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Blood of Kings #3
The Demon Hunter
Demon legions prepare to march across the land as Fanrac begins his grab for power. The threat grows so great it can no longer be ignored. The monarchs of the Middle Sea set aside their differences and ready their armies to make a stand.
Force of arms alone will not be enough, as countless heroes of history have discovered to their demise. Time is running out for Conrad to tame the power coursing through his blood and learn the lessons he needs to face his ultimate foe.
Discovering Fanrac’s long forgotten capital sets Conrad and his comrades, old and new, on a path to a final confrontation with an evil bearing an unexpected face…
Force of arms alone will not be enough, as countless heroes of history have discovered to their demise. Time is running out for Conrad to tame the power coursing through his blood and learn the lessons he needs to face his ultimate foe.
Discovering Fanrac’s long forgotten capital sets Conrad and his comrades, old and new, on a path to a final confrontation with an evil bearing an unexpected face…
459 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 11, 2023
201 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
About the author
Duncan M. Hamilton
26 books1,093 followersHi, thanks for visiting my page. I’m Duncan, a fantasy and science fiction author from Ireland. I love to blend my passion for Medieval and Renaissance history with the freedom of fantasy environments to create fast paced heroic fantasy adventures with compelling characters and high stakes—exactly the types of stories that I love to read, so I hope you’ll like them too.
You can find more of my online hangouts and my work at the links below. Don’t forget to sign up for my news letter if you want to keep up to date on all my news and new releases!
I’m delighted to announce my most recent trilogy with Tor, Dragonslayer - a heroic fantasy tale about redemption, revenge, and megalomania. Oh, and dragons. Plenty of dragons! The entire trilogy - Dragonslayer, Knight of the Silver Circle, and Servant of the Crown - is now out in the wild, and available to purchase. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it.
My next trilogy is already well under way, and I've a couple of new projects that occur in different worlds (and genres!) that I'm very excited about, and hope to start releasing this coming Spring 2021.If that’s too long to wait, then please check out my other books, all of which are currently available!
Society of the Sword
The Tattered Banner was one of Buzzfeed's 12 Greatest Fantasy Books of 2013!
In a world where magic is outlawed, ability with a sword is prized above all else. For Soren this means the chance to live out his dreams.
Plucked from a life of poverty, he is given a coveted place at Ostenheim's Academy of Swordsmanship, an opportunity beyond belief.
Opportunity is not always what it seems however, and gifts rarely come without conditions. Soren becomes an unwitting pawn in a game of intrigue and treachery that could cost him not just his dreams, but also his life.
Wolf of the North
It has been generations since the Northlands have seen a hero worthy of the title. Many have made the claim, but few have lived to defend it. Timid, weak, and bullied, Wulfric is as unlikely a candidate as there could be.
A chance encounter with an ancient and mysterious object awakens a latent gift, and Wulfric’s life changes course. Against a backdrop of war, tragedy, and an enemy whose hatred for him knows no bounds, Wulfric will be forged from a young boy, into the Wolf of the North. This is his tale.
If that’s not enough, I’ve a standalone novel, and some shorter work to give you a taste of what I write. You can get a free digital copy of the Marcher Lord if you sign up for my news letter!
You can find more of my online hangouts and my work at the links below. Don’t forget to sign up for my news letter if you want to keep up to date on all my news and new releases!
I’m delighted to announce my most recent trilogy with Tor, Dragonslayer - a heroic fantasy tale about redemption, revenge, and megalomania. Oh, and dragons. Plenty of dragons! The entire trilogy - Dragonslayer, Knight of the Silver Circle, and Servant of the Crown - is now out in the wild, and available to purchase. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it.
My next trilogy is already well under way, and I've a couple of new projects that occur in different worlds (and genres!) that I'm very excited about, and hope to start releasing this coming Spring 2021.If that’s too long to wait, then please check out my other books, all of which are currently available!
Society of the Sword
The Tattered Banner was one of Buzzfeed's 12 Greatest Fantasy Books of 2013!
In a world where magic is outlawed, ability with a sword is prized above all else. For Soren this means the chance to live out his dreams.
Plucked from a life of poverty, he is given a coveted place at Ostenheim's Academy of Swordsmanship, an opportunity beyond belief.
Opportunity is not always what it seems however, and gifts rarely come without conditions. Soren becomes an unwitting pawn in a game of intrigue and treachery that could cost him not just his dreams, but also his life.
