Prince of Fools
From the critically acclaimed author of THE BROKEN EMPIRE series comes a brilliant new epic fantasy series, THE RED QUEEN’S WAR.
The Red Queen is old but the kings of the Broken Empire fear her as they fear no other.
Her grandson Jalan Kendeth is a coward, a cheat and a womaniser; and tenth in line to the throne. While his grandmother shapes the destiny of millions, Prince Jalan pursues his debauched pleasures. Until he gets entangled with Snorri ver Snagason, a huge Norse axe man, and dragged against his will to the icy north.
In a journey across half the Broken Empire, Jalan flees minions of the Dead King, agrees to duel an upstart prince named Jorg Ancrath, and meets the ice witch, Skilfar, all the time seeking a way to part company with Snorri before the Norseman’s quest leads them to face his enemies in the black fort on the edge of the Bitter Ice.
Experience does not lend Jalan wisdom; but here and there he unearths a corner of the truth. He discovers that they are all pieces on a board, pieces that may be being played in the long, secret war the Red Queen has waged throughout her reign, against the powers that stand behind thrones and nations, and for higher stakes than land or gold.
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Mark Lawrence
Mark Lawrence writes with the kind of precision that feels almost dangerous—he has a way of drawing you into worlds where every word counts, every moment is filled with tension, and every choice carries weight. His stories, as intricate as they are brutal, weave together a raw exploration of human nature, often set against landscapes both bleak and beautiful. Readers step into his books not just to follow a plot, but to feel something profound shift inside them.
Born in the UK, Lawrence's early life wasn’t shaped by fantasy novels or fairy-tale heroes. Instead, he grew up with a love for the real and the gritty, which led him to study mathematics and work in the world of technology. His transition to writing wasn’t immediate, but it was inevitable. After years spent in the heart of logic and numbers, Lawrence's creative side finally broke free, channeling his sharp mind into dark, poignant tales that capture the nuances of struggle, survival, and self-doubt.
The Red Queen's War
The Red Queen's War consists of three books. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
Main series The Broken Empire Universe

