The King’s Bow (The Great Lighthouse 1) by Jamie Roe-review and guest post

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date JUNE 20, 2025

Thick fur, hungry fangs and sharpened claws. On Tamuz, it’s hunt-or-be-hunted, and Asher is a vegetarian…

Asher has spent his life running from responsibility. But when tragedy strikes and the Rabbethi kingdom is threatened by a bloodthirsty horde, he discovers there’s nowhere left to run. With his people fractured and their survival uncertain, Asher must become the one thing he has always feared – king.

His only hope to re-unite the kingdom lies in an ancient weapon lost to time, said to grant its wielder a fragment of divinity. Accompanied by Cara, a cunning and skilled agent of the Vulpen Queendom, Asher must travel to distant lands, put his trust in foreign leaders and enter the domain of ancient enemies. Though conflicting loyalties and natural instincts set them at odds, the two must work together to outpace a more primal and ravenous force than war itself.

However, a high priestess has her own designs for the weapon – and Asher’s blood. If she succeeds, an even darker force will rise, threatening to consume all of Tamuz. Asher soon learns that claiming the artefact is only the beginning, and the price of failure could doom not only his people but all of Tamuz.

With the crown heavy upon his head and the fate of the world in his paws, Asher must choose: become the leader his people need or let the world be swallowed in blood and shadow.

•••••

REVIEW: I’m going to admit, I’m not sure what I was expecting. I had a conversation with a friend who said it reminded them of “Rocket”, from Guardians of the Galaxy. So with an open mind and with some in trepidation I opened the kindle….

In “The King’s Bow,” the author crafts a captivating tale that plunges us into the vibrant yet perilous world of Tamuz. With its rich tapestry of anthropomorphic characters and high stakes, the story revolves around Asher, a reluctant character who must step up in the face of dire circumstances.

Asher’s journey from a carefree vegetarian to a potential king is filled with growth/self discovery and danger! The author explores themes of responsibility, leadership, and the complexities of loyalty. The contrasting dynamics between Asher and Cara, the skilled agent from the Vulpen Queendom, is rather vast, that brings tension, but as they begin to cooperate, they have a better understanding of one another.

The story is rich with descriptions that almost make you wish you were there. The landscapes are rich and detailed, the scenes are so lifelike that I had to blink twice in order for me to realise I’m in the chair at home, and not in the village/battleground or anywhere near Tamuz!

The high priestess with her own agenda adds an intriguing layer to the story, heightening the stakes as Asher races against time to secure the ancient weapon. You get the feeling that she’s either hiding something, or she has her own agenda! 🤔

The plot twists are good, just enough to keep me on the edge of my seat. The realization that the quest for the artefact is just the beginning of Asher’s challenges keeps the story from getting too boring, and the looming threat of a darker force adds an sinister undertone, making Asher fully aware of the consequences that will come if he fails!

I still kept expecting the characters to “shift” into humans! So for me, it took a little longer to connect with the characters.

The author creates a world where friendships, betrayals, and the burden of leadership collide, making this an interesting read.

I am wondering where the next book will take us.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie B

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I’ve always been a fan of fantasy, no matter what form it took, whether that be films, novels, or video games. Even when I was little, I would write small fantasy stories about werewolves, dragons and knights. No one would see them, but I always had so much fun writing them. Films like The Lord of the Rings were a massive inspiration for me, as were video games with strong narratives. It’s why I became a video game designer: to tell stories in a way that people could become a part of them. With games, that’s easy, but immersing a reader is a challenge I love to tackle, with detailed scenery, deep worldbuilding and genuine emotions.

I started this story during lockdown. It began as a very traditional fantasy, featuring my equivalent of elves and dwarves, as well as many gods. That eventually changed to anthropomorphic races instead, but one thing that remained was the enclosed world and what lay at its centre, the Great Lighthouse. That was something I knew I wanted, something that made the world my own. The map underwent numerous iterations, right up until publication! But the lighthouse was always at the heart of it all.

The anthropomorphic character idea came, no surprise, from my love for animals, specifically the woodland creatures found in my home of the British Isles. Combine that with my love for walking, talking animals that stems originally from my love for Disney’s Robin Hood. The natural abilities and instincts of such a wide range of species offer a great deal in terms of how the people of my world interact with each other, and how cultures could potentially evolve around them. This led to interesting developments I never expected when I first started writing, such as the Rabbethi people being the only “prey” race among a world of predators. A total accident, but it led to some really interesting interactions between certain characters, and became a driving point for one in particular.

I like to plan VERY loosely when I write. I have key moments in mind that I’m driving my characters towards, and a few bullet points within chapters to help steer them towards these key moments. But in general, I love letting the story emerge naturally on the page. I love how the characters reveal to me what they’re going to do next and how they feel about what’s happening to them. I know how a character thinks and what their goals are; then I just think, “What would they do next?”. Sometimes I’m utterly shocked at what they decide to do, and I absolutely love it.

The King’s Bow was around 4 years in the making. It was an absolute joy to write, and I’ve learned so much during the process. My writing has improved tenfold since I started, and I’ve learned many valuable lessons that I’ll take with me into the sequel. You can stay up to date on my progress by visiting my website www.jamieroe.com and signing up for my newsletter.

I hope you’ll join me on this journey!

Jamie