Wolf of the North
It has been generations since the Northlands have seen a hero worthy of the title. Many have made the claim, but few have lived to defend it. Timid, weak, and bullied, Wulfric is as unlikely a candidate as there could be.
A chance encounter with an ancient and mysterious object awakens a latent gift, and Wulfric’s life changes course. Against a backdrop of war, tragedy, and an enemy whose hatred for him knows no bounds, Wulfric will be forged from a young boy, into the Wolf of the North. This is his tale.
If that’s not enough, I’ve a standalone novel, and some shorter work to give you a taste of what I write. You can get a free digital copy of the Marcher Lord if you sign up for my news letter!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
July 15, 2023
Rushed ending
Not sure how I feel about this book. I liked the series overall but the second half of this book felt a bit thin. Almost felt like the author just wanted to finish the book, though the first two never felt that way. The final scene is just wham, bam, the evil villain is vanquished everyone go home happy!
Not a bad read, I'd recommend giving it a shot if you're into the fantasy genre and you're looking for something new.
Not sure how I feel about this book. I liked the series overall but the second half of this book felt a bit thin. Almost felt like the author just wanted to finish the book, though the first two never felt that way. The final scene is just wham, bam, the evil villain is vanquished everyone go home happy!
Not a bad read, I'd recommend giving it a shot if you're into the fantasy genre and you're looking for something new.
February 5, 2024
this series was a decent and cozy fantasy for YA.
September 5, 2023
Anticlimactic
The author never let the MC develop his power potential. Made him seem weak and dependent on others too much. 75% of book was characters investigating and chasing leads that got
them nowhere. Very disappointed in the way author builds MC through the first two books, then nothing... UGH!!!
The author never let the MC develop his power potential. Made him seem weak and dependent on others too much. 75% of book was characters investigating and chasing leads that got
them nowhere. Very disappointed in the way author builds MC through the first two books, then nothing... UGH!!!
October 13, 2023
The third and final installment of author Duncan M. Hamilton’s Blood of Kings trilogy opens with a foreword indicating that it occurs in the same universe as his other trilogies. The story begins in the past, with two warriors, Giffrid and Abrecan, ready to end the war they are fighting against their nemesis, Fenerik. The chapters afterward begin with the dramatis personae discussing how best to protect the last blood-bearer, Conrad, versus the forces that would seek to eradicate him. He and his companions investigate demon magic, with Conrad able to read some ancient writing and having some magical capability.
His companions suggest formal magical training, with Conrad taught towards the end of the novel to get in touch with a mystic power known as the Fount. He and his older companions break into the mansion of the Count of Streblano, seeking to purloin an ancient text during one of his parties. Among the characters, Luther travels to patrol the Frontier, where he regularly encounters demons that have begun to amass. Conrad and his allies then explore the nether regions of the castle where he had his swordsmanship instruction, with one of the rooms there said to harbor ancient magic.
Meanwhile, Conrad’s old rival Manfred runs a criminal organization, having gotten his start from the demonic Isgurin, and goes on an expedition to seek mystic artifacts. Conrad and company ultimately discover Manfred’s intentions and pursue him, engaging some of his men in combat. Isgurin brings Manfred before his master, Fanrac, who wants to restore his ancient empire. The final confrontation with Fanrac arrives, with the reunion of Conrad and Manfred not being happy, either. The novel settles the fate of its various luminaries, with a wedding in the mix.
Overall, I enjoyed reading the final installment of Hamilton’s fantasy trilogy; I would gladly check out his other works, provided they occur in the same universe as the Blood of Kings series. I could easily visualize the action and scenery throughout the story and genuinely experienced a sense of foreboding as Conrad and his companions explored dark underground paths; the continued rivalry between Conrad and Manfred resolves satisfactorily. The anticlimax and alternation of character parties within chapters were perhaps my most pressing issues with the story; however, fantasy literature enthusiasts will likely enjoy the trilogy.
His companions suggest formal magical training, with Conrad taught towards the end of the novel to get in touch with a mystic power known as the Fount. He and his older companions break into the mansion of the Count of Streblano, seeking to purloin an ancient text during one of his parties. Among the characters, Luther travels to patrol the Frontier, where he regularly encounters demons that have begun to amass. Conrad and his allies then explore the nether regions of the castle where he had his swordsmanship instruction, with one of the rooms there said to harbor ancient magic.
