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The Grace of Kings

By Ken Liu
3.8 goodreads logo

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( 27,419 ratings, 4,244 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu is an epic tale of rebellion and power in a mythical archipelago known as Dara. It follows the lives of two unlikely allies, a bandit and a nobleman, who rise against an oppressive empire. Their friendship and ambitions drive them as they navigate personal struggles and the complex politics of a world marked by warfare and intrigue, blending fantasy elements with historical inspiration.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$2299
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy epic tales of rebellion and camaraderie set in a richly detailed world blending mythology and technology. Its exploration of friendship, power, and justice creates a gripping narrative that fans of both political intrigue and fantastical adventures will find captivating.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

The fall and rebirth of an empire. With a cast of hundreds and a world unlike any you have seen before, The Grace of Kings is epic fantasy for the 21st Century.

The fall and rebirth of an empire. With a cast of hundreds and a world unlike any you have seen before, The Grace of Kings is epic fantasy for the 21st Century.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

TIME MAGAZINE BEST FANTASY BOOK OF ALL TIME

Emperor Mapidéré was the first to unite the island kingdoms of Dara under a single banner. But now the emperor is on his deathbed, his people are exhausted by his vast, conscriptive engineering projects, and his counsellors conspire only for their own gain.

Even the gods themselves are restless.

A wily, charismatic bandit and the vengeance-sworn son of a deposed duke cross paths as they each lead their own rebellion against the emperor's brutal regime. Together, they will journey to the heart of the empire; witnessing the clash of armies, fleets of silk-draped airships, magical books, and shapeshifting gods. Their unlikely friendship will drastically change the balance of power in Dara... but at what price?

The Grace of Kings is the first novel by Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy Award-winner Ken Liu and the first in a monumental epic fantasy series.

Series: The Dandelion Dynasty

View all
  • The Veiled Throne
    From the winner of the Hugo, Nebula and World Fantasy Awards, the epic third volume of the Dandelion Dynasties series, named by Time as one of the Greatest Fantasy books of All Time, continues. Princess Théra, once known as Empress Üna of Dara, yielded the throne to her younger brother in order to journey to Ukyu-Gondé to war with the...
    By Ken Liu
    Paperback
    $3200
    Elsewhere:
    $4500
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Grace of Kings
    TIME MAGAZINE BEST FANTASY BOOK OF ALL TIME Emperor Mapidéré was the first to unite the island kingdoms of Dara under a single banner. But now the emperor is on his deathbed, his people are exhausted by his vast, conscriptive engineering projects, and his counsellors conspire only for their own gain. Even the gods themselves are restless. A wily, charismatic...
    By Ken Liu
    Paperback
    $2299
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Speaking Bones
    The conclusion to Ken Liu's chronicle of the Dandelion Dynasty, which sees two empires face a whirlwind that threatens to utterly consume them. Ukyu-Gondé. Stalked by foes and dogged by betrayal, Princess Théra is pursued across a continent vaster than she could ever have imagined, to the hidden valleys of the World's Edge Mountains, into the barrows and subterranean halls...
    By Ken Liu
    Hardback
    $5299
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Wall of Storms
    The second book in The Dandelion Dynasty, the epic fantasy trilogy by Ken Liu. Dara is united under the Emperor Ragin, once known as Kuni Garu, the bandit king. There has been peace for six years, but the Dandelion Throne rests on bloody foundations—Kuni's betrayal of his friend, Mata Zyndu, the Hegemon. The Hegemon's rule was brutal and unbending, but...
    By Ken Liu
    Paperback
    $2999
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Speaking Bones
    Speaking Bones is the conclusion to Ken Liu's chronicle of the Dandelion Dynasty, which sees two empires face a whirlwind that threatens to utterly consume them. Ukyu-Gondé. Stalked by foes and dogged by betrayal, Princess Théra is pursued across a continent vaster than she could ever have imagined, to the hidden valleys of the World's Edge Mountains, into the barrows...
    By Ken Liu
    Paperback
    $4299
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Speaking Bones
    The conclusion to Ken Liu's chronicle of the Dandelion Dynasty, which sees two empires face a whirlwind that threatens to utterly consume them. Ukyu-Gondé. Stalked by foes and dogged by betrayal, Princess Théra is pursued across a continent vaster than she could ever have imagined, to the hidden valleys of the World's Edge Mountains, into the barrows and subterranean halls...
    By Ken Liu
    Paperback
    Sold Out

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Grace of Kings is praised for its epic scope and intricate narrative, blending elements of mythology, history, and technology. Reviewers highlight its engaging political strategies and poetic writing. It's described as an instant classic and is noted for its dreamlike and evocative quality, with the author acknowledged for his genius storytelling.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781800240346

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 11 November 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Head of Zeus -- an AdAstra Book

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 40.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 446g

Pages: 640

About the Author

Ken Liu is an award-winning American author of speculative fiction. His collection, The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories, has been published in more than a dozen languages. Liu's other works include The Grace of Kings, The Wall of Storms, and Star Wars tie-in The Legends of Luke Skywalker, and a second collection The Hidden Girl and Other Stories. He has been involved in multiple media adaptations of his work including the short story 'Good Hunting', adapted as an episode in Netflix's animated series Love, Death + Robots; and AMC's Pantheon, adapted from an interconnected series of short stories. 'The Hidden Girl', 'The Message', and The Grace of Kings have also been optioned for development. Liu previously worked as a software engineer, corporate lawyer, and litigation consultant. He frequently speaks at conferences and universities on topics including futurism, cryptocurrency, the mathematics of origami, and others. Liu lives with his family near Boston, Massachusetts.

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    From the winner of the Hugo, Nebula and World Fantasy Awards, the epic third volume of the Dandelion Dynasties series, named by Time as one of the Greatest Fantasy books of All Time, continues. Princess Théra, once known as Empress Üna of Dara, yielded the throne to her younger brother in order to journey to Ukyu-Gondé to war with the...
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  • The Wall of Storms
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    Featured in the Netflix series Love, Death & Robots Bestselling author Ken Liu selects his multiple award-winning stories for a groundbreaking collection — including a brand-new piece exclusive to this volume. With his debut novel, The Grace of Kings, taking the literary world by storm, Ken Liu now shares his finest short fiction in The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories....
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