May 20, 2013
Wexler’s debut is a slow-building but generally capable addition to the military fantasy subgenre, nicely blending military strategy and political intrigue before layering on fantasy tropes. In a world at a Napoleonic Wars level of technology, soldiers on the outskirts of the imperialist Vordanai empire are suddenly in trouble when the rebels they arm turn on them. Quirky Count Colonel Janus bet Vhalnich Mieran is sent to fix the situation; to the surprise of Marcus D’Ivoire, a cynical captain, and Winter Ihernglass, a soldier looking to escape her past, he does reasonably well. Janus brings news of political intrigues at home, along with scholar Jennifer Alhundt, who has a mysterious agenda. The scenes of military life and combat tactics are well crafted, and Winter and Marcus’s respective successes keep the story moving swiftly enough until the darker secret and elements of the fantastic make themselves known. Wexler’s story and characters do stray into the realm of the predictable at times, but fans of military fantasy should still get their fill. Agent: Seth Fishman, Gernert Company.
June 15, 2013
Assigned to a remote outpost of the Vordanai empire, Capt. Marcus d'Ivoire faces an uprising from the occupied locals. Among his ranks is Winter Ihernglass, who fled the juvenile "prison" orphanage where she grew up and now masquerades as a male soldier. When Col. Janus bet Vhalnich arrives to reinforce the Vordanai troops, he demonstrates both his military genius as well as a disturbing propensity to seek out the supernatural to advance his own power. VERDICT The author of Shinigami and Memories of Empire launches an epic fantasy of military might and magical conflict. Guns and swords blend with magic and other supernatural phenomena in this tale of complex people caught up in world-shaking circumstances.
Copyright 2013 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
June 1, 2013
Wexler's polished military fantasy, first in the Shadow Campaign series, distinguishes itself from other epic doorstops with its unique setting, intricate plotting, and layered characters. Seasoned captain Marcus d'Ivoire is the only volunteer in Khandar, a distant Vordanai colonial outpost surrounded by desert. When a religious rebellion turns the quiet outpost into a war zone, Marcus must whip out-of-practice soldiers into a functioning army. One of these rankers, Winter Ihernglass, is unexpectedly promoted, making it difficult to protect heryes, hersecret, though her competence is undeniable. Both rely on the brilliant, enigmatic new leader, Colonel Janus, but he has an ulterior motive: a magical relic that has been the true danger all along. Wexler makes military tactics riveting, though at times the sheer detail given over to the realities of pseudo-eighteenth-century warfare (think muskets, swords, and cannons) is too much. Fortunately, at these times, a riotous battle, a perceptive character beat, or another hint of insidious magic comes to the fore. This excellent series debut is for fans of Peter Brett, Daniel Abraham, and Joe Abercrombie.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)