The Hand of the Sun King follows Wen Alder as he grows up in an almost coming of age style story. It has an introspective first person narrative, like an autobiography or journal of sorts. Despite this very singular focus on the character of Foolish Cur, he’s not always a likeable character and it displays his flaws and wrongdoings, making sure we note him as a fairly reliable narrator.

Wen must make the decision between the history of the two sides of his family. That of name and prestige on his father’s side within the Empire, or the side of magic and resistance on his mothers. The theme of his nature being that of both half of his family is strong, and that how he is nurtured by his father and grandmother affect how he thinks about the world. We also see how he deliberates over the choices in his life, changing the course of his life for better and for worse.

The Hand of the Sun King contains a complex magic system that is developed over the course of the book as Wen learns more. There’s the sacred magic that Wen’s grandmother teaches him as a child, and then the more strict and restricted magic used by the empire’s higher ranking people. I loved seeing how Wen has to learn new magic and how he expands his knowledge, especially in the latter half of the book.

One issue I had was that the book was so focused on Wen that the secondary characters in his life didn’t get much development. Between his family and the people he meets along his way, there’s very little focus on them which is unfortunate as there’s some characters who would be so interesting. From Wen’s uncle who is part of the resistance who doesn’t interact with him as much, to characters like Atar who influences Wen a lot – there’s a lot of intrigue in this world.

The book is definitely a high fantasy series, with a touch of grimdark elements with all the bad things that end up happening. There’s a strong emphasis on the colonisation by the empire and the politics surrounding the people of the empire, the resistance, and those in the middle who are just trying to get by.

The world building around the politics, but also the asian inspired cultures of the different lands we visit is amazing. There’s clearly a lot of history and depth to each of the lands, and I loved reading about An-Zabat and how different it is to where Wen grew up. Seeing the world through his eyes helps develop a sense of wonder and knowledge seeking which was lovely to read.

Positives of The Hand of the Sun King
Magic system easily digestable and learnable throughout the story
Wen Alder grows and develops as he learns more about the world he lives in
Negatives of The Hand of the Sun King
Lack of character/relationship development outside of main character

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me an advanced copy of this book to read and review.

"The Hand of the Sun King" by J.T. Greathouse is a gripping and well-written debut novel. The complex characters and intricate plot keep you engaged throughout, and the world-building is impressive. However, some parts of the story can be slow and the ending may leave you feeling unsatisfied. Overall, a solid read.

"The Hand of the Sun King" by J.T. Greathouse is a gripping and dark fantasy novel that will leave you enthralled. The book is set in a richly imagined world, where magic and political intrigue collide in a battle for power.

The protagonist, Gyre, is a complex and multifaceted character, driven by a desire for revenge against those who have wronged him. As the story unfolds, Gyre is drawn deeper into a web of secrets and lies, facing impossible choices and unexpected betrayals.

Greathouse's writing is fast-paced and immersive, with a keen eye for detail and a talent for creating a vivid and compelling atmosphere. The themes of power, ambition, and loyalty are explored with nuance and complexity, adding depth and richness to the story.

Overall, "The Hand of the Sun King" is a remarkable debut from a talented author, and a must-read for fans of dark fantasy and political intrigue.

It took me a while to get to this series, but I was extremely surprised when I finally did. There is something familiar in the narrative, but it has its own flair leading me to pick up the next book as soon as I finished with the first.
In the first book, we have a single narrator. It is through Wen Alder's eyes that we are introduced to this world that we are yet to explore. We know that a strict code of conduct is the guiding principle behind everything. The world once was more chaotic - the gods were wild, and the factions of people were constantly at war with one another.
The above start is the familiar part - I have read quite a few adventures that begin that way. The draw of this particular book (I'll talk of the next in the following review) was the way Wen Alder functioned within the framework of the established laws of the land while exploring his own personal need to understand and wield magic.
His grandmother taught him some of the magic of his mother's people. The ways of that life have been consciously buried by the Empire in order to sow stability and uniformity (or so is the claim). Our lead protagonist is not exactly a hero (not yet, at least). He feels the call of magic in any form and wants to interact with it. He is intelligent and learns quickly. His future alters quite drastically multiple times before the book draws to a close. Although some of that trajectory is expected, the 'truth' of some of the Emperor's hold was a little unexpected.
It felt a little long and is definitely not one that you can breeze through in a couple of afternoons.


