Cookie Preferences
Aconyte header
Facebook-f Twitter Instagram Tiktok Youtube Cloud Envelope Spotify

A Throne Betrayed

A Legend of the Five Rings Novel

A Throne Betrayed

A Legend of the Five Rings Novel

By Julie Kagawa and J.T. Nicholas

The Emperor is dead and the Emerald Empire is in turmoil. From New York Times bestselling author Julie Kagawa and J.T. Nicholas comes the thrilling first installment in the definitive story of the Clan Wars.

The Emerald Empire hangs by a thread. The Emperor’s murder has brought upheaval across Rokugan, especially now that his sons have vanished. With the political order that has bound the Great Clans together for centuries unravelling, each now dreams of war and power written in ash and blood.

Lawlessness has taken hold, and in its midst the rōnin Toturi, formerly the champion of the Emperor, searches for purpose in the ruins of betrayal, fighting to save what little he can while trying to escape a past desperate to catch up with him. But no man can run forever. Not when the failure of his sacred duty caused the chaos he now fights through.

And as political infighting divides the Imperial Court, another threat rises from beyond the empire’s borders. A great horde of demonic horrors is massing, determined to crush the clans and wipe them from existence.

The stage is set for the bloodiest wars the empire has ever seen. And this time, there may be no victors.

Legend of the Five Rings

Legend of the Five Rings

The realm of Rokugan is a land of samurai, courtiers, and mystics, of dragons and divine beings – a world of heroism, magic, and steel. Through times of peace and war, the samurai of the seven Great Clans have competed for power and influence. But as the trust between them fractures, those struggles turn ever bloodier. Former allies become fierce adversaries, and unlikely pacts are forged between ancient enemies. While conflict and political intrigue divide the clans, the true threat awaits in the darkness of the Shadowlands, beyond the vast Carpenter Wall. There, in the twisted wastelands, an evil corruption endlessly seeks the downfall of the empire. As the Shadowlands threat grows, samurai from the warring clans must put aside their differences and unite if they are to save the very soul of Rokugan.

     More about Legend of the Five Rings

Publication Details

Series: The Clan Wars, book 1
Page Count: 448pp
Cover Art: Mauro Dal Bo Genre: Fantasy


Paperback edition

US On Sale Date: August 5, 2025
UK On Sale Date: August 5, 2025
Paperback ISBN: 9781839082900
Paperback Dimensions: 214mm x 140mm


Ebook edition

Global Ebook On Sale Date: August 5, 2025
ebook ISBN: 9781839082894

About the Author


JULIE KAGAWA is the New York Times bestselling author of the Iron Fey, Shadow of the Fox, Talon, and many more series exploring worlds magical and mundane. She has written books for people of all ages, including children’s chapter books, middle grade adventures, a wealth of young adult novels, and adult fantasy works. She was born in California but now resides in Kentucky horse country with her husband and a pair of stubborn Australian Shepherds.

     More about Julie Kagawa

J.T. NICHOLAS writes science fiction and fantasy and has been a fan of both genres since picking up his first TSR novel more than 30 years ago. He is the author of the New Lyons Sequence, Stolen Earth, Re-coil and other novels. As a military brat, he has lived in more places than most and has moved dozens of times, an experience that taught him that no matter where you go, we all have more in common than we might think.

     More about J.T. Nicholas

Buy Now

Global Ebook On Sale: August 5, 2025
US Paperback On Sale: August 5, 2025
UK Paperback On Sale: August 5, 2025

Order Here

More in The Clan Wars

More from Legend of the Five Rings

Shadowveil: The Record of Eihi, A Legend of the Five Rings Series

Glimpse the terrors of the Shadowlands as recorded by a samurai known only as Eihi.

Available now!

River of Gold, A Legend of the Five Rings Series

Set sail in this action-packed new short story series of Legend of the Five Rings written to celebrate the release of the new River of Gold board game

Available now!

A Bitter Taste, A Daidoji Shin Mystery Novel

Gentleman sleuth Daidoji Shin faces his trickiest case yet when he finds himself being framed for murder in this captivating cozy fantasy mystery from The Legend of the Five Rings

Available now!

L5RP01 Legend of the Five Rings Poster Book cover

Legend of the Five Rings Poster Book

Fan-favorite art from the iconic Japanese-inspired fantasy realms of The Legend of the Five Rings tabletop games, presented as beautiful pull-out and frameable posters

Available now!

