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Powder Mage #0.8
Ghosts of the Tristan Basin
Taniel Two-Shot is a powder mage with the Tristan Ghost Irregulars, a band of volunteers who have made a name for themselves fighting in the Fatrastan Revolution. They range through the swamps of the frontier, cutting off enemy supplies and raiding towns while Taniel hunts the Privileged sorcerers that make the Kez armies so powerful.
When a desperate call for help comes from the nearby city of Planth, the Irregulars aren't the only ones to answer and Taniel must deal with another hero of the revolution: Mad Colonel Styke. But not all is well within the young Fatrastan government, and more hangs on the defense of Planth than Taniel and his companions could possibly know.
Occurs eight months before the events of Promise of Blood.
When a desperate call for help comes from the nearby city of Planth, the Irregulars aren't the only ones to answer and Taniel must deal with another hero of the revolution: Mad Colonel Styke. But not all is well within the young Fatrastan government, and more hangs on the defense of Planth than Taniel and his companions could possibly know.
Occurs eight months before the events of Promise of Blood.
90 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 16, 2016
67 people are currently reading
1900 people want to read
About the author
Brian McClellan
35 books8,780 followersBrian McClellan is an American epic fantasy author from Cleveland, Ohio. He is known for his acclaimed Powder Mage Universe and essays on the life and business of being a writer.
Brian now lives on the side of a mountain in Utah with his wife, Michele, where he writes books and nurses a crippling video game addiction.
Brian's novels include the Powder Mage Trilogy (Promise of Blood, The Crimson Campaign, and The Autumn Republic), Gods of Blood and Powder (Sins of Empire, Wrath of Empire, and Blood of Empire), and Valkyrie Collections (Uncanny Collateral)
Brian now lives on the side of a mountain in Utah with his wife, Michele, where he writes books and nurses a crippling video game addiction.
Brian's novels include the Powder Mage Trilogy (Promise of Blood, The Crimson Campaign, and The Autumn Republic), Gods of Blood and Powder (Sins of Empire, Wrath of Empire, and Blood of Empire), and Valkyrie Collections (Uncanny Collateral)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
September 12, 2017
Great shortie, not too much melodramatic, some unexpected twists, great action. Loved the little
and the fascinating
and the fascinating
March 20, 2017
Originally reviewed at Bookwraiths.
Today, I’m reviewing my latest read from Brian McClellan’s Powder Mage world. Yes, I realize I’ve been devouring these things fairly regularly lately, and I do sound like a major fanboy whenever I review one, but I can’t help it: I love this stuff. So much so, in fact, that I’m going to start reading The Crimson Campaign next week. (Just a little forewarning for those of you who tire of my gushing adoration for the series.) But let us focus on Ghosts of the Tristan Basin.
As your brain begins to create the images described in Ghosts’ first paragraph, the swampy wildlands of Fatrastan slowly materialize before your reading eyes; Taniel Two-Shot and Ka-poel, his native companion, busy fighting guerrilla-style war against the invading Kez soldiers. Our duo part of the Tristan Ghost Irregulars, who have spent the Fatrastan War of Independence haunting the marshy Tristan Basin, harassing and killing any enemy troops or their native allies foolish enough to be caught unawares.
By now, the Ghosts are well known among their friends and enemies alike. They are respected and feared as is their deadly powder mage Taniel, whose impossible shooting has built him quite the reputation. But now new orders have reached them, directing them to leave their concealment in the swamp; orders they cannot ignore as they have others before. The leader of the revolution herself is calling ALL rebel forces to gather at the city of Planth; their mission to protect the small hamlet at all costs from a huge (by Fatrastan standards) Kez army marching upon it. The reason for this because something vitally important and irreplaceable to the revolutionary effort is hidden there!
Now, there are lots and lots of things to like about this novella, so to keep me from missing any, I’m going to list them one at a time.
1) Powder mages. I know I always mention them, but I find these guys terribly interesting. I am almost prepared to dub them as my Jedi Knights of the 21st Century. Almost. But not quite yet. They are damn cool though.
2) Taniel Two-Shot and Ka-poel. These guys are pure reading gold for me. Their somewhat unusual relationship and Taniel’s obvious daddy issues really interesting for me to read about. I especially like seeing these early days of their partnership when they are still getting acquainted with one another.
