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The Loyal Opposition #2
Sister Svangerd and the Devil You Know
A new epic fantasy novel from World Fantasy Award-winner author K. J. Parker, one of the most original voices in the genre.
384 pages, ebook
First published May 12, 2026
About the author
K.J. Parker
139 books1,771 followersK.J. Parker is a pseudonym for Tom Holt.
According to the biographical notes in some of Parker's books, Parker has previously worked in law, journalism, and numismatics, and now writes and makes things out of wood and metal. It is also claimed that Parker is married to a solicitor and now lives in southern England. According to an autobiographical note, Parker was raised in rural Vermont, a lifestyle which influenced Parker's work.
According to the biographical notes in some of Parker's books, Parker has previously worked in law, journalism, and numismatics, and now writes and makes things out of wood and metal. It is also claimed that Parker is married to a solicitor and now lives in southern England. According to an autobiographical note, Parker was raised in rural Vermont, a lifestyle which influenced Parker's work.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
June 28, 2026
4.5/5
After finishing Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead, I wanted the sequel immediately. Fortunately, Sister Svangerd and the Devil You Know is exactly what I hoped it would be.
K.J. Parker is the writer whose plots I enjoy, but whose prose I absolutely love. His dry wit, cynical observations about people, and sharp dialogue make even the slower stretches entertaining. In this book, for example, it's sometimes more interesting to hear what Brother Desiderius would complain about next. than to know what happens next.
He's still a sharp and entertaining narrator. A monk, an atheist, a scholar, a reluctant operative for the Church, and hopelessly in love with the fiercely devout Sister Svangerd. It's a killer combo that works beautifully. It's also fun to watching him perform increasingly ridiculous mental gymnastics to explain away the supernatural, even while demons are making his life considerably more complicated.
The new mission is simple enough on paper - they have to recover an ancient book that was never supposed to resurface. Naturally, almost nothing goes according to plan. There are demons, impossible chases, philosophical arguments, stolen manuscripts, and enough bad decisions to keep the story moving for several hundred pages.
I don't think this book is quite as tightly constructed as some of Parker's best work. The intrigue isn't especially complicated, and I guessed where several plot threads were heading long before the characters did. But I still loved it.
Nobody writes dialogue quite like Parker. Characters can spend pages arguing about theology, history, metallurgy, or whether absolute evil is suffering from an organizational problem, and it's consistently funny and insightful. Parker has a gift for making intellectual debates sound like two very tired people arguing over whose turn it is to carry the luggage.
I also liked that the series continues asking questions about faith, morality, and whether "good" and "evil" are really as straightforward as everyone would prefer. Parker never lectures. He simply lets his characters stumble into increasingly uncomfortable situations and leaves the reader to sort out the philosophy afterward.
The relationship between Desiderius and Svangerd remains strong. If they ever admitted how much they care about each other, they'd probably both insist it was a clerical error.
This probably isn't Parker's most intricate novel, but it hardly mattered. Spending time with these characters is simply too much fun.
The Loyal Opposition has become one of my favorite new fantasy series, and this second book only confirmed it. Book three can't arrive soon enough.
After finishing Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead, I wanted the sequel immediately. Fortunately, Sister Svangerd and the Devil You Know is exactly what I hoped it would be.
K.J. Parker is the writer whose plots I enjoy, but whose prose I absolutely love. His dry wit, cynical observations about people, and sharp dialogue make even the slower stretches entertaining. In this book, for example, it's sometimes more interesting to hear what Brother Desiderius would complain about next. than to know what happens next.
He's still a sharp and entertaining narrator. A monk, an atheist, a scholar, a reluctant operative for the Church, and hopelessly in love with the fiercely devout Sister Svangerd. It's a killer combo that works beautifully. It's also fun to watching him perform increasingly ridiculous mental gymnastics to explain away the supernatural, even while demons are making his life considerably more complicated.
The new mission is simple enough on paper - they have to recover an ancient book that was never supposed to resurface. Naturally, almost nothing goes according to plan. There are demons, impossible chases, philosophical arguments, stolen manuscripts, and enough bad decisions to keep the story moving for several hundred pages.
I don't think this book is quite as tightly constructed as some of Parker's best work. The intrigue isn't especially complicated, and I guessed where several plot threads were heading long before the characters did. But I still loved it.
Nobody writes dialogue quite like Parker. Characters can spend pages arguing about theology, history, metallurgy, or whether absolute evil is suffering from an organizational problem, and it's consistently funny and insightful. Parker has a gift for making intellectual debates sound like two very tired people arguing over whose turn it is to carry the luggage.
I also liked that the series continues asking questions about faith, morality, and whether "good" and "evil" are really as straightforward as everyone would prefer. Parker never lectures. He simply lets his characters stumble into increasingly uncomfortable situations and leaves the reader to sort out the philosophy afterward.
The relationship between Desiderius and Svangerd remains strong. If they ever admitted how much they care about each other, they'd probably both insist it was a clerical error.
This probably isn't Parker's most intricate novel, but it hardly mattered. Spending time with these characters is simply too much fun.
The Loyal Opposition has become one of my favorite new fantasy series, and this second book only confirmed it. Book three can't arrive soon enough.
May 19, 2026
I enjoy this author’s books largely because they do not take themselves too seriously. They are frivolous, irreverent, funny, cruel, and completely self-aware. The previous instalment in this trilogy embodied all of those qualities. This sequel, unfortunately, does not.
The protagonists embark on another absurd mission that quickly spirals out of control. Agents of God and the Devil collide, and, as usual, the line between good and evil remains deliberately blurred. Events move quickly, not always coherently, and by the end the story circles back to roughly where it began, with the ambiguity surrounding the Loyal Opposition largely unchanged.
On the surface, this should still have made for excellent entertainment. The writing remains witty, the protagonists are enjoyable company, and the overall premise is gloriously irreverent. The problem is that the author seems to have indulged too heavily in his own philosophical impulses. The balance between action and humour on one side, and extended meditations on religion, morality, and the nature of good and evil on the other, tilts far too much toward the latter—and often in a repetitive way.
The increasingly convoluted “plot within a plot within a plot” structure also becomes exhausting rather than engaging. There is simply too much going on, and not all of it stands up to scrutiny. The author would either have benefited from leaning further into the frivolous chaos—where internal consistency matters less—or from committing more fully to a coherent and logically satisfying narrative.
The protagonists embark on another absurd mission that quickly spirals out of control. Agents of God and the Devil collide, and, as usual, the line between good and evil remains deliberately blurred. Events move quickly, not always coherently, and by the end the story circles back to roughly where it began, with the ambiguity surrounding the Loyal Opposition largely unchanged.
On the surface, this should still have made for excellent entertainment. The writing remains witty, the protagonists are enjoyable company, and the overall premise is gloriously irreverent. The problem is that the author seems to have indulged too heavily in his own philosophical impulses. The balance between action and humour on one side, and extended meditations on religion, morality, and the nature of good and evil on the other, tilts far too much toward the latter—and often in a repetitive way.
The increasingly convoluted “plot within a plot within a plot” structure also becomes exhausting rather than engaging. There is simply too much going on, and not all of it stands up to scrutiny. The author would either have benefited from leaning further into the frivolous chaos—where internal consistency matters less—or from committing more fully to a coherent and logically satisfying narrative.
May 26, 2026
As hoped, I really enjoyed this story by a favourite author. I thought it was a touch better than the first in the trilogy, featuring an ecclesiastical ‘hit squad’ comprising Brother Desiderius and Sister Svangerd. Despite being a monk Desiderius is an atheist but Svangerd, who he chastely admires from afar, is a firm believer. This time the mission they’re sent on by the church authorities isn’t an assassination but more complex.
The features I enjoyed include Desiderius’ constant battle to remain an atheist even though he’s regularly approached by the forces of darkness (named the ‘Loyal Opposition’ as the author is continuing his theme of Good and Evil being two sides of the same coin, even dependent on each other for their existence).
The story location is still the author’s typical alternative Byzantium setting (but with a church dedicated to the Invincible Sun!) though currently in a dark age of sorts, where few books, libraries, places of learning remain except those maintained by the church - and their scribes like Desiderius, his preferred occupation to the special forces ops he’s sometimes assigned.
I think I’m helped a little by having had some Catholic education pushed my way in my youth, and that included something on their ‘cousins’ in Orthodox churches, so that I can see the author playing a little with some of the doctrinal questions that bug them (and no one else).
I wonder whether the undeveloped romance might develop further? Unlikely as it’s never a significant part of Parker’s plots, though something almost approaching it has now appeared in a couple of recent series. And, to my relief, this volume seemed free of the almost routine statements the author has regularly aired in previous stories, concerning the bitter side of love, and hope. The sentiments are still there but you can read between the lines for yourself.
Classic, well written KJ Parker in my view. 5*.
The features I enjoyed include Desiderius’ constant battle to remain an atheist even though he’s regularly approached by the forces of darkness (named the ‘Loyal Opposition’ as the author is continuing his theme of Good and Evil being two sides of the same coin, even dependent on each other for their existence).
