This book builds on the first quite well, shifting the focus away from the surrounding badlands to the town that our reluctant hero is responsible for protecting, adding more depth to characters we have previously met and expanding the cast still further. This book begins a few months after the first one with Errol still carrying out the duties of a warden due to the continuing absence of his brother Tom, but now he has to find the creature responsible for a number of violent deaths and do so before it kills again. This is the second book in this series and while it could be read as a standalone, it works better if you have read the first instalment before this one. Conclusion: Interesting fantasy with some lighthearted moments even if there’s still gross stuff that happens to poor Errol during the course of his Warden duties. The tie-in to the new creature type wasn’t very subtle. Ěs with many fantasy writers, Hardman’s not afraid to kill off his share of small time characters. There are some loose ends which will be addressed in future volumes no doubt. The narrator has a nice voice and decent pacing. The mystery’s solution comes to Errol a tad too quickly. Some of the side characters kind of blurred together, especially the performers. I’m guessing that will be addressed at some point in the future. Not much happens with the overarching plot. It’s still an intriguing, dangerous world. Ě lot of the world-building went into the first story, so I’m guessing you should start there, even though these are essentially mini-mysteries. Additional Comments: - The story picks right up where the last one ended. He’s around to fight off monsters, in whatever form they arrive. Summary: Errol’s still deep into the job of semi-deputy Warden. Now Errol must determine what connection - if any - exists between the troupe and the killings, as well as find a way to stop the monster before the body count goes any higher. His desire for a respite, however, is complicated by two things: the arrival of a mysterious troupe of performers and the appearance of a bloodthirsty creature that kills its victims in a horribly gruesome fashion. Truth be told, despite his reluctance in accepting the role, there is no one better suited for it in terms of knowledge, training, and skill.Īrriving home after an extended sojourn in the Badlands, where monsters are as common as blades of grass, Errol longs for just a single day to pass that doesn't require him to put his life in danger. Part lawman, part tracker and part magician, the Wardens are monster-hunters - tasked with protecting the people from the various, nightmarish creatures that have invaded the world of men.ĭespite his personal dislike for the job, Errol Magnus has faithfully carried out the daunting (and singularly dangerous) duties of Warden for their region in place of his missing brother Tom.
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