The pagan king is a historical figure who is believed to have ruled over a pagan kingdom in ancient times. His existence and identity are often shrouded in mystery, with only fragments of information available. It is speculated that this pagan king was revered as a religious and political leader by his people. The pagan king was likely considered a divine figure, embodying the beliefs and customs of the pagan religion followed by his kingdom. He would have performed religious rituals and ceremonies, acting as an intermediary between his people and the gods they worshipped. The king's role in the religious life of his kingdom would have been crucial, as he was responsible for maintaining a harmonious relationship with the deities and ensuring the well-being of his people.
A French master’s graduate and former English teacher, Amanda lives in Paris, France. She met her husband while studying abroad, and the family now includes two bilingual children who will soon be correcting her French.
Yet with old feelings blazing bright and treachery brewing on Mount Olympus, one thing is clear Thalyria and its new royals are still pawns in an epic game of power one that might end in a War of Gods. Thalyria is a world steeped in ancient Greek culture and mythology, and in this particular book, we get an experience reminiscent of the journey and trials of Odysseus.
The king's role in the religious life of his kingdom would have been crucial, as he was responsible for maintaining a harmonious relationship with the deities and ensuring the well-being of his people. In addition to his religious duties, the pagan king would have played a significant role in governing his kingdom. He would have had the power to make important decisions regarding matters of law, war, and trade.
A Curse of Queens by Amanda Bouchet @AuthorABouchet @SourcebooksCasa
A Curse of Queens by Amanda Bouchet
Series: Kingmaker Chronicles #4
Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca on October 4, 2022
Genres: Fantasy Romance
Pages: 496
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Audiobook, Barnes & Noble, Apple
The queen has been cursed, and no one knows who’s behind the plot to threaten the realm’s fragile peace. Desperate to help, Jocasta hatches a plan to find Circe’s Garden, a fabled island where she hopes to discover an antidote. But she can’t do it alone. She needs the strong arm and unflinching bravery of the warrior she’s loved since childhood—her brother’s right-hand-man and captain of the guard, Flynn of Sinta.
Together they can do the impossible. Yet with treachery brewing on Mount Olympus, one thing is clear: Thalyria and its new royals are still pawns in an epic game of power—one that might end in a War of Gods.
I read the trilogy which started the Kingmaker Chronicles series. Cat and Griffin were the main characters there. Now we are getting stories from the rest of Team Alpha. I enjoyed the mythology, gods and creatures. I wanted to see what happened with the characters. In the novella, Of Fate & Fire, we learn about what happens with Piers. Now in A Curse of Queens, we get the story of Jocasta and Flynn.
The underlying problem here is the gods messing with Cat & Griffin for their own purposes. The problem solver is Jocasta. She is a healer and while she has no magic, she does have skills. She is smart and brave. I liked her a lot. We get both her point of view and Flynn’s, in alternating chapters. Jocasta has lived the life of a princess of one of the three kingdoms and now overall with Cat & Griffin. She cares deeply about people and helping them. She has wanted a life with Flynn as long as she can remember.
Flynn is an olive farmer who lived near the royal family in Sinta, and has suffered much loss until he is the only one left in his family. He became part of Team Alpha and has been a soldier ever since with Griffin, heading the army. He is enamoured of Jocasta and protective of her, but refuses to love anyone since he might lose them. But he champions Jocasta and this quest she has to solve Cat’s problem.
They need to contact another God, Circe, who is a master gardener. Jocasta has studied the scrolls to determine all the trials necessary to get what she needs. The team headed out on the adventure is Jocasta, Flynn, Carver, Bel and Prometheus. Each has their strengths and they are devoted to the cause. It is a wild and dangerous adventure but their intelligence, courage and skill helps them. They also have some help from the gods.
The romance is along with the adventure and I was rooting for them. Flynn and Jocasta are well suited and it was lovely to see them navigate a life together.
