The Red Prince

February 20, 2017
Alliances are made and broken as the Long War among the gods, played out through their human counterparts, continues in this grueling third book (after The Dark Blood) of Smith’s increasingly epic series. Cities have fallen. The Seven Sisters, enchantresses in service to the Dead God, are working to cement their deity’s hold in this world, preaching a gospel of debauchery to lure the masses. Opposing them are a wide variety of people, including the assassin known as Rham Jas Rami; the Red Prince, Alexander Tiris; and Halla, an axe maiden. Their equally diverse motivations include noble duty, a mission to rescue a child, and personal religious devotion. The multi­perspective structure of the novel allows for an almost omnipresent view of a cosmic chessboard in a tale that incorporates high fantasy, military exploits, and touches of an almost Lovecraftian mythos. Keeping up with the expansive cast of characters and places tends to pull the reader out of the narrative, and the flow from one battle directly into another leaves one wishing for a bit more substance than a steady diet of loss, death, and religious posturing. Agent: Diane Banks, Diane Banks Associates.

March 1, 2017
Having once defied his brother, the king, to marry a commoner, disgraced Red Prince Alexander Tiris again finds himself in opposition to his brother. The king is enchanted by one of the Seven Sisters and waging wars on her behalf. Xander's duchy has been invaded, and he must fight to take back his home. Hope comes in the form of Rham Jas Ramin, an assassin who is on a personal mission to kill all the sisters. Many miles away, Utha the Ghost, his squire Randall, and Ruth the Gorlan Mother work on a separate plan to defeat the sisters. Book three of the Long War series adds more characters to a large cast and, in true dark-fantasy style, subtracts a few. Readers new to the series should start at the beginning, for Smith's world is complicated and richly detailed. Even series readers will find themselves consulting the character lists, map, and bestiary to orientate themselves to this world again. Another exciting entry in an excellent fantasy series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)