Books › Prince of the Blood
Prince of the Blood
540 pages
A classic, sweeping fantasy adventure where carefree youth collides with the heavy, dangerous mantle of duty.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like slipping into a comfortable, well-worn cloak of classic epic fantasy. It balances the sweeping grandeur of high-stakes political intrigue with the gritty, ground-level tension of a survival story. The narrative splits its time between glittering, treacherous royal courts and harsh, unforgiving landscapes, creating a brisk, engaging rhythm that keeps the pages turning. There is a profound sense of transition here—the bittersweet shedding of carefree youth in the face of sudden, violent responsibility. The prose is accessible and action-driven, anchoring the reader in the emotional weight of brotherly bonds and the heavy burden of leadership. It will thoroughly delight fans of traditional, character-focused fantasy who love watching impetuous rogues forge themselves into capable leaders through trial by fire.
- Mood
- sweeping
- tense
- courtly
- triumphant
- Tone
- earnest
- adventurous
- suspenseful
- dramatic
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- coming of age · burden of leadership · brotherly bonds · political intrigue · survival and resilience
- The writing
- Accessible and action-oriented, the writing prioritizes clear, propulsive storytelling and immersive world-building over ornate flourishes.
- The arc
- The journey shifts from carefree innocence to sudden, isolating grief, ultimately forging a path toward hard-won maturity and acceptance of duty.
- Who it's for
- Fans of classic, character-driven epic fantasy who love seeing roguish youths forced to step up and become leaders amidst political danger.
Content notes
- kidnapping
- violence
- grief
- assassination attempts
About the book
If there were two more impetuous and carefree men in the Kingdom of the Isles, they had yet to be found. Twins Borric and Erland wore that mantle proudly, much to the chagrin of their father, Prince Arutha of Krondor. But their blissful youth has come to an end. Their uncle, the King, has produced no male children. Bypassing himself, Arutha names Borric, the eldest twin by seconds, the Royal Heir. As his brother, Erland will have his own great responsibilities to shoulder. To drive home their future roles, Arutha sends them as ambassadors to Kesh, the most feared nation in the world. Borric and Erland will be presented to the Queen of Kesh—the single most powerful ruler in the known world—at her Seventy-fifth Jubilee Anniversary.
But they have not even left Krondor when an assassination attempt on Borric is thwarted. Aware that he is being provoked into war, Arutha does not rise to the bait. His sons’ journey will not be deterred, for nothing less than peace is riding on it. Yet there is to be no peace for the young princes. When their traveling party is ambushed, Borric disappears and is presumed dead—sending Erland into spirals of rage and grief as he is forced to navigate alone the court intrigues at Kesh. But unbeknownst to anyone, Borric lives and has escaped his captors. In a strange land, with a price on his head, Borric must use all his wits and stamina to find his way back to his brother.
On separate paths, the two men—one a fugitive and one a future king—make their journey toward maturity, honor, and duty. For every step they take could sway the fragile peace of the land, as those who crave war rally against them—and become ever more daring.
Description from Open Library.
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