Meanwhile, Conrad’s old rival Manfred runs a criminal organization, having gotten his start from the demonic Isgurin, and goes on an expedition to seek mystic artifacts. Conrad and company ultimately discover Manfred’s intentions and pursue him, engaging some of his men in combat. Isgurin brings Manfred before his master, Fanrac, who wants to restore his ancient empire. The final confrontation with Fanrac arrives, with the reunion of Conrad and Manfred not being happy, either. The novel settles the fate of its various luminaries, with a wedding in the mix.
Overall, I enjoyed reading the final installment of Hamilton’s fantasy trilogy; I would gladly check out his other works, provided they occur in the same universe as the Blood of Kings series. I could easily visualize the action and scenery throughout the story and genuinely experienced a sense of foreboding as Conrad and his companions explored dark underground paths; the continued rivalry between Conrad and Manfred resolves satisfactorily. The anticlimax and alternation of character parties within chapters were perhaps my most pressing issues with the story; however, fantasy literature enthusiasts will likely enjoy the trilogy.
September 3, 2024
It started off well and certainly seemed to explain things a bit more (initially) since I was just left wondering what anyone was doing at the end of book 2 . . . but ultimately I came back to thinking book 2 was just a filler and this book was meant to bring everything together but didn't cause it was left too late and just a mess by the end- certainly very rushed.
Look at the titles in the series - The Squire/Baronet/Demon Hunter
These imply that there is a main character who is these things - but who can connect with Conrad (I still couldn't by the third book- in fact more character development was spent on the mage and Luther and Manfred - it was like Conrad was so useless by book 3 he was left out completely) - Conrad was never really a Squire, he was titled a Baronet but did not really behave like one and he just went to some ruins based on the advice of a priest - certainly not doing anything to make him a demon hunter. One step to make the series about Conrad could be to change the titles to something like Swordbearer / Boodbearer/Magicbearer? Conrad is these things in each book. Then some time was needed to really focus on Conrad and developing him in each book.
But I get the feeling the series is not even about him - in the end it is Manfred who gets the most attention. Still, even though his character development makes no sense at all (a stupid snob bully who becomes an underworld villain, a scholar, and mighty demon mage who outsmarts an all powerful demon emperor after some time in a library?). At the end of this book I felt tired and confused. like I had spent time running around in circles looking for something that did not exist and was never going to exist. A shame.
Look at the titles in the series - The Squire/Baronet/Demon Hunter
These imply that there is a main character who is these things - but who can connect with Conrad (I still couldn't by the third book- in fact more character development was spent on the mage and Luther and Manfred - it was like Conrad was so useless by book 3 he was left out completely) - Conrad was never really a Squire, he was titled a Baronet but did not really behave like one and he just went to some ruins based on the advice of a priest - certainly not doing anything to make him a demon hunter. One step to make the series about Conrad could be to change the titles to something like Swordbearer / Boodbearer/Magicbearer? Conrad is these things in each book. Then some time was needed to really focus on Conrad and developing him in each book.
But I get the feeling the series is not even about him - in the end it is Manfred who gets the most attention. Still, even though his character development makes no sense at all (a stupid snob bully who becomes an underworld villain, a scholar, and mighty demon mage who outsmarts an all powerful demon emperor after some time in a library?). At the end of this book I felt tired and confused. like I had spent time running around in circles looking for something that did not exist and was never going to exist. A shame.
December 1, 2023
This is a good ending to the trilogy with what I consider to be one pretty big flaw, but we'll come to that later.
Like any good trilogy, the writer had time to build the stakes and flesh out the characters. People have flaws and motivations, the main antagonists have just enough complexity to be recognisable without dragging us into morally-grey territory. We know what everyone has to lose, we know how far they will go, we feel like we know what they would sacrifice and what they would die to defend.
As we move toward the climax, there are still some twists and turns. They are surprising while still making sense, they fit the world and the themes. Like a hero from ancient myth, Conrad is just flawed enough that we can be scared for him. He is supported by people who make him better, people to fight beside and who can be as fearful for his safety as he is for theirs.
The tension ramps up toward the end as it should and then...
It just ends. After three books of build-up, the ending is so abrupt it is almost enough to ruin the whole trilogy for me. There were threads that felt unresolved, things I was hoping to see explored, and we are left wanting.
