In this first installment of The Bleeding Empire, Kim sets three characters on paths to discover their worth, their purpose, and their power. When the protagonists' journeys intersect, the story ramps up in intensity and in epic scope. With adventure, a chosen one, a quest, exploding abilities, and the formation of an unexpected team with immense collective promise, I'm in for the rest of this translated series.
In Blood of the Old Kings, dead sorcerers power the empire, which has long been run on a system of necromancy and sacrifice.
Arienne knew since she was a young girl that because she was born with magic, her future would end with her locked in chains in a casket, an essential, dark end used to benefit others by generating immense power. But when a long-dead sorcerer takes the shape of a voice in her head and pushes her to question the rules she's always lived by, Arienne dares to dream of defying her fate.
Cain is savvy, street-smart, and living in the capital. When his best friend goes missing, he'll do anything to find out what's happened to her.
Loran is a brokenhearted widow and a skilled swordswoman willing to make deep sacrifices to ally with the fated, powerful, dangerous dragon who might empower her and save them all.
I love a "chosen one" quest in which characters discover and use their power, and in different ways, Arienne, Cain, and Loran all do so in Blood of the Old Kings.
This three-character-driven plot sets the scene by exploring the unrest within the empire, the desperate struggles of its people; and the dark intents of those ruling it all. Each of the three main protagonists begin to understand their own power--and when their paths intersect, they realize that together, they are more formidable than they could have ever imagined.
This builds in tension and intensity without ever feeling melodramatic or silly. I love a historical-fiction-feeling fantasy story like this one, and Blood of the Old Kings sets up an epic series that I'm definitely going to continue.
I'd love to hear your Bossy thoughts about this book!
I listened to The Blood of the Old Kings as an audiobook. Sung Il-Kim's work was translated by Anton Hur.
The second book in this series, Blood for the Undying Throne, is slated for publication this fall.
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