If you haven't read the first book in this trilogy, The Sword and the Dragon, what are you waiting for? This so far has been the most exciting and vivid adult fantasy series I have ever read. Warning, there are spoilers for The Sword and the Dragon ahead, so if you haven't read it, stay away. I simply cannot do this review spoiler-free, but I will not spoil anything for K,Q,H,&F.

This book is an awesome continuation of the amazingness that was the first part of the trilogy. And let me warn you once again, this is no quick or easy read. It is a long series. But every second is worth it. K,Q,H,&F is a little bit shorter than the first book, but it still took me three days to get through. And I read fast.

During the first book, some of the characters I loved were killed. I was not a happy girl. But I still adored the book. There was an evil, evil villain and I was afraid that this book wasn't going to be able to stand up to the first book. But it did.

With the introduction of a couple of new characters, Oarly (a dwarf), and Phen (a young magician), there were amazing characters to love again. Also, the depth of King Mikhail and Hyden Hawk continued to grow. If that were even possible. I was also pleased to see that King Jarrek played a larger role in the story this time. I love King Jarrek, he's brave, tough,and loving, and one of my favorite secondary characters.

As for the villain aspect, I didn't find Ra'Gren or Shaella quite as intimidating or evil as Pael, but there were enough villains and conflict for it not to really matter. Plus you have the growth of Gerard in the Nethers and he is growing into a more evil villain by the minute. There was an incredible amount of action and the battle scenes were terrific.

Now that I am fully into the trilogy, I can state how amazed I am by the world building and the details. I am in awe of M.R.'s ability to work in details and descriptive passages without them ever being tedious or taking away from the story itself. That takes great talent and for this reason I am one of his biggest fans. Of course there are other reasons too, but I think he is one tremendously talented writer, and I hope he never stops.

I was ridiculously happy to obtain one of the first copies of this book before it was released to the public. And it was everything I had hoped it would be and more. This is a book for a person who loves books and reading. A book for someone who adores words and the English language. This is a book to savor. With a fantastic plot, a beautifully detailed world, and characters that jump right off the page (and I mean literally, Oarly was running around my living room and then he tried to feed me a cinder pepper, bad dwarf), this novel would make J.R.R Tolkien proud. I would without a doubt, recommend it to everyone I know. You are missing out if you do not read it.

Reviewed by Great Imaginations:[...]

This second book in the Wardstone Trilogy is a well written masterpiece that leaves you yearning for book III to be waiting on your kindle. The depth of characters both old and new is fantastic. The introduction of new characters does not leave you wondering where they came from or why they are there, it is like they have been here all along. Mathias further entrenches you in his stories by enticing you to fall in love with King Mikahl and Hyden Hawk Skyler. Their magic weaves a web that leaves you flipping the pages to find out what happens next.

The story line with it's Cain and Abel like battle between brothers Hyden and Gerard, the classic princess needing rescue in a tower and the ever present battle between good and evil are supported with fantastic stories of treasure hunting, epic battles, evil wizardry, and the constant struggle within oneself to do the right thing.

If you read only one series this year about dragons and magic, it should be this series.

I love the story and devoured both the first and second book and wait ever so impatiently for the third.

Brilliant! That's the only way I can describe the second novel in the Wardstone Trilogy. Once again we are thrown into extreme action and adventure alongside the favorite characters of Hyden Hawk and Mikahl. A lot of new characters are introduced in this novel but M.R. Mathias has an awesome way of getting you to connect with them and see things through their eyes. While reading this book I was literally on the edge of my seat. So many things kept going right then wrong and it definitely kept me guessing until the end. As usual some of the deaths and injuries were pretty gruesome but I think the detail helps you to be more immersed in the novel. I really enjoyed this novel and I love the fact that the author comes to a satisfying conclusion but leaves a slight mystery at the end to continue in the next book. I am very excited to read the next novel and I definitely recommend that those who love fantasy novels read this one.