The island nation of Thanet is still in turmoil, the Everlorn Empire is still holding on to power while the rebellion is fractured. The Vagrant has been taking down many of the Empire’s leaders and the gods of Thanet are unsettled. The Sapphire Altar is the second book in David Dalglish’s Vagrant Gods series, which began with The Bladed Faith. Although I read (and reviewed here) The Bladed Faith a few months after publication, The Sapphire Altar was high on my list of anticipated reads for 2023. That anticipation was rewarded quite nicely, read below the cover and book description to find out why I feel that way. (Some unavoidable spoilers may float into the review)
In this epic fantasy from a bestselling author, a usurped prince must master the magic of shadows in order to reclaim his kingdom and his people.
Cyrus wants out. Trained to be an assassin in order to oust the invading Empire from his kingdom, Cyrus is now worried the price of his vengeance is too high. His old master has been keeping too many secrets to be trusted. And the mask he wears to hide his true identity and become the legendary “Vagrant” has started whispering to him in the dark. But the fight isn’t over and the Empire has sent its full force to bear upon Cyrus’s floundering revolution. He’ll have to decide once and for all whether to become the thing he fears or lose the country he loves.
The Sapphire Altar picks up shortly after the conclusion of The Bladed Faith with The Vagrant (a.k.a. Prince Cyrus) questioning the rebellion, his place in it, and the man pulling the strings of the rebellion. But Cyrus knows the Empire must be taken down, regardless of his misgivings because the fist of the Everlorn Empire is clenching harder on Thanet. Violent executions of disbelievers are the norm while they try to capture the Vagrant.
Rebellion/Empire conflict form the backdrop to an external threat hanging over the narrative, Dalglish’s characterization and human/interpersonal conflicts are what helps to drive the emotional weight of the novel. The “supporting” characters of Keles, Mari, and Arn are explored quite nicely and as I’m reflecting on their journey in the novel, I find meaty elements in each character that makes them feel quite alive. Dalglish introduced a new character named Eshiel, a priest of the deceased goddess of Thanet, Lycaena who finds himself aligned with Keles through much of the novel. Their faith in Lycaena is a powerful thing, but what Dalglish does very well is make his characters have choice, flexibility, and an intelligence that allows them to modify their worldview as they acquire more knowledge and information.
Cyrus is still the most prominent character in the novel, but as is custom with second novels in trilogies/series, things expand including characters and characterization. In particular, two characters get more attention in this book to my delight: Arn* and Keles. Arn was something of a minor character in the first novel in the series and he steps into a nice spotlight in The Sapphire Altar. Not exactly on the protagonist level, but featured support? I don’t know what you’d call it, but the brooding man we met gets more depth and backstory that breathed a great deal of life into him.
The other character who steps closer to center stage is Keles. She goes on an emotional roller-coaster ride from beginning to end. Her questions and motivations are believable from her point of view, making her a realistic and empathetic person. Both of these characters show a widening of the world and an alternative point of view that might just throw assumptions against the wall.
Although another minor character, the Paladin Rayan, acts as the counter to Cyrus/The Vagrant. The two are paired up for most of the narrative. Rayan provides a nice moral balance to Cyrus and his actions, but their longtime bond serves as a nice backbone to where their characters go through the novel.
Dalglish has a knack for crafting despicable villains, too. Last novel it was Magus who took the spotlight, here in the second it is the “Heir-Incarnate” Galvanis. He’s great because he speaks convincingly of the truth from his point of view and has charisma. On the other hand, Galvanis is such a punchable, stabbable villain and proves to be a great nemesis for Cyrus. That’s what makes Galvanis such a fantastic villain, he’s multi-faceted and believable.
Throughout the novel, the characters are challenged by many things casting a new light on their assumptions. Their faith is tested, in many ways. Faith in themselves, faith in the truth, faith in what they’ve known their whole lives. It proves to be a nice through-theme in the novel across the characters and as I suggested earlier, how this theme works into the character arcs of Keles and Arn is wonderfully crafted.
What impresses me the most about the characters is that none of them seem short-changed. They all feel incredibly well-wrought to the point that I wouldn’t be surprised if Dalglish has a notebook on each of them with details that we as the readers will never see and that the characters most definitely have lived.
In The Sapphire Altar, Dalglish has managed to craft a second book of a series that improves upon the original in layers of world-depth, character building, and stakes. It doesn’t merely tread water waiting for the next volume of the trilogy. I’d call this more of the Second Chapter of the Vagrant Gods series than anything else.
My anticipation level will be quite high while I wait for the final book in the trilogy to publish. That said, I’ve got to shoot some friendly evil eye towards Dalglish because now I have yet another author whose backlist I feel very compelled to explore.
The Vagrant Gods is proving to be a damned fine example of Modern Epic Fantasy.
Highly recommended
© 2023 Rob H. Bedford
*I’ve been a fan of professional wrestling almost as long as I’ve been a fan of Fantasy, Horror, & Science Fiction and I can’t help but think of legendary professional wrestler Arn Anderson whenever Dalglish’s Arn is on the page.
Trade Paperback | 544 pages (with glossary)
Orbit Books | January 2023
Excerpt: http://ddalglish.com/wp/books/vagrant-gods/the-sapphire-altar/
Author Website: http://ddalglish.com/wp/ | Twitter: @thatdalglishguy