3) Fastran. Obviously, this “new world” and its struggle for freedom mirrors in many ways the real world American Revolution, so there are many familiar themes and events transpiring around our heroes. However, since I personally find the Revolutionary War Period in US history very interesting, I thought this fantasy take on it was amazing. I suppose it isn’t much different than my love of the Powder Mage trilogy subverting the French Revolution.
4) Since I’m really anxious to get my hands on Mr. McClellan’s next book (Sins of Empire, which is the first installment of Gods of Blood and Powder), and since the novel is set in Fatrastan, and since some of the characters in that story actually appear in Ghosts, I was totally excited to get a close up look at the Lady Chancellor and Colonel Ben Styke. The hard-as-nails colonial leader and her half-crazy commander of the Mad Lancers burst off the pages; their personalities clearly shown, their future clashes foreshadowed, and a lot of excitement elicited (at least, in me) for the story of how Ben Style becomes “convicted war hero Styke” and how the leader of a war for freedom turns into a dictator who suppresses her people with a secret police force. Sounds like the next series is going to be amazing.
The only criticism I could level at this novella is the continued ineptitude of the our heroes Kez adversaries. No, they are not as incompetent or as inaccurate as Star Wars storm troopers, but these guys damn sure trip all over themselves constantly. Mr. McClellan definitely provides plausible explanations for their deficiencies, but the Kez here did leave me wanting more skilled, more ominous villains facing Taniel, Ka-pel, and “Mad” Ben Styke.
To put it all into perspective for the big conclusion, Ghosts of the Tristan Basin is a fun-filled, flintlock adventure with American Revolutionary War themes and awe-inspiring powder mage daring-do. It entertains while also organically introducing readers to two of the main characters in the next series by Mr. McClellan. Hell, it even does a great job of building excitement for that next book (Sins of Empire) without making a reader feel like that is its main purpose. So if you like short, epic fantasy stories, love Mr. McClellan’s writing, or need another fix of powder mage awesomeness, you need to go download this one immediately.
Today, I’m reviewing my latest read from Brian McClellan’s Powder Mage world. Yes, I realize I’ve been devouring these things fairly regularly lately, and I do sound like a major fanboy whenever I review one, but I can’t help it: I love this stuff. So much so, in fact, that I’m going to start reading The Crimson Campaign next week. (Just a little forewarning for those of you who tire of my gushing adoration for the series.) But let us focus on Ghosts of the Tristan Basin.
As your brain begins to create the images described in Ghosts’ first paragraph, the swampy wildlands of Fatrastan slowly materialize before your reading eyes; Taniel Two-Shot and Ka-poel, his native companion, busy fighting guerrilla-style war against the invading Kez soldiers. Our duo part of the Tristan Ghost Irregulars, who have spent the Fatrastan War of Independence haunting the marshy Tristan Basin, harassing and killing any enemy troops or their native allies foolish enough to be caught unawares.
By now, the Ghosts are well known among their friends and enemies alike. They are respected and feared as is their deadly powder mage Taniel, whose impossible shooting has built him quite the reputation. But now new orders have reached them, directing them to leave their concealment in the swamp; orders they cannot ignore as they have others before. The leader of the revolution herself is calling ALL rebel forces to gather at the city of Planth; their mission to protect the small hamlet at all costs from a huge (by Fatrastan standards) Kez army marching upon it. The reason for this because something vitally important and irreplaceable to the revolutionary effort is hidden there!
Now, there are lots and lots of things to like about this novella, so to keep me from missing any, I’m going to list them one at a time.
1) Powder mages. I know I always mention them, but I find these guys terribly interesting. I am almost prepared to dub them as my Jedi Knights of the 21st Century. Almost. But not quite yet. They are damn cool though.
2) Taniel Two-Shot and Ka-poel. These guys are pure reading gold for me. Their somewhat unusual relationship and Taniel’s obvious daddy issues really interesting for me to read about. I especially like seeing these early days of their partnership when they are still getting acquainted with one another.
3) Fastran. Obviously, this “new world” and its struggle for freedom mirrors in many ways the real world American Revolution, so there are many familiar themes and events transpiring around our heroes. However, since I personally find the Revolutionary War Period in US history very interesting, I thought this fantasy take on it was amazing. I suppose it isn’t much different than my love of the Powder Mage trilogy subverting the French Revolution.
