The Ruin of Kings
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4.3 • 400 Ratings
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
A Kirkus Best of Science Fiction and Fantasy pick for 2019!
A Library Journal Best Book of 2019!
An NPR Favorite Book of 2019!
"Everything epic fantasy should be: rich, cruel, gorgeous, brilliant, enthralling and deeply, deeply satisfying. I loved it."—Lev Grossman, author of The Magicians
When destiny calls, there's no fighting back.
Kihrin grew up in the slums of Quur, a thief and a minstrel's son raised on tales of long-lost princes and magnificent quests. When he is claimed against his will as the missing son of a treasonous prince, Kihrin finds himself at the mercy of his new family's ruthless power plays and political ambitions.
Practically a prisoner, Kihrin discovers that being a long-lost prince is nothing like what the storybooks promised. The storybooks have lied about a lot of other things, too: dragons, demons, gods, prophecies, and how the hero always wins.
Then again, maybe he isn't the hero after all. For Kihrin is not destined to save the world.
He's destined to destroy it.
Jenn Lyons begins the Chorus of Dragons series with The Ruin of Kings, an epic fantasy novel about a man who discovers his fate is tied to the future of an empire.
"It's impossible not to be impressed with the ambition of it all . . . a larger-than-life adventure story about thieves, wizards, assassins and kings to dwell in for a good long while."—The New York Times
A Chorus of Dragons
1: The Ruin of Kings
2: The Name of All Things
3: The Memory of Souls
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
There are few things as exciting as starting out on an epic fantasy series, especially one that promises a treacherous royal family, gods, wizards, demons, and dragons. Kihrin is a street musician and part-time thief just barely surviving in the slums of a mystical kingdom, but just before his 16th birthday, he’s whisked away from the only life he’s ever known. It turns out he’s a member of the royal family, which would be great, except that the castle is full of backstabbing and double crosses. Novelist Jenn Lyons uses two intertwining timelines to create a vivid, exciting world of magic and corruption and introduce us to a complex but fascinating backstory. The first of a five-book series, The Ruin of Kings satisfies on its own, but it’ll also make you excited for the sequels.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Kihrin, a street thief turned prince, unearths his complicated family history and faces devious magic-wielding foes in this intricate epic fantasy series launch by Lyons (the War in Heaven series). Set in a world of gods and magic, the frame story alternates between the perspectives of Kihrin and his jailer, a mimic named Talon, as they tell different parts of Kihrin's tragic adventures. Kihrin's enemies covet his protective Stone of Shackles, and in his journey to great power he crosses dragons, demons, and gods who seek to either aid or imprison him. Double crosses and hidden motivations pepper several plots for godly power. Though the hero's journey structure and classical fantasy elements are familiar, the complex mysteries and revelations feel novel and offer plenty of room for rereading and analysis. There's more mystery than action in this tightly plotted tome, and its lore and memorable characters will leave epic fantasy fans eager for the second volume.
Customer Reviews
The ruin of kings
Very imaginative story telling, but plods along in some parts
Sloppy.
The whole book was a mess. Knee jerk writing.
Outstanding. Seriously. Just wow
I have never written a review before but this book made me want to. This is now one of my favorite books. Masterfully written and the twists were wonderfully crafted. I didn’t see them coming but when they were revealed I immediately saw all of the hints the author gave leading up to them. I highly recommend this book.