King's Dragon
Nebula Award nominee 1998.
Though King Henry holds the crown of Wendar, his reign has long been contested by his elder half-sister Sabella, who is making her second attempt to take the throne. There are many eager to flock to her banner, and Sabella has ways to bring others to her cause. Aside from this internal strife, Wendar also faces raids from the north by an inhuman race, the Eika, who seem nearly impossible to defeat. And terrifying portents of otherworldly power have begun to manifest across the land.
Into the midst of these conflicts come two innocents: Liath, who has spent years fleeing from unknown enemies, and whose knowledge and power could be her salvation or her downfall; and Alain, pledged to the Church, but through a vision granted by the Lady of Battles set on a different path, and whose true parentage will determine his destiny. As Liath and Alain work through their personal struggles, they are each drawn into a far greater battle, one which will change the shape of the world itself.
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Kate Elliott
Few fantasy authors conjure worlds as vast, as lived-in, or as emotionally resonant as Kate Elliott. Her stories don't just transport readers—they immerse them, body and soul, into realms shaped by history, culture, and the complexities of power. With a career spanning decades and genres, Elliott has carved a unique space in speculative fiction by weaving epic narratives that are as intellectually rich as they are emotionally gripping.
What sets her apart is not only her sweeping world-building, but the way she grounds it in human experience. Whether she’s charting dynastic struggles in the Crown of Stars series, redefining epic fantasy with the Spiritwalker Trilogy, or exploring the intersections of gender, colonialism, and resistance in Unconquerable Sun, Elliott brings a rare depth to every page. Her characters—especially her fiercely determined women—push against the boundaries of their worlds with strength, vulnerability, and defiance.
Crown of Stars
Set in an alternate Europe, a world where bloody conflicts rage and sorcery holds sway, both human and other-than-human forces vie for supremacy. In this land, Alain, a young man seeking the destiny promised him by the Lady of Battles, and Liath, a young woman gifted with a power that can alter the course of history, are about to be swept up in a world-shaking conflict for the survival of humanity.
Crown of Stars consists of seven books. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