4) Since I’m really anxious to get my hands on Mr. McClellan’s next book (Sins of Empire, which is the first installment of Gods of Blood and Powder), and since the novel is set in Fatrastan, and since some of the characters in that story actually appear in Ghosts, I was totally excited to get a close up look at the Lady Chancellor and Colonel Ben Styke. The hard-as-nails colonial leader and her half-crazy commander of the Mad Lancers burst off the pages; their personalities clearly shown, their future clashes foreshadowed, and a lot of excitement elicited (at least, in me) for the story of how Ben Style becomes “convicted war hero Styke” and how the leader of a war for freedom turns into a dictator who suppresses her people with a secret police force. Sounds like the next series is going to be amazing.
The only criticism I could level at this novella is the continued ineptitude of the our heroes Kez adversaries. No, they are not as incompetent or as inaccurate as Star Wars storm troopers, but these guys damn sure trip all over themselves constantly. Mr. McClellan definitely provides plausible explanations for their deficiencies, but the Kez here did leave me wanting more skilled, more ominous villains facing Taniel, Ka-pel, and “Mad” Ben Styke.
To put it all into perspective for the big conclusion, Ghosts of the Tristan Basin is a fun-filled, flintlock adventure with American Revolutionary War themes and awe-inspiring powder mage daring-do. It entertains while also organically introducing readers to two of the main characters in the next series by Mr. McClellan. Hell, it even does a great job of building excitement for that next book (Sins of Empire) without making a reader feel like that is its main purpose. So if you like short, epic fantasy stories, love Mr. McClellan’s writing, or need another fix of powder mage awesomeness, you need to go download this one immediately.
February 20, 2016
The Tristan Ghost Irregulars, along with all the other militias fighting for freedom in Fatrasta, have been called to defend Planth. An overwhelming brigade of Kez are headed to Planth, including Privileged and Wardens. The story takes place 8 months prior to the events of Promise of Blood.
Ghosts of the Tristan Basin is a story about Taniel and Ka-poel's time fighting the Kez in Fatrasta's war for independence. Taniel is busy doing what he does best, using a little powder mage magic to eliminate the enemy two bullets at a time. I found Taniel interesting in this novella because he is different than when he's introduced in Promise of Blood. He's seemingly more thoughtful and concerned about people than he is anytime in the main series. That could easily be attributed to the events that took place before the beginning of Promise of Blood and perhaps he's suffering from PTSD of a sort from the Fatrasta war.
Despite expecting this story to be carried by Taniel and Ka-poel, it was Mad Ben Styke that stole a lot of attention. He's a lancer with magically enhanced armor who is known to ride into hopeless situations along with his Mad Lancers and save the day. He was quite memorable and I have to wonder if this was on purpose since the next book in the series is supposed to be happening in Fatrasta.
The story was a good one and it definitely has me excited to see what happens next in the powder mage universe.
Ghosts of the Tristan Basin is a story about Taniel and Ka-poel's time fighting the Kez in Fatrasta's war for independence. Taniel is busy doing what he does best, using a little powder mage magic to eliminate the enemy two bullets at a time. I found Taniel interesting in this novella because he is different than when he's introduced in Promise of Blood. He's seemingly more thoughtful and concerned about people than he is anytime in the main series. That could easily be attributed to the events that took place before the beginning of Promise of Blood and perhaps he's suffering from PTSD of a sort from the Fatrasta war.
Despite expecting this story to be carried by Taniel and Ka-poel, it was Mad Ben Styke that stole a lot of attention. He's a lancer with magically enhanced armor who is known to ride into hopeless situations along with his Mad Lancers and save the day. He was quite memorable and I have to wonder if this was on purpose since the next book in the series is supposed to be happening in Fatrasta.
The story was a good one and it definitely has me excited to see what happens next in the powder mage universe.
February 8, 2019
Finishing
Ghosts of the Tristan Basin
has completed my week long quest of reading all the Powder Mage novella's. This was definitely in my top 2. Right up there with
Servant of the Crown
.
