The Messenger

Drakenfeld #novella

by Mark Charan Newton

A standalone, 9,000 word Lucan Drakenfeld short story.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy, Crime

40 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 14, 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

[Bart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I already loved 'Drakenfeld' and this is a very good story in the same universe. I really liked the fluent writing style and the worldbuilding (influenced by the Roman Empire). The plot is also good for a short story. Nice blend of historical fiction/mystery/fantasy and I recommend the series to anyone who loves one of these genres.

4 stars.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just really enjoy these stories in this world with this character and I hope there is more to come.

[Jasper · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

Last year I read my first book of Mark Charan Newton, Drakenfeld, which was also the kick off of his latest series, "Lucan Drakenfeld". Prior to reading Drakenfeld, I read some detective type of books but never in the setting that Mark Charan Newton showed. A quasi like Roman influenced world with a Sherlock kind of investigator named Lucan Drakenfeld. It was a very good read and one of my favourites of 2013. In precisely 6 days, the second book of the Lucan Drakenfeld series will be released and happy me I already have a copy waiting to be read, and what better way to get fired up for Retirubution, than be reading his short story The Messenger!



The story of The Messenger is set before the events of the first book Drakenfeld and focuses on revealing something of the history of Lucan Drakenfeld himself and the world in which the story takes place. In The Messenger our main protagonist Lucan Drakenfeld receives a mysterious letter than starts a new adventure for him. One thing about these letters is that they arent written in pencil but written in blood, who would do that? What even strikes Lucan as more dire is that they tell of an assassination attempt on the life of the young Prince Bassim. From beginning with the first letter, Lucan has his questions as well as his companion Leana. Why warn Lucan of a plot to kill Bassim? Is the letter from the acutual assassin or has someone received word and want to prevent it from happening. And why is it written in blood!? But as Lucan and Leana's have enough work, they decide to go about it as normal and ask the Sun Chamber for advice. And just as they do their normal work, Lucan starts to receive more and more letter showing links to Bassim's assassination plot and provoking Lucan to take action. The Sun Chamber does acknowledge the seriousness of the threat on Prince Bassim's life and even sends additional officers to assist Lucan and prevent the assassination from happening. So now you can say, the race is on, there are only a few days left to stop it, but where should Lucan start his investigation?

I was mightly impressed with the story that Mark Charan Newton wrote in The Messenger, though it wasn't as detailed as in Drakenfeld its only 30ish pages, but this story is precisely what is needed make a great short story. It's engaging, detailed enough, and gives you a very satisfied feeling in the end. Building further on several characters of the story as well as expanding the world more. I do have to say that since the story focus on Lucan and Leana, that it is advisable to read Drakenfeld first as you will several elements much better than if you would just delve with this story as a first. However if you have already read Drakenfeld, Mark Charan Newton does give some very nice insights into the earlier years of Lucan himself and a bit more of the dynamics of the world itself.

One thing that really hit me in the face and which I hadn't seen coming at all was the plot twist in the end of the book, you get to see the bigger picture and intricate plot that Mark Charan Newton wove in The Messenger. Really cool stuff. I hope this is to be an hallmark of what will be in store for Retribution. The whole setting of the world of Lucan Drakenfeld inspire a very grande and exotic feeling and the character only further bolster the feeling of a great story and series to be. Definitely recommended! period

[Mieneke · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Messenger is a short story set in the world of Mark Charan Newton’s Drakenfeld series. Set before the events related in the first book in the series, the eponymous Drakenfeld , it serves as a great introduction to Vispasia and Lucan Drakenfeld for those unfamiliar with the series. For those who have read the previous book The Messenger is a nice appetiser before the publication of the second book Retribution in October. 

The central mystery to the story – who is behind the assassination plot on Prince Bassim? – is an interesting one and, for such a relatively short story, complex without being convoluted. For prior readers the story also serves as a nice snap shot of Lucan's time in Venyn, which was mentioned in the previous book, but not expounded upon. The Messenger gives a good overview of Newton's writing style—or at least for the Drakenfeld books, as it’s rather different from his previous series Legends of the Red Sun. If you like this story, you'll probably enjoy the other books as well. I know it’s made my wait for Retribution only harder, because I want to read more about Lucan Drakenfeld and his partner Leana.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short story starring Lucan Drakenfield who is the main character in the new Drakenfield series by Mark Charan Newton. The story is set in a quasi-Roman landscape and delivers a nice mix of fantasy, history, crime and mystery.

