The King's Bastard

core novel 2010 The Chronicles of King Rolen's Kin

Record

First published	2010
Original language	EN
Work type	novel
Canon status	core
Reader rating	3.63 (3,039 ratings, collected 2026-10-29)
First-edition ISBN	9781907519017
Internal chronology	1

Synopsis

Byren never wanted the throne. It was destined for Lence, his twin brother, older by seven minutes and the rightful heir to Rolencia, and Byren laughs when a seer predicts that he will kill his twin. But the heir resents Byren’s growing popularity, and at King Rolen’s court enemies are plotting to take the throne, while secrets within the royal household threaten to tear the family apart. Across the wintry land the untamed magic of the gods wells up from the earth’s heart, sending exotic creatures to stalk the nights and twisting men’s minds with terrible visions; those so touched are sent to the Abbey to learn to control their gift, or die. Political intrigue and magic combine in the opening book of the saga.

Where it sits

• Universe: The Chronicles of King Rolen's Kin
• Series: The Chronicles of King Rolen's Kin core; position 1 of 4 in the series' recorded order
• Author: Rowena Cory Daniells

Notes

• From the series record (The Chronicles of King Rolen's Kin): Trilogy and concluding fourth novel, Solaris, 2010 to 2013.

Neighbouring works

Publication order and internal chronology are tracked as two separate orderings, but they resolve to the exact same sequence for this book, so one combined line is shown instead of two identical ones.

• Reading order, within the series The Chronicles of King Rolen's Kin: position 1 of 4: next The Uncrowned King (2010)

Sources

• Wikipedia: Rowena Cory Daniells
• AbeBooks: The King's Bastard (Solaris, 2010, first edition)
• Amazon: The King's Bastard (Solaris, 2010; publisher description)
• Amazon: The King's Bastard (Solaris, 2016)

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