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The Royal Champion #1
The Swordsman's Lament
A dead prince.
A grieving king.
A legendary swordsman accused of murder.
Loyalty counts for nothing when the king demands blood.
In the ancient city of Villan, wealth and power descend from proximity to the throne. As royal champion, and confidant to the king, Belasko thought he was beyond intrigues and machinations. But when the grief-stricken King demands vengeance for his murdered son, Belasko discovers he is expendable. His options are clear: find the killer or die for a crime he didn’t commit.
Forced into the city’s bleak underbelly as the palace mobilises against him, Belasko finds unlikely allies in his hunt for the truth. Can the veteran survive to protect his friends and prove his innocence?
Join Belasko as he hunts the real killer from the royal court to the depths of the city’s criminal underworld, finally learning the true meaning of The Swordsman’s Lament.
A story about friendship, betrayal and doing the right thing no matter the cost, this breakneck fantasy thriller is perfect for fans of David Gemmell, Sebastien de Castell and Miles Cameron.
A grieving king.
A legendary swordsman accused of murder.
Loyalty counts for nothing when the king demands blood.
In the ancient city of Villan, wealth and power descend from proximity to the throne. As royal champion, and confidant to the king, Belasko thought he was beyond intrigues and machinations. But when the grief-stricken King demands vengeance for his murdered son, Belasko discovers he is expendable. His options are clear: find the killer or die for a crime he didn’t commit.
Forced into the city’s bleak underbelly as the palace mobilises against him, Belasko finds unlikely allies in his hunt for the truth. Can the veteran survive to protect his friends and prove his innocence?
Join Belasko as he hunts the real killer from the royal court to the depths of the city’s criminal underworld, finally learning the true meaning of The Swordsman’s Lament.
A story about friendship, betrayal and doing the right thing no matter the cost, this breakneck fantasy thriller is perfect for fans of David Gemmell, Sebastien de Castell and Miles Cameron.
206 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 12, 2019
37 people are currently reading
498 people want to read
About the author
G.M. White
3 books25 followersG.M. White has always been an avid reader, a love of the written word instilled in him by his parents at an early age. This may or may not have something to do with the fact that he was a very talkative child and the only time he was quiet was when he had his head in a book. Anyway, we'll give them the benefit of the doubt on that one.
A lifelong daydreamer he finally decided to put his imagination to good use and set pen to paper (well, fingers to keyboard) and started to write down the worlds that he carried with him in his head. The Swordsman's Lament is his first novel.
He has also had the typical author's chequered job history. He has been at various times an actor, a performer at The London Dungeons, a theatre usher and box office clerk, a ticketing systems specialist working at the Ambassador Theatre Group, National Theatre, and Royal Albert Hall, and played drums in a variety of rock bands.
After thirteen years living and working in London he and his wife gave up the rat race, and moved to St. Martin's in the Isles of Scilly, where they continue to live.
You can find him online and sign up to his newsletter at https://gmwhite.co.uk
A lifelong daydreamer he finally decided to put his imagination to good use and set pen to paper (well, fingers to keyboard) and started to write down the worlds that he carried with him in his head. The Swordsman's Lament is his first novel.
He has also had the typical author's chequered job history. He has been at various times an actor, a performer at The London Dungeons, a theatre usher and box office clerk, a ticketing systems specialist working at the Ambassador Theatre Group, National Theatre, and Royal Albert Hall, and played drums in a variety of rock bands.
After thirteen years living and working in London he and his wife gave up the rat race, and moved to St. Martin's in the Isles of Scilly, where they continue to live.
You can find him online and sign up to his newsletter at https://gmwhite.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
April 14, 2022
This was a really fun story. It wasn't as swashbuckling and funny as I'd been expecting from comments I've seen, but I always go into a book with an open mind, so that didn't bother me.
I felt at first that, for a relatively short book, the opening chapters were a bit superfluous - they didn't seem to be adding anything to the story - but before long, everything became clear, and they was just setting the pieces on the board for use later on.
The overall story is a good one - a well-planned whodunnit in a fantasy setting is always good to see. I liked the twists and turns that it took, and I did find myself making an incorrect guess at one point, which I appreciated as it wasn't just a simple, and boring, plot.
The characters are interesting and there's plenty of evidence that there's more to come in this series, which I also appreciate.
I had only two slight negatives, if you will call them so. Firstly, I listened to the audiobook for this, and although the narration was very good, I didn't like some of the voices used for particular characters, and in particular situations. The main villain didn't sound imposing enough, and even when making threats or fighting for his life, he always sounded like he was offering me a cup of tea and some biscuits.
Secondly, this book is just too short. I would have loved to see a book twice this size and have more depth to pretty much everything, a few little side-plots perhaps, and more to the world. That would be a different story though, and it's just based on my personal bias toward larger books! For the size of book and the story that we did get here, everything was well executed and enjoyable, and I will absolutely be looking to read The Swordsman's Descent, to continue the story.
As a last note, I definitely recommend the prequel novella The Swordsman's Intent. As well as an overall introduction to the series, this gives that extra backstory, an origin story if you will, between Belsako and Ervan, which is referenced in The Swordsman's Lament.
I felt at first that, for a relatively short book, the opening chapters were a bit superfluous - they didn't seem to be adding anything to the story - but before long, everything became clear, and they was just setting the pieces on the board for use later on.
The overall story is a good one - a well-planned whodunnit in a fantasy setting is always good to see. I liked the twists and turns that it took, and I did find myself making an incorrect guess at one point, which I appreciated as it wasn't just a simple, and boring, plot.
The characters are interesting and there's plenty of evidence that there's more to come in this series, which I also appreciate.
I had only two slight negatives, if you will call them so. Firstly, I listened to the audiobook for this, and although the narration was very good, I didn't like some of the voices used for particular characters, and in particular situations. The main villain didn't sound imposing enough, and even when making threats or fighting for his life, he always sounded like he was offering me a cup of tea and some biscuits.
Secondly, this book is just too short. I would have loved to see a book twice this size and have more depth to pretty much everything, a few little side-plots perhaps, and more to the world. That would be a different story though, and it's just based on my personal bias toward larger books! For the size of book and the story that we did get here, everything was well executed and enjoyable, and I will absolutely be looking to read The Swordsman's Descent, to continue the story.
As a last note, I definitely recommend the prequel novella The Swordsman's Intent. As well as an overall introduction to the series, this gives that extra backstory, an origin story if you will, between Belsako and Ervan, which is referenced in The Swordsman's Lament.
July 18, 2022
4.5/5
One hell of a book! Duels, betrayal, and intrigue abound!
I am though let pleased with this book. I picked it up for the cover and sat on it for a couple of months. Then I just randomly started reading a couple of pages to try and didn’t put it down.
Belasko is such a fantastic main protagonist! The aging king's champion was framed for the murder of a member of the royal family. Will stop at nothing to prove his innocence and find his friend's killer.
Something this book surprised me with, was the commentary on the divide between the peasant and working classes and the nobility! Super well executed.
I HAVE TO MENTION THE DUELS!!! They were awesome
The way that Belasko’s back story is presented was really clever! Taking moments where he isn’t doing anything in the present to reminisce and inform you of his character was great. He can just snap back to real-time and the flow just works.
My con is also a bit of a pro. Because we are trying to solve a mystery we go through a few cliches and even get a little bit tongue in cheek with characters making of those cliches. It kind of worked for me and also kind of didn’t… it’s doesn’t happen often but it almost felt like a break in the 4th wall. That said it only happens once that I caught and didn’t bother too much.
A very enjoyable read. Onto the next one.
One hell of a book! Duels, betrayal, and intrigue abound!
