Tough Traveling: Tyrants
Posted on September 11, 2014 20 Comments
The Thursday feature “Tough Traveling” is the brainchild of Nathan of Review Barn, who has come up with the excellent idea of making a new list each week based on the most common tropes in fantasy, as seen in The Tough Guide to Fantasyland by Diana Wynn Jones. Nathan has invited anyone who is interested to come play along, so be sure to check out the first link for more information. Compulsive list-maker that I am, I’m very excited to take part!
This week’s tour topic is: Tyrants
TYRANTS are like bad KINGS, only truly atrocious…Tourists can tell when a country is ruled by a tyrant because the road to the main city will be lined with impaled corpses.
Wendy’s Picks
The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin
Looking down upon the lesser folk from their kingdom called Sky, the Arameri, led by Dekarta Arameri, are a noble people, but one to be feared. Why? Because the weapons they wield are the gods themselves, including the Nightlord, Nahadoth, whose wrath can only be contained for so long….
A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin
Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series features a few tyrant rulers, from Joffrey Baratheon, the spoiled boy king with the psychopathic streak; Kal Drogo, raping and pillaging across the Dothraki plains; and Aerys II Targaryen, also known as the Mad King, whose atrocities forced Jaime Lannister to betray his oath and earn the title of Kingslayer.
Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn
Lord Iida doesn’t so much line the roads with impaled corpses, but he does hang prisoners by their wrists from the walls of his fortress. He is hated and feared across the land, but he doesn’t care. As long as his precious nightingale floor will warn him of the assassins that might seek avenge, Lord Iida can sleep easy. Mostly.
Wizard’s First Rule by Terry Goodkind
I know I’m supposed to include the book cover, but you’ll have to forgive me for using this as an excuse to post an image of Craig Parker in his role as Dark Rahl, tyrant ruler of D’Hara. His evil ways are ever so slightly toned down in Legend of the Seeker, the TV series based on Brooks’ Sword of Truth series.
Mogsy’s Picks
Wendy did a good job covering some of the books I had originally thought of, and I just realized that a lot of Dark Lords in my past list on that topic can be counted as Tyrants too. So I’ll try not to double up on anything:
Blood and Iron by Jon Sprunk
Queen Byleth was probably my favorite character in this novel. Depending on whose point of view you’re looking at, she’s either a manipulative tyrant or a vulnerable victim. She treats her slaves like dirt, but at the same time her own position on the throne remains precarious. I was never able to get a good bead on her for most of the book, which in this case was actually a good thing. I liked that she was the most interesting out of everyone.
The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas
Iolanthe Seabourne is told she’s the greatest elemental mage of her generation. But like they say, with great power comes great responsibility. If she is indeed the one prophesied to be the savior of The Realm, it will be duty and destiny to bring down an evil magician named Bane, the greatest mage tyrant the world has ever known. That’s quite a task for one sixteen-year-old girl to take on.
The Grim Company by Luke Scull
Five hundred years ago, the Magelords killed the gods and now their tyrant Salazar rules the empire of Dorminia. He and his magically enhanced Augmentors stand ready to crush any dissent they find in the minds of the populace. Meanwhile, his greatest adversary the White Lady plots his demise from across the Broken Sea and seeks to liberate the people.
Masks by E.C. Blake
Under the rule of the tyrannical Autarch, the people of Aygrima have their thoughts and emotions under constant surveillance by the Watchers, so that no one can threaten the everlasting peace and security of his glorious empire. This is made possible by the magical masks that everyone who reaches a certain age must wear. Yep, these pesky tyrants are always out trying to read and control your minds, that’s what they do.
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Tyrants also have the tendency to use violence and force to compel their people to follow their will. Ever since finding out that his niece apparently has the “grace” (a special magical gift or talent) for killing, King Randa has made Katsa his own personal thug, sending her on missions to strong-arm, threaten or torture his lordlings in order to give him what he wants.
Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas
“From the throne of glass rules a king with a fist of iron and a soul as black as pitch.” This is the King of Adarlan, who has forbidden magic in his lands. Many users of magic and those accused of being magic users during the conquering of Terrasen were killed by his orders. He also uses his champion, protagonist Celaena Sardothien as his personal assassin to kill off rebel leaders or anyone who dares oppose his authority.
Posted on September 10, 2014 Leave a Comment
Somebody once said–I’ve forgot who–said you can take away a man’s gods… but only to give him others in return. […] Wasn’t until after I’d left the seminary that I understood what that really meant. You don’t walk away from a thing you’d thought you believed your whole life without the loss of it leaving a hole in you, hungering to be filled. You’ve still a need to believe in something… it’s just a question of what.
― Brian Hodge, The Dripping of Sundered Wineskins (From Love in Vein II)
Waiting on Wednesday 09/10/2014
Posted on September 10, 2014 15 Comments
“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that lets us feature upcoming releases that we can’t wait to get our hands on!
Mogsy’s Pick:
Dreamer’s Pool by Juliet Marillier: November 4, 2014 (Roc)
Geez, do you know how long I’ve wanted to read a book by Juliet Marillier? Somehow never got around to it, shame on me, even though I own a couple of her books. This one, however, is going straight to the top of the priority list, since it’s been on my wishlist for a while and I recently received it for review. Everything about it is just so gorgeous.
“In exchange for help escaping her long and wrongful imprisonment, embittered magical healer Blackthorn has vowed to set aside her bid for vengeance against the man who destroyed all that she once held dear. Followed by a former prison mate, a silent hulk of a man named Grim, she travels north to Dalriada. There she’ll live on the fringe of a mysterious forest, duty bound for seven years to assist anyone who asks for her help.
Oran, crown prince of Dalriada, has waited anxiously for the arrival of his future bride, Lady Flidais. He knows her only from a portrait and sweetly poetic correspondence that have convinced him Flidais is his destined true love. But Oran discovers letters can lie. For although his intended exactly resembles her portrait, her brutality upon arrival proves she is nothing like the sensitive woman of the letters.
With the strategic marriage imminent, Oran sees no way out of his dilemma. Word has spread that Blackthorn possesses a remarkable gift for solving knotty problems, so the prince asks her for help. To save Oran from his treacherous nuptials, Blackthorn and Grim will need all their resources: courage, ingenuity, leaps of deduction, and more than a little magic.”
Character Appreciation Post: Jorg Ancrath
Posted on September 9, 2014 15 Comments
Mark Lawrence’s Jorg Ancrath. Fan art by Kim Kincaid
“Jorg. The name felt right. It fit my mouth and my person.
Hard and direct.”
Readers first meet Honorous Jorg Ancrath as the thirteen year old heir to Mark Lawrence’s Broken Empire. Jorg himself is a broken child turned adult too quickly by tragedy. Forced to watch the brutal death of his mother and younger brother while ensnared by the barbs of a bush, he was reborn as the literal Prince of Thorns.
Batman had bats. Jorg had thorns.
Like Bruce Wayne, Jorg has been set on a path of sociopathic vengeance, with the difference being that Jorg has no moral code. His decisions are ruthless in their practicality, and he harbours no claims to loyalty. If you piss him off, he will kill you. Unless he needs you… for the moment.
After his rescue and physical rehabilitation, a ten year old Jorg came under the tutelage of Lundist, who instilled in him the philosophies of Nietzsche, Sun Tzu and more. More importantly, Lundist recognized that Jorg’s experience had broken something within the boy. Literary sociopaths like this often have wise mentors who try to steer their proteges away from their darkness, while still understanding that that darkness must be vented in some way, lest it fester into something far worse. Which, invariably, is what happens when that mentor is removed from the picture.
I have a soft spot for broken people. For the assholes, jerks and bastards that others shun. I am not naïve enough to wholly trust them, and I am mostly not I arrogant enough to believe I am the one who can “fix” them. But I appreciate their honesty about who they are, and how they see the world. Jorg is no exception, which is why he instantly became a favourite character. He is as aware of his flaws as he is his strengths, which is what makes him a truly intriguing and deadly character indeed.
