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The Knave of Secrets
The Knave of Secrets | Alex Livingston
2 posts | 2 read
Never stake more than you can afford to lose. When failed magician turned cardsharp Valen Quinol is given the chance to play in the Forbearance Game—the invitation-only tournament where players gamble with secrets—he can’t resist. Or refuse, for that matter, according to the petty gangster sponsoring his seat at the table. Valen beats the man he was sent to play, and wins the most valuable secret ever staked in the history of the tournament. Now Valen and his motley crew are being hunted by thieves, gangsters, spies and wizards, all with their own reasons for wanting what’s in that envelope. It’s a game of nations where Valen doesn’t know all the rules or who all the players are, and can’t see all the moves. But he does know if the secret falls into the wrong hands, it could plunge the whole world into war…
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review
IReadThereforeIBlog
The Knave of Secrets | Alex Livingston
Mehso-so

Alex Livingston‘s fantasy novel combines gambling and politics with intricate world building. Unfortunately, the pacing lags, the relationships don‘t convince (notably Ten and Quinol) and the geopolitics political is confusing. I enjoyed the 18th century French inspiration and Livingston‘s put a lot of thought into his card games so while I wouldn‘t rush to read further books in this world, I‘d check out his other work.

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imyril
The Knave of Secrets | Alex Livingston
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Catching up on my own challenge - for #WyrdAndWonder day 1 we were sharing our TBR! I‘ve got an eclectic mix of fantasy sub genres lined up (plus The Future God of Love, a fantasy romance novella I‘m currently reading)

Of Charms, Ghosts & Grievances - Aliette de Bodard
Where Oblivion Lives - T Frohock
The Faerie Thorn - Jane Talbot
Silk Fire - Zabé Ellor
The Knave of Secrets - Alex Livingston
The Summer Tree - Guy Gavriel Kay

shanaqui Ooh, just realised I can grab a review copy of Of Charms, Ghosts and Grievances. YOINK.

I have heard some... very... bad things about Silk Fire, though I still plan to give it a try.
2y
imyril @shanaqui same about Silk Fire (and the author apparently isn‘t handling negative feedback well), but I‘ve got a copy so I‘ll give it a whirl… 2y
shanaqui @imyril Yeah, I've seen the author being all "if you didn't get my book, you're just inexperienced about the conventions of the genre" and, um... Yeah. But I did also see a couple of ambivalent reviews where people did give aspects to like, and I'm curious. 2y
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