I am though let pleased with this book. I picked it up for the cover and sat on it for a couple of months. Then I just randomly started reading a couple of pages to try and didn’t put it down.
Belasko is such a fantastic main protagonist! The aging king's champion was framed for the murder of a member of the royal family. Will stop at nothing to prove his innocence and find his friend's killer.
Something this book surprised me with, was the commentary on the divide between the peasant and working classes and the nobility! Super well executed.
I HAVE TO MENTION THE DUELS!!! They were awesome
The way that Belasko’s back story is presented was really clever! Taking moments where he isn’t doing anything in the present to reminisce and inform you of his character was great. He can just snap back to real-time and the flow just works.
My con is also a bit of a pro. Because we are trying to solve a mystery we go through a few cliches and even get a little bit tongue in cheek with characters making of those cliches. It kind of worked for me and also kind of didn’t… it’s doesn’t happen often but it almost felt like a break in the 4th wall. That said it only happens once that I caught and didn’t bother too much.
A very enjoyable read. Onto the next one.
April 9, 2022
This is such a quick, fun read! I loved the writing style and the narration was great. The murder mystery was predictable, but it didn't hider my enjoyment. I'm looking forward to book 2.
August 31, 2022
Score: 4,5 out of 5 stars
Get the full review here: https://vueltaspodcast.wordpress.com/...
Interview with G.M. White: https://vueltaspodcast.wordpress.com/...
The Swordman's Lament is technically the first novel in the Royal Champion series, by G.M. White. Let me start this review by saying that there is a prequel novella, The Swordman's Intent, situated 15 years before this first novel, which you can get for free by subscribing to G.M. White's newsletter; and I highly recommend reading it before because I think it really gives another layer of enjoyment to the novel.
We are introduced to Belasko, a famous swordsman that has been Royal Champion for fifteen years since he won the contest organized by the former Champion. Soon in the book, we are introduced to his skill and how good he is fighting, along with also some physical problem that is making him think in the retire. We are quickly set onto his main characteristics, how he is a really nice guy and one of the royal family confidents.
And what happens to change this situation? The prince gets assassinated and Belasko is accused of being responsible. We are also introduced to some of the nobility intrigues, and how the Inquisition is responsible for imparting justice. And here is where I personally think having read The Swordman's Intent helped, as we are introduced to Ervan, one of the main Inquisitors, who has hated Belasko for years, since the tournament where Belasko ascended to Royal Champion.
Won't talk much more about the plot, except to say that it becomes a brilliant thriller, maybe too short for my taste, but which is solved brilliantly and whose pace is exceptionally good, as G.M. White takes the moments where Belasko is thinking to introduce some flashbacks of his past and how he gained the fame. It is true that there are some conveniences introduced, as tends to happen in mystery-solving novels, but it's not something that really mattered in the end. Mention apart is deserved by one of the elements that shine over the rest, how well written the duels are, you almost can feel as if you were watching them yourself.
Characters are well developed, especially through their past and their relationship with Belasko, as due to his role in the novel, he is known by everybody and has worked with almost any soldier. The royal family is really interesting, as we are introduced to three really different members: the king, the carefree prince, and the kind princess; each one of them will play a key role in the story.
In summary, The Swordsman's Lament is a brilliant novel, perfect for lovers of low fantasy settings. Due to its length, you can take and read it in one relaxing afternoon, which is a really enjoyable experience. I finished really happy with the result, and we will come back to the Royal Champion world for the review of The Swordsman's Descent.
Get the full review here: https://vueltaspodcast.wordpress.com/...
Interview with G.M. White: https://vueltaspodcast.wordpress.com/...
The Swordman's Lament is technically the first novel in the Royal Champion series, by G.M. White. Let me start this review by saying that there is a prequel novella, The Swordman's Intent, situated 15 years before this first novel, which you can get for free by subscribing to G.M. White's newsletter; and I highly recommend reading it before because I think it really gives another layer of enjoyment to the novel.
We are introduced to Belasko, a famous swordsman that has been Royal Champion for fifteen years since he won the contest organized by the former Champion. Soon in the book, we are introduced to his skill and how good he is fighting, along with also some physical problem that is making him think in the retire. We are quickly set onto his main characteristics, how he is a really nice guy and one of the royal family confidents.
And what happens to change this situation? The prince gets assassinated and Belasko is accused of being responsible. We are also introduced to some of the nobility intrigues, and how the Inquisition is responsible for imparting justice. And here is where I personally think having read The Swordman's Intent helped, as we are introduced to Ervan, one of the main Inquisitors, who has hated Belasko for years, since the tournament where Belasko ascended to Royal Champion.
Won't talk much more about the plot, except to say that it becomes a brilliant thriller, maybe too short for my taste, but which is solved brilliantly and whose pace is exceptionally good, as G.M. White takes the moments where Belasko is thinking to introduce some flashbacks of his past and how he gained the fame. It is true that there are some conveniences introduced, as tends to happen in mystery-solving novels, but it's not something that really mattered in the end. Mention apart is deserved by one of the elements that shine over the rest, how well written the duels are, you almost can feel as if you were watching them yourself.
Characters are well developed, especially through their past and their relationship with Belasko, as due to his role in the novel, he is known by everybody and has worked with almost any soldier. The royal family is really interesting, as we are introduced to three really different members: the king, the carefree prince, and the kind princess; each one of them will play a key role in the story.
In summary, The Swordsman's Lament is a brilliant novel, perfect for lovers of low fantasy settings. Due to its length, you can take and read it in one relaxing afternoon, which is a really enjoyable experience. I finished really happy with the result, and we will come back to the Royal Champion world for the review of The Swordsman's Descent.
September 17, 2020
The Swordsman’s Lament– what a curious and intriguing title. I am known to like my fantasy novels to be swift, brutal and to take no prisoners. This book was all these things and so much more. It’s a book to read on a rainy day, the chores can wait, the miserable weather the perfect backdrop to catapult you into an amazing fictional world. The synopsis promises blood and the book delivers that with a fatal blow. The narrative transported me in between the pages, wandering through the bloodshed with no armour, would I survive the onslaught?
Enter our protagonist, Belasko. Good old faithful, Belasko. Loyal to a fault, he always looks out for his Kings best interests and nothing will get to the King, not on his watch. That is until the faithful day when the royal prince is killed. Who do you think takes the fall for this tragic event? That’s right, good old faithful, Belasko. No pleading or begging will make the king listen or show mercy, Belasko is to blame and that is the end of the story for him. He has committed the ultimate sin. The only thing left for Belasko to do is to find the real killer or face the sword himself.
The Swordsman’s Lament instantly resonated with me. It’s a story of injustice and betrayal. Haven’t we all been in a place or time when we have been accused of doing something we haven’t? Okay, so it probably hasn’t been something as inherently evil as murdering a prince, but we’ve felt the injustice of it all the same. We can feel Belasko’s pain, we want to reach out to him and tell him it’s going to be okay, but really is it? Will he find out who committed this dreadful act before it all collapses upon him?
One thing I was pleased and surprised at with this tale was the depth of the feeling and emotion. The discussion behind the themes of guilt, desperation and pain was in-depth and just gave me a sense that this story was going to stay with me for the long-term. It’s a story with multiple layers and the more you peeled them back the more you had a feeling at being at home – something a great fantasy can emit from me.
The author led me down a path of no return. He lay down clues that I had to follow, I was unaware of my surroundings until of course he grabbed me by the jugular and wouldn’t let go until that final page had me in its sights. The Swordsman’s Lament is a quick paced story that I literally inhaled in a matter of hours and left an imprint on my soul. This is when self-published stories are at their most excellent and this one is up there with the absolute best.