The events cried out for an epilogue, a return home, that we never got. Now free to be himself, now free of the awful destiny before him, I was curious to see how Conrad would see his future; we never get that and I felt more let down by that than I would have expected.
Like any good trilogy, the writer had time to build the stakes and flesh out the characters. People have flaws and motivations, the main antagonists have just enough complexity to be recognisable without dragging us into morally-grey territory. We know what everyone has to lose, we know how far they will go, we feel like we know what they would sacrifice and what they would die to defend.
As we move toward the climax, there are still some twists and turns. They are surprising while still making sense, they fit the world and the themes. Like a hero from ancient myth, Conrad is just flawed enough that we can be scared for him. He is supported by people who make him better, people to fight beside and who can be as fearful for his safety as he is for theirs.
The tension ramps up toward the end as it should and then...
It just ends. After three books of build-up, the ending is so abrupt it is almost enough to ruin the whole trilogy for me. There were threads that felt unresolved, things I was hoping to see explored, and we are left wanting.
The events cried out for an epilogue, a return home, that we never got. Now free to be himself, now free of the awful destiny before him, I was curious to see how Conrad would see his future; we never get that and I felt more let down by that than I would have expected.
February 15, 2024
This was a really disappointing read for me. The first 2 books in the series had me so obsessed that I truly did not want them to end.
However, it took me days to get through the first 63 pages of this book. And for the remainder of the story, I kept waiting for the action to pick up and it just never did.
It seemed like the author didn't want to leave loose ends from the first 2 books, so he would very briefly mention something in 1 or 2 sentences as a type of explanation and then never mention it again. (If this was an issue, maybe there should have been a 4th book in the series to have avoided this?) Some examples of this that were disappointing:
-The second book made it seem like Katya Brandt would be a bigger part of the storyline.
-The way Conrad is constantly remembering Frantz and how missed he is throughout the entirety of the story. Henni is mentioned only twice and only in the last 10 percent of the book. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't recall there being anything in the first 2 books to suggest that Frantz had a more prominent role in Conrad's life.
Overall, I don't think this books compares to the first two at all, and I felt like it left a ton of loose ends. There were so many parts that could have been more fleshed out.
However, it took me days to get through the first 63 pages of this book. And for the remainder of the story, I kept waiting for the action to pick up and it just never did.
It seemed like the author didn't want to leave loose ends from the first 2 books, so he would very briefly mention something in 1 or 2 sentences as a type of explanation and then never mention it again. (If this was an issue, maybe there should have been a 4th book in the series to have avoided this?) Some examples of this that were disappointing:
-The second book made it seem like Katya Brandt would be a bigger part of the storyline.
-The way Conrad is constantly remembering Frantz and how missed he is throughout the entirety of the story. Henni is mentioned only twice and only in the last 10 percent of the book. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't recall there being anything in the first 2 books to suggest that Frantz had a more prominent role in Conrad's life.
Overall, I don't think this books compares to the first two at all, and I felt like it left a ton of loose ends. There were so many parts that could have been more fleshed out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2023
Michael Duncan might be one of my favorite storytellers, but he does have a habit of getting away from the main protagonist in his books. This book had way to much of Manfred in it who always felt like a weak villain. The ending kind of reminded me of The Last Jedi, where there weaker villain somehow kills the one that is supposed to be more powerful and it kind of feels like a let down of the story.
I still love his stories but sometimes I just want to read about the main character. The second half of this book spent so much time on Manfred I came close to putting it down.
Overall the series was very good and I look forward to his next one!
I still love his stories but sometimes I just want to read about the main character. The second half of this book spent so much time on Manfred I came close to putting it down.
Overall the series was very good and I look forward to his next one!
July 8, 2023
I've enjoyed Hamilton's writing for a long time and the finale to the Blood of Kings trilogy did not disappoint. He does a great job helping the reader come to love (or hate!) the characters and keeps you engaged through the whole ride. If you haven't already, grab the first two of the series and this one is sure to delight.
July 9, 2023
I am rather sad that this series is ending but I was definitely not disappointed. Without giving too much away all I can say about it is that.. the enemy of your enemy is your friend in all the ways that matter when trying to vanquish demonkind! ...I look forward to reading whatever Duncan writes next!
July 10, 2023
What can I say but another brilliant book, I think this series of books has been my favourite and i couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one and I was not disappointed.
I can’t put it in to words without spoilers so all I will say is if you like fantasy then Blood of Kings trilogy is a must read.