Book Review: The Vampires of Manhattan by Melissa de la Cruz
Posted on September 8, 2014 22 Comments
The Vampires of Manhattan by Melissa de la Cruz
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Book 1 of The Vampires of Manhattan
Publisher: Hyperion (September 9, 2014)
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
I accepted The Vampires of Manhattan for review before I found out the book was actually the first of a sequel series to Melissa de la Cruz’s Young Adult Blue Bloods; fortunately, not having read those books did not seem to have a negative impact on my experience. Of course, there were a few moments where I sensed gaping holes in my knowledge of the background of the world, but on the whole my enjoyment of the storyline was unaffected. So if you’re unfamiliar with Blue Bloods and are uncertain as to whether or not you should check out this book, fear not! It’s perfectly fine to jump right in.
This might have something to do with the amount of time that has passed since the Blue Bloods series. Apparently, ten years have gone by, and the teenage protagonists are now all grown up, and while Blue Bloods may have been intended audience, The Vampires of Manhattan definitely feels more geared towards adults. Many of the characters have brand new lives, including Araminta Scott (formerly “Minty” but now known as “Ara”) who is now a Venator, an enforcer of sorts, specializing in paranormal activities and crimes. Mimi and Kingsley Martin, a married couple whose history is fraught with intense emotions have returned to New York following a particularly heated fight, after seven years of living in the Underworld. Oliver Hazard-Perry is now a vampire and has risen quickly in the Coven, preparing to take his place as its leader. With the help of his lover and human conduit Finn, they’re making sure the upcoming Four Hundred Ball will go off without a hitch.
But then pentagrams start appearing all over the place, and the discovery of a dead teenage girl who appears to have been murdered by a vampire leads to unease in the community, putting the Blue Bloods and Venators on alert.
The Vampires of Manhattan is touted as “hipster horror” right there in the description, though after reading it I think it’s more accurate to call it “yuppie mystery” on account of the ultra-sophisticated, extremely wealthy lifestyles that some of the characters flaunt. The Four Hundred Ball is the lavish, no-expense-spared affair that is at the center of this novel, the point where all the plot threads will culminate in a startling, dramatic climax. However, the story is also balanced with an investigation into a murder, with Ara and her new wolfish partner Edon Marrok hard at work to find the killer.
Told through many points-of-view, the novel will capture your attention no matter who you are, though if you have an inclination towards mystery like I do, then Ara’s perspective will probably interest you the most. I liked it best when she and Edon were following up on clues, especially when the investigation leads them to the hoity-toity prep schools of the city. Oliver’s perspective provides us with a glimpse into the life of a high-powered elite. And those who enjoy the ups-and-downs of a tumultuous romance will eat up Mimi and Kingsley’s chapters.
The plot itself is not terribly complicated, but that probably works in the novel’s favor. Being a follow-up series that will likely serve as a jumping-on point for a lot of new readers, a twisty, heavy and convoluted story would not have gone over too well with me, personally. I thought the book was pretty perfect in its simplicity, and at the same time I also grew to connect with many of the characters who I had previously no knowledge about, which is a rather impressive feat for an author. I imagine those who have read Blue Bloods will be even more thrilled to catch up with these characters.
I’m glad I discovered this urban fantasy, which was a fast read and thoroughly entertaining for the genre. Despite not knowing a lot of the background behind the vampires, it worked for me – and feeling lost when it comes to a book’s world usually drives me nuts. It’s my first book by Melissa de la Cruz, and this has actually made me very interested in going back to check out Blue Bloods, or her other YA work. I would expect that readers who are already fans of Blue Bloods to enjoy this, but I was certainly a bit surprised — but in a good way — that I did too.
A review copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Hyperion Books!
Sunday Musings: Sunshine and Sniffles
Posted on September 7, 2014 6 Comments
After a long, hard, but fun week at Fan Expo Canada, I am still trying to catch up and wind down, and have earned myself a nice little cold for my struggles. Hurray for back to school!
CURRENTLY READING
I’ll be rounding out my Summer Reading List with The Shadowed Sun by N.K. Jemisin. Conveniently, this will work well with the latest reading challenge I’ve signed up for, #Diversiverse, which encourages readers to read books by authors of colour.
Not only is this book by an author of colour, it predominantly features people of colour in a fantasy world that isn’t the typical European setting.
