The Belly of the Bow: 2 (Fencer Trilogy) - K.J. Parker

Twist, twist, twist

This series certainly has lots of twists and turns.
I'm not certain you can say you feel entirely unsympathetic for the characters, but the author gives the Loredans extreme versions of ordinary flaws and perhaps makes you sit back and think 'wow, was I really starting to identify with him/her?' Certainly the last major plot twist come as a surprise like a punch in the stomach. Perhaps I should have seen it coming, but I don't think my mind was twisted enough to see it.

So yes, a warning to the squeamish, this book is probably not for you.

A truly original "middle" volume.

I usually dread middle books of fantasy trilogies. They are there because the author's publisher has told him/her that fantasy books come in threes: we usually end up spending a lot of time in landscape. Parker's trilogy is quite different; the middle book is vital and engaging; the lack of a sympathetic main character does not mean any lack of empathy and there is no actual need to have read book one.

Itýs like watching a car accident, you just canýt turn away.

After reading Colours in the Steel, I went straight out and ordered the next volumes in the trilogy. Unfortunately, I'm not sure what to make of the second volume and am a little afraid of opening the third. Not wanting to give away the turnings of the plot, I will only say that the search for a sympathetic character becomes even harder in the second volume than it was in the first. I enjoy Parker's worldview, I like the technical aspects, I'm amused by the interpretation of the various professions and the introduction of business as state is entertaining to say the least - it makes for an almost tongue in cheek universe. The only problem I have is, I don't like any of the main characters anymore, perhaps it's human to have weaknesses, but I'm not sure they need to be expressed so forcefully. I will read the last volume, as I said I can't turn away, but I don't particularly care whether the characters live or die. Which is a pity, after the first book I quite liked Baradas.

Disappointing follow up

I enjoyed the first book in this series, but it was a struggle to wade through this I am afraid. None of the freshness of the first and a lame and boring attempt to put international banking into a fantasy context. A real shame that the potential of this series has not been enhanced by this novel, I am going to have to see some pretty stunning reviews before I part with my hard earned cash for the next one in this series!

The fact book one was so good only makes this seem worse

Extremely disappointing follow up to a splendid first book. There is none of the originality which was present in Colours in Steel. By the middle of the book any sympathy for the characters is fading and by the end its reserved for the reader desperately trying to finish this turgid volume.