I loved Traitor’s Blade – I read it in a day and a half and just ignored people and didn’t socialise until I’d finished!  I literally picked up a copy of this book ages ago and I have no idea what kept me from picking it up – other than that strange thing that sometimes occurs when everyone seems to love a book and it almost makes me nervous to read it – foolish really.

Anyway, Traitor’s Blade.  Being so late to this story I’m sure I don’t need to elaborate too much on what really takes place.  We basically follow the exploits of Falcio and his two companions Kest and Brasti.  All his life Falcio dreamt of becoming a member of the famed Greatcoats, unfortunately not long after his dream became reality the King that he served was executed and the Greatcoats named traitors.  They’re now spread throughout the kingdom, some have been murdered, others turned against their ideals and become bandits.  This is a terrible turn of events given that the Greatcoats used to formerly dispense justice throughout the kingdom.

At the start of the story Falcio and his two merry men are thrown into the middle of a tricky situation – one that is going to cause them some serious bother.  As a result they need a quick exit out of town and without directly wishing to become engaged in work accompanying a caravan that’s exactly what happens.  I’m really not going to go into the plot furher as it really isn’t necessary.  It’s a very engaging story, I think if you read a lot of fantasy it won’t particularly astound you with anything particularly new in that area but be prepared to be bowled over nonetheless.  This is a romping, swashbucking story packed with swordplay and bursting with fun.

I really liked Falcio.  He has a dark story of loss that will slowly be revealed during the course of the early chapters and yet in spite of his pain he still retains this wonderful way of believing in things – I’m sure that if he was told to clap his hands quickly and say ‘I do believe in fairies’ he would.  The only thing he now has left is the mission he was given by his King before he was executed.  It’s a strange mission and not even Falcio understands the true meaning.  I think what makes him stand out as a character is he makes a great leader and this isn’t because he’s the best at everything – as Kest is clearly a better swordsman and Brasti is a better archer – what puts Falcio above the rest is his ability to think on his feet, under stress, to come up with the oddest strategies to get him out of a fix and to basically talk people into an all out muddle to distract them.

Kest and Brasti also make good companions and although they don’t get as much time as Falcio I liked both of them.

There’s plenty of action – in fact we pretty much bowl from one situation to the next in quick succession, there’s an underhanded plot, a tad of magic and a rather nasty character who you’ll have no trouble hating.  Undoubtedly though, for me, the dialogue and the sense of fun throughout the book are what won me over.  Which isn’t to say this is a comedy – just that it’s not afraid to poke fun and come up with some cheeky banter that will simply make you giggle.

I have no hesitation in recommending this book – although I’m not sure who to as I think I’m quite possible the last one to read it.  The good news, book two is out and I have a copy already lined up!

A wonderfully entertaining read.

I’m submitting this for one of my reads for Stainless Steel Droppings Once Upon a Time event and my Backlist Burndown book over at Tenacious Reads – (Sorry, bit late with this one!)