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Kingdoms of Death  By  cover art

Kingdoms of Death

By: Christopher Ruocchio
Narrated by: Samuel Roukin
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Publisher's summary

The fourth novel of the galaxy-spanning Sun Eater series merges the best of space opera and epic fantasy, as Hadrian Marlowe continues down a path that can only end in fire.

Hadrian Marlowe is trapped.

For nearly a century, he has been a guest of the Emperor, forced into the role of advisor, a prisoner of his own legend. But the war is changing. Mankind is losing.

The Cielcin are spilling into human space from the fringes, picking their targets with cunning precision. The Great Prince Syriani Dorayaica is uniting their clans, forging them into an army and threat the likes of which mankind has never seen.

And the Empire stands alone.

Now the Emperor has no choice but to give Hadrian Marlowe—once his favorite knight—one more impossible task: Journey across the galaxy to the Lothrian Commonwealth and convince them to join the war. But not all is as it seems, and Hadrian's journey will take him far beyond the Empire, beyond the Commonwealth, impossibly deep behind enemy lines.

©2022 Christopher Ruocchio (P)2022 Recorded Books

What listeners say about Kingdoms of Death

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WOW

This story. This story is one of the best and greatest, emotionally scarring yet beautiful stories I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. It evoked such emotional highs and lows, the sheer span of time it traversed... I dont kbow. I suck at describing things in general, but suffice to say this story moved me. Truly and irrevocably moved me. I sweated, cried, rejoiced, and laughed almost in equal measures. i felt anger, and pain, bliss and happiness, the characters, the scenery, the worlds, the endless dark of deep space. Im not blowing smoke, this story is EPIC and glorious, and Im willing to physically fight anyone who disputes this fact haha

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Horrific but excellent

The story is so compelling and deeply tragic, but somehow not grimdark. Each of the books in this series are profound in some way, whether it's the intricate worldbuilding or the dramatic characterization. This one really hit me in the feels.

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Kingdoms of Death Review

With each of the previous three Sun Eater books being better than the last expectations were high for this fourth book. Upon finishing it I can say Demon and White is still comfortable the best one, followed by Howling Dark, Kingdoms of Death and Empire of Silence

This is a difficult book in a lot of ways. Hadrian spends most of the book experiencing and witnessing horrific things. In the hands of a lesser writer I would complain about bloat and the need of a editor, but I love the prose, world building, and the characters so much I’m going to be more forgiving than usual.

On the plus side the reader gets a lot of good information about the Cielsen society and their origins.

Definitely looking forward to the next book!

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Amazing narrator!

A little ponderous but interesting nonetheless. I love the performance! Looking forward to more. Read it - you won’t regret it

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Hard read but worth it.

One of my favorite series has many entries filled with brutality and depressing darkness. Needing to take a break from Malazan and I came across the Suneater. More specifically this book.

This was a difficult journey to traverse. Darkness and agony permeating throughout its pages. One of which I will probably never revisit upon a reread. Was it necessary? Worth it? I believe so. I’m ready to move forward to the next.

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heavy.

favorite book of the series, dark and extremely heavy. will leave you shattered and heartbroken.

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May be my new favorite series…

I’m a huge Red Rising fan…. It’s been my favorite series for a few years. But this series might be even better in some ways.

The narrator is just incredible. I will find everything he’s done just to continue journeys with him.

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Cielcin are the worst.

Hadrian went through a lot in this book and even thought it’s a sad ending I am happy for Hadrian.

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Great book, but depressing .

Love everything about this. I love the narrator. I love the story and I am invested in the characters and the world.

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  • SJ
  • 04-18-24

Dark, yet satisfying end

Wow, I don’t even know where to start with this book. It was incredible yet very dark. I’ve read several Grimm dark fantasy books in my time and the torture in this book tops them all by far!! Although like the title suggests, it did have an extremely satisfying ending! I cannot wait to start the next book in the series!

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