Review | In the Shadow of Swords - Val Gunn

In the Shadow of Swords was definitely an interesting read for me: though I enjoyed it, I suspect it's again a somewhat divisive novel (I seem to be covering quite a few of these - subjectivity is fun this way!). I'll explain why, but first I should give the author, Val Gunn some credit for setting the book outside the typical pseudo-Europe. In the Shadow of Swords' setting is inspired by the Arab world instead, and it's a refreshing change - magic depends on a race of creatures mostly secured by a veil from reaching the normal world, the Jnoun, but these can be summoned for magical purposes, and their offspring likewise possess magical abilities. For me, it's great to have some different inspiration for worldbuilding, and a number of calls have been made for 'multicultural fantasy': In the Shadow of Swords is definitely a step towards this. The one (relatively minor) aspect of the worldbuilding that I didn't enjoy so much was the constant introduction of new terminology: although a little is great, there were some chapters where it was introduced a little fast to remember and became distracting instead.

In the Shadow of Swords follows a number of characters, but chief among them is Ciris Sarn - an assassin magically bound to the Sultan, and his scheming intermediary. Forced to murder a courier of information - and four ancient books - he defies Dassaj by leaving the books. Pursued by both Dassaj and his victim's widow, Mirin Altair, the assassin flees across Mir'aj. In this, Val Gunn does a good job of frustrating and subverting the assassin archetype: Ciris Sarn might be very competent - even legendary - but he's also very vulnerable. The books that he left behind are the recently uncovered 'Books of Promise', which chronicle a conspiracy: a treaty between the Sultanate and the Jnoun. To be fair, although ancient conspiracies are rarely thin on the ground in fantasy, Gunn's is far more interesting and realistically concealed than most! (Don't worry, I haven't spoiled it)

In the Shadow of Swords is a very fast-paced book: perhaps some readers may find its pace too rapid to keep up with, as chapters begin and end very rapidly, often covering vast distances in a single page. Nevertheless, it's definitely an antidote to any slow epic fantasy you might be reading! Gunn also keeps his cast nicely small: with the exception of a few 'one scene wonders', we're limited to the leader of the Jassaj agents, Sarn himself, and Mirin Altair, all of whom form nicely and alternately sympathetic and believable protagonists, though on opposite sides of the conflict.

There are flaws: aside from those mentioned, there's more instances of 'tell' than 'show', but this can be forgiven for such a fast paced book. All in all, it's a relatively light, good read recommended as the antithesis to any plodding quasi-European novel you might be reading. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.

6.5/10