Gates of Thiros is the exciting first novel in The War of Nine Kings series by Lili K. Buckley, an epic fantasy with political intrigue, a quest for personal power, and darkness. The story follows Waenia, a young princess struggling with her identity and destiny at a time when her kingdom is threatened by war. Her struggles start at a tournament where her suppressed powers awaken, and at the same time, numerous political schemes unfold around her, including a marriage arranged for the sake of alliances. She doesn’t want the marriage because her heart belongs to Darrion Rhoane, a wise mentor and loyal commander. As her father and Darrion wage war against an enemy, she is left alone on the throne, but there are threats in the north where she must travel to rally an army. Waenia is a heroine who discovers the secrets about her name at a crucial time in her journey, as she struggles between rebelling against the throne and her loyalty. What choice will she make when she faces the man who claims to be the God-King?

Lili K. Buckley's Gates of Thiros is a masterfully crafted epic fantasy with characters who are as complex as the challenges they face. One of the things I enjoyed about this tale was the characterization. The story introduces a heroine who struggles with her identity and secrets about her past that she doesn’t know. It is also interesting that she is not fully aware of the extent of her powers. These elements, along with the choices she must make between love and loyalty, make her a compelling heroine. The setting captures both grandeur and decay, from the hallowed halls of Thiros to the ominous woods and the bustling city streets. The descriptions of the palace, the forest, and the tournament are exceptional and create a backdrop for the drama that unfolds in this mesmerizing tale. The plotting is expert, the characters are multidimensional, and the saga of war and magic is expertly handled.

Lili K. Buckley’s gritty and riveting novel, Gates of Thiros, is Book 1 of the epic fantasy series, The War of Nine Kings. Princess Waenia Wyvarian is heir to the Kingdom of Thiros. Her father, King Secarion, raises her to be a ruler, a warrior queen. Waenia is an excellent swordswoman, learning about statecraft, war, and diplomacy from wise and experienced scholars. When a conqueror, Luvian Veskar, from the west threatens the kingdom, King Secarion forges alliances with other neighboring kingdoms. Princess Waenia is pledged to marry Prince Malvaris, her cousin, of the Kingdom of Alambia. The story turns and twists when Waenia loses her heart to Darrion Rhoane, the commander of Prince Malvaris’s army. Both Waenia and Darrion are duty-bound to protect Thiros and Alambia, as war draws dangerously closer. The pace, action, and tension rise inexorably as King Secarion and Darrion leave Thiros to fight the conqueror Luvian along two fronts. Waenia must remain as regent for her father in Thiros, but she is also a warrior, so she rides north.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Gates of Thiros for its unforgettable characters, well-crafted, intricate, and multilayered storyline, the highly imaginative kingdoms, struggles for power, hidden mysteries, and mythical creatures. I particularly liked Waenia. Her character as a princess warrior and heir sprang vividly to life through the drama of her relationships with three key secondary characters: King Secarion, Darrion Rhoane, and Fenndralf, the Thiros wizard, scholar, and historian. Her close relationship with her father revealed their love for each other and her independent spirit. Waenia’s character development gained great depth through her struggle with an unusual inner power. I liked her sharpness of mind, her curiosity, and her search for clues to the mysteries and legends of Thiros. The story gained great depth through the change of direction when Waenia falls in love with Darrion. I liked Darrion's character, courage, and unflinching loyalty. The history of the kingdoms was evocative of medieval times, as well as legends and myths from ancient times. I was captivated by the lyrical descriptions of forests, rivers, and falls. The last chapters climb to a fantastic and terrifying cliff-hanger. Lili K. Buckley’s fantasy is an intricate saga of love, purpose, destiny, loss, and sacrifice. I highly recommend it to fans of epic fantasy with unforgettable characters and kingdoms.

After tragically losing his wife and part of his family, King Secarion adopts Waenia, a small girl he found abandoned, who instantly won his heart. He raises Princess Waenia, preparing her to be his heir through rigorous combat training, in which she proves formidable thanks to her rare magical power. However, when the rise of a warlord, Luvian Veskar, threatens the future of Thiron and the neighboring kingdoms, including Alambia, ruled by King Secarion’s estranged brother, King Trithion, King Secarion makes a desperate decision. He offers Princess Waenia in marriage to King Trithion’s cruel son, Prince Malvaris, a union that will ensure the security of Thiron, yet at the same time, put both its fate and the princess in the callous hands of Malvaris. But Princess Waenia is in love with Darrion Rhoane, the High Commander of Alambian forces, who is head over heels for her. Will Waenia choose her heart, or her father’s wishes? Find out in Lili K. Buckley’s Gates of Thiros: The War of Nine Kings Book 1.

Buckley alternates between Waenia’s and Darrion’s points of view and focuses on the characters’ internal monologues and emotional turmoil. The prose is intimate, visceral, and lyrical, and I loved how it captured the tension, angst, and emotions with intensity. The chemistry between Lord Darrion and Princess Waenia was so palpable that I could feel their longing and love for each other. Princess Waenia is a fiercely independent, quick-witted, stubborn character with a unique gift whose immense power she barely understands. Her journey from childhood to her destiny explores the dynamic relationship between identity and title, love and duty, power and control, tradition and knowledge, and truth and deception. Her life is also full of irony. She is determined to lead through wisdom, not fear, as her father believes; yet, her destiny leads her down a path of war. If you’re looking for an epic fantasy flavored with romance, drama, action, adventure, mystery, and suspense, Lily K. Buckley’s Gates of Thiros is a must-read.