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Blacktongue #2
The Thrice-Bound Fool
Not yet published
Expected 13 Oct 26The Thrice-Bound Fool is the epic, rollicking next chapter in the bestselling and “awesome as hell” (Nicholas Eames) fantasy adventure series that began with The Blacktongue Thief.
Professional thief and inveterate trickster Kinch Na Shannack has always enjoyed a good book. But now his life, and the future of all of Manreach, depends on him deciphering a very bad book indeed; a stolen, sentient tome that tries to kill him every time he opens it—and often when it’s closed.
Galva, veteran of the goblin wars and death’s sworn handmaiden, has vowed to protect Kinch while he mines the book for its dark magic and even darker secrets. She does so not for Kinch’s sake—though the cheeky bastard is growing on her—but because the book is the key to stopping the shadowy tyrants out to kill the queen she serves, and loves.
The ruthless, all-seeing Taker’s Guild dogs their every step, and thief and knight must flee the known world entirely if they hope to succeed in their mission. But trouble finds Kinch wherever he goes, and the pair may have traded the devil they know for horrors far darker and hungrier as they enter lands unknown.
Professional thief and inveterate trickster Kinch Na Shannack has always enjoyed a good book. But now his life, and the future of all of Manreach, depends on him deciphering a very bad book indeed; a stolen, sentient tome that tries to kill him every time he opens it—and often when it’s closed.
Galva, veteran of the goblin wars and death’s sworn handmaiden, has vowed to protect Kinch while he mines the book for its dark magic and even darker secrets. She does so not for Kinch’s sake—though the cheeky bastard is growing on her—but because the book is the key to stopping the shadowy tyrants out to kill the queen she serves, and loves.
The ruthless, all-seeing Taker’s Guild dogs their every step, and thief and knight must flee the known world entirely if they hope to succeed in their mission. But trouble finds Kinch wherever he goes, and the pair may have traded the devil they know for horrors far darker and hungrier as they enter lands unknown.
384 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication October 13, 2026
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Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I don't like reading e-books. Give me paper or give me dea- Scratch that. I'll read an e-book if you give me a really good reason, and "being the only way to read 'The Thrice-Bound Fool' now" was more than good enough.
So, despite being beset by many other duties, distractions, and disasters I have now finished the book. I'm left with the problem of putting into words why it's so good...
The bottom line is simply that it's Christopher Buehlman, and Mr B is one of the very best authors I've read. If you've read any of his other work you'll understand. He might have appealed to you with his excellent humour (he spent many years entertaining crowds as a comedian). He might have caught you with his story-telling, or his ability to get past your guard and side-swipe you with a low blow to the feels. Or, he might just have hooked you with his prose which is as effective as it is unpretentious.
The book carries on from The Blacktongue Thief directly, with Kinch and Galva and the Book of the Full Shadow.
I'd be hard-pressed to tell you what the plot of The Blacktongue Thief was, despite enjoying it so much. What I remember is a sequence of shocking, horrifying, funny, captivating scenes, sometimes one or two of these things, sometimes all of the above. This book in a similar way has a direction to it that appears to be shredded and thrown to the wind by circumstance.
What we're left with could be uncharitably described as "a series of things that happened". But so could many great books, like The Wise Man's Fear. The series of things that happen are so variously shocking, funny, horrifying, and captivating that it was a delight to simply wander through them in the company of this odd couple that we grew to love so much in The Blacktongue Thief.
Kinch is our point of view, but we know so much more about what's going on behind Galva's largely expressionless exterior because The Daughters' War made her into a deep multi-faceted character that we couldn't help but care about. And there's rather lovely link into that narrative in the book.
So, we are rapidly derailed into a delightful chaos where Kinch and Galva are subject to all manner of danger and a variety of encounters until they are washed up on the shores (figuratively speaking) of a desert-bound city filled with wonder and horror in equal measure.
The book doesn't miss any emotional beats either, with the characters having deeper moments amongst the amusing and the terrifying, and with more complex issues to deal with as well.
Some readers are all about plot. If the plot isn't developing (as they imagine the plot) then they feel that "nothing has happened". Moreover, they might call the book "slow" even if it's a non-stop action-fest. It's a different kind of reading to the sort that I'm familiar with, but having seen it in action, I've come to understand it. Hopefully, even such readers will be so taken with the wild ride that Buehlman takes us on that they won't at the end of it measure the worth of the journey by how far it has taken us along this notional plotline.
This is a wonderful, criminally entertaining book about a journey that is not guaranteed to advance us in terms of over-arching plot or even geography, but is still, nonetheless, a helluva trip. We dive deep into our characters, their relationship, and a world that fascinates me.
Warning: This book may contain traces of goblin.
The goblin content is considerably lower than that of either of the two previous books, but they are a factor, an important one, and when they are absent, Buehlman fills the void with the products of his fascinating imagination.
If you've read The Blacktongue Thief and The Daughters' War then you will already want to read this book. I'm here to tell you that you need to!
Join my Patreon
Join my 3-emails-a-year newsletter #prizes
.
So, despite being beset by many other duties, distractions, and disasters I have now finished the book. I'm left with the problem of putting into words why it's so good...
The bottom line is simply that it's Christopher Buehlman, and Mr B is one of the very best authors I've read. If you've read any of his other work you'll understand. He might have appealed to you with his excellent humour (he spent many years entertaining crowds as a comedian). He might have caught you with his story-telling, or his ability to get past your guard and side-swipe you with a low blow to the feels. Or, he might just have hooked you with his prose which is as effective as it is unpretentious.
The book carries on from The Blacktongue Thief directly, with Kinch and Galva and the Book of the Full Shadow.
I'd be hard-pressed to tell you what the plot of The Blacktongue Thief was, despite enjoying it so much. What I remember is a sequence of shocking, horrifying, funny, captivating scenes, sometimes one or two of these things, sometimes all of the above. This book in a similar way has a direction to it that appears to be shredded and thrown to the wind by circumstance.
