View source for Foul Tides Turning by Stephen Hunt

{{infobox1
|title=Foul Tides Turning
|author=Stephen Hunt
|reviewer= Luke Marlowe
|genre=Fantasy
|summary= The second in an enjoyable fantasy saga, ''Foul Tides Turning'' capitalises on the fantastical world built in the first book, but lacks character development in parts, making it a mixed read. 
|rating=3.5
|buy=Maybe
|borrow=Yes
|pages=448
|publisher=Gollancz
|date=June 2015
|isbn= 978-0575092105
|website= http://stephenhunt.net/
|cover=0575092106
|aznuk=0575092106
|aznus=0575092106
}}

The people of Weyland always believed the slavers' raids, which destroyed families and homes like a natural disaster, were a misfortune that couldn't be averted. But it wasn't true. Their King, King Marcus, had struck a deal – sacrificing his people in exchange for technology and political power. But now, everyone knows. Jacob and Carter Carnehan escaped the slavers, returning home with the truth, the true King, and a Princess as their hostage. Their purpose was to avoid war – but instead the truth prompts a civil war, and an invasion force gathers to reclaim the princess. Once again, Jacob and Carter will be separated – and this time they'll be fighting for something bigger than both of them…

I reviewed the first book in this series, [[In Dark Service (Far Called Trilogy 1) by Stephen Hunt|In Dark Service]], on its release, and found it a good, if uneven book with a fantastically built world but issues in terms of pacing and character. Now on to book two, I can say essentially the same – as the same issues crop up again here. 

Stephen Hunt is an extremely skilled writer, with a hell of a lot of experience – his Jackelian series reached six books. And I'm certainly not saying that ''Foul Tides Turning'' is a bad read – the cleverness in the writing leaps off the page, and the witty dialogue that constantly crackles between the characters is something that many other writers could only dream of – and this is where the book really takes off, as characters come to life in dazzling fashion. 

It's a shame, then, that the world so brilliantly depicted in ''In Dark Service'' is not hugely developed here – we see the political landscape change hugely, but the actual landscape is left unexplored, with the action staying in few places throughout. I also felt the characters could have done with a little more development – many occur constantly, but only a few feel like they are fully fleshed out – although I don't doubt that this may well be changed in book 3. 

Many thanks to the publishers for the copy, and for further reading I would recommend [[Promise of Blood (Powder Mage Trilogy) by Brian McClellan]]. I harp on about this book a lot – but it really is one of the staggeringly good fantasy debuts of the last few years. 

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