Retribution

Drakenfeld #2

by Mark Charan Newton

THEY'LL KILL TO HIDE THE TRUTH. HE'LL KILL TO FIND IT. Having just solved a difficult case in his home city of Tryum, Sun Chamber Officer Lucan Drakenfeld and his associate Leana are ordered to journey to the exotic city of Kuvash in Koton, where a revered priest has gone missing. When they arrive, they discover the priest has already been found - or at least parts of him have. But investigating the unusual death isn't a priority for the legislature of Kuvash; there's a kingdom to run, a census to create and a dictatorial Queen to placate. Soon Drakenfeld finds that he is suddenly in charge of an investigation in a strange city, whose customs and politics are as complex as they are dangerous. Kuvash is a city of contradictions; wealth and poverty exist uneasily side-by-side and behind the rich facades of gilded streets and buildings, all levels of depravity and decadence are practised. When several more bodies are discovered mutilated and dumped in a public place, Drakenfeld realizes there's a killer at work who seems to delight in torture and pain. With no motive, no leads and no suspects, he feels like he's running out of options. And in a city where nothing is as it seems, seeking the truth is likely to get him killed ...Retribution is the second Lucan Drakenfeld novel, following Drakenfeld.

Genres: Fantasy, Mystery, Science Fiction Fantasy

400 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Mark Charan Newton was born in 1981, and holds a degree in Environmental Science. After working in bookselling, he moved into editorial positions at imprints covering film and media tie-in fiction, and later, science fiction and fantasy. He currently lives and works in Nottingham. His major label debut is Nights of Villjamur, which is published by Tor UK (Pan Macmillan) and Bantam Spectra (Random House).

"Newton combines strange and vivid creations with very real and pressing concerns with estimable commitment and passion." — China Miéville on City of Ruin.

"This is fantasy with vast scope and ambition... a complex, eldritch vision" — The Guardian on Nights of Villjamur.

Reviews

[Mpauli · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC copy received via NetGalley

Retribution is the second novel in Mark Charan Newton's Drakenfeld series. The books are about murder mysteries in a secondary fantasy world that reminds the reader a lot of ancient societies like Rome, Athens or Persia. It's definitely low fantasy with next to none magical elements, although we get a bit more of those than in the first book of the series. The novels feel more like historical fiction to me because of that.

This time, Drakenfeld and his companion/bodyguard Leana travel to the kingdom of Koton to investigate the brutal murder of a local bishop.
The kotonese society reminded me a lot of nomadic plains folk, who just started their civilization and are eager to proof that they are just as cultivated as the older kingdoms within the Viaspasin Royal Union.

It's always hard to discuss plot for a murder mystery, so all I'm going to say that it had the right combination of clues to figure out on my own and some surprising elements to make a satisfying read in the end.

We also get some great new supporting characters with the new setting and learn more about Leana as well.

For those of you looking for themes, gender roles are discussed to a certain degree as are different religious believes which makes Retribution a very well rounded read.

Overall I enjoyed this sequel a lot and in my personal opinion it excels its predecessor in every way. I'm really hoping for a lot more Drakenfeld books, cause I would really love to visit at least every one of the remaining 6 kingdoms in Newton's very interesting world.

Technically you can read this book as a standalone, but some of the references and the very subtle overall arch of the series will make more sense to you, if you've read Drakenfeld before.

[Alissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I tried not to speculate on the morality of these men. I had seen people do strange things when enough coin could line their pockets. Standards could vanish in the blink of an eye when a group was left to establish its own rules, far removed from the guiding lines of common society.
I was not here to judge, not yet, just looking for answers.

[Blodeuedd Finland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know that I do not read a lot of mysteries/thrillers, but I have noticed that I like the historical ones. And with the first book in this series, the fantasy ones works excellent too.

Drakenfeld has a new job. A priest has been killed and he is sent to investigate. We learn to know another country in this world, a "mongol people" who now try to settle in cities. Their queen wants to show the world how cultured they are. I do like learning more about this world, and he shows this new country so that I can feel like I am there too.