Enter our protagonist, Belasko. Good old faithful, Belasko. Loyal to a fault, he always looks out for his Kings best interests and nothing will get to the King, not on his watch. That is until the faithful day when the royal prince is killed. Who do you think takes the fall for this tragic event? That’s right, good old faithful, Belasko. No pleading or begging will make the king listen or show mercy, Belasko is to blame and that is the end of the story for him. He has committed the ultimate sin. The only thing left for Belasko to do is to find the real killer or face the sword himself.
The Swordsman’s Lament instantly resonated with me. It’s a story of injustice and betrayal. Haven’t we all been in a place or time when we have been accused of doing something we haven’t? Okay, so it probably hasn’t been something as inherently evil as murdering a prince, but we’ve felt the injustice of it all the same. We can feel Belasko’s pain, we want to reach out to him and tell him it’s going to be okay, but really is it? Will he find out who committed this dreadful act before it all collapses upon him?
One thing I was pleased and surprised at with this tale was the depth of the feeling and emotion. The discussion behind the themes of guilt, desperation and pain was in-depth and just gave me a sense that this story was going to stay with me for the long-term. It’s a story with multiple layers and the more you peeled them back the more you had a feeling at being at home – something a great fantasy can emit from me.
The author led me down a path of no return. He lay down clues that I had to follow, I was unaware of my surroundings until of course he grabbed me by the jugular and wouldn’t let go until that final page had me in its sights. The Swordsman’s Lament is a quick paced story that I literally inhaled in a matter of hours and left an imprint on my soul. This is when self-published stories are at their most excellent and this one is up there with the absolute best.
July 7, 2022
4/5 Stars
This swashbuckling, self published fantasy made for a fun adventure. We follow Blesko, the Kings Legendary Swordsman, throughout the tale. The Prince has been murdered, Blesko has been blamed, and the King seeks vengeance. Blesko must find the real murderer to bring not only justice for the crime but to also prove his innocence.
There were aspects of this that reminded me of the Greatcoats series by Sebastien de Castell but with more likeable characters, along with a more grounded setting and tone. Blesko was quickly a likeable character for me and the story sets up a whodunnit plot line.
This was a fast paced read, with a short page count at 228 pages or 6 hours for the audiobook. The story was engaging and moved quickly. I do think the story would have benefitted from being a bit longer, in order to really develop the characters and plot more. Though, with that change it would like alter the experience of the fast paced adventure.
An important thing I noticed while listening to the audiobook and following along with the ebook was that some sections are completely different from one another. The audiobook had many sentences or even paragraphs that weren't included from the ebook.
What does this mean? Well, the audiobook created a fast paced adventure that was easy to follow and enjoy. The ebook however, had more details about the world, including religion and even interactions between the characters.
Depending on the experience you're looking for, I would suggest the ebook for a richer experience of the world and the audiobook for a fast paced adventure.
Overall, a great mix of adventure, politics, action and likeable characters. The story also sets up for continuation in book , The Swordman's Decent.
This swashbuckling, self published fantasy made for a fun adventure. We follow Blesko, the Kings Legendary Swordsman, throughout the tale. The Prince has been murdered, Blesko has been blamed, and the King seeks vengeance. Blesko must find the real murderer to bring not only justice for the crime but to also prove his innocence.
There were aspects of this that reminded me of the Greatcoats series by Sebastien de Castell but with more likeable characters, along with a more grounded setting and tone. Blesko was quickly a likeable character for me and the story sets up a whodunnit plot line.
This was a fast paced read, with a short page count at 228 pages or 6 hours for the audiobook. The story was engaging and moved quickly. I do think the story would have benefitted from being a bit longer, in order to really develop the characters and plot more. Though, with that change it would like alter the experience of the fast paced adventure.
An important thing I noticed while listening to the audiobook and following along with the ebook was that some sections are completely different from one another. The audiobook had many sentences or even paragraphs that weren't included from the ebook.
What does this mean? Well, the audiobook created a fast paced adventure that was easy to follow and enjoy. The ebook however, had more details about the world, including religion and even interactions between the characters.
Depending on the experience you're looking for, I would suggest the ebook for a richer experience of the world and the audiobook for a fast paced adventure.
Overall, a great mix of adventure, politics, action and likeable characters. The story also sets up for continuation in book , The Swordman's Decent.
July 31, 2023
Over 4/5
The Swordsman’s Lament was a nice swashbuckling surprise of a read for me to end my month.
We follow Belasko, champion of the king, but soon framed for the murder of a member of the royal family, and now must clear his name. The book crosses a bit into the mystery/thriller genre which made the book a bit of a palette cleanser from the more traditional formatted fantasy, but the mystery aspect was a bit predictable.
The read is fast-paced and not very long yet still filled with duels, political intrigue, betrayal, and engaging characters that, whether positive or negative, leave you wanting more. There were a few interesting directions to White’s writing style and prose, but they for the most part clicked with me.
Fortunately, there is also a prequel novella. The Swordsman Intent (I was informed it is recommended to read Book 1 first) and a 2nd book The Swordman’s Descent to hopefully fulfill some of what I still wanted from Book 1. I will let you know, as I do plan to continue this series.
In the meantime, I recommend checking this book out for yourself.
The Swordsman’s Lament was a nice swashbuckling surprise of a read for me to end my month.
We follow Belasko, champion of the king, but soon framed for the murder of a member of the royal family, and now must clear his name. The book crosses a bit into the mystery/thriller genre which made the book a bit of a palette cleanser from the more traditional formatted fantasy, but the mystery aspect was a bit predictable.
The read is fast-paced and not very long yet still filled with duels, political intrigue, betrayal, and engaging characters that, whether positive or negative, leave you wanting more. There were a few interesting directions to White’s writing style and prose, but they for the most part clicked with me.
Fortunately, there is also a prequel novella. The Swordsman Intent (I was informed it is recommended to read Book 1 first) and a 2nd book The Swordman’s Descent to hopefully fulfill some of what I still wanted from Book 1. I will let you know, as I do plan to continue this series.
In the meantime, I recommend checking this book out for yourself.
May 27, 2022
This was a very fun and enjoyable read!! It reads really fast and is a very straightforward story. Throughout the book I would get vibes from the Three Musketeers mixed with Zorro. The champion is very relatable and is easy to cheer for. The biggest thing with this book for me was it needed just a bit more to the world. There are some hints and stories that are mentioned that I would have loved to see fleshed out to make it so much more vibrant and filling.
The action in this book is great, showing a great detail to what the Main Character really is, without making him seem unrealistic. The other characters are great as well, the few that we do meet. They are a real strength to this story.
I will be looking forward to future additions to this title.
Content Warnings:
None
Thanks for taking the time to read my review! Keep reading!!
The action in this book is great, showing a great detail to what the Main Character really is, without making him seem unrealistic. The other characters are great as well, the few that we do meet. They are a real strength to this story.
I will be looking forward to future additions to this title.
Content Warnings:
None
Thanks for taking the time to read my review! Keep reading!!
August 6, 2020
A satisfying historical fiction read.
If you love dedicated principled knights who have managed to live past their prime and still live to serve. This is your book. The main character has a believable personality and the story sweeps you up to its rapid conclusion.
This book is suitable for young and old readers. As a debut novel it is a bit short, but doesn't leave you with a cliffhanger ending. I look forward to the next book on the Swordsman's life and adventures.
If you love dedicated principled knights who have managed to live past their prime and still live to serve. This is your book. The main character has a believable personality and the story sweeps you up to its rapid conclusion.
This book is suitable for young and old readers. As a debut novel it is a bit short, but doesn't leave you with a cliffhanger ending. I look forward to the next book on the Swordsman's life and adventures.
