The author of the King’s blood is Daniel Abraham. Daniel Abraham is an American science fiction/fantasy author who lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He sometimes collaborates with the famous fantasy author George R.R. Martin who also resides in New Mexico. The book the King’s blood is the second one in the fantasy series the Dagger and the Coin which is a Quintet. The first book, the Dragon’s Path entered the arena in April 2011.

If you have already read the Dragon’s Path you can skip right down to the next paragraph because here’s a short description for those who haven’t or needs a reminder. Dragon’s Path is kind of a classic fantasy book where we are in a different world populated by thirteen human races. The main story revolves around Firstblood, the originating breed from which dragons created the following twelve. It all takes place in the Firstblood’s kingdom Antea and centers around intrigues. A fight between the Free Cities and the Severed Throne is spiraling out of control. A new player emerges from the past, sweeping the entire region onto the Dragon’s Path – the path to war.

The King’s Blood builds on the Dragon’s Path and picks up where it left of. Even if things are getting a bit more complicated the underlying theme’s the same; war and madness cast shadows over the lands dragons once ruled.

Geder Palliako is now the hero of Antea and a darling of the court. But the past is closing in on him and a war will change everything. The orphan Cithrin bel Sarcour every move is observed, recorded, and controlled because of her thievery. The war may just provide the opportunity she needs to free herself from the bank’s cage. The mysterious apostate priest sees a long-buried secret of the dragon empire that threatens everything humanity has built. An age of madness and death is certainty with only a few doomed heroes in its way.

For those of you who felt the world in the Dragon’s Path being spread a little thin and missing some deeper explanations and descriptions you’ll find some satisfaction in the King’s Blood. It kind of felt like Daniel Abraham held back in the Dragon’s Path but now he pulls back a little more of the curtain. He doesn’t give as all of it but enough to convince us there’s a layered history there. Unfortunately when it comes to the definition of the thirteen different races there’s not much more to find in the King’s Blood. I guess we have to accept that Abraham wants us to see them as a reflection of our own world where characteristics like tall, dark, blue-eyed, shouldn’t have any real effect on the story. But I for one appreciate the differences of glowing eyes and porcelain skin and am not completely satisfied.

Overall the King’s Blood is considered one of the best new fantasy book series in recent years. I can’t say that it’s as extensive and profound as George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire but it’s actually the real deal. If you’re into magic mixed with real world history, political intrigues and characters to love and hate Daniel Abraham’s the King’s Blood will satisfy you. And hey, you’ll probably get through the whole fantasy series before the next George R.R. Martin book enters the shelves. So keep an eye out for the forthcoming third book, the Spider’s War while you’re at it.