Title : Traitor's Blade
Author : Sebastien De Castell
Published : July 1st 2014
Publisher : Jo Fletcher Books
Source : Edelweiss
With swashbuckling action that recall Dumas' Three Musketeers Sebastien de Castell has created a dynamic new fantasy series. In Traitor’s Blade a disgraced swordsman struggles to redeem himself by protecting a young girl caught in the web of a royal conspiracy.
The King is dead, the Greatcoats have been disbanded, and Falcio Val Mond and his fellow magistrates Kest and Brasti have been reduced to working as bodyguards for a nobleman who refuses to pay them. Things could be worse, of course. Their employer could be lying dead on the floor while they are forced to watch the killer plant evidence framing them for the murder. Oh wait, that’s exactly what’s happening.
Now a royal conspiracy is about to unfold in the most corrupt city in the world. A carefully orchestrated series of murders that began with the overthrow of an idealistic young king will end with the death of an orphaned girl and the ruin of everything that Falcio, Kest, and Brasti have fought for. But if the trio want to foil the conspiracy, save the girl, and reunite the Greatcoats, they’ll have to do it with nothing but the tattered coats on their backs and the swords in their hands, because these days every noble is a tyrant, every knight is a thug, and the only thing you can really trust is a traitor’s blade.
My Thoughts :
Falcio has always known he wanted to be a Greatcoat since he heard the stories of them. When his close friend the King is killed and the Greatcoats disbanded Falcio is trying to earn a living and make the Greatcoats what they used to be. Its not an easy job since everyone thinks they stepped aside and left their king be killed. They are now called cowards and their nickname is Trattari.
When their current employer is found dead and evidence point to the Falcio and his friends they know its time to run. They end up in the employ of a travelling Caravan and are taxed with keeping the Caravan safe and get the Lady who employs them to her father. What they don't know is that this job could very well be their last unless they can survive the murder attempts at every corner!!
Well all I can say is Wow. This book was nothing like I expected. It reminded me of watching The Three Musketeers. Swashbuckling adventure, sword fights and witty banter galore!! If you are expecting a serious story then think again, this had me laughing and spluttering but it also pulled at the heart strings.
Falcio was one of the best main characters I've read in a long time. His king gave him a chore before he died and since then Falcio is trying to find the Kings treasure that he scattered around. Thing is though they have no clue what the treasure is, only a cryptic clue from the king to say they will know it when they see it. Falcios dream was always to be a Greatcoat. They are the epitome of heroes (or they were anyway!). He is strong, sure, idealistic, confidant and kind but sometimes lets his head rule which at times can lead him and his companions into dangerous situations.
The style of writing was superb. Told from Falcios point of view but set between past and present, we are given glimpses of Falcios life and slowly the story unravels. The plot is also handled superbly. While somethings I could guess at there was a lot that when revealed was breathtaking. There are no loose ends, even though its the first in the series, and sets the stage nicely for book 2.
From the very start we are swept into Falcios story and carried on a magnificent journey. From boy to man and man to Greatcoat Falcios life is never easy. With his trusty companions, Kest and Brasti, all three manage to get into trouble at every turn, but with a master swordsman, Kest, and a bowman that never misses, Brasti, they manage to muddle through. Its an action packed, edge of your seat type of book. With plenty of twists and turns and a plot that keeps you guessing till the very end, this book is one of the best debuts I've EVER read. I flew through Traitors Blade and when I got to the end I wanted book 2 there and then. Its a funny and lighthearted book but its packed with betrayal, action, vivid fight scenes, mystery and all the swashbuckleness you could ever want in a book, throw in 3 dashing men and you have a winner!! I don't know what else to say really because I could gush about this book all day but I think the only thing to say is go buy this book, you seriously wont be disappointed. Highly recommend!!
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