Blood of Gods and Royals

From a New York Times bestseller, a historical fantasy imagines the teen life of Alexander the Great as he rises to power and struggles against dark magic. Prince Alexander, his eyes aglow with what appears to be insanity, has been overtaken by an evil that threatens Macedon. Has Alex been led to this dark fate by his own mother? Queen Olympias has sacrificed much for her son but is she about to sacrifice him to her own ambitions? Persian princess Zofia knows it is her destiny to mix blood with Prince Alexander. If Zo can find the legendary Spirit Eaters, she might escape her fate and protect both her people and the citizens of Macedon from the coming devastation. Princess Cyn is about to become ruling Queen through marriage to the mad king of Illyria. But if she can attain the power of Smoke Blood, she will not only free herself from her deranged husband but attain enough strength to be sole ruler of her mother's native land. Trapped on a tiny island with the love of his life, Hephaestion feels as if he has landed in purgatory. For each day brings reminders that Katerina is the true princess of Macedon, and a woman who can never be his. Praise for New York Times–bestselling author Eleanor Herman's Blood of Gods and Royals series: "A mingling of history, intrigue, romance, murder, and magic." -Cinda Williams Chima, New York Times–bestselling author of The Seven Realms series "History buffs and fantasy fans won't want to miss out on this mind-blowing new series." -San Francisco Book Review

"A mingling of history, intrigue, romance, murder, and magic," this epic fantasy novel draws on the historical details of Alexander the Great's teen years (Cinda Williams Chima, New York Times–bestselling author of The Seven Realms series). At sixteen years old, Prince Alexander's duty is to become the King's regent, a title that feels merely ceremonial to ambitious Alexander. The young prince has no desire to keep his father's throne warm while the King goes to battle, nor does he wish to make a political marriage with a bride of the King's choosing. Alexander has plans of his own, plans that will put him on the brink of becoming of the greatest conqueror in the known world. Katerina's status as an orphaned peasant belies her secret abilities. When she meets Prince Alexander, she feels an inexplicable connection to him, even as she plots to kill his mother, Queen Olympias. Called to a Blood Tournament against Hephaestion, Prince Alexander's closest companion, Jacob is prepared to fight to win, if only so that he will see a future with Katerina, the only woman he has ever loved. Princess Zofia does not wish to be a political pawn, but as Alexander's betrothed, this would seem to be her fate, until the Persian Princess escapes on a life-altering quest of her own. A heady mix of epic fantasy and intriguing historical detail, Legacy of Kings is the first book in New York Times–bestselling author Eleanor Herman's Blood of Gods and Royals series. "Thoroughly researched and absolutely modern." -Kirkus Reviews "Legacy of Kings is wow! History buffs and fantasy fans won't want to miss out on this mind-blowing new series that's bound to be a huge hit." -San Francisco Book Review

This historical fantasy of Alexander the Great as a teen warrior is "filled with reawakening magic, sex and lots of violence . . ." (Kirkus Reviews). After the triumph of winning his first battle, Prince Alexander has little time to relish his success. He can no longer trust his best friend Hephaestion, and even Queen Olympias, his own mother, is suspected of the darkest of deeds. Then Alexander discovers that a traitor lurks within his own court-someone who holds the prince's confidence. Having fallen out of favor with Alexander, Hephaestion travels with Katerina to Egypt to secure a military alliance-all the while concealing a devastating prophecy he can share with no one-not even Katerina, the woman he is falling in love with. Losing his first love Katerina only fuels Jacob's choice to join forces against Prince Alexander. And with the prince's sister Cynane as his prisoner, he believes he holds the key to Macedon's destruction. Believed dead or missing, Persian Princess Zofia has been freed from duty to marry Prince Alexander, only to find herself abducted by a mysterious, handsome captor with secrets darker than her own. Praise for New York Times–bestselling author Eleanor Herman's Blood of Gods and Royals series: "A mingling of history, intrigue, romance, murder, and magic." -Cinda Williams Chima, New York Times–bestselling author of The Seven Realms series "History buffs and fantasy fans won't want to miss out on this mind-blowing new series that's bound to be a huge hit." -San Francisco Book Review