Blackmark

BLACKMARK

THE KINGSMEN CHRONICLES BOOK 1

A nation's elite warriors vanished. A throne in jeopardy on the heels of murder. War devouring the survivors…

Ten years ago, the Kingsmen were summoned by their king, and were never heard from again.

Elite fighters for the crown, they came to the capitol of Alrou-Mendera, to re-swear their bonds or be charged with treason—then disappeared without a trace.

Elohl den’Alrahel was just a boy when his people disappeared. Now a jaded military veteran, inked with the Kingsmen Blackmark and despised for it, he seeks the truth of the betrayal that decimated his people.

Returning to the capitol in search of answers, Elohl reunites with his sister Olea, Guard Captain for the new young queen, but finds only deception.

A network of assassins controls the throne, since the old king’s death. As an attempt on the queen’s life plunges the nation into chaos, Elohl must make a dangerous choice—to protect the crown that betrayed him, or not.

Now, Elohl and Olea must give up everything to shatter the hidden sect that usurps power from the throne. Joining with friends long scattered, they rediscover an ancient battle between the Kingsmen and a shadowy force that has hounded them for centuries, the Khehemni.

As war threatens, will the exiled new queen trust the Kingsmen once more?

Or will a bloody war be reaped in the shadows—burning all nations and bringing kings to their knees?

An Amazon bestselling series in Epic Fantasy and Sword & Sorcery from an award-winning author, the Kingsmen Chronicles is a gritty and heroic saga of treachery, war, and magic.

Featuring outcasts battling against all odds, a multi-POV cast, and spectacular world-building, this unique, human-written story (no AI) has complex, realistic characters and situations intended for adults.

Epic and gripping, this series champions hope against darkness and love despite loss, exploring ancient civilizations, plus low magic with a high magic past.

These deeply layered novels have been compared to Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time, Patrick Rothfuss’ Kingkiller Chronicles, George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, Andrzej Sapkowski’s The Witcher, and Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive.

A complete series with three books, the Kingsmen Chronicles is the first part of a three-series fantasy epic, the Key of Fire Saga.

“A masterpiece of dark and gritty storytelling. Imaginative and downright compelling, Carlson is a master storyteller. A rightful comparison to G.R.R. Martin, Joe Abercrombie, and Patrick Rothfuss of The Kingkiller Chronicles.” — Alina Hart, Amazon US

“A wonderfully layered novel with spectacular world-building; a complex plot with layers of intrigue and compelling, damaged characters.” — JC Kang, USA Today Bestselling Author

“Once in a while a phenomenon happens. When it does, all existing icons are tumbled. New standards get set. A new legend gets born. This Kingsmen series is such a phenomenon.” — Manie Kilian, Amazon US