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REVIEW: Traitor’s Blade by Sebastien de Castell

I will start this off by saying, Sebastien is a top guy, I’ve always loved meeting him at various events and was very much looking forward to reading Traitor’s Blade, the first instalment in The Greatcoats.

I was really really hoping I’d like it.

And I LOVED it! Really really loved it.

When you’re fighting a crowd, it’s good to shout potentially threatening things like “Crossbows!” or “Fire!” or “Giant Flying Cat!” every once in a while.

So, Traitor’s Blade is Sebastien de Castell’s first novel and has been immensely popular, for good reason. It is a tale of friendships, duty, trying to do good when everything else is down right evil, and swashbuckling duels. Lots of them. However, this is NOT a kissing book (for any fans of The Princess Bride).

Traitor’s Blade is Book 1 of The Greatcoats series, set in a world of dark deeds and political intrigue. Our main character and PoV is Falcio val Mond, First Cantor of The Greatcoats, all round clever clogs providing lots of wit and some pretty intense rapier duels. The Greatcoats are a fallen band of elite soldiers whose purpose was to serve the King and promote justice throughout the kingdom. But, the King is dead, the kingdom is run by various Dukes, the Greatcoats disbanded and are now known as ‘tatter-cloaks’.

I must have encountered the Duke somewhere on the road because I was carrying a sack with me and his head was in it.

We follow Falcio, along with his two fellow Greatcoats, Brasti, and Kest, as they attempt to carve their way through the depraved kingdom. It starts off at break-neck speed and it really does not hold up. It is such an intensely fast-paced book that you actually feel in a strange way the absolute exhaustion of Falcio as you turn the pages. There are no let-offs for this small band, nothing is easy and they have to employ every single weapon in their arsenal, every trick in their long book. All whilst providing some of the best witty dialogue I have read in fantasy.

The relationship between Falcio, Brasti, and Kest is the heart of this story, and is extremely enjoyable. Falcio, the leader and thinker of the group, Brasti the cocky archer and Kest the best sword-fighter in the land. They are a formidable trio. Those who say that these three resemble the Three Musketeers really aren’t mistaken. They have such a natural and fun camaraderie, where they make you laugh, smile and feel their pain as they fight together, argue, and get themselves into as much trouble as possible.

“My dear, not one man in a hundred can be a proper archer. And not one in ten thousand can become a master.”
“And you are one? A master archer, i mean?”
Brasti smiled and contemplated the nails of his right hand. “One might fairly say so, i believe.”
“One says so frequently,” I observed.

These last Greatcoats are constantly struggling to do the ‘honourable thing’ throughout, at odds with the traitorous world of thugs, knights, and dukes. The range and diversity of secondary characters is well used, with men and women adding to the mix, some that readers will love, others that readers will totally despise.

This story is grim in many ways. There is heightened violence and cruelty, with an environment that is unforgiving and backstabbing. There is one scene that went above and beyond the rest, while I understood why the author used it I still found it uncomfortable. Traitor’s Blade also has some awesome action scenes and set-pieces which gave all of the characters their individual times to shine. There were also scenes that hit hard on the motives and character building front where those with less martial prowess were able to have their moments for the reader.

The archer is the true weapon; the bow is just a long piece of wood.

5/5 – Traitor’s Blade is an accomplished and enjoyable read by the witty Sebastien de Castell. Full of fun and action, an intensely quick read that promises to give you characters that you love and hate, with as many twists and turns as a twisty turny thing. Enjoy!

Purchase Traitor’s Blade

Grab yourself a copy of this swashbuckling tale, and also, check out our interview with the author in Grimdark Magazine Issue #17.

