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tadhgerman's review against another edition
5.0
loont's review against another edition
3.0
It was certainly asked in Hulick's first novel, Among Thieves. There was a clear throughline of challenges the protagonist Drothe has to get through in short order, for the sake of survival, friendship, and other things. And those challenges felt clear and understandable.
Unfortunately Sworn in Steel doesn't really have the same drive the first one had. In fact a lot of the time the drama and challenges Drothe once again faces feel artificial, and sometimes forgotten altogether like the author brought it up to go somewhere but then couldn't find anywhere for it to go.
For example, apparently the only way any criminal in this world ever greets any other is through threats, cons, setups, cajolery, kidnapping, or etc. No other means of communication is apparently allowed. Even when, as is often the case in Sworn in Steel, the two parties don't actually have any direct reason before hand to be hostile towards each other whatsoever, the go to greeting is "do it or I'll kill you and everyone you know!"
It becomes a crutch to rely on when things are getting too dull. It's not just how the entire story starts back up again *Minor spoilers*
Despite a quick face to face talk obviously showing that both initial main characters would share a mutual goal anyway with animosity between the two really only complicating matters */Spoilers*
But it also happens quite often, again and again and again, just to introduce some drama to proceedings the author seems to realize would otherwise have gotten kind of dull. And often these threats to Drothe don't even go anywhere or are forgotten about for half the book. One character will show up, threaten Drothe's life, and then disappear with no consequence for most of the rest of the book, which is what makes for the dull dead areas to begin with and necessitates yet another character/party showing up to threaten Drothe yet again. It gets utterly tiring, and the author even knows that pretty much none of these threats really make any sense, as each one is followed up by a detailed explanation trying justify it that doesn't really connect.
Apparently in the "Tales of the Kin" universe the only possible greeting or even communication whatsoever between two parties of criminals is one going up to the other, hitting them in the face a couple times, insulting them, and putting a knife to their throat, and only then asking them who they are, what they're doing there, and would they like to stop by for some tea later?
iskanderjonesiv's review against another edition
DANGEROUS DAYS
It’s been three months since Drothe killed a legend, burned down a portion of the imperial capital, and found himself unexpectedly elevated into the ranks of the criminal elite. As the newest Gray Prince in the underworld, he’s not only gained friends, but also rivals—and some of them aren’t bothered by his newfound title. A prince’s blood, as the saying goes, flows just as red as a beggar’s.
So when another Gray Prince is murdered and all signs point to Drothe as the hand behind the knife, he knows it’s his blood that’s in danger of being spilled. As former allies turn their backs and dark rumors begin to circulate, Drothe is approached by a man who says he can make everything right again. All he wants in exchange is a single favor.
Now Drothe finds himself traveling to the Despotate of Djan, the empire’s long-standing enemy, to search for the friend he betrayed—and the only person who can get him out of this mess. But the grains of sand are running out fast, and even if Drothe can find his friend, he may not be able to persuade him to help in time...
**
From Booklist
Drothe, newly promoted Gray Prince of the Kin, returns under cover of night to the city of Ildrecca. He’s got problems. The most pressing one is that he’s being framed for the murder of another Gray Prince. Then he meets someone who claims to be able to make the frame job go away—in exchange for a favor. The favor is a complex one, requiring a trip to the Despotate of Djan, which requires patronage. Fortunately for Drothe, he befriended a group of players on his way back to the city, and one of the princes of Djan styles himself a patron of the arts. So Drothe heads to the capital city of Djan as patron of an acting troupe and finds himself embroiled in the underworld politics of a completely foreign city; the person he’s working for has definitely not told him the whole story, which makes for some interesting missteps. Drothe tries to do the right thing despite gaps in his knowledge, even in the midst of complicated politics he’s not familiar with. It’s an entertaining story, and enjoyable, even without knowledge of the previous volume; one hopes there will be more tales of Drothe. --Regina Schroeder
Review
Praise for Among Thieves
“An unalloyed pleasure: a fast moving, funny, twisting tale in an evocative setting with great characters…Read this book.”—New York Times bestselling author Brent Weeks
"Among Thieves is a mind blowingly good read... Do not miss this book!"—Fantasy Faction
“A story that entertains from beginning to end.”—Fantasy Book Critic
brightshiny's review against another edition
2.0
sam_ayem's review against another edition
3.0
t_jenkins's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
nimeneth's review against another edition
4.0
drolefille's review against another edition
5.0
Anyway, Love the book and don't feel like writing out spoilers so if you like your fantasy on the streets and with a knife in the back, read this series!
mel_d's review against another edition
3.0