July 21, 2021
The Swordsman’s Lament centres around our central character, Belasko. Master Duellist, teacher, advisor to the king and general friend of the stars. The story starts pretty much how it goes on, with a duel. Immediately, GM White sets up his main character, a good guy, skilled at fighting and generally nice to all those around him, unless of course you happen to offer him out in a fight, then you take your chances. Although, he will be pretty amiable to those that he is about to dispatch in a duelling contest.
After the bout of swordicuffs ends he returns to the Inn where he was dining, pays for any inconvenience and compliments the chef, the innkeeper's daughter Kendra, and offers her a job. He books a table at the inn and then comes back to the inn with the King of Villan and his family, subsequently giving her a job in the palace kitchens.
See, told you he was a generally good guy!
Thus starts a story of adventure and general chicanery that pretty much defines this zip wire of a plot.
To say that I loved this book, is an understatement. It is one of those books that reminds me of being a kid and the kind of stories and films that I watched and read as a child. It took me back to those dreary saturday afternoons where I would watch the saturday afternoon matinee and there would be films showing like Captain Blood or Robin Hood with Errol Flynn, or The Flame and The Arrow and The Crimson Pirate with Burt Lancaster. I absolutely lapped up these cinematic swashbucklers and it was these types of films that were my gateway into fantasy novels, as I wanted more things like this.
And guess what, The Swordsman’s Lament fits this bill perfectly. It just pressed the correct button, my happy nostalgia button that makes me feel warm and fuzzy and brings a smile to my face.
Belasko is a roguishly good guy who is instantly likeable and you cannot help but like him, and the rest of the characters are equally likeable (or dislikeable depending on their alignment).
Now, one of the things that I admired about GM Whites book is that whilst the book is short, he manages to fit so much in such a short space of time. It is a proper little Tardis of a book.
In two hundred pages, he manages to fit in backstory, world building and everything that you need to get you running along nicely with the plot.
This takes some pretty good writing chops, and I was instantly enamoured with it. The plot is a good action adventure that just sucks you in. Rooting for the good guy, and hoping that the bad guy and his scheming will be uncovered so that there will be some semblance of happy ever after.
I think one of the other things besides the plot and characters of the book. G.M. White writes fantastically vivid action sequences, which I freely admit. I love a good action sequence. They are typically flamboyant and swashbucklery and sated that desire to see a good sword fight.
Interspersed with this, is that element of comedy that you get in these types of books, but it is also levelled out with loss and grief.
So, if you want a book that is full of rambunctiously, spirited adventure, then The Swordsman's Lament is definitely your book.
And to top it all, this is the first time that I get to use this phrase (and I have been wanting to use it, like, forever!)It is a rollicking good read from start to finish.
After the bout of swordicuffs ends he returns to the Inn where he was dining, pays for any inconvenience and compliments the chef, the innkeeper's daughter Kendra, and offers her a job. He books a table at the inn and then comes back to the inn with the King of Villan and his family, subsequently giving her a job in the palace kitchens.
See, told you he was a generally good guy!
Thus starts a story of adventure and general chicanery that pretty much defines this zip wire of a plot.
To say that I loved this book, is an understatement. It is one of those books that reminds me of being a kid and the kind of stories and films that I watched and read as a child. It took me back to those dreary saturday afternoons where I would watch the saturday afternoon matinee and there would be films showing like Captain Blood or Robin Hood with Errol Flynn, or The Flame and The Arrow and The Crimson Pirate with Burt Lancaster. I absolutely lapped up these cinematic swashbucklers and it was these types of films that were my gateway into fantasy novels, as I wanted more things like this.
And guess what, The Swordsman’s Lament fits this bill perfectly. It just pressed the correct button, my happy nostalgia button that makes me feel warm and fuzzy and brings a smile to my face.
Belasko is a roguishly good guy who is instantly likeable and you cannot help but like him, and the rest of the characters are equally likeable (or dislikeable depending on their alignment).
Now, one of the things that I admired about GM Whites book is that whilst the book is short, he manages to fit so much in such a short space of time. It is a proper little Tardis of a book.
In two hundred pages, he manages to fit in backstory, world building and everything that you need to get you running along nicely with the plot.
This takes some pretty good writing chops, and I was instantly enamoured with it. The plot is a good action adventure that just sucks you in. Rooting for the good guy, and hoping that the bad guy and his scheming will be uncovered so that there will be some semblance of happy ever after.
I think one of the other things besides the plot and characters of the book. G.M. White writes fantastically vivid action sequences, which I freely admit. I love a good action sequence. They are typically flamboyant and swashbucklery and sated that desire to see a good sword fight.
Interspersed with this, is that element of comedy that you get in these types of books, but it is also levelled out with loss and grief.
So, if you want a book that is full of rambunctiously, spirited adventure, then The Swordsman's Lament is definitely your book.
And to top it all, this is the first time that I get to use this phrase (and I have been wanting to use it, like, forever!)It is a rollicking good read from start to finish.
April 3, 2023
3.5 stars
Wearing its inspiration from stories like The Three Musketeers on its sleeve, The Swordsman's Lament is filled with court politics, conspiracies, and, of course, dramatic dueling that all shines on the page, even if none of it leaves a lasting glimmer.
A fast-paced tale, the story follows Belasko, the royal champion and guardian, a duelist and raised peasant renowned throughout the kingdom for his prowess with the blade. Though he maintains a strong relationship with the royal family, he is framed for assassination when the prince is poisoned, and must uncover the conspiracy that sullied his name and seek retribution for the crime.
What progresses is an enjoyable story as Belasko seeks allies in clearing his name and unraveling the mystery behind the plot. Belasko is written very well, his dedication and desperation in solving the prince's assassination driving him forward in realistic ways. Though his skills are still immeasurable, he is well aware they are diminishing with his age, and for that he feels real rather than an invincible undefeatable machine.
Enjoyable though the plot is, however, it still feels predictable. There are twists and turns, but none of them surprise and many of them you can see coming from a mile away. Perhaps that is due to the overall short length of the book (just over 200 pages) that there is not enough time for some of these threads to stew. But there isn't enough "screen time" for some of the periphery characters for their twists to illicit any sort of "oh no" moment.
The Swordsman's Lament is still a good book overall. While it is not necessarily a surprising, edge-of-your-seat read, it is well-paced enough that it remains a page-turner and I'm intrigued to see where the series goes from here.
Wearing its inspiration from stories like The Three Musketeers on its sleeve, The Swordsman's Lament is filled with court politics, conspiracies, and, of course, dramatic dueling that all shines on the page, even if none of it leaves a lasting glimmer.
A fast-paced tale, the story follows Belasko, the royal champion and guardian, a duelist and raised peasant renowned throughout the kingdom for his prowess with the blade. Though he maintains a strong relationship with the royal family, he is framed for assassination when the prince is poisoned, and must uncover the conspiracy that sullied his name and seek retribution for the crime.
What progresses is an enjoyable story as Belasko seeks allies in clearing his name and unraveling the mystery behind the plot. Belasko is written very well, his dedication and desperation in solving the prince's assassination driving him forward in realistic ways. Though his skills are still immeasurable, he is well aware they are diminishing with his age, and for that he feels real rather than an invincible undefeatable machine.
Enjoyable though the plot is, however, it still feels predictable. There are twists and turns, but none of them surprise and many of them you can see coming from a mile away. Perhaps that is due to the overall short length of the book (just over 200 pages) that there is not enough time for some of these threads to stew. But there isn't enough "screen time" for some of the periphery characters for their twists to illicit any sort of "oh no" moment.