It’s the second in Jemisin’s Dreamblood series, and while I enjoyed the first, the racial aspect was a bit offputting for me. Find out why in my review here.
WRITERY THINGS
I am now on the last installment of two sekrit writing projects. One is a ghostwriting gig, so I can’t reveal details on that. But the other is something I’m pretty excited about and can’t wait to spill the beans when it’s finally published…
BOOKISH THOUGHTS
Actually, I do both, though there’s definitely a stronger lean to the latter. You can find me walking on lunch breaks, and chatting away in the pool during Aquafit lessons once a week. But if I can figure out a good way to stick a book onto the new walker exercise thingie my husband and I just bought, I will be a very happy–and healthy bibliophile.
YA Weekend: A World Without Princes by Soman Chainani
Posted on September 6, 2014 13 Comments
A World Without Princes by Soman Chainani
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Series: Book 2 of The School for Good and Evil
Publisher: HarperCollins (April 15, 2014)
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Once upon a time, two girls kidnapped from the sleepy town of Gavaldon by the mysterious Schoolmaster. One was perfect and beautiful, thought to be destined for the School of Good, while the other was an oddball and an outcast from birth, sure to have been a shoo-in for the School of Evil. But pretty Sophie with her flawless features and dreams of princes and pink dresses ended up being dumped in Evil, while strange, frumpy Agatha landed in Good! Together, the two friends discovered the truth behind this apparent mix-up, and learned more about each other and themselves along the way. They worked to escape the clutches of the sinister Schoolmaster and made it back home to Gavaldon, but the adventure is far from over.
As you can probably tell, there were a couple of really heartwarming messages in the first book of The School for Good and Evil series, as befitting a novel more suitably aimed at Middle Grade readers. “Beauty is only skin deep” and “Believe in yourself” are only a couple examples, woven into a unique and magical fairy-tale style story.
This sequel, however, is a bit more complicated and a little more twisted. Once again, Sophie and Agatha find themselves back in the land of princesses and witches, princes and henchmen. But gone are the Schools for both Good and Evil, and in their places are the School for Girls and School for Boys. Some major changes have taken place since the two girls left; new alliances have formed while old bonds have broken, and now boys and girls are locked in a bitter war. The fate of the schools and this world rest on Agatha and Sophie and whether or not they can find their Happily Ever After.
So A World Without Princes was a fun read, but I also can’t deny that this sequel has lost some of the magic that made me fall in love with the first book. Story-wise, it was a little rough around the edges, with a plot that seemed to meander needlessly in several places. Friction and misunderstandings and between the two main characters feel forced, prolonging the conflict without adding anything new. Unlike its predecessor, this second book didn’t read like it had a clear direction or a main theme it was drawing from, and the storytelling was very uneven with long stretches that felt monotonous in some places and plot developments that felt like they came out of nowhere in others.
A World Without Princes is also much darker in tone compared to The School for Good and Evil. I’d hand the first book to a Middle Grader without a second thought, since it was at once ridiculous and full of heart, cute with just the right amount of wickedness to enchant readers of all ages. On the other hand, the second book would probably give me pause. The more mature themes and violence in this would likely not bother Adult and Young Adult readers, and it’s certainly not a negative to me personally as I was reading this, but it’s still enough that I’d hesitate to give this book to a 8 to 12-year-old, which I think is the age range most publishers are traditionally using for MG guidelines these days. There’s mild torture, descriptions of images that involve a mother drowning her child, scenes of boys and girls talking about and relishing the idea of killing each other, just to name a few examples of things that that might be disturbing to younger readers. As they say, reader discretion is advised, in the end use your own judgment to decide.
In spite of it all, I love the characters, I love the premise of these books, and I still enjoyed myself a lot. Agatha and Sophie are precious, and I just can’t get enough of them, their shenanigans in this novel notwithstanding. There are still many moments of whimsy and humor that author Soman Chainani does so well, and plenty of scenes brought smiles to my face. Ultimately, I really want to find out what will happen to these two friends, and the repercussions from the climax and shocking conclusion to this book are sure to be significant. “Happily Ever After” hasn’t come yet, and I’m definitely not going to give up on this series until “The End”.
