The King's Blood

The King's Blood is the second novel in Daniel Abraham's acclaimed epic fantasy series The Dagger and the Coin, following The Dragon's Path. Set in a secondary world once ruled by dragons and populated by thirteen races of humankind, the series is known for pairing the sword with the ledger, telling its story of empire and war as much through banking and diplomacy as through battle.

This installment deepens two central arcs: the rise of Geder Palliako, an unassuming scholar-noble whose insecurity and cleverness make him increasingly dangerous, and the education of Cithrin bel Sarcour, a young banker learning that money is a weapon as sharp as any blade. Alongside them, the noblewoman Clara Kalliam and the veteran captain Marcus Wester carry threads of court politics and a hidden war against an ancient religion.

Readers who enjoy character-driven, morally complex epic fantasy in the tradition of George R. R. Martin, Abraham's frequent collaborator, will find a patient, intelligent story about how nations are broken and remade.