The Radical Child

The Demon Hunter by Duncan M. Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The third and final installment of author Duncan M. Hamilton’s Blood of Kings trilogy opens with a foreword indicating that it occurs in the same universe as his other trilogies. The story begins in the past, with two warriors, Giffrid and Abrecan, ready to end the war they are fighting against their nemesis, Fenerik. The chapters afterward begin with the dramatis personae discussing how best to protect the last blood-bearer, Conrad, versus the forces that would seek to eradicate him. He and his companions investigate demon magic, with Conrad able to read some ancient writing and having some magical capability.

His companions suggest formal magical training, with Conrad taught towards the end of the novel to get in touch with a mystic power known as the Fount. He and his older companions break into the mansion of the Count of Streblano, seeking to purloin an ancient text during one of his parties. Among the characters, Luther travels to patrol the Frontier, where he regularly encounters demons that have begun to amass. Conrad and his allies then explore the nether regions of the castle where he had his swordsmanship instruction, with one of the rooms there said to harbor ancient magic.

Meanwhile, Conrad’s old rival Manfred runs a criminal organization, having gotten his start from the demonic Isgurin, and goes on an expedition to seek mystic artifacts. Conrad and company ultimately discover Manfred’s intentions and pursue him, engaging some of his men in combat. Isgurin brings Manfred before his master, Fanrac, who wants to restore his ancient empire. The final confrontation with Fanrac arrives, with the reunion of Conrad and Manfred not being happy, either. The novel settles the fate of its various luminaries, with a wedding in the mix.

Overall, I enjoyed reading the final installment of Hamilton’s fantasy trilogy; I would gladly check out his other works, provided they occur in the same universe as the Blood of Kings series. I could easily visualize the action and scenery throughout the story and genuinely experienced a sense of foreboding as Conrad and his companions explored dark underground paths; the continued rivalry between Conrad and Manfred resolves satisfactorily. The anticlimax and alternation of character parties within chapters were perhaps my most pressing issues with the story; however, fantasy literature enthusiasts will likely enjoy the trilogy.

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The Squire by Duncan M. Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The first entry of author Duncan M. Hamilton’s Blood of Kings trilogy opens with a man named Werner carrying contraband Telastrian steel ore, attempting to sell his goods to a bayda in the city of Raffah, only for the deal to go afoul, with the bayda killed and a mystical medallion stolen. A decade later, in the Northlands, Sigurd petitions the First Warrior Hermann, head of the village of Neuendorf, to slay cattle-killing demons known as the draugar, with his son Conrad and wife Ingrid awaiting his return with fellow soldiers in tow. Quickly afterward, Conrad’s parents die in an attack, and he begins his travels with his father’s men.

The adult warriors start to train Conrad in the art of swordsmanship and enroll him in special classes to learn other basic educational skills like reading, where he finds a rival in the form of Manfred, whose father has a monopoly on Telastrian steel. With a few squires he befriends, Conrad explores the dark palace depths to see what lies below ground, and a religious organization known as the Grey Priests shows interest in the fledgling squire. Among the main goals of Conrad’s guardians is to stop the horde of draugar from overtaking the land, with ancient magical power deemed to be at work.

Overall, this is an enjoyable and straightforward fantasy novel whose linearity and limited perspective help it avoid the common pitfalls of other stories in its genre, with the goal of the characters clear early in the book and the ending indicative of obvious continuation through the remaining entries of its respective trilogy. While it features tropes within and without its literary category, including a rival for the aspiring squire Conrad, it feels original enough to the point where it scarcely feels to be a rehash of other fantasy narratives. The story satisfied me enough, and I would gladly continue reading the series and other works from the author.

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