The Swordsman's Lament is still a good book overall. While it is not necessarily a surprising, edge-of-your-seat read, it is well-paced enough that it remains a page-turner and I'm intrigued to see where the series goes from here.
October 8, 2023
Belasko is the king's champion, an expert duelist who has never been defeated since an extraordinary solo performance against the rival kingdom's impending invasion. But Belasko is getting on in years and his body doesn't move quite as quickly as it once did. He's thinking about moving on, passing the torch to a new champion, if he can find one worthy enough.
But all thoughts of rest and retirement are thrown to the wind when a horrible murder shocks the royal family and puts Belasko under suspicion. Belasko must push himself to his limits to find the true murderer before he takes the fall.
This was a tough one for me. I loved the swashbuckling war veteran concept at the center of the story, and mixed with a murder mystery? I wanted to love it. But the struggle I had was that there was history between characters that was told to the reader in a way that felt very plot-driven. The character motives felt shallow and convenient because I wasn't given an entrance into the story that gave much depth to the decisions that were being made. The emotional impact moments felt unearned, and because of that, they fell flat.
CAWPILE SCORE: 3.9/10
Characters: 4
Atmosphere/Setting: 5
Writing Style: 6
Plot: 3
Intrigue: 3
Logic/Relationships: 2
Enjoyment: 4
But all thoughts of rest and retirement are thrown to the wind when a horrible murder shocks the royal family and puts Belasko under suspicion. Belasko must push himself to his limits to find the true murderer before he takes the fall.
This was a tough one for me. I loved the swashbuckling war veteran concept at the center of the story, and mixed with a murder mystery? I wanted to love it. But the struggle I had was that there was history between characters that was told to the reader in a way that felt very plot-driven. The character motives felt shallow and convenient because I wasn't given an entrance into the story that gave much depth to the decisions that were being made. The emotional impact moments felt unearned, and because of that, they fell flat.
CAWPILE SCORE: 3.9/10
Characters: 4
Atmosphere/Setting: 5
Writing Style: 6
Plot: 3
Intrigue: 3
Logic/Relationships: 2
Enjoyment: 4
January 8, 2023
Following Belasko, a legendary swordsman and the King's Champion, who must uncover a murder mystery or stand accused of the death of a member of the Royal family. While sometimes predictable, it doesn't detract from this being a fast-paced, fun read with action, adventure and duels. I look forward to continuing on with this series.
June 4, 2020
Sword Duels and Adventure!
Really enjoyed this book! The story follows Belasko, the King’s champion, as things go from bad to worse after an assassination in the palace. Themes of loyalty, family, and classism are explored with a cast of great and sometimes quirky characters. I’m really looking forward to more adventures with Belasko!
Really enjoyed this book! The story follows Belasko, the King’s champion, as things go from bad to worse after an assassination in the palace. Themes of loyalty, family, and classism are explored with a cast of great and sometimes quirky characters. I’m really looking forward to more adventures with Belasko!
January 27, 2021
The Swordsman's Lament is an excellent introduction to the works of GM White. For any readers looking for a quick read full of mystery, intrigue, and some well-written swordsmanship sprinkled throughout, then this is one to add to your TBR.
In The Swordsman's Lament, we follow our hero, Belasko, the aging champion of the king, as he is accused of murder. With all the forces about Belasko against him, he must find a way to prove his innocence while doing his best to minimize any collateral damage. The plot is simple, yet engaging, as every piece of Belasko's story comes together to finish the puzzle at the end.
Given the shorter page count, the mystery isn't one that will leave you pondering it for years to come between book releases - but it doesn't need to be. It's satisfying from beginning to end and leaves you ready for new adventures involving Belasko and others. The mystery's end only sets you down the road for more stories to come, and I think that's The Swordsman's Lament's charm, in a way.
For fans of low-fantasy medieval fiction, this is one you will be glad to pick up.
In The Swordsman's Lament, we follow our hero, Belasko, the aging champion of the king, as he is accused of murder. With all the forces about Belasko against him, he must find a way to prove his innocence while doing his best to minimize any collateral damage. The plot is simple, yet engaging, as every piece of Belasko's story comes together to finish the puzzle at the end.
Given the shorter page count, the mystery isn't one that will leave you pondering it for years to come between book releases - but it doesn't need to be. It's satisfying from beginning to end and leaves you ready for new adventures involving Belasko and others. The mystery's end only sets you down the road for more stories to come, and I think that's The Swordsman's Lament's charm, in a way.
For fans of low-fantasy medieval fiction, this is one you will be glad to pick up.
January 29, 2020
I really enjoyed this story that appears to be just a standard tale of a great warrior but turns into a fantasy thriller with a much more interesting lead character than I was expecting
Full review - https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/bl...
Full review - https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/bl...
April 10, 2022
The Swordsman’s Lament is a debut novel by GM White, and occupies the same subgenre niche that I tend to squat in, which is fantasy without much or any magic. I hope this style is becoming more popular as people get their fill and then some of magic systems that require a master’s thesis to comprehend. In contrast, what we have here is a quick, easy adventure characterized by clear, unaffected writing, told in a brisk 213 pages. This is not the typical grimdark fantasy I often review, but might still appeal to those readers as a kind of palate cleanser in between having one’s soul crushed over and over. Funny story, I first heard about this book on an episode of Jed Herne’s Wizards, Warriors, & Words YouTube channel/podcast where they were crapping all over people’s cover art, including the original for this one. The updated cover is an improvement, but it just goes to show there’s no such thing as bad publicity.
The setup will feel familiar to the casual fantasy or mystery reader: the hero is framed for a murder he didn’t commit, and must escape and prove his innocence. In this case we have Belasko, the king’s champion and famed but aging duellist. A lifetime of fighting has left him with injuries of both body and mind that will never fully heal, and he’s looking forward to a well-earned retirement as an instructor. When the king’s ne’er-do-well son is murdered, Belasko is framed for it and thrown in prison. From there, he proceeds through story beats that although we may expect them, like the best comfort foods they still manage to surprise and delight in the execution. “Inevitable yet unexpected,” Sanderson might say. With the help of allies old and new he must discover the real killer and clear his name.
The story is told mostly in the POV of Belasko, with some flashbacks to earlier episodes of developing or using the skills he employs at the moment. I’m not sure they’re strictly necessary as the character’s ability with a blade is already established, but they don’t really get in the way except for a few parts that flip back and forth where the time frame is not explicit. There are a couple POV switches to other characters which are necessary to tell the story, but they’re established early enough that I was never confused. The story takes place in a city-state called Villan in a roughly Renaissance level of development. The political situation is reminiscent of Guy Gavriel Kay’s books, where the machinations of foreign powers with foreign-sounding names mimicking real world ones may or may not influence the plot. We also have criminal underworld elements that are referred to ahead of time, building intrigue and expectation until they appear. All this gives hints to a wider world that we’re only shown a glimpse of in this first story, which is an effective strategy to generate interest for future volumes.
As you might expect, the pacing is quick, with a lot of running, fighting, hiding, finding allies to hatch the next move, rinse and repeat. This works well for the plot since the main character is after all a wanted man with a whole city after him. The pacing slows a bit with sometimes overly detailed descriptions of certain acts- climbing, sneaking, etc. There is also a good amount of telling versus showing, or more often telling then showing with a little more expository dialogue than needed. I would suggest White put a bit more trust in the reader in the future, and I well know this can be a tough balancing act for a newer author. The prose is clear and straightforward, though can feel a bit basic at times, with certain characters filling very archetypical roles. A bit of Abercrombian acid wit would pair with the setting very well I think. But these are minor issues which I feel will be ironed out in future works by the author. I wasn’t at all surprised by the ending, but I was pleasantly impressed in some ways. I tend to skip over fight sequences because I find them tedious to read, but in this case it proved rather poignant.
