by Dave Lawson
Summary:
Don’t kill the messengers.
Gen has the perfect job: traveling the realm, drinking wine, and hitting things with her sword. Her latest assignment should be a simple one. Escort Cordyn, an envoy and her closest friend, through enemy territory to deliver vital military intelligence.
Except the mission is fake.
The King suspects Cordyn is a traitor, and Gen’s true orders are to watch him. Closely.
Cordyn may be a brash, arrogant libertine with a gift for trouble, but Gen can’t imagine him capable of such a betrayal. Bandits lurk.
Mages seek vengeance.
An enemy plot surfaces and Cordyn’s usually complex schemes grow more tangled.
Gen is forced to choose what matters most: the mission or her friends.
Even if it means never going home again.
Review:
I was looking for an entertaining read, and The Envoys of War fitted my requirements. The banter is reminiscent of the witty exchanges you may find in classic British comedies or Jane Austen’s novels (there’s a smidgen of romance here), and the plot moves at the same clipping pace as the horses on their cross-country journeys. Some politicking and swordplay further enliven the proceedings. I can recommend the immersive audiobook. The narrator handles the different regional accents well and speaks in a distinctive register for each member of the main cast.
The two suns in this world quickly clue us in that this is not a historical fantasy set on the Earth we know. However, the dress codes are reminiscent of the 1700s, with characters calling our rakish protagonist a “libertine”. The magic system is effective in its simplicity. Rather than portraying characters who can manipulate a variety of elements, Envoys has only mages who manipulate water (which has some versatile applications).
While this is a multi-POV story, I’d consider Gen to be our main character. She’s a kind, loyal, and trusting woman who is also a demon on the battlefield. Her lack of interest in romance or physical relationships is portrayed in a very natural way. That’s not to say she is without her indulgences. She enjoys her wine a little too much and keeps Maralda, her sword, close at all times.
Cordyn, her long-time travelling companion, doesn’t share her restraint when it comes to taking lovers. His introduction sets up his character perfectly (we find him partially clothed and on the run). If he’s not already in trouble, he’s plotting it. At least he’s handsome and quick-witted enough to wheedle his way out of most dilemmas. A classic rake, Cordyn can’t be reformed by just anyone. But a certain lute-wielding temptress might just be up to the task.
Unfortunately, Cordyn’s hedonistic lifestyle has drawn suspicion. An envoy of his station shouldn’t be able to afford all that he has; it is possible he’s betraying his country for money. On their upcoming mission, Gen is tasked with delving into his financial affairs. It won’t be an easy feat; if Gen is the heart and the muscle behind their operations, Cordyn is the brain. And, on a more personal note, she doesn’t want to turn against her friend.
On their travels, they encounter intriguing characters like Tobias, Evalia, and Cork. All have defined personalities and agendas that impact Cordyn and Gen’s original plans in significant ways. Attitude and vendettas are evenly distributed throughout the cast.
While there’s a good dash of wry humour in Envoys, I wouldn’t describe it as a comedy. There are also sobering moments involving a coming war and an investigation into missing mage children. Some creative dismemberments occur along the way, many of them courtesy of Maralda. This book also has one of the most unusual torture scenes I’ve read (unusual in motive, more than execution). The finer details of the plot become a little murky in the middle. I struggled to establish a sense of place, time, and distances covered. Eventually, I got my bearings and started to better understand the cultures of Piran, Rosenfell and the mysterious Winn, and the tenuous political relationships between them.
The brilliant character work and sharp writing cover for the aspects of the plot that were a little harder to follow. While many of the characters do fit recognisable archetypes, they aren’t static. I liked the way they were unpacked and developed beyond the bounds of what I first expected. If you like adventures that deliver laughs and gasps in equal measure, The Envoys of Chaos might be the series for you.
Find out more about The Envoys of War!
C.B. (Coe) Lansdell
C.B. (Coe) Lansdell is a longtime storyteller who drew picture books and enacted scenarios years before she could write. She’s worked as an illustrator since 2010, focusing mainly on school readers. Though born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, she is as pale as can be expected for someone of English and Welsh stock.
Hours of staring into rockpools left her wondering what sort of beings could develop from the colourful creatures found there. Her dogs consider her writing an annoying distraction, only good for keeping Mum at home.
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