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REVIEW: The Monster of Elendhaven by Jennifer Giesbrecht

The Monster of Elendhaven is the upcoming debut novella from Jennifer Giesbrecht, and, boy, it’s a doozie.  It is mostly the story of Johann, who washes up on the poisonous black shores of Elendhaven, a foul, little city in the Nord. He is taken in, literally and figuratively, by a fragile little accountant, Herr Leikenbloom, the last of a historic family destroyed by plague, who is both more and less than he seems. When an ambassador from the south comes to Elendhaven with a female companion and a business entourage looking to set up mining and railways, Herr Leikenbloom sees an opportunity he cannot ignore.  With Johann’s help he can achieve his life’s ambition. Can anyone stop him? It’s an interesting setup for a novella, but The Monster of Elendhaven is so much more than seems. Yes, it’s a dark fantasy thriller with plagues and monsters and evil people and a beautifully rendered nasty setting, but in Giesbrecht’s deft hands, it’s a compelling, psychologically gripping tale of lust and revenge, told in parallel, twisting narratives that ingeniously leave the reader sympathizing with the most horrible people imaginable.

The Monster of Elendhaven features three main characters. The ‘monster’, Johann, is a cruel, murderous… monster who cannot die, and whom people seem to forget as soon as they meet. He robs and kills for pleasure and education. He plots to kill the frail and richly attired accountant, Herr Leikenbloom, but falls under the little man’s spell. Yes, he finds out that Leikenbloom has some powers of his own, one of which is a preternatural power of persuasion that even Johann cannot resist. Leikenbloom entrances Johann and engages him to help plot revenge on all the people who forsook Leikenbloom’s family, fifteen years before, when it became clear they had contracted the plague. The plan moves along swimmingly until a third main character, Kanya, a mage hunter, makes her way to Elendhaven.  Each of these characters is created with stunning psychological complexity (Kanya to a slightly lesser degree), physical uniqueness, and irresistible charm. You will cheer for each of them, even when they are pitted against each other.

The main thread of The Monster of Elendhaven is told in Johann’s third-person point of view, and he is one creepy dude.  He is addicted to the worst things in life – power, lust, killing, greed.  But he is almost tamed by Herr Leikenbloom who seems to be the one person who doesn’t fear him… or anything really. This thread is interwoven with the story of Leikenbloom’s family, his anger at sadness at their downfall, and his deep sense of longing for his lost, plague-dead sister Flora. When she died, he threw her body into the Black Moon, the crescent-shaped body of poisonous black water that washes Elendhaven’s shores, because according to myth she can be washed ashore alive again by the goddess Hallendrette. But instead of getting Flora back, Leikenbloom gets Johann.

The centerpiece of the story is Liekenbloom’s annual party in which all the dignitaries, Nord and south, descend on Elendhaven for a traditional feast of Norden cuisine at a restaurant featuring some local… uh… delicacies. And what a feast it is. But aside from roasted seal eyeballs with caramelized onions and the wine that tastes like hangover vomit, the real delight here is Leikenbloom’s toast, which entrances, literally, all his guests… but one. It’s all downhill from there, as the story doesn’t exactly race to its inevitable conclusion, but more like it slithers there through the muck and blood and black boils and oil slick cobblestones.

As simple as a story with three main characters might be, though, The Monster of Elendhaven is not an easy read. Most of the narrative is restricted tightly around Johann, who doesn’t know much except how to kill and who is further compromised by his mysterious compulsion to serve Leikenbloom. Add to that the strange mystery of the boy who washes out of the Black Moon sea and the body stuck on a rock there dripping pus from its wound, and you have some slightly perplexing backstory to an at times opaque narrative. However, aside from its compelling plot and damnably loveable characters, the real beauty of The Monster of Elendhaven is Giesbrecht’s use of mood and imagery. Her writing is lush and provocative, wanton and daring, and poignantly detailed. She describes Leikenbloom after his toast: “He held his pose—a prince triumphant painted in classical oils, rich and aqueous and just the slightest bit smudged around the edges…” And from the complementary narrative, when the locals trapped the plagued Leikenblooms in their manor, and Frau Leikenbloom locked the servants in their cellar without food and drink: “When the pounding under the floorboards stopped, their mother said, ‘Good riddance,’ and adjusted the fringe of her shawl.”  At times Giesbrecht’s language and imagery reminded me of Susanna Clarke’s fantastic Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell (the book – I don’t watch TV), but a hundred times darker, which means it is pretty near brilliant and enticingly sinister.

The Monster of Elendhaven is a story rich enough for a full-length novel yet beautiful enough for a poem – a strange, grim, and mesmerizing tale that will leave you wanting to read it again immediately to find out what you missed, which is exactly what I did, and it was even better the second time. It is not a story about grim soldiers and hopeless military campaigns, but it definitely has the grimdark mentality.  No one is good or bad—each character has their own agenda and goals, for better or worse. I recommend The Monster of Elendhaven to anyone who likes dark fantasy and horror, as well as anyone who is interested in reading a brilliant character portrayal of a sympathetic yet horrifying anti-hero.  Though it has a few perplexing moments, and perhaps that part of its charm, I absolutely loved it, and I look forward to seeing what Giesbrecht does next.

Purchase The Monster of Elendhaven

The Monster of Elendhaven is scheduled for publication by Tor.com on 24 September 2019.

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6 shows coming in 2019/20 for fans of darker stories

With San Diego ComicCon 2019 wrapped, we think there is a season of TV (or six!) that fans of dark / grimdark / noir SFF should be excited about in the coming twelve months. While not all announced at ComicCon, it’s always this time of year that most of the fun stuff gets announced and we get the clearest picture of what’s on the horizon. Here we go!

The Expanse S4

Having finished the book I think season 4 of The Expanse is based upon a mere month or two back, I am absolutely chomping at the bit to get back in with the crew of the Roci as they make planetfall for the first time. The Expanse Season 4 drops on Amazon Prime December 13.

New to The Expanse? catch up, quick! Click here.

The Witcher S1

Let’s be honest, The Witcher is the television series we are all waiting for. Based on the book, and not the video game, this is going to be: potentially the most epic series to drop in 2020; as divisive as a season of Game of Thrones; and, also, potentially the biggest flop of the year. The Witcher Season One will drop later in 2019 on Netflix.

Watchmen S1

My experience with Watchmen is restricted to the movie, which was a bloody excellent flick (hides from comic fans). Massively under appreciated, in my opinion. I hadn’t heard this was on the way (I live under a rock in Australia), so was really happy to see this world getting on the silver screen once more. Watchmen drops in October 2019 from HBO.

Snowpiercer S1

2014’s Snowpiercer featured one of the brutal fight scenes I’ve ever seen. I went in honestly not expecting much and was planted on the edge of my seat two hours later. While I’m often the first to question the value of re-doing old movies (FFS, can somebody just produce The Blade Itself or Prince of Thorns already!!!???) I have to admit I’ll be binging Netflix’s Snowpiercer when it drops in 2020.

His Dark Materials S1

This one I know the least about. I saw it touted somewhere as potentially being the next Game of Thrones. For me, that’s like presenting a young sprinter as the next Usain Bolt, but we’ll see how His Dark Materials goes when HBO releases it towards the end of 2019.

Altered Carbon S2

I reckon my work desk rose a few inches when I saw Netflix’s trailer for Altered Carbon Season 2. The show hit the nail on the head, for me, on what’s possible when it comes to trying to be faithful to a book while converting the format. Let’s hope Netflix builds on what it achieved in Season 1 when Altered Carbon Season 2 drops in February 2020.

Catch up Season 1.

Plenty of good stuff to look forward to.

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Descent into Avernus by Wizards RPG Team

D&D’s newest campaign setting is dragging players straight to hell. This September, Dungeons and Dragons fans will have a chance to pick up Baldur’s Gate: Descent Into Avernus, a pre-written adventure module that’s equal parts high fantasy, Dante’s Inferno, and Mad Max: Fury Road. The campaign takes players from level one to thirteen and throws them into the first layer of the Nine Hells and the frontlines of an infernal battleground.

While the other eight tiers of the lower planes are less than hospitable, Avernus has the special distinction of playing host to the Blood Wars, a brutal and eternal struggle between lawful devils (who wish to rule mortals through deals, contracts, and deception) and chaotic demons (who just want to watch the world burn). To survive, players will have to make questionable allies with lesser evils, and even the most righteous of paladins will need to decide just how far they’re willing to compromise.

As a longtime D&D player and a fan of all things grimdark, I’m more than a little excited about this book. On the Dungeon Master side of the equation, Avernus promises a host of distinctive NPCs to roleplay and run in combat encounters. Some early standouts include Bitter Breath (a wingless, tongueless, and eerily silent devil), Mad Maggie (a Night Hag warlord with a fleet of fiendish bikers), and Smiler (a sadistic Fey the designers have compared to Jigsaw). On the other side of the cardboard screen, players can look forward to bartering soul coins, making faustian pacts for gold and experience points (or their very lives), and designing and upgrading their own Mad Max-style War Machine. Overall, this campaign setting promises to be the grimmest and darkest since Curse of Strahd. Maybe it is better to rule in hell than serve in heaven…

For a closer look at unholy things to come, a small selection of developer interviews is included below:

Purchase Descent into Avernus

Descent into Avernus drops on September 2019. G’arn, go grab yourself a copy!

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REVIEW: Blood of an Exile by Brian Naslund

I received an uncorrected proof copy of Blood of an Exile in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank Brian Naslund and Tor.

Bershad the Flawless is a dragon-slayer. After betraying the King fourteen years ago Bershad was exiled and given a brutal sentence. To spend the rest of his days trying to kill the flying lizard behemoths that roam around Terra. To most, this is a fate worse than a simple execution and very few dragon-slayers ever actually complete the deed even once. Sixty-seven dragons later Bershad’s feats have become the tales of legend and he is the most successful dragon-killer of all time. Unfortunately, he is still shunned by the majority of the world’s inhabitants due to his tattoos which mark him as an exile. After his most recent mission, disposing of a Needle-Throated Verdun, a surprising proposition is offered to Bershad by the king who sentenced him. If he murders the emperor of a neighbouring kingdom he will walk away from the task a free man.

Blood of an Exile is a thrilling, action-packed rollercoaster ride of a dark fantasy debut and I devoured the four hundred plus pages in three days. It should not be confused with Mitchell Hogan’s equally excellent Shadow of the Exile. Naslund’s debut is predominantly set in a medieval-inspired world that features dragons, jaguars, vampires, strange snails that cause terrible diseases, and an adorable pet donkey. There is also a more advanced nation and this area showcases elements of steampunk too. The world building is topnotch and the uniqueness of the environment is presented deftly. Blood of an Exile only follows one timeline and the details of the characters’ pasts and intricate notions regarding Terra are presented through the characters thoughts and conversations throughout and comes across organically.

There are five point of view perspectives that we follow in Blood of an Exile. The most frequent is that of Bershad’s where readers follow him on his numerous missions alongside his only friend Rowan who is a forsaken shield, and his trusted donkey companion Alfonso. We are also welcomed into the minds of an assassin Garret, an alchemist’s apprentice Jolan, the daughter of the king who exiled Bershad, Ashelyn, and a mysterious and talented ‘widow’ Vera. Those familiar with John Gwynne’s novels, especially Of Blood and Bone will be used to the type of chapter presentation showcased here. Named chapters, frequent point of view switches, and occasionally more than one character analysing the same event when their paths cross, although often taking into consideration very different views, motives, and agendas.

Blood of an Exile deserves a place on the middle to the higher end of the grimdark scale. Terra is a horrendously brutal world and there are some truly gruesome moments. As well as Bershad’s assassination attempt the narrative features a potential civil war, an assassin assigned to murder very important individuals, duels for honour, and a potential cull of wildlife that could dramatically change the whole world. I became attached to many of the ensemble members even though it is littered with murderers, scumbags, schemers, and thieves. Without going into spoiler territory, some important players might not make it to the second book in the trilogy. One moment in particular nearly made me sling the book across the room! The ending is pretty exceptional and wraps up everything nicely. Blood of an Exile could work as a standalone but there are more than enough teasers and loose ends that mean I’ll definitely be continuing Bershad’s adventure. If I had to quickly summarise this novel I’d say it’s a darkly-tinged mixture of John Gwynne’s—Of Blood and Bone and Andrzej Sapkowski’s The Witcher Saga and is recommended for fans of both series.

Buy Blood of an Exile by Brian Naslund

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REVIEW: Knight of Stars by Tom Lloyd

I received an advanced review copy of Knight of Stars in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank Tom Lloyd and Gollancz.

