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.
The series
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.
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At its core, the story is driven by characters grappling with identity and the cost of survival amid relentless conflict. Their journeys weave through layers of myth and reality, exploring how personal desires clash with the weight of history. The narrative balances an atmospheric blend of fantasy and subtle horror, where every revelation deepens the sense of unease and wonder, drawing readers into a world both beautiful and brutal.
This series stands out for its immersive world-building that feels lived-in and complex, refusing easy answers and inviting reflection on ambition’s true price. The prose carries a measured intensity, lyrical yet unflinching, capturing the unsettling pulse of an empire teetering on the edge of collapse.
For those seeking a tale that melds dark fantasy with intricate storytelling and morally shaded characters, this series offers a journey through realms where power is never free, and every choice bleeds into destiny.
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