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    Kings of the North
    Kings of the North
    Kings of the North
    Audiobook20 hours

    Kings of the North

    Written by Elizabeth Moon

    Narrated by Susan Ericksen

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

    Peace and order have been restored to the kingdoms of Tsaia and Lyonya, thanks to the crowning of Mikeli of Tsaia and the half-elven mercenary Kieri Phelan as their respective kings. But trouble is brewing. Mikeli cannot rule safely as long as the few remaining Verrakaien magelords are at large. And a strange rift has developed between Kieri and his grandmother and co-ruler, the immortal elven queen known as the Lady. Meanwhile, both monarchs are targets of the ex-pirate Alured, who plots to seize their thrones for himself—and to the north, the aggressive kingdom of Pargun seems poised to invade. As threats of war, from without and within, divide the two kings, old alliances and the bonds of friendship will be tested as never before. And a shocking discovery will change everything.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBrilliance Audio
    Release dateMar 22, 2011
    ISBN9781441839251
    Kings of the North
    Author

    Elizabeth Moon

    Former Marine Elizabeth Moon is the author of many novels, including Echoes of Betrayal, Kings of the North, Oath of Fealty, the Deed of Paksenarrion trilogy, Victory Conditions, Command Decision, Engaging the Enemy, Marque and Reprisal, Trading in Danger, the Nebula Award winner The Speed of Dark, and Remnant Population, a Hugo Award finalist. After earning a degree in history from Rice University, Moon went on to obtain a degree in biology from the University of Texas, Austin. She lives in Florence, Texas.

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    Reviews for Kings of the North

    4/5

    138 ratings14 reviews

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    • 3/5
      This book has an even more wandering POV than the first one in the series, although I didn't notice it as much. This very much feels like a continuation of the first book - picking up plotlines, and moving them along one step, but not resolving much of anything. This book focuses more on Kieri, who I'm less interested in than Dorrin or Arcolin.

      And the love story at the end was not entirely satisfying, being on the one hand ridiculously foreshadowed and on the other hand 100% told rather than shown. I don't buy the chemistry - I don't have anything against the pairing, but Moon just didn't make them a believable couple for me. I think she's better at writing friendship and soldierly camaraderie than love. Too bad - I like a well-done love story.

