Blood of the Old Kings
Blood of the Old Kings begins an epic adventure in which three strangers journey through a vast Empire that uses the power of dead wizards to conquer and subdue, from award-winning author Sung-il Kim and translated by the highly-acclaimed Anton Hur.
Powered by the corpses of sorcerers, the Empire has conquered the world. It claims to have brought peace and stability to its conquered lands, but some see that peace for what it is―a lie―and will give everything in the fight against it.
Loran is desperate for revenge after the Empire killed her family, so much so that the swordswoman climbs the volcano where the legends say an ancient dragon slumbers and leaps in. She finds that the legends are true, and Loran leaves the mountain with a sword made of dragon’s fang and a great purpose before her.
Cain arrived in the Imperial Capital lost and orphaned, and it’s only thanks to the kindness of a stranger-turned-mentor that he survived on the city’s streets. When his friend is found murdered, he will leave no stone unturned to find those responsible, even if it means starting a war.
Arienne’s future has never been in question―born a sorcerer, she’ll be a Power Generator for the Empire upon her death. But when she starts to hear the voice of a powerful necromancer in her head, she realizes the only thing more terrifying than dying for the Empire is never getting to truly live in the first place.
When peace is a lie, there is power in truth―and as Loran, Cain, and Arienne hunt for answers in their own lives, any one of their small rebellions could be the stone that brings the Empire toppling down.
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Sung-il Kim
Sung-il Kim’s storytelling emerges from the vibrant streets of Seoul, where history and modernity collide in unexpected ways. Born in 1974, he began writing fiction later in life, bringing a mature perspective to his work that blends the fantastical with the deeply human. His novels often inhabit the space between science fiction, fantasy, and horror, weaving themes of power, identity, and survival into worlds that feel both expansive and intimate.
Kim’s debut English-translated novel, Blood of the Old Kings, marked a significant moment not only for him but for Korean speculative fiction on the global stage. The book’s intricate world-building and epic scope drew readers into a tale of ancient legacies and personal struggle, revealing a narrative voice that balances sweeping mythic elements with raw emotional depth. His writing style favors immersive atmospheres and morally complex characters, inviting readers to ponder the cost of ambition and the weight of history.
The Bleeding Empire
In a world scarred by ambition and ancient grudges, The Bleeding Empire unfolds as a haunting tapestry of power and sacrifice. This series plunges readers into a richly imagined empire where loyalty is a fragile currency, and the line between hero and villain blurs beneath shadows cast by blood-soaked legacies. Here, sprawling cities and war-torn landscapes pulse with dark magic and political machinations that twist fate with every whispered secret.
The Bleeding Empire consists of two books and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of one more book. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