I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

I picked this one up because I was told that this was comparable to the Fitzchivalry series written by Ribin Hobb but much better written. I would sadly have to disagree because although it started out interesting, the book dragged on too much and the writing itself or the main character of Wen was not strong enough to keep me engaged till the end. This was unfortunately a dnf.

The Hand of the Sun King is the first book in the Pact and Pattern trilogy, It follows Wen Alder, on his goal to become the hand of the emperor. He is torn between two paths, following the legacy of his father, who has a prestigious ancestry tracing back to the hand of the emperor, and his mother, from a group of people who reject the emperor. Wen Alder travels his own path through school, following a path of magic and secrets, leading him away from both legacies he comes from.

The Hand of the Sun King blew me away. After hearing a few good things about it, I knew I needed it. One of my favourite fantasy tropes is magic school settings. Give me a coming of age story set in a magic school, and I’m almost always in love with it. The Hand of the Sun King managed to give me all of those things that love, plus it tossed in some politics, and assimilation of differing cultures, all in an Asian-inspired world. Basically the perfect recipe.

I thought as a coming of age story, this worked really well. Sometimes, we don’t get a lot of character development, instead giving us a young adult who is automatically good at everything they do, and manages to succeed without growing as a person. Wen Alder wasn’t like that. While he had many innate skills, a huge part of the book was him working to be better. To learn. This allowed for us to watch him grow, and see him improve as a person. Failures and mistakes shaped who he was, and shaped how the story progressed.

This isn’t a huge world yet, we focus of a few small places as the story progresses, but we get glimpses of the wider world as it goes, and as Wen Alder learns more about the different cultures and his own culture. It shows a good setting for the next books, giving us a sense of the scope of the world, without throwing too much at us at once. Just enough of a taste that I can’t wait to see how much more there can be.

This is one of those books that I can’t recommend enough. I loved everything about it, and if you’re a fan of coming of age, Asian-inspired fantasy, or even just magical school tropes, this is one to check out. If you’re not sure if those are your jam, I still want to recommend it because the writing was beautiful, and it’s just the sort of fantasy story that sucks you in completely.

This was ok, but I’m pretty sure i won’t be continuing with these books, although well written, the story itself didn’t draw me in enough and hold my attention that I want to read more, it wasn’t bad but just not enough for me

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

A beautifully crafted fantasy debut that is sure to please lovers of the genre. Compelling, engaging, and fresh,

4.5*

I'll add a full review to my site, Amazon and GR within the next week. I've been catching up on a lot of reading having had a break due to several projects.

Thank you for the arc. I already have my special edition copy from Goldsboro! Can't wait for book 2.

The hand of the sun King is an epic. Fantasy set in a world with Eastern influences, the descriptive language throughout this book can easily help you picture the world and what is going on. It is very well written in that respect.

The magic system is interesting and not too complex, some of them can spin your head. I always like a bit of magic in my books.
This story had its ups and downs but despite this it was still an enjoyable read. Not sure I would read again though.

This is the perfect coming of age novel for any fantasy reader. The book is about a boy called Wen Alder who is caught between two torn legacies. One of which is his father’s - a path towards the right hand of the emperor. The second is his mother’s - which is rejection of the empire and a path of resistance and rebellion. Unbeknownst to Wen there is a third path, a magical one. With so much to figure out Wen goes on a journey of discovery and the results are epic.
A quite brilliant debut novel, that entices the reader, with a clash of cultures, incredible magic and ancient gods. This has everything a fantasy book should have and more.
A highly addictive story the I couldn’t put down and one I highly recommend.
Very much looking forward to book two.

Such a phenomenal debut- told amazingly well and filled with such beautiful writing. I really enjoyed this and can’t wait for the next book!

