The Grace of Kings

by Ken Liu
The Grace of Kings cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Fantasy
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Waterstones
Paperback • £10.99
Amazon
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Technical
  • ID: 7848
  • Added: 2025-12-17
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9781784973230
  • Published: 2016-04-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

As Emperor Mapidéré lies on his deathbed, his vast empire is on the brink of collapse. His people are exhausted by his massive engineering projects, and his counsellors are only looking out for their own interests. Even the gods are restless. Amidst this chaos, a cunning bandit and the vengeance-driven son of a deposed duke cross paths, each leading their own rebellion against the emperor's brutal regime. Their journey to the heart of the empire will witness the clash of armies, fleets of silk-draped airships, magical books, and shapeshifting gods. Their unlikely friendship will drastically alter the balance of power in Dara, but at what cost? The Grace of Kings is the debut novel by Ken Liu, a Hugo-, Nebula-, and World Fantasy Award-winner, and the first in a monumental new epic fantasy series. The book is praised for its intricate world-building, richly drawn characters, and exploration of themes such as power, revolution, and the human condition.

Reviews
Tarvolon · 2023-11-09
intriguing 4.00

The Grace of Kings is a book that rewards a patient reader. The style takes some getting used to, and there are so many moving pieces.

The Grace of Kings is a book that rewards a patient reader. The style takes some getting used to, and there are so many moving pieces. It's a story that demands your attention and engagement, but the payoff is worth it. The world-building is superb, with a rich tapestry of cultures, politics, and history. The characters are complex and well-developed, each with their own motivations and flaws. However, the sheer number of subplots and characters can be overwhelming at times, making it a challenging read. The pacing is slow, but the depth of the story and the intricacy of the world-building make it a rewarding experience for those who stick with it.

Quick quotes

    The Grace of Kings is a book that rewards a patient reader.

    The style takes some getting used to, and there are so many moving pieces.

    The world-building is superb, with a rich tapestry of cultures, politics, and history.

Novel Notions · 2022-05-11
excellent 4.50

This debut is super underrated. The reimagining of the birth of China's Han Dynasty is epic, complex, thrilling, and heartbreaking.

This debut is super underrated. The reimagining of the birth of China's Han Dynasty is epic, complex, thrilling, and heartbreaking. It's a story that stays with you long after you've turned the last page. The characters are deeply flawed and incredibly human, making their journeys all the more compelling. The world-building is rich and immersive, drawing from a wealth of historical and cultural influences. However, the pacing can be slow at times, and the sheer number of characters and subplots might be overwhelming for some readers. Overall, it's a powerful and thought-provoking read that deserves more recognition.

Quick quotes

    This debut is super underrated.

    Ken Liu's reimagining of the birth of China's Han Dynasty is nothing short of epic, complex, thrilling, and heartbreaking.

    The characters are deeply flawed and incredibly human, making their journeys all the more compelling.

The Book Smugglers · 2015-04-21
good 3.50

The Grace of Kings is excellent in many ways and highly disappointing in one major aspect. There is a lot that can be said about it.

The Grace of Kings is a book that excels in many areas but falls short in one significant aspect. The world-building is rich and immersive, drawing from a wealth of historical and cultural influences. The characters are complex and well-developed, each with their own motivations and flaws. The story is epic in scope, with a rich tapestry of cultures, politics, and history. However, the pacing can be slow at times, and the sheer number of subplots and characters can be overwhelming. The one major disappointment is the handling of a particular plot point, which feels rushed and underdeveloped. Overall, it's a book that has a lot to offer, but it's not without its flaws.

Quick quotes

    The Grace of Kings is excellent in many ways and highly disappointing in one major aspect.

    The world-building is rich and immersive, drawing from a wealth of historical and cultural influences.

    The one major disappointment is the handling of a particular plot point, which feels rushed and underdeveloped.

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