Er war auserkoren, das Königreich zu regieren. Nun herrscht er über das grausamste Gefängnis der Fantasy.Am Gipfel eines verschneiten Berges gelegen, inmitten einer todbringenden Einöde, liegt die Höllenfeste - ein unmenschliches Gefängnis, in dem die schlimmsten Verbrecher der Welt in lebenslanger Haft eingekerkert sind. Doch es sind nicht die Wachen, die die Macht über das Gefängnis in den Händen halten. Es ist der geheimnisvolle Höllenkönig, der die rivalisierenden Häftlinge kontrolliert. Was niemand weiß: Höllenkönig Xavier ist der einzige Verbrecher, der sich freiwillig in Ketten legen ließ. Welches entsetzliche Geheimnis hütet er - und was steht in der geheimen Botschaft, die den Höllenkönig plötzlich seine Ketten sprengen lässt?

**A new legend begins in The Never King, a thrilling fantasy adventure /b>b>by James Abbott./b>Xavir Argentum is rotting in gaol. Sentenced to life in the squalor of Hell's Keep, punishment for an atrocity he didn't commit, the once legendary commander is all but forgotten. His elite band of warriors are dead - and the kingdom he was poised to inherit is oppressed by the tyrant who framed him. For half a decade now, Xavir has ruled nothing but a prison gang.Yet vengeance comes to those who wait. When a former spymaster infiltrates the Keep, bearing news of his old enemy's treachery, plans are forged. A few are compelled to restore peace - an exiled queen, an outcast witch, and an unlikely alliance of rogues and heroes. But peace and vengeance make poor companions. And first, Xavir must make his escape . . .

Abbott does his world-building on the move, dropping us straight into prison with Xavir and broadening the scope once he and his gang break free . . . he creates a world that's clearly rich enough for further stories

Vorwort
This compelling standalone fantasy is a tale of revenge, oppression and heroism, inspired by the work of the late, great David Gemmell.

Autorentext

James Abbott

Klappentext

A new legend begins . . .

Xavir Argentum is rotting in gaol. Sentenced to life in the squalor of Hell's Keep, punishment for an atrocity he didn't commit, the once legendary commander is all but forgotten. His elite band of warriors are dead - and the kingdom he was poised to inherit is oppressed by the tyrant who framed him. For half a decade now, Xavir has ruled nothing but a prison gang.

Yet vengeance comes to those who wait. When a former spymaster infiltrates the Keep, bearing news of his old enemy's treachery, plans are forged. A few are compelled to restore peace - an exiled queen, an outcast witch, and an unlikely alliance of rogues and heroes. But peace and vengeance make poor companions. And first, Xavir must make his escape . . .