My Thoughts

I would like to thank Gollancz for providing the review copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

With its unparalleled world building, magic system, and refined prose, The Hand of the Sun King by J.T Greathouse is an impressive, coming-of-age fantasy about a young man who had a strong desire for freedom and magic.

The story followed Wen Alder or Foolish Cur. He was born into a family who had opposing standpoints: his father was loyal to the empire, while his mother's family opposed and rebelled against the Empire. He was caught between whether he should serve the kingdom who oppressed his own people or made a stand and fight them. However, Alder wanted a different future: a future which would allow him to choose his own path.

The plot was written in a first person narration. The story focused on the protagonist's character arc which was well-written, relatable, and believable. Here we met Alder as a curious, impatient boy who grew into a man who slowly learned and understood the things around him. His thirst for magic and absolute freedom sometimes made him do foolish mistakes and selfish decisions which led to losses, betrayals and suffering. These experiences shaped him into a smarter and more mature person. Moreover, the pacing was a little bit slow and steady but no less interesting. There were a lot of things happening in this book yet they never felt rushed at all. This was the kind of story that needed to be slowly devoured.

The world-building and magic system were unique and top tier. It was an East Asian-inspired world brimming with rich cultures, folklores, and history. J.T. Greathouse's elegant prose complimented the lush setting of different places. On the other hand, the magic system was intricate. I liked how each country had different kinds of magic, and how Alder's journey allowed him to study and learn them. These different types of magic had their own history and association with the Gods. Most of them were elemental kinds of magic which were both cool and powerful.

The only minor issue that I had was since the story mainly focused on Alder, some of the characters felt like plot devices. I would love to see some more depth into the relationships that Alder made on his journeys.

Overall, The Hand of the Sun King by J.T Greathouse was a remarkable start of a series. It is a novel with a rich world building, a gripping character arc, and an exquisite prose. I cannot wait where the next book is headed next.

4.5/5 stars!

As often on NetGalley, I saw the cover first and had to know what the book was about ! A boy torn between his two families and his two cultures tries to find a third path to discover his ultimate dream : magic unbound. Wen Alder will spend his childhood learning about the Empire and the sienese sages, and, at night and in secret, the culture of his mother, the nayen.
I felt the worldbuilduing was very complete, inspired by asian cultures (the author minored in chinese culture but I don't know how much of that transcribed here). The magic and the lore were fascinating even if confusing at times. There are lots of plot twists and it's action packed. The protagonist is always on edge because of his many secrets but it's not a burden to read his tale. The book lets the reader wanting more !
I really liked this book, but some elements bugged me. First, the author is white and I was always at unease that he was saying something stupid or offensive. I don't think so, but what do I know ?
Secondly, there were almost no women in this story. Yes, there were some who were badass but they were never the center of the story. I wanted more ! Plus, I was interested by the differences between the Nayen and the Sienese regarding women (the Sienese women can't be with the men) and thought it would have been great to see more of that. Maybe in the next installments ?

I’m still hedging between a 3 and 3.5.

This is not the kind of book that would usually be on my radar but I added this to my TBR as well as requested the arc because I saw how much my favorite reviewer and booktuber Petrik loved it, and wanted to give it a try myself. Now after finishing it, I’m unsure how I feel about it.

I have to start by saying the prose is very very good and you really don’t feel like it’s a debut while reading it. There’s a very engaging quality to the writing and even when I was apprehensive about my enjoyment of the story, I still kept going. The relatively fast pace also helped, but it also had its disadvantages because there were a lot of time jumps in the story, some of which I felt hindered any relationship development. I had read reviews about this one very long ago, so I didn’t remember much, but I was pleasantly surprised to realize that this world and part of the cultures were Asian inspired and that always makes me happy. The magic system is elemental but also involves tetragrams and patterns in the world as well as a war between gods and witches, so it was all fascinating to read about but there were some explanations I didn’t understand, and I couldn’t truly wrap my head around what happened at the end.

