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Kings and Daemons (The gifted and the cursed, Book 1) (The Gifted & The Cursed) Paperback – May 26, 2020

by Marcus Lee (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars 830 ratings
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‘What the gods give with one hand, they take away with the other, for if you are gifted, you shall also be cursed.’

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In the Ember Kingdom, a dying land ravaged by famine and disease, Daleth, the Witch-King, plots his conquest of the neighbouring Freestates. Gifted with eternal youth, his power is responsible for the decay afflicting his realm, and now other kingdoms must fall to quench his insatiable thirst for life.

However, on the cusp of the invasion, Maya, a huntress, is arrested, a young outcast is enlisted into the Witch-King’s army, and soldiers kill an old farmer’s wife. Three minor events that nonetheless have the potential to alter the destiny of generations.

For Maya is gifted with the ability to heal and can influence the hearts and minds of men if she but finds the strength to do so. The recruit carries a gift of reading thoughts and harbours no loyalty for the king he serves. As for the vengeful farmer … he’s an ancient warrior gifted in reaping souls who now seeks to fulfil a long-forgotten oath against unbeatable odds.

The world will soon be soaked by the blood of war, but as the fates of these strangers entwine, the faint light of hope begins to flicker. Alliances will have to be forged, enemies convinced to become friends, and a spark of love given a chance to become a flame for there to be a chance to fight the encroaching darkness of the Witch-King's evil.

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The Gifted and The Cursed. An epic fantasy series set in a dystopian land, with heroes that are at times more demonic than the evil they face. The bloody battles, quests for revenge and fights for survival are artfully balanced with light romance, tales of redemption, and the breath-taking beauty of Maya’s gift.

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Order now and feel the magic!

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What reviewers are saying:

★★★★★ 'Compelling world building and brilliantly original (and diverse) characters promise that this will develop into an excellent epic fantasy.'

★★★★★ 'The book’s greatest strength is its taut storytelling; the author never allowing the reader any unnecessary deviations which could possibly slow them down. The pace is remorseless.'

★★★★★ 'I truly loved Marcus’ writing, it read perfectly to me, and by perfectly, I mean it is exactly the tone and style of writing I adore in fantasy. It made me feel like I was reliving a tale told by someone who knew the characters and witnessed the story unravel.'

★★★★★ 'This has been one of my better reads of this year. It has a great cast of characters, multiple POV’s, a hard rules-based magic system, a touching romance and left me wanting more from this author.'

★★★★★ 'A fantastic read. Kings and Daemons gripped me from the 1st page and never let up. Brilliant!'

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For lovers of Epic Fantasy, Fantasy Adventure, Dark Fantasy, Sword & Sorcery, Fantasy Romance, Coming of Age, Action & Adventure.

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  1. Book 1 of 4
    The Gifted & The Cursed
  2. Print length
    456 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    May 26, 2020
  5. Reading age
    13 - 18 years
  6. Dimensions
    6 x 1.15 x 9 inches
  7. ISBN-13
    979-8646561931
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08978G3FP
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 26, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 456 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8646561931
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.41 pounds
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 13 - 18 years
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.15 x 9 inches
  • Book 1 of 4 ‏ : ‎ The Gifted & The Cursed
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 830 ratings

About the author

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Marcus Lee

Marcus Lee

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Marcus Lee is a number one bestselling author of Fantasy novels full of magic, conquest, darkness vs light, and Machiavellian plot twists that you won't see coming.

Born and living in London, he has been a lover of fantasy since reading Homer the Odyssey and The Iliad as a seven year old. Now, as a father of one, he seeks to create worlds and stories that capture the imagination of a new generation of readers, to give back some of the magic he has so happily immersed himself in over the years.

Whenever Marcus' quill is at rest, he can be found wandering enchanted forests, or engaging in a variety of sports/playing computer games with his son.

