Synopsis:
Set in a city of traders and thieves, monsters and murderers, this fast-paced epic fantasy debut is a must-read for fans of Joe Abercrombie, Nicholas Eames, and Scott Lynch.
Lukan Gardova is a cardsharp, academy dropout, and—thanks to a duel that ended badly—the disgraced heir to an ancient noble house. His days consist of cheap wine, rigged card games, and wondering how he might win back the life he threw away.
When Lukan discovers that his estranged father has been murdered in strange circumstances, he finds fresh purpose. Deprived of his chance to make amends for his mistakes, he vows to unravel the mystery behind his father’s death.
His search for answers leads him to Saphrona, fabled city of merchant princes, where anything can be bought if one has the coin. Lukan only seeks the truth, but instead he finds danger and secrets in every shadow.
For in Saphrona, everything has a price—and the price of truth is the deadliest of all.
Review:
Hello again dear reader or listener, it is not often you see an arc review from me this early ahead of release but let’s just say The Broken Binding and their pesky habit of making gloriously beautiful special editions twisted my arm into reading this book ahead of plans! Rude really.
First then, a huge thank you to Ms Ayo Okojie at Quercus books for offering this free arc! My thoughts remain honest.
With the exception of De Castell’s Crucible of Chaos which carries a few disclaimers re genre, I realized it’s been a minute since I last read classic epic fantasy, with several of the genre staples I love finding in it. So, reading The Silverblood Promise by debut author James Logan felt like meeting an old friend again. We have references to a mysterious and ancient civilisation, the big city with a tumultuous past, its criminal underground, an inquisition, and its partially corrupt royalty/governing body. And last but certainly not least, the motley crew of characters, be they supporting or primary, that enrich everything. Not to mention how a majority of them are women with varying levels of FAAFO energy. I’m a simple gal, I see well written characters like that, I thrive.
Self-aware and very done with everything protagonist Lukan immediately won me over. He’s imperfect and still bitter over past events (which honestly, being close to him in age, huge mood) and just aimless at the start of the story, but his father’s death propels him into something far more complex than he could ever have imagined. With a renewed sense of purpose, he slowly warms to, Lukan is an unwilling hero because someone has got to do the right thing even if he’s going to be regretting his life choices for a solid 80% of this book. That made for endlessly entertaining moments but also made you respect the character all the more and appreciate the growth he goes through over the course of the story. Simply put this is the kind of hero I feel like rooting for the most. Another well integrated staple was the child sidekick, in this case sharp minded and foul-mouthed Flea, who immediately kicks down the door of your heart and takes her own place there, daring you to defy that decision. The budding familial relationship between her and Lukan was also a soft touch on the feels and, if you know me, dear reader, you know how big of a sucker I am for acquired parental figures.
Logan’s writing is evocative and his worldbuilding strong. In tandem with the gorgeous illustrations that TBB previewed moreover, it was truly wondrous. I felt like I was in the scene myself at times! As made clear by my previous comments in fact, while the author does lean into all the tropes, he makes sure to keep them fresh and interesting so that you don’t feel like it’s the nth high fantasy tale you’re reading, but rather that you get to cozy down with a comfort read even if it is the first time you’re enjoying this story. The way the author goes about unveiling the plot and mysteries within, is methodical and archetypal but, once again, just because you feel it call to all the classics, it doesn’t make it any less riveting or fun. Also, for the videogame fans out there, the plot structure does have a lot of missions and side missions/levels type of vibe that kinda reminded me of AC for some reason. I am not complaining one bit though because I definitely enjoy that kind of narrative.
Was I amused by certain style/inspiration choices for city names like Virenze? Absolutely! Growing up in Italy has “ruined” my ability to take anything of that sort seriously, but I’m in a good mood these days and that one particular name was the worst perpetrator, so I’m gonna let it slide as a fun lil Easter egg.
Overall, I’d say this is the kind of story that balances character and plot work fairly well so that it’s not overly driven by either of the two in particular, while gradually getting you more and more invested. I will say this though, the murder mystery aspect of the plot had its red herrings and big plot twists that either were sign posted a bit too much by the author, or he didn’t overly care to keep that veiled. Since the strength of the overall book does not hinge on how unsolvable the mysteries are however, that is not necessarily a downside. Logan does maintain a suitable suspense throughout, regardless of whether you can call the twists, because you can never exactly figure out the many details that determine precisely how some things will turn out, or what led up to them. That also lent itself to making this book feel like a comfort read to me so I’m not at all bothered.
The only thing that didn’t quite work for me in an otherwise delightful read was a certain heavy handedness in the introductory scene to the criminal underground. Truly, while I found the Twice Crowned King a really interesting figure, and the particular spin regarding his person fascinating, (as it implied some intriguing ramifications that made me want to know more about how they came to power etc.) I thought Logan went a mite too hard on trying to showcase the decadence and otherworldliness he wanted to push across. It’s clear what the author wanted to do with that scene, and while it does toe the line of giving the idea without falling into caricature territory, unfortunately for me it reminded me a bit too much of 300’s Xerxes and his court, than I would’ve liked. Put another way, while taken separately, that whole scene can be strong in its own right, it didn’t quite fit with the rest of the novel’s ambiance and tone, in a way. Being that it still toes that line, however, and it was in the wider scheme of the book a very short interlude, I can’t say it harmed my enjoyment of the rest of the novel that much.
Sadly, in wanting to avoid spoilers I have to stop here but, Logan’s debut is proof of a grand new entry among the ranks of epic fantasy and I cannot wait for more people to read this and enjoy its imperfect but lovable characters and rich worldbuilding! Wrapping up with my favorite kind of ending, in fact, we get to relax in the knowledge that the first book’s micro plot is rounded up and the wider series’ macro plot is merely now beginning, with hints and new questions propelling us into what promises to be an adventure full of action, shenanigans, and found family vibes to fill your heart.
The Silverblood Promise comes out April 25th and if lots of aggravated heroes, strong women, mysteries aplenty, stealth and thieves, bustling fantasy cities, and dangerous creatures, are of your liking, then I warmly recommend you preorder this as soon as possible!
Until next time,
Eleni A. E.
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