INTRODUCTION: This is a book that came out of nowhere - basically I got interested as
it has the same title with the huge Miles Cameron debut as it was
pointed to me on Goodreads - so I checked the sample and it was
compelling, so much so that I had to read the novel next.
"A thousand years have passed since the Clan Lords and the Fey commanded
dragons and raised mighty citadels. The remnants of their ancient power
lie dormant and a new conflict threatens the kingdom of Antia…
King Daris rules a peaceful and prosperous land, but his conniving brother Jerim covets the throne and civil war looms. But there are worse threats to Antia than mere human greed.
Two
people will stand against mortal and demonic enemies: Alyda Stenna,
Captain of the Hammer of Antia returns from campaign to a hero’s welcome
after prosecuting war abroad with brutal efficiency.Garian
Tain, the spymaster’s apprentice, hunts for an assassin through the
streets of the capital while the knights bask in the adoration of the
crowds.
This is just the beginning.Both will fight
overwhelming odds in a bid to save the kingdom. War and betrayal will
test them to their limits. One will rise; one will fall; both will be
changed forever."
OVERVIEW/ANALYSIS: In
describing "The Red Knight", I would say that the narrative pull is extremely
high, the main characters impressive in so far they are larger than life
heroic and competent but brought down - though of course not for long -
by schemers, meddlers and authorial intent that made kings and
councilors act extremely stupid, the world building
not yet at the A level of recent debuts like Mage's Blood or Blood Song and the storyline is soap opera with knights, sorcery, treason and
blood. Villains are cartoonish and there are all the flourishes
one expects in soap opera.
It wasn’t often that Alyda was mistaken for a noblewoman and as amusing as flirting with the gentleman was, she really should introduce herself. Of course, she knew from past experience that as soon as she did, his attitude would change. He’d either run a mile, challenge her to an arm wrestling contest, or want to talk about the war in Suvia, which was a pity in this case. He was good looking—tall, sandy haired, a bit soft round the middle, but nothing that a little exercise wouldn’t sort out and she knew precisely the kind of exercise she’d like to put him to.
This being said the power of the narrative and the compelling main characters - Alyda, the title character, Prince Talin, the love interest of above and Garian the do-gooder spy carry the day and I am definitely interested in more. There are battles galore, intrigue, personal combat, magic, desperate sieges, mistaken identities, despair and hope and all the ingredients that make adventure sff compelling even if occasionally over-the-top.
“To the Void with Redbear, Guthani go where they please. Nor do I need to get the measure of any man, woman or beast so long as their blood is red, and I’ll wager my weight in gold the Steelskins bleed as red as anyone.”
..............................
Thorgulsen thought Jerim’s plan was a sack of s**t. It didn’t say much for Telvier’s skill as a strategist if he couldn’t see that.
“This subterfuge is pointless, it will end the way these things always end; in blood, s**t, and death. We have the advantage of numbers and surprise; we should get on with it before the Ants get wind of our plans.”
I still have a feeling that as sf this would have worked somewhat better since there one can get away with much more campiness so to speak, but high class fantasy needs high class world building and a storyline that does not depend on the stupidity of the movers and shakers to make sense, so this series is not yet there but the author's narrative power should get it to the top with time.
"Daris gave him a dead-eyed stare. “What about, Lord Costaine?”
“He’s gone too far, Majesty! How many more times will you allow the Governor of Cathlan to flout your authority, and the authority of this Council? He makes fools of us all —
The King leapt to his feet, fists clenched. “How dare you question me? If I choose to give my brother the benefit of my patience, it is none of your concern!”"
Overall K.T. Davies' The Red Knight is a very compelling fantasy soap opera with knights, blood and sorcery and a highly recommended series debut. I am in the series for the duration with very high hopes considering the narrative power of the author.
It wasn’t often that Alyda was mistaken for a noblewoman and as amusing as flirting with the gentleman was, she really should introduce herself. Of course, she knew from past experience that as soon as she did, his attitude would change. He’d either run a mile, challenge her to an arm wrestling contest, or want to talk about the war in Suvia, which was a pity in this case. He was good looking—tall, sandy haired, a bit soft round the middle, but nothing that a little exercise wouldn’t sort out and she knew precisely the kind of exercise she’d like to put him to.
This being said the power of the narrative and the compelling main characters - Alyda, the title character, Prince Talin, the love interest of above and Garian the do-gooder spy carry the day and I am definitely interested in more. There are battles galore, intrigue, personal combat, magic, desperate sieges, mistaken identities, despair and hope and all the ingredients that make adventure sff compelling even if occasionally over-the-top.
“To the Void with Redbear, Guthani go where they please. Nor do I need to get the measure of any man, woman or beast so long as their blood is red, and I’ll wager my weight in gold the Steelskins bleed as red as anyone.”
..............................
Thorgulsen thought Jerim’s plan was a sack of s**t. It didn’t say much for Telvier’s skill as a strategist if he couldn’t see that.
“This subterfuge is pointless, it will end the way these things always end; in blood, s**t, and death. We have the advantage of numbers and surprise; we should get on with it before the Ants get wind of our plans.”
I still have a feeling that as sf this would have worked somewhat better since there one can get away with much more campiness so to speak, but high class fantasy needs high class world building and a storyline that does not depend on the stupidity of the movers and shakers to make sense, so this series is not yet there but the author's narrative power should get it to the top with time.
"Daris gave him a dead-eyed stare. “What about, Lord Costaine?”
“He’s gone too far, Majesty! How many more times will you allow the Governor of Cathlan to flout your authority, and the authority of this Council? He makes fools of us all —
The King leapt to his feet, fists clenched. “How dare you question me? If I choose to give my brother the benefit of my patience, it is none of your concern!”"
Overall K.T. Davies' The Red Knight is a very compelling fantasy soap opera with knights, blood and sorcery and a highly recommended series debut. I am in the series for the duration with very high hopes considering the narrative power of the author.
10:30 AM | 
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Liviu |
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3 comments:
hehehe...when i read the title i thought - "finally,Liviu managed to finish the review,but this is a different book with the same title ,looking forward to your review of the 'other' Red Knight lol.
Thanks for this review (
""The Red Knight" by K.T. Davies ),will be buying the kindle edition and reading it soon.
sadly my health was not in great shape the past two weeks, so reviews kept being postponed, but now I am close to normal so hopefully I will have reviews of Miles Cameron's Red Knight and IM Banks Hydrogen Sonata soon
no worries,hope you are feeling better now.