It's quite the mystery, who killed the priest? What on earth is going on in this city? I had not plan to read it in a day, but I could not put it down, so in a day it was.

A good mystery, an interesting world. And I do want more. I wonder where Drakenfeld will go next, cos this continent is in trouble.

[Bart · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars.

Very good second novel in this series. Sometimes a bit slow paced, but the vivid descriptions bring the city of Kuvash and the contrasts in its population very much alive.

[Jared Shurin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last year, Mark Charan Newton introduced us to the Sun Chamber's star (sorry) investigator: Lucan Drakenfeld, who, alongside his ruthlessly efficient friend Leana, managed to stop a series of hideous crimes in the nation of Detrata.

The Drakenfeld series - a fusion of Golden Age detection and modern epic fantasy - now continues with Retribution, in which Drakenfeld and Leana tackle a new case, this time in the slightly less 'civilised' country of Koton.

Koton is a recently stabilised nation - the united under the rule of Queen Dokuz, one of the book's most interesting characters. On one hand, she's brought order to a population of warring tribes and is busily trying to modernise her country into a player on the world stage. On the other, she's a ruthless dictator - yet still not without empathy.

It is with great trepidation that the Koton people invite Drakenfeld into their country. He's the first Sun Chamber investigator to openly visit Koton in years, but this isn't a social call: there's been a horrific murder of a leading religious figure, and the local authorities are stumped. Drakenfeld must solve the crime and appease the Queen. Neither look to be easy tasks.

To ramp up the tension further, Drakenfeld is wrestling with his own debilitating illness, a conspiracy of assassins, a precocious princess and the mounting threat of war. His challenges: personal, professional and political threaten to overwhelm him. So good things he's got the unflappable (and wonderfully competent) Leana at his side.

Drakenfeld remains a unique hero in the realms of epic fantasy. He's not physically gifted - he's not an unstoppable swordsman or brawny brawler. Nor is he a cunning 'master thief', with an array of tricks and acrobatic talents. And he's certainly no wizard - sorcery in the world of the Drakenfeld series is a rare (and largely absent) trick. Instead, Drakenfeld is a surprisingly ordinary guy: he's smart, he's empathetic, he's got a knack for making friends (and enemies) and always being in the wrong (or right) place. By being loyal, diligent, smart, friendly and dedicated - basically a nice guy - he accomplishes the impossible and saves the world.

This isn't just revisionist epic fantasy, it is optimistic and, in its way, heart-warming. Lucan Drakenfeld battles against the worst villains in the world, and stops unspeakable horrors, basically by keeping his eyes open and doing the right thing. Mark Charan Newton's hero might not be the most cinematic sort of swashbuckler, but he's certainly one of the most fascinating to read.

A great mystery and an unusual fantasy. Highly recommended. (And, for those worried, you can start the series with this book - it stands alone quite nicely. Although there are a few references to some characters from the previous book, the mystery here is a stand-alone.)

[Jasper · Rating 5 out of 5]

originally posted at: http://thebookplank.blogspot.com/2014...

Last year I read the amazing first installment in Mark Charan Newton's latest series, Lucan Drakenfeld, the book Drakenfeld. Every once in a while you come across a book that just has everything, a new concept that is worked out in the smallest details giving a terrific reading experience and this is precisely what Mark Charan Newton brought to show in Drakenfeld. The quasi Roman setting with a detective, crime-thriller story was something new, I couldn't compare it with his earlier books but a lot of reviewers really praised it that it was better than what he has written before. These types of stories, stories that feature detectives can make for a solid ongoing series with case files, one thing that Mark Charan Newton definitely proves in Retribution.


Small note: Prior to reading Retribution I read Mark Charan Newton's short story The Messenger, this is a high recommendation as it will definitely get you in the proper reading mode!


