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Kings of Heaven (Ash and Sand Book 3) Kindle Edition

by Richard Nell (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 out of 5 stars 926 ratings
In the final book of the Ash and Sand trilogy, Ruka, son of Beyla, faces the emperor of the world, yet even victory may not save his people…

With the death of his ally, Farahi Alaku, Ruka ‘Godtongue’ is alone. Or not exactly… The island prince Kale Alaku now haunts his mind, rattling within his once peaceful ‘Grove’, promising revenge and growing every moment in power. Meanwhile, the Pyu isles are in chaos; the coastal kingdom of the Tong is still Ruka’s enemy, and every day that passes brings the empire closer to destroying his dream of a new world for his people.

Once again, the son of Beyla will need the strength of his dark twin, Bukayag. Perhaps together they can unite three peoples, gather an army of ash, and defend or destroy their way to peace. But in the end, there can be only one king of heaven…
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  1. Book 3 of 3
    Ash and Sand
  2. Print length
    410 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    September 1, 2020
  5. File size
    6.9 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08FHPYXLL
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Richard Nell (September 1, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 1, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 6.9 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 410 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars 926 ratings

About the author

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Richard Nell

Richard Nell

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Richard Nell concerned family and friends by quitting his real job in 2014 to 'write full-time'. He is a Canadian author of fantasy, from one of the flattest, coldest places on earth. He now lives in Texas, with his begrudging wife (and two children), who makes sure they all eat.

His books mix his love of history and ideas with the epic glory of fantasy, because reality could use some sprucing up. He's the author of dark, epic fantasy Kings of Paradise and the Ash and Sand trilogy, the follow up book Dark Sea's End, and a gritty flintlock series starting with The God King's Legacy. He hopes you like them.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
926 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be an excellent conclusion to the trilogy, with one review describing it as a wonderful ride filled with gripping drama. Moreover, the book features outstanding characters, and customers appreciate its readability, with one noting it's a must-read for fantasy fans. Additionally, the writing quality and pacing receive positive feedback, with one customer highlighting the depth of character development.

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31 customers mention "Story quality"31 positive0 negative

Customers praise the story quality of the book, describing it as an excellent conclusion to a brilliant trilogy and an epic end to the series, with one customer noting it's a wonderful ride filled with gripping drama.

"...Believable and gripping characters. Plot that feels convincing even as it constantly surprises and throws you off the course you thought you were on...." Read more

"...in this book, and that they are interesting, entertaining, and important to the story...." Read more

"...All in all an excellent trilogy, definitely a recommendation for anyone who likes Grimdark Fantasy or genius barbarians upsetting the civilized..." Read more

"...But none of it stopped this from being an incredible story. If you like grim dark with compelling characters- have at it!..." Read more

24 customers mention "Readability"21 positive3 negative

Customers find the book highly readable and enjoyable, with one describing it as a thoroughly engaging read, and another noting it's a must-read for fantasy fans.

"...so here comes my very condensed take on Ash and Sands: A must read for fantasy fans! Believable and gripping characters...." Read more

"A great read and well written! I'll look for more by this author! It's been a while since I've read a story this good!" Read more

"...The “boring” parts were only so because the other parts were sooooo good . None actually boring...." Read more

"...This is now on my list of top series ever and I highly recommend giving this series a chance. Just really, really good." Read more

9 customers mention "Character development"9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one specifically praising Ruka's character.

"...Believable and gripping characters. Plot that feels convincing even as it constantly surprises and throws you off the course you thought you were on...." Read more

"...and mental state interact in a way that makes him the most fascinating character in fantasy. If you've read Ash & Sand, you know...." Read more

"Loved the story, loved the characters, loved the atmosphere...." Read more

"...Ruka is such an incredible man it's almost unreal. He took a nobler path than I would given his circumstances...." Read more

8 customers mention "Enjoyment"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable, with several noting it's not boring, and one describing it as satisfying and joyful.

"...are other characters in this book, and that they are interesting, entertaining, and important to the story...." Read more

"...None actually boring...." Read more

"...Harsh, joyful, and raw. It is definitely not escapist fantasy. This is for people who want some dirty reality with their story...." Read more

"...His work is amazing and this book was satisfying in the way endings rarely are. If you haven't check out this series, I highly recommend it." Read more

7 customers mention "Writing quality"7 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, with one customer specifically noting the depth of character development.

"A great read and well written! I'll look for more by this author! It's been a while since I've read a story this good!" Read more

"...spoil any part of the novel, but I will say that the writing remains as good as the first 2...." Read more

"...I loved every second I was reading this series. Such good writing depth of characters, society, and world building all put together intellgently and..." Read more

"...As with the previous two books, it's a high-quality read...." Read more

6 customers mention "Pacing"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, describing it as well-crafted, with one customer noting its gritty nature and another highlighting its strength of purpose.

"...Just gritty enough that it doesn't hold any punches and keeps you on the edge...." Read more

"This series shows man's good and evil sides, strength of purpose and the insern made seen. I read worth reading" Read more

"I must admit I was surprised by the quality of this series….. mainly because it was free through Kindle Unlimited. I am glad I took the chance on it...." Read more

"...writing depth of characters, society, and world building all put together intellgently and still with respect to over arching themes in the series;..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Should be fantasy canon
    Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Kings of Heaven is a very strong and satisfying finale to a brilliant trilogy. It's a bit hard to review just one part of a trilogy without mentioning the whole, so here comes my very condensed take on Ash and Sands: A must read for fantasy fans! Believable and gripping characters. Plot that feels convincing even as it constantly surprises and throws you off the course you thought you were on. A story and heroes you care about. It is clearly an epic fantasy, but leaning heavily towards grimdark. Not so far though, that all heroes have to be disillusioned, all power corrupt and all love doomed. Just gritty enough that it doesn't hold any punches and keeps you on the edge. What kept me deeply engaged through the whole read was that the MCs really cared for their goals, for themselves and for others. Even in a flawed and cruel world.
    To say something about this third installment specifically, I would add that it managed to nicely gather up loose threads and give the many characters a meaningful if not always pleasant ending. Many questions were answered, but bot all. The world of Ash and Sands still holds mystery. I also have to say that the tendencies I saw in the second book of glorifying something akin to a Manifest Destiny and the morale that you should fight and make sacrifices for your people, in an abstract sense, was put more into context. I still don't agree with how the main heroes think and act all the time, but now I can understand them better. Thanks for an excellent and thoroughly engaging read.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • C. H.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ruka, the Great Man
    Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    To start, the covers are beautiful. In concert with each other, the three covers and titles perfectly instill the contrast between the societies that collide in each book. The vibrant blues and greens of the islands versus the cold, dark blues of the Land of Ash. They set the tone for environs that are so much a part of the world- and character-building.

    Ruka. Antagonist? Protagonist? Maybe just an agonist. Ruka is a little bit Rasputin, a little bit He-Man, a little bit Carl Panzram. Ego and id. Genius and terror. He embodies the theory of the "Great Man". The history book of this world is written by his actions. His story is the story of cultures colliding at his direction. His upbringing catapults him into an epic story that changes the power dynamic of a world. His abilities and mental state interact in a way that makes him the most fascinating character in fantasy. If you've read Ash & Sand, you know. If you haven't read it yet, Ruka is a character that will stand out as memorable and unique.

    I promise that there are other characters in this book, and that they are interesting, entertaining, and important to the story. They're just hard to get to in a review that is ostensibly about Ruka.

    Now that it is complete, I can say with certainty that I will re-read these books many times. All three books get five stars. The series on the whole gets five stars. Richard Nell goes on my short list of authors whose books jump to the top of my TBR automatically. Read these books.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Kim S
    4.0 out of 5 stars Loved the story, loved the characters, loved the atmosphere.
    Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Loved the story, loved the characters, loved the atmosphere.
    That being said, the ending felt rushed and I felt entire parts and people were basically overlooked. Except for some small chapters, the whole Ascom and its people are pretty much ignored and that's a bit of a bummer because we learn about Dala and Egil and Birmum and Aiden in the first book, but they are treated as an afterthought and the focus is solely on Ruka in the New World.

    I think the book would have profited from being longer and having more exposure towards some of the minor main characters / major side characters. A few more chapters focusing on Dala and some of the other Ascomi to feel how they experience the Great Change. You would think their society would be a little bit more upset/troubled by all the changes especially considering Ruka and some of the other big chiefs are barely there anymore to inspire the people, but yeah, seems it wasn't an issue.

    All in all an excellent trilogy, definitely a recommendation for anyone who likes Grimdark Fantasy or genius barbarians upsetting the civilized world order. Underrated series for sure.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very entertaining!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    A great read and well written! I'll look for more by this author! It's been a while since I've read a story this good!
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  • Vinschroe
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome
    Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I blasted through the whole series. The “boring” parts were only so because the other parts were sooooo good . None actually boring. There were a few things in the series that broke my suspension of disbelief- where I didn’t believe the characters acted in-character, and one of the main characters felt underdeveloped and forgotten by the third book. But none of it stopped this from being an incredible story. If you like grim dark with compelling characters- have at it! I am beyond impressed with this new author.
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  • Jerusa R.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wow
    Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    What an incredible end to an incredible story. As grim dark as this series is it also pulled at my heart strings in ways most books do not. This is now on my list of top series ever and I highly recommend giving this series a chance. Just really, really good.
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  • Tamara von Ouhl
    5.0 out of 5 stars So different so good tears at the end
    Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This series shows man's good and evil sides, strength of purpose and the insern made seen.
    I read worth reading
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  • Dani S
    4.0 out of 5 stars decent ending to one of the most imaginative series/trilogies i’ve ever read
    Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    really loved the end of the journey for all these characters. can’t help but feel like the author wanted to rush finishing, or was getting tired of the story, though. the ending overall felt a little too abrupt and ultimately pointless, but that’s just IMHO. the whole series was a real feast for the imagination, though. i’m richer for reading it.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Pau
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great ending to an amazing trilogy
    Reviewed in Spain on January 31, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    In this day and age it's hard to find something new and refreshing that also feels old and powerful.

    Just like the main character, Ruka, this trilogy has it all: the epic of old, the modernity of Grimdark, the diversity of characters and settings...can't recommend it enough
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  • Scott M.
    5.0 out of 5 stars A satisfying conclusion to an epic series
    Reviewed in Canada on September 29, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This book really shines in its descriptions of battle, strategy, and loss. It weaves together various points of view characters to really give a well rounded view of world events, both big and small. It builds upon the first two books much like an addition to the Tong walls, tearing nothing down but instead building it both bigger and stronger.

    I find myself both equally disappointed this series has finally ended, but also thankful that the series had such an exciting and conclusive ending such as this. The combination of feelings of relief, disappointment, and happiness for me is always a sign of a rare and special reading experience.
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  • samuel t.
    5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful and hopeful ending for a character that we all grew to love and fear
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 15, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    What can I say. This book was excellent. It was a really perfect ending, though I feel this one had some stumbling points. What was and is true for all of the books that I have realised, is that he consistently subverts your expectations. At times when you think he will kill someone, or someone is doomed they are not, and at other times when you think they are finally safe, they are killed without ceremony and in a gristly and awful way, that leaves you feeling numb, and wondering what will happen nexts.

    Strengths -
    Ruka Ruka Ruka. He is the glue of the entire novel, but he is supported by a wide and carried cast of characters who come in and out beautifully. The story it’s self is fantastic, an epic conclusion of truly massive proportions. More than one final battle, more than one boss to slay. It was absolutely amazing.

    Despised Spoilers (skip if you haven’t read it) -
    I loved a certain bitch of a characters frantic and panicked death.
    I loved Ruka proving what he is at the very end
    I loved the battle, and Egil and Mehan.
    I loved so so much. This really did feel epic in every way.

    Of all the books, I would say that this was in some ways the weakest, but it’s a bit like being Usain Bolt’s slowest 100m. It’s still one of the best bits of fantasy I’ve read. There were plot things that I felt didn’t serve as much of a purpose as in other books, with the first and second being so tight and perfect it was unbelievable, some small things where solved easier than I would have liked, but these were all minor and I only mention them because they were there. They did not detract from my absolute pleasure consuming this book.

    The other thing that has been an issue with each but was was most noticeable in this book, was the small frantically/spelling errors which are common in self published novels. The first book I could count on one hand the number I noticed, the second double that, and the third it felt had again doubled that so that it did draw my attention from the story, and here the book could have benefited from a copy editor going through it again.

    Again this book provided a massive and epic ending to a character that could only ever had had such an ending. It was brilliant to read, awesome in every way, and satisfying at the ending. The end is decidedly not grim dark, so if you’re looking for an Abacrombe style hopelessness at the end of the book, then look elsewhere. I would say Ruka, and Bukayag get exactly what they deserve in the end. I thoroughly enjoyed every line. I would highly recommend this book.
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  • Abdullah
    5.0 out of 5 stars WHAT a series
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 10, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    From the gruesome, gory beginning to the frantic pacing to the character development to the tearjerker ending and many quotable quotes, this series is a masterpiece. Each book is better than the last, and my only complaint about it is it ends too soon.
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  • Doctor I
    5.0 out of 5 stars An incredible journey spanning over decades....leaving you in Awe!
    Reviewed in Canada on February 3, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    An incredible journey spanning over many years with unpredictable twists that keep you on the edge of your seat!
    Report

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