This year has seen a lot of books published with empires and colonialism as the norm as rebellion as the core of the story, and this one is no different. But we get to see this story through the eyes of a biracial young man, who has to make a choice between following his mother’s heritage and be ostracized for it or take the oath that is laid out to him by his father and become a tool of the empire. This is a coming of age story and we see Alder grow as the book goes on, but this journey was definitely bumpy. He is a petulant child who grows up in privilege, even if deprived of love, and basically wants to do what he wants instead of others dictating his choices. He hardly understands right from wrong, doesn’t try much to know the world beyond his bubble, and acts impulsively that lead to drastic consequences. He never thinks first before acting and only learns from his mistakes. I did however understand his hunger for knowledge, but at the same time it also manifested as a hunger for unbridled magic. It wasn’t till almost the end that I finally saw that he could be more than his ambition, and can use his magic to fight the oppressive empire.

There are many characters who come and go from his life, but he remains the center of this story. There were only two characters who left a good impression one me - his grandmother who taught him the ways of her people and developed the curiosity in him; his tutor Koro Ha without whose diligence Alder would never have set on his path towards the empire. Both these characters had his well being in their hearts and were deeply responsible for shaping his personality. The only friend he makes Oriole, and his first love Atar, could have been written with more depth, but I felt that ultimately they both came across as plot devices, who taught him things he needed to know and pushed him onto the path of his destiny. The book would have surely been better if these two relationships were written with more depth.

Finally, I think this is an interesting coming of age story which spans almost a decade of the main character’s life. While the world building, prose, and magic system found me fascinated, I found the character and relationship development lacking which ultimately left me dissatisfied. However, it might still be the the book for you, as evidenced by the many glowing reviews this debut has received.

A fantastic, fantastical saga which promises great things to come from debut author J. T. Greathouse. It started well, slowed in the middle, and ended with such a bang that I was buzzing hours later, unable to sleep.

----”My name is Foolish Cur, grandson of Broken Limb, nephew of Harrow Fox, known to the Sienese as Wen Alder,” I said. “You may have heard of me.”----

Wen Alder is a child of two cultures. His father wants him to gain a place in the empire’s civil service, and so return their family’s prestige. His grandmother wants him to remember his Nayen roots and to fight their imperial subjugators. Alder just wants to learn magic, and to taste once more the boundless power he stumbled upon as a child. Torn between the two sides, and uncertain how to achieve his own ambitions, Alder bumps along from pillar to post, learning what he can, where he can, until one fateful day, his actions put him on a path from which he cannot return.

----’She had given me a taste of magic, and in doing so had kindled a thirst for more – a thirst that would carry me, in time, to the heights of prestige and the depths of ruin.’----

The book initially reminded me of the The Traitor Baru Cormorant (another subjugated colony), The Poppy War(imperial exams), and The Name of the Wind (portents of greatness to come), but its very much its own story and veers off in its own direction. The world draws inspiration from Asian culture, but the active presence of the gods in the story felt quite Norse-like.

It starts well: we’re gently introduced to the world through Alder’s studies, and tensions are kept to a minimum. I felt I had a good idea of where the story was likely to go and enjoyed the ride. It began to drag in the middle, when Alder is sent abroad. I was interested and intrigued by the new location but felt somewhat adrift and unsure of story’s new direction. Then, the last third of the story absolutely hooked me: the tension picks up dramatically, there’s some epic battles, and, when I realised on the very last page where Greathouse was taking us, I laughed, and kicked myself for not having realised sooner.

----’The two competing branches of my family – to which, I felt, I owed an equal duty – could not be reconciled. To serve one would betray the other. But magic offered a way for me to escape that stifling contradiction, to carve out my own path through the world.’----

I liked our protagonist, Wen Alder, also known as Foolish Cur (a name, not a slur). He’s clever, though certainly not infallible; he’s arrogant, but keen to learn and grateful to those who will teach; he’s proud, though not as proud as he could be, ridden with guilt as he is; and he’s impulsive, though thankfully not without the emotionally intelligence to make up for it later. I enjoyed seeing him grow and learn and can’t wait to see where the next book takes him.

