Kirith Kirin

Jim Grimsley usual writes gay literature, and wins awards for it. This makes you wonder what made him decided to suddenly take a literary turn and delve into high fantasy. Whatever his reasons, I am glad he did, because this book has thrilled and fascinated me since the first time I read it, and through a number of re-reads since.

It takes a classic theme of high fantasy, that of simple farmboy who becomes the greatest mage of all time, but it does it in a fascinating magical setting, with interesting characters. I became totally invested in Jessex's journey. And there's romance as well, as Jessex meets the title character, King-in-exile, Kirith Kirin.

Jessex and Kirith Kirin and his army set out to defeat the evil queen, and war and pain follow. This book is good at showing the devastation that war brings, and the loss of innocence as Jessex grows from boy to man through experience rather than years.