Book Review: The Mirror Empire by Kameron Hurley
Posted on September 5, 2014 19 Comments
The Mirror Empire by Kameron Hurley
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 1 of Worldbreaker Saga
Publisher: Angry Robot (August 26, 2014)
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Needless to say, putting this review together was quite difficult for me, on account of how very different it is from the one I thought I would be writing. I made it no secret I had high hopes for this one, not only because of the buzz the book has gotten since the ramp up to its release or all the glowing reviews it has garnered, but also I was personally very excited to finally read my first Kameron Hurley novel. Truly, I wanted to love this book and was set and prepared to add my praise to the chorus, but as a reviewer I also have to be honest with others and with myself when a book does not meet expectations.
In the end, I think The Mirror Empire is one of those cases in which I can recognize its literary merits and applaud the author’s designs to challenge the conventions of epic fantasy fiction, but the story itself failed to connect with me on any deeper level and I found myself strangely dissatisfied when I completed it.
First, a bit about the book: The world is about to be shaken up by a cataclysm, and as the dark star rises to herald this event, you have an orphan girl named Lilia who would anything to fulfill a promise to her mother, even if it means putting herself in danger and having to face down unspeakable threats. In another place, a new Kai ascends to power after the suspicious death of his sister and fights to keep his place and his land together even as legitimacy of his rule is called into question. Meanwhile, a young boy said to be destined for great things undertakes a journey to discover himself and his loyalties, for one day he ultimately must choose between sides. And on the battlefield, an able but brutal general faces a similar predicament, caught between her heritage and her oaths to the Empress.
As you can imagine, there are a lot of perspectives involved, and many more characters besides. That should have been my first warning sign. Don’t get me wrong; I don’t mind a big cast of characters (when you’re into epic fantasy, I think that sort of comes with the territory). However, that also means a greater onus on the author to strike a balance when it comes to giving every one of her players enough time to resonate with the reader, and to pace their sections accordingly. Hurley falters in this area by trying to introduce too many characters, both main and supporting, without sufficiently developing them – especially in the beginning. Not only do the odd-sounding names make it harder to remember who’s who, but ironically they also make it all the more obvious when new major to semi-major characters are still being introduced even past the halfway point of the novel. It makes it that much hard to sit back and just enjoy the story when so much effort is going towards trying to keep all the characters straight.
However, to be fair, you should know that I am a “Characters First” kind of reader. Arguably, I place an inordinate amount of emphasis on characters and how effectively I can engage with them. They absolutely don’t have to be admirable or even likeable, but I have to care. Characters are like the foundation of a story – everything else tumbles like a house of cards if I can’t care about them. Naturally, anything they do or anything that happens to them isn’t going to impact me in any meaningful way. The biggest issue I had with this book is the lack of any strong characters, in the sense that none of them were very memorable. Hurley doesn’t develop any of them nearly enough, and her pacing is haphazard and disorganized, so that many long chapters could go by before returning to a perspective character, and then I find myself asking, “Who are you again?” That shouldn’t be happening.
The only one – ONE out of a half dozen or so main characters and at least four times as many supporting characters – that I found myself interested in was Lilia, and that’s likely just because she was the first to be introduced in the prologue. Zezili, Captain General of the Empress, was a close second, and probably because Hurley went to great lengths to make her memorable but did so by taking the easy way, presenting the general as archetypically evil, the cruel mass murderer and an unfeeling lover. Everyone else faded into the background, which unfortunately made me feel very indifferent towards any events of significance, including plot twists or unexpected character deaths.
But look, I’ve gone on for long enough about the negatives, and I don’t want to make it sound like I downright disliked this book, because I didn’t; so I think it’s time to talk about the positives. There were a lot of things I enjoyed about this book, not least of all was the world building. So much praise has been heaped onto this facet of the novel and I have to agree 100% with everything that has been said about originality, spirit and vividness of the universe and cultures of The Mirror Empire.
