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A review by dark_reader
The King's Blood by Daniel Abraham
5.0
Traditional fantasy done magnificently. This book, and series, doesn't subvert any tropes. It doesn't break new ground. What it does is give us an intriguing plot, enjoyable characters, and excellent writing. This is a 120,000 word book, but the pages simply flew by. If only all fantasy authors could write this clearly and efficiently (this coming from someone currently bogged down in the middle-mire books of the Wheel of Time.) Abraham doesn't sacrifice setting, character, plot, anything to achieve this, he simply sets a wonderful example for effective and concise fantasy writing. [a:George R.R. Martin|346732|George R.R. Martin|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1633041928p2/346732.jpg] has long promoted Abraham's work, although I don't know if that is a great association these days.
Underage Cithrin continues to manage her bank in Port Olive, but with her authority severely curtailed by the presence of an ogrous overseer. She retains the allegiance of the legendary military captain Marcus Wester, who maintains emotional loyalty to her due to his tragic past. To achieve her ambitions, she must step out of the shadow of both figures. Meanwhile, in Camnipol, now-baron Geder finds himself graced with increasing power which he wields with impressive ignorance, and the sly priests of the spider goddess ride his victories to their own ends.
Although the overall effect is comfortingly familiar, the individual elements are original, with the physically diverse thirteen races, subtle and rare magic, focus on renaissance banking, and themes of the nature of truth, found families, and loyalty. The plot progression is largely predictable but still delicious as it happens. I enjoyed all of the characters in the ways that the writing intends for the reader; waify Cithrin is simply endearing, Geder's idiocy is hilarious and terrifying, and so forth. Myself and buddy readers found Dawson's arc in the first book our least favorite; who feels attached to the rich, powerful, white man's struggles? Well, anyone who felt this way will absolutely enjoy Dawson's arc in this book much more.
I enjoy Geder as the 'A Idiot' character possibly as much as I did Jezal in Abercrombie's First Law trilogy, and that is saying a lot.
Underage Cithrin continues to manage her bank in Port Olive, but with her authority severely curtailed by the presence of an ogrous overseer. She retains the allegiance of the legendary military captain Marcus Wester, who maintains emotional loyalty to her due to his tragic past. To achieve her ambitions, she must step out of the shadow of both figures. Meanwhile, in Camnipol, now-baron Geder finds himself graced with increasing power which he wields with impressive ignorance, and the sly priests of the spider goddess ride his victories to their own ends.
Although the overall effect is comfortingly familiar, the individual elements are original, with the physically diverse thirteen races, subtle and rare magic, focus on renaissance banking, and themes of the nature of truth, found families, and loyalty. The plot progression is largely predictable but still delicious as it happens. I enjoyed all of the characters in the ways that the writing intends for the reader; waify Cithrin is simply endearing, Geder's idiocy is hilarious and terrifying, and so forth. Myself and buddy readers found Dawson's arc in the first book our least favorite; who feels attached to the rich, powerful, white man's struggles? Well, anyone who felt this way will absolutely enjoy Dawson's arc in this book much more.
I enjoy Geder as the 'A Idiot' character possibly as much as I did Jezal in Abercrombie's First Law trilogy, and that is saying a lot.