Changes

Balancing multiple threads in a fantasy novel is normally one of the determining factors in whether it works or not. McClellan has experience of this in his first [[Promise of Blood (Powder Mage Trilogy) by Brian McClellan|Powder Mage]] trilogy set in the same world as ''Sins''. Like the best authors , McClellan has not just done the same thing, but learned and improved from his previous efforts. Split between three threads - an escaped convict, a reluctant spy and a mercenary leader – ''Sins'' bounces between them perfectly.

This is achievable as the scale of the book is smaller than the previous outings. The first thought would be that reducing the scope of the book would be a bad thing; instead , it concentrates all the best elements, like distilling a fine wine. Set around one city and with a few likable likeable characters, the book rattles along. Each chapter ends in a cliff-hanger and you have to wait a chapter or two to find out what happens, but seeing as you like the other characters too, this is not a problem.

As a fantasy fan , I hold [[:Category:Joe Abercrombie|Joe Abercrombie]] up as the pinnacle that the genre has to offer in recent times, but with ''Sins'', McClellan has earned his place beside him. There is a fast -paced story, set in a brilliantly realised world. The combat in the books takes the essence of the Napoleonic Wars, but throws in magic. Added to this is the rock, paper, scissors feel that the magic of this world has. Each nation -state has a different style of magic; some more technology -based, other more traditional. This leads to an interesting clash of styles, especially in this novel as a new player enters the field.