Kihrin is a bastard orphan, raised near a brothel and apprenticed to a bard. He supplements the meagre income of his father’s business by stealing from a wealthy merchant’s house who he knows will be out of town for a while. The only problem is, Kihrin did not count on others being in the house.

He hears screams, sees the vané – a fae species – being tortured and killed by two men wielding dark magic. Kihrin knows that these men are not just rogue members of the Shadowdancers, the thieves guild he is part of. Kihrin also knows that he has to run.

But a demon catches scent of hi m hiding in the shadows and tracks him down. Just as Kihrin prepares to be devoured, an old man leaps in between them, driving the demon back from the street. The only thing confusing Kihrin is why? Why was he saved?

As a reward for his bravery, Kihrin is invited to the home of High General Milligreest. Here, he is shocked to recognise one of the honoured guests, heir to the throne of House D’Mon, the Emperor’s son Darzin. Kihrin has seen him before. He is one of the two men wielding dark magics who tortured and killed the vané. Darzin also recognises Kihrin, but for a different reason. He thinks Kihrin is the lost son and heir and the key to a greater, more valuable form of blood magic than he had ever hoped to have access to. Now Darzin too will be hunting Kihrin.

The Ruin of Kings is the opening to what promises to be an epic fantasy series that examines the fact that not every story has a hero, and no-one can guarantee a happy ending.

Reviewed by David Johnson