The Silverblood Promise by James LoganMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Take that rec from James Rollins seriously - and James Islington too, while we’re at it. James Logan makes a real great trifecta of Jameses in the modern realm of fantasy greats, with this first well crafted entry in a new series of Mediterranean inspired intrigue and trade and war games…and the disgraced young noble turned card sharp forced to investigate some uncomfortable truths in the heart of the world’s greatest city. Building on influences from Venice and Arabia and Russia and Ancient Greece and Egypt, this book would be perfect if not for its tendency to bog itself down in the machinations of the various Seven Silkens’ schemes, as well as the unfortunate lack of a world map. But Logan does his best in the world building department with the book’s various cultures, as well as the twists on religion (yes, it’s very medieval Catholic, complete with a disgustingly hedonistic pontifex who clearly learned his craft alongside the Borgias), and of course the Phaeron pyramid game…now that scene alone, just for its sheer tension, demands a movie adaptation immediately. In the meantime, though, I’ll have to just wait for Book 2, which promises to take us to this book’s equivalent of medieval Russia. Better have those parkas and ushankas ready, Lukan…
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