Kel Kade is the author of the King’s Dark Tidings (KDT) series. Free the Darkness (Book 1) and Reign of Madness (Book 2) of the KDT series are available for purchase now.
Kel Kade lives in Texas and occasionally serves as an adjunct college faculty member, inspiring young minds and introducing them to the fascinating and very real world of geosciences. Thanks to Kade’s enthusiastic readers and the success of the King’s Dark Tidings series, Kade is now able to create universes spanning space and time, develop criminal empires, plot the downfall of tyrannous rulers, and dive into fantastical mysteries full time.
Growing up, Kade lived a military lifestyle of traveling to and living in new places. These experiences with distinctive cultures and geography instilled in Kade a sense of wanderlust and opened a young mind to the knowledge that the Earth is expansive and wild. A deep interest in science, ancient history, cultural anthropology, art, music, languages, and spirituality is evidenced by the diversity and richness of the places and cultures depicted in Kade’s writing.
your books rock. thanks for the the great reading. looking forward to book three KDT. Also as a suggestion a book that outlines how Reskins program was arranged by the previous king would be dope
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Awesome books had me complete gripped The Rez is hard core!! Can not wait until book 3… Hurry please!! I want it now
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Thanks. I’m glad you like the MC.
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Can not wait for book 3. You did an excellent job with the series. Please write faster so I can give you more money.
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Speaking of book 3, when will we get to read it?
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Yes, yes please… Tell us when we an expect it?? Patience is definitely not one of my virtues!!
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I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Rezkin and his friends. He is an exemplary man. I love how you balanced it his extreme physical prowess and expansive knowledge with his complete social naivete. It works wonderfully.
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I’m glad to hear that you like the story so much, and thank you for the positive feedback.
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First, I would like to thank you Kel Kade for this masterpiece that I have stumbled upon. I love reading fantasy series, and I have NEVER read a book more than once. That includes books that I truly loved. I can proudly say that I have reread and listened to both books 2 times and am now listening to reign of madness for the 3rd time. Please continue your work. You are an amazing author!
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Thank you for your kind words and for letting me know. The encouragement is much appreciated. I hope you continue to like the series.
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Loved your books read both in 3 days couldn’t put them down. I can’t wait to read more!
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I’m glad to hear it! Thanks for letting me know.
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I really dont wanna press you about it but i am very curious when we will be seeing kdt 3…is there any kind of update?
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Both my son and I have been thoroughly engrossed in the KDT series. I love how Rezkins character was paralleled in “The Rez”enabling him to become more that a man than he already was. I also want to note that my son and I were in stitches together reading about Rezkin’s initial naive approach. Even reading it for the third time, we are still having a good laugh. Although, I ask you to please make the female characters less jealous, and more reasonable. Thank you so much for sharing your work with us! We look forward to Book 3!!!
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I’m glad you are enjoying this series with your son. It’s nice to hear that it’s a family experience! Thanks for writing. Good reading.
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Kel:
As a fellow ABD who waited too long — GO FOR IT!!! I am desperately anxious to hear the rest of your story – but there are priorities in life.
All the best to you and yours!
DH
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Thank you of for your patience and support. I endeavor to accomplish both tasks. I hope you continue to enjoy the series.
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My husband and I have both really enjoyed these books. Just wanted to say thanks and good luck with everything that you have going on! Even though we are anxiously awaiting book 3, being a momma is top priority. So, no cabbages will be thrown. Hehe 😉
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Thank you for your support. I’m glad you and your husband are able to share the KDT experience.
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As a fellow Texan and man of science (finishing up my residency in Pediatrics and about to fellow in Neonatology), I just wanted to express how much I’ve enjoyed your series thus far. Book 2 has become one of my all time favorites and when I have nothing new to listen to, I’ll just download it again. It’s so engaging and an easy listen (Nick Podehl did an awesome job). We all eagerly await Book 3, but you do you and work on your PhD as you need to. I can’t even imagine the balancing act you’re performing by writing a book, PhD, and family. Good for you and I wish more and more success for you and looking forward to continuing the adventure with Rez anew.
