For the Killing of Kings is the first in a new fantasy trilogy.
When not helping run his small family farm or spending time with his amazing wife and children, HOWARD ANDREW JONES can be found hunched over his laptop or notebook, mumbling about flashing swords and doom-haunted towers. He has worked variously as a TV cameraman, a book editor, a recycling consultant, and a college writing instructor. He assembled and edited 8 collections of Harold Lamb's historicals for the University of Nebraska Press, and served as Managing Editor of Black Gate. He edits the sword-and-sorcery magazine Tales From the Magician's Skull, and serves as Executive Editor of the Perilous Worlds book imprint. He can still be found online at www.howardandrewjones.com and occasionally glimpsed @howardanrewjon.
Praise for For the Killing of Kings: Jones's exciting epic will
have readers laughing, crying, and cheering for the men and women
of the Altenerai. --Publishers Weekly (starred review) Exciting,
absorbing, and a great deal of fun...I expect to be eagerly reading
the next book. --Locus Moves at an astounding pace, each chapter
ratcheting up the suspense and the danger until everything seems
ready to spin out of control. This is exciting storytelling from
one of the best and most knowledgeable writers of heroic fantasy
around. If you haven't yet read Jones, this is an awesome place to
start. --Black Gate Do you ever find yourself wondering what the
next blockbuster epic fantasy series will be? Howard Andrew Jones'
For the Killing of Kings might be it.... This is a traditional epic
fantasy with all the stops pulled out--an interesting magic system,
squabbling warrior factions--but its vivid, varied characters set
it apart. And Jones puts additional weight into the history just
prior to the story's setting, adding mystery and depth to this
perfect introduction to a new fantasy universe. --Bookpage (top
pick) If Roger Zelazny decided to take the multi-world canvas of
his Amber universe, and marry that to the sensibilities, pulse
pounding action, pacing, and fun adventure of Alexandre Dumas, you
would get Howard Andrew Jones' fantastic turn into adventure
fantasy, For the Killing of Kings. Layered characters, action beats
that jump off the page, and staking a spot in optimistic, bold, fun
fantasy that is diametrically opposed to the Grimdark dominating
the field, For the Killing of Kings stands out like a beacon.
--Paul Weimer, Tor.com Jones writes well, strong prose giving a
good sense of setting and able to stir emotions without ever
getting itself noticed.... but the real strength of the book is
simply that it is fun to read. --Mark Lawrence, author of the Book
of the Ancestor series "For the Killing of Kings is a fast-paced
adventure combined with an engrossing mystery, all set in a unique
and original fantasy world. I can't wait to find out what happens
next!" -- Martha Wells, Hugo-award winning author of The Murderbot
Diaries "Howard Andrew Jones, an aficionado nonpareil of heroic
adventure, has surpassed himself. For the Killing of Kings is the
opening salvo of a thrilling epic set in a world that only he could
envision: a thunderous, sword-clanging treat." -- Ian Tregillis,
author of The Mechanical
A fantastic adventure! Wit and mystery abound in this fast-paced
epic across a stunning new world. -- S.A. Chakraborty, author of
City of Brass "Honor pushed out of fashion by fanaticism, honest
talent diverted by tyranny, monsters at every border, deceit
guiding all: For the Killing of Kings is a fantasy for our times,
with a sword at its backbone but humans at its heart.
World-building shines out of every ritual, in fragments of poetry
and lines of plays. There are strong women on practically every
page, strong friendships, plenty of warriors and mages, fight
scenes galore, and a sense of playfulness to parry each stroke of
solemnity. Reading Howard Andrew Jones is like opening a present
from a friend who keeps promising, with a cheeky grin: "This is my
best one yet." And it's always true." -- C. S. E. Cooney, World
Fantasy Award-winning author of Bone Swans "For the Killing of
Kings is a fast, fun swords and sorcery tale in the grand style,
but updated for a modern reader. Magic, mayhem, betrayal, reversal,
sword fights, court intrigue--this book hits all the right notes
and has a great time doing it. Jones' Altenerai are a great
addition to the heroic tradition--imagine Mercedes Lackey's heralds
recruited from a bar in Fritz Leiber's ?Lankhmar and you'll get
something of their flavor. If you enjoy my Fallen Blade books you
will find a lot to like in this novel." -- Kelly McCullough, author
of the Fallen Blade and WebMage series "For the Killing of Kings is
set in a sumptuously detailed world and combines mystery, intrigue,
fast-paced action, and magic that comes vividly to life for a true
sense of wonder." -- Ilana C. Meyer, author of Fire Dance "For The
Killing of Kings is a white knuckle murder mystery brilliantly set
in a Zelazny-esque fantasy landscape. It has everything --
enchanted blades, magic rings, edge-of-your seat sword fights, Game
of Thrones-scales battles, ancient legends... It is the finest
fantasy novel I have read in years." -- John O'Neill, World Fantasy
Award winning author Where do I begin with For the Killing of
Kings? Do I start with my impressions of the central murder
mystery, which unfolds to fascinating and devastating effect? Do I
go on about the two central characters, a grizzled drunk and a
bright-eyed but promising recruit, who play foil to one another
beautifully? Perhaps I could mention the way it tips its hat to
Arthurian legend without becoming beholden to it, and how it put a
smile on my face. I might even touch on how deftly the world was
revealed, layer after mesmerizing layer. In the end, though, I
suppose what matters most is the experience. What you have in
Howard Andrew Jones' latest novel is a story that entrances, that
draws you deep into its pages, that cradles you on a journey as
rewarding as it is intriguing. Readers who crave rich, immersive
tales will not be disappointed. --Brad Beaulieu, author of Twelve
Kings in Sharakai
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