Lets move on to the story of Retribution. Once again you follow the adventures of the Sun Chamber Officer Lucan Drakenfeld and his assistance Leana. They have just arrived in their home town and are immediately called back into the saddle to investigate a weird murder case. An importan priest has been murdered in the city of Kuvash and several parts of him have been found, some are still missing. However letting foreigners into your kingdom to let them investigate your business is not something that is often seen in Kuvash and therefore the Sun Chamber had received a second message saying that their assistance is no longer required but this makes the case just more weirder so Lucan and Leana do make their journey to Kuvash. All to soon after arriving there they are forced into protocols and learn just how different their culture is from theirs and how it definitely complicates things. But as officers of The Sun Chamber, Lucan and Leana do have an advantage and though the beginning of their investigation does yield that much, they do start to go their own way and when more murders occur with similar motives, the situation only becomes more desperate to be solved. I have to refrain myself from telling too much of the plot, when it comes down to mysteries you don't want to have the plot spoiled. All I can say is that the victims did have something in common though not something that is easily thought off! But that was something you could have guessed!

It was really cool to see how the story unfolded and Mark Charan Newton had set up his story in a great manner, building up tension from the first crime scene all throughout the new mounting evidence. It is impossible to not get lost in the story. The evidence remains largely unexplainable for Lucan and for Leana which only leaves you further in the dark as well, but in a definite good way. You immediately start to picture who the murdered is in your own mind but it is hard to pick a winner though. I was reading this book in when it was getting dark outside so I didn't have that much reading light and I hit a particular scene in the book I think it was page 150. This scene gave me the chills all over, a very close horror element thrown in the mix that will throw your own conclusions completely off game. Nice way of fully exploiting your build premise and thereby taking your story further.


I tweeted when I was a few pages into Retribution that it was impossible to to like the main characters: Lucan an Leana. They are well fleshed characters that feel really humane. They act normally and think rationally. Yes they are smart, by education and aren't masterminds. They try to relevate everything with prior experience and interpret everything as logical as possible. In The Messenger and Drakenfeld you already got a nice view of them but in Retribution Mark Charan Newton doesn't shy away to boost their development as characters a bit more and further build and explore them. If you read the first book you know that Lucan has a past, a complicated past and that many things still trouble him. In Retribution these things all come to light again and makes him much more complex, especially when you see his inner struggles with finding out what is right and what is wrong and what is best to do. Even when a cure is so close by, what is the ethical way to do? Leana's character does come a bit less in the spotlight but doesn't take away that her character doesn't develop. Leana is best described as a feisty women who knows her way around with her sword. It was very fun to read the interplay between Lucan and Leana, they don't always see eye to eye but they don;t have shout matches to get their rights but instead know how to talk as adults to each other. This interplay does also have as a results some funny moments. All in all I can only say that I am very pleased with the characterization, they are well developed and one of the finest characters I have read about in a while.

One thing where Retribution and the Lucan Drakenfeld series really have a plus working in their advantage is the world building. When you look at the front cover alone and the promise of the synopsis it already has a lot of hints of something Epic Fantasy but when you get immersed into the story you really get to see the beauty of the world that Mark Charan Newton creates. In the first book it was already a solid introduction and with Retribution he further builds on the foundation that was put in the right position. In describing the world and surroundings of Kuvash there are some similarities with what you read in Drakenfeld but there are enough distinctions and one aspect that definitely helps here is laying a high emphasis on the intricacy of the Kuvash politics and everything that comes out of it. Really a great combination of building and exploring a world.

Retribution is a terrific continuation of the ground work that Mark Charan Newton put into place in Drakenfeld. There isn't much to do besides loving this series. The whole world that is envisioned in these books is one-of-a-kind and has a lot of great elements working in it's favor. The elements that make up this world are all gathered from different directions of fantasy, which Mark Charan Newton skillfully combines. Added to this comes a set of protagonists that are just as rich and interesting as the world itself. They aren't your standard boastful all powerful all knowing kind invulnerable kind of characters, but they have flaws. Flaws that they have come to understand and use and live with, both Lucan and Leana are very well portrayed, perhaps one of the best humanlike characters I have read so far. So all in all, yes Retribution is a awesome read and will definitely be placed in my top of 2014 list. I kindly urge you to pick it up as well, asap.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back in 2013 I reviewed Drakenfeld, a locked-room crime novel with a Fantasy setting. I liked it a lot, and so was very happy to pick this one up.

