The Uncrowned King, Michelle West
The Uncrowned King, Michelle West
List: $34.99 | Sale: $24.50
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The Uncrowned King

Author: Michelle West

Narrator: Eva Wilhelm

Unabridged: 29 hr 26 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 10/01/2019

Categories: Fiction, Fantasy, Epic


Synopsis

The King's Challenge—it was a proving ground for warriors in the Essalieyan Empire, the hallowed contest that made legends of men. And for Valedan, last survivor of the ruling family of the Dominion, it was a declaration of his right to claim the throne stolen from the Leonne clan by treachery and assassination.

Failure to earn the title of King's Champion would not deprive Valedan of either his Dominion or Essalieyan allies, but winning would announce to the world that he was no callow boy, no mere pawn in the games of power. And the games of power were indeed being played—not only in the Empire and Dominion, but in the far more dangerous realm of the Lord of Night.

As the time of the Challenge neared, Valedan and all those who guarded him would be hard-pressed to survive long enough for him to enter the competition. For the demon kin had been set to hunt him down and destroy him. They had failed before though many innocents had paid for the price. They must not fail again, for slaying Valedan was but the opening gambit in a war that would free the Lord of Night to reign over all the mortal world . . .

About Michelle West

Michelle West is the author of three interconnected series: the Sacred Hunt duology, the six-volume Sun Sword series, and the House War novels. She has published numerous short stories and fantasy novels under her maiden name, Michelle Sagara. She was a two-time nominee for the Campbell Award. She works part-time at BAKKA Books, one of Toronto's larger bookstores, and writes a column for the Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Candice on June 27, 2022

When I started to reread this book, I felt my whole body relax as I remembered how much I enjoy this series. I wondered once again why Michelle West’s work isn’t better known. She has built a singular world with stunning, complex, and human characters. I know that part of the issue is how her variou......more

Goodreads review by Estara on January 16, 2011

This second book takes the action completely outside the Dominion and is set all in the Empire. It has two strands - the preparation for the war against the Dominion to get Valedan his rightful throne, because otherwise the Dominion will become a stronghold of the Lord of Night aka Allasakar - and t......more

Goodreads review by Patrick on March 29, 2023

Let me begin by saying that I'm almost done with the third installment, The Shining Court, and that I'm in awe of Michelle West's The Sun Sword. Few SFF series are as good and I still can't explain why it remains what is probably the genre's best-kept secret. Think of the worldbuilding of Steven Eri......more

Goodreads review by Kaila on October 03, 2017

The writing style is a total slog in these books but damnit if they don't keep hitting an emotional center for me. The last two pages made me tear up.......more

Goodreads review by BJ on October 19, 2022

Book one in this series details a coup in a kingdom (the Dominion) that has a blend of East Asian and Middle Eastern characteristics. Those heading up the coup have made an unholy alliance with a demonic like group (the Kin) who have agreed to aid the overthrow in return for the Dominion then warrin......more