What we're left with could be uncharitably described as "a series of things that happened". But so could many great books, like The Wise Man's Fear. The series of things that happen are so variously shocking, funny, horrifying, and captivating that it was a delight to simply wander through them in the company of this odd couple that we grew to love so much in The Blacktongue Thief.
Kinch is our point of view, but we know so much more about what's going on behind Galva's largely expressionless exterior because The Daughters' War made her into a deep multi-faceted character that we couldn't help but care about. And there's rather lovely link into that narrative in the book.
So, we are rapidly derailed into a delightful chaos where Kinch and Galva are subject to all manner of danger and a variety of encounters until they are washed up on the shores (figuratively speaking) of a desert-bound city filled with wonder and horror in equal measure.
The book doesn't miss any emotional beats either, with the characters having deeper moments amongst the amusing and the terrifying, and with more complex issues to deal with as well.
Some readers are all about plot. If the plot isn't developing (as they imagine the plot) then they feel that "nothing has happened". Moreover, they might call the book "slow" even if it's a non-stop action-fest. It's a different kind of reading to the sort that I'm familiar with, but having seen it in action, I've come to understand it. Hopefully, even such readers will be so taken with the wild ride that Buehlman takes us on that they won't at the end of it measure the worth of the journey by how far it has taken us along this notional plotline.
This is a wonderful, criminally entertaining book about a journey that is not guaranteed to advance us in terms of over-arching plot or even geography, but is still, nonetheless, a helluva trip. We dive deep into our characters, their relationship, and a world that fascinates me.
Warning: This book may contain traces of goblin.
The goblin content is considerably lower than that of either of the two previous books, but they are a factor, an important one, and when they are absent, Buehlman fills the void with the products of his fascinating imagination.
If you've read The Blacktongue Thief and The Daughters' War then you will already want to read this book. I'm here to tell you that you need to!
Join my Patreon
Join my 3-emails-a-year newsletter #prizes
.
Want to Read
November 27, 2025Rao. I guess we are going to Giantlands. :)
I am seated, I love this world and I would die for Galva.
July 27, 2026
Damn damn damn damn damn.
this series kills me.
galva remains the love of my life. i wanna get “bolnu” tattooed over my heart.
this series kills me.
galva remains the love of my life. i wanna get “bolnu” tattooed over my heart.
Want to Read
May 6, 2026SUPER PSYCHED ABOUT THIS!!!!
Want to Read
June 1, 2026I cannot wait to dive into this one! I love the orange cover art and it sounds so cool that we are going to the land of the giants!
I gave both the Blacktongue Theif and Daughters War a full 5 stars and I'm confident that the Thrice-Bound Fool will be another five star favorite:)
I gave both the Blacktongue Theif and Daughters War a full 5 stars and I'm confident that the Thrice-Bound Fool will be another five star favorite:)
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I won an ARC of this (thank you, Goodreads and Gollancz), so I know what I'm doing this weekend -- yay!! I did dip into it long enough to read the dedication page, which...wow. Well, you'll see when you buy your copy in October ;)
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Ok, so I tore through this in a day and a half, unable to put it down -- longer review to come when I have words and can speak again, but in the meantime OMG AMAZING
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Ok, so I tore through this in a day and a half, unable to put it down -- longer review to come when I have words and can speak again, but in the meantime OMG AMAZING
August 12, 2026
Big thanks to the publisher for sending me an ARC of this book
4.5
This was great, to no one’s surprise. I will say that the beginning felt a bit on the slow side, and at times I felt it was all a bit meandering, but man did it all come together in the end. The final third of the book was SO strong and probably bumped my rating by a full star.
Kinch and Galva are one of my favorite fantasy duos and I won’t tire of seeing their stories play out. The stakes were high and there were several times in this book when my jaw actually dropped, when I audibly gasped, when I cheered and when I held my breath.
Christopher Buehlman did it again and I really cannot wait to see what is next from this author.
4.5
This was great, to no one’s surprise. I will say that the beginning felt a bit on the slow side, and at times I felt it was all a bit meandering, but man did it all come together in the end. The final third of the book was SO strong and probably bumped my rating by a full star.
Kinch and Galva are one of my favorite fantasy duos and I won’t tire of seeing their stories play out. The stakes were high and there were several times in this book when my jaw actually dropped, when I audibly gasped, when I cheered and when I held my breath.
Christopher Buehlman did it again and I really cannot wait to see what is next from this author.
August 17, 2026
4.5 stars rounded up.
"The Thrice-Bound Fool" picks up a little while after "The Blacktongue Thief" with Kinch and Galva crossing some terribly deadly mountains with a terribly deadly book. While the setup to this adventure is clear, it quickly deviates into a survival tale of fighting, slavery, and revolution – one with a truly mindblowing ending for our cast. The weakest link of "The Blacktongue Thief" is mostly missing in action here - Norrigal, I keep trying to love you, you underdeveloped witchlet – but honestly "The Thrice-Bound Fool" is better for a smaller, tighter cast. Kinch and Galva's friendship is on full display here, and is truly emotional. "The Thrice-Bound Fool" is less overtly funny than its predecessor, but that isn't surprising – there's a lot to be stressed and depressed about happening here! I found it overall a stronger story, too – the payoff for the ending in particular felt like a truly terrible catharsis. This series is so fun and defies my expectations each time!
"The Thrice-Bound Fool" picks up a little while after "The Blacktongue Thief" with Kinch and Galva crossing some terribly deadly mountains with a terribly deadly book. While the setup to this adventure is clear, it quickly deviates into a survival tale of fighting, slavery, and revolution – one with a truly mindblowing ending for our cast. The weakest link of "The Blacktongue Thief" is mostly missing in action here - Norrigal, I keep trying to love you, you underdeveloped witchlet – but honestly "The Thrice-Bound Fool" is better for a smaller, tighter cast. Kinch and Galva's friendship is on full display here, and is truly emotional. "The Thrice-Bound Fool" is less overtly funny than its predecessor, but that isn't surprising – there's a lot to be stressed and depressed about happening here! I found it overall a stronger story, too – the payoff for the ending in particular felt like a truly terrible catharsis. This series is so fun and defies my expectations each time!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 STARS! WHAT A GREAT SEQUEL! Book two is rarely better than book one, but here we are.
