Lancour does a terrific job of world-building through vivid lived detail, and the expansive cast of mercenaries engages from the start, as the hardscrabble group introduces themselves, in crisp and sometimes cutting dialogue, to the duke, to each other, and to readers. Corelan, Qaz, Daelyn, and Lena exchange exciting banter throughout their journey into the desert, as they come to understand the escalating threat of running afoul of the Psychic’s League. Lancour writes fantasy with the eye and spirit of a thriller novelist, with visceral action, pulsing suspense, and a welcome attention to physical reality. The novel will hook readers who prefer pulp integrity in their sword and sorcery, as Lancour develops mysteries and gives real reason to worry about who will survive through to the end.
Storm Cloud Rising is still a fantasy, with copious new terminology and cultures for readers to chart, which at times can prove daunting. (A glossary would help.) But this entry moves quickly and boasts welcome pulp integrity as the mercenaries, striving to keep up with events, find themselves reduced to plans like “If things get ugly, kick in the door and start swinging.”
Takeaway: Sharply told mercenary fantasy with true pulp integrity.
Comparable Titles: Joe Abercrombie, Glen Cook.
Production grades
Cover: C
Design and typography: B
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
“From the precision with which his characters have been crafted, to the intricacies of the fight scenes, to the lore of this fictional world and its many inhabitants, Lancour knows how to put together an epic story.” – Book Trib Reviews
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“…Lancour adds some new life to the old formula, mainly through sharp prose, often laced with wry and very contemporary humor.” – Kirkus Reviews
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