The King

The Jester King #4

by K.C. Herbel

Mere hours before Myrredith’s execution, Billy is locked in battle with Ergyfel’s demon, and Hugh fights to stay alive in Gwythian occupied Dyven. Can either get past Prince Hereweald’s army in time to rescue Myrredith from the ax? Just trying may cost Billy the spellbinder Tirn Aill needs so desperately.
Billy’s visions point to a spellbinder in Castle Orgulous, making a showdown with Ergyfel unavoidable. But Billy’s no match for the wizard-king’s sorcery and he knows it. He must cast away fear and trust an enemy with his life. Only then can he hope to attack Orgulous and defeat the tyrant sitting on its throne.
Meanwhile, King Ergyfel works his darkest magic against Billy and the invading Gwythians, and tightens his grip on the crown. However, his deal with Dheumon is costing him more than he imagined, and the arcane curse from Billy’s ring continues to consume him.
The King is the fourth of four novels in The Jester King Fantasy Series.

Genres: Fantasy

355 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2017

About the author

I have been in love with storytelling since I was a child, listening to Grandpa tell fantastic, true-life yarns of his boyhood in Germany, and his life as an immigrant to the United States. His tales were filled with steam-locomotive mishaps and biplane crashes, cowboys and outlaws, and always lots of wonder and gratitude. It didn't hurt that my Irish mother was also a theatrical storyteller and writer. Mom and Grandpa had a strong influence on my life, and gave me an appreciation for the spoken and written word.

This was all well and good, but could only go so far in a kid who wanted very little to do with the three R's (Reading, writing and 'rithmatic). Not if they interfered with playing soldier or football. Sure, there were times I enjoyed a good read (despite slight dyslexia) or, at the encouragement of Mom, wrote a short story, but I wanted to be in motion. Heck, I wanted to strap a rocket to my back and go into space, not write about it! The only time I wanted to tell a story was when my scientist father caught me doing something "unauthorized." And so, storytelling laid dormant for many years; just bubbling beneath the surface - peaking out for the occasional English assignment or bout of Fantasy RPGs.

My feelings about storytelling changed significantly in the summer I turned 14. I remember, because I hadn't learned to drive yet and had wrecked my cousin's truck driving around the family ranch the previous summer. As they tell it, (I) "was doing fine comin' up from the highway to the house, when suddenly the lights were up in the trees!"

At any rate, that summer I got a hold of my sister's copy of the Hobbit. Without warning, that, which had been denied the light of day, erupted from its prison and began to harass me. For a long time, I kept it at bay by feeding it fantasy and science fiction novels and RPGs, which cost me a high grade in college more than once.

Then it happened. I wrote a stage play. And it got produced. And it was well received. That, and a nudge from one of my professors, was enough for me to pack up my Firebird, skip my graduation ceremony and head out to California to attend UCLA.

Despite my best intentions, as it often does, life happened. I landed a very interesting robotics job, while waiting to get my CA residency. (I couldn't afford to attend UCLA on out-of-state tuition.) One thing lead to another, and before I knew it, years had passed. I had a wife, kids, mortgage payment, special effects career in Hollywood (IMDB), and I had never been to the UCLA enrollment office. However, that did not mean that I didn't write. I wrote stage plays, screenplays, short stories, all in the evenings and on weekends and eventually finished a book: With a Jester of Kindness. Perhaps you've read it.

So now I write fantasy and sci-fi and love every minute of it. I hope you will give my stories a try. If you'd like to know more about me and my work, check out my website: www.TheOtherWorlds.net or click on one of the buttons above.

Best wishes and better adventures,
KC Herbel

  available!   coming soon!

Reviews

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

So finally we get to read book 4, the final episode in the great fantasy series by K. C. Herbel, The Jester King , and we find that Billy who started out as an innkeeper’s son, naïve and simple has now ended up becoming the King of two countries that of Lyonesse and the Fey land of Tirn Aill. Drif the dark elf who is travelling back to Lyonesse with Billy and who embarked on the voyage hating him, now said that he had proved to be brave, resourceful, resilient, powerful yet forgiving of heart and she now felt that he was what Tirn Aill needed in her next King if this land was to be saved. This final episode is full of humour, magic both evil and good, villains and heroes and lots of love and respect gained through loyalty and friendship against all odds. After reclaiming Lyonesse and saving the land from the tyrant and vile sorcerer Ergyfel, Billy had to once again travel back to Tirn Aill to break the spell/curse of everlasting winter which was killing the fey land and all its creatures and only he could do this. To do this he had to once again leave all his friends and family behind and sacrifice everything for the love he had for his mother’s land. By having the same King the two countries that had never seen eye to eye could not live in peace side by side because Billy loved them both. The countries he inherited as his father’s heir and his mother’s heir the human and the fey! This series is highly recommended to all lovers of fantasy and magic, heroes and villains and good thriving over evil.