The story location is still the author’s typical alternative Byzantium setting (but with a church dedicated to the Invincible Sun!) though currently in a dark age of sorts, where few books, libraries, places of learning remain except those maintained by the church - and their scribes like Desiderius, his preferred occupation to the special forces ops he’s sometimes assigned.
I think I’m helped a little by having had some Catholic education pushed my way in my youth, and that included something on their ‘cousins’ in Orthodox churches, so that I can see the author playing a little with some of the doctrinal questions that bug them (and no one else).
I wonder whether the undeveloped romance might develop further? Unlikely as it’s never a significant part of Parker’s plots, though something almost approaching it has now appeared in a couple of recent series. And, to my relief, this volume seemed free of the almost routine statements the author has regularly aired in previous stories, concerning the bitter side of love, and hope. The sentiments are still there but you can read between the lines for yourself.
Classic, well written KJ Parker in my view. 5*.
July 10, 2026
Very good and cool
May 23, 2026
Somehow, somewhere, I seem to have developed an affinity for fringe religious sects and black ops clergy in my fiction.
If you like Ghost, The Locked Tomb, or the Bookburners serial, hit these books up. Also if you like John Wick, the Checquy Files, or shoot, the X-Files.
If you like Ghost, The Locked Tomb, or the Bookburners serial, hit these books up. Also if you like John Wick, the Checquy Files, or shoot, the X-Files.
April 29, 2026
Sister Svangerd and the Devil You Know by K. J. Parker is a dark and witty continuation of the story started in Not Quite Dead. This instalment delves deeper into theological conflicts, exploring profound philosophical questions about God, and the Devil, delivered with Parker’s signature sharp wit and moral complexity.
The narrative brings together Brother Desiderius, a sceptical, irreverent monk, and Sister Svangerd, a formidable and devout nun he secretly admires. Under the directive of the formidable Mother Tysapherna, of the Church of the Invincible Sun, they are tasked with infiltrating a heavily guarded library to steal a valuable book. All the while navigating threats from the Loyal Opposition and the entanglement of the Devil and his agents, whose roles remain shrouded in ambiguity. Are they enemies, manipulators, or something else entirely?
Parker does an excellent job balancing razor-sharp dialogue, dark humour, and deep philosophical questions. The story races forward with a plot full of twists. Parker’s prose is sharp and precise, with much of the tension stemming from intellectual exchanges rather than mere action.
This second book is more Insightful, provocative, and as with previous Parker books, subtly sharp, this tightly woven story leaves a lasting impression long after the last page is turned.
My thanks to both NetGalley and Little Brown Book group for a free ebook and an honest review.
The narrative brings together Brother Desiderius, a sceptical, irreverent monk, and Sister Svangerd, a formidable and devout nun he secretly admires. Under the directive of the formidable Mother Tysapherna, of the Church of the Invincible Sun, they are tasked with infiltrating a heavily guarded library to steal a valuable book. All the while navigating threats from the Loyal Opposition and the entanglement of the Devil and his agents, whose roles remain shrouded in ambiguity. Are they enemies, manipulators, or something else entirely?
Parker does an excellent job balancing razor-sharp dialogue, dark humour, and deep philosophical questions. The story races forward with a plot full of twists. Parker’s prose is sharp and precise, with much of the tension stemming from intellectual exchanges rather than mere action.
This second book is more Insightful, provocative, and as with previous Parker books, subtly sharp, this tightly woven story leaves a lasting impression long after the last page is turned.
My thanks to both NetGalley and Little Brown Book group for a free ebook and an honest review.
July 5, 2026
3.5/4 (Rounded up)
I liked this book even more than the first in the trilogy. Our narrator, atheist monk Brother Desiderius, has endeared himself to me. As an expert forger, spy, and killer he’s quite the intriguing character. This novel showcases what Parker historically portrays best in his writing— demonic possession along with a heavy dose of self-deprecating humor. Sister Svangerd and her potty mouth have grown on me as well. I look forward to reading the conclusion when Sister Svangerd and The Chosen One publishes on December 8, 2026.
I liked this book even more than the first in the trilogy. Our narrator, atheist monk Brother Desiderius, has endeared himself to me. As an expert forger, spy, and killer he’s quite the intriguing character. This novel showcases what Parker historically portrays best in his writing— demonic possession along with a heavy dose of self-deprecating humor. Sister Svangerd and her potty mouth have grown on me as well. I look forward to reading the conclusion when Sister Svangerd and The Chosen One publishes on December 8, 2026.
May 21, 2026
This book was pretty good, but I didn't love it as much as the first book. There was a lot of hard-to-follow demon possession, which was more complicated than the zombies from book 1. I will look forward to book three.
July 18, 2026
As always, it’s always a good hang with Parker.
July 8, 2026
Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead introduced Brother Desiderius and Sister Svangerd, the most improbable duo I didn't know I needed. K. J. Parker came up with a winning team and I couldn't wait to discover what the author had in store for them. I wasn't disappointed!
Here's the blurb:
From World Fantasy Award-winning author K.J. Parker comes a fiendishly complex tale of ecclesiastical espionage and divine deceptions.
When the Church of the Invincible Sun is looking for someone to do its dirty work, they call on Sister Svangerd and her priest. Stealing a book might sound like a relatively simple task, but this isn’t any old book.
To get their hands on it, they must impersonate a legendary figure, create the world’s most expensive letter of introduction, and sneak into the most heavily guarded library in the world. All in a day’s work, but the machinations of the mysterious Loyal Opposition threaten to derail their best-laid plans.
And when Svangerd begins to act not at all like herself, it soon becomes clear that the secret war between divine forces is going to test everyone’s faith.
For this new mission, Brother Desiderius, reluctant priest of the Church of the Invincible Sun, scribe, and self-proclaimed top-of-the-line forger of documents, must accompany Sister Svangerd, devout nun and eager assassin and the poor sod's secret crush, on a journey to retrieve an ancient book against seemingly impossible odds. Business as usual for the unlikely duo, it goes without saying. Alas, the would-be thieves are once again thrust into a shocking episode of the Long Game, the eternal struggle between the forces of Good and Evil. Various factions support/oppose their mission, making it well nigh impossible for them to understand who the good/bad guys really are. But what can a cynical atheist who doesn't even believe in the Long Game do when Loyal Opposition agents reveal that the priest is now an asset and they've been ordered to help him achieve his objective at all costs? It's quite the moral and religious quandary for someone who doesn't even believe in the Invincible Sun, let alone the Evil One.
As was the case with the first installment, the title can be a bit misleading, as Sister Svangerd is not the main protagonist. Indeed, this is Brother Desiderius' tale, first and foremost. Once more, it's definitely Brother Desiderius' first-person perspective that gives this book its unique flavor. Through the priest's cynicism and ironic world views, K. J. Parker continues to explore themes such as the nature of good and evil, faith, religious dogma, free will and predestination, and more. The dark humor that permeates every page of this book worked its magic on me from start to finish. To be honest, I couldn't get enough of his point of view.
I understand that your mileage may vary in that regard, however. In the first volume, after meandering for the better part of the entire novel, the plot only started to make sense following a number of info-dump conversations which came late into the story. And yet, as meandering as the plot was, there was a structure to it that is more or less absent in Sister Svangerd and the Devil You Know. If not for the fact that the narrator is so entertaining, it could have been a problem for me and it might well be for some readers. Info-dumps are still a necessary evil. Unfortunately, given the atheist nature of the main character, the fact that he believes in nothing and figures that religion is rubbish, it forces those who are trying to pressgang him into furthering their own agenda, be it for good or evil, to explain every little thing to Brother Desiderius. I didn't mind this second time around, so enamored was I of the priest's POV. But I realize that some people might find this lack of structure to be off-putting.
Sister Svangerd and the Devil You Know does suffer from a number of pacing issues. The apparent lack of plot structure doesn't help. Like its predecessor, it's a slow-moving read that can be a little confusing at times. To all ends and purposes, this novel is a succession of fuckups as soon as Brother Desiderius and Sister Svangerd embark on their journey. When everything goes wrong and they must somehow make their way back home before news of their massive blunder precedes them, encounters with supposedly friendly forces of the Invincible Sun and their archrivals the Loyal Opposition leave the priest completely bewildered as to whom he can really trust. Once again, there isn't anything that can be called an exciting endgame or a riveting finale. And even if it lacks a bit of direction, I enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to the final volume.
How an irreverent and cynical unbeliever ended up as the lynchpin for all the factions involved in the generation-spanning battle between the forces of Good and Evil, Brother Desiderius has no idea. With the next one titled Sister Svangerd and the Chosen One, it looks as though fate is not done with the priest. I can't wait!
For more reviews, check out www.fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com
Here's the blurb:
From World Fantasy Award-winning author K.J. Parker comes a fiendishly complex tale of ecclesiastical espionage and divine deceptions.
When the Church of the Invincible Sun is looking for someone to do its dirty work, they call on Sister Svangerd and her priest. Stealing a book might sound like a relatively simple task, but this isn’t any old book.
To get their hands on it, they must impersonate a legendary figure, create the world’s most expensive letter of introduction, and sneak into the most heavily guarded library in the world. All in a day’s work, but the machinations of the mysterious Loyal Opposition threaten to derail their best-laid plans.
And when Svangerd begins to act not at all like herself, it soon becomes clear that the secret war between divine forces is going to test everyone’s faith.
For this new mission, Brother Desiderius, reluctant priest of the Church of the Invincible Sun, scribe, and self-proclaimed top-of-the-line forger of documents, must accompany Sister Svangerd, devout nun and eager assassin and the poor sod's secret crush, on a journey to retrieve an ancient book against seemingly impossible odds. Business as usual for the unlikely duo, it goes without saying. Alas, the would-be thieves are once again thrust into a shocking episode of the Long Game, the eternal struggle between the forces of Good and Evil. Various factions support/oppose their mission, making it well nigh impossible for them to understand who the good/bad guys really are. But what can a cynical atheist who doesn't even believe in the Long Game do when Loyal Opposition agents reveal that the priest is now an asset and they've been ordered to help him achieve his objective at all costs? It's quite the moral and religious quandary for someone who doesn't even believe in the Invincible Sun, let alone the Evil One.
As was the case with the first installment, the title can be a bit misleading, as Sister Svangerd is not the main protagonist. Indeed, this is Brother Desiderius' tale, first and foremost. Once more, it's definitely Brother Desiderius' first-person perspective that gives this book its unique flavor. Through the priest's cynicism and ironic world views, K. J. Parker continues to explore themes such as the nature of good and evil, faith, religious dogma, free will and predestination, and more. The dark humor that permeates every page of this book worked its magic on me from start to finish. To be honest, I couldn't get enough of his point of view.
I understand that your mileage may vary in that regard, however. In the first volume, after meandering for the better part of the entire novel, the plot only started to make sense following a number of info-dump conversations which came late into the story. And yet, as meandering as the plot was, there was a structure to it that is more or less absent in Sister Svangerd and the Devil You Know. If not for the fact that the narrator is so entertaining, it could have been a problem for me and it might well be for some readers. Info-dumps are still a necessary evil. Unfortunately, given the atheist nature of the main character, the fact that he believes in nothing and figures that religion is rubbish, it forces those who are trying to pressgang him into furthering their own agenda, be it for good or evil, to explain every little thing to Brother Desiderius. I didn't mind this second time around, so enamored was I of the priest's POV. But I realize that some people might find this lack of structure to be off-putting.
Sister Svangerd and the Devil You Know does suffer from a number of pacing issues. The apparent lack of plot structure doesn't help. Like its predecessor, it's a slow-moving read that can be a little confusing at times. To all ends and purposes, this novel is a succession of fuckups as soon as Brother Desiderius and Sister Svangerd embark on their journey. When everything goes wrong and they must somehow make their way back home before news of their massive blunder precedes them, encounters with supposedly friendly forces of the Invincible Sun and their archrivals the Loyal Opposition leave the priest completely bewildered as to whom he can really trust. Once again, there isn't anything that can be called an exciting endgame or a riveting finale. And even if it lacks a bit of direction, I enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to the final volume.
How an irreverent and cynical unbeliever ended up as the lynchpin for all the factions involved in the generation-spanning battle between the forces of Good and Evil, Brother Desiderius has no idea. With the next one titled Sister Svangerd and the Chosen One, it looks as though fate is not done with the priest. I can't wait!
For more reviews, check out www.fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com
Read
April 29, 2026I read the first book in this series in a manic frenzy, enamoured with the wry narration style and the hilarious idea of a character resolutely sticking with his beliefs, or lack of belief in this case, despite overwhelming proof to the opposite.
Needless to say, I was delighted when I was approved for the eARC of the second book.
I didn't love the narration so much this time around.
It was still wry and funny, and the adventure felt much more like a fantasy book than the previous one, complete with expanded world building and a classic quest plot. It was just unfortunately impossible to ignore the fact that Brother Desiderius is a man. There is nothing wrong with male characters, to start with. However, there was a significant plot point, and Brother Desiderius's wry detachment compounded with his feelings and urges towards his friend (or her body? Vessel?), the titular Sister Svangerd, was icky. Sister Svangerds's history as a prostitute, a job she was forced into, is stated but never fully delved into beyond the character's fervent devotion to her faith as being seen as both refuge from her previous life, and as a way to "atone" for it. (This viewpoint is communicated to the reader as being problematic, worry not.) Svangerd's history means that her body being unwillingly invaded by a demon, and losing complete control of her body as the demon uses it however it wishes, has to be extremely traumatizing for her. During this, Brother Desiderius is exploring the idea he has never been in love with Svangerd, but in lust with her body, and is teased by the demon possessing Svangerd. It is impossible to continue to enjoy the character of Brother Desiderius after this, thought nothing happens. Merely his thoughts pollute the relationship between him and Svangerd, which has been, up to this point, the highlight of these books. Svangerd and Desiderius's opposing beliefs and buddy-cop style mismatch of personalities are only made possible by their connection (romantic or platonic, whichever), and their shared desire to make a positive impact with their actions.
It was impossible for me to return to that dynamic with what went on.
For Desiderius's part, he spends the greater part of the book attempting to get the demon out of Svangerd, doing everything within his power. The possession as allegory for assault does get addressed at the end, but it is mostly skated over as the book wraps up. While Desiderius never actually does anything untoward with the demon in Svangerd's body, his lust towards the demon in his friends body is kind of revoulting. Enough so, that the resolution never really makes up for it.
With that out of the way, here are some more gripes:
-As stated before, a lot of the charm of the previous books was the Svangerd and Desiderius pair-up, so when a good chunk of the book loses it a possession plot, a lot of the enjoyment for me also went away. Desiderius is not fun enough on his own to carry this book.
-It's not as tightly paced as the previous book, nor is the plot as neatly woven. I wouldn't quite call it second book syndrome, but...second book syndrome.
-It lacks a lot of the character's emotional connections that the first book had, and the expansive world building did not make up for. There was no familiar ties/beloved mentors for the characters to reckon with.
-It's not as churchy! Svangerd and Desiderius might be a nun and a monk, but much of plot revolved around avoiding churches and church people. The church politics is part of what made the first book so entertaining to me, so I was sad that it wasn't as prevalent.
Needless to say, I was delighted when I was approved for the eARC of the second book.
I didn't love the narration so much this time around.
It was still wry and funny, and the adventure felt much more like a fantasy book than the previous one, complete with expanded world building and a classic quest plot. It was just unfortunately impossible to ignore the fact that Brother Desiderius is a man. There is nothing wrong with male characters, to start with. However, there was a significant plot point, and Brother Desiderius's wry detachment compounded with his feelings and urges towards his friend (or her body? Vessel?), the titular Sister Svangerd, was icky. Sister Svangerds's history as a prostitute, a job she was forced into, is stated but never fully delved into beyond the character's fervent devotion to her faith as being seen as both refuge from her previous life, and as a way to "atone" for it. (This viewpoint is communicated to the reader as being problematic, worry not.) Svangerd's history means that her body being unwillingly invaded by a demon, and losing complete control of her body as the demon uses it however it wishes, has to be extremely traumatizing for her. During this, Brother Desiderius is exploring the idea he has never been in love with Svangerd, but in lust with her body, and is teased by the demon possessing Svangerd. It is impossible to continue to enjoy the character of Brother Desiderius after this, thought nothing happens. Merely his thoughts pollute the relationship between him and Svangerd, which has been, up to this point, the highlight of these books. Svangerd and Desiderius's opposing beliefs and buddy-cop style mismatch of personalities are only made possible by their connection (romantic or platonic, whichever), and their shared desire to make a positive impact with their actions.
It was impossible for me to return to that dynamic with what went on.
For Desiderius's part, he spends the greater part of the book attempting to get the demon out of Svangerd, doing everything within his power. The possession as allegory for assault does get addressed at the end, but it is mostly skated over as the book wraps up. While Desiderius never actually does anything untoward with the demon in Svangerd's body, his lust towards the demon in his friends body is kind of revoulting. Enough so, that the resolution never really makes up for it.
With that out of the way, here are some more gripes:
-As stated before, a lot of the charm of the previous books was the Svangerd and Desiderius pair-up, so when a good chunk of the book loses it a possession plot, a lot of the enjoyment for me also went away. Desiderius is not fun enough on his own to carry this book.
-It's not as tightly paced as the previous book, nor is the plot as neatly woven. I wouldn't quite call it second book syndrome, but...second book syndrome.
-It lacks a lot of the character's emotional connections that the first book had, and the expansive world building did not make up for. There was no familiar ties/beloved mentors for the characters to reckon with.
