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The Twelve
Valtierra, a city-state, is governed by archetypes. Every two years they choose twelve men and women to wear the masks and to become the Wise Old Man, the Fool, the Mother, the Harlot, the Warrior, and the rest of the council.
But now Valtierra faces hunger, decay, and an enemy on their border. When the need for leadership is greatest, one mask is worn by a foreigner and one mask hides a traitor.
But now Valtierra faces hunger, decay, and an enemy on their border. When the need for leadership is greatest, one mask is worn by a foreigner and one mask hides a traitor.
- GenresFantasy
202 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 24, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 15, 2022
The Twelve stands fantasy tropes on their head. Too often in the genre characters are little more than ciphers, familiar types going through the motions. In The Twelve, we are presented by characters who embody Archetypes, the author’s nod to this all too common genre flaw. But as the story unfolds, these Archetypes reveal the far more complex human reality that lies behind the literal masks that they wear. It’s an impressive form of literary jujitsu.
The Twelve tells the story of the governance of a medieval type city state by a council of individuals each representing an archetype; Warrior, Merchant, Priest, Matron, etc. The action of the novel mostly takes the form of the intrigue and maneuvering between the councilors as a deadly crisis confronts their city, forcing them to rethink their perceptions and interests.
Author James K. Burk spins his tale using conversations and inner dialogues. He builds a believable, realistic world while imparting a generous serving of philosophy that animates the archetypes. (This philosophizing reminded me of the late Robert Heinlein, only Burk’s terse style is both less wordy and not nearly so pompous.)
The Twelve tells the story of the governance of a medieval type city state by a council of individuals each representing an archetype; Warrior, Merchant, Priest, Matron, etc. The action of the novel mostly takes the form of the intrigue and maneuvering between the councilors as a deadly crisis confronts their city, forcing them to rethink their perceptions and interests.
Author James K. Burk spins his tale using conversations and inner dialogues. He builds a believable, realistic world while imparting a generous serving of philosophy that animates the archetypes. (This philosophizing reminded me of the late Robert Heinlein, only Burk’s terse style is both less wordy and not nearly so pompous.)
November 7, 2016
James K. Burk busts through the box with this one! Twelve amazing points of view, done with depth and character. The Twelve follows Commander Anton to Valtierra, a city-state that is governed by archetypes. Every two years they choose twelve men and women to wear the masks of a specific character, and to become the council. They've lost their warrior, and though Anton just defeated them in battle, they ask him to replace their fallen council member. It's a tough job to shape Valtierra's army, city and hearts to overcome the enemy that Anton once worked for.
An amazing in-depth character study with intriguing plot and engaging dialogue. Burk pulls off the 12 POV with grace and wit. I thouroughly enjoyed this book!
An amazing in-depth character study with intriguing plot and engaging dialogue. Burk pulls off the 12 POV with grace and wit. I thouroughly enjoyed this book!
July 8, 2011
If you're looking for something fresh, something unusual, this fantasy novel is for you.
Told from twelve points of view, it's fun watching these disparate and different people slowly come together and grow to make something more than each individual would have been if left on their own.
Though sprinkled with action and intrigue, the book's best quality is its ability to make the reader think, to make one look outside one's normal boundaries - learning to see things from multiple points of view and in new ways not thought of before. Pulling those involved out of their comfort zones.
Well worth your time.
Kudos, James!
Gloria
Told from twelve points of view, it's fun watching these disparate and different people slowly come together and grow to make something more than each individual would have been if left on their own.
Though sprinkled with action and intrigue, the book's best quality is its ability to make the reader think, to make one look outside one's normal boundaries - learning to see things from multiple points of view and in new ways not thought of before. Pulling those involved out of their comfort zones.
Well worth your time.
Kudos, James!
Gloria
August 28, 2019
A clever concept for a book that never gets carried away by its cleverness.
Although the reader never learns the names of the members of the Council of Twelve, other than the newest addition, the Warrior, one comes to know them as both the archetypes represented by their masks and the people behind the masks. The author’s prose is spare but effective and he achieves a fine balance between portraying the specific Council roles and the individual playing, or rather living, each role. By having different POVs for each chapter, the reader sees the action and the changes from the various perspectives of the Council members. The Warrior is truly a catalyst for the Council and for the city-state of Valtierra.
