Of Kings and Killers

The Elder Empire: Sea, Book 3

By: Will Wight

Narrated by: Travis Baldree

The stories of the Elder Empire are told in a unique way.

If you’ve already listened to the other companion novels in the Elder Empire, then you know how this works. If not, you may wish to seek out those books for an explanation of how these parallel stories interact. Once you’re ready to proceed, here’s a glimpse of the road ahead....

Calder has been declared Imperial Steward, the official successor to the Emperor. He leads the Empire from the throne, just as he has always wanted.

In their tombs, the Great Elders stir.

The crack in the sky becomes more alarming by the day, so Calder and his loyal Imperialist Guilds seek a truce with their Independent opponents.

Both sides know the Elders are the true enemy, but that does not make peace easy. Blood has been spilled already, trust is hard to come by, and the Guild Heads under Calder see him as little more than a figurehead.

For civilization to survive, Calder must take the lead and prove himself to allies and enemies alike.

But he is faced with an ancient Guild of spies and assassins led by the one woman who most wants him dead: Shera of the Gardeners.

In the shadows, a woman plots to prolong a war. On the seas, a man works to end it.

©2020 Hidden Gnome Publishing (P)2020 Audible, Inc.

Bliss revealed as the realm's ...

... most powerful entity?! Or, perhaps, in conjunction with Calder?

As with the other paired novels in this series, the overarching events are played out mostly from two primary protagonists and their respective guilds perspective. While there is redundancy, Will Wight does an excellent job of crafting sufficient distinct events intrinsic to the protagonist's point of view.

While Calder and Shera exploits and encounters are exciting and often chilling, I find Bliss to be the most intriguing of all of them. It's unclear what type of being she really is and near the end we discover she is very much more interesting than what had already been a bizarre understanding.

The overall story moved forward quite well and ending in a conclusive state but yet somewhat undetermined. I'm looking forward to the follow-on books but have a nervous suspicion that this may be paused similarly to how Cradle had been.

Still, even if so, as long as Will Wight continues to create more novel in a timely manner, I'll keep purchasing them.

Travis Baldree has already made my short list of search Audible on his name along with favorite authors when I'm looking for new listening material.

just incredible.

this narrator truly astounded me.
I can't begin to explain how much I enjoyed this series. everything from the storytelling to the characters to the world itself. truly a diamond that I found out of nowhere, and I will recommend this book to everyone I know that likes Lovecraft even a little, also shuffles is the best.

Of Killers and Kings

Calder Martin’s tale has come to an end. I was left very satisfied with everything about this novel....well the entire series really. I ended here but still cried out “Oh sh*t!”when a certain Elder showed up.
The Elder Empire is by far the best fantasy series I’ve read/listened to. 2020 just might not be the worst year ever. Thank you Will Wight and Traviss Baldree. See you at The Hidden Gnome.

Interesting resolution to Elder Empire Series.

How Calder resolves the crack in the sky and fights the enemies is interesting. Of course, Travis Baldree is a great narrator.

Unparalleled

Bouncing between the story of the gardener and the captain these books make me want more and more.
But most of all Scuddles was by far my favorite!