Aleks Vasin doesn't want any part of the boring village life mapped out for him--he wants excitement and the chance to travel. So Aleks heads South to the great city of Rensav and enlists in the army, but after a brutal few days, he realizes that he's signed himself away to a life far worse than the one he just left.

Aleks escapes, hoping to find safety somewhere in the North. On the way, he finds love, adventure, and a skyship full of technological discoveries beyond his wildest dreams. He might just prove himself a hero too-but only if he can evade the vengeful soldiers on his trail who want him back. The Almost King returns to the epic, sweeping world of Tellus with a brand-new hero.