      I'll hope for more of Dorrin in the next two books.
    • 4/5
      A great follow up to Oath of Fealty in the Paladin's Legacy series by Elizabeth Moon. I heard her speak at DragonCon 2015 and found this series in the bookseller's stall so I figured I'd give it a go, and boy am I glad I did. Once started in Oath, the lives of the characters that Paks changes continue as they fall into their new roles: Count, Duke, and King. How do a Count and a Duke, who have spent their lives in a mercenary company, deal with court clothes and court etiquette? What does a half-elven King do when he realizes he must marry, but can't face the thought of marrying a much younger woman who doesn't want to marry him, either? How does the new human King do with his newest allegiances, kingdom, and threats from other sources? Moon brings additional twists to these stories, and just as I thought it would fall into the well-known genres of sword and sorcery, thievery, elves and dwarves, she twists the events to make them oh-so-unique and gripping. I have Book #3 ready to go, and I understand that she has also written Book #4 in this series?? Wow. You go, girl.
    • 4/5
      After getting past the initial confusion as to what title was what and what character was who, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. This second installment provides a good mix of fantasy, politics, and even a bit of a love story. I enjoyed the lack of gender distinction in titles, as well. It's refreshing, really, for those under certain superiors to view said superiors merely as their superiors, not female or male. I believe that gave the story and the world an overall balance and increase in credibility. A lot of military fantasy novels don't handle gender the way she does, so I can greatly appreciate and admire that. The viewpoints switching as often as they did also allows the reader to really get into the head of different characters, which makes their interaction with one another and with other characters a lot easier to understand and to follow. There is also significant character development because of this, despite the fact that nothing extremely climatic occurs in the second book. I can't wait to see what comes next.
    • 5/5
      The story begun in Oath of Fealty continues with Kieri, now king of Lyonya, frustrated by the distance of his co-ruler the elven Lady of Ladysforest while the Pargunese threat looms ever-larger. Dorrin has her work cut out for her continuing to heal the land and people that her Verrakai family twisted with dark magery. And Arcolin's troops are on the move, dealing with fights from apparent mercenaries who are also counterfeiters. I really enjoyed diving back into this incredibly well-realized world. There are political maneuverings and wars, customs and traditions, religions, and history that add a depth to the story. No character is perfect, but each try to do their best with the information they have. Since the reader is following multiple perspectives, he or she knows more than any one principal character. Even though this one book has its own story wrapped up, there is still the overarching threat of the former pirate Alured now styling himself a ruler and descendant of the nobles of Aare, and the knowledge that there is more to come. A lot of complexity built into the world and the characters make this feel like a real place instead of a fantasy.
    • 4/5
      Elizabeth Moon returns to the fantasy world of the paladin Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter "Paks for short" in this second volume of a new series filled with all the bold imaginative flights, meticulous world-building, realistic military action, and deft characterization that readers have come to expect from this award-winning author. In Kings of the North, Moon is working at the very height of her storytelling powers.Peace and order have been restored to the kingdoms of Tsaia and Lyonya, thanks to the crowning of two kings: Mikeli of Tsaia and, in Lyonya, Kieri Phelan, a mercenary captain whose royal blood and half-elven heritage are resented by elves and humans alike. On the surface, all is hope and promise. But underneath, trouble is brewing. Mikeli cannot sit safely on his throne as long as remnants of the evil Verrakaien magelords are at large. Kieri is being hounded to marry and provide the kingdom with an heir, but that is the least of his concerns. A strange rift has developed between him and his grandmother and co-ruler, the immortal elven queen known as the Lady. More problematic is the ex-pirate Alured, who schemes to seize Kieri’s throne for himself, and Mikeli’s, too, while he’s at it. Meanwhile, to the north, the aggressive kingdom of Pargun seems poised to invade. Now, as war threatens to erupt from without and within, the two kings are dangerously divided. Old alliances and the bonds of friendship are about to be tested as never before. And a shocking discovery will change everything.A continuation of the story begun in Oath of Fealty, with the epic tale focusing on Kieri, King of Lyonya, Duke Verrakai, and Arcolin, new Count of the North Marches. Each of the former companions and continuing friends have their own problems and challenges to face.While Dorrin has managed to clear the Verrakai holdings and remove the traps and all taints of evil she can find, she still faces an insurmountable task. Not only must she heal the people and the Verrakai lands, she must also track down all the magelords that escaped - including those that have taken over the bodies of innocents, using them to house their evil spirits. As if that weren't enough the king of Tsaia has made her his military commander. Her real test will be the three squires she accepted, all from good families and all with far more knowledge of courtly manners than she's got thus far.Arcolin must finish his campaign in the south, which is against a much more perilous situation than he and his cohort signed on for. Sergeant Stammel fights off a possession that ends up leaving him in dire straits for a lifelong military man, and everyone questions his ability to return to the cohort or the Company. It proves to be beneficial in numerous way to both Arcolin and Stammel to visit Dorrin before the Fall Court and Arcolin's investiture. Like Dorrin before him, Arcolin also must attend court for the first time, the he has the benefit of Dorrin actings as his sponsor and guiding him through everything she had to learn on the fly.Meanwhile in Lyonya Kieri has his own issues: a problem with Aliam Halveric, being besieged by uninvited princesses, attempted assassinations, threats from other Kingdoms, attempted attacks, and many other things both large and small. Just staying alive is getting more challenging, without considering keeping his people alive, safe, healthy, and happy. There is also the ongoing issue of his grandmother and establishing a working relationship with her that is not solely at her discretion. He clearly has his work cut out for him, and throughout it all must learn to master his temper if he is to keep the taine whole and happy.Once again there are smaller stories woven throughout these larger stories, each necessary in order to create the exquisite tapestry that is this epic fantasy thus far. I for one have no doubt that Ms. Moon will create a rich, vibrant fabric by the time she has finished with each of the tales she's begun with the first two books.
    • 4/5
      I did not write a review when I rated it, and so I have no idea what it was about (obvs. have to reread it when I get hold of the next one). Middle book is middle book.
    • 3/5
      I love the first 3 Paks books which technically aren't part of this trilogy, but the plot all flows together into this book. The previous book, Oath of Fealty, wasn't nearly as good, so I opened this book with some uncertainty. Luckily, it is much better than Oath of Fealty. Its not really a 'Paksennarion' book, if you are looking for one, Paks is mentioned several times, makes a very brief cameo appearance, and then disappears again. Arvid Semminson reappears and provides a lot of the action in this book. The main problem I had with this novel is that it felt like a world-building novel. Lots and lots of diplomacy, some match making, and some events that seem written to reveal more about the world, which really should have happened in the previous book. There's not a lot of action and the plot doesn't really advance much for a book of this length. Lots of it could have been left out or shortened without anything being missed. Its decent, but not up to Moon's usual standards.
    • 5/5
      Things are heating up! And now there are dragons!
    • 5/5
      Strong multi POV fantasy. Want the next one!
    • 4/5
      Also an excellent addition to the universe. I appreciated that it comes to a satisfying conclusion while still leaving some major plot threads hanging for the third book (which comes out tomorrow - how convenient for me!)