Marcus can be contacted via his website: www.marcusleebooks.com

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
830 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book to be an excellent read with a captivating narrative and nice character development. They appreciate the pacing, with one customer noting it kept them engaged throughout.

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5 customers mention "Readability"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be an excellent read, with one customer describing it as constantly entertaining.

"While this story had an interesting and enjoyable beginning, the final third was a push to get through...." Read more

"Excellent read. Captivating, engaging, and constantly entertaining...." Read more

"Most of this book was pretty good. There is more than one storyline that gets interwoven together...." Read more

"I love this book. Though the jealous greedy woman trope is annoying. Grr to Yana. BOOO!..." Read more

5 customers mention "Storytelling"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the storytelling of the book, describing it as a captivating narrative.

"A captivating narrative that immerses readers deeply into the intricate backstories of each character, revealing their origins, motivations, and..." Read more

"While this story had an interesting and enjoyable beginning, the final third was a push to get through...." Read more

"...Something new always happening great fantasy story with a slightly darker side than normal." Read more

"...There is more than one storyline that gets interwoven together. Each of the characters has their own power or skill that adds to the storyline...." Read more

3 customers mention "Character development"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one noting that the antagonist was particularly engaging.

"...It has likable protagonists, and the antagonist seemed more interesting than anyone." Read more

"Interesting storylines and enjoyable characters. Each character headed for a battle with remarkably different back stories and agendas...." Read more

"Nice character development. Kept me engaged! I'm always a sucker for a stellar "good vs. evil" story...." Read more

3 customers mention "Pacing"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book engaging.

"...intricate backstories of each character, revealing their origins, motivations, and personal journeys with such compelling depth that the reader..." Read more

"Excellent read. Captivating, engaging, and constantly entertaining...." Read more

"Nice character development. Kept me engaged! I'm always a sucker for a stellar "good vs. evil" story...." Read more

An adventurous quest
4 out of 5 stars
An adventurous quest
Treachery, battles and an adventurous quest makes “Kings and Daemons” a compelling read. Firstly I enjoyed how the author narrated the story. We get three parallel storylines, one of Maya, one of Taran, and one of Antoc. Each of them has its unique gripping storylines filled with adventure twists and turns. On the one hand, we have Maya, who tries to escape from terrifying beasts, and on the other hand, Rakas torments Taran while Kalas on Antoc. Also, the author tells each storyline from multiple points of view, making us connect to the characters nicely. The story seems straightforward in the beginning. However, I was surprised as to how it grew into a more comprehensive picture as it progressed. We get to meet other characters like Tristan, Anthain, Astren, and Laska. I particularly enjoyed the storyline between Daleth and Tristan. In my opinion, the story became exciting up once the characters interact with each other on their Journey to Kingshold. I also enjoyed the world-building and the concepts like spirit traveling. Moreover, what’s nice about the book is how complex the author made the characters. My perception of some of the characters changed throughout the story. Initially, I was not too fond of characters like Rakan. But the author added layers to them and made me like them later on in the story. There is also romance in the storyline, and I loved the scenes between Taran and Maya. Overall, I enjoyed reading “Kings and Daemons” and found it a great start to “The Gifted and the Cursed.” I can’t wait to pick up the next book to see how it continues.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Lisa
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
    Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    A captivating narrative that immerses readers deeply into the intricate backstories of each character, revealing their origins, motivations, and personal journeys with such compelling depth that the reader becomes completely absorbed in understanding the nuanced beginnings that shape the characters' entire narrative arc.
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  • Mitch S.
    4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining
    Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    While this story had an interesting and enjoyable beginning, the final third was a push to get through. It seemed a little patch worked in as far as what type of story it wanted to tell. It has likable protagonists, and the antagonist seemed more interesting than anyone.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Bob
    5.0 out of 5 stars great
    Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Excellent read. Captivating, engaging, and constantly entertaining. Something new always happening great fantasy story with a slightly darker side than normal.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Leelynn Brady
    3.0 out of 5 stars Give me all the witch vibes!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2020
    Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Storytellers on Tour, and Marcus Lee for this free copy. All quotes in this review are taken from the Advanced Reader Copy and may change in final publication.