I can’t put it in to words without spoilers so all I will say is if you like fantasy then Blood of Kings trilogy is a must read.
January 21, 2024
Solid read
Pretty great series, but I will say that I think the ending needed a bit more... build up? Without giving spoilers, it seemed like everything ended a bit too quickly, and there was too little exposition on the time spent traveling and training for the final battle and then the physical setting of the final battle. Still a great read though!
Pretty great series, but I will say that I think the ending needed a bit more... build up? Without giving spoilers, it seemed like everything ended a bit too quickly, and there was too little exposition on the time spent traveling and training for the final battle and then the physical setting of the final battle. Still a great read though!
August 19, 2024
I found this conclusion to the blood of king trilogy very well done. Perhaps a bit of a let down compared to the first 2 novels, as Hamilton focuses more on other characters, but frees Conrad as such from main character syndrome.
Others have commented about the end being unsatisfying, I disagree I found it more fitting, than quite a few ideas I had on my own.
Others have commented about the end being unsatisfying, I disagree I found it more fitting, than quite a few ideas I had on my own.
July 19, 2023
3.5 stars. Overall a decent book and series. I felt the last book, however, was drawn out in the early stages, with secondary characters dropped and added for no reason, and the rushed at the end with a rather banal conclusion.
September 23, 2023
GREAT READ!
Duncan M. Hamilton's the man!! He got it write!! (Pun intended.) Finally found someone who can write fantasy fiction like the old greats.' Looking forward to some more adventures with this author.
Duncan M. Hamilton's the man!! He got it write!! (Pun intended.) Finally found someone who can write fantasy fiction like the old greats.' Looking forward to some more adventures with this author.
October 3, 2023
Little disappointed with the conclusion of the book; it was good, but it just felt very rushed. Would of loved 4 total books instead of 3, but overall, very good story and plot. I enjoyed it, just thought the books got progressively....not as good!
November 7, 2024
I don't think this story is served well by the time jumps, I get the author wants the MC to be an adult when he faces down the big bad but the character hasn't really grown, still following around his guardians and solving problems through his sword or magical luck.
December 26, 2024
Fun swords and wizards tale
This series reads like a fun Dungeons and Dragons adventure. The characters are developed and interesting. The plot moves along well and has fun twists and turns.
This series reads like a fun Dungeons and Dragons adventure. The characters are developed and interesting. The plot moves along well and has fun twists and turns.
August 4, 2025
this book started off fun but the end was so perfunctory. there were great opportunities to flesh out the characters and their experiences but that didn't happen. it was almost like the author had a word count limit.
August 1, 2023
Great conclusion
A fun read and good end to the series, I enjoyed how it all turned out and hope for further adventures from Conrad and team.
A fun read and good end to the series, I enjoyed how it all turned out and hope for further adventures from Conrad and team.
September 7, 2023
It was enjoyable until the last quarter, then it ended with a disappointing anticlimax. Get the impression the author was in a rush to end the series and move on to other things.
October 26, 2023
first two were better
A little disappointed with the ending. The book as a whole was pretty good but the ending definitely left something to be desired.
A little disappointed with the ending. The book as a whole was pretty good but the ending definitely left something to be desired.
January 22, 2024
Good book
It was an interesting book. I did enjoy it. The whole series was a worthwhile read and very enjoyable. Thanks.
It was an interesting book. I did enjoy it. The whole series was a worthwhile read and very enjoyable. Thanks.
May 15, 2024
good series
Truly believable world. It will fun to see more stories like this perhaps fleshing out more of the nations and people mentioned here.
Truly believable world. It will fun to see more stories like this perhaps fleshing out more of the nations and people mentioned here.
June 8, 2024
Wow! I loved this series, and it had a great ending to the 3 books.
May 25, 2025
Felt a bit fast but great conclusion to this trilogy - curious if we'll see Conrad again.
August 18, 2025
Excellent Conclusion!
The third book is an excellent conclusion to the series. It had some very unexpected surprises, and a great conclusion. A fun read!
The third book is an excellent conclusion to the series. It had some very unexpected surprises, and a great conclusion. A fun read!
October 24, 2025
A budget wheel of time. I enjoyed it though!
... that exclamation point seems a bit much though. (:
... that exclamation point seems a bit much though. (:
September 29, 2023
A little rushed at the end...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews