The Fisherman King

Kathrina Mohd Daud

Set in Brunei, The Fisherman King blends folklore, fantasy, and national history into a story about ancestry, destiny, and the search for identity. Lisan, a fisherman raised in a traditional water village, has always believed he is descended from Brunei’s royal family. After leaving his wife, Bhatia, and disappearing for eight years, he returns, claiming that he can finally prove his royal lineage. As Lisan’s mysterious past begins to unravel, the narrative shifts between his present-day quest and events from six centuries earlier, when a forbidden relationship between two royal children set in motion a chain of events threatening both a king and a god. The two storylines gradually converge, revealing connections between personal ambition, historical memory, and the fate of the kingdom. Drawing on Bruneian folklore and maritime traditions, Daud creates an atmospheric tale of magic, sacrifice, and buried secrets. Beneath its fantastical elements, the novel explores the desire to understand one’s origins and the consequences of pursuing an inheritance that may come at a profound personal cost.

Published

2020

Author

Kathrina Mohd Daud