The Liar's Key
David Gemmell Legend Award 2016.
Prince of Fools, The Red Queen’s War: Book One had all “the hallmarks of [Mark Lawrence’s] storytelling and writing style which made The Broken Empire trilogy such an incredibly addictive read” (Bibliosanctum.com). Now, The Liar’s Key continues the story of the unusual fellowship between a rogue prince and a weary warrior...
After harrowing adventure and near-death, Prince Jalan Kendeth and the Viking Snorri ver Snagason find themselves in possession of Loki’s Key, an artefact capable of opening any door, and sought by the most dangerous beings in the Broken Empire — including The Dead King.
Jal wants only to return home to his wine, women, and song, but Snorri has his own purpose for the key: to find the very door into death, throw it wide, and bring his family back into the land of the living.
And as Snorri prepares for his quest to find death’s door, Jal’s grandmother, the Red Queen continues to manipulate kings and pawns towards an endgame of her own design...
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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

