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Horker's Law
Horkers are thieves of an unusual sort. Trained from childhood in skills of deception, misdirection, slight of hand, confidence, etc., they are also taught a strict code, a code that governs their decisions and strategies. They are taught to avoid violence, and live by their wits. One of the most important lessons in this code is that Horkers never use magic. Magic is notoriously unreliable and hard to control, and Horkers must control their environment.
Spivver MacAnders is one such Horker. A young man, working his way through life, Spiv horks enough to meet his needs, trying to get ahead (while taking only from people he figures truly deserve it, and trying to do a good turn for common folks, from time to time.) All this, while staying one step ahead of his marks on his way out of town. But when Spiv comes across the aftermath of a heinous crime, he is drawn into a commitment to deliver a valuable object; an object which he realizes is a powerful artifact, steeped in very specific magical properties. A secretive and skilled Horker is perhaps the perfect messenger to transport such an object unnoticed, especially because the one who seeks it is a powerful wizard, who has already sent his army to invade the realm Spiv must travel through on his mission.
That wizard, known as "the Sath," is the unexpected remnant of a secret sect of wizards; a sect thought to have been wiped out hundreds of years ago, in a final battle with their mortal enemies, another group headed by a wizard of equal power, the Frith. But no one expected that the Sathist sect had survived the final battle between the Friths and Sathists of ancient times, and there are no more Friths. A small group of scholars is researching the ancient Frithic knowledge, uncovering scraps of documents in the ruins of an ancient fortress. To have any hope of stopping this new Sath, the knowledge of the ancient Friths must be resurrected. Can Spiv help with this, even though he is forbidden the use of magic, himself? And why is the Sath himself also focused on the same ruins of that ancient Frithic fortress? Is it the artifact that Spiv brought with him, or something else… perhaps Spiv's own hidden and unknown link to the ancient Sathist sect?
Spivver MacAnders is one such Horker. A young man, working his way through life, Spiv horks enough to meet his needs, trying to get ahead (while taking only from people he figures truly deserve it, and trying to do a good turn for common folks, from time to time.) All this, while staying one step ahead of his marks on his way out of town. But when Spiv comes across the aftermath of a heinous crime, he is drawn into a commitment to deliver a valuable object; an object which he realizes is a powerful artifact, steeped in very specific magical properties. A secretive and skilled Horker is perhaps the perfect messenger to transport such an object unnoticed, especially because the one who seeks it is a powerful wizard, who has already sent his army to invade the realm Spiv must travel through on his mission.
That wizard, known as "the Sath," is the unexpected remnant of a secret sect of wizards; a sect thought to have been wiped out hundreds of years ago, in a final battle with their mortal enemies, another group headed by a wizard of equal power, the Frith. But no one expected that the Sathist sect had survived the final battle between the Friths and Sathists of ancient times, and there are no more Friths. A small group of scholars is researching the ancient Frithic knowledge, uncovering scraps of documents in the ruins of an ancient fortress. To have any hope of stopping this new Sath, the knowledge of the ancient Friths must be resurrected. Can Spiv help with this, even though he is forbidden the use of magic, himself? And why is the Sath himself also focused on the same ruins of that ancient Frithic fortress? Is it the artifact that Spiv brought with him, or something else… perhaps Spiv's own hidden and unknown link to the ancient Sathist sect?
- GenresFantasy
420 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 28, 2011
15 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
About the author
Mike Lee
4 books34 followersMike Lee lives in Englewood, Colorado, and practices psychotherapy there. He started writing in graduate school, occasionally being printed in local newspapers such as the Rocky Mountain News. He began writing fiction in 2007, as a hobby. Horker's Law is his first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 5, 2015
Okay, you saw the 5 stars and wonder how a fantasy book can rate that when I don’t give many high literature efforts that kind of rating. Perhaps, you won’t agree.
