The Kingdom of Liars
Michael was branded a traitor and his family exiled from courtly life after his father, David Kingman, murdered the king’s nine-year-old son.
Now he survives by conning, cheating and duelling minor royals in a weak attempt to strike back at the world that abandoned him and his family, sure all the while that his father must be innocent . . . and aware that some powerful secret lurks in the hot white emptiness of his mind.
So when the opportunity arrives to return to court, via the most dangerous of the King’s royal council, Michael takes it, hoping for clues to unlock his hidden past. Instead, he’s going to find a royal family spiralling into a self-serving dictatorship, as beyond the walls gun-wielding rebels clash against magically trained militia.
But if he can find his way to the truth, he could completely reverse the injustices which rule the Hollows . . . if Michael and his family can survive long enough to see it . . .
Now he survives by conning, cheating and duelling minor royals in a weak attempt to strike back at the world that abandoned him and his family, sure all the while that his father must be innocent . . . and aware that some powerful secret lurks in the hot white emptiness of his mind.
So when the opportunity arrives to return to court, via the most dangerous of the King’s royal council, Michael takes it, hoping for clues to unlock his hidden past. Instead, he’s going to find a royal family spiralling into a self-serving dictatorship, as beyond the walls gun-wielding rebels clash against magically trained militia.
But if he can find his way to the truth, he could completely reverse the injustices which rule the Hollows . . . if Michael and his family can survive long enough to see it . . .
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Reviews
A symphony of loyalty, greed, family, and betrayal set in an innovative culture!
With a smartly plotted story, great world-building, flawed but fascinating characters and plenty of mystery, The Kingdom of Liars is a terrific debut
Nick Martell's debut THE KINGDOM OF LIARS lives up to its name, with so many truths and lies interwoven that nothing is as it seems and surprises lurk across every turn of the page. Nick's found the perfect narrator to tell this story in Michael Kingman - son of a traitor, faithful friend, unfaithful sibling, at turns selfish and selfless as he tries to discover the truth about his father's treason and clear his family name, Michael's tale is nothing, if not thrilling. An epic fantasy debut with a lot of promise, I'm excited to see what the future holds for Nick and Michael Kingman!
An excellent fantasy debut, with engaging worldbuilding and a good mix between action and character. I thoroughly enjoyed the novel, and look forward to following Nick's sure-to-be lengthy writing career.
The Kingdom of Liars is a tale of family, loyalty and leaving a legacy that none shall forget. This is a book that you won't be able to put down, and will linger with you long after you've read the last page.
A richly rewarding fantasy that seethes with mysteries, fused with a mindscrew of a magic system. This is the good stuff
Martell's taut, clever debut tells of rebellion and regicide in a world where the use of magic comes at the cost of one's memories ... This smart, briskly told high fantasy entertains all the way until the unexpected end.
Full of relentless action and more than a few jaw-dropping plot twists
A roaringly good romp full of intrigue and mystery. Marvellous fun
An ingenious and stunning debut fantasy novel. A must-read for 2020.
An exciting, action-focused fantasy thriller
Martell does a good job of blending politics and mysteries into the plot...a good fantasy debut
Brilliant fantasy debut
A fast-moving first-person story of magic, danger and skulduggery
It's an epic fantasy series, full of magic, politics, and the quest for the truth
Interesting worldbuilding, engaging plot, unusual characters. The Kingdom of Liars is an impressive debut