The Market of 100 Fortunes, A Legend of the Five Rings Novel

Enthralling fantasy mystery from the world of Legend of the Five Rings as two samurai risk everything to rescue an old friend from the clutches of a shadowy trickster

Available now!

Legend of the Five Rings: The Soul of Iuchiban by Evan Dicken

The Soul of Iuchiban, A Legend of the Five Rings Novel

Heroic samurai must defeat an ancient evil unleashed upon the world, before its malign power destroys the realm of Rokugan in this epic Legend of the Five Rings fantasy adventure

Available now!

Legend of the Five Rings: Three Oaths by Josh Reynolds

Three Oaths, A Legend of the Five Rings Novel

Legend of the Five Rings’ debonair samurai detective Daidoji Shin returns to solve the fresh mystery of a surprise resurrection

Available now!

Rokugan: The Art of Legend of the Five Rings

Rokugan: The Art of Legend of the Five Rings

Stunning art and illustration from the Japanese-inspired fantasy realms of Rokugan, setting for the famed Legend of the Five Rings series of games

Available now!

L5R The Game of One Hundred Candles by Marie Brennan cover 3d

The Game of 100 Candles, A Legend of the Five Rings Novel

Two samurai risk their hearts, souls, and their very existence to stop an occult phantom from destroying the world, in this stunning supernatural fantasy from Legend of the Five Rings

Available now!

Explore Other Worlds

The Twilight Magus, An Arkham Horror Novel

Exiled occultist Carl Sanford attempts to join a secret society as a stepping stone to even greater power while his old enemies hunt him across Spain in this new installment to the eldritch-rich horror pulp adventure world of Arkham Horror.

Published on July 22, 2025

The Tides of Innsmouth, An Arkham Horror Investigators Gamebook

The Tides of Innsmouth, An Arkham Horror Investigators Gamebook

Strange and mysterious sightings send Arkham Investigators to explore the decrepit town of Innsmouth where horrors beneath the sea have risen to consume the world in this new action-adventure gamebook set in the popular world of Arkham Horror.

Available now!

The Shattered Galaxy, A Twilight Imperium Omnibus

Three astounding space operas set in the Twilight Imperium universe

Available now!

Voice of One, A Twilight Imperium Novel

Torn between two masters, a former cyborg fights for her freedom, in this enthralling space opera set in the vast universe of Twilight Imperium

Available now!

The Nightmare Quest of April May, An Arkham Horror Novel

A sickness haunts the dreams of Arkham’s citizens – something deep in the Dreamlands is rising… return to Arkham Horror’s The Drowned City in this daring adventure.

Available now!

Empire Burning, A Twilight Wars Novel

Empires collide and loyalties are tested in this galaxy-spanning, action-packed science fiction novel set in the expansive universe of Twilight Imperium.

Available now!

In the Hands of Madmen, An Arkham Horror Omnibus

Three extraordinary novels of cosmic terror set in the world of the Arkham Horror games.

Available now!

The Forbidden Visions of Lucius Galloway, An Arkham Horror Novel

An antediluvian tome holds the key to unlocking an otherworldly horror dreaming of Arkham’s fall.

Available now!

Grave Rumors, An Adventure in Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game

Set the scene for Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game’s Hungering Abyss with the Arkham Advertiser’s investigation into ghoulish events unfolding in Arkham

Available now!

CCG01 The Shadow on the Glass cover by Jonathan L Howard

The Shadow on the Glass, A Cthulhu by Gaslight Novel

When two spiritist swindlers accidentally summon something horrific from beyond the stars, they must thwart a sinister time-spanning plot, in this first Victorian-era gaslight fantasy set in the world of Chaosium’s Call of Cthulhu

Available now!

ARK Herald of Ruin Tim Pratt 3D book cover

Herald of Ruin, An Arkham Horror Novel

The enigmatic Carl Sanford is the master of all things occult in Arkham, until a charismatic newcomer threatens to take everything away from him in this dark mystery set in the world of Arkham Horror

Available now!

Arkham Horror Poster Book

Step into the world of Arkham Horror with 24 poster-sized prints of iconic art from the beloved series of tabletop games

Available now!

