The King's Questioner

by Nikki Katz

Overview

From Nikki Katz, the author of The Midnight Dance , comes The King's Questioner, an epic YA fantasy featuring royal drama, dark magic, and a secret that could topple a kingdom.

Kalen is a mental picklock, able to access a person's memories and secrets by touch. His skills make him the perfect questioner to the king, and he spends his days interrogating prisoners of the crown.

But when Kalen's estranged childhood friend, Prince Cirrus, falls into a sudden coma, the king begs Kalen to intervene. By accessing Cirrus's mind, Kalen saves his life—and uncovers a terrifying secret. The prince has a sister, banished long ago, and she is the key to the destruction or survival of the kingdom.

With the help of Cirrus and a silver-haired thief named Luna, Kalen must find the princess and bring her home. Or risk death at the hands of his king.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250195456
Publisher:	Feiwel & Friends
Publication date:	01/14/2020
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	320
File size:	6 MB
Age Range:	13 - 18 Years

About the Author

NIKKI KATZ is a recovering rocket scientist, author, editor, and freelance writer who lives with her three children in the perfection that is San Diego. Favorite activities include chauffeuring her kids around town, reading fantasy and sci-fi, baking unhealthy desserts, watching reality TV, and scrolling social media feeds. She is the author of the young adult novel, The Midnight Dance, as well as a number of nonfiction books in the puzzle and game arena. The King's Questioner is her second novel.
NIKKI KATZ is a recovering rocket scientist, author, editor, and freelance writer who lives with her three children in the perfection that is San Diego. Favorite activities include chauffeuring her kids around town, reading fantasy and sci-fi, baking unhealthy desserts, watching reality TV, and scrolling social media feeds. Her books include the young adult novels The Midnight Dance and The King's Questioner, as well as nonfiction books in the puzzle and game arena.

Editorial Reviews

"Lies, dark magick, a secret prophecy, and the journey to set it all right ... This is an intriguing story for any reader who loves a clue chase." —Booklist

From the Publisher

11/22/2019

Gr 7 Up—In the kingdom of Mureau, it isn't unusual to be a sorcier, or one who can use magick—though none have Kalen's gift of accessing someone's deepest, darkest secrets simply by touching them. Having learned of his ability at a young age, the King makes Kalen his royal questioner. His days are filled with interrogating prisoners to determine their innocence, or lack thereof. When the prince, Cirrus, suddenly falls into a coma, the King commands Kalen to use his talent. Kalen learns that Cirrus has an exiled sister and that, according to prophecy, if she doesn't find her way home, it could mean the destruction of the entire kingdom. Kalen sets off with Cirrus and his childhood friend Luna to bring the princess home. Readers see the majority of the plot through Kalen's eyes, and other than a brief glimpse into the mystery of his disappearing family and a hint that his power is threatening his health, there isn't much else in the way of character development. Luna, the feisty thief and the most potentially intriguing of the cast, ultimately falls flat. Plot details are introduced but not fleshed out, or are conveniently solved to keep the story moving, which may frustrate some readers. A rushed ending wraps up an otherwise interesting premise too quickly. VERDICT A tale that's more suited for those who prefer their fantasy light on world-building and explanation. An additional purchase.—Kimberly Castle-Alberts, Akron-Summit County Public Library

School Library Journal