The never king

Title:

The never king

Author:

Abbott, James, author

ISBN:

9781509803118

Personal Author:

Abbott, James, author

Physical Description:

498 pages ; 20 cm

Abstract:

Xavir Argentum is the legendary former commander of an elite warrior cadre. But Xavir was framed for an atrocity during an epic battle and imprisoned for life, taking him out of the running for the crown itself. Then, while powerless to influence events, the kingdom he'd sworn to protect fell into the hands of a tyrant. It will be up to a few - a mixed bag of rogues and heroes - to right some great wrongs. But first, Xavir must make his escape .

Subject Term:

Kings and rulers -- Fiction.

Revenge -- Fiction.

Imaginary wars and battles -- Fiction.

Format:

Books

Document ID:

SD_ILS:1569022

Availability:

Holds:

Available:*

Library	Shelf Number	Material Type	Status
Searching... Central Services	ABBO FANT	English Fiction	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Galleria Library	ABBO FANT	English Fiction	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Grosvenor Library	ABBO FANT	English Fiction	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Tongaat Central Library	ABBO FANT	English Fiction	Searching... Unknown

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Summary

A compelling fantasy novel of revenge, oppression and heroism, inspired by the work of the late, great David Gemmell. Sentenced to life in the squalor of Hell's Keep - punishment for an atrocity he didn't commit - once legendary commander, Xavir Argentum, is rotting in goal, all but forgotten. His elite band of warriors are dead, and the kingdom he was poised to inherit is oppressed by the tyrant who framed him. For half a decade now, Xavir has ruled nothing but a prison gang.Yet vengeance comes to those who wait. When a former spymaster infiltrates the Keep, bearing news of his old enemy's treachery, plans are forged. A few are compelled to restore peace - an exiled queen, an outcast witch, and an unlikely alliance of rogues and heroes. But peace and vengeance make poor companions. And first, Xavir must make his escape...

Author Notes

James Abbott is a pseudonym for an established author who is trying an exciting new direction.

Reviews (1)

Publisher's Weekly Review

Abbott (a pseudonym for longtime fantasy author Mark Charan Newton) introduces a world-weary warrior who tries but fails to be the new Conan. Xavir Argentum was set up by malicious General Havinir: thinking barbarians were invading the kingdom of Stravimon, Xavir massacred them, only to be thrown in jail following the revelation that his victims were civilians in disguise. He is freed to stop Havinir and his other betrayers from turning Stravimon over to foreign worshippers of a new god. With his estranged daughter, Elysia; her suspicious witch mentor, Birgitta; and spymaster Landril, Xavir sets out to build a rebel army and to achieve rough justice. The work relishes in the grimdark style of fantasy, with bloody sword fights and bizarre magical rituals in abundance (alongside modern-sounding terms such as regime change and magic-user). Alas, the sense of Xavir's vengeance being inconsequential to the deeper plot, along with his alienation from any warmer emotions not related to warrior honor, sidelines the reader's investment in him apart from his ability to hew down his opponents "like blades of grass." Experienced fantasy readers will find nothing new here. Agent: John Jarrold (U.K.). (May) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.