-It's not as churchy! Svangerd and Desiderius might be a nun and a monk, but much of plot revolved around avoiding churches and church people. The church politics is part of what made the first book so entertaining to me, so I was sad that it wasn't as prevalent.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The curious follow-up to the (also-curious) Sister Svangaerd and the Not-Quite-Dead, SSATDYK uses an action-packed premise — Heists! One long chase scene! Death at every turn! — to smuggle in one of the most dour, despairing sucker punches in Parker’s not-exactly-cheerful oeuvre. I’m not sure it quite coheres but it’s still fascinating to watch Parker tweak his formula, especially in such reader-unfriendly ways.
—————
Reviewing Parker is a thankless job, and more than a bit like trying to review Wes Anderson. On some level it all feels the same: a verbose trickster narrator, his distant or estranged female foil, fun factoids about premodern esoterica, a garnish of pseudo-European history. And yet they’re all quite different if you can just get past that unchanging surface, with subtle changes in tone and character creating entirely different effects from the same basic ingredients.
In this case, Parker seems to be working a deep vein of alienation: our narrator, Brother Deseridatus, is a cultured, intelligent man rooting in the ruins of a particularly lightless Dark Ages, who also pigheadedly insists in rationality and science even when being literally coshed over the head by the supernatural. Not only is Deseridatus out of joint with his times, he’s also quite powerless for a Parker narrator, a pawn who is neither in control of his destiny nor always his own body.
These themes were set up pretty ably by The Not-Quite Dead, but what The Devil You Know adds to the stew is a surprising sense of Deseridatus’ own culpability in affairs. Where he was simply carried along by events, dissecting them snarkily from the sidelines, here he’s able to make some actual choices, and they’re all the wrong ones. What starts as a madcap adventure proves to be just theft lurching into arson into manslaughter to murder and beyond, and Deseridatus is too bright not to be able to see it. Nor is he quite deluded enough to truly believe it’s all for the best, though it takes a serious tongue-lashing by the titular Svangaerd (and his growing appreciation of his status as just another disposable goon) for it to sink in properly.
As enjoyable as it is to see Deseridatus’ self-importance punctured, Parker really saves the last twist of the knife for the very end, arguably turning the whole narrative into a very black, almost despairingly bleak shaggy dog story. This isn’t a totally new register for him, especially given the near-apocalyptic end of the Corax books. Still, it’s stuck with me as a remarkably well-executed and surprisingly cruel twist, ably skewering not only his character but the presumed reader as well. I don’t think the rug-pull will work for everyone, but my only real quibble with it is that I’m not sure Parker will take it seriously. Blowing up Deseridatus’ entire self-conception really ought to be an end to his story, perhaps even an occasion to actually give Svangaerd a voice in her own novels instead, and not just a black joke to be forgotten when the next book is due in. For once, that would be a real change of pace.
—————
Reviewing Parker is a thankless job, and more than a bit like trying to review Wes Anderson. On some level it all feels the same: a verbose trickster narrator, his distant or estranged female foil, fun factoids about premodern esoterica, a garnish of pseudo-European history. And yet they’re all quite different if you can just get past that unchanging surface, with subtle changes in tone and character creating entirely different effects from the same basic ingredients.
In this case, Parker seems to be working a deep vein of alienation: our narrator, Brother Deseridatus, is a cultured, intelligent man rooting in the ruins of a particularly lightless Dark Ages, who also pigheadedly insists in rationality and science even when being literally coshed over the head by the supernatural. Not only is Deseridatus out of joint with his times, he’s also quite powerless for a Parker narrator, a pawn who is neither in control of his destiny nor always his own body.
These themes were set up pretty ably by The Not-Quite Dead, but what The Devil You Know adds to the stew is a surprising sense of Deseridatus’ own culpability in affairs. Where he was simply carried along by events, dissecting them snarkily from the sidelines, here he’s able to make some actual choices, and they’re all the wrong ones. What starts as a madcap adventure proves to be just theft lurching into arson into manslaughter to murder and beyond, and Deseridatus is too bright not to be able to see it. Nor is he quite deluded enough to truly believe it’s all for the best, though it takes a serious tongue-lashing by the titular Svangaerd (and his growing appreciation of his status as just another disposable goon) for it to sink in properly.
As enjoyable as it is to see Deseridatus’ self-importance punctured, Parker really saves the last twist of the knife for the very end, arguably turning the whole narrative into a very black, almost despairingly bleak shaggy dog story. This isn’t a totally new register for him, especially given the near-apocalyptic end of the Corax books. Still, it’s stuck with me as a remarkably well-executed and surprisingly cruel twist, ably skewering not only his character but the presumed reader as well. I don’t think the rug-pull will work for everyone, but my only real quibble with it is that I’m not sure Parker will take it seriously. Blowing up Deseridatus’ entire self-conception really ought to be an end to his story, perhaps even an occasion to actually give Svangaerd a voice in her own novels instead, and not just a black joke to be forgotten when the next book is due in. For once, that would be a real change of pace.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Orbit for this ARC.
Once again, nowhere did this book mention it was a sequel to another within the synopsis-- only Goodreads seemed to indicate that it was a continuation of a series. I did see the first book in passing, but never read it. Thus I had to make the decision on whether to read the first book or to try this as a standalone. Honestly, from what I was seeing I did not think I would have it in me to read the first book so I decided to go in blind The good news is, Sister Svangerd and the Devil You Know does well enough on its own. There was a time when authors used to put a catch up preface to explain the events leading up to now, but alas that appears to have gone out of fashion, and I am not sure if this would have benefitted greatly from that tradition.
Sister Svangerd and the Devil You Know starts off with a nameless protagonist being forced to run an errand on behalf of a high ranking official, with him and Svangerd being forced to take the fall if things were to go sideways. Which they do. Most of the time honestly. To the point that this feels more like a comedy of errors that I think would be hilarious to see on the big screen but just falls flat in book form.
The narrator is not fond of actually immersing the reader in the story, instead focusing on a monologue that is fond of so many tangents that it takes a while to circle back to the plot. I spent a good portion of my time rereading and trying to find the connecting factor. Some of the information was neat worldbuilding, told in a hard to swallow way. Sister Svangerd and the Devil You Know is the example of why showing not telling is the superior form of writing and why telling the reader everything that happens becomes a huge hindrance to accessing the story fully. Which is a shame as I felt the last few paragraphs had a relevant, thoughtful point that would leave the reader wondering about the state of the world.
Nevertheless, the constant rambling made this difficult to get through. Whenever things went wrong, I couldn't care less about what happened to our leads as their characters continued to flatten into an unseen dimension. Any personality seemed to be stripped out of the book. The devil in question as stated in the title was intriguing, however the execution did not allow me time to process nor fully appreciate the plot points previously laid out. Instead I felt tethered to the ride against my will, and all I was left to do was roll my eyes.
Not to say that this is a book not worthy of your time. I believe this book is for a specific niche of reader that sadly did not include me. Monologues and incoherent rambling is not my forte. As this was not my first foray into that niche, I know the audience does exist for it. Alas, it is not the vast majority of readers and I feel that the audience this was made for will have a difficult time coming across this book by chance. Overall, I feel this book did an okay attempt at getting the job done, but it's nothing to really heap praise on about.
Once again, nowhere did this book mention it was a sequel to another within the synopsis-- only Goodreads seemed to indicate that it was a continuation of a series. I did see the first book in passing, but never read it. Thus I had to make the decision on whether to read the first book or to try this as a standalone. Honestly, from what I was seeing I did not think I would have it in me to read the first book so I decided to go in blind The good news is, Sister Svangerd and the Devil You Know does well enough on its own. There was a time when authors used to put a catch up preface to explain the events leading up to now, but alas that appears to have gone out of fashion, and I am not sure if this would have benefitted greatly from that tradition.
Sister Svangerd and the Devil You Know starts off with a nameless protagonist being forced to run an errand on behalf of a high ranking official, with him and Svangerd being forced to take the fall if things were to go sideways. Which they do. Most of the time honestly. To the point that this feels more like a comedy of errors that I think would be hilarious to see on the big screen but just falls flat in book form.
The narrator is not fond of actually immersing the reader in the story, instead focusing on a monologue that is fond of so many tangents that it takes a while to circle back to the plot. I spent a good portion of my time rereading and trying to find the connecting factor. Some of the information was neat worldbuilding, told in a hard to swallow way. Sister Svangerd and the Devil You Know is the example of why showing not telling is the superior form of writing and why telling the reader everything that happens becomes a huge hindrance to accessing the story fully. Which is a shame as I felt the last few paragraphs had a relevant, thoughtful point that would leave the reader wondering about the state of the world.
Nevertheless, the constant rambling made this difficult to get through. Whenever things went wrong, I couldn't care less about what happened to our leads as their characters continued to flatten into an unseen dimension. Any personality seemed to be stripped out of the book. The devil in question as stated in the title was intriguing, however the execution did not allow me time to process nor fully appreciate the plot points previously laid out. Instead I felt tethered to the ride against my will, and all I was left to do was roll my eyes.
Not to say that this is a book not worthy of your time. I believe this book is for a specific niche of reader that sadly did not include me. Monologues and incoherent rambling is not my forte. As this was not my first foray into that niche, I know the audience does exist for it. Alas, it is not the vast majority of readers and I feel that the audience this was made for will have a difficult time coming across this book by chance. Overall, I feel this book did an okay attempt at getting the job done, but it's nothing to really heap praise on about.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I'm usually a huge fan of KJ Parker's work. I love his blend of cool battle scenes, mysterious hard to pin down characters, and snarky dialogue. His Saevus Corax trilogy is one of my all-time favorites. Do you feel a huge BUT coming? Well, it's not a devastating but, though I have to say I am not enjoying this most recent series as much as the previous one I'm sad to say.
Don't get me wrong, if it were any other author than KJ Parker, this would have been an outstanding read. There were times when this book was very entertaining in fact. But when you have the high standards of Parker, I just expected more. Now maybe this is a classic case of middle-book syndrome, I'm not sure. But whatever the reason, this installment just didn't move me as much as his other books have.
The one thing that saved this one for me was Parker's always solid characterization. He never fails to deliver the goods in that regard and I think it has to do with the fact that he writes such great dialogue that the characters become instant acquaintances. You feel like you are there as these rogues are bantering on the battlefield or in a dusty Ale House. So that part of it worked for me as it always does. Had the characters been ones that I didn't really connect with, this may have been an even lower rating.
This is a bit of a quest fantasy, and part of the pitfalls that can tend to arise is that during these journeys, the plot may bog down somewhat. And I did feel that way occasionally. It's very uncharacteristic for this author, and I'm hoping it's not a harbinger for how this series will eventually end. I'm going to put my faith in KJ Parker because he's never let me down in the past. I'm just going to chalk it up to this book fell a little flat for me and leave it at that. I'm sure we will get a slam bang finish, because that's what the last two series have provided.
In the end, this was a fun read, filled with amazing characters, while lacking a bit in plot advancement and intrigue. But I still recommend it for anyone who enjoys a dark adventure with cutting dialogue. I eagerly wait book number three to see what Parker has in store for us with Brother Desiderius and Sister Svangerd.
Don't get me wrong, if it were any other author than KJ Parker, this would have been an outstanding read. There were times when this book was very entertaining in fact. But when you have the high standards of Parker, I just expected more. Now maybe this is a classic case of middle-book syndrome, I'm not sure. But whatever the reason, this installment just didn't move me as much as his other books have.
The one thing that saved this one for me was Parker's always solid characterization. He never fails to deliver the goods in that regard and I think it has to do with the fact that he writes such great dialogue that the characters become instant acquaintances. You feel like you are there as these rogues are bantering on the battlefield or in a dusty Ale House. So that part of it worked for me as it always does. Had the characters been ones that I didn't really connect with, this may have been an even lower rating.
This is a bit of a quest fantasy, and part of the pitfalls that can tend to arise is that during these journeys, the plot may bog down somewhat. And I did feel that way occasionally. It's very uncharacteristic for this author, and I'm hoping it's not a harbinger for how this series will eventually end. I'm going to put my faith in KJ Parker because he's never let me down in the past. I'm just going to chalk it up to this book fell a little flat for me and leave it at that. I'm sure we will get a slam bang finish, because that's what the last two series have provided.
In the end, this was a fun read, filled with amazing characters, while lacking a bit in plot advancement and intrigue. But I still recommend it for anyone who enjoys a dark adventure with cutting dialogue. I eagerly wait book number three to see what Parker has in store for us with Brother Desiderius and Sister Svangerd.
May 12, 2026
Brother Desiderius and Sister Svangerd, the fixer team, return from Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead for another mission in Sister Svangerd and the Devil You Know. Desiderius, monk in name, not much in faith, is a former farm boy capable of expert level forgeries but is typically tasked with copying works for his patron's library. Svangerd spent much of her life forced to work as a prostitute, and after self-emancipating herself by removing her pimp, she found solace and purpose in the Church of the Invincible Sun. She's always happy to spill the blood of the unbelievers or cronies who get in her way.
Like many other books by K. J. Parker (AKA Tom Holt) there is a lot of snappy, snarky dialogue. Desiderius as our narrated frequently goes all Victor Hugo explaining why the cities and buildings they visit look the way they do because in the old empire, they knew how to manufacture and construct these things but then there were four invasions.... Amusing at first but distracting over the long term.
Volume two sees Svangerd and Desiderius dispatched, after a lot of wangling for expensive ingredients to create a masterpiece of forgery, to find and create a copy of a book that no one, aside from the owner knows what is in it. Much like in book # 1, the journey there is part of the challenge, but by the time they arrive the mission and how they'll get out of it change.
Book #1 introduced our two lead characters as pieces in the long struggle of Heaven and Hell, the latter known as the Loyal Opposition. They are both working on centuries length plans and schemes for the rise and fall of humanity. A key point of the plot is that our two lead characters are important for some unknown purpose and must be protected. Agents of the Loyal Opposition continue to pop up at key moments with necessary help or information, but Desiderius always wants to know the cost.
Recommended to readers of comedic fantasy, middle ages monastic life or supernatural infused historical fiction.
I received a free digital version of this book via NetGalley thanks to the publisher.
Like many other books by K. J. Parker (AKA Tom Holt) there is a lot of snappy, snarky dialogue. Desiderius as our narrated frequently goes all Victor Hugo explaining why the cities and buildings they visit look the way they do because in the old empire, they knew how to manufacture and construct these things but then there were four invasions.... Amusing at first but distracting over the long term.
Volume two sees Svangerd and Desiderius dispatched, after a lot of wangling for expensive ingredients to create a masterpiece of forgery, to find and create a copy of a book that no one, aside from the owner knows what is in it. Much like in book # 1, the journey there is part of the challenge, but by the time they arrive the mission and how they'll get out of it change.
Book #1 introduced our two lead characters as pieces in the long struggle of Heaven and Hell, the latter known as the Loyal Opposition. They are both working on centuries length plans and schemes for the rise and fall of humanity. A key point of the plot is that our two lead characters are important for some unknown purpose and must be protected. Agents of the Loyal Opposition continue to pop up at key moments with necessary help or information, but Desiderius always wants to know the cost.
Recommended to readers of comedic fantasy, middle ages monastic life or supernatural infused historical fiction.
I received a free digital version of this book via NetGalley thanks to the publisher.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for the e-Arc!
3/5 stars, BUT I actually recommend you read this book. 90% of this book is really, really good, but the last 10% just kind fizzles out and ends very anticlimactically. The prose is wonderful, our main character is quite interesting, Sister Svangerd herself is a common enough trope but works for this story.
I do want to call out the main character- he’s very quippy and sarcastic, but unlike lots of other characters today, he is so for a reason: he’s an atheist monk who believes that having a church is good for humanity. That contradiction would make anyone take an extremely flippant view of the world. He’s also a forger, which means he values incredibly rare books and knowledge while destroying them.
Despite being an atheist, our main character fully acknowledges that there are higher beings most people call demons and angels, he just thinks they are some form of pre-human endemic life. In the face of encountering both believers with abilities he can’t explain and supernatural beings, he remains steadfast in his beliefs.
He’s also in love with the titular sister, despite the fact both have sworn oaths of obedience, piety, and chastity. In fact, the church in this book is a strange mix of totally fictional elements and word for word quotations from real history and the Middle Ages. It’s only book two and so I don’t expect all the answers, but hearing a quote from real Scripture definitely through me out of the text once or twice.
This is my first K.J. Parker book, and it definitely made me want to check out his other works, especially The Engineers trilogy. I also feel he could write several 5/5 books in this world with these characters, unfortunately, the end of this one really soured on me it. I’m the type of person where the end can really make or break a story, and this one didn’t land for me.
3/5 stars, BUT I actually recommend you read this book. 90% of this book is really, really good, but the last 10% just kind fizzles out and ends very anticlimactically. The prose is wonderful, our main character is quite interesting, Sister Svangerd herself is a common enough trope but works for this story.
I do want to call out the main character- he’s very quippy and sarcastic, but unlike lots of other characters today, he is so for a reason: he’s an atheist monk who believes that having a church is good for humanity. That contradiction would make anyone take an extremely flippant view of the world. He’s also a forger, which means he values incredibly rare books and knowledge while destroying them.
Despite being an atheist, our main character fully acknowledges that there are higher beings most people call demons and angels, he just thinks they are some form of pre-human endemic life. In the face of encountering both believers with abilities he can’t explain and supernatural beings, he remains steadfast in his beliefs.
He’s also in love with the titular sister, despite the fact both have sworn oaths of obedience, piety, and chastity. In fact, the church in this book is a strange mix of totally fictional elements and word for word quotations from real history and the Middle Ages. It’s only book two and so I don’t expect all the answers, but hearing a quote from real Scripture definitely through me out of the text once or twice.
This is my first K.J. Parker book, and it definitely made me want to check out his other works, especially The Engineers trilogy. I also feel he could write several 5/5 books in this world with these characters, unfortunately, the end of this one really soured on me it. I’m the type of person where the end can really make or break a story, and this one didn’t land for me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The continuation of Brother Desiderius (the irreverent atheist monk, forger, autodidact, all-around philosopher and man of semi-action narrator) and Sister Svangerd (a beautiful killer whom Desiderius adores from a distance as she is highly devout and takes her vows seriously), his partner in holy (mis) deeds for this or that Church potentate.
This time, the duo is tasked by Mother Tysapherna, abbess, archdeaconess and the most senior female cleric in Holy Mother Church to recover a supposedly still extant book about whom everybody knows that it was commisioned by mad, bad, persecutor of the Church emperor Nero (ok Gratian III in the book's universe about which three things are universally known, namely fiddling when the capital burned, all the saints he has thrown to the lions in the Circus, and the mysterious book of course) and then locked up in a vault 900 years ago and which suppsoedly has recently reapeared in the library of the heretical pirate king of the island of Ankgola.
And so it starts, though of course the reality is much different, the book is well, you gotta read this novel to see what, and of course the "Loyal Opposition" (meaning the Devil and his minions) interfere from the beginning, though as opponents, protectors, beings with a secret plan... Desiderius who doesn't believe in them but still profoundly despises their agents, has to figure out.
Mayhem, quips, dark humor, and interesting philosophical questions, mixed with adventure and twists and turns until the excellent ending, which of course means that Desiderius (now known under a different name for reasons will find out) and Svangerd are ready for another adventure in book 3, announced at the ending of this one...
Overall, lots of fun, though some repetition with the way the first book goes makes this one a bit less interesting than the series debut.
This time, the duo is tasked by Mother Tysapherna, abbess, archdeaconess and the most senior female cleric in Holy Mother Church to recover a supposedly still extant book about whom everybody knows that it was commisioned by mad, bad, persecutor of the Church emperor Nero (ok Gratian III in the book's universe about which three things are universally known, namely fiddling when the capital burned, all the saints he has thrown to the lions in the Circus, and the mysterious book of course) and then locked up in a vault 900 years ago and which suppsoedly has recently reapeared in the library of the heretical pirate king of the island of Ankgola.
And so it starts, though of course the reality is much different, the book is well, you gotta read this novel to see what, and of course the "Loyal Opposition" (meaning the Devil and his minions) interfere from the beginning, though as opponents, protectors, beings with a secret plan... Desiderius who doesn't believe in them but still profoundly despises their agents, has to figure out.
Mayhem, quips, dark humor, and interesting philosophical questions, mixed with adventure and twists and turns until the excellent ending, which of course means that Desiderius (now known under a different name for reasons will find out) and Svangerd are ready for another adventure in book 3, announced at the ending of this one...
Overall, lots of fun, though some repetition with the way the first book goes makes this one a bit less interesting than the series debut.
July 7, 2026
I enjoy KJ Parker a lot but he does have a very specific style and certain tricks and character types that he goes to again and again. This is generally fine; if I want a certain sort of book narrated by a dryly humorous scoundrel who isn't as smart as he thinks he is with a side helping of logistics or history or some other interesting bit of information, I know where to go.
I listened to this book. I got through the quest assignment by the hideous, nasty bureaucrat. I learned a bit about the main character, an atheist priest who is an expert at forgery. I learned a bit about Sister Svangerd, a nun who used to be a whore but who is now devoted to her nun-assassin lifestyle. There was some banter, a bit of kicking around the idea of refusing the quest. And then the cover identities provided to them were revealed.
Father Jovius seems a bit like a cross between Santa Claus and King Arthur. He wears red robes and has a long white beard but he's also the king from a glorious past who will return when he's needed, somehow. Our main character starts thinking about how he and the Sister could actually pass as Jovians.
And then I got about half an hour of incricate details of the fictional history of the world, just to ground me in the narrative I guess? There are pseudo Venetian- Byzantines, pseudo Barbary pirates who are not as exciting as you might hope, hundreds of years of history of the fall of a civilization and the civilization of barbarians. I DID NOT CARE. This bummed me out enough that I noped all the way out of the book. The banter and dry humor were not enough.
I listened to this book. I got through the quest assignment by the hideous, nasty bureaucrat. I learned a bit about the main character, an atheist priest who is an expert at forgery. I learned a bit about Sister Svangerd, a nun who used to be a whore but who is now devoted to her nun-assassin lifestyle. There was some banter, a bit of kicking around the idea of refusing the quest. And then the cover identities provided to them were revealed.
Father Jovius seems a bit like a cross between Santa Claus and King Arthur. He wears red robes and has a long white beard but he's also the king from a glorious past who will return when he's needed, somehow. Our main character starts thinking about how he and the Sister could actually pass as Jovians.
And then I got about half an hour of incricate details of the fictional history of the world, just to ground me in the narrative I guess? There are pseudo Venetian- Byzantines, pseudo Barbary pirates who are not as exciting as you might hope, hundreds of years of history of the fall of a civilization and the civilization of barbarians. I DID NOT CARE. This bummed me out enough that I noped all the way out of the book. The banter and dry humor were not enough.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for this ARC!
“Sister Svangerd and the Devil You Know” is the second installment in K.J. Parker’s “The Loyal Opposition” series. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of book one as well, and you can find my review here .
We once again join the devout, murderous nun Sister Svangerd, and atheist Brother Desiderius, on a mission that starts off simple enough and eventually spirals completely out of control.
This book continues a lot of the things I liked about book one. The dry but witty humour, the wonderfully ridiculous situations our protagonists put themselves in, Brother Desiderius going to ridiculous lengths to create fake documents and evidence. We also dive a bit deeper into the philosophy and philosophers of this universe, and learn more about the Loyal Opposition. Or do we? It’s definitely difficult to follow along with the plans of Heaven and Hell, spanning across all of history – past, present and future.
The only thing I kind of disliked in this book is that, due to plot reasons you will discover as you read this, there are significantly less interactions between Svangerd and Desiderius, something that really makes these books IMO, and was definitely missed here.
There was also less action and fighting in this book than in book one, but this was not an element I found myself missing.
I really recommend giving this series a read if you enjoy funny fantasy with extensive, well thought out worldbuilding.
“Sister Svangerd and the Devil You Know” is the second installment in K.J. Parker’s “The Loyal Opposition” series. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of book one as well, and you can find my review here .
We once again join the devout, murderous nun Sister Svangerd, and atheist Brother Desiderius, on a mission that starts off simple enough and eventually spirals completely out of control.
This book continues a lot of the things I liked about book one. The dry but witty humour, the wonderfully ridiculous situations our protagonists put themselves in, Brother Desiderius going to ridiculous lengths to create fake documents and evidence. We also dive a bit deeper into the philosophy and philosophers of this universe, and learn more about the Loyal Opposition. Or do we? It’s definitely difficult to follow along with the plans of Heaven and Hell, spanning across all of history – past, present and future.
The only thing I kind of disliked in this book is that, due to plot reasons you will discover as you read this, there are significantly less interactions between Svangerd and Desiderius, something that really makes these books IMO, and was definitely missed here.
There was also less action and fighting in this book than in book one, but this was not an element I found myself missing.
I really recommend giving this series a read if you enjoy funny fantasy with extensive, well thought out worldbuilding.
May 12, 2026
Once again, K.J. Parker has Brother Desiderius finagling his way through the darker underbelly of church politics in Sister Svangerd and the Devil You Know. This time, our favorite atheist priest (an oxymoron that Parker makes feel perfectly logical) has been tasked with a simple heist: steal a book.
Of course, in Parker’s world, the Church isn't just a religious institution; it’s a powerhouse with wealth and influence that rivals royalty. The target isn't just any book, either—it’s a volume so shrouded in mystery that no one truly knows its contents, yet it’s housed in the most heavily guarded library in the world.
Accompanying him on this bureaucratic suicide mission is Sister Svangerd, a "devout" nun with a terrifying penchant for creative violence. She remains the object of Desiderius’s unrequited love—unrequited largely because he’s reasonably certain that any romantic overture would be met with a very sharp instrument of pain.
In pure Parker fashion, it's those nasty details of the heist that quickly spiral into a comedy of administrative errors, where the only thing more dangerous than a professional assassin is a misplaced requisition form. Let the crazy ensue.
If you love the grit of Joe Abercrombie but wish the characters spent more time arguing over library fines and clerical loopholes, this is the book for you. Parker reminds us that while the "Devil" might be in the details, Sister Svangerd is definitely in the shadows with a knife.
Thank you, NetGalley and Orbit Books, for the eArc. These opinions are mine.
Of course, in Parker’s world, the Church isn't just a religious institution; it’s a powerhouse with wealth and influence that rivals royalty. The target isn't just any book, either—it’s a volume so shrouded in mystery that no one truly knows its contents, yet it’s housed in the most heavily guarded library in the world.
Accompanying him on this bureaucratic suicide mission is Sister Svangerd, a "devout" nun with a terrifying penchant for creative violence. She remains the object of Desiderius’s unrequited love—unrequited largely because he’s reasonably certain that any romantic overture would be met with a very sharp instrument of pain.
