Anji Kills A King by Evan Leikam

 

Anji is on the run.  After her parents were killed, she ended up working in the King's palace.  When she was sent to deliver laundry to his chamber while he was sleeping, she took the opportunity and slit his throat.  Now there is a bounty on her head of a million and everyone is looking for her.

Hawk is the one who finds her.  Hawk is part of a group of King's guards, each of whom wears a mask.  Hawk takes everything from Anji and puts a spell on her so that she cannot escape.  As they make their way back to the capital where Anji will be executed, others try to take Hawk's prize but she fights off all comers.  Is there any way that Anji can escape?

This is a debut novel from Evan Leikam.  He started as a musician and while touring with his band, began writing to fill the long hours on the road.  He is also the host of the Book Reviews Kill Podcast and writes in the grimdark genre.  I enjoyed the world building in this novel and loved the concept of the guards who wore animal masks but each had a personality hidden underneath.  The action was fast and furious and the reader will pull for Anji to somehow escape her fate.  I would have liked more story on Anji herself and I felt that Hawk was more developed than Anji but overall it was a great first novel and I definitely plan on reading the next in the series when it is released.  This book is recommended for fantasy readers.