This was not a book that help my attention. I thought it had a very cool premise with the dead sorcerer's being a power source, but I didn't think the author was able to execute that premise properly. The story has good bones, but no body. I looked forward to the dragon. He was my favorite character. The story had its moments where I did feel engaged with the story, especially Loren's character toward the end when she is able to gain a loyal following, but it just seemed so few and far between, and I wasn't connecting to the male characte8r at all.

The narration was done very well! 5 stars to the narrators. I was only able to not DNF this one because of the fantastic narration. As a rule, I do not post 2 star reviews online, as I'd rather use my platforms for books that I enjoy.

(4.0 Stars)

This was everything I like about Fantasy stories. It was strange, but not in a bad way. It was unfamiliar to me, but that kept me interested. The Magic System is unique and a big part of how the story unfolds.

The world building is my least favorite part... not because it wasn't consistent, but because I had a hard time visualizing it. Some of the environmental elements just didn't come together in my mind, but it was really a minor criticism.

The characters are vivid and distinct. The pace was good, and the length was perfect.

This book would be good for anyone who likes magic-based fantasy with strong female characters, engaging storytelling, and quests that start and complete in the same book.The Narration of the audiobook is very good too.

This is a Fantasy, not a Romantasy. And while it isn't YA, it could be enjoyed by a younger audience as well.

Blood of the Old Kings by Sung-il Kim is an epic fantasy that blends adventure, magic, and political intrigue across a vividly built world. The story revolves around three main characters: Loran, a fierce warrior fueled by revenge for her family’s murder; Arienne, a sorcerer trapped in a terrifying fate as a necromantic power source; and Cain, a street-savvy investigator searching for his friend’s killer. Their stories unfold in different parts of the world, offering a multi-POV experience that feels like piecing together a puzzle, with dragons, magic-fueled tech, and rich lore throughout.

The narration, delivered by Eunice Wong, Major Curda, and Suzy Jackson, enhances the experience, with each voice perfectly capturing the essence of their respective character. The multiple narrators help make the distinct storylines feel more immersive and engaging, pulling you deeper into the plot. While the pacing picks up, especially in intense scenes, the emotional connection to the characters and the unfolding world keeps you hooked. If you're into intricate world-building, a unique magic system, and layered, unpredictable characters, this audiobook won’t disappoint

Maybe I need to stop listening to epic fantasy via audiobooks, because I can guarantee I would have liked this better as a physical book. There was feedback in the male narrator’s mic, but not the female narrator’s, so that was distracting. There was potential here, but it didn’t live up to it

If you are someone who comes into the fantasy genre for fast past action sequences and grand battle scenes, turn around now. That's not to say there aren't intense and action filled moments. What gives this story its richness is that it spends a bulk of its energy filing out the world, the consequences, and the more internal struggles. It is more about intrigue, politics, the lines of morality and humanity, and the effect not only of institutions in control but time on the narratives we tell.

Despite much of the book being build up I was continually invested. It starts out on the side of the genre more familiar to classic readers. What better way than to throw one of the more uniquely described dragons I've seen in a while? It's followed up by slowly showing us one of the most varied and unique magic users I've seen in a while. and, you know, the spirits that come to posses and overtake things and people. This all keys into hints of tech-fantasty of this world that folds in inventions fueled with sorcery instead of yielded.

It does not stop being original with the fantastical. It twists the tropes of chosen and reluctant hero in some of the most naturally evolving ways I've seen in a while. One chooses to be king because another sees that it is more than what they aim for in their own goal of vengeance. There is one character that is thrown into a situation that means they carry on a legacy of someone dear to them, but that they are uniquely qualified to do. A third has power thrust on them only to reveal that their own talents just needed to be unlocked. All three don't grow into the roles--they mold the role into what comes naturally to them. It is the reversal of position and power corruption.

IN the moments of tension there is never a moment where any of the characters' fates feel entirely secure. There are times when I legitimately feared for the lives of characters that in other books I would shrug off as having plot armor. I can also say I loved how much of a factor the common folk have an active role in this book while still dealing with those of higher social consequence. No one class of people even acts as a monolith.

This book goes deep, it goes hard, and yet somehow still manages to feel cozy as the personalities of each of the characters is completely endearing even when they are not always faced with the most pleasant actions. So while I can't say it is a book I would recommend for everyone, it absolutely tickled the part of me that loves natural and deep cultural and world building. In fact, I wouldn't have even minded if it had gone deeper.

I also love that this book has a completely solid ending. It may be intended to be a series, but it is one of the few times of late where an epilogue not only felt right but settled he core issues of limbo for our three leads. I would be entirely satisfied to have this as a standalone even if I would adore to see more of the world.

Sometimes just telling people you have a job works out. Even if it happens to be royalty. But hey, gotta survive (and get vengeance) when your family is killed, your friend is killed, or you are going to get turned into a battery. In "Blood of the Old Kings" by Sung-il Kim, translated by Anton Hur, our cast will clash with their oppressors and decide what they can live with.

The Empire has enslaved magic to fuel their machines. The gods and spirits are dead or sealed, fighting back is a sucker's bet. Loran doesn't have anything to lose though, she seeks out the dragon who worked with the fallen king of her country and strikes a bargain. One eye for a sword and a bit of power to chase her destiny. Cain isn't having a good day. His friend was killed and now he is getting beaten while trying to find out what happened, unfortunately asking questions gets you noticed. Arienne is trying to not become a battery. Unfortunately her best shot out is listening to a voice in her head that has zero chill.