In pure Parker fashion, it's those nasty details of the heist that quickly spiral into a comedy of administrative errors, where the only thing more dangerous than a professional assassin is a misplaced requisition form. Let the crazy ensue.
If you love the grit of Joe Abercrombie but wish the characters spent more time arguing over library fines and clerical loopholes, this is the book for you. Parker reminds us that while the "Devil" might be in the details, Sister Svangerd is definitely in the shadows with a knife.
Thank you, NetGalley and Orbit Books, for the eArc. These opinions are mine.
July 2, 2026
The monk and nun special ops team are tasked with stealing a mysterious book from the most heavily guarded library in the world. No sooner do they find it than .
I'm struggling with this trilogy in a way I never have with Parker series before. It's not without some banter and action but
A) the events are presented as sort of deterministic and inevitable, which always bores me, and
B) it repeats its central points well past the point of tedium: the monk narrator is an unlikely atheist and unrequitably in love with his nun partner; and the Great Game between Good and Evil is maybe real maybe not but expansive and forever-taking so maybe it doesn't matter and does anything matter and good and evil are squishy concepts etc etc etc.
Waffling between 2 and 3 stars.
Aside: Goodreads informs me that I've read 32 (?!) Parker novels previously. I think the male protagonist in every one of them is relentlessly abused by his closest female relationship and casually agrees with everything she says. I've always read it as dry Brit wit but at some point it makes sense to wonder about the author's mental well-being.
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An on-point quote that I loved:
“Idiots are still doing it, scraping down old books to save a few gulden on parchment. Worse than murder, in my opinion. Killing the past means the future will be stillborn.”
I'm struggling with this trilogy in a way I never have with Parker series before. It's not without some banter and action but
A) the events are presented as sort of deterministic and inevitable, which always bores me, and
B) it repeats its central points well past the point of tedium: the monk narrator is an unlikely atheist and unrequitably in love with his nun partner; and the Great Game between Good and Evil is maybe real maybe not but expansive and forever-taking so maybe it doesn't matter and does anything matter and good and evil are squishy concepts etc etc etc.
Waffling between 2 and 3 stars.
Aside: Goodreads informs me that I've read 32 (?!) Parker novels previously. I think the male protagonist in every one of them is relentlessly abused by his closest female relationship and casually agrees with everything she says. I've always read it as dry Brit wit but at some point it makes sense to wonder about the author's mental well-being.
-------------
An on-point quote that I loved:
“Idiots are still doing it, scraping down old books to save a few gulden on parchment. Worse than murder, in my opinion. Killing the past means the future will be stillborn.”
July 23, 2026
Opening a book by Holt/Parker is, to cite a line I hopefully haven't used already, like slipping into a nice hot bath, as Tom Wolfe once said about the Sunday New York Times. (There was an age when Sunday papers were wildly overstuffed things the thickness of a phone book [this comparison probably won't help a lot of people], and you could happily waste half a day flipping through them.)
Sitting back and being lapped at by waves of Parker's prose is a wonderful feeling, even if I don't always retain the plots -- I only remembered the broad outlines of Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead, and I suspect even that isn't necessary to enjoy Vol. 2. All you need to know about the leads is right there -- a monastic scribe (the narrator) who's used by Parker's faux medieval Catholic hierarchy on secret missions requiring skilled forgery, and his companion, a beautiful but enthusiastically homicidal warrior nun he fell for long ago ("beautiful but homicidal" pretty much sums up Parker female love interests these days, along with "not particularly impressed by the narrator").
And here's the obligatory mention of the excerpt from another Orbit author at the end of the book, which as always reminds me of how good Parker actually is. This one has steppe warriors and a dragon.
Sitting back and being lapped at by waves of Parker's prose is a wonderful feeling, even if I don't always retain the plots -- I only remembered the broad outlines of Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead, and I suspect even that isn't necessary to enjoy Vol. 2. All you need to know about the leads is right there -- a monastic scribe (the narrator) who's used by Parker's faux medieval Catholic hierarchy on secret missions requiring skilled forgery, and his companion, a beautiful but enthusiastically homicidal warrior nun he fell for long ago ("beautiful but homicidal" pretty much sums up Parker female love interests these days, along with "not particularly impressed by the narrator").
And here's the obligatory mention of the excerpt from another Orbit author at the end of the book, which as always reminds me of how good Parker actually is. This one has steppe warriors and a dragon.
Read
May 15, 20263.75 stars
Immediately from the start, book two of the Loyal Opposition felt more engaging than the first one. I did have a preference for the adventure Brother Desiderius and Sister Svangerd face in this second novel and, while the narration style was still challenging, the story itself felt less convoluted.
I do like our main character’s tendency to dump information, I find it an effective way to create and explore a fantasy world and its history, while simultaneously seeing it processed through the eyes of a very peculiar protagonist, but sometimes it did get too pedantic.
Overall, these are little faults that to not detriment my enjoyment of the series, but what thing I would actually raise as a critique is that we see so very little of Sister Svangerd herself.
She is perceived through the eyes of our narrator, but even if he’s in love with her, her personality comes off as one dimensional, her main traits (being religious but still loving to enact violence) being repeated over and over again, but never truly explored, which makes her feel like just a surface level side character.
I really hope the final book will give more space for her character to grow, and to let us know her better outside of the throway mentions to her tragic past, and the desire her partner feels for her.
Immediately from the start, book two of the Loyal Opposition felt more engaging than the first one. I did have a preference for the adventure Brother Desiderius and Sister Svangerd face in this second novel and, while the narration style was still challenging, the story itself felt less convoluted.
I do like our main character’s tendency to dump information, I find it an effective way to create and explore a fantasy world and its history, while simultaneously seeing it processed through the eyes of a very peculiar protagonist, but sometimes it did get too pedantic.
Overall, these are little faults that to not detriment my enjoyment of the series, but what thing I would actually raise as a critique is that we see so very little of Sister Svangerd herself.
She is perceived through the eyes of our narrator, but even if he’s in love with her, her personality comes off as one dimensional, her main traits (being religious but still loving to enact violence) being repeated over and over again, but never truly explored, which makes her feel like just a surface level side character.
I really hope the final book will give more space for her character to grow, and to let us know her better outside of the throway mentions to her tragic past, and the desire her partner feels for her.
May 25, 2026
First off, thanks to NetGalley and Orbit for the ARC. I read this before it released but have been remiss in actually producing reviews. I will try and be better in the future. Now, on to the review.
*sigh*
Did you read SISTER SVANGERD 1? Did you like it but would rather there have been fewer zombies? Did you read the novella THE LONG GAME but wished it was 300 pages?
If the answer to any of those is yes, then this book is definitely for you. For me--the biggest Parker fan on the internet--this wasn't it. I just don't know what this book was trying to accomplish. For me, it just treads ground that we've already trod, both in THE LONG GAME as well as in SVANGERD 1. The idea that the athiest MC still has a whole lot of unanswered faith or that any action, even if it seems scores a point for the side of good, can actually be a boon for the Loyal Opposition or vice versa. In fact, this is dwelled on so often that it becomes reminiscent of Monica and Phoebe, "They don't know that we know they know that we know that they know!"
Can evil actions have good results? Can good actions produce evil? Who is using who is using who? I'm just not sure what this book has to *say*, which is frustrating for me because that's usually my favorite part of a Parker novel.
It's still written with Parker's incredibly style and the first 25% are great, as we see a ton of preparations and learn a bunch about forgeries as they gear up for a long con, but then the con falls apart and the book we get instead just isn't as interesting. I see some reviewers commenting on the witty back-and-forth between the MC and Svangerd and, yeah, that's true, but we got that in Saevus Corax as well but the stories were more interesting.
Not Parker's worst by a mile, but not my favorite either. Again, like I said in the review of the first one, there's things in there that some Parker fans as well as new readers alike will really like. For me, however, it lacks most of the things that *I* look for in a Parker novel. I'd love him to go back to writing 3rd person, personally.
*sigh*
Did you read SISTER SVANGERD 1? Did you like it but would rather there have been fewer zombies? Did you read the novella THE LONG GAME but wished it was 300 pages?
If the answer to any of those is yes, then this book is definitely for you. For me--the biggest Parker fan on the internet--this wasn't it. I just don't know what this book was trying to accomplish. For me, it just treads ground that we've already trod, both in THE LONG GAME as well as in SVANGERD 1. The idea that the athiest MC still has a whole lot of unanswered faith or that any action, even if it seems scores a point for the side of good, can actually be a boon for the Loyal Opposition or vice versa. In fact, this is dwelled on so often that it becomes reminiscent of Monica and Phoebe, "They don't know that we know they know that we know that they know!"
Can evil actions have good results? Can good actions produce evil? Who is using who is using who? I'm just not sure what this book has to *say*, which is frustrating for me because that's usually my favorite part of a Parker novel.
It's still written with Parker's incredibly style and the first 25% are great, as we see a ton of preparations and learn a bunch about forgeries as they gear up for a long con, but then the con falls apart and the book we get instead just isn't as interesting. I see some reviewers commenting on the witty back-and-forth between the MC and Svangerd and, yeah, that's true, but we got that in Saevus Corax as well but the stories were more interesting.
