A land of lost kingdoms - A land of ancient secrets - A tale of survival
Welcome to the clouds!
Jason Falconbone's life has been turned upside down. He lost everything the night the King's air fleet attacked: his home at Airendale Castle, his childhood friends, and his mother. He now struggles to figure out his place among the refugees. He wants to help his father, Lord Falconbone, in their quest to survive. However, outside of working with his uncle on his favorite airship, The King's Regret, no one thinks he can be very useful.
When a saboteur wreaks havoc in their floating mountain hideaway, Jason jumps at the chance to prove his worth. What he soon finds in the shadows and tunnels of a lost city is his family's oldest, most notorious enemy. The discovery begins to reveal who Jason really is - and what he must do.
Welcome to the clouds!
Jason Falconbone's life has been turned upside down. He lost everything the night the King's air fleet attacked: his home at Airendale Castle, his childhood friends, and his mother. He now struggles to figure out his place among the refugees. He wants to help his father, Lord Falconbone, in their quest to survive. However, outside of working with his uncle on his favorite airship, The King's Regret, no one thinks he can be very useful.
When a saboteur wreaks havoc in their floating mountain hideaway, Jason jumps at the chance to prove his worth. What he soon finds in the shadows and tunnels of a lost city is his family's oldest, most notorious enemy. The discovery begins to reveal who Jason really is - and what he must do.
The King's Regret by Philip Ligon is a fast-paced and fun steampunk adventure that mixes up loads of action and some truly spectacular world-building. Ligon's strength as a writer is embodied in near cinematic descriptions and the way he immerses readers in a wholly unique structure. Jason, Leah, and Suzanne stand out as well-developed characters, each with a distinct personality and a shared goal. The style of writing is crisp and clean, organically paced by really tense scenes and a believable family drama, even in this setting. I loved the injection of the push-and-pull that all children have when they are trying to assert their agency but are not quite there yet. I also appreciate that the pirate Red Bones doesn't have all his dialogue drawn out phonetically, which is a testament to Ligon's skill as a seasoned storyteller. Overall, this is a solid first entry in a promising series that is sure to be adored by fans of the likes of Mortal Engines. Very highly recommended. - Asher Syed, Readers' Favorite
High-Flying Action and Mystery! This book delivers heart-pounding airship battles, deep family secrets, and a hero worth rooting for. Jason's quest for justice is packed with danger, intrigue, and unexpected alliances. The steampunk setting is vivid, making every scene feel cinematic. Fast-paced and full of surprises, it's perfect for readers who love action and adventure. A must-read for anyone craving a daring, sky-high journey! - C. N. Miller author of Parks and Crew Dreams of Destiny
This story is a wonderfully written sky pirate adventure with a young hero at its heart. And I cannot wait to read the next book - goodreads.com review
Philip Ligon's The King's Regret is a great gift for young adult readers and those who want to revive the excitement of reading classic pirate and adventure novels. The brisk narrative jumps right into the action that doesn't stop until the heart-pounding closing scenes. This entertaining and thought-provoking novel has a memorable cast. Jason is very young but often thinks and acts like an adult. While striking, this contrast should not surprise us as Jason still lives through a personal tragedy. The author describes Jason as a boy who misses adventures with his friends but understands his new responsibility toward his family and those who depend on them. Jason's older and sometimes annoying sister, Leah, their Uncle Leo, and the mysterious Julian L’Aeden are among other vivid and complex characters. This coming-of-age story will engage young adult readers with dizzying airship battles, well-guarded family secrets, humorous interactions between the siblings and the strict Nanny Grace, and the mystery surrounding Jason himself. I highly recommend this book to all readers. - Nino Lobiladze, Readers' Favorite
Suitable (that’s a vast understatement) for young and old, this book is truly well written, with an excellent cast, strong world-building and a great plot (and story-arc start). - goodreads.com review
Jason's adventures continue!