How much are we bound by our roles? And how much is our understanding limited by our expectations of others based on their roles? Can we change? Can we be open to the changes that others make? Thoughts to ponder long after I closed this book.
Although the reader never learns the names of the members of the Council of Twelve, other than the newest addition, the Warrior, one comes to know them as both the archetypes represented by their masks and the people behind the masks. The author’s prose is spare but effective and he achieves a fine balance between portraying the specific Council roles and the individual playing, or rather living, each role. By having different POVs for each chapter, the reader sees the action and the changes from the various perspectives of the Council members. The Warrior is truly a catalyst for the Council and for the city-state of Valtierra.
How much are we bound by our roles? And how much is our understanding limited by our expectations of others based on their roles? Can we change? Can we be open to the changes that others make? Thoughts to ponder long after I closed this book.
December 14, 2010
A quick, well-written read with a truly original premise. The city-state of Valtierra is governed by a council of twelve archetypes. When their Warrior is killed in battle, the council position is offered to the foreign mercenary who was responsible, and the story takes off from there.
The plot involving a neighboring enemy city-state is engaging, but the book really shines when it comes to the characters and their relationships. You are never told the characters' given names (except for the new Warrior, whose name is only used at the very beginning of the book before he becomes the Warrior). The council members must wear their masks at all times except when they are completely alone, but the reader gets a glimpse at what's going on behind those masks; as each archetype strives to play their assigned role, that very struggle helps their own thinking evolve in new directions. I especially enjoyed the characters of the Fool, the Priest, and the Wise Old Man.
The chapters are short and sweet and each devoted to one of the council members' point of view. A few of the councilors didn't get much "screen time", but I actually liked that aspect of the book: the Farmer and the Artisan, for example, are not as well-characterized as some of the others, but it gave me a sense of how the council members are seen from the outside: as archetypes, rather than as individuals.
I really enjoyed this.
The plot involving a neighboring enemy city-state is engaging, but the book really shines when it comes to the characters and their relationships. You are never told the characters' given names (except for the new Warrior, whose name is only used at the very beginning of the book before he becomes the Warrior). The council members must wear their masks at all times except when they are completely alone, but the reader gets a glimpse at what's going on behind those masks; as each archetype strives to play their assigned role, that very struggle helps their own thinking evolve in new directions. I especially enjoyed the characters of the Fool, the Priest, and the Wise Old Man.
The chapters are short and sweet and each devoted to one of the council members' point of view. A few of the councilors didn't get much "screen time", but I actually liked that aspect of the book: the Farmer and the Artisan, for example, are not as well-characterized as some of the others, but it gave me a sense of how the council members are seen from the outside: as archetypes, rather than as individuals.
I really enjoyed this.
July 9, 2012
With "The Twelve", James K. Burk delivered a masterful tale, filled with a Council of archetypes and a city-state, Valtierra, lingering on the brink of war.
The tension came to life as the characters each portrayed believable qualities, living up to the societal archetypes that were placed upon them - and thus represented in the form of masks. Each figure was distinct in living up to his or her role, and through simple description and prose, an entire realm was brought to life. I felt like I sat in with the Council and actually knew who the Fool and the Rash Youth were, among the others. A clever amount of wit and intrigue was used within the story, and not a breath was wasted; each word served an important purpose.
The tension came to life as the characters each portrayed believable qualities, living up to the societal archetypes that were placed upon them - and thus represented in the form of masks. Each figure was distinct in living up to his or her role, and through simple description and prose, an entire realm was brought to life. I felt like I sat in with the Council and actually knew who the Fool and the Rash Youth were, among the others. A clever amount of wit and intrigue was used within the story, and not a breath was wasted; each word served an important purpose.
August 7, 2012
Fun pseudo-medieval fantasy with fascinating character development and intrigue. My only gripe (and it's a minor one, at that) is battles happen with such swiftness that they seem over almost before they start. A seemingly slim volume at 200 pages; those pages are large and densely packed, so you're getting your money's worth. I endeavor to read more of Burk's work.