      I find Moon's prose workmanlike at best, and her attention to detail can make the pace of her novels rather slow, but they're carefully plotted, her characters all feel realistic, and I always appreciate a fantasy series where female characters are both assumed (by the author) to be as competent as the males and where sexism still crops up and is overtly addressed.
    • 5/5
      The second book in the Paladin’s Legacy series, Kings of the North opens up the focus from King Kieri, King Mikeli and Duke Dorrin to other characters and the more wide-ranging consequences of their new statuses. Treachery brews in all corners of the land; the pirate and self-styled Count Alured the Black positions himself to claim a crown and with it, an all-reaching rule. Misunderstandings and old enmities between Lyonya and Pargun must be addressed anew if peace is to be attained, while Kieri’s own Elven grandmother thwarts his attempts to properly rule his kingdom.I love these books; Moon focuses on details, but then pulls back to show how these small events change the face of an entire world. As with the second book in the Deed of Paksennarion trilogy, Kings of the North now moves more swiftly than the first instalment did, but is still nicely packed with moments of good command and personal warmth between characters; there is even, as before, a dramatis personae posted at the beginning in case any of the minor characters have slipped our memories between books… not that Moon doesn’t continue to include back-story at most meetings, but it’s nice to be able to place a name immediately. I also enjoy how she balances the magic that is a tool for those who train to wield it better, with a sense of depth and wonder behind it.I’m glad I don’t have a long wait for Echoes of Betrayal.
    • 5/5
      As I read the previous volume in the series last year, I was a little bit lost as this book started. However, I was surprised at how much I remembered and how quickly I found my bearings. It's a joy to read about the new adventures of old and beloved characters, and Moon does an excellent job of integrating new points of view as well. The paladin Paks has only a small role here; most of the story focuses on Kieri Phelan, Dorrin, Arcolin, and the wanderings of the Count of Andressant.If I have any complaint about how the series is developing, its that so many of the older characters are now developing magical skills. They were formidable before with their brains, physical strength, and battle acumen; now it almost feels like overkill. However, I trust Moon as a writer and I wonder where she is taking them all in the end. The sixth book comes out in a few months, and I hope to read it right away while so many of these details are fresh in my mind.
    • 4/5
      Good story. Interesting take on the elves - not quite as perfect and wise as they think they are! Yay for Kieri finally looking in the right place - the princesses were amusing, but so clearly wrong that there wasn't any real question about them to me. Though they did lead to finding out some rather important stuff about Pargun... And then the - ahem, new character introduced towards the end. Someone follows Camwyn - I forget who though. The glimpse of Arvid was also interesting, though even after more than a chapter with him as viewpoint character I don't know much more about him than I did before. And it looks like Dorrin's efforts may bear fruit eventually (though her heir needs to come be part of the rebuilding). Etc etc. The whole book is vignettes continuing the story - which isn't bad, they're fun and interesting and the story is building up to something. It's just that the something is still totally obscure, and at this point it looks like the stories are running parallel and not converging...much. Stammell's tie-in with Dorrin is a major clue, so is the crown. And speaking of Stammell - again, Paks' world is showing a lot more magic than she encountered in the first trilogy. Odd. Good, though, and I'm definitely looking forward to the rest.
    • 4/5
      Enjoyable but unfocused. A lot of movement, but no resolution; a lot of running around to no good purpose. Maybe because it's a middle book.