This was the first time I met Lucan Drakenfield and I must say I look forward to read the first full novel.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short story can serve as both an excellent introduction into ‘Lucan Drakenfeld’ series and as a neat interlude to be read between the main books. Technically, it’s a prequel that takes place before ‘Drakenfeld’, and it shows just enough of the characters and the world to be immersed in the story. The city of Venyn is a vivid and breath-taking place, Lucan and his assistant Leana really shine as the main heroes, plus there are neatly outlined side characters in Marcius and Jaleh and an introduction to the history and laws of the Vespasian Union. And for a short story, the plot has mystery, intrigue and a twist that I saw coming, but that was still pretty good. My main complaint, though, is that this story is just too short! If it were expanded into a novella where it would’ve been possible to delve deeper into the political situation in Venyn, give stronger characterization to Marcius and Jaleh and their relationship with Lucan, it would’ve been truly brilliant.

Okay, there is one more thing that bugs me: while the resolution makes sense on its own, it’s entirely based on the fact that the main villain is an idiot, and that doesn’t make sense! Now, I’m going to discuss the plot, as well as the final and the great reveal, so beware. Lucan Drakenfeld receives letters that appear to be written in blood with threats to kill Venyn’s ruler, prince Bassim, and then he receives a guard’s ring and severed finger to illustrate just how serious the criminal’s intentions are. Two more Sun Chamber officers, Marcius and Jaleh, arrive to help Lucan with the case, and they begin to investigate it. Later, Lucan finds out that Jaleh was behind the letters; hired by Dreddan, the warlord of one of the local tribes who had long opposed Venyn, she was sending them for the sole purpose of starting the investigation, so that she could have an excuse to arrive into the city and get into prince Bassim’s inner circle under the guise of protecting him from the would-be killer. Lucan and Leana rush to warn prince Bassim, except when they arrive at the festival of Zanth where Bassim should appear, the procession is attacked by people carrying the banner of Dreddan – and then the tides are turned as prince Bassim’s soldiers quickly repulse the attack. Eventually it’s revealed that Bassim knew about the conspiracy and upcoming assassination, and plotted accordingly, allowing Dreddan to carry out his attack so that there’s a proof of Dreddan’s animosity toward Venyn. You see, prince Bassim had long been at odds with desert tribes that have been raiding Venyn’s trade caravans, but Bassim couldn’t turn his army on Dreddan without solid proof of the warlords’ hostility.

And all of that adds up pretty well, except… Why would Dreddan attack prince Bassim in full force if all his plans were based on getting an agent inside the prince’s line of guards? Why not use Jaleh or some other assassin to stab the prince while the soldiers focus on the possible threat from outside? Okay, I could believe that Jaleh wouldn’t want to carry out a suicide mission (and killing the prince would be pretty much it), so she just used the situation with letters to find out the weakest point in the prince’s defense, so Dreddan still needed an all-out attack to dispose of Bassim. But then, why do it under your own banner? It was made clear that only the lack of evidence was stopping Venyn’s army from marching against Dreddan. Even if one takes into consideration that Dreddan didn’t plan for a failure, why take the blame for the prince’s death and makes his tribe a target for the ire of nobles and priests of Venyn? It makes no sense unless Dreddan is an idiot incapable of planning two steps into the future and seeing the obvious.

Unless… Unless it was prince Bassim who staged the attack. Then all pieces of the puzzle click into place neatly. Bassim needed an excuse to wipe out Dreddan’s tribe that’s been disrupting his trade routes, and what’s a better excuse than an obvious, all-out attempt on his life? If it were Bassim’s own soldiers dressed up as the forces of Dreddan and carrying his banner, it would explain how they got into the city unnoticed and then made an effort to announce their allegiance to the world – because Bassim wanted them identified as Dreddan’s soldiers. It would explain why they went on with an open attack after Lucan and Jaleh had spent weeks drilling Venyn’s soldiers in rebutting assaults from the outside – because Bassim wanted for everyone to witness an attack on him. This twist beyond a twist would’ve explained all the oddities perfectly – but alas, this is just my theory that I nonetheless stand by.

[Antonis · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 / 5

The Messenger by Mark Charan Newton is a short story in the Drakenfeld series. As I have not read anything else in the series I can not really comment if it comes before or after any other book but I had not problem reading, understanding and enjoying this story.
It always a bit hard judging a story that is too short for what it tries to do and this is the case here as well. While the length is enough to present the plot, it definitely isn't to present the characters. Because of that, I didn't feel any connection with any of them.
The plot and premise was interesting but I didn't care much for the resolution at the end.
In any case, I intend to read the first book of the series (called Drakenfeld) and then decide if Newton is an author I want to follow.

3.5 / 5