    Give me all the witch vibes!

    This is the second book recently that I got to read that dealt with “daemons”, although I think both of them use it in a different context, so that’s pretty cool. Sometimes when I see the word “daemon” I think about The Golden Compass since that’s the only book in the trilogy that I read but we aren’t gonna talk about that series.

    So this book deals with a Witch-King who may seem immortal to others, but is only immortal for reasons. So since this evil Witch-King is obsessed with eternal youth, he starts trouble yet again after he and his army conquered the Ember Kingdom 50 years ago. Clearly villains are never satisfied with just one accomplishment, am I right? Kidding.

    Now, the way that the synopsis says it, it seems like the “girl” that has her power revealed is going to be a nameless character that is going to cause all kinds of problems for Witch-King Daleth and that we would be getting the story from his perspective, but it wasn’t. Which is okay if you’re not into seeing stories from the villain’s perspective, but I was kind of curious to see a story that way from the very beginning. Despite that, I am so glad that we got to hear from Maya, the girl in question. We also get the POV of two other characters too, so enjoy that!

    I’m glad that this was the first book in a series because I feel like there could be so much more in this world, and I feel like Lee really set it up like that by the time you finish the novel. I found it quite enjoyable.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Unique Story Line
    Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Most of this book was pretty good. There is more than one storyline that gets interwoven together. Each of the characters has their own power or skill that adds to the storyline. Maya has the ability to heal, both the land and people. Taran can read people's intentions, Kalas is an almost unbeatable warrior with the help of a demon. The story held my attention until the very end when they arrived at their possible allies who initially planned to kill them. This is where the story starts to turn a little amateurish. The allies look stupid, and the main characters are unbelievable when they put everything behind them and agree to the Allied Kings terms. I just started the second book with the hope that the feeling of the book gets back on track.
    Helpful
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  • Lesa L Craig
    5.0 out of 5 stars well written fantasy adventure
    Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Interesting storylines and enjoyable characters. Each character headed for a battle with remarkably different back stories and agendas. The romance is slow burn & subtle until last 100 pages. You become invested with hope that the couple can continue the strong bond, even knowing one among their friend group wishes to destroy that bond for selfish reasons.

    Looking forward to the next book in this series.
    One person found this helpful
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  • D. Gilbert
    5.0 out of 5 stars He did it again!!!! Love it!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    What a strong start to a series! Action packed and edge of your seat situations!!! Onto book 2!
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  • Victor Castro
    4.0 out of 5 stars I like were this is going.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    The great battle of life and death. As told through this very human vessel. With powers and skills lined up like a chess board In a time of kings, what’s not to like.
    Onward to book 2.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Rebel Walsh
    5.0 out of 5 stars Everything fantasy should be!
    Reviewed in Australia on October 10, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This feels like fantasy writing I grew up with. Character development is on point, after one book I feel so invested in these people! The world building is amazing. Marcus Lee…keep the quality coming! This is a completed series, so I’m excited to pick up the next book.
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  • malcolm
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 10, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Wow another great story from a great author, I couldn't put it down
    Report
  • Bookends & Bagends
    4.0 out of 5 stars Heroic, epic, dark, adrenaline fast pacing, and a compelling cast of characters
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 12, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    By the gods of ink and paper was this a thrilling book or was this a thrilling book?

    The answer to that most rhetorical of questions is yes, it is very much a thrilling book.

    Kings & Demons is a very dark epic fantasy set in a gloriously bleak low-fantasy world. Marcus Lee has taken several well-loved fantasy favourites, combined them with a liberal glug of imagination, plonked it down in a gritty created world, given it a sword and told it to have fun.