The Thrice-Bound Fool by Christopher Buehlman was a non-stop, darkly witty, and thoroughly entertaining ride. His writing style is dissimilar to many other writers out there, and if he can keep it up, I’ll keep coming back for more. Joe Abercrombie gave me similar vibes with The Devils, but I think this surpasses even that fantastic novel. The world-building can be harsh here because you’re tossed right in on your ear, but it lends itself to the experience of this dark world full of thieves and goblins, death, conspiracy, corruption, giant war corvids, and knife birds. There are giants and despair with equal amounts of heroics and blind, hilarious luck. There is camaraderie and loss, but love and redemption. I mean, what doesn’t this story have?
This book is a continuation of the Black Tongue Thief (available on KU), which was also a very good time. While I very much enjoyed the Black Tongued Thief, this book took my love of the story, its characters, and Buehlman’s writing to a whole new level. I did not find there to be a single dull moment, and as with the first novel, it was laugh-out-loud funny. I don’t know where he comes up with this stuff, but kark me, it’s hilarious. (Kark is a book reference, not a typo btw.)
This story follows Kinch and Galva on their quest to help Galva’s beloved queen and fight the power of Kinch’s Taker’s Guild. They find the Book of the Full Shadow – what an awful book – but we don’t get to learn too much about it and its murder alphabet (yep, if you don’t know this written language before reading it – dead as doornail, what a twist!) because life happens and they’re swept into slavery by giants and half giants (because full giants weren’t enough of a pain in the rump!) Do they escape? Do they succumb? Somehow, the answer to both questions is somewhat yes. What a story, what a ride, what an author! I highly recommend this series and this author to anyone who loves dark high fantasy with vulgar language and gut-busting dark humor. This story and world are unique, and I can’t wait to see what else awaits these characters.
I haven’t yet read the prequel (The Daughters’ War), but I hear the pacing is slower and it’s a bit darker and less witty. However, I do believe it will breathe more depth and dimension into the story, and it’s FMC, so I do plan on reading that one as well while waiting for the next installment in this series. Highly recommend!!
The Thrice-Bound Fool by Christopher Buehlman was a non-stop, darkly witty, and thoroughly entertaining ride. His writing style is dissimilar to many other writers out there, and if he can keep it up, I’ll keep coming back for more. Joe Abercrombie gave me similar vibes with The Devils, but I think this surpasses even that fantastic novel. The world-building can be harsh here because you’re tossed right in on your ear, but it lends itself to the experience of this dark world full of thieves and goblins, death, conspiracy, corruption, giant war corvids, and knife birds. There are giants and despair with equal amounts of heroics and blind, hilarious luck. There is camaraderie and loss, but love and redemption. I mean, what doesn’t this story have?
This book is a continuation of the Black Tongue Thief (available on KU), which was also a very good time. While I very much enjoyed the Black Tongued Thief, this book took my love of the story, its characters, and Buehlman’s writing to a whole new level. I did not find there to be a single dull moment, and as with the first novel, it was laugh-out-loud funny. I don’t know where he comes up with this stuff, but kark me, it’s hilarious. (Kark is a book reference, not a typo btw.)
This story follows Kinch and Galva on their quest to help Galva’s beloved queen and fight the power of Kinch’s Taker’s Guild. They find the Book of the Full Shadow – what an awful book – but we don’t get to learn too much about it and its murder alphabet (yep, if you don’t know this written language before reading it – dead as doornail, what a twist!) because life happens and they’re swept into slavery by giants and half giants (because full giants weren’t enough of a pain in the rump!) Do they escape? Do they succumb? Somehow, the answer to both questions is somewhat yes. What a story, what a ride, what an author! I highly recommend this series and this author to anyone who loves dark high fantasy with vulgar language and gut-busting dark humor. This story and world are unique, and I can’t wait to see what else awaits these characters.
I haven’t yet read the prequel (The Daughters’ War), but I hear the pacing is slower and it’s a bit darker and less witty. However, I do believe it will breathe more depth and dimension into the story, and it’s FMC, so I do plan on reading that one as well while waiting for the next installment in this series. Highly recommend!!
August 29, 2026
I received a digital review copy from Macmillan on Edelweiss.
I have said it before and I will say it again—Christopher Buehlman is one of the (if not the) best fantasy writers putting pen to paper today. The Thrice-Bound Fool proves it for the third book in a row.
We're back with Kinch as the narrator, which means a plenitude of jokes, japes, snark and shenanigans. The almost absurd volume of ridiculous shit these two get into is astounding, but for the reader it's Buehlman going ham on worldbuilding and it's karking entertaining as hell. The man's got inventions and adaptations in spades. And he seems, like VanderMeer, to maybe be a bird guy? Which is great, it really is, except Buehlman translates them into cool varieties of murder birds in his world and they're terrifying. The chapter titled Hoooooo, Hoooooo!? Yeah, no degree in rocket science required to figure that one out.
Also a gaggle of gastrointestinal gaffs. I don't remember The Blacktongue Thief having this many farts, at least. Not that I'm complaining; every scene that ended in a little toot (or an explosive kark) had me in tears laughing.
But this isn't just a light, comedic romp across a hellish mountain range into new lands to escape the grasp of The Guild in order to read the biggest asshole of a book a setting's had that I have read yet. There is plenty of pain and suffering to go around. But in Buehlman's way, it's always meaningful to character development and usually sandwiched in between moments of heartbreaking vulnerability. Neither Kinch nor Galva are the same characters leaving this tale as they were going in.
Towards the beginning, Norrigal tells Kinch that a certain option is going to have a price and that he's going to absolutely hate it. And she was right. We the reader, too, suffer the pain of this in a way it feels like perhaps only Buehlman has the aptitude to execute.
The last 10% of this book had me gasping in shock, yelling "HOLY FUCK!" and tearing up, a gaping hole in my chest. And then the last few lines of the book...
