First in a brand new series from the author of The Broken Empire Trilogy.
The Red Queen is old but the kings of the Broken Empire dread her like no other. For all her reign she has fought the long war, contested in secret, against the powers that stand behind nations, for higher stakes than land or gold. Her greatest weapon is The Silent Sister—unseen by most and unspoken of by all.
The Red Queen’s grandson, Prince Jalan Kendeth—drinker, gambler, seducer of women—is one who can see The Silent Sister. Tenth in line for the throne and content with his role as a minor royal, he pretends that the hideous crone is not there. But war is coming. Witnesses claim an undead army is on the march, and the Red Queen has called on her family to defend the realm. Jal thinks it’s all a rumor—nothing that will affect him.
But he is wrong…
**
From Booklist
Set in the world of Lawrence’s Broken Empire trilogy but rather lighter in tone, this is the story of Prince Jalan Kendeth, grandson of the Red Queen, self-confessed coward, dedicated ladies’ man, and devout shirker of anything remotely resembling responsibility. After a plot to kill him goes awry, Jalan winds up on the run, paired up with a Norseman whose warrior skills are matched by his keen intelligence, to discover the truth about an army of the undead that threatens to destroy the realm. This is the first installment of a projected trilogy, set more or less concurrently with the Broken Empire trilogy; it’s not quite an outright comedy, but it comes very close. Jalan is a great character—he’s a Falstaffian ne’er-do-well, and he’s content to remain that way—and the story is as richly told as the earlier trilogy: the author makes this place, a post-cataclysm earth of the far future, feel as real as any place you’ve ever visited. For fans of the Broken Empire series and readers who enjoy a good, epic-sized fantasy story (readers of, say, George R. R. Martin), this is a must-read. --David Pitt
Review
Praise for Mark Lawrence and *Prince of Fools*
“Mark Lawrence is the best thing to happen to fantasy in recent years.”—Peter V. Brett, international bestselling author of The Daylight War
“There is no doubt this is a Mark Lawrence novel—pick it up and you will immediately see the hallmarks of his storytelling and writing style which made The Broken Empire trilogy such an incredibly addictive read, replete with his darkly droll humor and very quotable dialogue. Fans won’t be disappointed.”—Bibliosantcum
“Prince of Fools is Mark Lawrence’s newest and perhaps best attempt at proving what a talented wordsmith he is. Be sure to read this one if you enjoy dark fantasy rife with superb characterization, black humor and a fast-paced plot that will leave you hooked till the very end.”—Fantasy Book Critic
Description:
First in a brand new series from the author of The Broken Empire Trilogy.
The Red Queen is old but the kings of the Broken Empire dread her like no other. For all her reign she has fought the long war, contested in secret, against the powers that stand behind nations, for higher stakes than land or gold. Her greatest weapon is The Silent Sister—unseen by most and unspoken of by all.
The Red Queen’s grandson, Prince Jalan Kendeth—drinker, gambler, seducer of women—is one who can see The Silent Sister. Tenth in line for the throne and content with his role as a minor royal, he pretends that the hideous crone is not there. But war is coming. Witnesses claim an undead army is on the march, and the Red Queen has called on her family to defend the realm. Jal thinks it’s all a rumor—nothing that will affect him.
But he is wrong…
**
From Booklist
Set in the world of Lawrence’s Broken Empire trilogy but rather lighter in tone, this is the story of Prince Jalan Kendeth, grandson of the Red Queen, self-confessed coward, dedicated ladies’ man, and devout shirker of anything remotely resembling responsibility. After a plot to kill him goes awry, Jalan winds up on the run, paired up with a Norseman whose warrior skills are matched by his keen intelligence, to discover the truth about an army of the undead that threatens to destroy the realm. This is the first installment of a projected trilogy, set more or less concurrently with the Broken Empire trilogy; it’s not quite an outright comedy, but it comes very close. Jalan is a great character—he’s a Falstaffian ne’er-do-well, and he’s content to remain that way—and the story is as richly told as the earlier trilogy: the author makes this place, a post-cataclysm earth of the far future, feel as real as any place you’ve ever visited. For fans of the Broken Empire series and readers who enjoy a good, epic-sized fantasy story (readers of, say, George R. R. Martin), this is a must-read. --David Pitt
Review
Praise for Mark Lawrence and *Prince of Fools*
“Mark Lawrence is the best thing to happen to fantasy in recent years.”—Peter V. Brett, international bestselling author of The Daylight War
“There is no doubt this is a Mark Lawrence novel—pick it up and you will immediately see the hallmarks of his storytelling and writing style which made The Broken Empire trilogy such an incredibly addictive read, replete with his darkly droll humor and very quotable dialogue. Fans won’t be disappointed.”—Bibliosantcum
“Prince of Fools is Mark Lawrence’s newest and perhaps best attempt at proving what a talented wordsmith he is. Be sure to read this one if you enjoy dark fantasy rife with superb characterization, black humor and a fast-paced plot that will leave you hooked till the very end.”—Fantasy Book Critic