Not Parker's worst by a mile, but not my favorite either. Again, like I said in the review of the first one, there's things in there that some Parker fans as well as new readers alike will really like. For me, however, it lacks most of the things that *I* look for in a Parker novel. I'd love him to go back to writing 3rd person, personally.
June 22, 2026
The love of early Christian theology continues, this time with a faintly disguised Prester John, along with others. A lot of which I spotted, but I'm not arrogant enough to think I got them all. The author is clearly really into that type of history.
This does fall into the same trap as the previous book, in which there is a lot of talking, a lot of plan making, plans then instantly falling apart and being turned on their head, then more talking, more plan making, and so on and so on.
I didn't mind it so much this time because I think the plot overall was stronger and we actually had some concreate action going and things made a little more sense. Went off the rails by the end, but it was still entertaining enough to be forgiven.
I am very invested in the lives and loves of Sister Svangerd and her (unnamed in the text) monk friend.
This is the second in a planned trilogy and the plans are starting to tick, pieces being moved into final places. I can't imagine how its going to end, and if anyone is going to have a happy ending. Or even what a happy ending would look like, in this dark age of their world. It promises to be a very entertaining end though, with hopefully just a little less pointless talking in circles.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
This does fall into the same trap as the previous book, in which there is a lot of talking, a lot of plan making, plans then instantly falling apart and being turned on their head, then more talking, more plan making, and so on and so on.
I didn't mind it so much this time because I think the plot overall was stronger and we actually had some concreate action going and things made a little more sense. Went off the rails by the end, but it was still entertaining enough to be forgiven.
I am very invested in the lives and loves of Sister Svangerd and her (unnamed in the text) monk friend.
This is the second in a planned trilogy and the plans are starting to tick, pieces being moved into final places. I can't imagine how its going to end, and if anyone is going to have a happy ending. Or even what a happy ending would look like, in this dark age of their world. It promises to be a very entertaining end though, with hopefully just a little less pointless talking in circles.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Book Review: Sister Svangerd and the Devil You Know (Loyal Opposition 2) by KJ Parker
5/5 stars. I am really enjoying this series about a monk and a nun who are tasked with a variety of very special operations that are appropriate to their skill sets. He is a master forger who is an atheist. She is a talented assassin who was saved from a terrible past by the religious order. Certainly, these two are not the typical monk and nun and it is fascinating to be a witness to what happens to them on their missions.
In this entry to the trilogy, they are assigned the task of infiltrating a heavily guarded library to steal an important book for the holy mother of their monastery, Tysapherna. In the middle of the job, they encounter an entity that claims to be a demon, also while dealing with both the Loyal Opposition and the Order of Intercession, all while Brother Desiderius, refuses to believe that any of it is real!
This series is filled with wonderful banter, excellent characters, a detailed world, and the wonderful prose of KJ Parker. Parker is quickly moving up my list of favorite fantasy authors, alongside Abercrombie, Lawrence, Ryan, Bennett, Barker, and Gwynne. Highly recommended!
Thanks to #NetGalley and #OrbitBooks for the eARC.
5/5 stars. I am really enjoying this series about a monk and a nun who are tasked with a variety of very special operations that are appropriate to their skill sets. He is a master forger who is an atheist. She is a talented assassin who was saved from a terrible past by the religious order. Certainly, these two are not the typical monk and nun and it is fascinating to be a witness to what happens to them on their missions.
In this entry to the trilogy, they are assigned the task of infiltrating a heavily guarded library to steal an important book for the holy mother of their monastery, Tysapherna. In the middle of the job, they encounter an entity that claims to be a demon, also while dealing with both the Loyal Opposition and the Order of Intercession, all while Brother Desiderius, refuses to believe that any of it is real!
This series is filled with wonderful banter, excellent characters, a detailed world, and the wonderful prose of KJ Parker. Parker is quickly moving up my list of favorite fantasy authors, alongside Abercrombie, Lawrence, Ryan, Bennett, Barker, and Gwynne. Highly recommended!
Thanks to #NetGalley and #OrbitBooks for the eARC.
May 6, 2026
Many of life’s most interesting conundrums are found in the grey areas. Much like this story and our friends, the atheist monk and the murderous nun. The quest and occasional side quests all appear to have a sort of grey overcast, and continue the theme of book one. If you enjoy dry wit and grimdark fantasy, this is right up your alley. Parker has a distinct way of being blunt enough, to force the reader to engage with the concept he’s presenting a little further. I enjoyed the mix of the traditional quest theme and the then shifting pace and characters introspection. It still reminds me heavily of Joe Abercrombie’s “the Devils”, with similar scenery and characters.
I believe that after book one fell a little flat for me, I came into book two prepared for the tone and writing style. I may have to revisit my previous review. This is not your whimsy and colorful or “ha ha” funny fantasy, but a thought provoking, witty and thought provoking one.
Thank you to Orbit Books for sending me on yet another quest and to Parker for this second adventure!
I believe that after book one fell a little flat for me, I came into book two prepared for the tone and writing style. I may have to revisit my previous review. This is not your whimsy and colorful or “ha ha” funny fantasy, but a thought provoking, witty and thought provoking one.
Thank you to Orbit Books for sending me on yet another quest and to Parker for this second adventure!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
— 1.5 stars
The funky cover and the fun title brought me here and it’s probably the only good thing I’d experienced throughout this story.
After about five pages of the first chapter, I just had to look up the author and realized they wrote Prosper’s Demon, and everything just clicked for me. The almost hazy, feverish, no-thoughts-head-empty-ness I’d experienced when I read Prosper’s Demon back in 2019? 2020? was still as present as ever here.
The fundamental issue here is, I think, I just don’t mesh well with Parker’s writing style. It’s just bricks after bricks of texts I failed to find an emotional tether to. I couldn’t feel any connection to the characters, or between the two of them, and I had no interest in the plot or where it was going.
If I wasn’t skimming, I was physically forcing myself to pick it back up, and it’s just not a reading experience anyone should have.
— Thank you to Orbit and Netgalley for this eARC in return of an honest review.
The funky cover and the fun title brought me here and it’s probably the only good thing I’d experienced throughout this story.
After about five pages of the first chapter, I just had to look up the author and realized they wrote Prosper’s Demon, and everything just clicked for me. The almost hazy, feverish, no-thoughts-head-empty-ness I’d experienced when I read Prosper’s Demon back in 2019? 2020? was still as present as ever here.
The fundamental issue here is, I think, I just don’t mesh well with Parker’s writing style. It’s just bricks after bricks of texts I failed to find an emotional tether to. I couldn’t feel any connection to the characters, or between the two of them, and I had no interest in the plot or where it was going.
If I wasn’t skimming, I was physically forcing myself to pick it back up, and it’s just not a reading experience anyone should have.
— Thank you to Orbit and Netgalley for this eARC in return of an honest review.
May 13, 2026
3.5/5. I picked this up yesterday and while I was disappointed that a few other books I had ordered hadn't arrived at the same time, this gave me the chance to focus solely on this book without distraction. The book picks up not too long after the first book and I was very surprised that there wasn't any fallout for the two main characters after the last book's shenanigans. There was a reason for that and not long after chapter one its back on the road again to do more shady things in the name of a highly respected church member. Things go south however fairly quickly and while the characters are starting to catch on to the more nuanced stuff its usually too late to do anything about it and it's giving off a tone of inevitability. We get to see glimpses here and there of what the main big picture conspiracy stuff is but we're not quite fully there yet. I'm looking forward to reading the next book although it'll probably be awhile before it gets released.
May 19, 2026
It's hard for K.J Parker to write something bad , but this was a bit disappointing. It reads more like an extension of the first story , not so much a separate sequel.
It also seemed as if Parker didn't know where he wanted to go with this story. It starts with a whimsical adventure , but after a while the action and argumentation gets repetitive. Far too many Deus ex machina (or deus ex diabolus ) saving, where the MC gets captured and released/ escapes again. And again ,and again...
Now I usually love Parker's more metaphysical stories like the Father of lies and Prosper's Demon. But in this one the metaphysical ideas about Good & Evil get hammered home long after the point is made . Also, the MC switching sides every time some faction tells him "Just trust me Bro " didn't make much sense within the context of the story.
All in all entertaining enough for a Parker fan , but far from his best work.
It also seemed as if Parker didn't know where he wanted to go with this story. It starts with a whimsical adventure , but after a while the action and argumentation gets repetitive. Far too many Deus ex machina (or deus ex diabolus ) saving, where the MC gets captured and released/ escapes again. And again ,and again...
Now I usually love Parker's more metaphysical stories like the Father of lies and Prosper's Demon. But in this one the metaphysical ideas about Good & Evil get hammered home long after the point is made . Also, the MC switching sides every time some faction tells him "Just trust me Bro " didn't make much sense within the context of the story.
All in all entertaining enough for a Parker fan , but far from his best work.
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