Content levels
Trigger warnings
Positive tags
Hero archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Tropes
Themes
Synopsis
Emperor Mapidere was the first to unite the island kingdoms of Dara under a single banner. But now the emperor is on his deathbed, his people are exhausted by his vast, conscriptive engineering projects and his counsellors conspire only for their own gain. Even the gods themselves are restless. A wily, charismatic bandit and the vengeance-sworn son of a deposed duke cross paths as they each lead their own rebellion against the emperor's brutal regime. Together, they will journey to the heart of the empire; witnessing the clash of armies, fleets of silk-draped airships, magical books and shapeshifting gods. Their unlikely friendship will drastically change the balance of power in Dara... but at what price? The Grace of Kings is the first novel by Hugo-, Nebula- and World Fantasy Award-winner Ken Liu and the first in a monumental epic fantasy series.
Is The Grace of Kings appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 16 and up.
Epic fantasy with mature themes including large-scale warfare, political machinations, and the moral complexities of rebellion. Contains battle violence and scheming counselors, appropriate for older teens comfortable with adult epic fantasy.
What to know going in
This book has strong violence, mild sexual content, and moderate language. Content notes include death, war, and violence (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Teens who love sweeping political fantasies with complex characters and Asian-inspired worldbuilding will enjoy this story of unlikely allies fighting tyranny.