Bibliography
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The Legacy of the Mercenary KingThe Kingdom of Liars (#1)![]()
The Legacy of the Mercenary KingThe Two-Faced Queen (#2)![]()
The Legacy of the Mercenary KingThe Voyage of the Forgotten (#3)
Reviews
The Legacy of the Mercenary King
The Kingdom of Liars (#1)
“An excellent fantasy debut, with engaging worldbuilding and a good mix between action and character. I thoroughly enjoyed the novel, and look forward to following Nick’s sure-to-be lengthy writing career.”Brandon Sanderson, Bestselling author of Mistborn, The Stormlight Archive, and The Skyward Series
“An obvious strength of this novel is Martell’s worldbuilding prowess as well as his utilization of magic, which is subtle but powerful […] An impressive fantasy debut that creates a solid foundation for (hopefully) a much larger narrative to come.”
“[A] taut, clever debut [...] This smart, briskly told high fantasy entertains all the way until the unexpected end.”
"Intriguing and fascinating."
“For all the right reasons, THE KINGDOM OF LIARS resonated with Scott Lynch’s Gentlemen Bastards sequence, Joe Abercrombie’s First Law, and Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn novels, from the world, Domet, and the magic respectively […] an immensely absorbing fantasy debut.“
“THE KINGDOM OF LIARS is a tale of family, loyalty and leaving a legacy that none shall forget. This is certainly a book that you won’t be able to put down, and will linger with you long after you’ve read the last page.”
“Martell’s portrayal of his protagonist’s growth, from a cocksure chancer to a mature adult sobered by his discoveries, is just as impressive as the twisty plot.”
"A full cast brings a fantasy epic to life, replete with sound effects and music. Michael has been branded a traitor for the sins of his father and finds himself struggling to survive in the Hollows, a land where the price for using magic is memories. Every character is given a unique and lively voice. The story races forward, and twists are punctuated with sound effects, all scored with a subtle soundtrack. Action sequences unfold like a movie, with dramatic moments being given special attention. Michael's story becomes an explosive performance that's remarkably different from other versions of the story. This is ideal for newcomers and series fans alike."Audio File Magazine (Proclaiming Martell as winner of the Earphones Award)
“THE KINGDOM OF LIARS is a pretty impressive debut release [...] an exciting, action-focused fantasy thriller with intriguing mystery elements included too [...] Martell is an author whose career I’ll be watching.”
“An enthralling debut that melded intriguing mysteries, shocking revelations, costly magic, and deeply strong familial theme into its narrative."
"[THE KINGDOM OF LIARS] is for fans of epic fantasy who’re looking for a new spin on magic and a whole helping of mystery."
“Nick Martell is poised to become a promising and inspiring powerhouse in the fantasy genre.”
"There were so many interesting plotlines introduced and while most were resolved, their resolution led to more questions and mysteries that I look forward to delving into with the next installment of this trilogy."
“This is what Game of Thrones would look like, if it had a sense of an moral compass and heroism.”
"THE KINGDOM OF LIARS is an incredible, compelling, and deeply exciting novel."
“A fast-moving first-person story of magic, danger and skulduggery.”
“It’s an epic fantasy series, full of magic, politics, and the quest for the truth.”
“Martell does a good job of blending politics and mysteries into the plot […] a good fantasy debut.”
“Brilliant fantasy debut.”
"The story itself was so exciting, the characters so well written, that this is one of the stories you just can’t get enough of. I can’t wait to see how this story continues."
“A superb fantasy debut.”Adeel Reads and Reviews
"The world-building, character development, and diversity just made this such an amazing fantasy novel."
"This is an excellent debut from Martell who has created a unique world, mysterious characters, his own law system and a deep and yet, undefined completely magical system."
“A symphony of loyalty, greed, family, and betrayal set in an innovative culture!”Tamora Pierce, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Tempests and Slaughter
“A richly rewarding fantasy that seethes with mysteries, fuzed with a mindscrew of a magic system. This, dear readers, is the good stuff.”Jeremy Szal, author of Stormblood
“A roaringly good romp full of intrigue and mystery. Marvellous fun.”Edward Cox, author of The Song of the Sycamore
“With a smartly plotted story, great world-building, flawed but fascinating characters and plenty of mystery, THE KINGDOM OF LIARS is a terrific debut.”James Islington, author of The Shadow of What Was Lost, author of The Licanius Trilogy
The Two-Faced Queen (#2)
"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."
"Filled with emotion, the cast's performances pull listeners into this complicated story of power and secrets. "
"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
The Voyage of the Forgotten (#3)
"It is clear that Martell has talent as a storyteller, as a creator of worlds and characters. With Michael’s story complete, I look forward to Martell’s next world."
"This trilogy may be about the legacy of Michael [...] Kingman, but it also gave birth to the start of the legacy that is Nick Martell."
"This is some of Martell’s best work yet, and if you haven’t experienced this amazing fantasy author’s work yet, you are really missing out."
"The Voyage of the Forgotten is a perfect way to finish our story with Michael Kingman. Do yourself a favour, and read the full saga if you like epic fantasy."
Awards & Accolades
The Legacy of the Mercenary King
The Kingdom of Liars (#1)
The Two-Faced Queen (#2)
The Voyage of the Forgotten (#3)
USA
SF Book Club Selection