I wonder if there will be more in the series. I think Kira is the only family member still unmatched into a relationship. She is the youngest sister. It was fascinating to learn in the novella that this world is connected to that of the Endeavor series, which is set in space.
About Amanda Bouchet
Amanda Bouchet grew up in New England where she spent much of her time tromping around in the woods and making up grand adventures in her head. It was inevitable that one day she would start writing them down. Drawing on her Greek heritage for the setting and on her love of all things daring and romantic for the rest, her debut trilogy, The Kingmaker Chronicles, took form. She writes what she loves to read: epic exploits, steamy romance, and characters that make you laugh and cry.
A French master’s graduate and former English teacher, Amanda lives in Paris, France. She met her husband while studying abroad, and the family now includes two bilingual children who will soon be correcting her French.
Follow me Blogger at Books of My HeartI can't really remember any time when I wasn't reading. I LOVE books and what they give me. It's an opportunity to learn new things, see new places,live different emotions in a "safe" way. It lets me live in a new world.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
Friend or follow me at Goodreads.
The king would have relied on a council of advisors to assist him in managing the affairs of the kingdom and maintaining order. The pagan king would have been expected to demonstrate strength, wisdom, and bravery in both religious and political matters. He would have been revered by his people and respected by neighboring kingdoms. His role as a leader would have required him to be a skilled communicator and negotiator, as he would have needed to engage with other rulers for diplomatic purposes. Throughout history, the pagan king has been depicted in various ways in literature and folklore. Some stories portray him as a wise and just ruler, while others present him as a fearsome warrior. The pagan king continues to capture the imagination of many, symbolizing an era of ancient mysteries and enchantment. In conclusion, the pagan king is a fascinating historical figure who ruled over a pagan kingdom in ancient times. Although much of his story remains unknown, he is believed to have played a vital role in both the religious and political life of his people. The pagan king's legacy continues to intrigue and inspire, reminding us of the rich tapestry of ancient civilizations..
Reviews for "The Rituals and Ceremonies of the Oagan King"
1. John - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "The Pagan King." The plot was confusing and poorly developed. The characters lacked depth and I couldn't connect with any of them. The pacing of the film was off, with slow moments that dragged on and action scenes that felt forced. The special effects were also subpar, with obvious CGI that took away from the realism of the movie. Overall, "The Pagan King" failed to capture my attention and left me bored and unimpressed.
2. Sarah - 1 star
I do not recommend "The Pagan King" at all. The historical accuracy of the film was questionable, with many aspects exaggerated or completely fabricated. The dialogue was cheesy and filled with clichés. The acting was also subpar, with the performances feeling wooden and unconvincing. The fight scenes were poorly choreographed and lacked excitement. I was really hoping to enjoy this movie, but unfortunately, it fell short in almost every aspect for me.
3. Michael - 2 stars
"The Pagan King" had an interesting concept, but it failed to deliver on its potential. The writing was weak, with predictable plot twists and a lack of character development. The cinematography was beautiful, but it couldn't make up for the flaws in the script. The pacing was also uneven, making it difficult to stay engaged with the story. Overall, I found "The Pagan King" to be a disappointment and would not recommend it to others.
4. Emily - 2 stars
I was really looking forward to watching "The Pagan King," but it didn't live up to my expectations. The story was confusing and hard to follow, with unexplained plot points and inconsistent character motivations. The pacing was slow, and the film felt much longer than it actually was. The action scenes lacked excitement and felt repetitive. I was really hoping for a thrilling historical epic, but instead, I was left feeling underwhelmed by "The Pagan King."
5. Daniel - 2 stars
"The Pagan King" had potential, but it fell short in execution. The film lacked a cohesive narrative and struggled to establish a clear direction. The characters were underdeveloped and the dialogue was forgettable. The special effects were average at best and didn't add anything to the overall experience. While the film had its moments, it failed to leave a lasting impression and ultimately felt like a missed opportunity.