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sarahwriteaway's review
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book is an unusual mixture of the quick-moving, high tension, action of sword fights with complex social and relationship issues that might seem more at home in literary fiction.
Our two protagonists are John, a swordsman who fights to settle the petty squabbles of the nobility, and Edwin, a neurodivergent student, who relies on a drug known as ‘Ash’ to calm his severe anxiety.
This is a second world fantasy, but with only a sprinkling of magic. The swordplay and system of Lords and Lordesses with names like Proud and Triumph feels medieval, but other aspects had more of a 17th or 18th century vibe for me: the monarchy have been overthrown, belief in magic has withered, and while belief in the ‘nailed god’ techically drives all legal decisions, it feels more like resignation than true faith. The world is also queer normative - the only thing people seem to find odd about John and Edwin’s relationship is their differing social status.
John and Edwin live completely separate lives during the day and come together at night, but not for scenes of smouldering passion for the most part - John is too tired (relatable). The relationship is sometimes loving, sometimes toxic. There were times when I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to root for them to be together or not. They just don’t talk, and when their plot lines do converge the reader can spot it way before they do.
Ultimately, the book was an interesting journey with both characters, but I found John’s storyline had more pace and direction than Edwin’s. The social change Edwin and his friend Audrey manage to enact seems to fade into the background of John’s struggles and I would have enjoyed seeing that foregrounded more in Edwin’s sections, creating more forward motion alongside the introspection. Still, it was an enjoyable rude and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for fantasy that’s a little different from the norm.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual assault
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