The Extremely Unofficial Guide to Lumin (and Love)

Y’all! It’s the King’s Man Glossary that I wished and wished for! My wishes have been fulfilled in what is, hands down, the best way to include a glossary for a fantasy world. Anyta Sunday’s glossary companion to the King’s Man series is here, and it’s contained within a story of its own. Genius, honestly. I am giddy how Sunday chose to efficiently explain the elements from the series that are potentially confusing, creatively and romantically, instead of a plain glossary inserted into the front of each book.  

Blurb

Fantasy novels really should come with a glossary.

After a head injury, Cale wakes up in the body of a suspected killer, inside the fantasy world of The King’s Man. He has no idea how magic works, what a vitalian is, or why his infuriatingly hot flatmate is now dressed like a cosplay war mage and hauling him toward trial and possible death by guillotine.

Armed with nothing but sarcasm, charm, and a desperate need to understand what a lovelight is, Cale embarks on a crash course in surviving the kingdom of Lumin. His only hope? A mysterious Skeldar boy, a glossary of strange terms, and the sneaking suspicion that a certain love story isn’t quite finished yet.

It’s a glossary. It’s a story. It’s a romance across lifetimes. And yes . . .

It even has a happy ending.

~ ~ ~

This novella is a glossary companion to The King’s Man. Best enjoyed before, after or alongside the main ride  

80 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 21, 2025
Genres: mm fantasy romance, romantasy, companion, glossary

Fantasy Worlds & Glossaries

Fantasy literature is known for glossaries. Because it’s hard to plop down in a different world and get one’s bearings. The glossary includes important information about how the fantasy world works differently from the real world, and can also include character information, geographical information, and other important details.

I love The King’s Man. It’s a spectacular series. However, I’m celebrating the King’s Man glossary. Needing a glossary was one of the only things I picked at in my reviews. Okay, I was sort of a dog with a bone about the need for a glossary. You can read my complaints about it in several of my reviews from the series. The series, if you dedicate yourself to reading it, does reveal its secrets through context most of the time. But it is still potentially confusing, so I think the addition of a glossary of terms will be welcomed by readers. 

The problem is, so many people dislike glossaries. I’ve even known people who won’t read series that start off with a whole bunch of terms/characters/etc. They’re missing out, and I think that’s a silly reason not to read a book, but it’s a legitimate concern all the same. Knowing that people don’t like glossaries, it could make the author hesitant to add a glossary to a series she has poured her heart and soul into. 

There might be something to that thought, too, because the characters in this cute little side story remark,

He clears his throat. “The author,” he says, waving a hand like he’s brushing away a fly, “was clearly remiss in leaving out a glossary.” 

“Ugh, glossaries. Nothing says ‘welcome to the plot’ like a ten-page list of terms I’ll immediately forget.” 

“You might enjoy hurtling headfirst into chaos like a kitten on catnip, but some of us prefer context.”

(Sunday, 2025)  

However, I am beyond happy that the pros and cons weighed in the glossary’s favor, because now we get a sweet little companion piece to the King’s Man series in which it’s all clearly defined, and all the questions one might have about aspects of the world are answered. 

Plot 

The coolest thing about this glossary is that there’s a story! A plot of its own! And it’s so cool. And it adds meaningful detail to the established lore and world.

Cale, in this contemporary lifetime, is a med student (of course he is) who flats with X, aka this world’s Quin, who has recently broken his leg under mysterious circumstances. Similar to Cael in many ways, most importantly being that he’s a little chaos gremlin, this contemporary Cale is still his own person. Cale and X have a contentious relationship, snarking at one another, but Cale, compelled to assist his flatmate after his injury, sees to his needs all the same. 

While X convalesces, he is reading the King’s Man series. A lightbulb moment leads to Cale jumping to his feet and crashing into a coffee table. When he wakes up transported to a fantasy world, he finds himself immediately in trouble. He seems to have forgotten everything about this world, and is in the custody of somebody who looks just like his flatmate X. Except he hasn’t forgotten about this world, he doesn’t have amnesia, he is just Cale and not Cael.

This provides the scaffolding for the glossary. The vitalian healing Cale gives X some advice: be patient and explain the things about their world that he’s forgotten. 

