A very interesting book, to say the least. It is really an advanced coming of age story, but the story starts with the protagonist at 20 or so years old. We follow the life of Basso, as he ascends to the top of the banking industry then to the top of the government. Then we watch as it all crumpl...
This is a dark cross between fantasy and history. Set in a time that never was in places on no maps it's the story of a small group of soldiers and friends with a bloody past who set out, sort of, to have a better life in peace time in an island of their own. Well, that's how one of them thinks o...
Oh K.J. Parker… No other author has frustrated me so much! Book 2 of the Engineer Trilogy by K.J. Parker picks up right after the events in Book 1. After the revelations seen in Devices and Desires I was eager to see what else was in store for the characters. Unfortunately the second novel in thi...
`It’s customary to die first; but in your case we’ll make an exception.`The opening line of The Proof House – the third in K.J. Parker’s Fencer Trilogy – is an indication of what is to come throughout the final book in the trilogy. The sheer number of characters present throughout the novel means...
The city of Perimadeia has fallen. Bardas Loredan, the man who was chosen to save it, is now on the Island—a recluse living in the mountains, away from his family, with only a young apprentice for company. His life as a fencer-at-law is over. Instead, Loredan spends his days perfecting the art of...
Fantasy Review BarnI believe it was George Carlin that said the key to any joke is wherein lay the Colours in the Steel exaggeration. Most of the set up must ring true or the specific absurdity that makes everything funny won’t have the impact. In many ways I believe fantasy fiction works the s...
A very worthy sequel: In the first book of The Scavenger Trilogy, Shadow, many things were discovered about the main character Poldarn, from the scattered memories of his past which returned to him in fragmented form in his dreams. But many more things were revealed about K.J.Parker, the most obv...
The Escapement brings the story of Ziani Vaatzes to a close. It also brings the terrible, multi-nation war between the Mezentines, the Eremians, the Vadanis, and the Aram Chantat. And, thankfully, it brings the Engineer Trilogy to a close as well. These were three big, fat books and I found mysel...
I said, as the innkeeper poured me a beer. “In the morning I discovered the secret of changing base metal into gold. In the afternoon, I murdered my wife.” The innkeeper looked at me. “That’ll be two bits,” he said. I dug in my sleeve for the coins. “You don’t believe me,” I said. “I believe ever...