King's Blood

By Judith Tarr

Book Overview

Red William, the eldest son of William the Conqueror, has inherited the throne, but his decision to leave magic out of his rule causes the land to wither and die.The fate of Britain lies in the hands of Edith, princess of Scotland, and Henry, the youngest son of the Conqueror. Both are highly gifted in magic-but only the blood of a king will cleanse the realm from the evil infesting it.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451461363
• ISBN13: 9780451461360
• Release Date: February 2007
• Publisher: Roc
• Length: 372 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 4.2" x 6.8"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 12 and higher

Customer Reviews

KING'S BLOOD Is A Powerfully Majestic Read!, 9 Mar 2006

This is the sequel to Judith Tarr's RITE OF CONQUEST. The story continues with the heirs to William the Conqueror's throne and their love interests. Red William also known as William Rufus, the eldest son of William's, inherits the throne. Meanwhile, Henry, the youngest son, who will later become Henry I, only inherits silver to make his way in the world. Red William is confronted continuously to become a true king of Britain by accepting his magical powers but refuses to do so. Henry has even more magic than both of his parents but never believes he has a chance for the throne until circumstances drastically change. Edith, daughter of King Malcolm of Scotland was also born with the superior magical powers she inherited from her overly Christian pious mother and becomes a key player in her own and Henry's adventures. The plot unfolds with page turning twists and turns. Never a dull moment! I didn't care much for the first novel RITE OF CONQUEST but this one far surpasses it in sheer readability and excitement. I don't know if there are further forthcoming novels in this particular vein but sincerely hope so! KING'S BLOOD is a very worthy interlude!

Really Fun!

I'm a big fan of Ms. Tarr's work, so it's odd to use the word "fun" to describe one of her books. Usually words like "powerful" or "evocative" or "intriguing" spring to mind to describe her novels. But "King's Blood" was truly a delight and fun. The magic of the land and Edith's wonder with it was so artfully told that I felt transported. The characters as developed by Ms. Tarr were well-rounded, and the story was riveting. Of her many works, this is my favorite and the most delightful...so far. Thank goddess for Ms. Tarr's ability to write well and often.

strong romantic fantasy

When the Saxons converted to Christianity, the Old Magic of Britain that kept it alive started dying. When the Norman conquerors came, Britain for a time began to heal because William and his wife followed the Old Ways. When Mathilda died, William turned his back on magic and with his death, a king sits on the throne who can see but wants nothing to do with magic. The darkness is spreading again and the magic is dying out. The guardians are short one number because a priest denies the Old Ways and follows Christianity. The princess of Scotland, Edith, and Prince Henry, the English king's brother, are filled with and accept the magic that is a part of them. With England under siege from all sides the time is coming for a great sacrifice that if not made will cause Britain to suffer the same fate as Atlantis. Judith Tarr weaves a web of historical facts and imbues them with a touch of enchantment so that a pivotal event in history is made possible by sorcery. This glimpse into a past that once existed comes about because many minor magical rites and especially one major one cause the essential moment that magic made history. This romantic fantasy is full of action, otherworldly creatures and the need for the champions to prove brave and victorious otherwise Britain will be destroyed. Harriet Klausner