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The Two of Swords by K J Parker (view source)
Revision as of 10:37, 12 October 2020
, 10:37, 12 October 2020no edit summary
As the story really builds up, we finally get to meet the Belot brothers. These two characters are beautifully written, each knows the other so well they can anticipate each move and counter move and decision-based on that counter move so are both making choices of attack based on numerous movements none of which have actually happened but both brothers know will happen. We get to know both brothers and they are both likeable and clever but both want to beat the other and are using the war and the great army at their disposal to end what is basically a brothers quarrel. Thousands die in their quest to destroy each other, and yet they are both sympathetic characters and amazingly, as a reader, you are inclined to support them. Ultimately, I assume one must win and beat the other but I find myself hoping for a twist in the future to allow them both to escape alive.
This may seem like a thoroughly negative review but bizarrely I did enjoy the book overall, and I would read the other two books in the trilogy, though I expect I would find them equally frustrating. I partly suspect that we are meant to find it wandering, frustrating, and unclear as war tends to be wandering, unclear, and frustratingly wasteful but perhaps, again, I have missed something. Would I recommend you read it? A resounding yes, do read it because it has some wonderful characters and some beautiful moments, and perhaps all will become clear in the next book. Alternatively, you could try reading [[The Tethered Mage by Melissa Caruso]]. We also have a review of Parker's [[Sharps by K J Parker|Sharps]].
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