“We’re here to drink beer an’ fuck people up, but we ain’t halfway through the beer yet.”

After somehow surviving the labyrinth of Jarrazir the soldiers of Anatin’s Mercenary Deck seem like they have a simple task for the next few weeks. Lots of drinking, violence, sex, and banter whilst visiting the picturesque Mage Islands and dealing with a debt issue. It turns out that there may be a few complications. Giant golanthas, dragon-like tyserns, Mastrunners, and Teshen – the Knight of Stars – having to deal with his ex-girlfriend.

This is a series that I truly recommend but it has been an interesting one for me. I rated the first two books 7.5/10 which I class as a good rating but something has kept drawing me back every time a new entry is unleashed more than other higher-rated books would have. They are also tales that I have had to read before they have been released. There is something really addictive about the way Lloyd writes. Lloyd writes action scenes better than anybody in the game at the moment. The author has crafted an amazingly well-thought-out world and it is strikingly impressive in its originality which when combined with other mentioned factors equals excellence.

As discussed, the action is top-notch. No author at the moment can touch Lloyd for the adrenaline-pumping, shit, what the fuck just happened scenes. As always, Anatin’s mercenary crew are a pleasure to follow. Lynx, the portly honourable main character. Toil, the intelligent but manipulative and insightful funder of the escapades. Sitain, the young but extremely talented night mage, and Reft, the gentleman-loving brawler who would never lose a fight. These are all great examples, but Teshen, the Knight of Stars really shines here.

Some of the scenes, for me personally, were over descriptive but I cannot deny that Lloyd has a deft talent with words. Perhaps that is why the action scenes hit harder and more precise and just blow the metaphorical doors off. I’m not an author so I can’t judge the mechanics but that is my only minor criticism.

The “magic system” is excellent, especially now that certain individuals’ skills have been enhanced and I’ve always liked the flintlock-esque elemental-pistols. After the first two books the vibe that the characters were going to end up fighting a massive monster in a cave or secluded environment was slightly predictable but I don’t see that as a negative. Lloyd does what he does well and long may it continue. I believe the next narrative will be the final entry in this story and wow, it builds up to a hell of crescendo about what could occur next. From what I’ve read of Lloyd’s work, he’s one of the finest writers of stunning, action-focused fantasy in the world.

Purchase Knight of Stars

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REVIEW: A Little Hatred by Joe Abercrombie

The North is invading under a new vicious leader. The Union is under threat both on its northern border and from within, as the Breakers try to destroy the progress large scale machine manufacturing is bringing. Refugees from the lands beyond the Union’s borders stream in looking for a better life and cities swell with people. Mayhem is building–diminishing jobs for diminishing pay; an invasion of cultures clashing with the locals; an unhappy populace frothing under an inept, uncaring, and brutal leadership; mountains of money to be made by the few and privileged; a protectorate begging for help–and in the gritty guts of it all are a new generation of characters grown a little soft in the last couple decades of peace and about to get a very rough awakening in Joe Abercrombie’s A Little Hatred.

As we’ve come to expect from Abercrombie, the story of this next age in the Union’s development (or destruction?) in A Little Hatred is magnificently driven by its characters. Drawn from all walks of life in the Union and beyond, this new generation are brilliantly written, deeply engaging, and as individually unique as their predecessors. Rikke is the Dogman’s daughter, dealing with either impending madness or The Long Eye and guided by mountainwoman Isern-i-Phail. Leo dan Brock, the Young Lion, is in the thick of it, revelling in glorious combat one moment and then having strips torn off him by his mother for putting himself and the battle at risk the next. Savine dan Glotka is a ruthless business woman in the midst of building her own empire using her father’s infamous name as a baton. Crown Prince Orso is next in line for the throne, and he’s cut from much the same vain and generally useless cloth as his father. Gunnar is back from the loss in Styria, back home to his wife and daughter—only he didn’t leave the war behind. It stayed in his fists and his head, and he’s straining to hold it at bay. Vick comes from the brutal work camps and is a new member of the worker’s movement railing against the losing of jobs to the progress machines are bringing to manufacturing. Clover is cut from the old cloth of the North, and really just wants to sit on his arse under a tree, but bends to the whims of more vicious men. These characters drive the plot through a rollercoaster of twists, fights, laughs, cringes, and epic moments as the Union tries to save itself from the North, as well as from itself.

