The Two-Faced Queen (#2)
The Hollows is gripped in unrest and on the brink of civil war as an insurgency of anarchists rise, and brother and sister vie for the throne in the second novel in the critically hailed Legacy of the Mercenary King series which Brandon Sanderson called “excellent.”
Michael Kingman thought he was going to die by the executioner’s axe, forever labeled as a traitor. Still alive, and under the protection of the Orbis Mercenary company, Michael and his family and friends are deeply involved in the seemingly rival conspiracies that are tearing The Hollows apart. With the death of the King, both the Corrupt Prince and his sister Serena are vying for the throne, while the Rebel Emperor is spreading lies amongst the people, and all of them want Michael dead. This is a story of betrayal, murder, and rebellion, and in this direct sequel to the debut novel The Kingdom of Liars, also some hope for justice.
Reviews
"Powered by an impressively large cast of well-developed characters, immersive worldbuilding, a multitapestried narrative that adeptly weaves together numerous storylines, and an abundance of jaw-dropping plot twists, this novel also works on a more sublime, symbolic level...Simply put, this series is a masterclass in grand-scale storytelling. The future of epic fantasy is here—and this saga is it."
"In an ominous start to The Two-Faced Queen, Michael Kingman is presumed guilty of murdering the king, and is only alive because the Orbis Mercenary company claimed him as one of their own at the conclusion of The Kingdom of Liars (2020). Michael has information but is desperately seeking evidence regarding Prince Davey’s death a decade earlier to prove his family’s innocence. He’s also reconnecting with his mother after her stay in an asylum, and is dealing with recovered memories he had lost to a dark fabrication, learning how his nullification fabrications work. There are complications, though: the sudden appearance of his grandfather with a band of refugees; the return of a serial killer whom Michael’s mentor, Dark, had defeated years before; a hired assassin with an unclear target; and a Recorder who is convinced that the Kingman family’s history of protecting Hollow and the royal family is overstated. As Michael’s own knowledge expands, Martell weaves in hints about the broader world, offering the possibility of future books in this inventive fantasy setting. "Booklist
'The secrets, lies, [and] betrayals all make for a read that is one to pay attention to."
"As the second book in a series, The Two-Faced Queen heeds the call admirably...Nick Martell has proven two books into his career that he is a Fantasy Writer to watch."
"A masterpiece. A true masterpiece...High tension action, gripping drama, and so many secrets."
"For readers who love the intrigue and widening scope of epic fantasy like Sanderson’s Mistborn and Week’s The Black Prism, this is your next must-read fantasy series."
"Nick Martell is well on his way to becoming a huge talent in the world of fantasy fiction. These first two volumes of The Legacy of the Mercenary Kings series have already made quite a splash."
"This book in my eyes was a masterpiece."
"If you enjoy fantasy novels with mystery, romance and murder, then The Two-Faced Queen could be your next TBR novel."
"A compelling and intriguing fantasy, combining both familiar and unique elements in the genre."
"A solid book from a solid writer."
"[THE TWO-FACED QUEEN] is a BIG book (592 pages), so that’s George R.R. Martin territory. But readers will be rewarded with a rich fantasy world that reminds me a little of the imaginative environments created by Robert Jordan or Brandon Sanderson... Make no mistake, this book works quite well as a standalone."
"THE TWO-FACED QUEEN delivers everything an awesome sequel should, far surpassing the first while expanding on the world in surprising and often gut-wrenching ways. Make sure it's on your radars!"Jeremy Szal, author of Stormblood