A review by poultrymunitions
Lying with Scorpions by Aleksandr Voinov

3.0

A cherished favorite, redone.

Kendras lives in my brain.

...and so does Steel.

I think the more polished ending works well, but do wish each titanic shift had time to flower on its own, so I could savor each revelation before the next one came along.

I can see why fantasy authors have trouble keeping these things under a million words: when things happen at this scale, with the fate of a shattered empire in the balance, it's difficult to conclude cataclysmic upheaval with a show of hands in a tent.

Still.

With characters this compelling, a man's allowed to be greedy. I may have wanted more regardless—a million words, or a thousand.

God, I love me some Kendras.

And Steel. And ...Sylvan?

Mmmm. Him maybe best of all.

Recommended.