This installment follows Taniel Two-shot 8 months before the events of Promise of Blood. He is a captain with a company of soldiers known as the Tristan Ghost Irregulars in Fatrasta. The country of Fatrasta has declared independence from the Kez, and war has broken out.
Ghosts of the Tistan Basin has plenty of action, but what I enjoyed the most was an interesting new character that really made this story, Mad Ben Styke. He and his company of volunteer cavalrymen known as the Mad Lancers added a unique twist that none of the other novella's had. I look forward to seeing more of him in the upcoming series Gods of Blood and Powder.
With my Powder Mage novella quest complete I must reflect on these great stories and the effort Brian McClellan has put in to give us this unique world and awesome set of characters. These novella's/short stories have really added more depth and meaning to the trilogy. I can't wait to do a re-read with these new stories under my belt.
4 stars ****
This installment follows Taniel Two-shot 8 months before the events of Promise of Blood. He is a captain with a company of soldiers known as the Tristan Ghost Irregulars in Fatrasta. The country of Fatrasta has declared independence from the Kez, and war has broken out.
Ghosts of the Tistan Basin has plenty of action, but what I enjoyed the most was an interesting new character that really made this story, Mad Ben Styke. He and his company of volunteer cavalrymen known as the Mad Lancers added a unique twist that none of the other novella's had. I look forward to seeing more of him in the upcoming series Gods of Blood and Powder.
With my Powder Mage novella quest complete I must reflect on these great stories and the effort Brian McClellan has put in to give us this unique world and awesome set of characters. These novella's/short stories have really added more depth and meaning to the trilogy. I can't wait to do a re-read with these new stories under my belt.
4 stars ****
May 22, 2017
If you liked Taniel and Ka-poel reading the main series, you will love them here. This was very fun and engaging story filled with great action scenes. This is a prequel so you'll have no problem enjoying it even if you haven't read the main series.
October 6, 2017
Very battle focused which was nice. Lots of very cool magic and even more powder consumption. After reading all these shorties I can’t wait to start the trilogy now!
September 9, 2023
One of the better ones of these that I've read, especially when we get to the action toward the end. I confess I may have actually been eagerly turning the pages at that point. This is largely due to overall lack of politics or nobility in this story, but the same cliche-ridden stuff abounds here as well. The dialogue is still canned, no character is interesting or unique in any way except for Taniel and Ka-poel and even then only Pole is unique in a good way and not an insufferable way like ol' Two-Shot. There's even a character named Mad Ben who is...just a dude wearing heavy armor that acts like every character who likes to punch things and hates orders that has ever been in any fantasy book ever.
The Privileged remain useless (seriously, these guys have the best PR in the realm) and Taniel, yet again, guesses people's age and tells us he can hit a target a mile away (next, I'm sure he'll tell me that he can throw the pigskin over those mountains 'bout a quarter mile). Yet, I love an underdog story and so that part appealed to me, as well as the fact that I'm finally finally caught up to where the series begins so I can restart Powder Mage and continue doing the yeoman's work of helping you guys find some flintlock fantasy.
The Privileged remain useless (seriously, these guys have the best PR in the realm) and Taniel, yet again, guesses people's age and tells us he can hit a target a mile away (next, I'm sure he'll tell me that he can throw the pigskin over those mountains 'bout a quarter mile). Yet, I love an underdog story and so that part appealed to me, as well as the fact that I'm finally finally caught up to where the series begins so I can restart Powder Mage and continue doing the yeoman's work of helping you guys find some flintlock fantasy.
May 26, 2024
Third best Powder Mage novella following Taniel closely before he decides to return home. Sadly, we don't get to see Pole's magic but instead we're introduced to Mad Lancers who ride in magic armor which makes them almost unstoppable. If I understand it correctly they play a role in the Gods of Blood and Powder trilogy.
Servant > Mad Lancers > Ghosts > the rest is kinda skippable but still good, with exception of short story The Girl of Hrusch Avenue which tells how Taniel and Vlora met which is also worth a mention as the best short story.
Servant > Mad Lancers > Ghosts > the rest is kinda skippable but still good, with exception of short story The Girl of Hrusch Avenue which tells how Taniel and Vlora met which is also worth a mention as the best short story.