    Being someone who likes their fantasy on the darker side, I absolutely loved the world that Lee has created here. It’s all so very bleak and downtrodden, the descriptions of both the landscape and its people paint a charcoal dark picture of life here. For a land where happiness, joy, and vitality are being constantly leached by an all-powerful tyrant, Lee has the ambience locked down completely.

    Everything is grey, everyone is distrustful. The people are all as twisted and diseased as the rotting, gnarled trees that speck the festering horizon.

    Slowly though, almost imperceptibly, the greys turn into something less grey.

    Fragile green shoots peek from acidic dirt.

    Marcus Lee can afford to paint his world in such brutally dark hues because he knows the splashes of colour he’s going to introduce in the form of his characters.

    There is an abundance of exceptionally well-written characters in this book, though the central three of Maya, Taran, and Rakan work together in such vibrant harmony. These three especially, are such a font of positivity and optimism when they eventually start working together.

    They have an infectious desire to do the right thing and to make the world better, that you can’t help but root for them.

    The characterisation and journey for all of the characters is nothing short of magical. For example, in the early chapters, you’re going to hate Rakan, and with good reason – he’s vile. But somehow he transforms and not with the ease of a flicked-switch, but with a gradual, believable development.

    – Rakan’s eyes looked misty, ‘I can’t wait,’ he said, ‘I just can’t wait. The slaughter, the blood, the pleas for mercy, it makes you feel so alive’

    Everyone is given their own voice, as well as afforded the chance to use it. We are shown a great deal of each character’s back-story through organically placed ‘flashbacks’. They really give extra flavour and depth to the character, the world, and their place in it, without that bitter info-dump taste.

    As I touched upon a few paragraphs earlier, the world is impressive; it is a living and breathing fantasy beast. It has a history that I’d love to read about, other lands I’d love to read about, and I will absolutely be doing so in the sequels.

    It has an inspired magic system that includes both rules and limitations. People can be born with gifts or powers, but are then stolen away and twisted into sadistic tools of the Witch-King. We see so many different gifts throughout Kings & Daemons, but there is limitless scope for more. No gift will make anyone all-powerful as there is usually a negative ‘curse’ to balance it out.

    What’s that? You’ve been healing people? Well now, we’re going to have to have some of your life off you then, aren’t we?

    You want to live forever? Done! But don’t expect any children! Now sod off, no refunds!

    Then, of course, there are the daemons too who are pretty damned nasty – and pretty damned.

    – His eyes shone red in the night, and the men’s courage left them, those who paused died, those who stood against him died.

    Kings & Daemons was a delight to read, and it was such an easy, fast-paced read to boot. From start to finish it’s almost non-stop action, and where people aren’t getting their heads cut off or guts split like wriggling snakes, it’s tense and engrossing.

    The writing style is direct and efficient, and I hope that doesn’t come across as negative because it really isn’t.

    In many ways, I was reminded a lot of David Gemmell’s Legend. From the narrative style to the focus on camaraderie and heroism, also coupled with some brutally visceral violence.

    Plus read it and tell me that Tristan’s Folly doesn’t give you Dros Delnoch vibes. God, I can’t wait for the next book!

    For a debut novel, and book one of a new series Marcus Lee has done a spectacular job.

    Kings & Daemons is a throughly enjoyable read and I can’t wait to see what comes next.
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  • Shadow21
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Dark, Compelling, Full of Action Fantasy
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 26, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Kings and Daemons, what an awesome book, number one of four.
    It’s Dark, compelling, and I couldn’t stop reading. For me I always know I have a good book when I see myself there in amongst all the action. Marcus Lee, you are a fantastic author, and your story telling keeps you gripped. I am starting book two now, Tristan’s Folly.
    Anyone who likes Dark Fantasy tales, get on board, you will not be disappointed.
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  • ARCHIE KELLY
    3.0 out of 5 stars Story fairly weak plot very predictable
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 29, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Book ok but nothing new plot very similar to hundreds of other books
    Report