Allreaders.com

The Bastard King Book Summary and Study Guide

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of The Bastard King




Roc, March 2003, 14.95, 448 pp.
ISBN 0451459148

In the Kingdom of Avornis, King Mergus took a seventh wife when his concubine gave birth to his son and heir, an action that was illegal since a monarch is only allowed six spouses. When Lanius is still a young child, his father dies and his uncle declares himself the ruler with nobody contesting his right to the throne. When he dies, Lanius is still too young and a regent is appointed to rule until the true heir comes of age.
Click here to see the rest of this review...


The regent proves himself incapable of handling military matters and Lanius' mother takes over. The kingdom is under siege by the Chernagors in the North and the Menteshe in the south. The Menteshe worship the Banished One. Navy Commodore Grus is chosen as the king's protector and one of his first acts is exiling the Regent and declaring himself co-king along side Lanius. The youngster realizes that he is only a figurehead as Grus holds all the power, but the two kings, after a long struggle find they must put aside their differences if they hope to vanquish the Banished One.

Dan Chernenko has created a world so believable and different than our own, a place where magic exists and gods roam the planet, that readers will find themselves finishing the book in one sitting.


Harriet Klausner

The review of this Book prepared by Harriet Klausner



Chapter Analysis of The Bastard King

Click on a plot link to find similar books!

Plot & Themes

Composition of Book Descript. of chases or violence 10%planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives 40%Feelings, relationships, character bio/development 40%Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places 10% Tone of book    -   suspenseful (sophisticated fear) FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?    -   fantasy world/fantasy past Political power play    -   Yes Political plotlets    -   saving govt/kingdom from external overthrow    -   preventing/managing clash/war between govts/kingdoms Is this an adult or child's book?    -   Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character

Identity:    -   Male Profession/status:    -   Prince/Nobleman/King Age:    -   a teen

Setting

Earth setting:    -   during "Tolkien" (fairytime) times Takes place on Earth?    -   Yes

Writing Style

Accounts of torture and death?    -   generic/vague references to death/punishment How much dialogue?    -   significantly more dialog than descript

Books with storylines, themes & endings like The Bastard King

Dan Chernenko Books Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
2 Ways to Search!
Or



Our Chief Librarian