Complete Knights of Breton Court Series by Maurice Broaddus
[Photo by WildStyle Da Producer]
The Wire meets Excalibur in this stunning urban fantasy. From the drug gangs of downtown Indianapolis, the one true king will arise. The King Arthur myth gets dramatically retold through the eyes of street hustler King, as he tries to unite the crack dealers, gangbangers and the monsters lurking within them to do the right thing.
The Knights of Breton Court trilogy is written by Maurice Broaddus, whose work has appeared in Lightspeed Magazine, Weird Tales, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Asimov’s, Cemetery Dance, Uncanny Magazine, with some of his stories having been collected in The Voices of Martyrs. His novels also include the steampunk novel Pimp My Airship, and the middle grade detective novel series The Usual Suspects. He co-authored the play Finding Home: Indiana at 200. His novellas include Buffalo Soldier, I Can Transform You, Orgy of Souls, Bleed with Me, and Devil’s Marionette.
As an editor, he’s worked on Dark Faith, Dark Faith: Invocations, Streets of Shadows, People of Colo(u)r Destroy Horror, and Apex Magazine. His gaming work includes writing for the Marvel Super-Heroes, Leverage, and Firefly role-playing games as well as working as a consultant on Watch Dogs 2.
With The Knights of Breton Court, an urban fantasy trilogy, Maurice Broaddus has created an alternate universe infused with elements of magic and mysticism and inspired by both a classic myth and the mean streets of Indianapolis. In the novels, two rival gangs vie for power in the neighborhood surrounding the fictional Breton Court housing project in Indianapolis. Yet one man leads a ragtag group on a mission to end the deadly violence of the drug wars—a quest that echoes that of The Arthurian Legend.
Broaddus, who has lived in Indianapolis most of his life, drew inspiration for The Knights of Breton Court from his love of mythology as well as years of working on a street team with Outreach Inc., an advocacy group for homeless teens. In the series, feuding gangs pursue a violent war for control of the drug trade. Fed up with the killings, King James White—whose own father had been a gang leader shot down when King was an infant—together with Lady G., Wayne, Lott , and the Merlin-like Merle at his side, moves to unite the community in a stand against the drug thugs.
While it appears that King has been divinely chosen to succeed in his mission, his foes are ruthless and powerful with a mysterious leadership that possesses magical abilities of its own. And even amongst King's closest friends there is a terrible betrayal that could tear them all apart.
The Knights of Breton Court mashes up modern urban conflict with elements of the supernatural to form a truly unique and unforgettable fantasy world.
Mr. Broaddus talked about The Knights of Breton Court in this 2016 interview:
“The main character, King, is the classic reluctant hero. There comes a point where the forces pulling at his life has him going up against the effects of the ‘Dragon’s breath.’ Like the skeptic earlier, he could continue in a state of denial and end up dead, or he could realize this ish just got real and level up. It’s funny how we rarely think of the ‘monsters’ as magical. I wrote the Green Knight as an elemental. He was a magical creature existing and making a (brutal) life for himself in the real world. He was my favorite character to write.”
Here’s the complete list of books in the Knights of Breton Court urban fantasy trilogy:
King Maker (Knights of Breton Court #1)
From the drug gangs of downtown Indianapolis, the one true king will arise. The King Arthur myth gets dramatically retold through the eyes of street hustler King, as he tries to unite the crack dealers, gangbangers and the monsters lurking within them to do the right thing. Broaddus’ debut is a stunning, edgy work, genuinely unlike anything you’ve ever read.
“Unquestionably one of the most original urban fantasy novels I’ve come across, at a time in which I had come to believe there was no originality left in the genre.”—Ian Gregoire
King’s Justice (Knights of Breton Court #2)
Guided by the crazed visions of his advisor Merle, King knows that he must unite the opposing factions, before the streets erupt in all-out war. But how can he preach peace when even his own warriors are plotting against him? A heart-stopping mix of ancient myth and powerful gang action, from the author of King Maker.
“King’s Justice performs the impossible feat of improving on its predecessor. It’s simply an incredible work of compelling fiction…”—SF Book Reviews
King’s War (Knights of Breton Court #3)
King has been betrayed, but he has no time to lick his wounds—he has to draw his people together to fight the ultimate foe in this conclusion to the stunning Knights of Breton Court trilogy.
“Deft characterization, authentic dialogue, exciting plot. Add a highly original premise. Maurice Broaddus has definitely brought his A-game to this urban joust.”—Gene O'Neill, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of Taste of Tenderloin
The Knights of Breton Court (3-in-1 Edition)
The Wire meets Excalibur in this stunning urban fantasy. From the drug gangs of downtown Indianapolis, the one true king will arise. The King Arthur myth gets dramatically retold through the eyes of street hustler King, as he tries to unite the crack dealers, gangbangers and the monsters lurking within them to do the right thing. From the drug gangs of downtown Indianapolis, the one true king will arise. The King Arthur myth gets dramatically retold through the eyes of street hustler King, as he tries to unite the crack dealers, gangbangers and the monsters lurking within them to do the right thing. Broaddus' debut is a stunning, edgy work, genuinely unlike anything you’ve ever read. Collecting the sensational urban fantasy series, and comprising all three volumes: King Maker, King’s Justice, and King’s War.
“Maurice Broaddus has an uncanny ability to capture the flavor of the streets. This is a wild, imaginative journey grounded in a gritty reality so compelling that you'll swear these characters must live in your own city. Put this on your must-read list!”—Brandon Massey, author of Cornered and Don’t Ever Tell