Buehlman is a must-read. Truly one of the greats, whose books breathe fresh life into a genre that can really feel recycled sometimes. Kinch and Galva are my ride or dies. Bolnu, bolnu, bolnu. Another five star read.
I have said it before and I will say it again—Christopher Buehlman is one of the (if not the) best fantasy writers putting pen to paper today. The Thrice-Bound Fool proves it for the third book in a row.
We're back with Kinch as the narrator, which means a plenitude of jokes, japes, snark and shenanigans. The almost absurd volume of ridiculous shit these two get into is astounding, but for the reader it's Buehlman going ham on worldbuilding and it's karking entertaining as hell. The man's got inventions and adaptations in spades. And he seems, like VanderMeer, to maybe be a bird guy? Which is great, it really is, except Buehlman translates them into cool varieties of murder birds in his world and they're terrifying. The chapter titled Hoooooo, Hoooooo!? Yeah, no degree in rocket science required to figure that one out.
Also a gaggle of gastrointestinal gaffs. I don't remember The Blacktongue Thief having this many farts, at least. Not that I'm complaining; every scene that ended in a little toot (or an explosive kark) had me in tears laughing.
But this isn't just a light, comedic romp across a hellish mountain range into new lands to escape the grasp of The Guild in order to read the biggest asshole of a book a setting's had that I have read yet. There is plenty of pain and suffering to go around. But in Buehlman's way, it's always meaningful to character development and usually sandwiched in between moments of heartbreaking vulnerability. Neither Kinch nor Galva are the same characters leaving this tale as they were going in.
Towards the beginning, Norrigal tells Kinch that a certain option is going to have a price and that he's going to absolutely hate it. And she was right. We the reader, too, suffer the pain of this in a way it feels like perhaps only Buehlman has the aptitude to execute.
The last 10% of this book had me gasping in shock, yelling "HOLY FUCK!" and tearing up, a gaping hole in my chest. And then the last few lines of the book...
Buehlman is a must-read. Truly one of the greats, whose books breathe fresh life into a genre that can really feel recycled sometimes. Kinch and Galva are my ride or dies. Bolnu, bolnu, bolnu. Another five star read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Buehlman somehow pulled it off again. The Thrice-Bound Fool has everything I loved about The Blacktongue Thief, but it takes the story into darker, weirder, and even more ambitious territory.
Kinch is still one of my favorite fantasy narrators. He's hilarious, sarcastic, constantly gettinghimself into impossible situations, and somehow always manages to talk his way through them. But underneath all the jokes, he's grown a lot as a character. Seeing him deal with choices that actually have consequences gives the story a lot more emotional depth than I expected.
One of the best parts of the book is still the relationship between Kinch and Galva. Their banter is fantastic, their respect for each other feels completely earned, and the way they see the world so differently leads to some of the funniest moments as well as some of the most heartfelt ones. Buehlman just has a knack for writing characters who feel like real people, even when they're surrounded by monsters, ancient curses, and impossible magic.
The magic and lore might be the weirdest—and best—they've been so far. The sentient book at the center of the story is fascinating and genuinely creepy, and as more of the mystery unfolds, the horror elements really start to shine. The world keeps getting bigger without ever feeling overwhelming, introducing forgotten places, old legends, and some seriously unsettling discoveries that make everything feel ancient and lived in.
What impressed me most was how well everything balances together. One minute I was laughing, the next I was completely on edge, and then Buehlman would sneak in a surprisingly emotional scene when I least expected it. No matter how big the story gets, it never loses sight of the characters.
Overall, The Thrice-Bound Fool is an excellent continuation of the Blacktongue saga. It blends sharp humor, unforgettable characters, creepy horror, and rich world-building into a story that feels both epic and personal. Kinch continues to be one of the most entertaining voices in fantasy, and the deeper mythology and evolving relationships make this series better with every installment. Easy five stars.
Kinch is still one of my favorite fantasy narrators. He's hilarious, sarcastic, constantly gettinghimself into impossible situations, and somehow always manages to talk his way through them. But underneath all the jokes, he's grown a lot as a character. Seeing him deal with choices that actually have consequences gives the story a lot more emotional depth than I expected.
One of the best parts of the book is still the relationship between Kinch and Galva. Their banter is fantastic, their respect for each other feels completely earned, and the way they see the world so differently leads to some of the funniest moments as well as some of the most heartfelt ones. Buehlman just has a knack for writing characters who feel like real people, even when they're surrounded by monsters, ancient curses, and impossible magic.
The magic and lore might be the weirdest—and best—they've been so far. The sentient book at the center of the story is fascinating and genuinely creepy, and as more of the mystery unfolds, the horror elements really start to shine. The world keeps getting bigger without ever feeling overwhelming, introducing forgotten places, old legends, and some seriously unsettling discoveries that make everything feel ancient and lived in.
What impressed me most was how well everything balances together. One minute I was laughing, the next I was completely on edge, and then Buehlman would sneak in a surprisingly emotional scene when I least expected it. No matter how big the story gets, it never loses sight of the characters.
Overall, The Thrice-Bound Fool is an excellent continuation of the Blacktongue saga. It blends sharp humor, unforgettable characters, creepy horror, and rich world-building into a story that feels both epic and personal. Kinch continues to be one of the most entertaining voices in fantasy, and the deeper mythology and evolving relationships make this series better with every installment. Easy five stars.
July 12, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Christopher Buehlman has done it again. What a wickedly funny, fucked, and often quite emotional ride this was. The best way I can think to describe The Thrice-Bound Fool is that it felt like Buehlman wrote his own version of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I loved both Blacktongue Thief and The Daughter’s War, but I think this might be the strongest in the series. Galva really comes alive as a character after reading The Daughter’s War, and her and Kinch’s relationship is so well written and heartwarming. Kinch is such a great narrator, which is just a testament to Buehlman’s ability as a writer.