August 31, 2017
Another short, fast read that has us following Taniel & Ka-Poel as they lead the Tristan Ghost Irregulars in the fight against the Kez and it's Priviledged. The star of the show though is a side character called Ben Styke. I cannot recall ever hearing about him in the Powder Mage Trilogy and that is a pity as he was scene stealing here.
A great novella all round.
A great novella all round.
January 24, 2018
It's hard for me to separate out the story from the awful audiobook narrator (this version The Powder Mage Novella Collection #1: Stories from the Powder Mage Universe). The lady that read those stories is the absolute worst narrator I've ever listened to. She over emphasizes every word and syllable. The words are both clipped and really drawn out at the same time. She uses a terrible British accent and when she tries to do special voices for the characters they are absolutely caricatures of something you'd see in a cartoon. I don't even know how to adequately explain how terrible this woman is. Her narration is so distracting, I can barely concentrate on the story. How this woman got hired for any narration job is beyond my understanding.
So trying to set aside the terrible reading job this woman did, the story was interesting, although I wish Ka-Poel was featured a bit more (we didn't get to see any magic from her). I did really like Ben Stykes though. I'll have to go read the other novella about him.
So trying to set aside the terrible reading job this woman did, the story was interesting, although I wish Ka-Poel was featured a bit more (we didn't get to see any magic from her). I did really like Ben Stykes though. I'll have to go read the other novella about him.
April 10, 2017
It is so rare to find something this short that keeps that epic feeling that most stories belonging to this genre have. The author managed to depict the bravery as well as lunacy of a small number of people facing a much larger army, the hypocrisy and selfishness of politicians, the meaning of sacrifice and the hope that could come after the battle.
Taniel Two-Shot is a long way from home helping the Tristan Ghost Irregulars in being a huge nuisance to the Kez. Taniel made a name for himself - every Privileged knows he or she is being hunted.
The Irregulars get new orders to come to Planth to help in its defence. They will have help, though. I loved Mad Colonel Styke. I won't go into the details why, but the scenes belonging to Styke (and some others, of course) make this story epic.
Taniel Two-Shot is a long way from home helping the Tristan Ghost Irregulars in being a huge nuisance to the Kez. Taniel made a name for himself - every Privileged knows he or she is being hunted.
The Irregulars get new orders to come to Planth to help in its defence. They will have help, though. I loved Mad Colonel Styke. I won't go into the details why, but the scenes belonging to Styke (and some others, of course) make this story epic.
March 21, 2016
Odlicna mini prica, kampanja u mocvari i odbrana grada. Likovi su zabavni fino razradjeni (barem novi koje upoznajemo), borba detaljna i brutalna. Odlican dodatak sve ukupnoj prici.
Ili mi je falio ovaj svet pa mi se vise svidelo nego inace :P
Jedini minus (za mene) sto nema vise interakcije izmdju Taniela i Ka-poel.
Ili mi je falio ovaj svet pa mi se vise svidelo nego inace :P
Jedini minus (za mene) sto nema vise interakcije izmdju Taniela i Ka-poel.
February 25, 2020
This could easily have been a full length novel and I would've loved every bit of it.
April 3, 2016
This was easily my favorite of McClellan's Powder Mage novellas. The story was fun and exciting, focusing on the always-interesting Daniel/KaPoel combo, and introducing some new characters who I thought brought a lot to the table. The length was "just right" - not too long, but not super short either, and it never once felt rushed like some novellas can.
I really, really enjoyed this one.
I really, really enjoyed this one.
December 26, 2020
Another brilliant short in the powder mage universe and I think this one is my favourite, I lover he Mad Lancers and Ben so to see him appear in this was just epic.
As soon as I met Ka-Poel in the main series I loved her character, for her personality and both her as a character choice...i mean a girl who doesn't speak who is considered a savage and fear/hated by many. So considering this it was nice to see the circumstance in which Taniel and her met, and how they formed such a bond and eventual marriage!
I also really enjoyed seeing more of Fatrasta’s fight for independence to the point that I want to read the second trilogy again!
As with the others this is a nice revisit to the characters we already know and love and to experience the glory that is the powder mages world! McClellan does a fab job at reigniting your love or hatred for a character.
As soon as I met Ka-Poel in the main series I loved her character, for her personality and both her as a character choice...i mean a girl who doesn't speak who is considered a savage and fear/hated by many. So considering this it was nice to see the circumstance in which Taniel and her met, and how they formed such a bond and eventual marriage!
