Book Review: Mortedant’s Peril by RJ Barker

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

Mortedant’s Peril by RJ Barker

Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Book 1 of The Trials of Irody Hasp

Publisher: Orbit (May 19, 2026)

Length: 432 pages

Author Information: Website | Twitter

It’s actually been a little while since I’ve picked up one of RJ Barker’s books, despite the fact that his assassins-focused The Wounded Kingdom trilogy remains one of my all-time favorite fantasy series. So, when I heard that Mortedant’s Peril was not only kicking off a brand-new series but also leaned heavily into mystery, I was immediately on board. I will never say no to a fantasy mystery, and Barker’s name attached to this one made it an easy sell.

The story follows Irody Hasp, a Mortedant, one of a small and generally disliked order of clerics tasked with reading the final thoughts of the dead. It’s a respectable and useful profession, but not one that earns much gratitude due to the nature of the work. Most people view Mortedants with suspicion, and our protagonist’s reputation is even worse than most. Already hovering at the edges of society, he also finds himself tolerated by his co-workers and constantly given the assignments that no one wants.

But one day, after what seemed like just another routine job, Irody returns home to discover his young apprentice murdered. Devastated by the loss and determined to find the killer, he quickly finds himself caught in an investigation where he is also the prime suspect. Clearing his own name becomes just as important as seeking justice for his apprentice, but what begins as a straightforward murder investigation soon spirals into something far larger. Alongside a newly acquired apprentice and a strait-laced protector assigned to watch over him, Irody must navigate a tangled web of politics, corruption, and conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of the city.

Mortedant’s Peril combines two of my favorite genres, and even having few expectations going in, it still managed to surprise me. What begins as an engaging fantasy murder mystery gradually opens up into something much bigger, supported by excellent worldbuilding, an engaging cast of characters, and the kind of richly imagined setting that makes you want to learn more about it. The story takes place in Elbay, exactly the kind of fantasy city I love getting lost in, one that actually feels lived-in, layered with history and ancient traditions. It’s easy to imagine restless spirits lingering in the very stones that make up the walls of this place. Everywhere you look, there seems to be another secret waiting to be uncovered, making Elbay one of those settings that just leap off the page.

I also ended up really liking Irody Hasp as a protagonist, though it did not start off that way. In the beginning, he didn’t come off as the most endearing protagonist, and every time he went on one of his self-pitying rants, I had to fight not to roll my eyes. And yet, as time went on, as Irody threw himself into his quest of finding his apprentice’s killer, we start to see the person beneath all that bitterness and frustration. For all his complaining and whiny attitude, he’s ultimately driven by a genuine sense of decency. That, along with his pursuit of justice, gradually won me over.

In that regard, the supporting cast helps quite a bit. The dynamic between Irody, his new apprentice Mirial, and his assigned guardian Whisper brings a lot of life and energy to the story, and I especially enjoyed watching their partnership gradually take shape over the course of the investigation. Barker has always had a knack for creating memorable character relationships, particularly mentor-apprentice bonds and the complex interplay of loyalty, trust, and duty. Through these relationships, the novel also explores themes of class division, prejudice, and the way outsiders are often viewed with suspicion, adding another layer of depth beneath the mystery and adventure.

That said, if I have one critique, it would probably be the pacing. The story takes its time getting where it’s going, and there were stretches where the investigation felt more deliberate than urgent. However, that’s hardly uncommon for fantasy mysteries, especially series starters that are trying to establish a new world and introduce a large cast, so honestly, it’s not something I’m holding too strongly against this book. The moments where I found myself wishing the plot would hurry itself along were infrequent, so it’s a relatively minor complaint in what is otherwise a highly entertaining and solid opening volume.

In the end, Mortedant’s Peril is a promising start and another strong offering from RJ Barker, who continues to impress me with his creativity and willingness to try new things. I’m already looking forward to returning to Elbay and seeing where the story will take these characters next.