Plot-wise, Thrice-Bound Fool has a huge advantage over the other two books in the series as there’s no need for long (though interesting and funny) exposition dumps, so we get to see Kinch and Galva navigate their very grim situations rather than spend such a chunk of the book learning about their world. I just love these two characters so much and am generally happy to read about them doing quite literally anything together, but it was great to have a little more of a plot and a little less tragedy than the first two books. Not that the heart-wrenching moments weren’t heart-wrenching; if anything, they were even more brutal with a deepened understanding of Kinch and Galva’s relationship.
If you like talking cuttlefish, fascinating worlds, hilarious narrators, murder alphabets, evil books, and a fun reading experience that doesn’t ask you to turn your brain off, this book and series are for you. I love these karking books! 4.5/5 stars!
Christopher Buehlman has done it again. What a wickedly funny, fucked, and often quite emotional ride this was. The best way I can think to describe The Thrice-Bound Fool is that it felt like Buehlman wrote his own version of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I loved both Blacktongue Thief and The Daughter’s War, but I think this might be the strongest in the series. Galva really comes alive as a character after reading The Daughter’s War, and her and Kinch’s relationship is so well written and heartwarming. Kinch is such a great narrator, which is just a testament to Buehlman’s ability as a writer.
Plot-wise, Thrice-Bound Fool has a huge advantage over the other two books in the series as there’s no need for long (though interesting and funny) exposition dumps, so we get to see Kinch and Galva navigate their very grim situations rather than spend such a chunk of the book learning about their world. I just love these two characters so much and am generally happy to read about them doing quite literally anything together, but it was great to have a little more of a plot and a little less tragedy than the first two books. Not that the heart-wrenching moments weren’t heart-wrenching; if anything, they were even more brutal with a deepened understanding of Kinch and Galva’s relationship.
If you like talking cuttlefish, fascinating worlds, hilarious narrators, murder alphabets, evil books, and a fun reading experience that doesn’t ask you to turn your brain off, this book and series are for you. I love these karking books! 4.5/5 stars!
Review of advance copy received from Shelf Awareness Pro
If I was only allowed to read one book over the next five years, I'd pick this one. I swear Christopher Buehlman is a genius. The character building is phenomenal. You also see a more vulnerable side to Kinch and Galva.
The magic, monsters, creatures and world building are the most unique I've ever read. This adventure was action packed from page one and never stopped. It far surpassed my expectations.
I feel like the author this time was like f it. I'm not holding back- It seemed more confident in the crass, brutal, sarcastic comedy. Absolutely found myself smiling and chuckling. A. Lot.
As I am a HUGE fan of Between Two Fires, dare I say this one is better?
I don't want to say more and give spoilers but there is no way anyone would not like this book. Go pre-order it now. I have a copy and I'm still ordering one because this author deserves evey penny for his books.
I sincerely hope the author is at his desk right now working on the the next one because I can't wait.
THANK YOU to TOR Publishing for this amazing ARC. Honored to have read it and review it.
ALSO- If you haven't read The Daughters War (prequel to the Blacktongue Thief) you should before this one comes out in October. It's a little slower, but will add to the character development and love of these characters.
What an incredible book- "Whiskey and cake. Whiskey and cake"
The magic, monsters, creatures and world building are the most unique I've ever read. This adventure was action packed from page one and never stopped. It far surpassed my expectations.
I feel like the author this time was like f it. I'm not holding back- It seemed more confident in the crass, brutal, sarcastic comedy. Absolutely found myself smiling and chuckling. A. Lot.
As I am a HUGE fan of Between Two Fires, dare I say this one is better?
I don't want to say more and give spoilers but there is no way anyone would not like this book. Go pre-order it now. I have a copy and I'm still ordering one because this author deserves evey penny for his books.
I sincerely hope the author is at his desk right now working on the the next one because I can't wait.
THANK YOU to TOR Publishing for this amazing ARC. Honored to have read it and review it.
ALSO- If you haven't read The Daughters War (prequel to the Blacktongue Thief) you should before this one comes out in October. It's a little slower, but will add to the character development and love of these characters.
What an incredible book- "Whiskey and cake. Whiskey and cake"
August 11, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, Tor, and the author for the eARC! All thoughts are honest and my own!
I have been DYING to get back to Kinch and Galva’s story since reading both The Blacktongue Thief and The Daughters’ War last year, and let me tell you, The Thrice-Bound Fool was ABSOLUTELY worth the wait! The Blacktongue Series is one of the most original, hysterical, and exciting fantasy series I’ve ever read! Once again, Buehlman easily proves why he is such a phenomenal author (and one of my absolute favorites)—the world building is sprinkled in throughout the series and is dropped with the commentary of our main characters, which is one of my favorite hallmarks of this series. Picking up right where The Blacktongue Thief leaves off, The Thrice-Bound Fool finds Kinch and Galva crossing the dangerous Thrall Mountains to hide a snarky, spine-chilling, sentient magic book that can take creatures and kynd alike when in need of a body from the Takers Guild and to reach Galva’s queen and former lover, Mireya. And the killer mountains are only the beginning—the Giantlands await, and there lie secrets that could destroy everything and everyone Kinch and Galva have ever known.
I loved every single second of this amazing book! Prepare for gods, goblins, half-giants, gladiators, gut-busting laughs, vicious battles, epic stakes, magic, and heartbreak like you’ve never felt before! The Thrice-Bound Fool releases on 10/13 and should DEFINITELY be on your radar!
I have been DYING to get back to Kinch and Galva’s story since reading both The Blacktongue Thief and The Daughters’ War last year, and let me tell you, The Thrice-Bound Fool was ABSOLUTELY worth the wait! The Blacktongue Series is one of the most original, hysterical, and exciting fantasy series I’ve ever read! Once again, Buehlman easily proves why he is such a phenomenal author (and one of my absolute favorites)—the world building is sprinkled in throughout the series and is dropped with the commentary of our main characters, which is one of my favorite hallmarks of this series. Picking up right where The Blacktongue Thief leaves off, The Thrice-Bound Fool finds Kinch and Galva crossing the dangerous Thrall Mountains to hide a snarky, spine-chilling, sentient magic book that can take creatures and kynd alike when in need of a body from the Takers Guild and to reach Galva’s queen and former lover, Mireya. And the killer mountains are only the beginning—the Giantlands await, and there lie secrets that could destroy everything and everyone Kinch and Galva have ever known.
