval Epic Fantasy with lots of political intrigue and carefully constructed complex storylines. This is an involved read

Curator’s Thoughts

Both the reviewer and I are partial to Game of Thrones and Spartacus and Seth Hobbs has created a world which has some of the best qualities of both

It’s easy to fall in love with Four Puppet Kings and a Fool. It excels both as an Epic Fantasy novel and as a study of empires and politics

It’s an Epic High Fantasy novel which will make you question the world we live in, and that is a remarkable achievement

Where to get Four Puppet Kings and a Fool by Seth Hobbs

You can find Four Puppet Kings and a Fool at Amazon

1. The Amazon Kindle eBook in the Kindle Store
2. Four Puppet Kings and a Fool Paperback at Amazon.com

You can find a list of all of Seth Hobb’s books at his Amazon Author Page

You can read more about Seth Hobbs at his Amazon Author Page