Retribution is the sequel and continues the tale of Sun Chamber Officer (rather like an Inquisitor or a Police Constable) Lucan Drakenfeld and his bodyguard-friend Leana. After the events of Drakenfeld in Detrata, Lucan is sent to the city of Kuvash, where a priest has disappeared.

Once arrived in Kuvash, Lucan finds that the inquiry has become a murder investigation, when parts of Bishop Tahn Valin’s body are found.

I guess this is one to be subtitled, ‘The Travels of Lucan’, as much of the tension is created by Lucan trying to understand how things are done in a very different city. Here, further away from the Empire’s direct influence, things are rather fuzzier than would normally be expected, and Lucan seems to be frustrated many times while trying to do his duty.

When more corpses are found, Lucan realises that he seems to be looking at a multiple murderer/s, one who seems to enjoy torture and dismemberment as part of his/her Modus Operandi.

I thoroughly enjoyed this step into a world that seems to be a combination of Jack the Ripper meeting Osten Ard, the secondary fantasy world of Tad Williams’s Memory, Sorrow and Thorn trilogy. The plot is done well enough, although as this is the second book the novel is more about character development than a mere revenge plot. Having set the main characters up in Drakenfeld, Mark has more room here to develop the motivations and inclinations of our lead characters. I am growing to like Lucan Drakenfeld, who, despite his health issues, seems like a decent sort of chap, even when things are stacked against him. Here he takes on the role of Inspector Abberline in trying to discover both the motive and the perpetrators of the murders.

Some of the new characters are well done, too. The Cleopatra-like Queen Dokuz Sorghatan manages to convey both leadership and compassion in a world dominated by male leaders. Sulma Tan, the Queen’s advisor is a character who I suspect Lucan will meet again. And the Queen’s daughter, Nambu, has a rite of passage that many teenagers would long for, as a pupil to Leana. They are introduced relatively smoothly and become part of the plot in a way that seems unforced and logical.

Another aspect that is done well is that Mark’s characters build on the ever-present feeling overall that ‘things are changing’. One of the key aspects of this tale is that Drakenfeld is a long way from the centre of the Republic and so has to deal with things without the support of his seniors back in Detrata.

Though the book is firmly placed in the city of Koton, the wider context suggests that there are rumblings of conflict on Kuvash’s borders, a situation that both creates a motivation for the killings and a possible reason. I suspect that such skirmishes will continue through this series, whilst I kept being reminded of present-day real world troubles being similar.

The need for a Republic to meet the needs of the people who are feeling rather ignored out on the edge creates a motivation and a reason for Lucan’s difficulties. He is very much alone here, having to deal with a rather different culture to his usual, and this creates a further complication. Combining a Roman Empire with an Egyptian-style queendom is an intriguing mix, which Mark does well.

For those looking for a Fantasy-type element in the novel, there is relatively little. There are no dragons, no elves, no demons, though the central MacGuffin has aspects that could be construed as such should you wish for it.

Indeed, as fantasy novels go, Retribution is relatively trope-light. If Drakenfeld was a locked-room mystery, Retribution is a much more straight-forward revenge novel. The novel’s central theme is the crime/murder aspect of its telling. (This may explain the novel’s title.) I’m pleased to say that I did not work out the villain/s, nor the reason for their actions until it was revealed towards the end, as is appropriate for a crime novel. It does seem to end rather abruptly with a lot of loose ends tied up very quickly, but that may be due to the immersive nature of the novel up to that point.

The novel can be read without reading Drakenfeld, though there are links that a reader will appreciate. Thoroughly enjoyable, Mark’s deceptively smooth text eases the reader into a world that, once entered, becomes difficult to leave. This series is developing nicely, and I look forward to more in this series. Recommended.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drakenfeld is a brilliant character , after two books I hope he goes on for a long time.
This book is a bit darker than the last with quite gruesome murder and disturbing twists but a great mystery with political upheaval sitting nicely in the background.
It moves slowly along but really draws you in .

[Kennethkiffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dammit. I wish I came upon these books 10 years from now, when maybe Book 3-7 (and so on) were already written, and I can immediately move on to the next book. But as it is, I'll have to wait - not patiently, I'll have to say. Great story. The only thing I didn't like was the use of the word "OK" - which I found slightly jarring from a fantasy book non-modern culture - but then again that's just a personal choice. Otherwise, I love the story, I loved the journey. Looking forward to the next one.

[Antonis · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 / 5

An improvement on all aspects compared to the first book. If not for a minor thing, this could be a 5 out of 5 stars!

Retribution, by Mark Charan Newton, is the 2nd book featuring Lucan Drakenfeld as the main character. While it can be considered part of a series, it can be read independently as a stand-alone.

Plot:
This time around, Lucan and his assistant/toughwoman Leana are called to investigate a strange murder in neighboring capital city with a very eastern feeling and a strong queen. As they two of them get to know the people in the palace and explore the place, they discover strange things and get involved in more than they expected.
I found the plot quite interesting. There are things happening in every chapter and there is a continuous momentum forward. There are a few minor unanswered questions which nagged me a bit at the end because it made me wonder what was the whole point of a secondary subplot. Also the ending left me a bit disappointed. I was expecting something different, something more strange or crazy and after all the build-up during most of the book it was a bit meeeh. Those 2 minor complaints are the reasons why I didn't give this book a 5.

Characters:
Lucan and Leana are written amazingly well. The POV is from Lucan's perspective and what I really loved is that he is indeed a clever character, as intelligent as his rank in the Sun Chamber would demand. Often, in mystery novels, the author either gives hints that his main investigators overlook or deliberately hides clues from the reader. Newton avoids both of those cheap tricks. He presents all the details exactly as an analytical and observant investigator would perceive, then just as we think "ooohh I'm pretty sure I know what this clue is about or where this is gonna lead to", Newton makes Lucan either commenting or internally presenting the same thoughts to the reader. In that way, the reader identifies and comes to like the protagonist even more.
The secondary characters are well written and interesting in their own way. They all had their distinct voice and style.

Prose & Pace:
A definite improvement over the first book! The pace was quite fast, considering this is a detective-type murder mystery novel. The chapters were small and things happened constantly, new information was revealed and generally the plot was moving forward rapidly. I would easily call this a page-turner!
The prose was amazing! Newton strikes a great balance between descriptiveness and brevity. He quickly gives descriptions of environments, locales and people without getting bogged down and slowing the pace. It's exactly as much is required to feel what is needed but not loose track or interest of what is happening. Well done Mr Newton!

Conclusion:
In summary, I loved and very much enjoyed reading Retribution! The plot was deep and interesting, the characters were amazing and the prose was perfect for this type of novel. I heartily recommend this book, not only for fantasy readers, but for anyone who wants to reader a detective murder mystery.
4 / 5

[Booksendcoffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

'It was funny how closed paths were the ones we often wished to walk the most.'
-Retribution, Mark Charan Newton-
.
It took ages because I eas distracted with work, among other things, I finally finished it 😄
.
Reading Retribution, was a complete adventure. Reading through the ending felt even more thrilling!
I always admire a book written with complete made up fantasies of places, names, cultures and histories. The details illustrated by Mark Charan Newton made me feel like living in a completely different world.

Not to mention how detailed the murders and investigations were and how satisfying the cases were solved. I love reading every plots and every characters, narrated brilliantly in this book😊. It is one of the best fantasy thriller I had read and I enjoyed in immensely 🥰

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
.
.
P/s: the experience of reading Retribution was fun. Have you ever felt a little sad after closing a good book? I'm feeling that right now 😢. Anyway, life must go on. Lets move on to the next book

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my review of the first book in this amazing series I stated that:

What you do have is an excellent mystery with a flawed Sherlockian hero, a tough as nails side-kick, and a world that I look forward to exploring more.

.....

This book is currently in the running to be my vote for Best Fantasy 2013 (and this is a year that has a number of strong contenders). I want more.

Here we are one year and one book later. Once again, Mr. Newton has written an amazing novel that, if it wasn't for the Goblin Emperor, would probably be my favourite fantasy of 2014, for all the same reasons I loved the first book.