Now, if you’re new to Abercrombie’s world and you haven’t read one of the seven previous novels he’s released, fear not. This books stands on its own two feet as a reading experience. However, if you are like me and you have loved every moment with all the characters since The Blade Itself was published in 2006, A Little Hatred has an extra layer of goodness to it–like that surprise layer of dulce de leche you find in a cake when you cut it open.

One of the things Abercrombie does so well is create these characters that just stick with you. He drops a well known name (or surname) here and there and all I want to do is grab somebody near me by the shoulders and share just how fucking wide-eyed-awesome it is that these characters are still in the mix, still trying to save the Union or destroy it, or just bloody retire in peace. With this new generation of characters at the fore, and the old characters in the background as secondary and tertiary characters, there is just so much reward for your years of investment in Abercrombie’s work. Within the Circle of the World, Abercrombie has created one of the most magnificent, unforgettable casts of characters to ever grace the pages of a fantasy book.

Grimdark crowd, this book is your jam. We’ve been waiting for this, and Abercrombie has delivered one helluva ride. Get you pre-order in below, you’re not going to want to miss this one. And by that last chapter at the end, you just know book 2 in this new trilogy is going an absolute barnstormer.

Pre-order A LITTLE HATRED

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An Interview with Syama Pedersen creator of Astartes

Syama Pedersen is the creator of the phenomenal fan animation series Astartes, based on this interviewer’s favourite sci-fi universe, Warhammer 40,000. We were lucky enough to grab a few short minutes of his time to talk with one of the most talented fan-creators out there.

[AC]    Your depiction of Warhammer 40,000’s Astartes is more fluent, faster, tactical, and less bulky than those we’re accustomed to, which tend to be more tank-like in their approach. What made you want to do it differently than what many would argue is the established canon?

[SP] While in media they’re often more tank-like (hard to avoid with 8ft tall armored super-soldiers), in most fiction they’re actually described as very agile. I really wanted to try and find the right balance of power/weight with them while also very efficient and coordinated in their movement and quick when they need to be. Things that IMHO help portray them as the elite soldiers they’re described as.

[AC] The first four episodes feature no, “For the Emperor!” or “Burn the heretic!” In fact, they feature no dialogue whatsoever. Why?

[SP] I’m a big believer in no dialogue is better than bad dialogue. And in my mind I see Marines as doing what they day in/day-out with cold, grim determination. They’re all veterans and I think a certain taciturn nature comes with that. That being said, if the moment is right and the build-up warrants it, a good old, “For the Emperor!” is always satisfying.

From an artistic view I wanted the series to feel like observing one of countless operations going down in a cold, grounded way and felt letting the action do the talking would work better.

[AC] How many episodes will this story include, and how far apart do you envisage future episodes to be released?

[SP] I planned this short-story as five parts and looking to stick to that. After that I’ll re-evaluate things and decide whether to continue or switch something up.

[AC] Can you tell us a little bit about the chapter you created for this video and why you didn’t go for one of the established chapters?

[SP] Nothing against the big boys but I wanted something of a clean-slate that would let me portray my personal take on what a ‘Space Marine’ is. The ‘Retributors’ are also a more militaristic chapter more interested in operating in small numbers to take on as many elite targets as possible rather than massed battle glory like you might find on some box art.

It’s also a pet peeve of mine when the same old established factions show up in every story, I think it makes the universe feel like a smaller and less epic place.

[AC] How much effort goes into each episode’s creation?

[SP] I think it’s been 4-5 months average per episode, slightly getting faster considering the last was a whopping 2 minutes (Woohoo!) hahaha. A lot of hours going into them but it’s something I enjoy and I’m leaning lots along the way which is great. I have come close to going Khorne on an uncooperative computer many times however…

[AC] When did you get into 40K, and what drove you to aim your animation ability at this universe and not another project where the IP isn’t pre-established or controlled by a third party?

