King Of Ashes

A new novel from internationally bestselling author Raymond E. Feist.

The world of Garn once boasted five great kingdoms, but everything changed when the ruthless King Lodavico of Sandura conquered Ithrace. After defeating Ithrace's rulers, the legendary Firemane family, Lodavico ordered their execution, cementing his ambition to rule the entire world. Now, only four kingdoms remain, teetering on the brink of war. However, a rumor persists that the newborn son of the last king of Ithrace survived the massacre. This child, spirited away during the battle by the Quelli Nacosti—a secret society of spies and infiltrators—poses a potential threat to the four remaining kings, who fear he may one day seek bloody revenge. Terrified by this possibility, they place a massive bounty on the child’s head.

In the small village of Oncon, nestled within the neutral region known as the Covenant, young Declan apprentices under a master blacksmith, learning the ancient craft of forging the mythical king’s steel. The Covenant has long been a peaceful buffer between two warring kingdoms, but this fragile peace is shattered when slavers descend upon Oncon, capturing young men to force into Sandura’s army. Declan must flee for his life, carrying his invaluable knowledge to Baron Daylon Dumarch, the ruler of Marquensas. Dumarch may be the only man capable of standing against King Lodavico, who has now allied himself with the fanatical Church of the One. This zealous order is sweeping across the continent, imposing its extreme religious doctrine and burning those who refuse to convert.

Meanwhile, on the island of Coaltachin—the hidden stronghold of the Quelli Nacosti—three young friends are being trained in the lethal arts of espionage. Among them is Donte, the son of one of the society’s most powerful masters; Hava, a determined girl whose combat skills are unparalleled; and Hatu, a troubled boy torn between fury and calm. Their fates are intertwined with the shifting balance of power in Garn, as they prepare to play their roles in the unfolding drama of war and survival.