In addition to my comments in the previous review - the author has added two new characters - a potential love interest and a potential apprentice - that I hope reappear in later books (events at the end of this book suggest I may get my wish, but we'll see...)

I am, however, going to review this, not as a fantasy, but rather as a mystery - and there I have to be a bit harsher. The mystery while possessing an amazing and incredibly dark back-story, was rather pedestrian in that Clue A led to Clue B which led to Clue C, resulting in the solving of the mystery - there were no real red herrings or leads that didn't pan out. I can't comment on most mystery writers out there... but this mystery wasn't up to the caliber of a Dashiell Hammett, Agatha Christie or a Dorothy L Sayers(but then.... who is?).

You will note by the authors referenced, that I have set a high bar for this series. The reason is quite simple, these books are that good. They deserve a high bar to strive for... because, dammit, they are too good to be compared to anything but the best.

[Boulder Boulderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was definitely less exciting than the previous entry in the series, Drakenfeld. The quality of the writing is just as good - the sparse prose gives a curiously clear sense of place and I was very much reminded of my favourite historical detective, Steven Saylor's Gordianus the Finder, at several points. Further details of Leana's background were nice and the addition of the Princess as a temporary character was also welcome, as it was handled sensitively rather than simply used for exposition.

The downside was the simple plot - a series of murders linked with magical stones and ultimately a cult - I don't consider that a spoiler since it's pretty obvious from the get go. Aside from a couple of details I'd basically figured out the ending by the halfway point and while the journey to get there was satisfying, I was hoping for a bit more, especially after the last book.

I admit I was also sad to see Drakenfeld discard the ring, even when it came to him legitimately. I feel it would've been just as morally correct to retain it and use it to further his work in aid of the Sun Chamber and the fact that he did not recognise this was odd; maybe just to retain use of Drakenfeld's seizures as a plot device.

I'm hoping that there will be another book in the series, although it's been a couple of years since this was published and there isn't one yet. More details on the Sun Chamber would be interesting as I'm a little hazy about its function - is portrayed as enormously large and powerful, yet doesn't seem to have so much as a permanent officer in each of the capital cities; perhaps the Vispasian Royal Union is much larger than the map suggests? In any case, I look forward to reading more of Drakenfeld's adventures.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Following the conclusion of a challenging case in his home city, Sun Chamber Officer Lucan Drakenfeld is sent to Kuvash, the capital city of the neighbouring country of Koton. Together with his associate Leana, he is tasked with investigating the disappearance of a bishop. Upon their arrival, however, they are informed that the missing man has been found - in pieces. One murder investigation soon turns into two and more, as further mutilated bodies turn up. And on top of dealing with the search for a brutal killer while having to navigate an unfamiliar city and culture, Lucan and Leana are also entrusted with another highly important task by Koton's queen: to protect her daughter, on whose life several attempts have recently been undertaken.

Much like with the first book in the series, the excellent combination of mystery, fantasy and historical elements makes for an intriguing plot in a fascinating world. Hopefully we'll get to explore even more of the different corners of the universe Newton's masterful worldbuilding skills have created here in the following installments of the series.

[Ruth · Rating 2 out of 5]

c2014: FWFTB: exotic, mutilated, torture, depravity,priest. The plot did not totally convince me. I really like the world and the two characters of Lucas and Leana and we do get a bit more background on both of them. After finishing the book, I kinda feel that the author was struggling a bit with this second book whether it was getting the plot in shape for the third book or as a mechanism to develop a bit more of the characters. I haven't quite got to the point where I love the characters but am happy to think about getting the next book to try and convince myself. Recommended to those of the normal crew that have read the first one. No editor picked up the use of the wrong word hee? "It transpired that, because I had been accusing the military of firing an arrow at me, blaming them for something unproven, one of the senior officers had taken exception to the statement - and decided to dispense his own style of street justice."

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second Lucan Drakenfeld novel, after 'Drakenfeld'. Sun Officer Drakenfeld was sent to investigate another case in a neighbouring Kingdom of Koton, regarding a bishop who was murdered brutally and ritually.

