Book Reviews

Review: Traitor’s Blade by Sebastien de Castell

I need to change the world, because the world won’t last the way it is much longer… I need someone who can walk for twenty days and nights and fight through every hell on earth to get justice – but not just justice for himself, justice for others (p.88)

Expecting watered down Three Muskateers crossed with Game of Thrones and a vaguely political plot, all my expectations about this book were wrong. This book surprised me, moved me, and excited me. What is so great about the Traitor’s Blade? Well let me try to tell you, without spoiling you. It is quite a challenge.

He wanted someone to tell him it was all right, that anyone would have done the same – or at least to scream at him, to beat him to within an inch of his life. I chose to do neither. (212)

Summary wise, Falcio is the leader of his own little band of Muskateers, except here called Greatcoats. A long time ago, he and his whole army of super skilled fighters with the single purpose of maintaining justice, stood down and watched their King be beheaded. They were disbanded and pardoned, but were shamed in the Duke’s Rule. The Dukes are basically power hungry war lords who care more about power than justice. In a nutshell, the book is about their journey to try to bring order back to the world as the Dukes are ready to execute their checkmate. The Greatcoats have to return.

Your greatest weapon is your judgement…everything else can be taken from you; everything else can be provided by someone else. (229)

The beginning is brilliant and instantly hooked me. The writing style throughout the novel was what made me devour this book in two days. This book’s protagonist reminds me of Inigo Montoya from The Princess Bride. Falcio is kind hearted, honor bound (sometimes to a fault), and dedicated to bringing back order. I have to mention the other two, Kest and Basti, because they are also hilarious characters. But, in my opinion, the first book is really focused on Falcio.

This is scarifice. This is the price you pay for your valour. (366)

It is not only the three main characters who are great, the side characters and villains are three dimensional too. There are characters where you least expect it, and each of them has a role to play, you may not see it then, but, trust me, all will be revealed. They make an impression and dare you to forget them (because they will come back again). In that way, they are all very well characterized, each lending something to the world building, which is fabulous. You can tell that this is only the beginning, but the way the past and present is mixed with the lore and legends is fabulous. Epic fantasy at its best.

That’s what being free mean – not the right to do whatever you want, but the right to take a stand and say what you’ll die for. (332)

Traitor’s Blade will make you laugh, maybe even cringe, but at the end of the day, the trio’s seemingly impossible quest combined with the corruption of the world and their abuse, will move you. I may be a sucker for characters who are trying to change the world, to bring order and equality, but who does not love a good underdog? A whole group of them. This is the fantasy I have been missing. I highly encourage you to pick up a copy for yourself, add it to your goodreads, and visit his website (it is pretty funny).

Let’s discuss: What is your favorite noble character?

One additional note, I also posted this review today to take part in the #SFFFridays hosted by Books and Ladders.

Subscribe for my review of the sequel

If you liked this, I am glad! I haven’t reviewed any epic fantasy, so this is pretty unique.


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4 thoughts on “Review: Traitor’s Blade by Sebastien de Castell

  1. Would you say this is a re-telling of The Three Musketeers for the younger audience? I do remember reading that classic, and boy, was it definitely made for a movie. The intrigue, the action, the excitement! 😀

    1. I think it is good for all, I really enjoyed the moral character of Falcio, but younger audiences could also enjoy it! It’s one of those books where you get a lot out of it at different ages

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