Exciting Asian-fantasy. Riveting and moving. We will definitely be ordering for our library. Our fantasy book club will love it too.

Blood of the Old Kings seems to ask the question, "what if the Evil Empire was Evil, but the alternative is possibly worse?" The Empire in Blood of the Old Kings is incredibly vast and has managed to conquer the entire world. (It's organization is very Roman Empire themed, and the overal feel is very Western fantasy setting.) It is an empire run on the power generated by dead sorcerers. There are various insurrections happening in this vast empire at all times, but the sorcerer-powered technology of the Empire is not something the priests, wizards, witches and old gods can stand against for very long.

Our Protagonists are:

Loran: A woman with just enough royal blood to sneak into the place where the Dragon of Arland, guardian of the royal line has been imprisoned. She is granted a sword and power by the dragon in exchange for one of her eyes. Her mission: to become King of Arland. She falls in with an insurgent group who really are not all that trustworthy. They tend to treat her with contempt, because she is not "a real princess."

Arienne: Is a student sorcerer who knows no magic because the only thing the Imperial Sorcerer's Academy teaches you is how to be a battery. She is convinced by a mysterious voice to run away from the school and is lured by promises of learning real magic. However, it slowly becomes apparent that the voice really can't be trusted, and isn't going to teach her anything.

Cain: Is a man who survives mostly by his wits and a complex web of favors and alliances. He fled from Arland as a young boy after an attempted rebellion there killed his parents. He discovers he was somewhat adjacent to an Arland mutual aid society that may or may not be a front for an insurgent group, after the murder of a friend. While attempting to investigate his friend's death, he's been pressed into service by Imperial agents as a informant. This is not great and becomes less great when he runs across Arienne, our runaway sorcerer, who he decides to help escape.

This is a complicated book with a lot of twists and turns. Of the three protagonists I think I like Cain the best, as Arienne and Loran are extremely naive and get into huge trouble because of it. Inexperience is only interesting to me if they learn quickly. (Arienne and Loran are not learning quickly. This is a good characterization choice given the characters backgrounds, but it still creates a sense of "neither of these women are going to be the Last Girl.") Cain is also in huge trouble, but seems more likely to survive it, as he seems more worldly and skilled. (I like it when protagonists don't die!) The setting and worldbuilding is fascinating, as are the uses of magic-tech. The main themes involve conflict between "industrialization" and "traditional ways," with both systems being put in a negative light.

This book review was based on a galley copy received from NetGalley.

30 yr old Loran promises herself and literally sacrifices an eye to the dragon in return for a magical sword and the might to fight an evil colonial empire for the ability at vengeance, the empire having killed her husband and daughter. Her frustration, her occasional impotence in the face of power and her impatience with the ugly side of politics profiting from the sacrifices of average citizens spoke to me deeply. I enjoyed the found family feel in an older sibling sans romance way. Loran’s story is interwoven with empire politics, intrigue and the mysterious death of a dye merchant irrelevant to everyone but her close friends, one who decides to figure out what happened to her. But the deeper he looks, the more connections he finds and the more dangerous the situation reveals itself for everyone. These stories braid together with a magic system that is easily accessible.

At first I wanted a hard line between adult and ya fantasy. But the variety of ages in main characters, readability and fast moving story quickly made that irrelevant and will make this appeal to a broad spectrum of readers. A book I both wanted to be a stand alone and couldn’t imagine being complete in a single volume. The characters are vulnerable in impossible situations and likable enough that I wanted them all to succeed and go on sharing more of their adventures with me. Luckily, Tor has rights to the entire trilogy.

A deeply adventurous, fast moving story threaded through with themes of corrupt power, wealth and advantages taken upon the poorer and less powerful. Always a hopeful, defiant spirit. Always a feeling of respect and loyalty and above all a profound valuing of humans, all of them. I especially enjoyed the balancing of women in positions of power and authority in the face of cultural misogyny.