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I’m glad you like the story. Of course, it’s fantastic to have the support of a Master Healer. I hope you continue to enjoy the series, and thank you for the encouragement!
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Hey Mr. Kade! I stumbled upon your King’s Dark Tidings series and fell in love! My best friend was listening to the audio book by Nick Podehl, which is amazing to anyone wondering, and just HAD to give them a listen as well. The way you describe rezkin is amazing and frightening all in one. I don’t believe I have ever had this much fun reading about characters and their development than your series and I can’t wait for the third book to come out! Each character had such a significance in the writing even if they didn’t appear much which is incredible writing. Take your time with the next story, your true fans can wait! If you’re giving away or selling autographed copies I would be more than honored to have one. I’m so grateful to have found your series and I wish you all the best!
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Thank you! I’m glad you like the audiobooks. Nick Podehl did a fantastic job, and I am lucky to have him working on this series. Your enthusiasm for the story and characters is much appreciated.
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I could not have written the above comment better myself! I have listened to both audiobooks & the quality of the performance by Nick Podehl does your fantastic writing justice which so often is not the case with audiobooks. After listening to them for the second time over the past week, my hunger for the third book has been renewed & I very much look forward to when it is ready. After reading The Name Of The Wind several years ago, I never thought I would come across another book so captivating & thoroughly absorbing as this series. Well Done to you & thank you for the hours of enjoyment.
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Where can i buy the books?
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They are currently only available in e-book on Amazon and audiobook on Audible or iTunes.
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Just wanted to say good luck with the doctorate. As someone who’s working full-time and going to school part-time, who just finished year 6 of my BACHELORS degree… I know the feeling of just wanting to finish. I can’t imagine what it’d be like to do it with a Ph.D
Good luck!
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Ken Kade, I have to say Amazing books, I’m re-listening to them, they leave the mind thirsty for more. i was wondering if you had a list of all the rules? i was going to try and apply them in real (everyday live). I was in the Marines for 5+ years, Thank you. GodSpeed, Jon Reed
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Kel Kade, your books are amazing and both my boyfriend and I are very excited for the third book. I have many authors that I enjoy but your style of writing gives me “the feels”. I have come to care deeply for your characters. Would you ever consider doing a book signing?
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I love the KDT series and I am constantly checking for updates on your site to see when book 3 is coming out. I have lost track of how many times I have listened to the first two books and every time it comes to the “Cometh nigh, The Rez” poem I get sucked into the story even more if that is even possible.
Could you post the “Cometh nigh, The Rez.” poem on your website. I really like that poem and I want to hang it up in my cube at work but I cant find that poem written anywhere online, and I couldn’t even begin to know how to spell most of the words. I only have the audible versions of your books. Thanks.
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I love your books. But sometimes the story was just too slow to unfold. Too darn slow.
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What’s the third book called?
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Am I right to assume there are no physical books for sale anywhere? Are they expected in the near future, by any chance? I’m sooo curious about this series, but don’t adjust well to e-books 🙂
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I just wanted to make sure you and your family is ok and safe. I see that you live in texas, I hope if you live in or near Houston you are all safe.
If you live away from Houston, I am glad you are safe, but you can ignore what is above.
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Mr. Kade… one word “Awesome!” Okay more than one word. … Extraordinary, Exhilarating, Hillarious, Action-packed, … okay I’m not a writer… but I do loved this series… finished book 3 today. I couldn’t put it down.. so every red light was too short… lol. Yes i was a danger to all on the roads because I just ‘had ‘ to know what was happening in KDT world. Haha. Also, kudos to Nick Podehl… he was an excellent choice.
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I love your books. I have read them and listened to them because Nick Podehl has does an amazing job. I also would like to point out that not once have you or your team used any gender specific pronouns. I believe you are either a woman or are gender fluid. It doesn’t matter either way because I LOVE YOUR BOOKS! I just find it amusing how everyone assumes you’re a man and you just go along with it, just like Rezkin.
