Chronicles Of The Unhewn Throne

Staveley's Unhewn Throne series presents an intelligent mash-up of three simultaneous coming of age stories. Separated for eight years, three royal children must face the fallout of the Emperor's assassination and learn to deal with their complex new duties. It's a simple premise, but it's hard to describe how complex and weaving Stavely manages to make it. Each of the children has a feeling of relatability, trapped by their obligations yet likable and down-to-earth. They present an entirely different viewpoint on the same world - the view of a soldier, a monk, and a finance minister. With the touch of a true master, Stavely manipulates these plot threads, expanding some, abandoning others, giving glimpses at a grand design. Then, with sweeping grandeur, he manages to tie them all together in a rush of revelations and satisfaction. It ends with a real sense of development, the characters undeniably shaped by their roles and experiences. Read if you like: Complex plots, epic fantasy.