I love the world building that was done here. Koton and the capital city of Kuvash sounds very similar to that of the Central Asian Turkic cultures which is a breathe of fresh air. (In contrast, with 'Drakenfeld' where the main protag's home country, Detrata, was inspired by the Roman Empire). The characters were also very interesting and deep, something that some authors tend to forget to work on. The plot was executed nicely, with a larger arc, which started from 'Drakenfeld' looming above it.

If fantasy+crime combo sounds good to you, then I recommend this series. The 2nd instalment sealed my judgement. It's an excellent sequel which will make me get the 3rd installation without hesitation.

[Bookboy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Following on from last year's Drakenfeld, Retribution is a nice continuation of the series, providing a keen mystery and a clever solution, playing with the idea of victim/perpetrator and the theme of revenge. Drakenfeld is a pleasant narrator, a clear successor to C.J Sansom's Shardlake, while his female companion and bodyguard gets some much needed and appreciated development here. Fans of Newton's earlier work will feel somewhat let down by the world building - Drakenfeld's world is a clear Roman cypher, mingling elements of Late Medieval / Early Renaissance Europe, without any particular attempts to bring in any of the clever New Weird stylings of the Legends of the Red Sun. The Drakenfeld series, though, continues to do what it set out to do - write a historical mystery series in a fantasy world - and to do it extremely well!

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This second in a series about Lucan & his bodyguard Leana is another interesting look at a fantasy medieval setting. I've enjoyed them both. This is not high fantasy with non-human peoples; this is only fantasy in that the locations don't exist anywhere on earth & never have. The map showing the sub-kingdoms of the empire for which Lucan works looks vaguely like the Iberian peninsula with additions, but there's nothing really identifiable relating to any real-world locale.

It's an interesting book from the mystery standpoint also. The author does not cheat; there's no magicking the bad guy into confessing, just good detective work and persistence. The clues are there to follow if you pay attention, but they are not completely obvious. Lucan and Leana both have personality, and so do the non-leading characters; everyone is pretty well fleshed out so you can get a feel for them.

[Daniel Jolley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Improvement on its predecessor. Retribution has much more focused story arc and the case is genuinely interesting. The characters are great and, unlike most authors, the woman characters continue to be well written. The pacing is a little slow, taking a while for the story to gain any traction, however given the genre this is understandable.

The book isn't as engaging as it could be; I found it a struggle to read more than fifty pages at a time. Whether this is because I needed time to digest what I had read or because there wasn't much action I am unsure. The book is a very well crafted detective story but the action is few and far between.

[Robh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ummed and ahhed over whether to give this 3 or 4 stars. There are elements of this series - and this book - which I really like, but there are some parts which are, well, just a bit dull to be honest. Drakenfeld himself veers between being two- and three-dimensional, the plot swings between engaging and implausible. I haven't always looked forwards to reading this book, but at the end I would have happily picked up the next in the series (if it had been written.) So I suppose that despite my mixed feelings I'd have to say I enjoyed it!

[Stephen Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last Year the first book in this series Drakenfeld was my top Cr book 2014.I read lot of crime books.You never gets who the murder is.This is the next in his adventures.It is not a sequel to other book.I have voted this my top Crime of 2015.This completely different subject over 5 murders.Brutal full of dark horror.From author of Legends of the Red Sun books.This much darker than the first novel.I can see this series of books going on & on.I love hero because like me is an epileptic. Which is unwell.Like Thomas Convent was a leper,this gives an extra twist to the story.

[Sean Caddell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Not just for fantasy fans but for those that like a police procedural with a historical fiction backdrop

Great book. Fast paced with a great plot and sympathetic characters. Can’t wait for the next chapter. With each book, comes a bit more backstory to Lucan and Leanna adding further layers to already multifaceted people. Would recommend for anyone

[Al Britten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice enough. Couldn't help thinking the story could've been told in fewer pages. And, the author is in love with the word 'insouciance'... Other than that, Drakenfeld and Leana are both characters in which I can invest because they're simply so likeable.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

As good as the first. Loved it.

[Aleece · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great follow up, love most of the characters and the pacing was good.