The Game of Kings (The Lymond Chronicles, 1)

The Game of Kings by Dorothy Dunnett is the first book in The Lymond Chronicles, a richly layered historical adventure series set in sixteenth-century Scotland. Set in 1547, the novel introduces Francis Crawford of Lymond: scholar, soldier, nobleman, rebel, outlaw, and one of historical fiction’s most unforgettable characters.

After years of imprisonment and exile, Lymond returns to Edinburgh, where Scotland is politically divided and conspiracies surround the young Queen Mary. Wanted for treason and murder, and accompanied by a dangerous band of followers, Lymond’s return raises questions of loyalty, revenge, rebellion, and truth. His motives remain hidden until he is ready to reveal them.

Brilliant, complex, and full of intrigue, The Game of Kings is a strong choice for readers of literary historical fiction, Scottish history, political drama, and sweeping adventure series.

Paperback, Very Good