King of Ashes

The Firemane Saga, Book One

By: Raymond E. Feist

Narrated by: David Thorpe

The first volume in legendary master and New York Times best-selling author Raymond E. Feist’s epic heroic fantasy series, The Firemane Saga - an electrifying tale of two young men whose choices will determine a world’s destiny.

For centuries, the five greatest kingdoms of North and South Tembria, twin continents on the world of Garn, have coexisted in peace. But the balance of power is destroyed when four of the kingdoms violate an ancient covenant and betray the fifth: Ithrace, the Kingdom of Flames, ruled by Steveren Langene, known as "the Firemane" for his brilliant red hair. As war engulfs the world, Ithrace is destroyed, and the Greater Realms of Tembria are thrust into a dangerous struggle for supremacy.

As a Free Lord, Baron Daylon Dumarch owes allegiance to no king. When an abandoned infant is found hidden in Daylon’s pavilion, he realizes that the child must be the missing heir of the slain Steveren. The boy is valuable - and vulnerable. A cunning and patient man, Daylon decides to keep the baby’s existence secret, and sends him to be raised on the Island of Coaltachin, home of the so-called Kingdom of Night, where the powerful and lethal Nocusara, the "Hidden Warriors", legendary assassins and spies, are trained.

Years later, another orphan of mysterious provenance, a young man named Declan, earns his Masters rank as a weapons smith. Blessed with intelligence and skill, he unlocks the secret to forging King’s Steel, the apex of a weapon maker’s trade known by very few. Yet this precious knowledge is also deadly, and Declan is forced to leave his home to safeguard his life. Landing in Lord Daylon’s provinces, he hopes to start anew.

Soon, the two young men - an unknowing rightful heir to a throne and a brilliantly talented young swordsmith - will discover that their fates, and that of Garn, are entwined. The legendary, long-ago War of Betrayal has never truly ended...and they must discover the secret of who truly threatens their world.

©2018 Raymond E. Feist (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers

Another amazing book by Feist

This is another fantastic book by an amazing prolific author. I've read every English work I can find by this author and every book is better than the last.

I haven't had this much fun in years.

One of the best storytellers of our time in top form. A true master of the genre.

Good Enough to Buy the Second Book😊

Good medieval fantasy. Basic "A baby is the heir to a kingdom. Some seek to find and kill him." Some parts are a bit brutal.

A new world, new characters, and new enjoyment.

I have been reading Feist since the early 80’s and was hooked from the first book of Midkemia. Now we have a new world to learn and explore, new characters to get to know and love or hate, and new intrigues to contemplate and wonder. The author does not disappoint. The world building that is now Garn lays out fresh for us and begin a new fondness to grow as we learn more about it and those that inhabit it.
I am very much looking forward to the volumes that will make up this series.

can't stand the narrator

The story isn't bad. it's classic Feist but you can tell he's succumbed to mainstream influences.the narrator is absolutely horrible half 9f the characters sound like a bad imitation of Lord farquat.

This is an amazing intr to a story that is subpar

This book has great narration and character delevopment. However, like his dark materials and game of thrones (The tv series)... this is by far the best book in the series before it goes way off the rails. 5 stars on the first book. 4 stars on the second book. And 3 stars on the the 3rd. I actually pre-orderd the 3rd book.... However. It is so ridiculous that I haven't finished listening to it. My guess is this, feist had a bad drug trip while finishing the third book. Trust me, you will understand what I mean if you make it to the second half of the third book. :(

not midkemia

This new book is a story all its own, new characters, new lands, and new evils.
i did not excpect a new world and honestly i was taken aback by it, but as always Raymond has drawn me in again. after reading EVERYTHING he has written, i can honestly say, i was NOT disappointed!!!
if you like Feist, this is a great read

Can’t wait for the next installment!

A great story line and leaves me wanting more. Well written, well read. I would welcome the chance to recommend this book/series.

Love, Love, Love this author!

While in high school, a friend give me a book recommendation after I had finished another fantasy book series. I never expected that this would be the moment I was introduced to my favorite author; one who was able to capture my imagination whole-heartedly! After reading his previous 28 book series, I immediately jumped at the opportunity upon learning that not only had he started a new series, he had a second book in the series coming in just over a week.

I immediately pulled out my phone and downloaded the Audible app, signing up for a free trial with them. With this trial came two credits to be used towards audio books, one for each book in the new series. Once starting the King of Ashes, I devoured every word. Feist pulled out all the weapons in his arsenal and created an amazing new world, and i enjoyed every second of this read. The story was brought to life in a way that was new to me, as the narrator did an amazing job representing each character.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book as well as this telling of the story by Thorpe. I highly anticipate the next book, and hope that Feist could make this series one that dwarves his previous series in comparison.

A great story!

What I liked most about this book was the interesting story.The characters grew as the plot did.It was the kind of book that your excited to listen to as soon as you can.I really loved how the author built two stories that would eventually come together .The main characters are heroic in the way that makes a great book! Good job,I can’t wait to hear what happens next!