Narrated by Eunice Wong, Major Curda, and Suzy Jackson. The different tone for the various story subplots lands.

Reasons to read:
-Got 3 different povs with almost different genre stories going on but still intertwined
-I'd trade an eye for a sweet sword
-F it, we ripping stuff apart with our hands
-Calling out politicking bs
-Got invested in a pov and then it would cut away, means I was wrapped up in each one

Cons:
-Some of the magic might take a minute to lock into place

This book ticked all the boxes for me. I am a sucker for a strong female lead, and this one had two! I also loved the third POV, as he was a really great character. Arienne is brave and daring, Cain is empathetic and kind, and Loran is just a bad ass. I mean - a woman described as being in her late 30s and a mother who goes absolutely ballistic and becomes a hero to her people? Sign me up. The worldbuilding was great in the sense that I really felt for the people being oppressed by the empire, and I wanted the 3 mains to succeed in their individual missions. I am excited to see how Cain's story will progress in further installments, as it definitely diverged while the other two converged. The intrigue was definitely palpable, as I was desperate to know what would become of everyone. I highly recommend this book to fantasy readers, and I am excited to read the next installment when it comes out.

A very interesting novel. The world is very immersive and went in directions that I didn’t expect. Intrigued for book two.

I can't decide if this is a FULL 4 stars or not, but I'm rounding up either way.

This was a fresh epic fantasy with high stakes, a dragon, a unique magic system, and three compelling POVs. We're dropped into the world with Loran approaching a chained dragon to ask for help with revenge for her family. And we're off from there.

I think I liked Arienne's POV the best, with her undead sorcerer in her head. But Cain was a close second as he turned spy, yet really more double-agent style. Loran's chapters were probably the most epic as she built an army to take her country back from the empire, but there was something about the writing in her section that left me a little detached.

The pacing was a bit uneven; we start quickly enough, then it slowed down, then the penultimate chapters were amazing, and THEN the last chapter gave me whiplash with how quickly everything wrapped up. I don't know if there will be another book. We get some pretty good closure, but that last line absolutely opens itself up for more books.

Overall, this was an enjoyable and quick read. I'd definitely recommend for fans of epic fantasy. Also, the cover is just amazing. I also enjoyed the 3 narrators for the audiobook.

(Side note: I was probably expecting a Korean-influenced setting between the author and the cover, but the setting was kind of...could be anywhere. There weren't any distinguishing characteristics of any particular place in the world building.)

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the preview. All opinions are my own.

🐉 ARC REVIEW 🐉

Blood of the Old Kings by Sung-il Kim
4/5 ⭐

This book is a fast-paced, interesting read. It follows three points of view as they navigate their issues in the shadow of a colonizing Empire. Overall, I really enjoyed Blood of the Old Kings, and would recommend!

Please read if you like the following:
🔥 Seven eyed dragons
🔥 Students on the run from the government
🔥 Wizards residing in people's minds
🔥 Dark secrets covered up by the Empire

🏷️ #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookstagram #books #booklover #bookworm #bookstagrammer #reading #bookish #bookaddict #booknerd

Felt like an inconsistent world and underdeveloped characters. I liked many of the aspects of the story, but they didn't all feel as if they fit within the story.

A solid standalone fantasy (that I definitely thought was going to turn out to be a series starter) with a group of very interesting characters. Loran is a pretty standard fantasy heroine, making a pact with a dragon to become her occupied homeland’s champion and wage war on the empire.

Cain filled the “detective” role, with his desire to solve his friend’s murder. Through him, we saw what lives were like for immigrants in the heart of the occupying empire, which did a good job at providing context for what Loran was doing.

Arienne was the most interesting character, a fugitive sorcerer whose destiny was to become a magical battery. Through her we got bits of history and legend as well as the basics for how magic works in this world.

All this without needing to be a doorstop. It was a very economical fantasy novel in that sense.

Blood of the Old Kings is an epic fantasy tale featuring a unique world. This tale is told through three different POVs - Loran, Cain, and Arienne who are each on a distinctly different path that happens to interweave with the others. As with many multi POV books, I found myself drawn to certain characters over others. In this case, I was most interested in Loran and Arienne and often found myself wanting to hurry along Cain to get back to the others. His POV isn’t boring by any means, I was just more invested in the others. I found the world building and magic systems in this book especially fascinating. The world building was richly detailed. The magic, though, is where this story really shines for me between using dead sorcerers as a power source and the nuances of it for the living, you can’t help but be drawn in. I also appreciated how seamlessly the story flowed which is a testament to both the author, Kim, and the translator, Hut. I felt the plot was well paced and had plenty of action and intrigue to keep my interest. By the end, there is still much that could be explored if the author chooses to do so. I combo read this via ebook and audiobook. The audiobook, though, is something special. I love the choice to use three different narrators to voice the different POVs. Eunice Wong, Major Curda, and Suzy Jackson did so well in their respective roles. I could feel the emotions and drivers behind each character in their narration. I would highly recommend the audiobook for this.