----”The pattern of the world is on your side, boy! Everything, and I mean […] everything wants the flame to go out, except for me. How are you so shit at this?”----

For those like me who were initially a little confused by all the different magics and their provenances, I’ve made a list below:

- Sein: transmission (communication and transmission of magic/magical ability)
- Nayen: fire wielding, veering (transformation)
- An-Zabat: wind calling, water calling
- Toa Alon: healing, dowsing, cultivation

All in all, an excellent book. I hope Greathouse releases the next in the series soon, preferably with a map. I’ll definitely be reading it and would highly recommend this to fans of fantastical sagas, complex magical systems and imperial battles.

The Hand of the Sun King is the type of book I’m always looking for. It ticked every box. Epic, dramatic, beautifully written with stellar worldbuilding and characters. I didn’t expect much when I started it and it even sat unread on my NetGalley shelf while I ploughed through other books. But then, I read the blurb again. Instantly, I was intrigued, so I started reading.

Twenty minutes later, I was in love.

A good fantasy book, for me, has to have that moment where it just clicks. Usually, it’s after a few chapters when you’ve become used to the characters and started to work out some of the plot. Not this book. This book, with its lyrical, elegant writing, had its hooks in me from the very start. I was sharing screenshots by the end of the first chapter and a few pages after that I was shaking my head in amazement, feeling a great emotional resonance deep in my bones. I felt like a new fantasy reader again. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve read many books this year and given many 5 star ratings. But the Hand of the Sun King scratched a deep-rooted itch that I didn’t realise was there. It was like when I first discovered the Name of the Wind, or when I first opened the Lies of Locke Lamora. Was it the first person style that affected me so? Was it the beautiful writing?

It’s hard to say. All I know is that the Hand of the Sun King invaded my mind like some kind of beautiful parasite, spreading its roots and emptying my brain of everything but the tale of Wen Alder, or Foolish Cur.

As I previously stated, this is the closest I’ve ever come to finding something comparable to the Name of the Wind. Like Kvothe, Wen Alder is arrogant and desperately unreliable as a narrator. Like Kvothe, he is brilliant and gifted in ways that his peers can only imagine. And like Kvothe he believes he is destined for greatness, with his journey to fulfil his glorious destiny enthralling, maddening and breathtaking at various points.

Alder is torn between two destinies; that of his father, whose roots trace back to the right hand of the Emperor. And that of his mother's family, who reject the Empire for the old ways and embrace the resistance. Watching him try and forge his own path within that constant battle is gripping and his obsession with a ‘third way’ is glorious arrogance personified. His hunger for knowledge, power and renown drive the story and we see him come to grips with his decisions and actions in a vastly satisfying way. He is filled with lofty ideals and goals but we also see the punishment and the consequences for his actions, which really helps to sell his journey. His is a lonely existence, though his obsession with his legacy sees him mix with powerful characters, both friends and foes.

You’d think someone so obsessed with their destiny would be annoying, or irritating. In fact, I’d say the opposite is true. Alder is one of the more realistic and sympathetic characters I’ve come across in recent years and his desire to better himself comes from a deep-seated insecurity about his position in society. The Empire is racist and dismissive, as most empires are, and the discrimination and hate he faces just for being different is a big driver for him. As the child of immigrants, his story really resonates with me and I really appreciate his desire to better himself and prove that he is more talented than the oppressors who see his people as lesser.


Alder makes mistakes, of course he does. Yet we immediately see the consequences and remorse he feels over them. He is retelling his life story, after all, and though some parts are undoubtedly editorialised and unreliable, the first person narrative really allows us to appreciate the depth of his grief and heartbreak when things go bad, as they invariably do when you are trying to make your name.

So, Alder is great and I love his story but what about the other stuff we care about? What about the writing, the magic system, the other characters?

Well, it’s difficult to say just how much JT Greathouse knocks it out of the park on that front. I’m the kind of reader who appreciates magic but whose eyes glaze over when an author delves deeply into the intricacies and rules and sub-rules. JT Greathouse really delves into those and spends page after page painting his magical system for us. And yet, not once did my mind wander. That I think is a testament to his writing and the way that the magic is fused to Alder’s journey and the wider plot. We see Alder working out the methodology behind the various magics he comes across and you can almost feel it in your own mind. Again, it’s like the Name of the Wind and the way I felt about bindings and sympathy. As more of the history and mythology is introduced later, you can’t help but be gripped by the battle over the magic and it’s undoubtedly crucial to the story in a way that I don’t think other books manage.