Looking for smutty smut with a side of dragons? This isn’t it. Looking for accessible translated fiction that picks up speed like a roller coaster and offers a thoroughly enjoyable escapist read, pick this up for sure. Look for it in October 2024 in the US. Thanks to Netgalley and Tordotcom for the Earc.

Title: Blood of the Old Kings

Author: Sung-il Kim
Genre: Fantasy

Rating: ★★★★☆
Release Date:8th October 2024


"Blood of the Old Kings" by Sung-il Kim, translated by Anton Hur, kicks off an epic adventure filled with magic, revenge, and rebellion. This enthralling tale weaves the stories of three strangers whose paths intertwine as they challenge a formidable Empire powered by the corpses of sorcerers. Here’s why this book deserves a solid four stars.

The Empire, claiming peace and stability, uses the power of dead wizards to conquer and control. However, not everyone is convinced by this facade of peace. Among the dissenters are Loran, Cain, and Arienne—three individuals with personal vendettas against the Empire.
* Loran, a fierce swordswoman, seeks revenge after the Empire kills her family. Her journey leads her to a dormant dragon’s lair, where she acquires a sword made from the dragon’s fang and a renewed sense of purpose.
* Cain, an orphan in the Imperial Capital, finds solace and survival thanks to a kind mentor. When his friend is brutally murdered, Cain’s quest for justice threatens to spark a war.
* Arienne, destined to become a Power Generator for the Empire upon her death, starts hearing the whispers of a powerful necromancer. Realising the horror of her fate, she begins to question her predetermined path and yearns for true freedom.

What I Loved:

1. Complex Characters: Each protagonist is richly developed with compelling backstories and motivations. Loran’s fierce determination, Cain’s relentless pursuit of justice, and Arienne’s internal conflict make them relatable and engaging.
2. Rich World-Building: The Empire’s use of dead wizards as a power source is a unique and chilling concept. The detailed description of the Empire’s workings, its oppressive rule, and the diverse landscapes the characters traverse create a vivid and immersive setting.
3. Interwoven Narratives: The way Loran, Cain, and Arienne’s stories gradually converge is masterfully done. Each character’s journey adds layers to the overarching plot, making the stakes feel personal and high.
4. Themes of Rebellion and Freedom: The novel explores profound themes like the fight for justice, the quest for freedom, and the power of truth against tyranny. These themes resonate throughout the story, adding depth to the characters' struggles.

The idea of an Empire powered by dead wizards is both fascinating and eerie. This dark twist on the typical fantasy power dynamic adds a unique flavour to the story, making the Empire a truly formidable and sinister antagonist.

"Blood of the Old Kings" is a gripping and imaginative fantasy novel that combines action, emotion, and a fight against oppression. Sung-il Kim’s storytelling, paired with Anton Hur’s seamless translation, brings this epic tale to life. The characters are relatable and well-crafted, the world-building is top-notch, and the plot keeps you hooked from beginning to end.

For fans of epic fantasy with a dark twist, "Blood of the Old Kings" is a must-read. The blend of personal vendettas and larger political intrigue creates a rich tapestry of adventure and rebellion. Dive into this enthralling journey and discover the power of truth in a world built on lies.

Thank you to The Publisher Tor Publishing Group | Tor Books ,The Author Sung-il Kim & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

1000/10 this book is amazing. The world building was amazing. The action and storytelling in the book top notch. I enjoyed the main character and they didn’t make me throw the book at a wall

Blood of the Old Kings is an action packed adventure about three strangers brought together on a journey though an Empire that has used necromancy to conquer the world. Loran, who is on a quest of revenge against the Empire who killed her family, jumps into a volcano to try to retrieve a sword made from a Dragon's Fang. Cain an orphan who after his only friend is murdered in the city, goes on a mission to find his friends' murderer even if it means starting a war by being in the target of different groups bent on killing each other.. Arianne, who is a sorcerer who knows that when she does she will become a power generator for the undead army.

Over all I liked this book. Some people might get annoyed with the three shifting POV but I have read other books like that, so it did not really matter to me. I really liked the lore building in this series and it's original magic system. The idea that dead sorcerers are turned into mummies and then used as basically batteries for the undead army is both a little gross and cool at the same time.