I also really enjoyed seeing more of Fatrasta’s fight for independence to the point that I want to read the second trilogy again!
As with the others this is a nice revisit to the characters we already know and love and to experience the glory that is the powder mages world! McClellan does a fab job at reigniting your love or hatred for a character.
April 2, 2020
Cu siguranță, cea mai bună proză scurtă citită până acum din acest univers.
May 3, 2024
I really wish Brian McClellan would write another trilogy set in the Powder Mage universe that is centred around what happened in this novella!
March 26, 2018
A interesting tale...yeah...
The part of the Powder Mage books that I find the less interesting are the battles and the detail in which they play out, well this little novella is all about that. It's Taniel which I like but than again it's about a skirmish and that makes me sleep. There are some small moments of character here, but most of it is action and battle...so yeah, it's good but not the best novella.
Onward to the next book!
The part of the Powder Mage books that I find the less interesting are the battles and the detail in which they play out, well this little novella is all about that. It's Taniel which I like but than again it's about a skirmish and that makes me sleep. There are some small moments of character here, but most of it is action and battle...so yeah, it's good but not the best novella.
Onward to the next book!
January 5, 2018
“You don’t ride down a Warden,” Taniel said.
“You can ride down anything if your horse is big enough.” Styke leaned toward him. “I have a really big horse.”
“You can ride down anything if your horse is big enough.” Styke leaned toward him. “I have a really big horse.”
March 9, 2020
Follows from The Face in the Window, a longer short story builds on the Fatrastan exploits of Taniel and her inseparable Ka-Poel! We learn of the amazing Colonel Styke, a legendary character... Even though they are faced with an impossible battle they heroically stand up for what's right! Another great insight into the world, and further world-building possibly in preparation for the next trilogy coming out Sins of Empire, which is set in this region of the world!
Gives me high hopes Styke, Taniel and Ka-Poel will reappear!! Maybe not as good as the other short stories but still pretty entertaining! :)
Gives me high hopes Styke, Taniel and Ka-Poel will reappear!! Maybe not as good as the other short stories but still pretty entertaining! :)
May 30, 2023
It is always a pleasure to be back with Taniel and Ka-Poel. Especially her, to be honest. Taniel is a good character, and I really really like him, but Ka-poel is something else entirely, and it was nice to see her around. A lot.
And this short story reminded me that I should stop procrastinating and I just get on with the third book, because I need to know how the whole story would turn out. But I love these short stories, and it is always a pleasure being with them, sure, I am not the biggest fan of this swamp setting, to tell the truth, but who cares?? I had an amazing time with this one, as I was expecting and hoping.
And this short story reminded me that I should stop procrastinating and I just get on with the third book, because I need to know how the whole story would turn out. But I love these short stories, and it is always a pleasure being with them, sure, I am not the biggest fan of this swamp setting, to tell the truth, but who cares?? I had an amazing time with this one, as I was expecting and hoping.
November 24, 2019
Nice to meet you Mad Ben Styke I heard so much about you and you lived up to my expectations
November 18, 2022
This was so good! Full of action and familiar characters <3 Loved it!
October 16, 2018
Set a few months before the events in Promise of Blood, this novella offers a double bonus: one that allows us to see more of Taniel’s deeds during the Fatrastan war for independence from the Kez, and one where we are introduced to a beloved character from Gods of Blood and Powder, none other than Mad Ben Styke. As the story begins, the Tristan Basin Irregulars – the Fatrastan militia Taniel and Ka-poel have attached themselves to – have been harassing the Kez in the inhospitable swamps that cover the Basin, keeping them quite occupied with guerrilla warfare.