It’s hard to express just how much I love this book but I’ll put it like this: I have read hundreds of fantasy books and dozens of series. Yet this has touched me and triggered an emotional reaction that less than a handful of others can emulate. The Name of the Wind opened my mind to a new kind of book and instantly made fantasy my favourite genre. Since then, I have read so many books that I have loved and cherished and raved about. Yet none have made me feel quite the same way, bar one or two exceptions.

The Hand of the Sun King has succeeded, where those books didn’t quite manage to. This is a series I know I’ll devour on day one of release, a series I’m expecting to go from strength to strength as more of Alder’s story is revealed. This is undoubtedly my book of the year and could even be one of my favourite books of all time.

JT Greathouse, Wen Alder. Thank you.

2.5 stars
This was a political intrigue story with a little bit of magic added in. It's also a coming of age story of our protagonist. I am not a fan of the coming of age trope, so that's on me. But, I also wasn't pulled in by the plot or characters per se.
The writing was good, but the chapters were a bit too long for me and the lack of an interesting plot & solid characters kept me from enjoying this book.
Sadly this wasn't for me.

I agree with the compliments on J. T. Greathouse’s writing, considering I sped through half this book in an afternoon. His storytelling feels refined–even more so being a debut author–achieving an introspective tone while remaining quite visual and picturesque. The Hand of the Sun King is one of those books where you stop paying attention to the writing altogether and focus on experiencing the story.

Perhaps it’s because I read the series recently, but for me, THotSK felt akin to a PG-rated (PG-13 in the later chapters) version of The Traitor Baru Cormorant, but with a heavier focus on magic. Like Baru, Wen Alder (or Foolish Cur) is a young protagonist raised in a country recently conquered by an oppressive empire toting prescriptive propriety. They are both raised within their own culture in their early years before being groomed to sit official aptitude tests and earn a respected position in the Evil Empire, each harbouring secret motives. Each protag turns out to be uncommonly intelligent and eventually becomes an accountant for another recently conquered country with rebellious tendencies.

Beyond these commonalities, the two plots are admittedly quite different. As I mentioned, Greathouse writes with a strong focus on magic – a mysterious and violent kind with divine origins, which is one of the coolest things about this novel. But overall, there were enough similarities that the book lacked the new, fresh and unique fantasy badassery that I was hoping for after reading a couple of reviews.

The other aspect of the story I didn’t quite connect with was the main character. Though I started to warm to Alder in the final chapters, I found it difficult to sympathise with him, let alone like him. While others describe THotSK as a coming of age story about a boy with conflicting allegiances, I felt Alder’s only real loyalty was to his desire to learn the secrets of magic. His regard for the people around him in achieving this goal at times borders on sociopathic.

There’s nothing wrong with having a disagreeable protagonist, as is often the way of dark fantasy. But it’s a little difficult to swallow without that grimdark context, and when the book delivers a redemption arc that boils down to guilt and a hunger for power rather than developing maturity, intelligence or moral character.

If Greathouse had written this story from more than one perspective, I think it could have helped address the sense of disconnect between Alder and the people around him, which to me, came across largely as indifference. It’s been a while since I’ve read a novel told from a single point of view, so perhaps I’ve just missed some of the subtleties of Alder’s character growth without the support of an outsider’s perspective.

These two things aside, I did find THotSK an enjoyably comfortable read. I perked up significantly in the final chapters as Alder learns deeper truths about the world around him, and the stakes were raised.

The first instalment in a trilogy (or possible quadrilogy), Greathouse’s debut does an excellent job of setting up a story with a lot of potential, so I look forward to seeing what Alder get’s up to in the sequel.

Many thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review!

Trigger warnings: cutting/scarification, death of family, graphic violence, mutilation, torture