August 6, 2016
A great exercise in worldbuilding, with many sympathetic characters, although the mystery aspect of the plot (who is the traitor?) turned out predictably, to me.
October 27, 2017
I don't normally read books on fantasy, at least not since I read The Hobbit in my youth and I'm certainly not lumping these two together. This was a short book, less than 200 pages, and to be honest, I read it because the author is a casual friend of mine on Facebook and I felt I should read at least one of his books. He also writes sci-fi and westerns so this seemed like the best choice.
I was pleased that the book didn't contain gratuitous violence or sex scenes; both make me squirm.
For people who enjoy fantasy books set in the middle ages, they should be pleased with this one.
I enjoyed the story and the unique way it was told.
You might notice that many authors have favorite words that they tend to insert into their books over and over again and in this case, the word 'grinned' was used so many times I was tempted to go back through the book and count how often it was used but this is being petty. Seems like I can't read many books without someone 'biting their lip', another favorite description that gets on my nerves along with 'had had' used in a sentence. It may be grammatically correct but if I wrote books I would rework the sentence. It's funny how the smallest things can grate on our nerves and I'm sure we all have our own pet peeves. The worst, and most common is when all the characters in a book are so unlikeable that you can't wait to erase them from your mind, such as Fates & Furies. Did I mention that I find unusual names annoying too?
I was pleased that the book didn't contain gratuitous violence or sex scenes; both make me squirm.
For people who enjoy fantasy books set in the middle ages, they should be pleased with this one.
I enjoyed the story and the unique way it was told.
You might notice that many authors have favorite words that they tend to insert into their books over and over again and in this case, the word 'grinned' was used so many times I was tempted to go back through the book and count how often it was used but this is being petty. Seems like I can't read many books without someone 'biting their lip', another favorite description that gets on my nerves along with 'had had' used in a sentence. It may be grammatically correct but if I wrote books I would rework the sentence. It's funny how the smallest things can grate on our nerves and I'm sure we all have our own pet peeves. The worst, and most common is when all the characters in a book are so unlikeable that you can't wait to erase them from your mind, such as Fates & Furies. Did I mention that I find unusual names annoying too?
January 17, 2011
James K. Burk’s debut novel—The Twelve—is one of the finer examples of world building and character development I’ve read in the past year. The book tells story of Anton, commander of an army, who leads a victorious battle over the army of Valtierra, a city governed by a council of twelve. Anton then finds himself without a home when his life is threatened by his former Lord. An invitation comes from The Twelve for him to join their number and replace the warrior he defeated, so he goes to Valtierra to consider the position.
The Council is made up of representatives from each major sector of society: A Wise Old Man, A Merchant, A Harlot, A Farmer, A Fool, A Crone, A Mother, A Priest, A Rash Youth, An Artisan, a Matron, and the Warrior. As he gets to know the Council and Valtierra, they also get to know him, evaluating each other. Anton soon realizes they have a spy in their midst and a plot is afoot, and sets out to discover who’s behind it while throwing himself enthusiastically into the warrior’s role to earn his place among the Twelve.
Burk has done a great job of creating twelve distinct personalities and characters, each with surprising departures from the stereotypes one might expect. A Fool who turns out to be one of the wisest of the Council, for example. As the details of their lives, personalities and world are revealed a bit at a time, we are given rich dialogue and descriptions to bring all of this to life. Burk is an experienced storyteller and it shows. It’s clear he put a lot of thought into how each detail relates to the others, no matter how small, and that pays off in a richness and depth which reward the reader well.
Lost in the shuffle, however, in some sense, is plotting. My one criticism of the book is that it lacks a compelling tension throughout. Once the plot, which is only suspected at first, becomes apparent toward the middle of the book, things start moving with a lot more tension than they do in the opening chapters. It’s the rich characters and fantasy world which keep the reader going up to that point, and I think the book would have been stronger if he’d been able to leverage the tension throughout. My only other question was why the warrior would so quickly choose to join his enemies. The idea never seems to repel him, and there’s more of a sense of the other Council members wondering if he should be allowed to join than of him debating whether he wants to join. He’s a man without a home, yes. His life is in danger, yes, but he just fought a major battle against these people. Why does he not show more concern about whether they can accept him or whether it’s a trap for revenge?
