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A review by jwh891
The Thousand Names by Django Wexler
5.0
This is a great début outing from author Django Wexler.
If you like fantasy you're going to like this, but if you also like historical fiction a la Bernard Cromwell AND fantasy you're going to love this book.
To be quite honest, the first two-thirds of the novel is primarily historical fiction set in a fantastical setting, which is reminiscent of Victorian Era British Empirical might. While magical elements are hinted at, and witnessed for a bit, at the beginning, it isn't until the last third of the novel that those elements really make themselves known. And once they do it becomes obvious that they will play a much larger role in the sequel.
The characterization in these novels is fantastic. The two main viewpoint characters, Captain Marcus d'Ivoire and Winter Ihrenglass are well thought out and each come with their own engaging personal strife as they deal with the much larger conflict, though they often take the backseat to the non-view point characters who come to really dominate the plot.
Captain d'Ivoire finds himself in charge of an imperial force that has been thoroughly routed by native insurgent forces, much to his displeasure. He is soon caught in the whirlwind of the new commander, Colonel Janis bet Vhalnich, who is very much the most intriguing and compelling character despite his non-viewpoint. Despite his misgivings and self-doubt, of which he has plenty, Captain d'Ivoire manages to always find himself and his men out of numerous fixes.
Rankers - soon to be officer - Winter Ihrenglass, however deals with her own personal demons. She is a woman in a man's world trying to hide her true identity while doing best by the men who come under her command, through no want of her own. She also turns out to have one of the best strategic and tactical minds of the cast of characters. She is definitely not a token female viewpoint. In my opinion she comes second to Colonel Janus as star of the show.
The supporting cast is what adds the spice and depth to this novel, and I found myself captivated more by non-view point characters. My favorite character is probably the unflappable Captain Fitz Warus, the former commanding officers younger brother. Without his cool demeanor much might have gone different. Captain d'Ivoire's relationship with his friend and fellow officer, Adrecht Roston, provides one of the most riveting sub-plots in the novel.
What follows is an adventure that turns from a military exercise into something much deeper and much more sinister, and that does a wonderful job setting up the next installment.
At times, the plot could lag, and I felt like the battles that the first third of the novel led up to were quickly over, despite Mr. Wexler's skill at writing musket battle scenes.
While I enjoyed this novel immensely, I don't think I would've as much were I not a fan of historical fiction, this is not your typical fantasy fare.
The world, while well thought out, could easily have been from our own in pre-industrial times, at the height of Imperial Colonialism. It isn't until magic is introduced that Wexler's world really begins to distinguish itself from ours.
I am eagerly awaiting the next installment this June.
If you like fantasy you're going to like this, but if you also like historical fiction a la Bernard Cromwell AND fantasy you're going to love this book.
To be quite honest, the first two-thirds of the novel is primarily historical fiction set in a fantastical setting, which is reminiscent of Victorian Era British Empirical might. While magical elements are hinted at, and witnessed for a bit, at the beginning, it isn't until the last third of the novel that those elements really make themselves known. And once they do it becomes obvious that they will play a much larger role in the sequel.
The characterization in these novels is fantastic. The two main viewpoint characters, Captain Marcus d'Ivoire and Winter Ihrenglass are well thought out and each come with their own engaging personal strife as they deal with the much larger conflict, though they often take the backseat to the non-view point characters who come to really dominate the plot.
Captain d'Ivoire finds himself in charge of an imperial force that has been thoroughly routed by native insurgent forces, much to his displeasure. He is soon caught in the whirlwind of the new commander, Colonel Janis bet Vhalnich, who is very much the most intriguing and compelling character despite his non-viewpoint. Despite his misgivings and self-doubt, of which he has plenty, Captain d'Ivoire manages to always find himself and his men out of numerous fixes.
Rankers - soon to be officer - Winter Ihrenglass, however deals with her own personal demons. She is a woman in a man's world trying to hide her true identity while doing best by the men who come under her command, through no want of her own. She also turns out to have one of the best strategic and tactical minds of the cast of characters. She is definitely not a token female viewpoint. In my opinion she comes second to Colonel Janus as star of the show.
The supporting cast is what adds the spice and depth to this novel, and I found myself captivated more by non-view point characters. My favorite character is probably the unflappable Captain Fitz Warus, the former commanding officers younger brother. Without his cool demeanor much might have gone different. Captain d'Ivoire's relationship with his friend and fellow officer, Adrecht Roston, provides one of the most riveting sub-plots in the novel.
What follows is an adventure that turns from a military exercise into something much deeper and much more sinister, and that does a wonderful job setting up the next installment.
At times, the plot could lag, and I felt like the battles that the first third of the novel led up to were quickly over, despite Mr. Wexler's skill at writing musket battle scenes.
While I enjoyed this novel immensely, I don't think I would've as much were I not a fan of historical fiction, this is not your typical fantasy fare.
The world, while well thought out, could easily have been from our own in pre-industrial times, at the height of Imperial Colonialism. It isn't until magic is introduced that Wexler's world really begins to distinguish itself from ours.
I am eagerly awaiting the next installment this June.