[Ami · Rating 5 out of 5]

The King is an absolutely marvelous, and occasionally humorous, tale that brings the four (4) book series to it's exciting and satisfying completion. I actually made myself put it down and take a break several times because I wanted to stretch out my enjoyment as much as possible. K. C. Herbel has created a world so well described that it is easy for me to visualize. His characters have become my friends (or enemies) and I will miss them. Hopefully, there will be more about them that K. C. will kindly share. I almost never re-read a book because there are so many more I want to read, but this series in now on my very short READ AGAIN IN FIVE YEARS list. There is much to recommend it but might spoil the multiple amazing scenes for you, dear reader. The one thing I want to express and impress is this: The author managed to share all of these exciting and entertaining moments without a single curse word! Yes, there is violence but war is violence, evil cannot be defeated without action and this series could not be what it is without the war or the defense against the evil-doers. I highly recommend it and I sincerely hope that you enjoy it as much as I did. Even though you could read this as a stand-alone book why would you exempt yourself from the entire series.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this ebook from the author and this is my honest and freely given review.

[Kay Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every once in a while I come across a book that is hard to review without giving away important points in the story. This last novel is one such book. So skilfully written, it blends more answers and questions than the reader thinks to ask, with many twists, turns, and surprises and never once forgetting the road to the ending. I loved the man Billy grew to be. As a humble hero he’s a standout. The ending was inspired and left me longing for just a little more of Billy. Blood and gore, evil and good, love in odd places, and the sacrifice of so many good folk, makes tissues at the ready an essential part of reading The King. Am I now a fan of this series? You bet! It’s a keeper.

[Maurice Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

The finish of a truly wonderful telling of a simple innkeeper's son,his humble nature,bravery and loyalty winning him countless friends and deadly foes.Action and intrigue aplenty,This last triumphant tale pits our hero,BILLY and his allies against dark forces,which leads to a stunning final outcome which will have you breathless (and possibly teary-eyed) My thanks to this author,who has produced a tale that the whole family can read and enjoy!

[Alan Boggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of the book and I decided to write this review. I have enjoyed this entire series and this latest book did not disappoint. it continues from the point in the story the previous left off so if you have not read the others you will be lost. The characters are all well developed and this book and there a few surprises in the book that you won't see coming.

[Joan Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Four Book Series

I usually don't write review as I may love one book but only like or dislike the rest. This series was excellent! I highly recommend these books to all ages! The characters and world building were outstanding. I am looking forward to the author's next publication!

[K Q · Rating 5 out of 5]

You won't be disappointed!

Fantastic writing! I started reading this author's work with a critical eye. However, I was immersed in celtic imagery and couldnt stop with just one book. This is a good series for those who love reading about castles, kings, faeries, magic and good pitted against evil. You won't be disapointed!

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! The Jester King story continues with an intense and 'spellbinding' (sorry, had to do it) adventure through fantastical and magical lands, bringing Lyonesse to life right in front of my eyes! Awesome character development with another incredible audio performance from the amazingly talented, John Lee!

[Barbara Vasconcellos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happyly suprised

As a lover of fantasy books that cover multiple texts. The characters were always busy doing something that led them to the end. Enjoyed all four of all four books.

[Nicholas M. Cuccaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing tale

This series of books had me wright in the middle of this amazing tale. K.C. Herbel is gifted storyteller. Please don't stop writing and let your IMAGINATION keep telling beautiful stories.

[Ivana Jacobsen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read the whole series hoping something will happen. But it didn't. Very linear, very naive and straightforward. No plot, you could see from the first chapter where it's going. There is so much material that simply went down the drain instead of being used to give this story flavor.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is best to read this as the Spellbinder, Part 2 of the Jester King series, which combines the two books, The Prince and The King. They are all one story and have cliff-hangers leading to the next book.

[michael fultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spellbinding

As in this continued adventure,William finds out the harsh truth of men which quickly spins out of his control,with the help of his friends an alluring tale is spun.

[Lynette Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done

I could not put the books down. People of all ages can read this series it has had me captivated from start to end.
Thank you

[Caleb Hood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Fantastic!

I haven't enjoyed a book series this much in a while! But, to make this short and sweet, it is imaginative, engaging, exciting, thought provoking, fun, and you will laugh, you will cry, you will get angry, frustrated and furious at times, only to smile again. The story is written really well, and the world has endless possibilities! I don't like outlining the story in my reviews because it can spoil the fun. Just read it! It's freaking awesome !!