I loved every single second of this amazing book! Prepare for gods, goblins, half-giants, gladiators, gut-busting laughs, vicious battles, epic stakes, magic, and heartbreak like you’ve never felt before! The Thrice-Bound Fool releases on 10/13 and should DEFINITELY be on your radar!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
(I received a free copy of an uncorrected advanced reader copy of this book via Goodreads Giveaway.)
Whatever I expected from the sequel to The Blacktongue Thief, this was certainly not it. 😁
Inventive, descriptive, very much earning the "fantasy adventure" label. It's still a grim, gruesome, and horrible world, but Kinch na Shannock's trademark irreverence and refusal to give in to despair are still very much in evidence. There are some real twists and turns, and the world expands in ways that make me wonder exactly how many books Mr. Buehlman has planned (not that I have a problem with that!)
Interestingly, while the world of the books gets much bigger (that's a pun, folks!) the story itself draws in a bit with this entry; in some ways it's a more intimate story, with fewer main characters (for a significant chunk of the story Kinch is entirely on his own) on the page. A lot of contemporary fantasy takes the opposite approach, with a full party structure and often multiple (tending towards "so many they can be hard to keep track of") POV characters, so it's an interesting bit of counter-programming in that respect.
All in all, if you enjoyed the first book (and the prequel) and wanted more of Kinch and Galva and this weird world Buehlman has conjured, this one is a wonderful continuation of that story.
Whatever I expected from the sequel to The Blacktongue Thief, this was certainly not it. 😁
Inventive, descriptive, very much earning the "fantasy adventure" label. It's still a grim, gruesome, and horrible world, but Kinch na Shannock's trademark irreverence and refusal to give in to despair are still very much in evidence. There are some real twists and turns, and the world expands in ways that make me wonder exactly how many books Mr. Buehlman has planned (not that I have a problem with that!)
Interestingly, while the world of the books gets much bigger (that's a pun, folks!) the story itself draws in a bit with this entry; in some ways it's a more intimate story, with fewer main characters (for a significant chunk of the story Kinch is entirely on his own) on the page. A lot of contemporary fantasy takes the opposite approach, with a full party structure and often multiple (tending towards "so many they can be hard to keep track of") POV characters, so it's an interesting bit of counter-programming in that respect.
All in all, if you enjoyed the first book (and the prequel) and wanted more of Kinch and Galva and this weird world Buehlman has conjured, this one is a wonderful continuation of that story.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I received this book with a Goodreads giveaway so thought it appropriate to give a review. First, I really liked it. I read it in two days and once I started reading didn't want to put it down. I gave it 4 rather than 5 stars just because I'm not sure if a year or two from now I'll remember it and want to read it again. That's kinda my standard for a 5 star. I had read the two prior books in this series and enjoyed them. This book has a much different tone than the Daughter's War. It was not exactly a light read but had genuinely funny moments. Maybe closer to dark humor? Anyway, it doesn't really go where you expect it to go after reading The Blacktongue Thief. To the extent I thought that the author changed his mind where he was going. It did come back around at the end and wound up connecting but I still am not sure the book will do anything to a greater story. I liked that the main part of the book dealt with a fantasy race that is a little less traditional and didn't rely on what everyone already "knows" about Elves, Dwarfs, Orcs, etc. It felt a little like a race John Carter of Mars would run into that was both more and less civilized than the one the characters came from. Bottom line, I highly recomend you pick this one up and give it a try.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
First, the caveat. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. I do not think that affects my review.
Kinch is back!
I very much enjoyed The Black Tongue Thief which is the first volume of Kinch's adventures. The Thrice Bound Fool continues where Thief left off, and leaves lots of threads for continuation.
That said, for maximum enjoyment, I suggest you read Black Tongue Thief before jumping into Thrice Bound Fool.
What you will find in this book? A lot of humor, some scatological. A head-long pace of adventures and misadventures. An evil book of spells capable of more mischief than you'd expect a book to get into. A partnership between a thief and a warrior. A vocabulary indigenous to this world. Some very accurate passages about trying to hike through mountains in winter.
I very much enjoy Kinch and Galva, and the relationship between these two unlikely companions on a difficult quest. The twists and turns and the swift pace of the book kept me turning the pages.
A lot of fantasy books that feature humor do so at the expense of the characters. Thrice Bound Fool manages to be fast paced and humorous while keeping the reader always on Kinch's side.
Kinch is back!
I very much enjoyed The Black Tongue Thief which is the first volume of Kinch's adventures. The Thrice Bound Fool continues where Thief left off, and leaves lots of threads for continuation.
That said, for maximum enjoyment, I suggest you read Black Tongue Thief before jumping into Thrice Bound Fool.
What you will find in this book? A lot of humor, some scatological. A head-long pace of adventures and misadventures. An evil book of spells capable of more mischief than you'd expect a book to get into. A partnership between a thief and a warrior. A vocabulary indigenous to this world. Some very accurate passages about trying to hike through mountains in winter.
I very much enjoy Kinch and Galva, and the relationship between these two unlikely companions on a difficult quest. The twists and turns and the swift pace of the book kept me turning the pages.
A lot of fantasy books that feature humor do so at the expense of the characters. Thrice Bound Fool manages to be fast paced and humorous while keeping the reader always on Kinch's side.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
What occurs in this book was nothing like I expected, yet exactly what I needed at this time. "The Thrice-Bound Fool" by Christopher Buehlman takes us off the map into a world a cheeky rejoinder isn't going to cut it. Thank you @torbooks for the copy, folks can grab it on 13 October.
When trying to decipher a book, that actively tries to kill you, not being chased by a band of killers is handy. Kinch Na Shannack and Galva dom Braga do not have that luxury. Within every city a stronghold of killers waits for them, so head into the unknown of the Giantlands. Easier said than done when the mountain, weird animals, and yokles are all trying to kill them as well. It's karked.
