title: The Iron King (The Accursed Kings, Book 1)
author:  Maurice Druon 
description: *Starred Review* Sporting an enthusiastic introduction by George R. R. Martin (in which he calls the book the original game of thrones), this is the first U.S. publication of the first volume of French novelist Druons seven-volume historical saga, collectively known as The Accursed Kings. Originally published in 1955, the novel is set in the year 1314. Philip IV, the king of France, has disbanded the Knights Templar, arresting, torturing, and executing most of them. Relations between France and England are as strained as they have ever been. Philips increasingly desperate search for money to pay his massive debts has virtually bankrupted the country. Against this sprawling backdrop, Druon tells the story of Robert of Artois, a French lord whose lands have been taken from him by his greedy aunt and whose efforts to reclaim his birthright will lead to all-out war between France and England. Unlike Martins multivolume Song of Fire and Ice, Druons saga is based on real history and features real people as its central characters. Its historical fiction on a grand scale, full of political intrigue, family drama, and characters who, while drawn from life, are larger than it. Fans of historical epics who have not yet discovered Druons saga will be thrilled with this one. --David Pitt
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  # Mister X
  
  
  ### All-American Kings Book 1
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ## Shae Sullivan
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ### Contents
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Dear Reader,](part0002.html#1T140-468619dd964e4466a758bd4099f81561)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Mister X](part0003.html#2RHM0-468619dd964e4466a758bd4099f81561)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 1](part0004.html#3Q280-468619dd964e4466a758bd4099f81561)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 2](part0005.html#4OIQ0-468619dd964e4466a758bd4099f81561)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 3](part0006.html#5N3C0-468619dd964e4466a758bd4099f81561)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 4](part0007.html#6LJU0-468619dd964e4466a758bd4099f81561)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 5](part0008.html#7K4G0-468619dd964e4466a758bd4099f81561)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 6](part0009.html#8IL20-468619dd964e4466a758bd4099f81561)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 7](part0010.html#9H5K0-468619dd964e4466a758bd4099f81561)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 8](part0011.html#AFM60-468619dd964e4466a758bd4099f81561)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 9](part0012.html#BE6O0-468619dd964e4466a758bd4099f81561)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 10](part0013.html#