Characters

This Cale and this X (Quin) are not the same Cael and Quin from the rest of the series. They are a different lifetime, a different reincarnation of the same characters. But knowing that these characters in this timeline, AND the Cale and X from the contemporary setting are living a life where their realities are entwined just like the Cael and Quin from our series, well, it’s romantic as hell, isn’t it? It’s fated, it’s love, it’s just swoon.

Recommendation

This is a beautiful companion to the King’s Man series that you will find helpful as you read through it. It does not in any way spoil the plot of the series, so you can read it alongside the series without fear of spoiling yourself. I strongly recommend it!

The post Wish Fulfilled!! The King’s Man Glossary appeared first on Fae’s Journal.

Strong Installment

Anyta Sunday’s new series, The King’s Man, continues to develop in exciting ways in Book II. Fraught with danger, increasing intrigue, and perilous political maneuvering, the pacing evens out in this installment and really finds its stride. Readers will be intrigued as they uncover more and more detail, and enjoy the increasing tension as they watch Cael and Quin dance into and out of each other’s lives in a complexly nuanced slow-burn relationship. Full disclosure: I am going to be mindful of spoilers in this review, probably more so than usual.

Blurb

A healer on the rise. A masked merchant hiding too much. A kingdom where the wrong kind of magic can cost you everything.

Cael is used to being underestimated. A par-linea healer in a world where magic is only for the elite, he’s fought for every scrap of recognition, and now, he’s finally earned a place in the royal city. But ambition has a price, and when he once again crosses paths with that sharp-tongued merchant who knows too much, their game of wits threatens to turn deadly.

Quin is an enigma, a man who moves through court like a shadow, watching, waiting. His gaze lingers too long, his smirks cut too deep, and when a violent conspiracy unfolds within the palace walls, Cael finds himself ensnared in a battle far bigger than himself. With wyverns wreaking havoc and a high duke tightening his grip, the city is on the verge of collapse. And somehow, Quin is always at the centre of it.

Torn between ambition and survival, Cael must decide who he can trust. But in a world where power is wielded more sharply than magic, trust may be the most dangerous weapon of all.

THE KING’S MAN is an epic romantasy filled with slow-burn passion, courageous choices, and the relentless spirit of a healer determined to beat all odds.

This six-book series is one continuous journey and romance arc and is best read in order for maximum enjoyment.

For readers who Slow-burn romance crackling with tension, A healer hero who refuses to back down, Courtly intrigue, masked secrets, and deadly politics, High-stakes magic and rebellion.

Perfect for fans of “The Captive Prince,” “The Magician’s Guild,” and “The Priory of the Orange Tree.”

221 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 13, 2025

2025 Favorite: The King’s Man

The King’s Man series is shaping up to be my favorite of 2025. If not the top, definitely the top mm romantasy. I’m excited about it. I want to invite all my MM romance friends to read it. It’s special to find something I genuinely want to share with as many people as possible. 

While Book I initially struggled with pacing and sparse descriptions, Book II does not share these struggles. The characters, the world, the magic, the politics, the systems, all continue to develop and clarify as the story progresses. The magic system evolves, it’s clearer how it all works with some fleshed out descriptions of spellwork. The reader is not constantly wondering if they understand what is going on. 

A hypothesis emerges

I believe that re-reading this series after it’s all finished will bring lots of things that were previously confusing in Book I into sharper focus.

Book II of VI 

This series is on a long track. So while I want to review the hell out of this book, I also want to preserve its secrets for readers who will want to read after seeing the reviews piling in. I don’t want to spoil things. A lot of times, my reviews are posted after a book drops. And yes, Book II was released a few weeks ago. But this whole series is new. Only the first two have been published. So I want to hold the cards close.

The Bloom of New Friendships 

We start immediately after the previous book, Cael has been admitted to the Royal City to continue his vitalian studies. New characters introduce themselves. And, quickly, new challenges start to arise. Cael is behind in his studies. Gee, wonder why, seeing as he’s not been allowed to develop his skills on threat of death till now. 

The lower-level vitalians are tasked regularly with treating the Royal City’s numerous servants. Cael notices things are amiss, and you know he’s going to stick his nose into things.

Comrades

Of the new characters, his fellow green-sashed associates seem to warm to his undeniable charm the quickest. Florentius and the other two apprentices, Makarios and Mikros (twins? I read so quickly I don’t recall if we’re told) are all at the same level as Cael, and though they resent him at first, they come to recognize that he’s here on his own merit. Cael is a good healer, innate instinct, and his steadfast determination overcomes any weaknesses, perceived or real, that manifest from being par-linea. 

Mounting Danger

Cael’s motivations continue to thrust him into peril and victory in equal measure. This book does end on an intense cliffhanger. That makes me want to finish up this review as quickly as I can so that I can continue reading, because I am desperate to know what happens next!

Complex Relationships

Despite Cael and Quin’s oblivious denial, they have feelings for one another. Cael also has Nicostratus, or Silvius as he was known in the first book, but their relationship seems tepid in comparison; the swirl of interactions between Cael and Quin has more edge, more tension, more spark than the other relationship can dream to muster.

Glows and Grows

This series is very exciting. It’s mysterious, complex, and unique in surprising ways. I have not read something like this in quite some time. It’s really gripped me now. In my last review, I wrote about my struggles with book I. They stemmed primarily from purposeful decisions: sparse descriptions of key elements of the society set in a complex world, many different characters with mysterious histories, motivations, and roles. But this was done mindfully, I think. I call it the dive into the deep end/sink or swim approach’’and it was a choice. 

Some people will really like that and be able to just run with it. Some people will struggle with it like I did. My fear is that some people might not give the book series a chance because of it. But I do want to encourage my readers that it is worth the initial struggle to see it through. Continue reading, and you will be rewarded by getting into a really interesting series.

The Spark of a Slow-Burn

The slow-burn romance really starts to take hold here, especially once some key identities are confirmed. Like me, readers may have made some assumptions about identities before the big reveal. I was glad to be right in my suspicions and felt very validated to have that potential locked into place. Cael and Quinn dance around one another beautifully. Quinn continues to be annoyed and bothered by things that Cael does. But secretly, maybe not so secretly anymore, Quin supports and holds Cael up, providing him with critical opportunities and new ways to further his aspirations and dreams.

Cael is a Button-Pusher 

“Let’s see what happens, YOLO.” – Cael’s philosophy in life, probably. 

Cael can’t help but push Quin’s buttons. And he’s in for a big shock because of it. Quin’s character is complicated and one gets the feeling he hides, by necessity, almost all his true feelings and intentions. And maybe has done for most of his life. Cael’s adventure is increasingly tied to the dangerous political games society forces Quin to play. Cael’s overwhelming instinct is to heal, to protect, to ensure Quin’s safety. Maybe he doesn’t understand why. But readers, this book starts with the warning that it includes a torturously slow-burning romance. So, gather your nerves, because things gon go down. Eventually. 

Theme Development 

Book I explores and introduces the themes that continue to play out in Book II. Readers will enjoy that the main themes develop in nuance as the realities of Cael’s situation evolve. 

Power is a Double-Edged Sword

Who has the power, and who wants it? This is a world where power can mean different things. Who is willing to do anything to protect their loved ones, despite being the face of power?

Who gets to have Power (Magic) 

On that note, the book explores ideas about who should be able to wield power in its many forms: through magic, political might, or healing. The ripe metaphors call up questions about power imbalances in our world. Why do the rich and powerful work to keep themselves on top and take the chance of improvement, the dream of rising above one’s station, out of the hands of everyone else? While our worlds are different, Cael burns with the same sense of injustice. 

Trusting Can Be Dangerous 

Cael trusts implicitly, to his peril. His naivety brings him trouble over and over, but this facet of his character burns strongly in him: it’s his cornerstone. He’s warned that the world will tread all over him because of it, and it does. 

Quin is more grounded in reality. He doesn’t seem to trust anyone. I think he wants to trust Cael.

Nicostratus? Well… his character development takes the back burner in this book. So much so that I start to wonder if he’s all he says he is on the surface. 

Recommendation

As already stated, this mm romantasy series is something worth honing in on. It’s special. I’m 100% all in. 

More MM Romantasy Awaits

Don’t mind me, I’m off to read Book III. Because I got the ARCs for all SIX BOOKS, Y’ALL! And I’ll be reviewing all of them! I really think the mm romantasy genre needs more going on. I’m so glad this one exists.

Reviews

I received a free copy of this book via BookSirens and am voluntarily leaving a review. I write reviews on my blog, Goodreads, Bookbub, Amazon, and more. If you want me to read and review your upcoming novel read my review policy and submit a contact form.

The post MM Romantasy Review: The King’s Man: Book II appeared first on Fae’s Journal.