Returning to their base camp, they learn about new orders: the city of Planth, where Governor Lindet has retreated to regroup her forces, is threatened by a Kez army, and the Irregulars must get there quickly to shore up the city’s defenses. As grim as the situation appears, since the rebels are vastly outnumbered, a slim ray of hope is represented by the arrival of Colonel Ben Styke and his Mad Lancers, an elite troop that seems to be made out of warriors as berserker as their leader – and Planth will need their madness if the citizens want to survive…
As I said, there were two main points of interest in this story: for starters, I enjoyed seeing a very different Taniel from the one I met in the Powder Mage books. Much as he’s still trying to get out of the shadow of his very famous father, Taniel here appears like a more sympathetic character, a young man driven by the ideal of helping the region’s inhabitants gain their freedom from the Kez, whom he hates deeply since they were responsible for the execution of his mother. He’s honing his skills in the conflict, and he’s also strengthening the ties with his local guide Ka-poel, the young mute woman whose weird abilities he’s just starting to know. The only trait he shares with the older Taniel is his aversion to authority, especially when Lindet’s orders concerning the fate of Planth clash against his sense of duty.
That’s probably the main reason he seems to form a sort of bond with Ben Styke, the mountain of a man leading the Mad Lancers: the Ben Styke we meet here is also a very different person from the one appearing in Sins of Empire, since he has yet to endure the physical and psychological abuse of his long years in the prison camp, so that it’s a pleasure to witness the depths of joyful abandon as he launches himself in the activity he loves most – fight. And fight he must, together with his Lancers and the Irregulars, if he wants to save the city, against almost insurmountable odds, yet there is more to him than just a practically invincible warrior, because here he exhibits humor, and cunning and courage, all wrapped into a carefree attitude that makes it impossible not to like him, and enjoy the pages that focus on him.
Losing myself in this story was a wonderful experience, and I strongly recommend it both to all McClellan fans and to those who still don’t know this author and series: you will not be disappointed…
Originally posted at SPACE and SORCERY BLOG
Returning to their base camp, they learn about new orders: the city of Planth, where Governor Lindet has retreated to regroup her forces, is threatened by a Kez army, and the Irregulars must get there quickly to shore up the city’s defenses. As grim as the situation appears, since the rebels are vastly outnumbered, a slim ray of hope is represented by the arrival of Colonel Ben Styke and his Mad Lancers, an elite troop that seems to be made out of warriors as berserker as their leader – and Planth will need their madness if the citizens want to survive…
As I said, there were two main points of interest in this story: for starters, I enjoyed seeing a very different Taniel from the one I met in the Powder Mage books. Much as he’s still trying to get out of the shadow of his very famous father, Taniel here appears like a more sympathetic character, a young man driven by the ideal of helping the region’s inhabitants gain their freedom from the Kez, whom he hates deeply since they were responsible for the execution of his mother. He’s honing his skills in the conflict, and he’s also strengthening the ties with his local guide Ka-poel, the young mute woman whose weird abilities he’s just starting to know. The only trait he shares with the older Taniel is his aversion to authority, especially when Lindet’s orders concerning the fate of Planth clash against his sense of duty.
That’s probably the main reason he seems to form a sort of bond with Ben Styke, the mountain of a man leading the Mad Lancers: the Ben Styke we meet here is also a very different person from the one appearing in Sins of Empire, since he has yet to endure the physical and psychological abuse of his long years in the prison camp, so that it’s a pleasure to witness the depths of joyful abandon as he launches himself in the activity he loves most – fight. And fight he must, together with his Lancers and the Irregulars, if he wants to save the city, against almost insurmountable odds, yet there is more to him than just a practically invincible warrior, because here he exhibits humor, and cunning and courage, all wrapped into a carefree attitude that makes it impossible not to like him, and enjoy the pages that focus on him.
Losing myself in this story was a wonderful experience, and I strongly recommend it both to all McClellan fans and to those who still don’t know this author and series: you will not be disappointed…
Originally posted at SPACE and SORCERY BLOG
January 15, 2020
I thought this story was kick-ass. Taniel has mad skills... and the Mad Lancer really does care... Special shout outs to Major Bertreau and Ka-poel - lots of interesting characters and the story was exciting with a big finish... a very satisfying experience... And I loved that sometimes when things took a bad turn, Taniel could draw back on his father's life-lessons - that was a nice touch...
May 27, 2017
Not bad, though nothing special. Nevertheless it was interesting to read about "knights" in enchanted armor.
January 12, 2021
4.5⭐️
November 3, 2024
This is the best of the powder mage Novellas yet! The mad Lancers were really fun and had a very interesting backstory. I can’t wait to read more about them.
December 12, 2024
Audio read by: Julie Hoverson
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