Blood of the Old Kings

By: Sung-il Kim, Anton Hur - translator

Narrated by: Eunice Wong, Major Curda, Suzy Jackson

This program features multicast narration.

From award-winning Korean author Sung-il Kim & translated by the world-renowned Anton Hur, Blood of the Old Kings begins an epic journey unlike any other.

There is no escaping the Empire.
Even in death, you will serve.

In an Empire run on necromancy, dead sorcerers are the lifeblood. Their corpses are wrapped in chains and drained of magic to feed the unquenchable hunger for imperial conquest.

Born with magic, Arienne has become resigned to her dark fate. But when the voice of a long-dead sorcerer begins to speak inside her head, she listens. There may be another future for her, if she’s willing to fight for it.

Miles away, beneath a volcano, a seven-eyed dragon also wears the Empire’s chains. Before the imperial fist closed around their lands, it was the people’s sacred guardian.

Loran, a widowed swordswoman, is the first to kneel before the dragon in decades. She comes with a desperate plea, and will leave with a sword of dragon-fang in hand and a great purpose before her.

In the heart of the Imperial capital, Cain is known as a man who gets things done. When his best friend and mentor is found murdered, he will leave no stone unturned to find those responsible, even if it means starting a war.

Step into a world of necromancy, murder, and twisted magic. A world in need of a hero.

A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Books.

Critic reviews

<p>"Thrilling, inventive, and fierce—a tale of chained magic and giant mechs, of malevolent empire and those who stand against it. Not to be missed."—Max Gladstone, <i>New York Times</i> bestselling co-author of <i>This is How You Lose the Time War</i><br><br>"Refreshingly different . . . blends classic genre elements together in fresh ways.”—Paste<br><br>"Epic underdog fantasy in which choice outweighs destiny. . . Readers seeking an exciting new fantasy world to sink into will find this hits the spot."—Publishers Weekly<br><br>"A woman's burning quest for vengeance and power leads to a thrilling magic-filled adventure. Absolutely captivating."—K.S. Villoso, author of <i>The Wolf of Oren-Yaro</i><br><br>"Full on fantasy delight. . . expansive and exciting—it’s a book that so clearly loves fantasy and gives readers classic elements of the genre in a totally new way. <i>Blood of the Old Kings</i> is just a goddamn blast to read.”—Reactor<br><br>“Kim masterfully weaves together [three characters'] stories, which each embody a different style of fantasy, creating an immersive, thorough world that’s sparking towards war. . . . Readers will crave further works from Kim after reading his English-language debut.”—Library Journal<br><br>“I loved it. Fast, fun and fabulous! Truly imaginative fantasy with a story that speeds along like a bullet train fueled by sorcery.”—Dyrk Ashton, author of the Paternus trilogy<br><br>“A magnificent tapestry. . . If you’re looking for something to scratch that sprawling epic itch, give <i>Blood of the Old Kings</i> a chance.”—Lightspeed</p>

Something magical

A powerful opening that later chapters did not let down. This is epic fantasy of the rare, mesmerizing kind. Haven’t finished the book but I’m so excited.

Please let there be a sequel?!?

Captivating story! I didn’t get a lot of my usual “do whilst listening to audiobooks” stuff done because I needed to pay attention to the characters and their development. The author firmly believes in “show, don’t tell” whilst telling a complex story.

I need book 2, please and thank you! Thanks to Anton Hur for bringing this to my timeline! I wouldn’t have found it otherwise!

Interesting story and setting but feels like parts are missing.

I’m not sure if there is or will be more to the story, as far as sequel or prequel. I have not looked yet. I hope there is, because as a standalone it feels like pieces of the story are missing maybe. I did very much enjoy the story and will listen again soon regardless.

E.otuons have never felt so relevant to the telling of a story

Each pov character faces choices that push against their established stance and force them to confront what actually drives them