Reasons to read:
-We are going to touch on some dark stuff so enjoy the moments of comedy
-Sick architecture...if you can get past the (spoilers)
-New associate, who put me in my cups and you'll get slight spoilers on the second image from my old job
-He makes her a little more mercenary, she makes him a better human. Good friendship built on deeds
Cons:
-It's going to get darker before it gets better
When trying to decipher a book, that actively tries to kill you, not being chased by a band of killers is handy. Kinch Na Shannack and Galva dom Braga do not have that luxury. Within every city a stronghold of killers waits for them, so head into the unknown of the Giantlands. Easier said than done when the mountain, weird animals, and yokles are all trying to kill them as well. It's karked.
Reasons to read:
-We are going to touch on some dark stuff so enjoy the moments of comedy
-Sick architecture...if you can get past the (spoilers)
-New associate, who put me in my cups and you'll get slight spoilers on the second image from my old job
-He makes her a little more mercenary, she makes him a better human. Good friendship built on deeds
Cons:
-It's going to get darker before it gets better
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I was extremely excited and honored to receive an early copy of this book from the publisher. After loving the Blacktongue Thief, I was eager to dive into this second installment.
The witty and quirky prose of the first book comes back in full force in the Thrice Bound Fool. I love this characters voice, and the entire book was fun and enjoyable and a relatively light read.
I gave this book three stars mainly due to the plot. The characters jump around and dabble in a few of the main fantasy tropes, which felt a little too sporadic for my liking. The storyline never felt entirely clear, but to be fair, what can you expect when Kinch is telling a story of his adventures over the Thralls into the lands of the giants?
Overall the book was great. Minus a few storyline issues I felt personally, I had a really fun time reading this story. For anyone who enjoyed the Blacktongue Thief, you will like jumping right back in with the snarky characters you’ve learned to love. Definitely worth grabbing a copy when it becomes available to the masses.
The witty and quirky prose of the first book comes back in full force in the Thrice Bound Fool. I love this characters voice, and the entire book was fun and enjoyable and a relatively light read.
I gave this book three stars mainly due to the plot. The characters jump around and dabble in a few of the main fantasy tropes, which felt a little too sporadic for my liking. The storyline never felt entirely clear, but to be fair, what can you expect when Kinch is telling a story of his adventures over the Thralls into the lands of the giants?
Overall the book was great. Minus a few storyline issues I felt personally, I had a really fun time reading this story. For anyone who enjoyed the Blacktongue Thief, you will like jumping right back in with the snarky characters you’ve learned to love. Definitely worth grabbing a copy when it becomes available to the masses.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It took me almost two months to read this book; partly that's because my personal life had some interesting twists and turns along the way, and partly that's because the book's middle chunk does as well. It meanders, and while it eventually gets going in a way that moves the overall plot forwards, it wasn't a strong enough push to get me to read it quickly.
That having been said, the worldbuilding continues to be excellent and so, so creative. The prose is a joy, all snarky and cruel. The action is clear and understandable while also being driving on a scene level. Buehlman is a talented author, and he knows when to give a blow-by-blow and when plot expectations are such that you can give a précis.
I think that if I had not had my own life go a little bit sideways I would have read this within a week, but the fact remains that I think that the plotting was less strong than the first entry in the series and that the book as a whole suffered for it. Who knows - I'll reread this someday and might find that actually it's perfectly plotted and I was just unable to appreciate it.
That having been said, the worldbuilding continues to be excellent and so, so creative. The prose is a joy, all snarky and cruel. The action is clear and understandable while also being driving on a scene level. Buehlman is a talented author, and he knows when to give a blow-by-blow and when plot expectations are such that you can give a précis.
I think that if I had not had my own life go a little bit sideways I would have read this within a week, but the fact remains that I think that the plotting was less strong than the first entry in the series and that the book as a whole suffered for it. Who knows - I'll reread this someday and might find that actually it's perfectly plotted and I was just unable to appreciate it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Marvelous, simply marvelous. An outstanding sequel to an already epic fantasy world. Are you like me? Did you read The Blacktongue Thief and The Daughter's War, listen to both on audiobook, and after a little while gave the Blacktongue audio a second spin because it is just that good, and you didn't want to leave this world?
You will be utterly delighted with this next installment. A new adventure starring Kinch and Galva, and yes! their relationship deepens, informed by both the previous books. Yes! There is action, adventure, plenty of Kinch's smartass attitude and rough and tumble life advice. There's magic, there's monsters, there's hilarity and tragedy, there is magic and wonder. By Fothannon's furry russet rump, get your hands on this timeless gem as soon as you can!
Thanks to Tor and Netgalley for the eARC.
You will be utterly delighted with this next installment. A new adventure starring Kinch and Galva, and yes! their relationship deepens, informed by both the previous books. Yes! There is action, adventure, plenty of Kinch's smartass attitude and rough and tumble life advice. There's magic, there's monsters, there's hilarity and tragedy, there is magic and wonder. By Fothannon's furry russet rump, get your hands on this timeless gem as soon as you can!
Thanks to Tor and Netgalley for the eARC.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Buehlman delivers again with his signature blend of pulse-pounding action, gut-busting humour, and heart-wrenching moments in this long-awaited sequel to The Blacktongue Thief.
True to form, Kinch and Galva absolutely can NOT catch a break. They finally make it into the giantlands, only to be thrust into a whole new world of trouble almost immediately, and it only gets worse for them from there.
They will be tried.
They will be changed.
They will probably survive.
Can I just say I am PISSED I have to wait until October to talk about that ending because it was INSANE.
I really hope we don't have to wait another 5 years for the next book 😭
HUGE thank you to the publisher for sending me an ARC 🙏🏻
True to form, Kinch and Galva absolutely can NOT catch a break. They finally make it into the giantlands, only to be thrust into a whole new world of trouble almost immediately, and it only gets worse for them from there.
They will be tried.
They will be changed.
They will probably survive.
Can I just say I am PISSED I have to wait until October to talk about that ending because it was INSANE.
