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Sworn In Steel (2014)

by Douglas Hulick(Favorite Author)

4.19 of 5 Votes: 5

ISBN

0451464478 (ISBN13: 9780451464477)

languge

English

genre

Fantasy

publisher

Roc

series

Tales of the Kin

review 1: This book has a lot to live up to by the end of book one. Because Among Thieves had left Drothe as a Grey Prince, a master of plots and games that move entire organizations. I finished the first book extremely doubtful. Drothe did utterly nothing to deserve that title and I really don't think he could hold it at all. One cannot just "learn" to play people and move them like chess pieces in a matter of days. So going through this book and watching him stumble around, being kidnapped and tricked and utterly swindled.... Yeah I was still skeptical. To be quite honest, nothing in this book is Drothe taking the initiative. He is always responding. He goes to Djan because he is blackmailed by Wolf, he gets an assassin friend because they kidnap him, he takes down Fat Chair beca... moreuse of his relatives telling him to, he find Ivory because of Degan. It is never his own inclination. He is always being played when he is supposed to be the player. It's weird, so I'm glad the end clears it up. Fowler is a surprise. She has a much bigger presence in this book. And the amount of appreciative glances from Drothe makes me think of a future relationship bound to happen. I am glad that this book explained the Degans completely (or almost completely). My only have two complaints. One, that they feel too common. They seem like just another mercenary with nothing special besides their name and swordsmanship. In the first book and most of this one, I could imagine them being beat by a skillful person - especially since Drothe seems to do it on and off too. It makes them less magical or mystical or mysterious as their background might suggest. Second, that there is a minor problem with their lore. The Oath is really not explained well. So it started out as something that forced you to repay it. But there is no actual magic behind it now? So then what forces people to repay it? Honestly, at the very end when Drothe is called to repay his, what could possibly force him? Even legions of Degans can't do anything. He's run away before. He's beat/escaped from them before. So truly, what compels people to repay it?However, there was one scene that I felt didn't make sense. The scene that explained Drothe's motivation for the entire book. It was the scene where Fowler scoffed at Drothe and told him he left to Djan because he wanted to be a Nose. And the Drothe agreed and ruminated on the idea that he wanted keep the power as a Grey Prince. ??? Did that even make sense?Other than that, good action with moving plot. Good world building. Decent characters. Very good ending. 3.5 stars. Worth a read for sure. Will be looking for the future books.
review 2: Excellent sequel to Among Thieves. Often, a sequel cannot live up to the expectations of a good debut. Sworn in Steel has topped these expectations and is simply a better book. Drothe is a great character who keeps developing, the plot moves at a great pace, the worldbuilding keeps expanding and the tension kept me reading. And, for me one of the important things in a series, the way events evolved, there is plenty of stuff to look out for in the next book. With all the hype surrounding the Locke Lamora series by Scott Lynch - which I like very much - I do not understand why the Tales of the Kin by Douglas Hulick does not receive equal praise or more. At this point, I give Hulick the nod. less

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