King of Ashes

King of Ashes, the first volume in Raymond E. Feist’s epic heroic fantasy series, The Firemane Saga, introduces readers to a world teetering on the brink of chaos. Garn was once home to five mighty kingdoms, but the King of Ithrace was ruthlessly vanquished, his entire family exterminated by the ambitious King Lodavico of Sandura. Now, with only four kingdoms remaining, war looms ominously on the horizon.

The Firemanes, Ithrace's fabled ruling family, were seen as a tremendous threat by other monarchs. It is rumoured, however, that the newborn son of Ithrace's last king miraculously survived the massacre. This infant was supposedly spirited away by the Quelli Nacosti, a secretive society adept at infiltration and espionage. Fearful that the child might one day seek vengeance, the four remaining kings have placed a vast bounty on his head.

In the humble village of Oncon, located within the neutral territory known as the Covenant, young Declan is apprenticed to a master blacksmith, learning to craft the coveted king’s steel. The Covenant has long enjoyed peace, lying between two hostile kingdoms. However, this tranquillity is shattered when slavers raid the village, kidnapping young men to serve as soldiers in Sandura's growing army.

Declan must flee, carrying his invaluable knowledge to Baron Daylon Dumarch, the ruler of Marquensas. Baron Daylon may be the only one capable of challenging King Lodavico, who has allied himself with the zealous Church of the One. This fanatical religious group is sweeping across the continent, enforcing their strict dogma and burning heretics in their wake.

On the distant island of Coaltachin, the hidden stronghold of the Quelli Nacosti, three youths are being rigorously trained in the arts of deception and assassination. Donte, the son of one of the order’s most influential masters; Hava, a formidable girl whose combat skills can fell any adversary; and Hatu, a mysterious young man with flaming red hair whose internal struggle between serenity and rage defines his every action. Their destinies intertwine as the fate of Garn hangs precariously in the balance.

King of Ashes is an electrifying tale of heroism, betrayal, and the enduring fight for justice. As Declan, Donte, Hava, and the enigmatic Hatu navigate a world fraught with political intrigue and perilous secrets, their choices will come to shape the destiny of their land. Raymond E. Feist crafts a compelling narrative filled with intricate world-building and richly developed characters, ensuring that this fantasy saga will captivate readers from beginning to end.