Book Review: The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman
Author: Christopher Buehlam
Publisher: Gollancz
Release Date: May 27th 2021
Synopsis: Kinch Na Shannack owes the Takers Guild a small fortune for his education as a thief, which includes (but is not limited to) lock-picking, knife-fighting, wall-scaling, fall-breaking, lie-weaving, trap-making, plus a few small magics. His debt has driven him to lie in wait by the old forest road, planning to rob the next traveler that crosses his path.
But today, Kinch Na Shannack has picked the wrong mark.
Galva is a knight, a survivor of the brutal goblin wars, and handmaiden of the goddess of death. She is searching for her queen, missing since a distant northern city fell to giants.
Unsuccessful in his robbery and lucky to escape with his life, Kinch now finds his fate entangled with Galva's. Common enemies and uncommon dangers force thief and knight on an epic journey where goblins hunger for human flesh, krakens hunt in dark waters, and honor is a luxury few can afford.
*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts are mine and I want to thank the team at Gollancz for my copy and putting the Tour together!*
Review: Does anyone else read a blurb and think 'I know what I'm getting' going into a book. I do it all the time and often is the case that the books takes me on a completely different and exciting journey, and The Blacktongue Thief did exactly that.
Part of the draw on this was the stunning cover, which manages to feel both modern and traditional (perfect for the book) with this scratchy pencil like black and white image that gives me Jeffrey Allan Love vibes, set against bold colours and type. 'I want to know more about THIS' I said to myself. Who are they, where are they going, take me into this story with you.
Then the first line opens with "I WAS ABOUT TO DIE. WORSE, I WAS ABOUT TO DIE WITH BASTARDS"... I was off to a happy start!
In many ways The Blacktongue Thief feels like a traditional fantasy book. All the themes and plot points and familiar settings are there, so you easily get drawn into the bones of the story, then Buehlam adds layers and layers of story that add flesh to the bones and create something that feels different and fresh whilst maintaining that traditional nature. There is a lot of exposition at the beginning to which the brain goes, ok so this is what you're telling me I'm going to have to get on board and you learn ad become immersed in the world, and all the layers click into place. Then as you go through the story more layers are added and defined and the world contextualised. I was intrigued by the gods system (I can hear myself saying duh! even as I typed that) as I always am, and they were as mysterious, evocative and animalistic here as I have come to love in fantasy, and that was juts the tip of what you get as a fantasy lover. RELEASE THE KRAKEN, not a spoiler just a fact! Kraken's, Witches, Goblins and Giants oh my! Oh and there's an adorable blind cat that you just want to cuddle!
Voice, as we always seem to say is sooo important. Who is the we I also hear you asking. The royal we, because I'm sure I can't be the only one to do it. What really stood out here was that I could hear the voice so clearly, it was as if I was reading an audiobook (yes I understand how that reads).The words, their sounds and the way they roll around the mouth jumped out at me and this is such an important aspect to draw you into a novel, especially a new novel and genre for the author, and it works so well. The characters are clearly defined, Kinch was bawdy, brackish with enough cheek and charm to carry him against the balance of Galva who just exudes boss energy, with a human side. He's familiar, a morally grey character existing in the in-between with an interesting bag of magical aided skills. The rogue that has led many a story, but one that we want to get behind and follow, because we know things aren't going to go well, and we're going to sit back get the popcorn and watch the drama unfold.
So that's just what I did, sat back and enjoyed the ride ad I'm ready for more now thanks!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: @Buehlmeister
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