[SP] I was probably 8 years old when I stormed in on my older brother and his friends playing Space Crusade (an old 40k themed board game). I wasn’t allowed to touch anything but I fell in love with the Space Marine figures and ever since wanted to see them animated. 40k is also a big setting with many dark corners and things open to interpretation which makes it fun to create a story within.

I have other interests I’ll pursue eventually, particularly game-design but at the moment I’m happy to be animating Space Marines.

[AC] Where can our fans best support your video creation efforts?

[SP] Fan feedback and support has been amazing! If anyone wishes to they can add their support via Patreon to help me spend more time on Astartes.

https://www.patreon.com/astartesfilm

[AC] Thank you for your time, Syama! I’m sure I’m amongst a growing legion of people who can’t wait to see what you release next!

Support Syama and the Astartes Patreon here.

Purchase issue #19 of Grimdark Magazine

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REVIEW: The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kuang

I received an uncorrected proof copy of The Dragon Republic in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank R.F. Kuang and Harper Voyager.

The Dragon Republic is a phenomenal follow-up to what was one of my highest rated fantasy books of 2018, and I think this exceeds the debut in almost everyway.

Rin is a drug-addled individual who has the monstrous, murderous and perhaps demented power of the Phoenix at her fingertips. We join her here as the commander of the Cike; potentially orchestrating her shamans who can wield the extraordinary power of certain Gods. Those few “lucky” enough to be able to manipulate such absurd yet undeniably powerful magical abilities have to look forward to one of two eventualities. Death or utter madness as the Gods seem to easily overpower their hosts so that these shamans will no longer be able to control their actions. Since the finale of The Poppy War, Rin has built a steady but not completely trustworthy relationship with a Pirate Queen. Rin completes tasks for her under an agreement that she will be supported when she turns her attention to the bigger picture. Which, of course, is getting her revenge by murdering the Empress.

This Oriental-influenced dark fantasy epic features a huge world, all the political intrigue you could hope for, expertly presented dramatic moments, smooth dialogue, and also, the narrative often leaves the reader wondering if the person about to be betrayed is going to betray the betrayer beforehand. You’ll have no idea who to trust and something intense and unpredictable happens at least every sixty pages.

It features the majority of the ensemble from The Poppy War but since those events began approximately four years ago these characters have changed so much following their involvement in the last war. One of my favourite aspects of this novel was the relationships between Rin and a lot of the major characters. These include the genius strategist Nikay, the twins Chaghan and Qara, and her sort of father figure The Dragon Warlord. All the above being stated though, nowhere near the majority of the ensemble who started The Dragon Republic make it to the end so be warned. Many of your most loved players will die. Possibly in horrible fashion.

A main character from the first novel who was one of my favourites returns but I don’t want to mention his name just in case that approaches spoiler territory. His and Rin’s chemistry is dynamic, to say the least. Love, hatred, respect, admiration, disgust, misunderstanding. My reading of Rin personally, as the novel is still presented solely from her point of view, reflected the above-mentioned feelings. Half the time I adored her and the other half I couldn’t follow her train of thought when considering consequences. She’s a brilliant and complex protagonist who is drug-addicted, recruited for a cause not her own, she loses something important to her, acquires dramatic new abilities all whilst having a God whispering in her ear and a vendetta to complete. It’s as much of a headfuck for the reader as it must be for Rin herself so congratulations to Kuang for presenting it this way.

R.F. Kuang is the brightest new star in adult fantasy which I guess is an oxymoron as she writes some of the darkest material around right now. The Dragon Republic truly ups the grimdark ante. There are some utterly gruesome moments. There is a huge amount of chaotic war action presented throughout and all the nastiness that comes with it. The rebellion events in the novel take over 14 months so we’re witnesses to amazing naval battles, sieges, land and guerilla warfare, and even a race that flaunt plasma-like weapons and have built airships. The latter may seem out of place if you’ve just read this review but it fits in with the overall narrative and will make perfect sense when you get to this story. Although young, Kuang has a knack for writing some of the best fantasy and makes it seem effortless. She will be mentioned alongside names such as Lynch, Lawrence, and Sapkowski for awesomeness very soon. To conclude, what happens at the end of this book is spectacular and the pieces are now set on the metaphorical chess board for what will be a monumental last outing in this series.