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Your books are awesome I’m currently halfway thru book 2 and can not wait till I’m ready for book 3! You sir are amazing and I can’t wait for your future writings
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When will Book 3 be available on Audible? Enjoyed the first two very much.
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As soon as the word ‘plethora’ was used I knew I could look forward to words like ‘defenestration’. My favorite part, though, is the lunch menu including salad ingredients.
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I *might* have been hungry when writing that part. 😏
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I just powered through both book 1 and 2 in the span of a few weeks and I am anxiously awaiting the release of the audio book 3 in December. Once I was seduced by the story, I couldn’t stop. I agree with many of the above comments on your word choices. Very nice. In fact I was “besotted” with the entire story. Thanks for your books!
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I just binge-read (and listened thanks to audible) all three books in a week. Wrong thing to do! I now have nothing to read!!! I am dying to read the next instalment of the Red, and eagerly await the announcement date. I appreciate the novel approach to a nefarious hero, and love the minimalistic romance in the plots and subplots. Keep up the wonderful work!
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I just read all three books in five days they were amazing I am now going to wait with baited breath for the fourth!
LOVE the series and the characters, hoping for more development with Frisha in the fourth! I want to know the part she plays!
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Just finished book 3 and totally loved it, as with the first two. The variety of personalities, plot twists, and story line have been captivating in all three books. Rezkin’s innocence and wisdom are captivating. The very best writing and excellent narration by Nick Podehl are irrestible. Thank you both.
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I am at a dilemma of which character creation I love more, the creation of Rezkin or Drizt. I am leaning towards Rezkin, however, it may be a tie. Those two characters are the most creative and interesting I have ever read about. Thank you for your amazing works, looking forward to more.
BN
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You’re welcome, and thank you for your readership. I’m glad to have created a character that drives your imagination.
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I can’t wait for Book 4!! Love this series.
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I am so sad that I finished three and realized that #4 isn’t out yet. I’m so hooked. Great books, very D&D adventure feel. I love it
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Thanks for writing the three awesome KDT books! I own all three on audible. I must say they are great I’ve listened too all of them multiple times (four to be precise). Can’t wait till book four comes out!!! Keep writing because I wanna know what’s going to happen next.
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Just finished reading all three books in less than a week! I could not believe how much the story drew me in from the very beginning. Your writing style keeps me engaged the entire time and I don’t find myself skipping over paragraphs about overly long descriptions of scenery and context. Just a few questions, I was a little confused about what happened to Rez in Cael once he was inside the fortress. The book was hinting that something was making him not quite himself (as we saw with his extreme paranoia and reversion of any emotional progress he had previously made), but I was hoping it would be revealed exactly what was happening by the end of book 3, but it was not, so I’m really hoping you include an in-depth explanation in book 4 because I hate seeing everyone treating Rez like he is nothing more than a ruthless killing machine again! Also, the scene where we found out where the missing people had gone was slightly confusing because I did not quite understand the role of the elves in the chairs in everything or why the throne room was such a foreboding place. I love the mystical elements you have introduced in book 3, but I’m hoping for a little more explanation of them and Cael in general for book 4.
Looking forward to seeing where Rez goes next and how he continues to develop!
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I cannot express sincerely enough how much I am enjoying your books. it’s not very often I feel compelled to sing the praises of an author, as an avid reader from a young age (I am now 67) many hundreds of books have thrilled and excited me, but none have come close to your excellent King’s Dark Tidings series, and the characters are just incredible! Rez in his child like naivety is just superb. Some of the banter had me in stitches. Please keep telling this story I am totally hooked. Thank you.
