The Blood of Kings trilogy is an epic medieval fantasy tale about Achan Cham, a young man who is a slave, and Vrell Sparrow, a young noblewoman, who both discover their ability to speak to and hear the minds of others. The story takes place in the land of Er’Rets.
The Books
By Darkness Hid
Darkness divides the land.
“This thoroughly entertaining and smart tale will appeal to fans of Donita K. Paul and J.R.R. Tolkien. Highly recommended.” –Library Journal
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To Darkness Fled
Enter Darkness
“I love the fantasy genre, and your novel was an enthralling masterpiece.” —Eric Soo, 13
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From Darkness Won
Darkness Trembles
I finished your book, and my sister read it too. You kept both of us up late reading it. I LOVED IT! It's so cool! I really like Jax. Vrell and Achan are amazing!” —Rachel Aldrich, 17
More info → Blood of Kings audio books
All three are now available! Click here to learn more.
Book Map
Pronunciation Guide
How do you pronounce all those names? Click here for my pronunciation guide to the books.
Watch the book trailers
How the Books Got Published
I wasn’t trying to get published when I submitted my first chapter of my fantasy novel to Jeff Gerke at the 2008 Oregon Christian Writers’ Summer Coaching Conference. Marcher Lord Press’ submission guidelines were clear: no young adult novels.
I’d met Jeff at the 2007 Mount Hermon Christian Writer’s conference and used his editorial services on a different novel. When I saw he was at OCW, I submitted my manuscript to him hoping to glean wisdom. I was surprised when he wanted to meet with me. I was even more surprised when he wanted to read the full.
“Why does it have to be YA?” he asked.
As soon as I got home, I looked over the book and sent it off. A few months later I got an email from Jeff that said: “Do you happen to be by a phone right now so that I can call you?”
And that was the beginning of a new adventure.
Blood of Kings Homeschool Curriculum
Click here to download PDF versions of these curriculum guides for FREE.
Interviews
For more info on the Blood of Kings Trilogy and the land of Er’Rets, check out these interviews with Jill Williamson!
Interview With Josh Olds of Life is Story
The First Image
Below is the image I Photoshopped after seeing the burned tree that inspired my storyworld issue of Darkness.
Character Sketches
Here are a series of character sketches I made when I was lost in the depths of Storyworld Builder’s Disease. I made these before writing a word of the story. This was NOT a necessary part of writing a novel, but it was fun. *wink*
Standards of Er’Rets
Battle of Reshon Gate
Wax Seals for Armonguard and Gidon Hadar
Images By Leighton Hajicek
The following images were created by Leighton Hajicek of Leighton Graphics Photography and Film for the To Darkness Fled and From Darkness Won book trailers.
Map of Granton Castle
Map of Ice Island
Songs from the Books
I wrote several doggerel-type songs for this series, two of which I recorded. I’m no professional, but it was fun to do.
“View Not My Face”
View Not My Face
(CLICK HERE to download printable chords and lyrics.)
View not my face, I am undone beside you.
The beating of my heart will not cease,
Whilst I am near you, whilst I am near you.
Pity on my heart, from the day I first saw you.
Your pleasing face burns my memories,
Whenever we’re apart, whenever we’re apart.
Though I am nothing to you, I love you, I do.
How shall I make it known, that I love you?
“The Pawn Our King”
This is the version I recorded on my own.
And here is a clip of the version recorded by Leighton Hajicek of Leighton Graphics Photography and Film.
The Pawn Our King
(CLICK HERE to download printable chords and lyrics.)
He grew up here in Sitna Town,
The hand his life was dealt.
He milked the goats and fetched the wood
Or Poril gave him the belt.
The pawn our king, sing merry, merry, merry.
The pawn our servant king.
For he was once the lowest of all strays
And now claims to be king.
Then the Great Whitewolf took him up,
Taught him to use a sword.
He fought quite well, his blade struck true,
And blood from Esek poured.
Remember us, sing merry, merry, merry.
Remember us, O king.
For you were once the lowest of all strays
And now you’ll be our king.
For he and we were all deceived,
By our own Lord Nathak.
And now the Pawn King marches south
To take Armonguard back.
O rescue us, sing merry, merry, merry.
O rescue us, O king.
For you were once the lowest of all strays
Save us, our precious king.