The Fall of the Kings

This stunning follow-up to Ellen Kushner's cult classic novel Swordspoint is set in the same world of labyrinthine intrigue. Against a rich tapestry of artists and aristocrats, students, strumpets, and spies, a gentleman and a scholar play out an ancient drama destined to explode their society's smug vision of itself. . . . Generations ago the last king fell. But the blood of kings still runs deep in the land and its people, waiting for the coming together of two unusual men. Theron Campion is heir to an ancient house - and a modern scandal. Basil St. Cloud is a brilliant and charismatic scholar ruled by a passion for archival knowledge - and for the ancient kings. Around these two are gathering those who believe the land still cries out for a king, and those who would do anything to stop them. . . .