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Mr. Kade,
For far too long now I’ve been on a quest to find a new fantasy author and storyline that would keep me wanting more, more, more in the way that I was enchanted and enthralled by authors like Terry Brooks, Raymond Feist, and David Eddings in my younger days. I’m quite happy to say that I have at last found someone worthy of including in this Pantheon of Titans. Your writing style is a joy to hear and the choice of Nick Podehl’s narration was a master stroke of genius on someone’s part. Your sense of humor and ability to deliver it in a way that makes me laugh out loud while sitting at stop lights during my commute in the unspeakable misery that is Houston traffic is worth a battle charger’s weight in gold. Couple this with a seemingly effortless ability for character development that is a marvel to behold and I believe that you are well on your way to becoming a juggernaut of well-deserved success that puts you in some very good company as mentioned above and very near, if not atop, my list of favorite authors. I cannot find the words to thank you enough for your near-magical ability to weave this wonderful tapestry of awesomeness all while appearing to have no obvious innate magical abilities that I myself have been able to sense and yet clearly seems to be flowing from you.
Now I wonder who that last comment reminds me of….
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I could not have put it better.
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… and I JUST realized I made an assumption by leading off my comment with “Mr.” Kade. Only took me about 4 months to figure that one out…
Please forgive that assumption as I used to work for a guy named Kelly and that is what we called him – Kell. I had not considered the ambiguity of that name. Doesn’t much matter either way to me but it bothers me that I jumped to a conclusion.
**** Please consider me as self-flagellated ****
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I just read your three books in less than a week, which is very unusual for me normally I only read one a month. I just wanted to thank you for your incredible portrayal of Rez. It has actually inspired me to self analyse my personality and how I behave around my friends. So thought provoking!
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Thank you for letting me know how much the story means to you. I always hope it helps, even if for no more reason than entertainment value.
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Just finished reading Dark Tidings 1 & 2, couldnt keep the books down. I have always been a great fan of David Gemmell, your books are one of the intense ones I have read in a long time. The characterization of Rez and storyline is just awesome. Thank you for entertaining us !!
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I’d hate to be that guy…but, I was wondering when book 5 was coming out haha
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Hands down one of my favorite series. Rezkin is one of my favorite characters ever. I am a David Eddings fan and you are in the realm of being compared to him.
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Having over 2100 hours in the last 2 years on my audible acount and almost double on graphic audio the 3 years prior, i have expierenced many different writing styles. i have only found 4 writer that have been able to commpletly engauge me to the point of disappointment when each book has reach its conclusion. eileen wilks (world of the lupi), Brent Weeks (Night Angel trilogy), Brandon Sanderson (Stormlight archives), and yourself. As with all the fans of KDT i eagerly waith for the fifth instalment. Nick Podehl also really complements your work, he was a exelent choice for audible.
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Author Kade, I loved the first 4 books. My daughter told me about your series, and I read all four in 2 weeks on my Kindle app. Looking forward to book 5. Again, great job!
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Thanks for this amazing new world to explore! I’m currently blazing throug kingdoms and chaos, and let me say it it is amazing what you have created love every character and the sense of humor is at its best ! Once again thank you for this amazing read ! Can’t wait for the next one !
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I’ll not lie, I really enjoy these books. It’s a real, modern take on the old Epic type of story from the Middle English period. Not polished and perfect, but definitely great. I will say that the characters and story are a little too tangled. The secret, multiple lives that Rez lived are enthralling, but it’s just a little bit too thick to easily follow. I got frustrated with book 4, for example, and skipped from about a 40% in to the last chapter because it was just too thick to parse without reading large chunks in rapid succession. It’s still a great story. Funny, heart warming, painful and tear jerking all together. Still a 9/10 overall for the series. Just, consider concluding some of the longer running mysteries and animosities that touch multiple aspects of the story a little earlier. Revealing the Ashaii Royal family’s secret was a great move that did help a lot. A couple moves like that closer to the beginning of the book would have kept me reading. I’ll still buy the next book, of course.
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Love your work Kel and Nick Podehl does an amazing job bringing your world to life. What grabbed me right away was that your main character was fully baked, skills wise, right away so he deals with problems straight on. Rezkin never attacks anything like I think he will and for that I stayed glued to the story to see what he does. The tale is fun, action packed, full of great characters and battles. Please continue this great story as I’ll be anxiously waiting to see what happens next.
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