My favorite thing about this book is that it is bold, it is epic, and it is refreshingly different. I love the idea of two realms clashing together in a catastrophic world-shattering event, and also the more minute details like the sentient flora and giant carnivorous plants. Hurley is a great writer with an incredible imagination, and she’s at her best and in her element when she’s actually not trying so hard to turn things on their head or to be over-the-top. I can’t stress how important it is for both authors and readers to examine and confront the status quo and current state of fantasy, but doing something for the sake of doing it is also rarely interesting. Admittedly, Hurley is not at all subtle when it comes to her attempt at subversion in this novel, but at the same time I still respect her immensely for her steadfast interrogation of the genre.
These days, one can probably find some degree of social commentary in many works of speculative fiction; however, my favorite ones tend to be those that arrive at their messages organically, part and parcel with compelling storytelling, starting with well-developed characters. Since it’s the characters that fell flat for me in this case, I just couldn’t immerse myself in the story. It certainly wasn’t for the lack of trying, but as I’ve explained, I’m also aware I have some rather nitpicky and particular tastes. Despite my tepid feelings for this novel, I believe the accolades are well-deserved. Sure, I didn’t love it, but then I’m glad so many others did.
A review copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Angry Robot Books!
Panels: Moriarty: The Dark Chamber
Posted on September 4, 2014 2 Comments
At the beginning of World War I, Sherlock has been dead 20 years. Moriarty doesn’t have much direction in his life now until he’s drafted by the MI5 to find Sherlock’s brother, Mycroft, which leads him down a path of intrigue that may even be beyond his expertise.
Tough Traveling: Turncoats
Posted on September 4, 2014 20 Comments
The Thursday feature “Tough Traveling” is the brainchild of Nathan of Review Barn, who has come up with the excellent idea of making a new list each week based on the most common tropes in fantasy, as seen in The Tough Guide to Fantasyland by Diana Wynn Jones. Nathan has invited anyone who is interested to come play along, so be sure to check out the first link for more information. Compulsive list-maker that I am, I’m very excited to take part!
This week’s tour topic is: Turncoats
TURNCOATS are people who change to the side of the DARK LORD in mid-tour.
The theme title is pretty self-explanatory this week, methinks. Sit tight now, as we explore fantasy fiction’s offerings of traitorous, double-crossing, two-timing, back-stabbing jerks, renegades, betrayers and other dastardly characters.
Mogsy’s Picks:
A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin
Yeesh, you can’t swing a dead cat without hitting a traitor or a turncoat in GRRM’s series. These books are full of them, from mercenaries who switch sides for a higher bidder, bitter lords who put on a welcoming face only to later slaughter all your friends and family, so-called brothers-in-arms who will turn on you the moment your back is turned, and the list goes on and on. Notable examples of turncoat characters include Littlefinger who plays the game of thrones only for himself, and Theon Greyjoy, in fact nicknamed “Theon Turncoat” after his heinous actions at Winterfell.
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Lots of turncoats in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books as well, the most notable one of course being Peter Pettigrew also known as “Wormtail” to the childhood friends he ends up ruthlessly selling out to Lord Voldemort.
Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovitch
I just realized the massive potential for spoilerific details with this week’s theme. Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last fifteen years or so, I think most people know what happens in Harry Potter, and I tried to be sufficiently vague when I talked about ASoIaF. But Broken Homes is a different matter. Obviously I can’t reveal the identity of the turncoat here, but the betrayal happens right at the end of this book, by a character most characters have grown to care for, which makes the violation of trust hurt all the more!
Turn Coat by Jim Butcher
With a title like that, I thought this Dresden Files book would be a shoo-in this week for sure. As it turns out, it’s a bit more complicated. The “turncoat” is a battered and bleeding Morgan who shows up on Harry’s doorstep one day, accused of killing one of their own. Morgan was found standing over the body of a Senior Council member wielding a bloody knife, but he claims to have no memory of the incident. Morgan came to Harry because it was the last place anyone would expect him to go, and also he believed Harry would empathize with being accused of a crime he wasn’t guilty of.
Half A King by Joe Abercrombie
When his father the king and older brother are unexpectedly killed in an enemy ambush, Prince Yarvi has no choice but to inherit the throne, but he barely has the chance to warm the seat before he is betrayed and left for dead – by someone close to him whose loyalty he thought was beyond reproach.
The BiblioSanctum 