Between us we have the fire and the water,” she said quietly. “I’m quite sure that together we can take on the wind.

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REVIEW: The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter

The inhabitants of Omehi who are known as the Chosen have been warring with the savage hedeni tribes for hundreds of years. The hedeni may have superior numbers but the Chosen have the Gifted. These are powerful female mages who can source power from the underworld Isihogo. The Gifted are a huge asset in battles. They can turn a warrior into an Ingonyama which is a giant, amazingly powerful protective being. The pinnacle of their powers, and the aspect that the hedeni fear the most is that when Gifted work together they can call a Dragon Guardian to aid them on the battlefield to bloody and devastating effect.

After an incredible prologue which is set 186-cycles prior, we spend The Rage of Dragons mostly following Tau’s third person perspective. Castes and birthright are hugely important in this novel and Tau is a higher common. He lives in a relatively small town and spends the majority of his days helping his father in his duties or training with the sword. His father was an Ihashe warrior and now helps keep the settlement secure and safe. Tau wants to follow in his father’s footsteps and become an Ihashe soldier too. These are the elite fighters from the lesser castes. He spends his days practicing with the second son of a petty noble house called Jabari. As a noble Jabari is bigger, stronger, faster, fitter and beats Tau the majority of the time. Jabari wishes to join the Indlovu which is the group for the most powerful noble caste warriors. Although best friends they are aware that their blood will lead them to walk different roads in the future even though the nobles, commoners, and the drudge are all on the same side. All seems content and life doesn’t seem too harsh. Tau even has a love interest in his village called Zuri. Things change dramatically but mostly for Tau the day that Jabari attends his warrior trials and that where the story really begins.

Tau was a standard and safe character at the beginning of the narrative but his development throughout is dramatic and very well done. He changes drastically when vengeance becomes his only real motive. Following his loss, taking part in his warrior trials, to his time in Scale Jayyed as an initiate Ihashe, seeing events from Tau’s perspective was addictive for me. He was headstrong, unyielding, sometimes made bad decisions and wasn’t always likable which are some of the qualities I look for in a protagonist.

He made a pact with himself, a pact he swore on his father’s soul. If he were asked to run a thousand strides, he would run two thousand. If he were told to spar three rounds, he would spar six. And if he fought a match to surrender, the man who surrendered would not be him. He would fight until he won or he died. There would be, he swore, no days without difficulty.

I’ve read many fantasy novels where sections take place at a warrior or magic educational establishment. This tale features some of what you’d expect in this sort of setting. Rivals, different factions, a team of varied individuals working together against the odds, camaraderie, interesting teachers/trainers, etc… The familiar elements incorporated, I think this is the most I have ever enjoyed reading a story that features a warrior school. That includes Anthony Ryan’s Blood Song which is probably the closest rival this story has. What made this exceed was the practice battles against other scales from the lesser castes and also from the noble castes. The hatred between the nobles and the lessers leads readers to realise that there is no such thing as a practice fight in this environment. These scenarios are exceptionally well crafted and gripping especially when Tau hones his fighting skills and other members of his team learn to work together expertly to overcome much adversity.

Winter has a deft talent for writing colourful, complex and memorable characters. My personal favourites were sword trainer Jayyed, love interest Zuri, hated rival Kellan, and all the members of Jayyed’s five. This African-influenced fantasy world was composed well without being too flowery or unnecessarily over detailed. This kept the focus on the action and The Rage of Dragons flows at a breakneck pace with only a few quieter, slower chapters here and there for readers to catch their breath, compose themselves, reflect on what has just happened and then breathe before going again. The Rage of Dragons features the battle scenarios as mentioned but also huge skirmishes and fights against the age-old enemy, the hedeni. Duels, political corruption, dragons and venturing to the underworld to fight demons are just a small amount of the ingredients which make The Rage of Dragons such a phenomenal debut. I’ll definitely see what Winter has in store for us in his next entry. The Rage of Dragons is an excellent high-octane thrill ride of a fantasy debut that I devoured in one day. Highly recommended.

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