In the end, these are minor quibbles. Coming in at only 194 pages—The Twelve—was an enjoyable read with short chapters each told from the point of view of one of the Twelve. We get only a glimpse of one city in a fantasy world which is clearly much richer and of which I’d like to see more. It would be interesting to see what other stories Burk could tell from this world. Anton would also be worth revisiting as he is a hero adorned with an old fashioned sense of confidence and honor.
I’d recommend the book and I’d recommend James K. Burk, whom I'm sure is only beginning to reach his potential as a storyteller.
The Council is made up of representatives from each major sector of society: A Wise Old Man, A Merchant, A Harlot, A Farmer, A Fool, A Crone, A Mother, A Priest, A Rash Youth, An Artisan, a Matron, and the Warrior. As he gets to know the Council and Valtierra, they also get to know him, evaluating each other. Anton soon realizes they have a spy in their midst and a plot is afoot, and sets out to discover who’s behind it while throwing himself enthusiastically into the warrior’s role to earn his place among the Twelve.
Burk has done a great job of creating twelve distinct personalities and characters, each with surprising departures from the stereotypes one might expect. A Fool who turns out to be one of the wisest of the Council, for example. As the details of their lives, personalities and world are revealed a bit at a time, we are given rich dialogue and descriptions to bring all of this to life. Burk is an experienced storyteller and it shows. It’s clear he put a lot of thought into how each detail relates to the others, no matter how small, and that pays off in a richness and depth which reward the reader well.
Lost in the shuffle, however, in some sense, is plotting. My one criticism of the book is that it lacks a compelling tension throughout. Once the plot, which is only suspected at first, becomes apparent toward the middle of the book, things start moving with a lot more tension than they do in the opening chapters. It’s the rich characters and fantasy world which keep the reader going up to that point, and I think the book would have been stronger if he’d been able to leverage the tension throughout. My only other question was why the warrior would so quickly choose to join his enemies. The idea never seems to repel him, and there’s more of a sense of the other Council members wondering if he should be allowed to join than of him debating whether he wants to join. He’s a man without a home, yes. His life is in danger, yes, but he just fought a major battle against these people. Why does he not show more concern about whether they can accept him or whether it’s a trap for revenge?
In the end, these are minor quibbles. Coming in at only 194 pages—The Twelve—was an enjoyable read with short chapters each told from the point of view of one of the Twelve. We get only a glimpse of one city in a fantasy world which is clearly much richer and of which I’d like to see more. It would be interesting to see what other stories Burk could tell from this world. Anton would also be worth revisiting as he is a hero adorned with an old fashioned sense of confidence and honor.
I’d recommend the book and I’d recommend James K. Burk, whom I'm sure is only beginning to reach his potential as a storyteller.
May 19, 2023
A really great book to read, written by my dear friend James Burk.
In a time where kingdoms dominated the Earth, one hired warrior succeeds in his duty of all but wiping out the enemy of the king who hired him.
The losing kingdom, run by a council of 12, realise they must find a replacement for their own warrior lost in battle, who better than to ask the person who beat them!
One might say a medieval head hunting job interview at it's finest. This book tells of the council and how they get about deciding whether this new warrior is right for them.
This is a book I enjoy reading over and over.
In a time where kingdoms dominated the Earth, one hired warrior succeeds in his duty of all but wiping out the enemy of the king who hired him.
The losing kingdom, run by a council of 12, realise they must find a replacement for their own warrior lost in battle, who better than to ask the person who beat them!
One might say a medieval head hunting job interview at it's finest. This book tells of the council and how they get about deciding whether this new warrior is right for them.
This is a book I enjoy reading over and over.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2016
Masterfully written, engaging and immersive. Highly recommended for readers who don't just want to read fantasy, but wish to experience it.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews