Review of Fallen Kings

[Stephen Christopher 1]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Fallen Kings" by June Gillam.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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Hillary Broome is back! This time around, she, her husband Ed, and her openly lesbian daughter Claire are heading to Rome, as Claire is considering studying there. Meanwhile, a group of staunch traditionalists in the Catholic Church is frustrated with the rise of women becoming monks and bishops, and homosexuality no longer being condemned, so they’re resorting to desperate measures. They believe that these women are cursed by demons and plan to kidnap one or more to perform an exorcism as an example to others not to go against traditional values. They snatch an abortionist and a vocal nun, then set their sights on a lesbian, and the one that catches their eye happens to be Hillary’s daughter.

Can Hillary save Claire from the clutches of these extremists? Read Fallen Kings by June Gillam to find out.

This is the sixth book in the Hillary Broome series and the fourth that I’ve read. I loved the first three and even reviewed and rated one of them as a 5-star read.

This is the first time that I’m going to state that I wish I hadn’t read the others first. The first three were so engrossing and built the relationship between Hillary and Ed so well, while solving crimes, that I was captivated. Hillary was a strong, fierce, and independent person, and I adored her. In Fallen Kings, she’s become, for the most part, a simpering, whiny, needy wife, mother, and daughter. Yes, I understand that her daughter is in peril, but, and here’s the other reason I wish I hadn’t read the previous books, we’ve been through this before. She’s had to rescue her daughter on more than one occasion, and after a while, this gets a little stale.

Also, unlike the previous books, this one is a slow burn, with lots of build-up around the extremists and their motives. Hillary and her family only make brief appearances for the first half of the book.

Now, let’s set aside the fact that I know this family. If I had picked this book as a stand-alone novel, my opinion would have changed. It’s a fascinating look at how far religious zealots will go, and that dangers still exist for LGBTQI+ people. The final chapters are page-turners and will keep the reader engaged well into the night.

I’m going to rate Fallen Kings 4 out of 5 stars as I struggled with the first half of the book, and kept waiting for the Broome family to take center stage again. Also, there was a fair amount of homophobia and negative discussions about women. I understand that part is relevant to the motives of the villains, but I felt uncomfortable reading it, and feel other readers may feel the same way.

People who enjoy stories about religious zealots and families coming together in crisis might enjoy this one more than I did.

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Fallen Kings
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[Kibet Hillary]

I have only read one book in the Hillary Broome series by June Gillam, and I absolutely enjoyed poring over the exciting tale. I am wondering how Hillary will save Claire and at what cost. Thank you, @Stephen Christopher 1, for the review.

[Stephen Christopher 1]

I have only read one book in the Hillary Broome series by June Gillam, and I absolutely enjoyed poring over the exciting tale. I am wondering how Hillary will save Claire and at what cost. Thank you, @Stephen Christopher 1, for the review.

I hope you like this book, it was only so/so for me.

[Author K]

I haven't read any of the Author's books but i wanted to check out this book because the title seemed really interesting. I thought this book could be a fresh read but I really do not enjoy weak female character writing. Hillary seems to be fierce and brave in the previous books from what you have mentioned so it's probably best for me to choose one from them. What do you think? And also thank you for the honest review !

[Stephen Christopher 1]

I haven't read any of the Author's books but i wanted to check out this book because the title seemed really interesting. I thought this book could be a fresh read but I really do not enjoy weak female character writing. Hillary seems to be fierce and brave in the previous books from what you have mentioned so it's probably best for me to choose one from them. What do you think? And also thank you for the honest review !

Hillary is a very strong character in the first books. Book of Cuts is the first book and is very good. I loved her even more in House of Dad and especially House of Eire. I'd recommend reading those in order as her and Ed's relationship builds.

[Kiran Yadav 8]

I really love stories that have mystery and a bit of thrill to solve, and this one sounds just like that! After reading your review, I’m honestly even more excited to read Fallen Kings. I’m still new on this platform, so finding interesting books like this makes the journey even more exciting.

[Stephen Christopher 1]

I really love stories that have mystery and a bit of thrill to solve, and this one sounds just like that! After reading your review, I’m honestly even more excited to read Fallen Kings. I’m still new on this platform, so finding interesting books like this makes the journey even more exciting.

Hi Kiran, thanks for stopping by and reading my review. I hope you enjoy the book.

[Gerry Steen]

From your review, I see that Hillary's love for Claire and concern for her wellbeing has made her quite vulnerable. Having read House of Eire, I am familiar with the Broome family, too. I think I will read this one as the themes are intriguing and the suspense must be over the top. I am rooting for Claire.

[Stephen Christopher 1]

From your review, I see that Hillary's love for Claire and concern for her wellbeing has made her quite vulnerable. Having read House of Eire, I am familiar with the Broome family, too. I think I will read this one as the themes are intriguing and the suspense must be over the top. I am rooting for Claire.

I'm looking forward to hearing what you think of this one. I loved House of Eire and this one didn't quite live up to that (for me).

[Miriam Abril Villa]

I really appreciated how honest and balanced your review was! You did a great job explaining both the strengths and the parts that didn’t quite hit the mark, especially as someone familiar with the series. I like how you still highlighted the relevance of the themes and gave credit where it’s due. Makes me curious to check it out, even just for the intense final chapters.

[Priya Murugesan]

An interesting review, as always, Stephen! I haven't read the other books in the series, and funnily, your review made me want to read the previous books! Thanks for your detailed review!

[Stephen Christopher 1]

I really appreciated how honest and balanced your review was! You did a great job explaining both the strengths and the parts that didn’t quite hit the mark, especially as someone familiar with the series. I like how you still highlighted the relevance of the themes and gave credit where it’s due. Makes me curious to check it out, even just for the intense final chapters.

Hi Miriam, and those last few chapters made up for some of the things I didn't like. I hope you enjoy the book.

[Stephen Christopher 1]

An interesting review, as always, Stephen! I haven't read the other books in the series, and funnily, your review made me want to read the previous books! Thanks for your detailed review!

Actually, I'd read this one first, as I said it's a great standalone, then read the others in order. Odd, but sometimes that works hehe.

[Elavarasi Charles]

You have written keeping both familiar and unfamiliar readers in mind. I'm surely yet to pick the Hillary Broome series and your enthusiastic review makes me want to. It's great that you enjoyed it despite the initial letdown. Thank you for the review!

[Stephen Christopher 1]

You have written keeping both familiar and unfamiliar readers in mind. I'm surely yet to pick the Hillary Broome series and your enthusiastic review makes me want to. It's great that you enjoyed it despite the initial letdown. Thank you for the review!

Hi Elavarasi, you've got it. If you haven't read the others, this makes a great stand-alone novel.