I would also like to add that this is a really good translation by Anton Hur. I have read some books that don't feel like they flow properly being translated into English but this one did very well. Which is a really big plus for me. It shows Anton Hur knew what he was doing when translating this.

If you are looking for an interesting story that pulls you in and gives you good world building and magic, then I would recommend this one.

DNF @ 67%

The blurb got me, but ultimately the characters and plot didn't grab me enough to keep me wanting to continue.

I must start by thanking both NetGalley as well as the publisher Tor Books for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Great world building, wonderful characters, a true fantasy adventure. If this debut only hints at future novels I look forward to immersing myself into each!

What an absolute STUNNER of a book! Follow the threads between three unlikely accomplices through a tale of revenge & hope in a thoroughly magical world. I’ve only just gotten into fantasy books- long time fan of fantasy video games, but I maybe have three or four book series under my belt so far.

Blood of the Old Kings gives you a first glimpse into Sung-il Kim’s brilliance through its action and the incredibly unique magic system.
You start at an important apex of the plot- the stress and unease is palpable through the approachable translation, and the characters, their motivations, and their actions all feel important to the crux of the story. The magic system, for all die hard fantasy fans, is nothing like you have seen before!!! It is an incredible amalgamation of the physical, mental, and otherworldly, and is integrated beautifully into the world and story in unexpected ways.

The second aspect of the book that makes it absolutely addictive is the pacing. I found myself turning page after page unable & unwilling to put this book down. My only critique, as with any fantasy story, are the somewhat lengthy info-dump sections. Even still, the story flows and world building information is well integrated into the text, but sometimes you need a bit of a break from the technicals and just need to get back to the character-to-character interactions.

Overall, I will definitely be recommending this book to my peers, particularly those I know enjoy fantasy genre gaming (Elder Scrolls & Dragons Dogma come to mind!). This was a wonderful read and I forward to what the author releases in the future!

this was fucking amazing, pardon my language. I LOVED it, absolutely devoured it. I could not put it down, the entire world enthralled me from the beginning and it was so well written it felt like I was there.

First of all...can we just step back and admire the cover art? I mean...come on! Gorgeous! And the outside lives up to what is in the inside. The story is compelling and the unique magic system is top notch. Please give this a try!

This was a bit of a slow burn, and it took a while to flesh out the world and the plot, but I was nevertheless fascinated. The book demands a lot of your attention but I was very satisfied by the end! I have never read a non-American fantasy novel before so I found myself hooked by the unique choices made by the author.

I had a decent time with this book. Found the characters and world building interesting but some of the plot dragged.

I didn’t care for the prose, personally. I stopped after chapter 1 (only 2%). That said, I felt it was more a matter of the translation than a matter of the work itself. I can see it being 3 to 4 stars for the target audience, based on topic and writing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for the ARC.

The very first thing that attracted me to this book was the outrageously stunning cover artwork. I mean, it's absolutely gorgeous. So I guess you could say I judged this book (initially anyway) by its cover. Then I read the summary and the first line says something about the corpses of sorcerers being used to power the Empire and I knew that I wanted to read this book as soon as humanly possible. Couple that with the fact that this was written by a new author (for me anyway) from South Korea Sung-Il Kim, who I had not heard of up to this point, and there were just too many things pointing to the fact that me and this book were just meant to be together. Turns out it was quite a good match in the end and I thoroughly enjoyed so many aspects of this story and these characters.

Before I get to the cool and original magic system in this book, let's talk about the characters a bit. There are three main POVs in this story and they all have a unique background and varied motivations. As stated in the blurb, Loran is hell bent on avenging what the Empire so brutally took from her, that being her beloved family. She will stop at nothing to see that vengeance quenched, even if it means utilizing an all powerful sword bestowed upon her by a dragon to wipe out her enemies. The problem is there's a lot that she doesn't realize she's up against and there are powers that even a dragon-charmed sword might not be able to beat. Then there is Cain who is somewhat of a loose cannon. He knows a lot of seedy individuals and also has his own issues with the Empire. His POV chapters were very fun to read as he always seems to find himself in the most sticky of situations. Finally Arienne who hears the voice of a dead sorcerer in her head, which reminded me of the whole Rand al' Thor/Lews Therin situation. It is through Arienne that we get introduced to the brilliant magic system in this book as she is coaxed into discovering it through that mad inner voice.

