Read the First Chapter of The King's Bastard by Rowena Cory Daniells

Rowena Cory Daniells' The King's Bastard is coming out on 8 July 2010 and thankfully it is already in my to-be-read pile. One of the good things about this series, called King Rolen's Kin, is that if you like this first book, you won't have to wait very long. The following two installments are to be released in August and in September.

Today, the publisher is generously offering the first chapter of The King's Bastard if you are curious about the author's style and if you'd like to get a feel for the book.

Blurb

Only seven minutes younger than Rolencia's heir, Byren has never hungered for the throne. He laughs when a seer predicts that he will kill his twin. But the royal heir resents Byren's growing popularity. Across the land the untamed magic of the gods wells up out of the earth's heart. It sends exotic creatures to stalk the wintry nights and it twists men's minds, granting them terrible visions. Those so touched are sent to the Abbey to control their gift, or die. At King Rolen's court enemies plot to take his throne, even as secrets within his own household threaten to tear his family apart. Political intrigue and magic combine in this explosive first book in an exciting new fantasy trilogy.