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nancyotoole's review
4.0
Deeds of Men is a fascinating piece of historical fantasy with a murder mystery plotline. Sir Michael Deven, prince consort to Lune, the Faerie Queen of the Onyx Court, is beginning to comprehend his own mortality. He knows the queen will need another mortal consort to replace him once he passes, or her kingdom will fall. Then, his chosen successor is discovered murdered, and it's up to Deven to find the killer and a new Prince of Stone.
Deeds of Men is a novella by Marie Brennan. It takes place in her Onyx Court Series between the novels Midnight Never Come, and In Ashes Lie. Although you can probably read the novella without having experienced the series, I would highly recommend reading Midnight Never come first. Because of the abbreviated nature of the novella, Deeds of Men doesn't have the slow moments that you can occasionally find in the Onyx Court Novels, which I really appreciated. Also, having recently read the final book in the series, With Fate Conspire, it was really interesting to see Lune as a younger, more accessible queen, not the untouchable force she ends up becoming. The murder mystery story is quite enjoyable, and I really enjoyed how Brennan tied the issue of faerie succession (passing on the reigns to a nice price) to the real life historical succession (the death of King James, and the ascension of King Charles) going on. An enjoyable read all around.
Deeds of Men is a novella by Marie Brennan. It takes place in her Onyx Court Series between the novels Midnight Never Come, and In Ashes Lie. Although you can probably read the novella without having experienced the series, I would highly recommend reading Midnight Never come first. Because of the abbreviated nature of the novella, Deeds of Men doesn't have the slow moments that you can occasionally find in the Onyx Court Novels, which I really appreciated. Also, having recently read the final book in the series, With Fate Conspire, it was really interesting to see Lune as a younger, more accessible queen, not the untouchable force she ends up becoming. The murder mystery story is quite enjoyable, and I really enjoyed how Brennan tied the issue of faerie succession (passing on the reigns to a nice price) to the real life historical succession (the death of King James, and the ascension of King Charles) going on. An enjoyable read all around.
morgandhu's review
3.0
Marie Brennan returns to the world of the Onyx Court in this novella, Deeds of Men. Set between the events of Midnight Never Come and In Ashes Lie, it tells the story of how Michael Deven, human ally, lover, and eventually consort of Lune, the Elven Queen of the Onyx Court of London, comes to select his successor as Prince of the Stone and advisor to the Elven Queen.
Weaving the politics of the Elven Court into the real history of England is one of the most interesting and enjoyable things that Brennan does with this series, and the various Princes of the Stone play a crucial part in this, as the bridges between human and elven worlds. Deeds of Men is at once a character study of two of the humans to hold the title and an exciting adventure story with one murder to solve and another to prevent.
Weaving the politics of the Elven Court into the real history of England is one of the most interesting and enjoyable things that Brennan does with this series, and the various Princes of the Stone play a crucial part in this, as the bridges between human and elven worlds. Deeds of Men is at once a character study of two of the humans to hold the title and an exciting adventure story with one murder to solve and another to prevent.
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