This novel takes place in a mythical world where magic has had its influence. It has ebbed and flowed as have its practitioners fortunes. We are told, in the prologue, that there was a big conflict between two great schools of magic that relate to “the friths” and “the Sath.” When it ended, all the great mages had been killed and their knowledge mostly lost. One type of magic was known as “the magic of Sowing” and the other as “the magic of Harvest.” There are six types of magic all told including the magic of Death.” Are you snoozing, yet?
As necessary as these facts become later in the book, Lee wisely sets them aside to relate the latter day tale of Spivver MacAnders, a young “horker” by trade (see title). Horkers are not just thieves; not just con men; not just burglars. Well, they really are all that,
but with a conscience and a set of rules. Lee doles those rules out as the plot unfolds. It is a good plot, full of heroics and threats set in a world before machines where horsepower often made the difference in commerce and in war. Yet, the book seems to be conceived as more character-driven and part of its charm and depth is how “Spiv” with his horker skills is able to influence outcomes and mature as a person.
“A thief simply takes what he wants, and leaves people behind him poorer for his having been there. A Horker, if he cares to, with just a bit more effort, can take what he needs, and leave some people better off, at the same time.” Perhaps, this is a combination of Robin Hood and Han Solo.
Because the plot is subservient to character, we get some remarkable details that will either please the reader or create impatience for the author to get on with things. Examples:
“All soldiers had been boys once, and some of them had had fathers who worked as wainwrights, and know a lot about building wagons, jus as others had fathers who had been smiths, or farmers, or clerks, and they knew something about those trades, even if they weren’t in that trade themselves.”
“As they started out, Spiv was edgy and nervous. The animals made too much noise, even just walking gently along. Unfortunately, there was essentially no way to move the horses silently. Led horses move differently from grazing animals, and though well trained, and well behaved, these horses were alert, rested, and ready to expend some energy. Each step sounded with a small thud on dirt, or a clopping sound on stone. He knew he could have bagged their feet, to muffle the sounds, but if they had to run them, later, it could be a problem. A bag, tide securely to each foot now, could become a streaming and flopping source of fear to a running horse, if it worked loose, and he didn’t need that either…”
“One skill you’ll need is to learn to trap the blade of your opponent. If you are wearing mail, or even heavy leather, you may safely capture his blade under your arm, and then you can step inside with your own blade.”
As I read, I felt enriched by Lee’s research into how people of this time and place thought and acted to succeed in this world he created. It is only a permutation of Europe's actual medieval times with a bit more magic thrown in, but Lee creates a rich background in which his characters act out their story. You may find that this world hangs in the balance and depends on timely deeds by Spiv and others. If so, I believe you will find Horker's Law one of the best of its genre.
PS: This book was originally self-published and suffers a bit from the lack of a dispassionate editor.
This novel takes place in a mythical world where magic has had its influence. It has ebbed and flowed as have its practitioners fortunes. We are told, in the prologue, that there was a big conflict between two great schools of magic that relate to “the friths” and “the Sath.” When it ended, all the great mages had been killed and their knowledge mostly lost. One type of magic was known as “the magic of Sowing” and the other as “the magic of Harvest.” There are six types of magic all told including the magic of Death.” Are you snoozing, yet?
As necessary as these facts become later in the book, Lee wisely sets them aside to relate the latter day tale of Spivver MacAnders, a young “horker” by trade (see title). Horkers are not just thieves; not just con men; not just burglars. Well, they really are all that,
but with a conscience and a set of rules. Lee doles those rules out as the plot unfolds. It is a good plot, full of heroics and threats set in a world before machines where horsepower often made the difference in commerce and in war. Yet, the book seems to be conceived as more character-driven and part of its charm and depth is how “Spiv” with his horker skills is able to influence outcomes and mature as a person.
“A thief simply takes what he wants, and leaves people behind him poorer for his having been there. A Horker, if he cares to, with just a bit more effort, can take what he needs, and leave some people better off, at the same time.” Perhaps, this is a combination of Robin Hood and Han Solo.
