Literally, all of my annotations on this except one (and I'm not kidding) are me pleading for Cole to live...

City of Rain is an epic fantasy set in a world of wizards and temples and magic. There are a lot of political fantasy elements as well, which isn't usually my thing, but they were balanced well with the other fantasy aspects.
The story follows four POVs, starting with Summer - a young mage who comes across the murder of an older wizard and is entrusted with carrying a dangerous parchment to another wizard. However, she is framed for murder and pursued by Fenya (another student and lady of a house) and Arlen (basically a detective). The final POV is Cole, who is also a mage and student but who falls in with the wrong crowd through a series of unfortunate events. There's plenty of betrayal, a lot of political scheming, and a handful of action scenes. My only complaint is that it was a bit slow at times, especially when certain POVs tended to end on cliffhangers and others felt so incredibly long. However, the ending was very fast-paced at about the 85% mark and there were exciting parts throughout.
There were so many characters, so I'll stick to the I POV characters. Of the POV characters, Fenya was probably my least favorite just because I found her a bit boring until the end. However, her moral grayness and potential character arcs are intriguing. I also didn't love Arlen that much, but I think if we get more of his backstory in future books, I'll like him more. Summer was pretty cool, and I liked her as a main character, although I do wish she had a bit more initiative besides staying in the same town for, like, four months. Cole was my favorite (because he was a scholar, maybe), and I thought he had an interesting backstory plus a good deal of action throughout the book, and I'm excited to see him reach his destiny. As far as villains go, I did find Vasqo a bit disappointing just because he wasn't really relevant after the first chapter.
City of Rain is the first novel in a new epic fantasy series filled with realistic characters, plenty of turmoil, and the beginnings of an exciting adventure (and maybe found family?).
Thanks to Netgally and the publisher for the free e-ARC!

3.5/

Review: This was really quite good as we follow Cole and Summer throughout their inevitable collision. Freya and Arlen make for a great supporting cast that may have their own story to tell. These meandering paths are integral within the build and coalesce with impunity, although they are not entirely free from punishment. Just a bit confusing at first as the characters seemingly wander around without focus.

And why is Cole so good with limited coverage? Movement, plain and simple. He is constantly casting about for reason while chasing some hottie thief across the rooftops while plunging to his death from great heights. What is not to love? Summer is also deeply involved in avoiding detection and plotting an escape from Torrick while infusing her personality into it.

It was almost like I had to go through pages of backstory and history as pennance for the characters I wanted to follow. Most readers will not give a fuk about the Kings of this and that, the Honeybird lovers song or princess whatevers familial history, yet it builds a great foundation for a continued series.

Rating: 4.6/5

a very very interesting book. i really enjoyed the vibes of it very traditional fantasy. what i found most fascinating was the cast of characters who all had their own motivations in the story, sometimes worked together sometimes against each other. that and the wonderful worldbuilding made the story feel alive in my mind.

I would like to thank Netgalley for giving a chance to read this book. I thought this was a great story it had me hooked from the bringing. I loved that had magic in it. I loved how it reminded me of game of thrones a little bit. I loved going on this adventure. I loved getting to know the characters. I can't wait for the 2nd book.

I really enjoyed the city of rain. It was captivating in its descriptions and the way that the characters acted.

At first it was a little confusing, with the host of characters and how they interacted but it was very easy to follow and make sense of who most were… still curious about some secrets yet to be revealed (I hope…) the way that the main character Summer was written was engaging and i genuinely began to feel for the predicament that she was in. The sense of danger translated well, as it did for Fenya too and the way that the girls interacted was decently written.

I cannot wait for the next in the series and have already put William Lejeune on my watch list.

Thank you to NetGalley, William Lejeune for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed reading this book! There were a few aspects that bothered me, but more a personal bias than anything else between two female characters. The main male character was a little annoying, but I understand that his story was still important to the overall. I loved how many strong female characters there were, and the main character was definitely my favorite. She felt very real, and I could feel her desperation, her loneliness, although, I do wish the characters were a little older. The way they acted made me think they were older than they were, which didn't make a lot of sense. I don't wish they acted their age, I wish their age reflected their actions if that makes sense. I was very interested in some of the side characters and hope we learn more about them in the other books. Very entertaining and I can't wait to see what happens next.

