A Kingdom of Lies seeks to deepen Robin Icethorn’s arc as he claws for a kingdom built from ash and betrayal, but the plot demands patience as it lays political traps through long setups. Alderson’s atmosphere engaging but the emotional depth meandered in several key revelations. Leaning heavily inward beats diffuses momentum at times and leaves some characters feeling sidelined. It’s a solid, promise-filled sequel for readers invested in slow-burn political fantasy and Robin’s brutal trajectory.