Synopsis
Alone in a city on the cusp of revolution, separated from his allies and with nothing to his name, former mercenary John Vanguard finds vigilante life can be a poorly paid gig. When an influential aristocrat’s death causes a sudden shift in the balance of power, Vanguard finds himself once more caught in the crossfire between dangerous men with murderous ambitions.
From his tower far above the city, Captain Sanquain seeks to tighten his iron grip on the capital and its citizens. Amidst the chaos of the Black Zone, a deadly turf war is brewing between the crime lords. Outside the city, libertarian Argent Cooke struggles to gather support for the uprising. And from the smog-stained rooftops, Vanguard’s former protégé Tarryn Leersac is watching all.
With any hopes of redemption fading, Vanguard finds one last shred of hope in the form of an old friend, risen from the dead and promising the chance for atonement.
Review
I was excited to leap into this sequel right after finishing We Men of Ash and Shadow, and I was immediately drawn back into this dark and gritty fantasy world.
We begin with Vanguard, our protagonist, in a precarious spot. He’s outcast and hunted, dealing with the fallout of the events of the previous book while also handling new unwelcome developments in the corrupt city in which he lives.
The setting is still centred on the city of D’Orsee, a grimy metropolis teeming with crime lords and revolutionaries, corrupt politicians and vigilantes. Through the eyes of its various inhabitants, we get an insight into all levels of society, and the city felt as multifaceted as the previous book. In this second instalment, the world also expands, with other settings being introduced that add more depth and dimension to the world Tinsley had created.
The characters, too, are as well-drawn as ever, with layers of complexity that make them seem like authentic individuals with lives outside of the story’s main action. Of the side characters, I particularly liked Henriette, Kosic and Carmen, all of whom are given more page time in this instalment and grapple with decisions that both have an impact on their own lives as well as those of the major players. And Tarryn is even more screwed-up than ever, but he’s entertaining to watch, in a twisted way, and I found myself wondering what on earth he’d do next.
Again, I’m impressed with the smooth quality of the writing in this series. Tinsley has a real gift for crafting the right turn of phrase that makes you think oh, damn, with countless lines that linger in your head long after you close the book. It’s not overwritten but there’s enough detail to picture the action without being bogged down, with the result that I absolutely flew through this book in a matter of hours.
This is without a doubt one of the strongest indie grimdark fantasy series I’ve read. The character work, atmospheric writing and off-the-charts tension combine to make this a compelling read that I won’t forget in a hurry. Whenever Book 3 is done, I’ll be first in line to buy it!
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