I love fantasy with a well-crafted setting, strong characters, and a plot that delivers emotions and excitement. "City of Rain" is one of those books that captures the reader's attention. At first, I thought I was plunged into an overly complicated story, dominated by confusion and with no clear idea of what was being told. However, once I got past the first part of the narrative, everything became clearer and more straightforward. The characters each tell a part of the story until the threads of the plot are pulled together and everything is explained with great clarity.

It's undeniable, though, that the almost obsessive attention to creating a richly detailed setting can make the reader feel a certain anxiety. There were points in the narrative where I felt almost overwhelmed by the richness of details—nuances that, if too numerous, can create anxiety and perhaps divert attention from the main course of the story.

Regardless, this is the first novel of the saga, and I truly appreciate it. I highly recommend it for the author's ability to create a detailed, captivating world and characters with personalities that can move within the space and weave an engaging story.

Wonderful story, excellent world building, lovable characters - I enjoyed this very much!! Wonderful story, excellent world building, lovable characters - I enjoyed this very much!!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher. I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait for the next. It had me hooked from the beginning. There were a few times that I got turned around because of some jumping from one point to another between the characters timelines, but eventually I did figure out what was going on. Summer has been given a task by her master with his dying breath. This is where her adventure begins. Cole is trying to make a name for himself so he will be worthy of his love. The choices they make will affect the lives around them.

This is a captivating fantasy debut that merges magic, political intrigue, and adventure into an enthralling narrative. The story follows Summer Fontenay, a young mage who becomes entangled in a deadly conspiracy after receiving a mysterious parchment from her dying master. The book is set in a richly detailed world where mages, wizards, and political factions vie for power.

The novel's strengths lie in its well-crafted plot and complex characters. Summer is a compelling protagonist whose journey is fraught with danger and suspense, making her a character readers can easily root for. The narrative is told from multiple perspectives, including Summer, a young scholar named Cole, a clerk from the Wizarding Guild named Fenya, and Arlen, Torrick’s deputy marshal, which adds depth to the story.

The world-building is intricate, with a vivid depiction of the empire's history, political dynamics, and societal structures. The inclusion of maps, glossaries, and character breakdowns helps readers navigate this complex world. The pacing is well-balanced, blending action, mystery, and introspection effectively.

Overall, "City of Rain" is a promising start to the Cinqhawk Saga, offering a mix of action, intrigue, and magic that is sure to captivate fantasy enthusiasts.

This was surprisingly refreshing and one that I would recommend to fantasy readers. A brilliant plot and case.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC

City of Rain by William Lejeune is a truly remarkable epic fantasy debut that instantly draws you in. The decision to focus on just two main protagonists at the start was brilliant—it made the story far more engaging and allowed for a deeper connection with the characters right from the beginning. With too many protagonists, things can get muddled, but Lejeune keeps the focus tight, which enhances the overall experience.

The writing is rich and immersive, immediately pulling you into the world. Lejeune has an incredible command of dialogue; every conversation feels authentic and reveals a deep understanding of human behavior. The characters are intricate and fully realized, with layers of complexity that add so much depth to the story. There's even a great touch of humor woven throughout, balancing the epic scope of the narrative.

Lejeune’s prose is advanced, delivering a level of sophistication that makes the story even more satisfying. I also have to mention the lore—I'm utterly in love with this world and obsessed with learning more. The chapter introductions are a personal favorite, as they offer such valuable insight into the lore and themes, making each new section of the book feel rich with meaning.

This is a book that deserves to be seen on the shelves of major bookstores, encased in a beautiful hardbound copy. For Kindle Unlimited readers, it's an absolute treat. Without a doubt, *City of Rain* is the best fantasy book I've read since *Red Sister* and *The Name of the Wind*. Lejeune has crafted something special here, and I can't wait to see what comes next.

The first book in a series is always hard for me to rate. I enjoyed the story and I am interested to see where it goes. It wasn't a long book but at times it did feel like the pacing was really slow. And then the dang cliffhangers! I am a psycho apparently and enjoy cliffhangers so I will need answers and pick up the next book upon release! I enjoyed all the world building and information we got in the first book. Lejeune obviously took a lot of time and thought, and I appreciate that as a reader. It made the book feel immersive with rich descriptions of the world and fun engaging characters. After finishing this book I am excited to see where this epic fantasy goes!