And that's where I will segue into what I thought was a beautifully constructed magic system that in and of itself kept me turning the pages feverishly. I was so entranced by the concept of using the mummified corpses of sorcerers as power generators. And depending upon the skill level of the sorcerer, those on the high end are used for the most important aspects of daily life in the Empire, while those of lower skill power the more menial elements. Needless to say these dead sorcerers would need to be guarded very carefully (especially those connected to major infrastructure and essential defense) because if anything should happen to any number of them, the entire Empire could collapse resulting in utter chaos and potential disaster. Honestly, I couldn't get enough and this is just one of the more inspired and creative magic systems I have ever read. The closest thing that comes to it I think is David Farland's Runelords series. But even then, Sung Il-Kim does something quite different with his magic and it is all his own construct.

I would also be remiss if I didn't mention the wonderful translation by Anton Hur. Being an English reader I was wondering if there would be any points in the book that might feel a little bumpy to me as this book was originally written in Korean. I have to say that this story flowed so seamlessly and there was never a second where I sensed any hiccups or moments where certain words or sentences got lost in translation so to speak. It's a testament to Hur's proficiency at translation that the prose never stumbled but rather soared, ultimately carrying my enjoyment of the engaging plot right along with it.

I'm glad that I took a chance on this book because it was one of the more rewarding reads I've had in a while. The intense moments of action, impressive magic system, compelling characters, and magnificent worldbuilding really held me in their grip throughout and I breezed through this book at record speed because of that. The author also doesn't shy away from touching on some serious topics/themes such as the negative effects of colonialism and how living under oppression can shape the person that you are and eventually become. I really hope that everyone gives BLOOD OF THE OLD KINGS the readership it so rightly deserves because I believe it to be an outstanding debut by an author who I will definitely be looking to read much more from in the future. The good news is this book is the first in a trilogy, so there are a lot of cool things ahead to look forward to. Sung Il-Kim has written a story that should delight readers who have been searching for something outside of the usual predictable trope-filled fantasy.

Genius! This was a good book. I really love the world building and the characters. The pacing was really good and it was an interesting story to read

Blood of the Old Kings was a fun read. It had a good mix of interesting characters and the story was intriguing. Thankfully it doesn’t suffer from sequel syndrome, meaning that I felt satisfied with the story by the end and it didn’t end with “to be continued.” That said, I hope to see more stories set in this world as there are still unanswered questions. And I want to see where these characters go next.

Takeaway: Blood of the Old Kings starts off strong and hooks the reader within the first page. Kim manages to set up great worldbuilding without taking away from the main plot. With intriguing characters, badass FMCs and a seven eyed dragon, Blood of the Old Kings will reel you in and keep you wanting to read until the end.

The Good: I thought the characters were well written and I loved following along their story. I loved the way Kim began the story. It gripped me right away and got me really excited to be reading the story. I didn't want to put the book down and just wanted to keep reading. I really loved how Kim was able to establish immersive worldbuilding without sacrificing the main plot and character development. Sometimes stories can get lost in excellent worldbuilding- but Kim was able to merge the two beautifully and successfully; which is also impressive for a shorter style book (under 400 pages).

The "Bad": I don't really have any negative comments to make, only that I did find myself dissociating a tad, despite the immersive nature. Although, I find that more of a personal response, rather than anything actually against the book, or the writing itself. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was due to that fact and that I was simply satisfied by the end of the story; rather than being absolutely emotionally wrecked or buzzing to chat about it.

Overall Thoughts: The book was beautifully written, the plot was thorough, the world building was established, the character development was satisfying and I overall just really enjoyed the book. I look forward to reading more from Sung-il Kim and I will definitely be recommending this book to fellow readers!