The ruin of kings

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Title:

The ruin of kings

Author:

Lyons, Jenn, 1970- author.

Series:

Chorus of dragons ;

Series Number:

Summary:

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.

General Note:

Series name provided by Amazon.com.

"A Tom Doherty Associates Book."

Edition:

First edition.

Physical Description:

557 pages : illustrations, maps ; 25 cm.

Genre:

Fantasy fiction.

Subject Term:

Imaginary places -- Fiction.

Fate and fatalism -- Fiction.

Princes -- Fiction.

Publisher:

Tor,

Publication Date:

2019

ISBN:

9781250175489

9781509879496

9781509879489

Publication Information:

New York : Tor, 2019.

Call Number:

LYONS

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Item Barcode	Collection	Call Number	Status	Item Holds
33607003390674	Adult Fiction	LYONS	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

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

Author Notes

Jenn Lyons was a graphic artist and illustrator for 20 years before working as a video game producer on projects ranging from indie projects and slot-machine games to AAA titles for EA. In 2020, she was nominated for the Astounding Award for Best New Writer. Her five-book Chorus of Dragons fantasy series began with The Ruin of Kings and continues with The Name of All Things .

Reviews (2)

Publisher's Weekly Review

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. Agent: Sam Morgan, Foundry Literary + Media. (Feb.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Library Journal Review

Awaiting execution in a prison with a beautiful, shape-shifting demon jailer, Kihrin tells the story of what led to this moment. A thief from the slums with little but the necklace left to him by his deceased mother, he witnesses a murder, goes on the run, and is claimed as the son of a treasonous prince of the D'Mon family. Told in two separate time lines by Kihrin and the demon Talon, with copious footnotes and intricate worldbuilding, Lyons's story is a well-crafted, elaborate tale of a thief-turned-prince. Those who enjoy the works of Brandon Sanderson and George R.R. Martin, with a grand cast of characters and a doublecross in every chapter, will find this on par with their beloved authors. VERDICT This stunning debut takes epic fantasy to a high level, portraying a world filled with magic, demons, gods, and dragons, in which politics and power plays are the laws of the land.-Kristi Chadwick, Massachusetts Lib. Syst., Northampton © Copyright 2019. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.