Ocian’s Elven

Tarquin The Honest #2

by Gareth Ward

Tarquin the Honest and Lunar Nix return with more underhand shenanigans and razor-tongued repartee to pull off a heist so big, bards will sing ballads of their derring-do for centuries.

Created for the ancient dragons, a priceless treasure is kept under Elven lock and key at the heart of the great city of Ribekah. Tarquin the Honest, Wizard of the Silver Weasel, is under orders to ‘rehome’ the treasure from the ultra-secure Elderyn Museum. The mission is an impossible one – even the Thieves’ Guild thinks it is folly – but Tarquin has a cunning plan involving magic, trickery and a ragtag band with a unique set of talents. However, with the City Guard and a coven of vampires trying to thwart him, Tarquin must make a deal with the devil is he is to succeed. Can the wily wizard outwit the museum’s security, the vampires and the Thieves’ Guild or will the delinquent gambler’s chips finally be cashed in?

In this sequel to The Hand of Glodd, award-winning author Gareth Ward, aka The Great Wardini, has delivered yet another fast-paced, fantastical tale filled with magic, mayhem and memorable characters, both old and new.

Genres: Fantasy

272 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2023

Reviews

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up

As I have mentioned in the past I frequent the bookshop that this writer co owns. So when I saw this book had released of course I was going to jump and grab it. I also come in having loved the first book so pre primed to love this one. And I definitely did. This carries Ward's trademark humor with lots of snort through the nose moments that were difficult to explain to the people around me. This brings together a hilarious cast of characters, my favorite admittedly Lunar, for a dazzling heist hilarious in its planning and execution. Tarquin is a very.. interesting character shall we say. Very enjoyable to read, if very full of himself

This was overall a very fun, rollicking hilarious read that I wished was longer if only so I could spend longer in this world and with these characters. Very excited to see where the author goes next

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another fun little romp through a tabletop campaign-turned-novel. It improves on the first book by not having the third act be one long fight scene, but otherwise does not stray from the formula set be its predecessor (for better or worse).

[MH · Rating 3 out of 5]

A perfectly enjoyable sequel, though the novelty has worn off a bit.