ZOM City of the Undead by CL Werner Cover

City of the Undead, A Zombicide Black Plague Novel

A group of unlikely heroes are all that stand in the way of humanity’s demise as the zombie apocalypse engulfs the kingdom in this high fantasy adventure set in the world of Zombicide: Black Plague

Available now!

The Investigators of Arkham Horror, Updated Digital Edition

Updated digital edition of the essential tome for all the most daring fans of the beloved Arkham Horror family of tabletop games, now expanded to 55 short stories with full-color illustrations.

Available now!

The Darkness Over Arkham, An Arkham Horror Investigators Gamebook

You are an Arkham Investigator – your choices will decide the outcome of a terrible murder mystery and a sinister plot threatening Arkham – in this brand new gamebook adventure in the world of Arkham Horror

Available now!

Call of Cthulhu Regency: Secrets & Sacrifices by Cath Lauria

Secrets & Sacrifices, A Regency Cthulhu Novel

Explore a new world of monsters and manners in this darkly captivating regency romance with an eldritch twist from renowned roleplaying game, Call of Cthulhu

Available now!

Welcome to Arkham: An Illustrated Guide for Visitors

Explore the town of Arkham, setting for the beloved Arkham Horror series of tabletop games, in this comprehensive, full-color, hardcover guide to its people, places and strange goings on…

Available now!

Song of Carcosa, An Arkham Horror Novel

An occult thief takes on a sinister society threatening to tear the fabric of this world apart, in this daring noir-thriller from the bestselling world of Arkham Horror

Available now!

Death System, A Zombicide Invader Novel

Cybernetically enhanced zombie-aliens want to devour the universe and only a crack team of murderous misfits can stop them, in this non-stop action-adventure from Zombicide: Invader

Available now!

Shores of a New Horizon, A Terraforming Mars Novel

After a century of struggle, the terraforming of Mars was intended to bring peace and prosperity to the colonists of the Red Planet, but while the planet may be livable, humans bring their own chaos

Available now!

Tom Clancy's The Division: Hunted by Thomas Parrott

Tom Clancy's the Division: Hunted

An Agent turned rogue poses an apocalyptic threat to the Division, unless her former friends can eliminate her first, in this rip-roaring instalment of the Operation Crossroads series.

Available now!

Twilight Imperium: Empire Falling - A Twilight Wars Novel by Robbie MacNiven

Empire Falling, A Twilight Wars Novel

An impending war will annihilate an empire and plunge the galaxy into millennia of darkness, in the first volume of an epic new space opera trilogy from Twilight Imperium

Available now!

Do or Die, A Zombicide Novel

Zombies, cannibalistic swamp-dwellers, and undead alligators munch on anything that moves in this action-soaked gorefest from the popular Zombicide boardgame

Available now!

What Board Games Mean to Me, edited by Donna Gregory

What Board Games Mean To Me

Celebrating the role that board games hold in our lives, celebrities, industry professionals and lifelong gamers share the remarkable and personal stories of their profound love for gaming

Available now!

November 30, -0001

TALK ABOUT THIS BOOK

Assassin’s Creed, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Watch Dogs, Watch Dogs Legion, Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell, Tom Clancy’s The Division, Ubisoft, and the Ubisoft logo © 2025 Ubisoft Entertainment // Legend of the Five Rings copyright © 2025 Asmodee North America // Arkham Horror, , Descent: Journeys in the Dark, Descent: Legends of the Dark and Twilight Imperium all copyright © 2025 Fantasy Flight Games // Pandemic copyright © 2025 Z-Man Games // Terraforming Mars © 2025 Fryxgames AB // Zombicide © 2025 CMON GLOBAL LIMITED // Call of Cthulhu copyright © 2025 Chaosium Inc. // All Content Copyright © 2025 Aconyte, an imprint of Asmodee North America Inc. Asmodee North America is located at 1995 County Road B2 West, 55113, Roseville, MN and is a subsidiary of the Asmodee Group.

Asmodee logo
Facebook-f Twitter Instagram Youtube Envelope

Join our
mailing list

Find out everything first!

Form inexplicably not working? Try this one instead.

Pick up A Throne Betrayed
from your favourite vendor:

Please note: online retailers update their catalogs at different times, and not all titles will be available everywhere immediately.

Paperback
US & Canada Bookshops

Paperback
UK & Europe Bookshops

Ebook