Because the plot is subservient to character, we get some remarkable details that will either please the reader or create impatience for the author to get on with things. Examples:
“All soldiers had been boys once, and some of them had had fathers who worked as wainwrights, and know a lot about building wagons, jus as others had fathers who had been smiths, or farmers, or clerks, and they knew something about those trades, even if they weren’t in that trade themselves.”
“As they started out, Spiv was edgy and nervous. The animals made too much noise, even just walking gently along. Unfortunately, there was essentially no way to move the horses silently. Led horses move differently from grazing animals, and though well trained, and well behaved, these horses were alert, rested, and ready to expend some energy. Each step sounded with a small thud on dirt, or a clopping sound on stone. He knew he could have bagged their feet, to muffle the sounds, but if they had to run them, later, it could be a problem. A bag, tide securely to each foot now, could become a streaming and flopping source of fear to a running horse, if it worked loose, and he didn’t need that either…”
“One skill you’ll need is to learn to trap the blade of your opponent. If you are wearing mail, or even heavy leather, you may safely capture his blade under your arm, and then you can step inside with your own blade.”
As I read, I felt enriched by Lee’s research into how people of this time and place thought and acted to succeed in this world he created. It is only a permutation of Europe's actual medieval times with a bit more magic thrown in, but Lee creates a rich background in which his characters act out their story. You may find that this world hangs in the balance and depends on timely deeds by Spiv and others. If so, I believe you will find Horker's Law one of the best of its genre.
PS: This book was originally self-published and suffers a bit from the lack of a dispassionate editor.
February 9, 2018
3.5 stars......not an epic tale but plenty of good story building and slight adventures to keep the reader interested. All of the action wasn't heart pounding or edge of your seat excitement, but rather a bit slower than I normally prefer. All in all not a bad book to read despite the need of a good editor and a few more scenes full of just plain MORE happening.
October 19, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. It was one of the first books I read on a kindle and I still have it. It's well written, well paced, and incredibly interesting.
August 16, 2011
There's a new breed of novel arising, the self-pubbed novel with a great story that would have benefitted from an equally good editor. This is one of the best examples of that category I've yet read. "Horker's Law" has a solid, well-developed plotline with enjoyable characters. It's clearly set up as the first of a series and a sample of the next book is included at the end. Mike Lee is definitely an author I'll be tracking, even if I did predict one of his twists at the end.
At the same time, there's a lot here a good editor could have improved. Some scenes are overly developed and go on for too long. Although it's true you never know when something carefully worked into a previous scene will return to bite you, it's also true that these scenes would read better with some judicious cutting.
While there are no misspellings or formatting errors, there are poor grammar choices and obvious outright mistakes. An example is consistently using "it's" when "its" would have been correct. Therefore, grammar purists might prefer to give this book a miss. But if you can allow the author some patience, and prevent the errors and slips from pulling you out of the story, "Horker's Law" is clever and fun. I give it five stars for the story, and four for the book as presented.
At the same time, there's a lot here a good editor could have improved. Some scenes are overly developed and go on for too long. Although it's true you never know when something carefully worked into a previous scene will return to bite you, it's also true that these scenes would read better with some judicious cutting.
While there are no misspellings or formatting errors, there are poor grammar choices and obvious outright mistakes. An example is consistently using "it's" when "its" would have been correct. Therefore, grammar purists might prefer to give this book a miss. But if you can allow the author some patience, and prevent the errors and slips from pulling you out of the story, "Horker's Law" is clever and fun. I give it five stars for the story, and four for the book as presented.
January 11, 2012
This book starts off really slow and the editing is terrible; I definitely thought at first that I'd downloaded a kindle-free-download dud (At least I think I got it for free?). Luckily though the story got better (not the editing, but whatever...). At no point during the course of reading this did I think "Wow I love this story!", but I was always intrigued and wanted to find out what was going to happen next. The end was a lot more exciting than the beginning and the plot was unique and rather unpredictable. In the end I was surprised by how much I did actually enjoy this book.
And just for fun, a short synopsis -> In the beginning you meet Spiv, a rather plain and uninteresting fellow with a questionable profession. As fantasy stories tend to do there was a twist which led Spiv on a journey/adventure of sorts. You meet a few more main characters along the way and in the end there's a satisfying plot twist and a cliff-hanger.
Reader be warned - this book does contain a fair bit of violence.
And just for fun, a short synopsis -> In the beginning you meet Spiv, a rather plain and uninteresting fellow with a questionable profession. As fantasy stories tend to do there was a twist which led Spiv on a journey/adventure of sorts. You meet a few more main characters along the way and in the end there's a satisfying plot twist and a cliff-hanger.
Reader be warned - this book does contain a fair bit of violence.
March 10, 2018
Great book. The world building is top-notch. The character development is very good. The story-line is interesting and well laid-out. Best of all, though the main character isn't a "good guy", he is really a "horker"; a specialized con-man/thief with a unique set of ethics (hence Horker's Law". The book is essentially a tale of how our hero (the horker) inadvertently becomes enmeshed in a major war involving two antagonistic realms and two opposed magical systems.
While the book is obviously the start of a series, of which I for one will buy the next book, the book does not end abruptly or leave the reader hanging. There is a sort of "mini-closure" at the end of the book that I wish more authors would use as a writing technique.
While the book is obviously the start of a series, of which I for one will buy the next book, the book does not end abruptly or leave the reader hanging. There is a sort of "mini-closure" at the end of the book that I wish more authors would use as a writing technique.
August 10, 2016
So I assume I'm not the only person who browses the free Kindle books and goes, yeah, sure, whatever, it's free and it sounds vaguely interesting, and expects to like basically none of it, right?
Yeah so this book? ACTUALLY REALLY GOOD.
Seriously. There's a likeable hero, an engaging story, good secondary characters, a well-thought-out magic system, and no major trials to your suspension of disbelief. I actually want to read the rest in the series, not even kidding. It's a little bit different from your usual male-centered fantasy novel, and it also really needs a good copy editor (and no, it doesn't pass the Bechtel test that I recall) but in a very good way.
Yeah so this book? ACTUALLY REALLY GOOD.
Seriously. There's a likeable hero, an engaging story, good secondary characters, a well-thought-out magic system, and no major trials to your suspension of disbelief. I actually want to read the rest in the series, not even kidding. It's a little bit different from your usual male-centered fantasy novel, and it also really needs a good copy editor (and no, it doesn't pass the Bechtel test that I recall) but in a very good way.
September 15, 2011
I must say this is one of the best books by a new author I have read in a very long time.
Well worth reading and a lot of fun.
If this is any indication of the writing skills of this author he is an up and comer and is to be watched. Unlike a great many new and older writers he does not fluff out his book just to make it longer. It is refreshing to read such a well written book. I highly recommend it.
Well worth reading and a lot of fun.
If this is any indication of the writing skills of this author he is an up and comer and is to be watched. Unlike a great many new and older writers he does not fluff out his book just to make it longer. It is refreshing to read such a well written book. I highly recommend it.
November 30, 2012
This book was a joy to read. Well developed characters and plot that never moved slowly. I am anxiously waiting for the next installment, Horker's Gold. This book was so good that when the sequel comes out I will reread the first book to refresh my memory of book one so I don't miss any of the nuances of the plot. I read about 75 books a year and this is one of the best I have read this year.
December 18, 2011
This book was fun and well written. In fact the standard of writing is more than competent, which leaves me at a loss to explain the egregious misuse of apostrophes throughout. I am giving the author the benefit of the doubt and assuming the work was dictated to an imcompetent secretary.
January 19, 2012
I loved this book. It did start out slow, but after a while I just could not put it down. I would have given it 5 stars if it weren't for the terrible editing job. Other than that, it was fantastic. I cannot wait for the next book in this series.
February 15, 2014
This was engaging at the start but eventually got pretty boring. There was no real challenge for the main character. He got everything right and everything went his way. There didn't seem to be any challenge.
February 17, 2012
........I started reading it, and just didn't care for it at all, flipped through it to see if there was something I was missing and just didn't care for at all! super ugh!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews