Flintlock fantasy is an exploding subgenre of fantasy, thanks in part to Django Wexler’s Shadow Campaign saga, as well as Brian McClellan’s Powder Mage Trilogy and Stina Leicht’s just released Cold Iron. The Price of Valor, the subject of this review, is Wexler’s third installment of his saga and proves that the man is one helluva storyteller and writer.
Raesina has assumed her role as Queen, Winter is still masquerading as a man while her relationship with Jane struggles under the weight of Winter’s duty to the army and Janus, and Marcus is partnered with Raesina as they to go on a mission to get at the heart of the her enemies; in short, those who are trying to kill her. Wexler juggles the parallel plotlines very well, exhibiting skill in depicting battles/physical conflicts against an emotional conflict (Winter and Jane), as well as conspiracy/thriller plotline focusing on Marcus and Raesina. The primary protagonist here, since Orlando was defeated in the previous volume, is Raesina’s former ally Maurisk. Much like Joseph McCarthy, he builds up evidence against people he can destroy with a new device called the Spike.
The third book in a five book series is the exact middle book of the series and while there are some elements of the novel that give it a feel of treading water (the Winter/Jane relationship seemed a bit drawn out), on the whole, Django Wexler manages to reveal more layers of the plot of the antagonists and more about his characters. Janus has been an enigma for much of the series thus far, a character who immediately commands respect and awe from those who serve him, and frustration to those who either oppose him or find themselves at odds with him (even if Janus doesn’t realize it). His air of always knowing what to do and being several steps ahead of the opposition have given him a well-earned reputation as a master tactician. The person most frustrated by him is Jane, and specifically, what an important fixture he is in Winter’s life. Winter, oh Winter, what a great character you are. She is surrounded by a cabal of well-rounded characters who don’t blend into each other and for their “minor” status in the cast of characters, manage to have their own stand-out voices.
Another ‘enigma’ is Queen Raesina, for earlier in the series she was not as much of a power player in the spotlight despite her royal lineage. She helped to lead underground movements, but now that she’s Queen, she is front and center the face of Vordan, with her life constantly threatened. Fortunately for her, that isn’t a problem since something, some would say a demon, has possessed her which prevents her from dying/being killed, despite being shot and falling off of a building. This allows her to pair up, undercover, with Marcus on their mission to infiltrate Maurisk’s insurgence. Marcus continues to be a stiff character, keeping his emotions buttoned up under his uniform. They also find themselves fighting against Black Priests, dark sorcerers. Getting in both Raesina’s head and Marcus’s head during their storylines hints that these two might have a more than platonic relationship and also served to enhance their already splendid characterization. The growth of their relationship as they learn more about their enemies proved to be the strongest element of the novel for me.
More impressive, in regard to the parallel storylines, is how the shaky relationship between Jane and Winter parallels the shaky political situation of Vordan. That shakiness is an uneven balance between aggression, passion, strength, and keeping things hidden. The political conflicts were also contrasted very well with the military and physical conflicts Wexler judiciously featured in the novel.
Some closure here, but dammit, the unresolved elements and giant hints of things to come have the next installment in The Shadow Campaigns quite high on my I NEED TO READ WHEN IT PUBLISHES list. With The Price of Valor, Django Wexler continues to prove that he’s got a great story to tell. Great characters painted on a fascinating backdrop with military and political conflict make for an excellent novel, and an excellent installment in a thoroughly entertaining Military/Flintlock Fantasy saga.
Roc, July 2015
Hardcover, 528 Pages / ISBN: 978-0-451-418-081
http://djangowexler.com/
Excerpt: http://djangowexler.com/shadow-campaigns/price-valor/the-price-of-valor-excerpt/
Review copy courtesy of the publisher, Roc
