King's Gambit

by Mark Nelson

Publishers Weekly: "Nelson returns to the world of The Poets of Pevana, offering another enjoyable take on romantic fantasy." The subtle victories of summer have faded beneath a winter of Northern occupation. King Roderran's invasion plans have ripened. His soldiers muster the Pevanese into their ranks, churn fallow fields into mud, and turn the region into an armed camp. Come spring, there will be war. The King's arrival launches a flurry of preparations that sets the already turbulent city on edge. Prince Donari must contend with rumors of assassination, the disrespect of his liege-lord cousin, and the manipulations of the Lord Prelate Byrnard Casan. Trapped between fealty and treason, Donari faces impossible decisions. He must save his city and those closest to him. Somehow. The coming storm will test the poets of Pevana in ways none of them could have foreseen. Poetry will not win this time--swords and spears will have their day--but Donari and Eleni, Devyn and Talyior must keep their faith in words to walk the tenuous paths between loyalty and betrayal, freedom and servitude, hope and despair.

Genres: Fantasy

330 pages, Paperback

First published May 25, 2013

Reviews

[K.R. Gastreich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Nelson brings back the vibrant world of Pevana with a gripping tale of treachery and war.

Those familiar with Nelson’s first novel will be happy to see many of their favorite characters return, along with some charismatic new additions. Don’t expect any summer festivals or light-hearted contests this time around, though. All of Pevana’s men and women are embroiled in an intense military conflict that threatens to bring an end to peace and prosperity. Romance, high-stakes intrigue, and intense battle scenes keep the reader on edge. Most of all, Nelson delights us with the poetry that permeates this fantasy world and accompanies all of its people, even in their darkest moments.

Another must-read from a great new voice in fantasy. Can’t wait for novel number three.

[Wendy S. Delmater · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Poets of Pevana, Mark Nelson introduced us to his world’s odd theology, where the gods speak through and bless poets and the principal goddess’ tears are both solace and weapons of fate. King’s Gambit is the second book in his Pevana series, and tells the further tale of the unlikely young warrior poets who bested evil in the previous book. Here, King Roderran comes to call on his relative Donari, the prince of Pevana, who has little choice but to follow him into a disastrous war where the king hopes that his new concubine will provide him with an heir while Donari, the widowed poet Eleni, and Donari’s Pevannan forces are destroyed in battle.

It’s a braided plot, where we go back and forth between the doings in Pevana and two of its wandering exiles: Devyn and Talyior. Like Eleni, they’ve been pierced by darts touched by the goddess Reina’s tears, and their lives are to be bound up in the huge changes coming. They take refuge in a southern port city only to learn that the corrupt “priests” that the avaricious kings have dispersed have also taken over its places of worship, but not the hearts of its citizens, or of its lord.

I’m not going to tell you more about the intrigue, love sacrifice, and battles that ensue, but this is a worthy addition to the library of anyone who likes traditional fantasy. I enjoyed it immensely.

[V · Rating 4 out of 5]

This neat little tale of poetry and conquest is the second book by Nelson to take place in his Perspan world. Without having read the first in the series, the intrigue and numerous characters can be a bit confusing at first, but once the reader has made headway into a few chapters, the storyline gains clarity. Written in a poetic and descriptive style itself, the novel tells a story about likeable heroes and detestable villains, with enough twists to keep the reader uncertain of the outcome. Quite a fun and satisfying read!

I won this through a GoodReads FirstReads giveaway.