Blood for the Undying Throne
Blood for the Undying Throne, the sequel to Blood of the Old Kings, from award-winning Korean author Sung-il Kim and translated by the world-renowned Anton Hur, is an epic fantasy adventure where the corpses of sorcerers power an empire and ordinary people rise up to tear it down
The Empire scorns all invisible gods.
The Empire kills all visible ones.
The Empire continues to enforce its so-called peace with massive war machines that destroy even gods and monsters, leaving the conquered with nothing to worship or fear except the might of the Empire. But desperate odds such as these can inspire resistance.
Last seen rallying under Loran’s banner, Emere survives an assassination attempt that will lead him to uncover sinister plots at the very heart of the Empire.
Arienne has crossed the continent to learn more about the Star of Mersia, the famed weapon that wiped Mersia from the map. But when she arrives in the lifeless land, Arienne finds much more than ruins.
One hundred and seventy years ago, Yuma dares to defy Mersia’s ruthless Grim King Eldred. When she meets an emissary from the Empire, she realizes that they might just have the power to overthrow the Grim King―but is there a cost to aligning with the Empire?
All must decide what they are willing to sacrifice in order to fight tyranny.
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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.