Since The Swordsman’s Lament is explicitly the first in a series, it accomplishes its primary task of grounding the reader in the world and establishing the major characters quite well, and sets up the reader to jump right into future volumes without much additional effort. The sequel, The Swordsman’s Descent, is available for pre-order.
The setup will feel familiar to the casual fantasy or mystery reader: the hero is framed for a murder he didn’t commit, and must escape and prove his innocence. In this case we have Belasko, the king’s champion and famed but aging duellist. A lifetime of fighting has left him with injuries of both body and mind that will never fully heal, and he’s looking forward to a well-earned retirement as an instructor. When the king’s ne’er-do-well son is murdered, Belasko is framed for it and thrown in prison. From there, he proceeds through story beats that although we may expect them, like the best comfort foods they still manage to surprise and delight in the execution. “Inevitable yet unexpected,” Sanderson might say. With the help of allies old and new he must discover the real killer and clear his name.
The story is told mostly in the POV of Belasko, with some flashbacks to earlier episodes of developing or using the skills he employs at the moment. I’m not sure they’re strictly necessary as the character’s ability with a blade is already established, but they don’t really get in the way except for a few parts that flip back and forth where the time frame is not explicit. There are a couple POV switches to other characters which are necessary to tell the story, but they’re established early enough that I was never confused. The story takes place in a city-state called Villan in a roughly Renaissance level of development. The political situation is reminiscent of Guy Gavriel Kay’s books, where the machinations of foreign powers with foreign-sounding names mimicking real world ones may or may not influence the plot. We also have criminal underworld elements that are referred to ahead of time, building intrigue and expectation until they appear. All this gives hints to a wider world that we’re only shown a glimpse of in this first story, which is an effective strategy to generate interest for future volumes.
As you might expect, the pacing is quick, with a lot of running, fighting, hiding, finding allies to hatch the next move, rinse and repeat. This works well for the plot since the main character is after all a wanted man with a whole city after him. The pacing slows a bit with sometimes overly detailed descriptions of certain acts- climbing, sneaking, etc. There is also a good amount of telling versus showing, or more often telling then showing with a little more expository dialogue than needed. I would suggest White put a bit more trust in the reader in the future, and I well know this can be a tough balancing act for a newer author. The prose is clear and straightforward, though can feel a bit basic at times, with certain characters filling very archetypical roles. A bit of Abercrombian acid wit would pair with the setting very well I think. But these are minor issues which I feel will be ironed out in future works by the author. I wasn’t at all surprised by the ending, but I was pleasantly impressed in some ways. I tend to skip over fight sequences because I find them tedious to read, but in this case it proved rather poignant.
Since The Swordsman’s Lament is explicitly the first in a series, it accomplishes its primary task of grounding the reader in the world and establishing the major characters quite well, and sets up the reader to jump right into future volumes without much additional effort. The sequel, The Swordsman’s Descent, is available for pre-order.
September 21, 2020
Swordsman’s Lament is a fun and fast paced read, perfect for fans of swashbuckling adventure with humour mixed in. Belasko is the King’s Champion, undefeated in battle, and always has the King’s ear. Until the unthinkable happens, the Prince is killed and the blame is laid on Belasko’s head. The grief-stricken king will not listen to reason and so Belasko knows he only has one option, to find out who the real killer is, or die himself. He needs to rely on his friends, both within the palace and without, because the deception runs deeper than even Belasko can imagine.
This was a really fun story, and at just over 200 pages I flew through it in a matter of hours. Swordsman’s Lament is told through differing perspective although Belasko’s is by far the main POV. We follow his story as he flees the Palace in search of the true killer, his love for the Prince making his thirst for vengeance all the stronger. He relies on his allies, some old and some new to investigate the death of the Prince and why he is the one being blamed. He is unflinchingly loyal to the Crown and even in the face of his own death, risks his life to find out the truth. The other POV’s we get are the Princess Lilliana, devatated at the loss of her brother and sure that Belasko was not the one to blame, she starts her own investigation into Kellan’s death and her insights play a massive part in figuring out who is to blame. Kendra, a chef that Belasko found and managed to get a job at the Palace. It was her dessert that proved fatal to the Prince, and she is kept in the Dungeons whilst the case in on going, and finally Ambassador Aveyard, the ambassador to the warring Baskan government. All these perspectives bring little clues to the overall plot and weave effortlessly together.
A proper swashbuckling adventure that gave me some serious Greatcoats vibes. Belasko is well past his prime, and the only reason he is still the Kings Champion is he can’t find anyone good enough to replace him. I enjoyed reading the flashbacks where we see him in his prime and these also allow us to see another side of him, he doesn’t particularly want to kill, he is just extremely good at it. The author gives us all the fun of sword fights but shows us the realities of fighting at Belasko’s age. The poor man in pretty much constantly in pain from one part of his body or another, but pushes through it, knowing that if he doesn’t solve the crime of Kellan’s murder then nobody else will.
The story line is pretty straightforward and though the plot line of this story is well wrapped up at the end, you can tell the author wants to return to the world and I would definitely be eager to read another book set around the same characters.
This was a really fun story, and at just over 200 pages I flew through it in a matter of hours. Swordsman’s Lament is told through differing perspective although Belasko’s is by far the main POV. We follow his story as he flees the Palace in search of the true killer, his love for the Prince making his thirst for vengeance all the stronger. He relies on his allies, some old and some new to investigate the death of the Prince and why he is the one being blamed. He is unflinchingly loyal to the Crown and even in the face of his own death, risks his life to find out the truth. The other POV’s we get are the Princess Lilliana, devatated at the loss of her brother and sure that Belasko was not the one to blame, she starts her own investigation into Kellan’s death and her insights play a massive part in figuring out who is to blame. Kendra, a chef that Belasko found and managed to get a job at the Palace. It was her dessert that proved fatal to the Prince, and she is kept in the Dungeons whilst the case in on going, and finally Ambassador Aveyard, the ambassador to the warring Baskan government. All these perspectives bring little clues to the overall plot and weave effortlessly together.
A proper swashbuckling adventure that gave me some serious Greatcoats vibes. Belasko is well past his prime, and the only reason he is still the Kings Champion is he can’t find anyone good enough to replace him. I enjoyed reading the flashbacks where we see him in his prime and these also allow us to see another side of him, he doesn’t particularly want to kill, he is just extremely good at it. The author gives us all the fun of sword fights but shows us the realities of fighting at Belasko’s age. The poor man in pretty much constantly in pain from one part of his body or another, but pushes through it, knowing that if he doesn’t solve the crime of Kellan’s murder then nobody else will.
The story line is pretty straightforward and though the plot line of this story is well wrapped up at the end, you can tell the author wants to return to the world and I would definitely be eager to read another book set around the same characters.
June 19, 2023
If you are looking for your next unputdownable read, then look no further! The Swordsman’s Lament by G. M. White is literally UN. PUT. DOWNABLE. I read it, cover to cover, in a few hours, completely ignoring the family whilst I did so. Imagine my excitement when I reached the end of the book; and found details to sign up to Geoff White’s newsletter where you can get a free digital copy of the prequel novella, The Swordsman’s Intent; but I’ll get to that later.
I am going to write this review with no spoilers because I want you all to buy it immediately after you’ve finished reading my review. Here goes…
From the first sentence, The Swordsman’s Lament sets out the tone for the book. It is punchy, thrilling and leaves you wanting answers so, you read the next and the next and, before you know it you read, “The End.”
Belasko is the Royal Champion, a duellist with a reputation of skill, of honour and of loyalty. Yet, when the prince is murdered, his efficacy with the sword, his loyalty to the throne and his tenacity to discover the truth is tested like never before. Just when you think you know where the story is going, G. M. White throws in a belting twist again and again.
Beautifully written, G. M. White has captured my book loving heart and I cannot wait to read the next instalment. Poetic literature, but with swords, what is better than that?
It has been really hard to write a review without spoilers. I want to talk about it to anyone and everyone. It’s like seeing a preview of a blockbusting film which you are busting to bleat about.
The Swordsman’s Intent takes place fifteen years prior to The Swordsman’s Lament. It tells you the story of how Belasko came to be the Royal Champion.
What are you waiting for?
I am going to write this review with no spoilers because I want you all to buy it immediately after you’ve finished reading my review. Here goes…
From the first sentence, The Swordsman’s Lament sets out the tone for the book. It is punchy, thrilling and leaves you wanting answers so, you read the next and the next and, before you know it you read, “The End.”
Belasko is the Royal Champion, a duellist with a reputation of skill, of honour and of loyalty. Yet, when the prince is murdered, his efficacy with the sword, his loyalty to the throne and his tenacity to discover the truth is tested like never before. Just when you think you know where the story is going, G. M. White throws in a belting twist again and again.
Beautifully written, G. M. White has captured my book loving heart and I cannot wait to read the next instalment. Poetic literature, but with swords, what is better than that?
It has been really hard to write a review without spoilers. I want to talk about it to anyone and everyone. It’s like seeing a preview of a blockbusting film which you are busting to bleat about.
The Swordsman’s Intent takes place fifteen years prior to The Swordsman’s Lament. It tells you the story of how Belasko came to be the Royal Champion.
What are you waiting for?
September 16, 2020
*I received this book for an honest review*
From the first page, I was hooked! I really liked the main character Belasko. He was someone you could root for during the entire book—cunning, resourceful, and a warrior. The fight scenes were terrific and it made me want to join HEMA right now (although I was already going to join once it's safe for us to go out again). Swords, of all kinds, has always been a passion of mine so I was really glad when I was offered to review this book.
My favorite character, and one I hope we learn more of in future books, is the Water King. I think if I were in this world, I would probably be working for him if we were honest. I loved how there were myths about him and we got to learn some of the truth. I look forward in learning more about him and the world White created.
The only problem I had was with the princess. She was an important part but I feel we didn't get to read enough of her to really understand who she was. Without spoiling, I felt the ending didn't quite line up with the rest of the story for how she acted. It wasn't a bad ending at all, and it worked, but I just needed to understand her thought process more.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. If you love knights, swords, or medieval stories, this is definitely one for you!
From the first page, I was hooked! I really liked the main character Belasko. He was someone you could root for during the entire book—cunning, resourceful, and a warrior. The fight scenes were terrific and it made me want to join HEMA right now (although I was already going to join once it's safe for us to go out again). Swords, of all kinds, has always been a passion of mine so I was really glad when I was offered to review this book.
My favorite character, and one I hope we learn more of in future books, is the Water King. I think if I were in this world, I would probably be working for him if we were honest. I loved how there were myths about him and we got to learn some of the truth. I look forward in learning more about him and the world White created.
The only problem I had was with the princess. She was an important part but I feel we didn't get to read enough of her to really understand who she was. Without spoiling, I felt the ending didn't quite line up with the rest of the story for how she acted. It wasn't a bad ending at all, and it worked, but I just needed to understand her thought process more.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. If you love knights, swords, or medieval stories, this is definitely one for you!
August 24, 2025
There are few things that annoy me more than pointless and stupid character death just for shock value. If you have time to jump in front of your friend you have time to parry.
Also why are these people so stupid in their master plans? Yes, tell the main character everything as if you were a Cartoon villain, it totally makes sense. And if you want to permanently get rid off your son it is way easier (and smarter) to make it look like an accident than to set your champion up. Especially when you have chief inquisitor on your side (he can rule the foul play out).
I still had a good time reading though. Just don't hope for a real investigation on Belasko's part, there isn't one. He is still enjoyable to follow around and I liked that he wasn't as fit due to his age (at least in theory, he still seems almost too good especially in the later half. He does so much with broken ribs and sore foot that it stops being believable).
I appreciated the fact that he used rapier for duelling and a sword for combat, it is not something you see often in fiction. But on the other hand, fighting with only one eye is a practically lost duel, you have no depth perception and you do need that one. So it should have been easier for Belasko but I can get this one slide (he was exhausted I get it. Though he did not seem or act like it later on).
Also why are these people so stupid in their master plans? Yes, tell the main character everything as if you were a Cartoon villain, it totally makes sense. And if you want to permanently get rid off your son it is way easier (and smarter) to make it look like an accident than to set your champion up. Especially when you have chief inquisitor on your side (he can rule the foul play out).
I still had a good time reading though. Just don't hope for a real investigation on Belasko's part, there isn't one. He is still enjoyable to follow around and I liked that he wasn't as fit due to his age (at least in theory, he still seems almost too good especially in the later half. He does so much with broken ribs and sore foot that it stops being believable).
I appreciated the fact that he used rapier for duelling and a sword for combat, it is not something you see often in fiction. But on the other hand, fighting with only one eye is a practically lost duel, you have no depth perception and you do need that one. So it should have been easier for Belasko but I can get this one slide (he was exhausted I get it. Though he did not seem or act like it later on).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2023
The Swordsman's Lament follows Belasko, the champion of the King who spends his time fighting anyone the king asks him to and also anyone who decides to challenge him for the title. When the prince is murdered however, Belasko finds he is more expendable than he expected and has to find a way to clear his name.
The synopsis of this indie book and the humor of Belasko definitely reminded me of Sebastien De Castell's Greatcoats series but unfortunately I feel like that comparison does a bit of a disservice to this story in terms of expectations. The Swordsman's Lament is a lot of fun in the front half as we're introduced to Belasko and learn his history as a swordfighter but the second half almost completely lost me. There are some predictable and annoying elements to the progression of the plot and I ended up getting pretty frustrated at the end despite really liking Belasko at the beginning.
Overall, if you want a story following a veteran swordfighter, enjoy a humorous and quippy main character and can deal with some conveniences, you might try this one. It definitely felt like a debut but it also felt like there was promise in the style so I'm hopeful I'll enjoy future books more.
The synopsis of this indie book and the humor of Belasko definitely reminded me of Sebastien De Castell's Greatcoats series but unfortunately I feel like that comparison does a bit of a disservice to this story in terms of expectations. The Swordsman's Lament is a lot of fun in the front half as we're introduced to Belasko and learn his history as a swordfighter but the second half almost completely lost me. There are some predictable and annoying elements to the progression of the plot and I ended up getting pretty frustrated at the end despite really liking Belasko at the beginning.
Overall, if you want a story following a veteran swordfighter, enjoy a humorous and quippy main character and can deal with some conveniences, you might try this one. It definitely felt like a debut but it also felt like there was promise in the style so I'm hopeful I'll enjoy future books more.
July 9, 2021
The Swordsman's Lament by G. M. White is genuinely brilliant. When I had to turn the audiobook off after my commute to work I was looking forward to getting back on the road, and back in the story.
Belasko is a great new hero. This series deserves to blow up. I hope it does. The story is a simple but compelling one. A good man accused of a murder he didn't commit escapes from the dungeons to clear his name.
The writing is excellent and G. M. White is an exceptional storyteller.
There is an equality to the storytelling too. Strong female characters. Female guards, they/them pronouns, ambiguous sexual orientation. It's not at the forefront of the story, but it's there in the subtle world building.