I really hope we don't have to wait another 5 years for the next book 😭
HUGE thank you to the publisher for sending me an ARC 🙏🏻
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Thrice-Bound Fool was my most anticipated book since it was announced and it was well worth the wait! The Blacktongue Thief humor and storytelling with a few spots of the morose feeling of The Daughters' War.
What an epic karkin’ adventure! I loved the world and the cities and the creatures and Kinch describing it all to me. I laughed, I cried, I looked up ‘clyster’ when I was specifically told not to. I dislike spoilers of any kind so I’m being vague on purpose, except for the clyster, that is pretty on the nose. Don’t look it up.
Highly recommended for fans of people with creatures living in their tattoos or even fans of cuttlefish writing.
Thanks to Tor Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC!
What an epic karkin’ adventure! I loved the world and the cities and the creatures and Kinch describing it all to me. I laughed, I cried, I looked up ‘clyster’ when I was specifically told not to. I dislike spoilers of any kind so I’m being vague on purpose, except for the clyster, that is pretty on the nose. Don’t look it up.
Highly recommended for fans of people with creatures living in their tattoos or even fans of cuttlefish writing.
Thanks to Tor Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC!
August 31, 2026
Christopher Buehlman’s writing is equal parts exciting, hilarious and unhinged. He somehow manages to humanize an increasingly inhuman and creative fantasy environment using pithy dialogue, touching character relationships, and a sensitive and hilarious narrator suffering in an unforgiving world.
The relationship he develops between Kinch and Galva through these first two entries in this epic adventure is filled with so much enjoyable tension and vulnerability that I don’t know that I could tired of their escapades.
This next edition really expands on it’s enormity and brutal nature. Meshing hopelessness with levity, he effectively kept me gripped by the journey, even when it felt like a feral acid trip.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Well I spent two days furiously reading this book and now I'm depressed that it's over. Christopher Buehlman proves himself to be the kind of author that writes characters you care about more and more as the story continues.
Every time I get to visit Galva and Kinch the time is well spent. This book is packed with adventure, cruelty, action, and friendship. Watching Galva and Kinch love each other and fight together was beautiful. I can't wait to see more.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. I waited 6 weeks and was about to give up on my request when it was filled with perfect timing for me to consume it ravenously.
Every time I get to visit Galva and Kinch the time is well spent. This book is packed with adventure, cruelty, action, and friendship. Watching Galva and Kinch love each other and fight together was beautiful. I can't wait to see more.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. I waited 6 weeks and was about to give up on my request when it was filled with perfect timing for me to consume it ravenously.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
The Thrice-Bound Fool by Christopher Buehlman, the direct sequel to The Blacktongue Thief... I don't have the words to do it justice. It is an absolutely cracking read from start to finish. Kinch and Galva, adventure, vulgarity, hilarity, inescapable misery. The whole gamut.
I don't know that I've ever had as much fun with a fantasy adventure series than I have had with Blacktongue. Buehlman is a master wordsmith and his ability to turn a phrase is in a class of its own, alongside Kinch who just steals the show each and every page.
I don't know that I've ever had as much fun with a fantasy adventure series than I have had with Blacktongue. Buehlman is a master wordsmith and his ability to turn a phrase is in a class of its own, alongside Kinch who just steals the show each and every page.
June 27, 2026
Ahhh! I was so sad when this ended because I realized this was an ARC, so not only do I have to wait for the book to actually come out, then I have to wait for the next one to come out! Please Mr Buehlmsn, hurry up and write it, I need to read it.
I was a little thrown off in this one, where it seemed like there was a sudden 180 in the plot and we got almost a whole new plot for the second half of the book, but it all tied nicely together in the end. I need to know what else happens to Kinch and Galva, and I don’t want to wait, let’s go! Lol
I was a little thrown off in this one, where it seemed like there was a sudden 180 in the plot and we got almost a whole new plot for the second half of the book, but it all tied nicely together in the end. I need to know what else happens to Kinch and Galva, and I don’t want to wait, let’s go! Lol
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Lucky to receive an ARC of this one.
In this direct sequel to Blacktongue Thief, published after The Daughter's War prequel which provided Galva's backstory, we're back in Kinch's POV.
More of the same isn't a bad thing here, if you liked the previous two, you won't be let down.
The first section of the book is somewhat episodic, moving from one encounter/fantasy set piece to the next, and this was fun, but was starting to feel slightly aimless before the book really gets going around the second act, when the plot locks in to the larger story that will carry us through the end.
In this direct sequel to Blacktongue Thief, published after The Daughter's War prequel which provided Galva's backstory, we're back in Kinch's POV.
More of the same isn't a bad thing here, if you liked the previous two, you won't be let down.
The first section of the book is somewhat episodic, moving from one encounter/fantasy set piece to the next, and this was fun, but was starting to feel slightly aimless before the book really gets going around the second act, when the plot locks in to the larger story that will carry us through the end.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My thanks to NetGalley for making an eARC of this book available for my review.
Some great world-buiding in this book, our intrepid heroes(?) are first attempting to escape their pursuers while transporting a truly evil book, then it takes a hard right turn to being captured and enslaved in a kingdom of giants (can you say "Lilliput"?) It all makes for some really enjoyable reading, and makes you wish for more.
Some great world-buiding in this book, our intrepid heroes(?) are first attempting to escape their pursuers while transporting a truly evil book, then it takes a hard right turn to being captured and enslaved in a kingdom of giants (can you say "Lilliput"?) It all makes for some really enjoyable reading, and makes you wish for more.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
(review of advance copy via generous Goodreads Giveaways)
After Galva's prequel tale, I came in expecting a grim, sorrowful saga. It is that, at times. More often, it's a black comedy, a litany of inflictions on narrator Kinch as he tries (and usually succeeds) to find the humor in life's latest kick in the nuts.
After Galva's prequel tale, I came in expecting a grim, sorrowful saga. It is that, at times. More often, it's a black comedy, a litany of inflictions on narrator Kinch as he tries (and usually succeeds) to find the humor in life's latest kick in the nuts.
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