In the seventeenth century, a determined and driven young Greek made his way by ship to Southeast Asia in search of wealth and fame. His name was Constantine Phaulkon. He arrived in Siam, learned the language, and soon became a dear friend to King Narai. Befriending the king was the first step to securing his legacy, but he had much more in mind. Phaulkon was appointed to the position of foreign minister of trade. He lured the French to join his life of luxury in Siam, and he soon secured several Europeans in positions of power. With the help of King Narai he has the Society of Jesuits believing Siam is about to become a Jesuit state. Only time will tell how history will view his actions. His story is told through the eyes of twentieth-first-century historian Dylan Montgomery, who specializes in Southeast Asia. His friend Theo is recovering from lifes bumpy road when they decide to investigate Phaulkon. How did a single man recreate the political fiber of a nation, and what became of his great wealth after his death? Dylan and Theo set out together to solve one of modern historys great mysteries: the truth about Constantine Phaulkon.

All three books in 'Chosen King', a series of middle grade fantasy novels by M.J. Sewall, now available in one volume! Dream of Empty Crowns: Gordon is chosen to become the new king after his name is drawn in the Choosing Tower, but his celebration is cut short. Hunted by the ruthless First Councillor Thrundulin, he is pursued by airships and soldiers. With the help of the healer Loren and warrior Aline, Gordon must find a way to save himself and his kingdom. The Trials of Boy Kings: As the two young kings stand oceans apart, old truths put them in grave danger. Sworn enemies, they are held captive by fate and forced to come together in unexpected ways. Meanwhile, a new threat rises as the distant leader known as the Father steps out of the shadows, wielding a deadly new weapon. With destiny-altering choices before them, both kings must rely on allies to defeat their true enemies and set right the history that has been stolen. Plague of Tyrants: The two young kings face unprecedented challenges as enemies surround them and a new threat looms. Their prized airships are no longer enough to protect them, and one must venture forth while the other stays behind to face foes on all sides. Loyalties are tested, boundaries broken, and their Kingdom is more vulnerable than ever. With destiny calling, the two kings must unite their people, defeat their enemies, and stay true to themselves.

Sulian ap Gwien was only 17 when the Jarnish raiders came. Had she been armed, she could have defeated them. It took six to subdue her--and she will never forgive them. Thus begins the tale of a woman who rises to become the strong right hand to the great king who will reunite his people. (August)

Thailand's Bhumibol Adulyadej, the only king ever born in the United States, came to the throne of his country in 1946 and is now the world's longest-serving monarch. This book tells the unexpected story of his life and 60-year rule: how a Western-raised boy came to be seen by his people as a living Buddha; and how a king widely seen as beneficent and apolitical could in fact be so deeply political, autocratic, and even brutal. Paul Handley provides an extensively researched, factual account of the king's youth and personal development, ascent to the throne, skilful political maneuverings, and attempt to shape Thailand as a Buddhist kingdom. Blasting apart the widely accepted image of the king as egalitarian and virtuous, Handley convincingly portrays an anti-democratic monarch who, together with allies in big business and the corrupt Thai military, has protected a centuries-old, barely-modified feudal dynasty. When at nineteen Bhumibol assumed the throne after the still-unsolved shooting of his brother, the Thai monarchy had been stripped of power and prestige. Over the ensuing decades, Bhumibol became the paramount political actor in the kingdom, crushing critics while attaining high status among his people. The book details this process and depicts Thailand's unique constitutional monarch in the full light of the facts.

Reproduction of the original: The Golden Bough by James George Frazer

One of the oldest books in the world, The Oceans of Cruelty is a sequence of twenty-five tales from India whose central theme is the dark power of storytelling. At the start, a young king falls into the hands of a wicked sorcerer, who orders him to find a vetala, or corpse spirit, to serve him; the young king must do as he is told, and soon enough he is also under the sway of the no less malevolent spirit. Like a bat, the spirit hangs from the branches of a tree, and the king is condemned to bear it on his back through a dark forest as it whispers a riddling story in his ear. These are tales of suicidal passion, clever deceit, patriarchal oppression, and narrow escapes from death, and as long as the king can resolve the problems they pose, his bondage continues; the vampiric creature goes on commanding his attention in the dark. Only when the king is out of answers will he at last be free, though when that comes to pass—well, that’s when the whole story takes a new turn. Douglas Penick’s re-creation of this ancient work brings out all its humor and horror and vitality, as well its unmistakable relevance in a world of stories gone viral.

Oracles Of The Motherland is an African story that describes the beauty and harmonious dwellings in some parts of the kingdoms within the continent of Africa in the time of old. It also goes in-depth on the struggles, cultures, betrayals and wars within Odùduwà and the surrounding kingdoms. Àjosè, king of the African kingdom of Odùduwà, had maintained peace in the region for years. But the gods and oracles of the land could not ignore the cries of innocent blood that had been spilled. The peace that Odùduwà had enjoyed would soon be shattered. Lúlù would give her life for Adélolá, her queen. But when a selfish act forces Lúlù to flee for her life, it sets in motion events that had grave consequences for Odùduwà.

Magic is returning. Or so say the old prophesies cobbled from wandering soothsayers, women huffing broken gas lines, and the back of comic tomes. The Evil Empire(TM) of Avar and its perfectly sane, in no way crazy Emperor risks others' life and limb to stop it from coming to pass. Ciara, a black servant into her sixteenth year, finds herself on a quest across the countryside to get the second son and only hope of the severed Ostero line onto his throne. Along the way, she and Aldrin - the rather simple and OH GODS KEEP HIM AWAY FROM ANYTHING SHARP prince - find themselves at the mercy of assassins, witches, traveling historians, killer doctors, and the unblinkers. Can two teens survive an Empire crashing down upon them while a shambling army of corpses waits patiently in the shadows? Will the religious fight for and against magic rip apart the world they all became rather fond of? And just how can a fifteen year old take over a throne dangling precariously over the edge of war?

"From the New York Times bestselling author--the first Ballad novel to feature the epic, and gorgeously-portrayed, American Revolution John Sevier had not taken much interest in the American Revolution, he was too busy fighting Indians in the Carolinas and taming the wilderness. But when an arrogant British officer threatened his settlement--promising to burn the farms and kill families--the war became personal. That arrogant officer is Patrick Ferguson of the British Army--who is both charmingly antagonistic and surprisingly endearing. Inventor of the Ferguson rifle, and the devoted lover to his mistress, Virginia Sal, Patrick becomes a delightful anti-hero under McCrumb's watchful eye. Through varying perspectives, King's Mountain is an elegant saga of the Carolina Overmountain Men--the militia organized by Sevier (who would later become the first governor of Tennessee) and their victory in 1780 against the Tories in a battle that Thomas Jefferson later called, "The turning point of the American Revolution." Peppered with lore and the authentic heart of the people in McCrumb's classic Ballads, this is an epic book that will build on the success of The Ballad of Tom Dooley and her recent return to the New York Times bestseller list. Featuring the American Revolution, this a huge draw to readers old and new, and special to McCrumb who can trace her lineage to the character John Sevier"--