The nobility / underclass devide is tackled with an edge as sharp as Belesko's rapier.
The Swordsman's Lament, "the older I get the better I was", is put to the test and Belasko prevails.
There is nothing to not like about the book. Just read it already, it's great.
I believe it was the narrator's first foray into reading audiobooks and I hope he reads more. He sounded very much like Tom Hiddleston. It was like having Loki read you a book, and who wouldn't want that?
Belasko is a great new hero. This series deserves to blow up. I hope it does. The story is a simple but compelling one. A good man accused of a murder he didn't commit escapes from the dungeons to clear his name.
The writing is excellent and G. M. White is an exceptional storyteller.
There is an equality to the storytelling too. Strong female characters. Female guards, they/them pronouns, ambiguous sexual orientation. It's not at the forefront of the story, but it's there in the subtle world building.
The nobility / underclass devide is tackled with an edge as sharp as Belesko's rapier.
The Swordsman's Lament, "the older I get the better I was", is put to the test and Belasko prevails.
There is nothing to not like about the book. Just read it already, it's great.
I believe it was the narrator's first foray into reading audiobooks and I hope he reads more. He sounded very much like Tom Hiddleston. It was like having Loki read you a book, and who wouldn't want that?
September 27, 2020
The Swordsman's Lament:
“The older I get, the better I was."
There are no retired duelists, only dead ones. One assumes this was the fate of Belasko’s master.
Belasio is 37 as this tale begins and has been King’s Champion for 15 years. The wear and tear is starting to take it’s toll. Just as gunslingers were forever running into young bucks eager to prove their prowess so to those who dueled with a sword. Today’s royal guards wear Kevlar vests and carry assault rifles that shoot hundreds of bullets a second.
Belasko has been framed for the murder of the crown prince and the palace grandees have all come to gloat at how the farm boy has fallen. The person most likely behind the plot is tasked with the investigation. For Arven revenge is a dish best served cold.
The prequel to this book which saw Belasko appointed Champion was so good I bought this follow up book almost immediately.
Of course the author has a few surprises up his sleeve.
“The older I get, the better I was."
There are no retired duelists, only dead ones. One assumes this was the fate of Belasko’s master.
Belasio is 37 as this tale begins and has been King’s Champion for 15 years. The wear and tear is starting to take it’s toll. Just as gunslingers were forever running into young bucks eager to prove their prowess so to those who dueled with a sword. Today’s royal guards wear Kevlar vests and carry assault rifles that shoot hundreds of bullets a second.
Belasko has been framed for the murder of the crown prince and the palace grandees have all come to gloat at how the farm boy has fallen. The person most likely behind the plot is tasked with the investigation. For Arven revenge is a dish best served cold.
The prequel to this book which saw Belasko appointed Champion was so good I bought this follow up book almost immediately.
Of course the author has a few surprises up his sleeve.
July 15, 2022
Belasko is a war veteran and the King's Champion, but let's face it: he's not as young as he used to be -- his old foot injury pains him and the challenges from younger would-be duellists are getting a bit harder. That's why, when he's accused of a royal murder, clearing his name, escaping a vengeful Inquisitor, and catching the real murderer isn't easy. Can he get by with a little help from his friends?
This was a shorter read, and I got pulled into the story immediately. Belasko is a genuinely nice guy as well as an accomplished swordsman (the fight scenes were REALLY well-written) and I liked him right away. The mystery isn't much of one -- it's pretty clear who the 'bad guys' are -- but the author does have a few surprises in store: one tragic, one absolutely delightful. The story stays *mostly* on the lighter side of things but there were some unexpectedly dark places. A good read that could easily work as a stand-alone; however, it looks like a second book is on its way!
This was a shorter read, and I got pulled into the story immediately. Belasko is a genuinely nice guy as well as an accomplished swordsman (the fight scenes were REALLY well-written) and I liked him right away. The mystery isn't much of one -- it's pretty clear who the 'bad guys' are -- but the author does have a few surprises in store: one tragic, one absolutely delightful. The story stays *mostly* on the lighter side of things but there were some unexpectedly dark places. A good read that could easily work as a stand-alone; however, it looks like a second book is on its way!
July 21, 2021
The audiobook is a definitely worth checking out!
This story was exactly what I needed something light and clear focused. I’ve been in a reading slump and this eased me into reading again. As a new fantasy reader I was unsure if this was going to be my cup of tea. I was pleasantly surprised and glad I picked it up.The narrative is clear focused only utilizing one POV. It’s not muddled with unnecessary characters or subplots. The only issue I had with it was that it wasn’t longer. The sword fight sequences are well written and you can tell the author did research when it came to them. Great summer read.
This story was exactly what I needed something light and clear focused. I’ve been in a reading slump and this eased me into reading again. As a new fantasy reader I was unsure if this was going to be my cup of tea. I was pleasantly surprised and glad I picked it up.The narrative is clear focused only utilizing one POV. It’s not muddled with unnecessary characters or subplots. The only issue I had with it was that it wasn’t longer. The sword fight sequences are well written and you can tell the author did research when it came to them. Great summer read.
July 26, 2022
I really liked this book!! Murder mystery meets fantasy adventure. This book is really cozy, I felt nostalgic while reading it HOWEVER it still feels fresh. Literally the perfect book to curl up next to a fire with. The murder mystery was predictable and some of the writing felt a bit clunky. For example, some of the transitions between current day and flashback scenes felt a bit awkward. These are minor concerns and I loved the book, but wanted to clarify why it didn’t get 5 stars. The story was fun, the characters were compelling, and the action was exciting. I will definitely be reading more from this author.
July 24, 2023
This was a solid first book. It was a little short, I hadn't spotted the page count, so was a little dissapointed how quickly I got through it. I prefer 400 page + books typically for more development.
I liked the main character, his personal reveal didn't need to be kept back till the end for me. (although in retrospect I missed a clue earlier) I loved the flashbacks in general. I wish a certain character connected to him had lived. Their relationship was very likable.
I'd like to see a little more character depth for the other characters in the book, just some extra little things so you feel more connected to them.
In general the story was good with some excellent bits.
I liked the main character, his personal reveal didn't need to be kept back till the end for me. (although in retrospect I missed a clue earlier) I loved the flashbacks in general. I wish a certain character connected to him had lived. Their relationship was very likable.
I'd like to see a little more character depth for the other characters in the book, just some extra little things so you feel more connected to them.
In general the story was good with some excellent bits.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2025
The Swordsman's Lament is a fast-paced fantasy thriller that masterfully blends intrigue with action-packed adventure. The story follows Belasko, a legendary swordsman, royal champion, and confidant to the king, who finds himself accused of murdering the prince. The grief-stricken king demands vengeance, leaving Belasko with two choices: uncover the real killer or face execution for a crime he didn't commit. This novel delves into themes of loyalty, betrayal, justice, vengeance, and survival. While my main complaint is that the book is quite short, it remains highly engaging and fast-paced throughout. I will be continuing the series.
December 29, 2023
This is a relatively short novel, but it does deliver an engaging story full of compelling characters, who are immediately likeable, though some less so by the end.
The plot is carefully thought out with actions taken by the characters having real consequences, which don't just disappear when it is convenient, giving a nicely balanced tale full of mystery and tension, with a satisfying conclusion.
On the whole, this is well-written and was a joy to read and should be suitable for readers, who like David Gemmell or Raymond E. Feist.
The plot is carefully thought out with actions taken by the characters having real consequences, which don't just disappear when it is convenient, giving a nicely balanced tale full of mystery and tension, with a satisfying conclusion.
On the whole, this is well-written and was a joy to read and should be suitable for readers, who like David Gemmell or Raymond E. Feist.
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