Reactor / July 17, 2024

Paste Magazine / August 05, 2024

Given the breadth and popularity of the fantasy genre at the moment, it takes a lot to stand out from the pack. But it’s clear from the very first glance that the upcoming Koren fantasy Blood of the Old Kings is something refreshingly different from what we’ve seen in recent years. An epic fantasy in translation, the sprawling story wrestles with timely themes, features multiple perspectives, and blends classic genre elements together in fresh ways. 

Publishers Weekly / August 08, 2024

Kim debuts with an epic underdog fantasy in which choice outweighs destiny. Running up against a world-spanning Empire that draws its powers from dead sorcerers, three outsiders become embroiled in rebellions and plots to free prisoners. Swordmaster Loran bargains with a captive dragon to fulfill its promise to preserve a kingdom conquered by the Empire. Sorcerer-in-training Arienne, tutored by an unliving mage, flees before the Empire can render her into a source of magic energy. Cain, an orphan in the capital, is haunted by the specter of a slain friend and strives to thwart the coup planned by her killers. The question that bedevils all three protagonists is how much their choices are driven by their own free will or forced by external powers. Kim avoids saddling his characters with the well-worn “chosen one” narrative, finding ways to make their destinies more a product of actions taken than of inheritance. Readers seeking an exciting new fantasy world to sink into will find this hits the spot. Agent: Toni Kim, Greenbook. (Oct.)

Book Riot / August 30, 2024

Today, I’ve got some new releases and some potential preorders for you to check out. Get ready for dragons, bog wives, and the vagaries of memory.

Reactor / September 10, 2024

Sung-il Kim’s fantasy novel Blood of the Old Kings begins an epic journey unlike any other—and we’re thrilled to share the map, created by cartographer and illustrator is Emily Langmade. An English edition of Blood of the Old Kings, translated by Anton Hur, will be available from Tor Books on October 8. Read an excerpt here!